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February 16 Feb. 5, 12 mtgsFrigid weather in the NE for the last few weeks and we've been meeting inside the house. Nothing much to report. One or another absent from meetings both weeks, but we carried on with planning an Asian culture party for month's end. Origami is FUN!!! Word is that a winter fun outing is nearly complete ... will update when I know more.
The Easter Egg Hunt has been scrapped. I realized I was pushing the girls into MY agenda again and they just aren't that into it. They're busy, I'm busy ... everybody's busy with too many other things to be able to carry out a big event.
That's it. Until ...
Mrs. B
p.s. We've got snow now ... boy howdy, do we got snow now! January 23 January 22 MeetingWinter has finally arrived here in the northeast. A cold meeting last night ... I apologize and will turn the heaters on much earlier next week. FamilyGuy and BooBooKitty were absent. All others suffered through admirably.
Since FamilyGuy is the Leader this month, meeting started out a little off, but we managed to fall into some kind of order and get a few things accomplished.
Cookie Money was received from Boomba and Princess ... thank you both. BooBooKitty still needs to pick her cookies up and get them delivered. I expect everyone else will comply with the directive to have monies turned in by next Monday at the latest.
We haven't had enough snow for a sledding outing and I assume at this point that a winter fun day has been scrapped. FamilyGuy will make a final judgement on that when she returns to meeting. Valentines of any kind have been scrapped as well, and some kind of an Asian appreciation activity will be substituted. Bug will have details next week.
Lodge Camping has been moved to a date TBA in April as all other dates have been filled already. Boomba has a list of activities and is working on scheduling work teams to cook and clean for a Friday night thru Sunday afternoon trip.
An Easter Egg Hunt and Activity Day is being collectively planned for April 1. We have decided on a community family event to be held (hopefully) at a local elementary school. Games will include the Egg Hunt, a bean bag toss, pin-the-tail-on-the-bunny, sack races, and spoon races. Princess is putting together a shopping list from OTC to round out our supplies. Someone will need to be assigned to make flyers for the Service Unit and to post around town. I will raid the craft room for Easter decorations, misc. supplies like tape, rope and scissors, and supplies to set up race courses.
More discussion on this next week along with whatever FamilyGuy has planned.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B January 10 January 8 MeetingI have been remiss. This week's meeting was another relatively quiet one. BooBooKitty was absent due to illness. Mrs. B's christmas gifts were handed out belatedly. Response was less than enthusiastic, but I hope that the personal nature of the gifts will mean something anyway.
FamilyGuy is leader this month. Since we are not having our normal snowy weather this year for some reason that only the heavens can answer, we are having trouble scheduling a sledding/tubing event. It was brought to the table but there seemed to be very little interest in discussing it. We have tentatively agreed to move scheduling of the event to February.
Bug has decided to adapt her "Valentines for Soldiers" activity to something else because she just realized that in order for soldiers to get them, they would already have to have been mailed.
There is no word on what is happening with Boomba's Lodge Camping activity for March.
Easter comes early this year, so I have been trying to arrange an Easter Egg Hunt event for March 31 if the weather cooperates. I plan to have several additional games besides the Egg Hunt as well as something to eat and drink. More on this as I flesh out the plans.
There will be no meeting next Monday because of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. I'll see you all on the 22nd.
Mrs B.
December 19 December 18 MeetingTonight's meeting was our annual Christmas party. Secret sister gifts were given in a ceremony that we have been perfecting for years. The girls always manage to get really well-thought-out gifts for each other within their strict budget. Everyone was pleased.
Mrs. M deserves much kudos for her inspired gifts this year. EVERY girl got the same book and EVERY girl is HAPPY with it. Now that's a feat I have never been able to achieve. Congratulations, Mrs. M ... you win the best gift giver award this year!
My own gifts were, alas, delayed in shipping. I am so disappointed. I gave small gifts of candy and notes of apology with a promise that they are indeed getting gifts from me. The shipper just did me wrong this year. I guess we'll have a second Christmas in January.
Food was eaten, strange discussions were engaged in (normal for us), and fun was had by all. From their new books, I expect we'll see a lot of innovative T-shirt designs next year! I can't wait!
Until Next Year, Girl Scouts!
Mrs. B December 11 December 11 MeetingTonight's meeting went well. All members present and accounted for. All current and future leaders present and accounted for. Assembly of Christmas decorations (and various other crafty type things) took over the agenda.
