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Our monthly council newsletters include Connections,
Volunteer Voice, and Family Zone. Browse the archives of
previous issues below.
Other publications include Giving Wisely, a bi-annual printed newsletter for friends of Girl Scouts San Diego, and various program-specific newsletters.
Connections: This monthly collection of feature stories connecting friends of Girl Scouting with recent GSSD events, opportunities, and mission moments is published the first week of each month. View the current issue and previous issues from this year or archives of past years.
Email customercare@sdgirlscouts.org to subscribe.
Making a Difference is our bi-annual publicaton for supporters of Girl Scouts San Diego.
Past issues of our previous bi-annual newsletter for friends of Girl Scouts San Diego, Giving Wisely, are archived below. Find out more about making a gift to Girl Scouts San Diego.
Family Zone: Girl Scouts and their families stay in-the-know with this monthly email newsletter just for them. Look for research-driven info on issues that matter most to girls (archived below) and links to key programs and events. Become a member today!
December 2020
Expert insight:
In a season that’s
usually marked by gatherings, how can we adapt our celebrations in
meaningful ways? Fred Rogers once shared, “When I was a boy and I
would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look
for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” As
we close out the year, look for creative ways to be the helpers—to
make helping others a joyful, integral part of your holiday season.
Check out these holiday kindness
ideas for kids from KPBS.
November 2020
Expert
insight: Thanksgiving is bound to
look a little different this year, but it’s still the perfect time
to practice gratitude. When you express appreciation for the people
and things in your life, you’re helping shape your girl's values.
Check out these quick tips for raising
thankful kids, and consider making a donation on Giving Tuesday
(Dec. 1) to keep Girl Scouting available for all girls. With more
than 45% of our members living in low-income households, San Diego
Girl Scouts need your generosity now more than ever.
October 2020
Expert insight:
In our always-on
culture, filled with screen-based experiences, it’s important that
girls continue to make a strong connection to nature. Getting
outdoors builds girls’ challenge-seeking and problem-solving skills,
makes them more likely to care for the environment, and grows their
leadership and social aptitudes. Accept the
Make the Earth
a Better Place Patch Challenge
by taking action in
nature, around town, in your own home, or virtually!
Discover more
fun and simple ways to
explore the outdoors.
September 2020
Expert insight: Girls today are feeling
more lonely and anxious than ever before. Add a global pandemic,
widespread lockdowns, separation from their friends, social unrest,
and a long-term pause on many social activities and routines, and
girls are truly in crisis. The bottom line? Girls need to feel a sense
of belonging—now more than ever. “Having a space she can depend on,
even online...where making friends and having fun is the priority—can
combat feelings of alienation,” says Clinical Therapist Amy Kaufman.
Learn more
about how you can help.
August 2020
Expert insight: Grown-ups and kids are
likely experiencing some strange and difficult emotions about school
this year. There are no easy solutions, but there is one fairly simple
thing you can do to help your kids through
this tricky time: ask them how they’re feeling. So take a pause from
the more grown-up conversations about logistics and local politics,
and center some time on your girl’s state of mind. Read more.
July 2020
Expert insight: While the CDC continues to
recommend all in-person playdates be put on hold, there are definitely
families across the country that have decided to allow their children
to meet up and play with others. Helping your girl deal with her
"fear of missing out"—especially if she’s watching
neighborhood kids play right outside her window—can be both
challenging and heartbreaking. Check out these tips
from Developmental Psychologist Dr. Cyndy Karras to make
navigating this difficult situation a little easier.
June 2020
Expert insight: Girl Scouts encourages girls’
participation in civic engagement and
respects the rights of each individual girl and adult member of our
organization to make their own decisions about participating in
peaceful protests. The safety and security of our Girl Scouts is our
top priority. If you’re talking to
your girl about racism or other civic issues and you decide to
participate in an event she feels passionately about, she’s invited to
wear her uniform if she chooses. Girl Scouts is a nonpolitical,
nonpartisan organization which helps girls tap into their leadership
potential to develop the courage, confidence, and character to make
our world a better place.
