Council Holiday Closure: December 26-January 2

GSCCC offices and shops will re-open January 3. 

If you have an urgent Girl Scout matter during this time, please call the council's emergency/after-hours number:

800-340-7179.

For information, or to register for events, visit:  www.girlscoutsccc.org

Party like a Girl Scout for the 100th! Register Now for Council Celebrations

Southern Hub Event, March 3rd
Northern Hub Event, March 10th
Central Hub Event, March 10th

REGISTER

Cookie Rally Registration Now Open



Learn what a cookie can do @

the ultimate cookie party!

• Northern Hub - January 7th (Registration Close: 1/2/12)
• Southern Hub - January 14th (Registration Close: 1/9/12)

REGISTER

CREATE Your Girl Scout eBiz Account NOW and see what it can do for YOU!

eBiz is a secure website designed for YOU!  It’s each member’s personal and direct link to GSCCC.

If you haven’t already established your account, please take the time now.  You’ll want to be ready & set to use the new Program Activities & Events registration feature!

Once you’ve created your personal eBiz account (and have your username and password) you can:

• View, Browse and Register for upcoming GSCCC Program Activities & Events *NEW, coming soon!
• Purchase your Annual Girl Scout Membership
• Purchase a Lifetime Membership
• View and edit your Girl Scout contact information
• View your order history
• Print your Membership Card

If you have not already done so, please go to the eBiz website and create your account NOW! * 
Visit: https://gsusa.ebiz.uapps.net/vp/Home.aspx

*Each and every member must have their own separate eBiz account.

*Please use your First and Last name and the e-mail address you use for Girl Scouts.

*You have to use the e-mail address we have on file for you, so if that’s missing or has changed, you will get an error message.

*If you experience any problems establishing your eBiz account, please e-mail Tanya Carelli:

tcarelli@girlscoutsccc.org

Competition & STEM Program Opportunity for Girls

Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to be an outreach partner with the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and E-Line Media to introduce the second annual National STEM Video Game Challenge open to Girl Scouts! This challenge invites game makers to show their passion for playing and making video games and aims to motivate children's interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Up for grabs is almost $200,000 in cash and prizes, with multiple ways to win! The entry period is open through March 12th, 2012. Finalists will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges and winners will be announced in the spring of 2012 at a major public event.

For more information on how Girl Scouts can enter the Youth Prize competition (middle school & high school) look here!

Challenges like this support Girl Scouts’ already strong commitment to STEM activities that are relevant to everyday life. Whether they're discovering how a car's engine runs, becoming math whizzes, or learning about careers in STEM fields, girls are moving forward into the future. Please look here for more information on all of our science offerings.

This challenge also compliments the Entertainment Technology Badge, where girls can dig into video game development! If you have girls earning this badge, encourage them to enter the STEM Video Challenge as well! Contact pmullins@girlscoutsccc.org with questions.

Reflections from National Convention

Marcy Reed here with some reflections on GSUSA’s 52^nd Convention held in Houston last week. While there was much celebration of the first 100 years of Girl Scouts, with many inspirational speakers – both girls and adults – recounting what scouting has meant in their lives, we spent much of our time looking forward because that’s what Girl Scouts do – we shape the future. I'm excited about 2012 being named "The Year of the Girl" because after all isn't that what it's all about?! Stay tuned for more reflections from the delegates, staff, and other volunteers who attended convention. I am Marcy Reed and I am a Girl Scout!

Convention Highlights - Girl Scouts make new friends!

Carly and Olivia attend the GSLI (Girl Scout Leadership Institute) and meet Rei from Girl Scouts Japan! Girls exchanged swaps with Rei as her ori gmai swap was a big hit with all! Pattie Mullins GSCCC VP Program and Volunteer Services also met up with former GSCCC staff Arwen Turner who now works as Membership and Program Director with Girl Scouts Overseas - -Japan. Everyone is having a great time stay tuned for more news and updates, and P.S. if you are here at the convention come say hello, I am wearing navy blue with a GS scarf!

Council Offices to Observe Veteran's Day

Council offices will be closed tomorrow, November 11, in observance of Veteran's Day.  If you have an urgent Girl Scout matter over the long weekend, please call the after-hours emergency number for assistance: 800-340-7179. 

Thank you.

Program Fun!

Aviation Day 2011 was a great success with over 45 girls and adults attending. Girls learned from the California 99's Aviation group about the different kinds of air travel from planes, and gliders to hot air balloons as well as the history and heritage of female pilot's in flight. Girls were able to sit in the pilots seat and listen to the tower, handled plane parts, toured a WWII plane  and worked on the vintage Aviation Badge.  Aviation Days are being planned for the Central and Northern Regions as well.

**Check our Events Calendar frequently as amazing program events will be added throughout the 100th  year!

Council Office/ Shop Hours & Notice for Today

Please note that the Ventura office/shop will close at 1:00 p.m. today, 10/21, due to staff illness.  We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Shop orders can be placed via:  shop@girlscoutsccc.org, or by visiting the online store at www.girlscoutsccc.org, or call 800-822-2427 x101 to reach our Castroville office/shop location.

