Leadership Team:
Victoria Eisenberg (Scoutmaster)
Mayra Ramos (Admin)
Lyzzy Cruz (Outdoor Leader/Parent Liaison)
Facia Bradford (Volunteer Leader)
Dorina Bekoe (Daisy + Brownie Leader)
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Thank you for registering your girl(s) in Girl Scouts!
We are going to have so much fun this year!
Girl Scouts is about empowering each and every girl
and helping them explore the world and all it has to offer them.
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This handbook will serve in place of the physical copy (though you may print yourself). The troop will have a physical copy on hand at every meeting in the troop binder. All parents must sign that they have read and agreed to all of the following. Also, this is gone over with the leaders at the very first scout meeting with parents.
If you have questions, ask a leader.
Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law
We expect that girls learn these to the best of their ability. The Girl Scout Promise is recited at every meeting. We also expect that every family’s conduct also stay true to the promise and law.
Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God* and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
*Girl Scouts of the USA makes no attempt to define or interpret the word “God” in the Girl Scout Promise. It looks to individual members to establish for themselves the nature of their spiritual beliefs.
Meetings
Meetings will be held 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm (on rare occasions, we may meet for longer). Meetings will be held at the Scoutmaster’s home unless notice is given. Please watch the schedule so that you know where to pick up your Girl Scout(s).
A typical meeting agenda will be as follows:
- 6:30-6:40 Pre-Meeting: There will be an activity to keep girls occupied until we get started
- 6:40-6:45 Opening: We will say the Girl Scout Promise, the Girl Scout Law, and the Pledge of Allegiance before discussing the planned activities for the meeting.
- 6:45-7:30 Activities/Exploration: This is when we get down to business and have fun!
- 7:30 - 7:45 Snack: We relax and enjoy a healthy snack provided by one of the girls.
- 7:45 - 7:55 Clean-up: No fun, but we all have to do it
- 7:55 - 8:00 Closing
We will make every effort to begin and end all meetings on time. Please be patient if you arrive early and we are just setting up. If you need to pick up your girl early, please let us know ahead of time so we can have her ready to go. Your girl will only be allowed to leave with the adult that dropped her off, unless you notify the Scoutmaster in advance.
Cell Phones
In showing respect to the troop, we ask that the girls keep cell phones stored away during the meetings and that there be NO cell phone checking during the meetings. Exceptions, of course, will be made for group photos or in the event of an emergency. Please note that the troop is not responsible for lost or damaged cell phones.
Cancellations of Meetings
Any cancellations will ALWAYS be communicated by e-mail as well as by note via the meeting’s RSVP page on Facebook. This includes weather-related or holidays cancellations. We juggle, a minimum, 5 school calendars any given year.
Snacks & Water
We want to make sure all girls are feeling good, so we will always have a healthy snack at each meeting. We will make up a snack calendar when meetings are set to show whose turn it is to bring snacks. Please be sure your daughter brings a refillable water bottle to each meeting.
Uniforms and Badges
Uniforms are required for all troop meetings, special activities, such as ceremonies, presentations, etc. This becomes more strict for sudden service opportunities, such as meeting a CEO where khaki pants and a white shirt will also be part of the uniform.
Late Pick Ups
During meetings and events, if you are more than 20 minutes late, the leader has right to take your daughter to that leader’s next destination and you will be responsible for picking her up from that destination at the earliest possible time! There will be a fine of $10 for the first 10 minutes that you are late as well as $1/minute thereafter (these fees will go as a donation to the troop).
Money Wise + Dues
Membership Dues*
Membership dues are $25 and are paid when you register. The $25/person pays for your daughter and/or yourself to be registered with the Girl Scouts. This money is sent to our council and then sent on to Girl Scouts of the USA. A membership year runs from October 1 through September 30th. Although you may enroll at any time, in order to secure your spot in the troop as well as be eligible for the “Early Bird Patch,” you must register for the upcoming year by June 30th. The troop never sees this money. This is also the insurance you can pay to participate in a whole year’s worth of activity. It covers in case of injury and other mishaps during an activity.
Troop Dues* and **
Troop dues are $75. Our troop has decided on an annual troop due of $75/girl (this is an increase from our 2016-2017 year, but was a troop decision in lieu of a shorter cookie season). These funds help cover the expenses that the troop incurs for materials, trips, badges, etc. that are above-and-beyond the any profits that are earned from product sales & fundraisers. If for any reason there is need for additional funds, it will be decided at the troop level how to address it.