May 2020
Expert insight: You don’t need an expert to tell
you that stay-at-home orders have caused an increase in kids’ screen
time. If it feels like time to take action, don’t panic. Some tips for
managing screen time include choosing appropriate content,
finding screen time you can share, and increasing other healthy
activities. Try to encourage alternatives such as getting outside.
Taking a walk is a simple mood-boosting activity that's good for your
physical health, too.
Looking for more outdoor ideas?
Girl Scouts has you covered! Take the national Girl
Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge to earn a cool new
patch, join our councilwide In-Tents Campout on June 5, and
register your girl for one of our themed virtual sessions of Camp…Reimagined!
April 2020
Expert insight: Evidence suggests that
grateful kids are happier, more engaged, and have healthier
relationships. It's Volunteer Appreciation Month, so now is the
perfect time to practice gratitude with our children. Help them show
their appreciation to the Girl Scout volunteers in their lives; find
great ideas on the Girl Scouts San Diego and GSUSA websites.
March 2020
Expert insight: With coronavirus—and the news
about it—spreading rapidly around the globe, stress and worry can feel
overwhelming. Your girl could likely use a sense of calm in her life
right about now, and you can help. Simply asking what she’s heard, how
she’s feeling, and ensuring she’s getting correct information lets her
know you’re there to support her. Check out more helpful do's and don’ts when it
comes to handling this subject with care.
February 2020
Expert insight: Your girl is going to need
to make smart financial decisions later in life, and Girl Scout Cookie
season is the perfect time to start. Hands-on experience with goal
setting, money handling, and budgeting will help her thrive. You don’t
have to be a financial whiz to help her learn all about money matters.
Check out more fun ways to help your
Girl Scout get comfortable managing money.
January 2020
Expert insight: Sadly, international strife
is nothing new. But thanks to social media and a 24-hour news cycle,
kids are now exposed to the ins and outs of the global stage like
never before. It’s no wonder they have questions. Luckily, you
don't need to have all the answers to calm and reassure your girl. Check out these
tips on how to navigate these difficult conversations and help put
her mind at ease.
December 2019
Expert insight: Is your girl feeling a bit
“grinchy” during this otherwise-festive season? Don't let your
daughter’s mood put a damper on the holiday...get to the bottom of the
problem so her holiday (and yours!) can be a whole lot happier.
November 2019
Expert insight: Thanksgiving should be a
time to pause and celebrate all the wonderful things in our lives. But
who has time to teach our children the value of thankfulness when
you’re too busy cooking and cleaning to even sit down and eat with the
family? Borrow these simple ideas
and get ready to have one of your happiest holidays yet.
October 2019
Expert insight: As girls get older, the
fearless sense of adventure they enjoyed in their younger years gives
way to something a bit less fun: the pressure to be perfect. Let her
know that trying her best and being willing to work toward improving
will give her the fullest, most fun, and ultimately most successful
life. Read more about how can you encourage her to test
the waters and try new things.
September 2019
Expert insight: She wants to play video
games, but you’d rather she was studying her times tables. An
after-school schedule will help her harmonize work and play. Whether
she realizes it or not, your girl gets the same feeling of
accomplishment from having a game plan as you do. Read more about how to strike a happy balance
and make everyone’s evening a little easier.
August 2019
Expert insight: Not every girl loves hiking,
climbing, and camping. Is your girl more the indoor type? That's
great! She's interested, she's engaged, and she's learning and
growing. But because girls can benefit so much by getting outside and
exploring nature, wouldn't it be great if she took
her indoor interests outdoors? Read more about how to infuse the natural world into her traditionally
inside pursuits.
July 2019
Expert insight: "Play...boost[s] emotional
intelligence, decision making skills, creativity and problem solving
abilities,” says Girl Scouts’ developmental psychologist, Dr. Andrea
Bastiani Archibald (who, by the way, will be speaking at our Volunteer Conference on Saturday,
Aug. 3). Imagination and physical dexterity are also positively
impacted, giving her a leg up in school and beyond. Get some tips on how to build playtime into your girl's life.
June 2019
Expert insight: A girl’s relationship with her
father lays the foundation for her confidence and her future
relationships and expectations of men. Girls need (and want!) their
dads and father figures in their lives just as much as they need their
mothers and female mentors. Check out these four simple ways you can set your girl up for
success in life.
