Tuesday, September 30, 2014

2014 GSNCA Property Evaluation


Let’s Get Outside!
 
Troop 30117- Juniors from Hoover Valley Service Unit 
Research shows that outdoor experiences are an important part of the Girl Scout experience.  Those experiences can take place in local, state or national parks, in backyards, on the beach or in the water, and, of course, at Girl Scout camp.  Girl Scouts get outdoors in troop events, service unit events and council events.  Going outside in Girl Scouting is not just about experiencing the natural environment or learning and practicing outdoor skills. Nature also can be a great classroom for STEM, the arts, sports, teambuilding exercises and more.  Whatever they do and wherever they do it, getting outdoors helps Girl Scouts learn things such as environmental responsibility, self-reliance, and confidence.   As adults in Girl Scouting, we know those things will last a lifetime – as will many of the friendships and memories made under a brilliant sun, beneath a starlit sky, within cabin or canvas walls, and around the warmth of a campfire.   

The merger of the four legacy councils a few years ago brought together a number of Girl Scout program properties within the jurisdiction of the merged 36 county council Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.  The Property Committee is working on an evaluation of each of those properties, including but not limited to:  the size, topography and location of each property; how each one is used, how much and by whom; the nature and condition of the existing improvements; deferred maintenance; future possibilities; etc.  Concurrently, the committee is developing strategic objectives for the overall GSNCA program property portfolio; i.e., the ideal mix of what kind of properties and improvements will best meet the needs of tomorrow’s girls. The work being done by the Property Committee is independent of any past property assessments, plans or recommendations.  We are starting with a clean slate and open minds. 

Share the Past, Shape the Future:  Add Your Voice

An Affinity Group has been formed for each of GSNCA’s program properties.  The groups are made up of volunteers, parents, girls and community groups who have experience at and an interest in each of the properties.  The groups are charged with gathering information from a wider constituency to provide input for the Property Committee to consider in its evaluation.  Help the Affinity Groups by sharing your thoughts, experiences and opinions. 
The property evaluation process should answer the following questions that are important to the future of the organization. Think about these questions, in relation to the property or camp that you are remarking on, before sending your opinion to the Affinity Group:
• How do we want girls’ future to be different because of their Girl Scout Leadership Experience?

• What do we want to do and what resources do we want to use?

• How do we want girls’ lives to be different as a result of the Girl Scout outdoor experiences?

• Is outdoor programming, outdoor education, and/or play space learning the best way to accomplish the mission?

To provide input, contact the following members of the Affinity Groups:
Camp Anderel – Mitsy Fitipaldi  mfitt@knology.net
Camp Coleman – Brooke Moore blmoore01@gmail.com
Camp Cottaquilla – Sabrina Rucker srucker1025@gmail.com
Kanawahala Program Center – Heather Klinner hklinner@perrysupply.com
Camp Tombigbee – Laura Green laura@imsdevelopment.net
Camp Trico – Jean Downs  jean.downs@teledyne.com   Staci Krupp skrupp@knology.net


Tentative Timeline
October 5, 2014 - Property Committee will meet to determine criteria and assign accountability for reports.
October 9, 2014 – Property Committee will hear Affinity Group presentations
November 2, 2014 – Property committee hear Affinity Group presentations

November – March – The Property Committee will conduct site visits, evaluate reports/data, discuss opportunities, and form recommendations.

Friday, September 26, 2014

GSNCA Announces Restructure of Membership, Volunteer and Program Department

We Heard You!
Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is proud to announce a new staff structure of the membership, volunteer and program department. 
The “MVP” team structure:
  • Will increase the services available close to where girls and volunteers live
  • Is based on building creative volunteer-staff partnerships to deliver the Girl Scout Mission in all parts of the council.
    • Service Unit Teams will be paired with MVP teams, each comprised of a membership, a volunteer and a program staff person. One member of the MVP team will be the primary contact and the other two will be available as needed.
  • Each staff person will be a specialist, supporting Service Unit membership in different ways.
    • Membership and Community Development Managers will be the driving forces in creating ways to push membership forward.
    • Volunteer Services Managers will be able to focus on the support and development of volunteers to help them be effective and want to return the next year.
    • GSLE Managers will not only be focused on council-level events, but will also work with Service Unit volunteers to develop knock-your-socks-off regional and Service Unit-wide events to serve girls close to home. They will support troops using the Girl Scout Program Portfolio.

