Gold Award Spotlight: Solana O. Helps Knights in Need

Written by: Solana O., GSCTX Gold Girl Scout 

A History of Helping 

Helping others is just something I grew up doing – with my family, my church, and my Girl Scout troop.  Last year I learned that almost 40 percent of the students in my school are from low income families and are eligible for the National School Lunch Program.  Some students do not have a permanent home, access to regular meals, clothing, or reliable transportation to and from school. 

Tough Decisions

I understand how difficult being a teenager in high school can be with all the social and academic pressures that surround students. I am fortunate to live in a two-parent household and do not have to face the challenges of wondering where I will sleep or when I will eat or how I will get to school. My family is fortunate enough to not have to make tough decisions about whether to buy food or keep the electricity on in the house. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to struggle in this type of environment and continue to succeed in school, both academically and socially. 

Raising Awareness 

Every student deserves a chance to learn and grow without worries for food, clothing and transportation. My goal was to provide at least some of these basic resources and to let those students know they are supported in their community. I also wanted to raise awareness of the problem so as to create a better understanding of real-life situations that many of our peers face every day.  I am proud of the work being continued and expanded throughout the entire vertical team.  It truly takes a village and that village is now better aware of the needs within it!

Gold Award Spotlight: Sarika M's Mission to Help Haiti

Written by: GSCTX Gold Gold Scout, Sarika M. 

Golden Inspiration 

I chose my Gold Award project after traveling to Haiti for the first time two years ago to volunteer at my school's sister school in Haiti, St. Etienne. I was inspired by the St. Etienne community's passion for education and I wanted to find a way to better their lives. 

Taking Action

For my Gold Award project, I created awareness about St. Etienne. I organized a beanie baby drive to benefit the students at St. Etienne. I have a leadership role in Elevate, a new international development club at my school in which we learn and discuss global issues, including those in Haiti and St. Etienne. Most importantly, I created a website (sseshaitioutreach.wix.com/stetienne) that features pictures of all the students at St. Etienne, fun facts, and more information about the school. The website was showcased at an Elevate bake sale and at five other Haitian cultural exhibitions. 

Gold Girl Advice 

My project took more time than expected to complete, so I would advise other Girl Scouts who wish to earn the Gold Award to manage their time wisely and plan a breakdown of all the hours before starting the project. 

Fee Increase: Message From Our National CEO

Hi, There, 

You may have heard that GSUSA is increasing the cost of membership dues beginning with 2017-2018 Girl Scout Year. Our Girl Scout-In- Chief, GSUSA CEO Anna Maria Chavez, wrote a letter explaining the increase and it help further our mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Before you read it below, here are some things you should know about how it affects us in Central Texas: 

·         This increase is decided on by the Board of Directors of GSUSA.

·         The entire amount of $25 goes to GSUSA. GSCTX has opted NOT to attach any additional fees as some councils across the country have done.

·         Girl Scouts is still the best buy for youth organizations. (Details in FAQ document. A great piece of information for your talking points as well.)

·         The dues increase will be discussed at the Annual Meeting April 30^th at the Kodosky Service Center.

Message from GSUSA: 

A Message From Our CEO: Innovating on Behalf of Girls

At Girl Scouts we are always thinking about the future and how we can best prepare the next generation of girls to take the lead every day. Our Movement has such a rich history of forward thinking and innovation—and now in our second century, as we advance the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place, it continues to be important that we keep pace with an ever-changing world. 

As the first and largest girl-led organization in the world, we continue to evolve our unique leadership program and implement new technologies and ways of work to enhance the Girl Scout experience for girls, volunteers, and parents. To ensure we have the resources to support this work, the National Board of Girl Scouts of the USA has made a decision to increase the annual membership fee to $25, starting October 1, 2017, for both girl and adult members. 

While this fee increase will impact many families, we know that a Girl Scout membership is one of the most valuable investments anyone can make in a girl’s life. With unique programs for girls from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to explore new interests and face challenges, form new friendships, and make lasting community contributions. Every dollar of membership dues is sent to Girl Scouts of the USA to cover the cost of fundamental services supporting the Girl Scout Movement including: accident insurance for members participating in approved Girl Scout activities, research, resources, training, and services to councils. 

With the extra funding, we will be able to sustain and develop exceptional leadership programs, implement digital innovations to enhance the girl and volunteer experience nationwide, maintain fundamental services for our 2.7 million members, and better engage our 59 million alumnae. It will enable Girl Scouts of the USA to continue delivering best-in-class service and support to our Movement’s 112 councils, and to provide thousands of volunteers with the relevant resources, tools, and training they need to best serve today’s girls.