Uniform Dues*
The uniform dues are per girl. The uniform dues cover the following: Vest/Sash, Tab, Pin, Flag, Troop Numbers, ID set-- your book(s) is optional. The troop covers the troop crest.
Special Events/Activities Deposits and/or Fees***
There are many activities and events we have outside of our regular meetings. At times, an event/activity may have a cost associated with them-- either in the form of deposit or a fee and at times, a partial payment may be required at the time of RSVP. If we are planning a trip that requires payment we will do our best to provide adequate notice. While we will do our best to schedule things as far in advance advance as we can so that you may make arrangements for your Girl Scout to come, we are aware that everyone has busy schedules and that not every girl will be able to attend every event and so we apologize in advance for any inconvenience.
Deposits for events/camping/etc
It is important to note, that we will ask for refundable deposits for events that cost the troop more money than normal. This is to make sure the troop is not wasting money on scouts not attending the events. A lot of the times, you will get this deposit back if (and only if) you show up. If you fail to show up, you forfeit the deposit as the girl’s spot had to be saved and most all the time, paid for.
Reimbursements
If you are requesting reimbursement on troop agreed expenses by leaders for troop materials or events, reimbursement will not happen without the original receipts given to the Scoutmaster! This is non-negotiable.
Payment Methods Accepted
- Pay Pal (as friends and family only) to gstroop5823@gmail.com
- Venmo to Victoria-Eisenberg-1
- Money Order
- Cash (receipt will be given)
- Credit Card (via Square, fees paid by parents)
- We would prefer not to accept checks. If you absolutely must pay by check, we understand and will accept a check, however, in the event of a returned check, you will be responsible for any returned check fees and will no longer be able to pay via check
*If you are unable to pay for the Membership Dues, Troop Dues, and/or Uniform Dues because of financial restraints, please contact me privately. I can help you fill out the GSNC form to request help to cover expenses. We try very hard to keep your out-of-pocket expenses low, without impacting the quality of the experience your daughter receives. We are very confidential about financial information and do not want any girl to be left out due to their family’s inability to pay.
**Please note that should you decide (for any reason) to transfer/move out of the troop during the year, your troop dues and/or cookie money will not transfer.
***If the troop pays any part of an activity and you sign up your Girl Scout and/or yourself and end up backing out, you will be expected to pay back your portion to the troop.
Volunteering
Girl Scouts is based on volunteers and we really need help! You will be surprised how happy it makes your Girl Scout to have you there! For our girls’ safety all adults coming in direct contact with the girls must complete the process noted below. This will allow you to be covered by Girl Scout secondary insurance just as your daughter is covered.
Attendance
- Any person in attendance (girl or adult) needs to be a registered member of Girl Scouts.
- We keep track of attendance at each meeting. Your daughter signs herself in, not you. It is a way to promote her independence.
- We ask for your cooperation in making sure that girls are on time for meetings, field trips and other activities. Girls that are late become a distraction and miss out on important information. Please pick up girls promptly when meetings are over. It can be upsetting for all involved when you are late. If you know you are running late, please call one of us or let us know if someone else will be picking up your girl.
- We will NOT allow another person to take your Girl Scout unless you have told the Scoutmaster specifically!
- We also appreciate you letting us know if your Girl Scout is sick or you will be gone for a meeting. We worry about all the girls and want to make sure they are okay. If your girl is sick enough not to send them to school please don’t send them to a meeting/activity.
Adult attendance
Due to capacity we ask that only those that are registered and helping with troop meetings and events stay. This is to make sure that things go smoothly for the meetings and we get all the girls done on time for your pick-up. It is the same $25/person membership fee which is paid to GSUSA for insurance. (Anyone who would like to be registered and needs financial assistance should speak with the Scoutmaster). Leaders go one step further and are all background checked and some of us fully “hired” in an application process.
Any person(s) attending a meeting/event will also be expected to help out or assist. This is a crucial teaching moment for the girls. It can be simple as bringing snacks and helping to hand them out, or even chaperoning girls within the group and supporting the leader in their endeavors. Remember that you can help in many ways. Ideas are a great way, even if you can’t plan it, to help tailor the girl scout experience to the girls in the troop. If you wish to help plan things, that is great as well and welcome.