The more readily available these services and support are, the more volunteers will receive the assistance and encouragement they need to help girls in our council Discover, Connect and Take Action and become the leaders of tomorrow.
The "MVP" team structure will not:
  • Impose service lines that you cannot cross. Regional lines are drawn to help us organize services. They are not fences that lock you in or out. Regardless of your region, you will be welcome at training and events wherever they occur. The job of the MVP team is to make your volunteer service convenient for you and accessible for your Girl Scouts and all girls who would like to be Girl Scouts today and in the future.
  • Be perfect from day one. We ask for you patience and assistance as we transition staff into new positions. We are taking these transitions as slow or as fast as necessary to ensure you still receive first-rate service.
  • Displace any staff members. All who applied for jobs in the new structure were placed. A few staff members took this opportunity to retire or change careers. All will be missed and we wish them well in their endeavors. Of course, all former staff members are welcome to volunteer!

The staff and board of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama are excited about refreshing our approach to providing the Girl Scout experience to our 36 counties. We hope you will join our dedicated volunteers, as well as our staff members in their new roles, as we lay the foundation for the leaders of tomorrow. Please view the map below to see which region your service unit belongs to.



Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Fall 2014 Delegate Forums

Schedule of Fall 2014 Delegate Forums

Delegate forums are open to ALL Girl Scout members.

 

Huntsville Area

Monday, September 8th
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Bailey Cove Area Library
1409 Weatherly Plaza SE, Huntsville, AL 35803
256-881-0257
Directions:
From I-565 East, take exit 19A to Memorial Parkway South. Stay on Memorial Parkway South for 6 miles (the road will switch from freeway to surface street). Turn left at the light for Weatherly Road. Follow Weatherly Road for 1.5 miles. Turn right at the light for Bailey Cove Road. The library is located at the corner of Weatherly and Bailey Cove, so be prepared to make an immediate right into the library's parking lot.
 

West Alabama Area

Tuesday, September 9th
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Tuscaloosa Girl Scout Service Center
2121 9th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205-759-5421

Shoals Area

Thursday, September 11th
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Florence Girl Scout Service Center
4050 Helton Drive, Suite 202, Florence, AL 35630
256-764-0331

Birmingham Area

Monday, September 15th
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Vestavia Civic Center
1975 Merryvale Road, Vestavia Hills, AL
 

East Alabama Area

Thursday, September 18th
6:30-8:00 p.m.
First Methodist Church - Jacksonville
109 Gayle Avenue SW, Jacksonville, AL 36265
 

Webinar & Birmingham Area 

Sunday, September 21st
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Fehr Fowler Girl Scout Service Center OR via Webinar
105 Heatherbooke Park Drive, Birmingham, AL 35242
or reserve your Webinar seat now at:
 
 Agenda for GSNCA Fall Delegate Forums

September, 2014 - 6:30pm-8:30pm

Opening – Board Member

  •  Welcome
  •  Girl Scout Promise
 

Board Development Committee (BDC) – BDC member

  •  How to nominate Board Members from your Community
  •  Changes in Board members
 

Report of 2014 Cookie Sale actual and budget implications – Finance Committee Member

Input to Policy Changes - Policy Committee Member

National Convention Input – National Council Delegate/Alternates/GSLI attendees

  •  Outdoor Discussion Item
  •  Proposals

Strategic Plan adopted in August - Board Member

Any other concerns - Board Member