May 2019
Expert insight: There’s no rule that learning
can only happen in a classroom! Let her curiosity, imagination, and
passions lead the way this summer. These seven tips will
help you ensure a break full of enriching, educational moments for
your girl.
April 2019
Expert insight: If your girl is facing a
minor conflict, let her try to handle it on her own. Dealing with
conflict is an important skill to master, and while your girl
might need your guidance, it will be easier for her to weather her own
storms if she starts with the small stuff. The truth is, life is hard
sometimes. The sooner she starts practicing problem-solving
techniques, the more confident and capable she’ll be as she grows up.
March 2019
Expert insight: Your girl is a hard worker,
dedicated volunteer, or talented athlete, so she's sure to get
scholarships for college, right? With young men getting
roughly double the scholarship money of their female peers, girls are significantly more likely to go into debt
. Have conversations from an early age about financing college—not
just getting in. Investing time in these conversations will also
reinforce the fact that you value her mind and dreams.
February 2019
Expert insight: Digital communities can
help teens and tweens develop their social skills and form positive
relationships, but the digital world can be a tricky place to
navigate. Check out a few do’s and don’ts from Girl Scouts’
developmental psychologist and senior digital media director.
January 2019
Expert insight: Your ambitious girl likely
has big ideas and dreams about her future in the working world. The Girl Scout Cookie Program lets
her showcase her entrepreneurial spirit and helps her learn first-hand
about goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills,
and business ethics. Help her
make her dreams come true.
December 2018
Expert Insight: Are you (and your girl) feeling holiday
pressure? Maintain the mental health of yourself and your family with
these six holiday truths
that'll make everybody’s holiday a little happier.
November 2018
Expert Insight: Did you hear that 58% of female
representatives elected to the 116th Congress are Girl Scout alums?
Girls are inspired! Across the country, young people are making
headlines, sparking national conversations, and even getting laws
changed. We're here to help you support your girl as she stands up for
her beliefs (even when it's a little scary) and takes the lead. Read more!
October 2018
Expert Insight: What can you do to
raise a smart, confident girl who’s equipped to succeed in this
world? Make sure she’s getting some high-quality time surrounded by
girls and girls only, where she’s allowed to be herself and learn
her own strengths on her own terms. Read
more!
Volunteer Voice: Our e-newsletter for volunteers comes out the second week of each month with up-to-date tips (archived below) and happenings for every Girl Scout program level (see buttons below). Become a member or volunteer today to get on the mailing list.
December 2020
Pro tip: Login to the new and improved My GS to view your troop information and ensure
all members are registered and ready to go for the cookie program.
Also check that your troop cookie manager (TCM) is registered into the
correct role and has taken the training. Initial cookie orders for 2021 are due
by Monday, Dec. 14 this year!
November 2020
Pro tip: Volunteer Toolkit has
several new updates to make planning for your year a snap! Preview
badge requirements before you add them to your year plan or find
meeting plans that can be done entirely online by looking for the
Wi-Fi symbol. Please note that VTK will be down for system upgrades
from Nov. 18 through early December, so login now to download your
lesson plans!
October 2020
Pro tip: Some volunteer-hosted, in-person
activities are now possible! Read our new COVID-19 guidance at sdgirlscouts.org/stayingconnected,
and please share the participation information and waiver with
families. Based on the color-coded California Blueprint for a Safer Economy, these
guidelines are based on county risk level and subject to change, so
check back frequently for updates. (from the October issue of Volunteer Voice)
September
Pro tip: Fall is just around the corner, school
is starting up again, and so are Girl Scout troops! Make sure your
troop is set up for success in the new membership year by updating
your troop roster. Renew girls and volunteers by Wednesday, Sept. 30
and assign a Troop Fall Manager (TFM) so he/she can get the right
communications. The fall product program begins Monday, Oct. 5 and
customers can place orders through Sunday, Oct. 25. Virtual training is available now for TFMs.