Nationally, we are building some amazing programs for girls in the areas of STEM, entrepreneurship, outdoor, and life skills. Locally, girls are empowered with the skills and entrepreneurial know-how to lead and succeed in the industries of tomorrow, as they tackle local and global issues of interest to them, such as poverty, illiteracy, and pollution. The additional funding provided by the upcoming membership fee increase will ensure this important programming endures and thrives.

At Girl Scouts, we remain grounded in the core principles of our founder Juliette Gordon Low—of being an organization that is inclusive, accessible, and innovative—and we are committed to providing a positive and meaningful experience to every girl who wants to be a Girl Scout throughout her life journey. For more information about how this adjustment to our membership dues may affect you, please refer to our FAQ. 

Thank you for your continued support of girls and your investment in our mission.

AMC

Gold Award Spotlight: Keeping Kids Klothed

Keeping Kids Clothed was created by MacKenzie J.  for her Girl Scout Gold Award. With the help of LHS Student Council members, Llano ISD, area businesses, family, and friends, Kenzie built clothes racks, painted and decorated the KKC room, held clothes drives, and collected, washed, sorted and organized new and gently used clothing. Kenzie stated, “I know that I and my classmates have a lot of good clothing that we don’t wear or have outgrown, and I hope to be able to use the clothes closet to share with those in need.” Kenzie has also worked with the school staff to implement an application and distribution process for the clothes closet. LHS Student Council will take over, with Kenzie heading up the program.

Fort Hood World Thinking Day By: Haley-Allexus A.

On February 11, 2016 at the Killeen Service Center, all the Fort Hood Girl Scouts met for World Thinking Day. To start it off the Girl Scouts did the pledge and promise of Girl Scouts. Each Girl Scout Troop made information presentations such as posters, swaps, and even some of food representing their country. The girls did rotations from table to table, grabbed a swap, then they listened as they learned about that country. As each Girl Scout made their journey along they had passports to right down the country, get a stamp, then take notes in it. After everyone made a full trip around everyone gathered together for pizza and discussions.

"World Thinking Day is a fun way for girls to learn about other girls in different cultures,” said Cara.

The last things they did was make a giant friendship circle with everyone, sang a song, then turned out of the circle. “I loved that this was a time to learn about different girls with different pros and cons then us.” said Ms. Deb, our service unit leader of Fort Hood.

Girl Scouts Take Over Red Carpet!

38 Girl Scouts walk the red carpet

By Marie Y., Girl Scouts of Central Texas Media Girl

Kung-Fu-Panda 3 came to Pflugerville early - January 16 the same day in Los Angeles where the cast of Kung Fu Panda 3 walked their red carpet at their premiere of the movie. On that day around the US and Canada movie theaters made their own red carpet for special guests to walk. Thanks to Cinemark Tinseltown in Pflugerville for hosting this event and asking Girl Scout troops around the area to be a part of the event complete with popcorn and drinks.

Troop 1587 participated as special guests walking the Red Carpet along with Salvation Army families.  For most of the girls it was their first time walking the red carpet.  “This is my 3rd time on the red carpet, it is so much fun,"  said Ava. Sometimes a little break and some fun in the day is exactly what a family needs.  As a leader we often know what rough times families are going through and can't always do something about it.  Today we could give one of our families a special afternoon after a rough week,” said Co-Troop Leader Kate Young. 

This movie was great for Girl Scouts all over the US," Michala said. “I think this is a good movie for Girl Scouts because it shows lots of courage and activity in it."  Those who came to the premiere enjoyed it, especially 4th grader, Ella who said “I would rate this a million stars, it’s awesome and funny!”

I hope everyone gets a chance to watch this movie, Kennedy said “it’s better than 1 and 2 combined!”.  Girls from Kindergarten through middle school said they want to see it again and tell their friends all about it.    

Photo by Julie Peters

HACA Gives Back

The Girl Scouts of Central Texas HACA program is named for its partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin. The program provides service to girls from low income and low resource backgrounds in order to help them reach their full potential. Girl Scouts of Central Texas’ vision is to deliver programs that focus on leadership development, while also offering provable outcomes that benefit girls, their families and their communities.

Last week, the seven participating HACA troops created sweet treats and holiday cards to donate to the Volunteer Health Clinic (VHC), a nonprofit clinic that focuses on providing medical access to low income and uninsured residents of Travis County. The Volunteer Health Clinic goes above and beyond to deliver the community with high quality health care and prevention education. Just like the Girl Scouts, VHC depends highly on their volunteers as they are the heart of the clinic.

The troops enjoyed being able to make and share Christmas popcorn mix, reindeer candy canes, and Christmas cards all filled with Girl Scout love.