Meeting #1 // September 21st, 2017

Hello! Happy Weekend!

I can't express in words how excited I was to see so many girls and parents attend the meeting on Thursday. The new Girl Scout year is always exciting, but it was extra exciting to see so many new faces and returning girls. 

I wanted to make sure that even if you couldn't make it on Thursday or you were just so overwhelmed by the information (sorry about that) and are not sure if you got everything that I put it in a place that you can pull it whenever you need to. 

The first item that I handed out was the Agenda for the meeting. This went over what we would cover in the meeting, including the Girl Scout Membership Fee, $25, as well as the Troop dues, $40. The Membership Fee goes straight to council, so we don't see any of that money, it covers insurance as well as financial aid, and events that council may put on. The Troop dues is what helps us to get started in the year, including crafts, badges, and some field trips. The Agenda also had a possible events sheet on the second page, that I would love everyone to fill out and turn back in at the next meeting, if you didn't do so at the end of the last. 

The second item that we discussed was the Important Dates and Events for the Year. Although, this may seem overwhelming, really all you need to focus on currently are the meeting dates. The meeting dates are every other Thursday, beginning with the Parent Meeting on September 21st. Which means that the next meeting will be Ocotber 5th, at 6:00-7:30 pm. We always meet in the basement of Good Shepard Lutheran Church, unless otherwise states ahead of time (ex. field trips, council events, camp), which is across from Strawberry Fields on 23 Mile Rd. 

I also handed out the Meet My Daughter sheet. Since we have so many new girls I really want to make sure we get to know all about them. Since a lot of times the girls are hard to get to talk at first it's very helpful to know what works and what doesn't with each girl and what makes them special. 

Lastly, we discussed how to sign up and what to buy for your Girl Scout. If you need to sign up still, either I can do it for you if you fill out the Girl Scout Membership Form and give me the $25 fee, or you can go to the Girl Scout Main Page and scroll down to Join Today to sign up and join. If you are interested in being an Adult Member you can also sign up and join or I can do it for you with the 
Adult Membership Form and fee. 

I have also attached below the different tunic/vest/sash options and where to place your insignia. 

I hope that this little post has helped you with what we discussed. In the future I will post what we did at each meeting so that you can be a part of our meetings, along with your daughter. If there is any questions or anything else you would like to see here, please let me know. 

Important Parent Information

**IMPORTANT**

In an effort to reduce the number of emails sent, parents will be responsible for checking the HOME PAGE or FACEBOOK PAGE weekly to read the following:

• ANNOUNCEMENTS - which will feature all Troop News, Troop Accomplishments, and Field Trip Updates.
• CALENDAR - which will list the troop meeting activities, feature Petals and Badges, and includes a BE PREPARED section which lists what the girls and parents need to have ready or bring to that troop meeting.  Special items needed are in addition to the standard items (listed below) that each girl should bring to every meeting.  Please understand that Badges or patches may not be earned IF special items your daughter needs to have at a troop meeting are forgotten at home.
• PLEASE REMEMBER...You are ALWAYS welcome to email me at any time!

**A New Blog Post Goes Up EVERY Friday...So Please Check It Out!!!**

TROOP MEETINGS 
WHEN: EVERY OTHER Thursday (unless otherwise noted) 
TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. We begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. 
WHERE: Good Shepard Lutheran Church, Basement

**GIRLS MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING TO EVERY TROOP MEETING: Tunic/Vest/Sash, Bag with Guide to Girl Scouting Book, Water Bottle

TROOP DUES 
For the 2017-2018 year, dues will be $40.00/girl.  Field Trips are not included in this fee and will be on a “pay-as-you-go” basis.  The dues will be collected at the first troop meeting on Thursday, October 5th, 2017.  Cash is fine or checks should be made out to: GSSEM Troop 71596.

SNACKS 
Due to various dietary restrictions, we will no longer be providing or expecting families to provide a troop snack.  If you would like your daughter to have a snack during troop meetings, please provide a simple (non-messy) snack which can be eaten while working on activities.

BATHROOM BREAKS 
Please have your daughter use the bathroom prior to coming to the troop meetings.  It will really help cut down on the number of breaks/distractions during our meetings.  Thank you in advance for your help!

FIELD TRIPS 
All field trips are on a PAY-AS-YOU-GO BASIS. Forms will be handed out at the troop meeting the week of the field trip and MUST be returned on the day of the field trip...no exceptions.  Field Trip fees are collected before the event.  **ALL field trips are limited to the registered girls in our troop and trip chaperones, unless otherwise noted.

WE NEED YOU! 
Last year we noticed just how excited the girls were to have a parent chaperone a field trip or help us out at a special event or troop meeting.  This year we would like parents to become more involved with the troop.  We are not asking that you plan an activity.  What we are asking is that you each volunteer to help at one troop meeting during the 2017-2018 troop year! A sign up sheet will be posted before the next meeting.