August 2020
Pro tip: Despite the ever-shifting world
around us, one thing is for certain: Girl Scouts has plenty of
resources to help you lead your troop from a distance. From new GSUSA tips and
tools to helpful videos created by
our very own Outreach team, our continually-updated Staying Connected page is the place to
find everything you need!
July 2020
Pro tip: 2020 isn’t quite what any of us
planned, and the disruption has impacted many troop plans. But you can
still strengthen your troop, explore locally, engage with your
community, and get active with your girls this year. On Saturday, Aug.
1 and Saturday, Aug. 8, we’re offering a four-part webinar series
called Girl-Led Funding to help you explore
exciting ways to plan and fund girl-led activities. It’s time to think
outside the box…and no one does that better than a Girl Scout.
June 2020
Pro tip: Just like everything else in 2020,
bridging looks a little different this year than we expected. GSUSA
has postponed National Bridging Week until Aug. 1-8, so you still have
time to plan something special! Check out our Bridging Guide, including a downloadable
Bridging at a Distance guide. If your girls are registering
for Camp…Reimagined!,
note they are now considered to be in next year’s program level even
if you haven’t officially bridged yet.
May 2020
Pro tip: Virtual troop meetings don’t have to
mean connecting from the couch. Keep your virtual meetings active with games,
spirit themes, and family involvement. Games like Mad Libs and
Pictionary work well, as do at-home or neighborhood scavenger hunts.
If girls have access to a mobile device, they can bring their adults
and take a walk “together,” pointing out plants, interesting
architecture, or favorite colors. Themes like crazy hair day and
school spirit work just as well for virtual meetings as they do in person.
April 2020
Pro tip: It's Volunteer Appreciation Month,
the perfect time for us to say thank you, and for all of us to
thank other volunteers: the experienced troop leader who provided
advice, your service unit team who shared important information and
ran excellent events, and the parents who managed the cookie program
or coordinated meeting snacks. Whether you mail a homemade card, send a virtual high five, or create a Kudoboard, show others you appreciate them in your
own special way!
March 2020
Pro tip: If your girls or parents are
uncomfortable about gathering, consider virtual troop meetings. Check
out free online virtual meeting spaces like Google Hangouts, Zoom, or
others. Remember that human connection, even in this time of
"social distancing," can help quell feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.
February 2020
Pro tip: Saturday, Feb. 22 is World Thinking Day,
so this is the perfect time to elevate global awareness and
appreciation by guiding your girls through an exploration of the daily
life of a girl in another WAGGGS country. What does her
school experience look like? What are her family responsibilities? How
about social expectations? The GSUSA
Global Action Days Toolkit is filled with ideas and links to use
throughout the year.
January 2020
Pro tip: During cookie season we're all
focused on learning while earning! Troop leaders help girls build
skills through Cookie and Financial Literacy badges (You can do one of
each per year!) while troop cookie managers handle product program
logistics. Have fun out there, and remember to send pics of your
cookie entrepreneurs to media@sdgirlscouts.org
and tag @sdgirlscouts when you share on social media!
December 2019
Pro tip: The Girl Scout Cookie Program is
just around the corner. Now is the time to talk to your girls about
budgeting, goal setting, and all the amazing things they'll do with
their proceeds! Remember, troop funds can be used to register or renew
Girl Scout memberships.
November 2019
Pro tip: Have you attended a service unit meeting lately? The volunteers
in your
SU are a fabulous resource! In fact, our President’s Award
recognizes efforts of service units who enhance Girl Scouting in their
communities each membership year. Congrats to Imperial Valley,
Magnolia Trails, Mission Trails, San Marcos, and Sunrise Valley
(pictured winning the Spirit Stick at Volunteer Conference) for taking
home the award this past year, and thanks to all our amazing
volunteers! We are honored work with you to build girls of courage,
confidence, and character each and every day.
October 2019
Pro tip: Did you know that troops with at least 12 girls
have greater parent involvement, stay together longer, and give more
girls the opportunity to participate in Girl Scouts? Submit this brief form to
open your troop in the Troop Catalog, an online tool that lets
girls and their families browse and join available troops in their area.