Code of Conduct, Behavior & Participation
Adults and Scouts are expected to adhere to the general code of conduct and this includes living up to the Girl Scout Promise and Law as best as we each can!
We want all girls to get the most out of this experience. We do not tolerate behavior such as bullying, recklessness, or other mean or irresponsible behavior that might affect or be harmful for meetings, other troop members, parents, volunteers or themselves.
We have a “three strikes and you’re out” rule for more severe behaviour problems. Two warnings will be given. The first warning will be given to the girl herself. The second warning is given to the girl during a meeting with the parent. The next time that a girl acts in a harmful way, she will be asked to leave and an alternative method of participation in our Girl Scout troop may need to be discussed. Please keep in mind that verbal bullying and foul language is also not tolerated. We encourage our girls and parents to treat each other with respect. We want everyone to enjoy this experience in a safe and fun environment!
If there are behaviour issues from a parent repeatedly towards leadership, we will be contacting council as well to set up a meeting. At that point, it may also be determined whether your family’s spot is saved in the troop .
Safety
Girl Scouts emphasizes fun with safety. We take your daughter’s safety seriously. All activities will be assessed to make sure that they are safe and age appropriate. In the event that your child should get hurt during an activity, a copy of an Incident Report will be sent home.
Permission Slips
When we decide to do a special event/activity, each girl will have a permission form that will need to be signed and returned to us. We may at times call on parents to volunteer at some of our special events or activities this year. Remember, all adults need to be registered with GSNC in order to volunteer and/or participate.
Girl Scout Awards/Badges
During our Girl Scout Journey the girls will earn various badges and awards. The girls will have input into what awards and badges that they would like to earn. As a Girl Scout, the girls will be earning all kinds of badges. Each badge or patch has different requirements. We will try to do as many as we can without losing focus of our goals. Girls can also earn “fun patches” for special activities or events that we may attend. The girls will get badges throughout the year also to be added to their vest or sash.
If you decide to operate on Juliette Status through the troop or do any activities/badges outside of the troop, it is on your family to pay for those.
Also, barring an excused reason and unless specified, you must attend the meeting/event to earn and get the patch. Please talk to the scoutmaster if you have questions.
Participation
It is important for your daughter to participate in as much as she can. She will get more out of the troop that way (ie: social interaction, learning lots of new things, fun, bonding,experience). So it is important to do as much as you are able, though you are free to do as little as you want as well. Remember, the troop can’t work without the hard work and participation of each member.
Patches will not be given for something that has not been earned or completed and requirements not met.
Email/Media Permission
Contact Information: Unless you otherwise state, we plan to share with the troop parents the emails and phone numbers for each family. Please contact the Scoutmaster or parent Liasan if this is an issue. Only more personal information such as address or any other personal information, will be held only on the Troop committee level. Your personal information is held in highest regard and only those that are registered in a volunteering way with the troop will have access to it when they need it and they promise to use it only for troop purposes.
Media permission is granted for TAP, pictures, names, videos, likeness of each troop member unless otherwise notice or told and may be used by GSUSA, GSCNC, on blogs including but not limited to Via Bella,on Facebook by parents or troop, and so forth and none of these entities are held in any liability therein and of results.
Fundraisers: Fall Product Program and Cookie Sale Program
Girl Scouts can participate in two product sales each year, then other troop fundraisers as well. During the Fall Product Program Sale, our troop will earn 10% of our total sales. Each girl MUST have the permission slip form filled out before she starts selling. It’s a great way to earn money for our troop to help pay for badges that we earn, materials, and other activities that we might want to do, such as field trips. The Fall Sale Program begins in September and more information will be given at that time. The Cookie Sale Program begins around December and more information will given at that time.
Parent Information Central
We encourage you to join the troop Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1506372766249162/
The group is kept secret to protect the troop and girls’ privacy. There you will find important information posted regarding what we did that meeting, what we are planning for the upcoming meetings, field trips, special events and reminders. Please read this! If you DO NOT have Facebook please let the Scoutmaster know!
We also encourage you to share your e-mail address and/or cell phone number. Although we make every effort to make our Facebook page our primary mode of communication & RSVP’s, we have found it helpful to have e-mail address and cell phone numbers in the event of any last minute but important communications.
Questions, Comments?
gstroop5823@gmail.com
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