Please also note that council offices and shops are closed on Mondays, but phone/online support is open M-F each week. On Monday, October 31st, however, phone/online support will end at Noon for a Fall All Staff In-Service meeting.

WEEKLY OFFICE/SHOP HOURS
Castroville
Tue-Fri:  9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ventura
Tue & Thu thru December:  11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wed & Fri:  9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Castroville can support council central and southern hub email/phone/fax/online orders when the Ventura shop is not open.

Please share this notice with volunteers and families.

Thank you.

shop@girlscoutsccc.org
800-822-2427 x101

Charles G. Alvarez Named CFO of GSCCC

MONTEREY, CA, October 19, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast today announced the appointment of Charles G. Alvarez as Chief Financial Officer. With over 30 years in financial management, Mr. Alvarez has held a number of executive-level financial positions in the Silicon Valley and will now be responsible for the long-term business and financial strategies of the council.

"We are thrilled that Mr. Alvarez will be bringing his breadth of financial management experience to the council," said Sherry Sybesma, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast. "His style based on experience as an instructor, as well as his leadership in financial planning, investing and operating strategies are essential to the goals of the council to grow and serve 18,000 girls as we move into the second century of Girl Scouting."

Alvarez most recently held the Vice President/Chief Financial Officer position with Alien Technology Corporation where he was responsible for all financial and accounting functions, planning, investor relations, business processes and information technology. His career has encompassed both technology and service sectors in managing all levels of fiscal policy, strategy and investor relations.

Mr. Alvarez has an MA in Business and Economics from San Francisco State University and has completed the Executive Financial Management Program at Stanford, as well as the Executive Management Program at the University of California, Berkeley.

October Starts New Girl Scout Year

Reports are coming in with numerous new troops, and hundreds of new girls becoming members throughout the the six-county area.  Somewhere a girl is waiting and it looks like we are finding ways to serve her.  Thank you for your enthusiasm in recruiting new leaders and girls, finding extra room in your troop to take just a few more girls, and starting the 100^th Anniversary Year out on such a positive note. 11,000 girls, here we come!

Girls who have not yet registered can have their parents go to:  https://gsusa.ebiz.uapps.net/vp/Home.aspx   Credit/debit card is necessary to register online.

Membership Cards

Troop Leaders –Want to print membership cards, create & print troop rosters…and so much more?  If you are registered as 01 and have an Active e-Biz Account,* check out what the Troop Management System can do for you:  http://ceslearning.girlscouts.org/eBizdemos/TrpMaintenanceCoverPage.htm

*Call Tanya Carelli for assistance: 800-822-2427 x313

New Volunteers: Application Requirement

All new volunteers should be completing the Volunteer Application (includes background check) located on the council website:  http://www.girlscoutsccc.org/volunteers/forms

Leaderama Training Dates & Locations

Mark you calendars for Leaderama.  All leaders, new & returning, will find basic adult learning courses, as well as enrichment courses at Leaderama!  Visit: http://www.girlscoutsccc.org/volunteers/training to find Leaderama dates and locations in addition to other Face-to-Face Adult Learning courses.

Troop Banking

Despite council upper management changes, troops should be able to open new accounts at all three council-sponsored banks (Rabobank, Wells Fargo, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust).  Every account needs to have three (3) signers on each account, ONE BEING EITHER THE SU MANAGER or SU TREASURER, who should be receiving the monthly bank statements.  **Any problems that may arise at Rabobank branches, please ask the teller to call the Castroville branch: 831-633-3302 for clarification. Other concerns or problems, please contact Karen: kskole@girlscoutsccc.org

Council Event Calendar

Looking for council-sponsored events?  Visit:  http://www.girlscoutsccc.org/events to see the new Program Calendar - a dynamic living resource - which will be updated frequently as more programs are added.  Most council-sponsored events include activities that link to badge requirements tied to Journey’s and the new Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting (GGGS).

Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting

The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting program books actually arrived EARLIER from GSUSA than promised. Pre-orders are now available in the Castroville and Ventura Shops.  A second shipment has been ordered from GSUSA and is scheduled to arrive some time in December.  For more information:  shop@girlscoutsccc.org

Fall Sale Program

The Fall Sale - nuts, candy & QSP Magazines - began September 30.  Check-out the information on our product page:  http://www.girlscoutsccc.org/fallsale Contact Desiree for any questions, or support:  dstilwell@girlscoutsccc.org

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is looking for young people across the country who have distinguished themselves through volunteer activities in their communities. They need your help to find as many as possible by the beginning of November!

The application period for the 17th year of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards will conclude on November 1. To be considered, young people in grades 5-12 must complete an application online at  spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit, and then submit it to a middle level or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA or an affiliate of HandsOn Network.