September 2019
Pro tip: It takes a village to lift up the next
generation of leaders. To set the stage for a successful troop
year, help parents and caregivers understand the roles they play in
the troop, and empower them to stay engaged and enhance the entire
group’s Girl Scout experience. Check out this article from GSUSA with
tried-and-true tips for your first parent meeting.
August 2019
Pro tip: It's back-to-school time! To ensure a smooth
transition into your new membership year—beginning Tuesday, Oct.
1—make sure your troop roster is up-to-date! Log into your Member Profile and check to see that your girl
members and adult volunteer roles are accurate and current. Need to
make changes? Contact Customer Care.
July 2019
Pro tip: Are your girls’ sights set on something big
this coming year? Now’s the time to add important dates to your
calendar, get the trainings you need (Volunteer Conference? Troop Tripping?), and begin planning your meetings. We have
resources to make your job easier! Can’t find
what you're looking for? Use our new, interactive Troop Support tool to get the help
you need.
June 2019
Pro tip: Summer's here! Enjoy a break, and
then jump right into planning for next year. The Volunteer Toolkit is expected to
undergo maintenance during the first couple weeks of July, but your
2018-19 plans will be archived. When VTK returns better than ever in
mid-July, look for 45 new badges and awards for all levels! Renew now to be able to access brand new plans
and revised six-session Journeys, from Daisies to Ambassadors!
May 2019
Pro tip: Get the latest scoop on our
newly-created What's New page for volunteers! Recent
additions include a link to our just-released Bridging Guide, info on
summer Troop Adventure Weekends, and Bronze and Silver Award
resources. Learn about program updates, procedural changes, resources,
and more by checking the What's New page regularly.
April 2019
Pro tip: Get a head start on the 2020 Girl
Scout Year by renewing now! Early membership renewal
ensures your girls are prepared to make a detailed budget and plans
with their troop for the upcoming year. It’s also a perfect time to
invite new friends into your troop by taking advantage of extended
year membership. Additionally, girls who register any time before
Friday, May 17 will receive an exclusive GSSD Spring Member patch!
March 2019
Pro tip: Become a lifetime member (at a
special rate)! To applaud the contributions of all who champion the
next generation of change-makers, Girl Scouts of the USA is offering
longtime volunteers (ten+ years of service) lifetime memberships at a
discounted rate of $200 during April, which is Volunteer Appreciation
Month. Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who make the Girl Scout
world go ‘round!
February 2019
Pro tip: With the Girl Scouts'
birthday on Tuesday, March 12 right around the corner, remember
that the resource centers (at each of our three locations) have loads of
equipment for fun vintage Girl Scout activities, historical display
uniforms, ceremony tools, and much more!
January 2019
Pro tip: We’re reaching out to new members
in a new way. When a girl joins, her family will receive six short
welcome emails to introduce Girl Scout traditions and resources.
Encourage your families to open and read these, and refer to them (as
well as the monthly Family Zone newsletter) to start
conversations about the benefits of Girl Scouting for the whole family.
December 2018
Pro tip: As you're working with your troop
to set realistic goals for the cookie program, tie your discussions into
this season of giving, and remind them to plan for some of their time
and funds to go toward helping others.
November 2018
Pro tip: Global issues don't just happen somewhere
else. When girls participate in a holiday clothing drive, serve a meal
at a homeless shelter, or collect gifts for families in need, they are
addressing global issues, like hunger and poverty, in their local
community. Ask, “What?...So what?...Now what?” to help them understand
and appreciate their impact.
October 2018
Pro tip: Even the pros need a little help
sometimes. If you or your families are having any trouble with
membership (renewal or registration issues, roster inaccuracies, wrong
adult role listed, etc.), contact customer care,
619-610-0821. That's why we're here!
Program-specific Newsletters
STEAMail: To receive this monthly email update on upcoming STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) events, activities, and resources to empower your Girl Scout, contact Claire.
Older Girls: Girls Scouts age 13+ and their parents receive occasional emails about opportunities, programs, scholarships, and more especially for girls in grades 6-12. Contact Rea to sign up.
Volunteers: Adults interested in short-term and episodic volunteer opportunities receive a quarterly email newsletter. Contact Loretta to sign up.