We made:
1 pine cone Christmas tree
1 pink bead garland
1 pine cone angel with filigree wings and rose halo
1 gold and green spirit stick
several beaded bracelets
several barrettes
some pendants
and a big mess.
Boomba left with glitter in her hair and eyes and clothes. Hot glue stringers were everywhere. Green spray painted gravel adorns my driveway.
We had a lot of fun. Merry Christmas, y'all! Next week, we party!
Until then,
Mrs. B December 05 December 4 MeetingTonight's meeting was quiet with only half the troop present. Pugnatious had college prep to attend to, FamilyGuy was ill, and no one knows what happened to Princess.
BooBooKitty, as leader-of-the-month, reported that shopping for the Giving Tree project went well. All gifts are bought, Boomba has them in her car and the troop will sort and bag them for delivery at a later date. They came in under budget, so the funds will be returned to the troop finances and recorded in the log.
We then headed outside with flashlight and baskets to collect pine cones for a craft project. We are leaving them to dry out for a week to see if they will open up better. A tall thin glass bottle that was the base for last year's Christmas tree decoration was decoupaged into a tissue paper stained glass creation ... very pretty. Smaller craft projects were taken up when it was done. Several tissue paper covered ball ornaments and a button person reside on the table waiting for a holiday home.
The financial report for Cookie sales has been turned in. I suspect that all the figures are right and we'll have cookies to deliver in January as usual.
We have only two more meeting before we break for the holidays ... next week's meeting will have to finish up any stray projects and nail down the Christmas party. The following week we'll have our annual celebration, secret-sister gifts, and plenty of food! Then we'll have two weeks with no meetings. In January, FamilyGuy will be our leader-of-the-month.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B November 28 November 20 and 27 MeetingsMy apologies for not posting last week's meeting notes.
Meeting - November 20: All members present. Political discussion continued, at times heatedly. A fierce debate was staged between our two "parties", the WOW (Women of the World) and the PORNGE (Pink and Orange ... ???). The WOW being the more conservative and the PORNGE being the more liberal. Both sides argued current issues based on their own personal belief systems and values. Both sides argued their points very well. In the end, the PORNGE party won the election, but I feel that if we had more voters, the outcome may have been different. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Also discussed was the upcoming Giving Tree project. We have secured 6 tags from the Giving Tree in a wide range of ages. Princess happens to work for a large retail department store and has offered to spend her lag time on a Saturday in December to do the shopping. I believe that Boomba and BooBoo Kitty will be joining her.
Cookie orders were briefly mentioned, with an emphasis on permission slips, timing, and rules.
Meeting - November 27: All members present. Cookie orders are due. As usual, all were not handed in. I am still in need of paperwork from Princess and Boomba. This delays my own work when I have done everything in my power to make sure that the timetable is clear and workable. Time management is a life skill. Make notes, use post-its, remind each other, whatever you have to do to get things done on time, do them. Bosses will be much harsher about this than I am, and you will get no second chances to get it right.
Discussion then turned to the Giving Tree project. We have agreed on and listed types of items to look for and a budget. Troop funds were advanced to Princess to get the shopping done. The finance report was updated to reflect the expenditure.
The meeting ended with discussion of a Christmas party on Dec. 18th. We each chose a dish to bring and the group settled on an art project that will result in a Christmas tree decoration for the table. Supplies were listed and divvied up to be brought in for the project.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B November 14 November 13 MeetingOur meeting commenced with all members present and Mrs. M (assistant leader) missing. Pugnatious left early to keep an appointment with her chosen college for next year.
For the first time since we started meeting where we are now, the girls changed their seats. Progress? We'll see.
Princess led the group in political discussion as per the agenda agreed upon earlier in the year. We explored process, parties, policy, and campaigning tactics. Qualities of the "perfect" leader were discussed. A comparison between variables, like whether it would be better to have a benevolent dictator or a not-so-great president, were also mulled over. Afterward, we made campaign posters that included the leadership qualities, made a statement, and utilized ethical tactics to persuade voters. The posters are hanging on the wall until month's end.
Next week's agenda will feature debating.
Cookie paperwork was picked up last night and distributed (hopefully) today. Cookie sales officially began last week Friday, so we will begin selling immediately. Permission slips MUST be handed in by next Monday. Good Luck.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B November 01 October 30 MeetingThere was virtually no meeting tonight as only Pugnatious and Bug (and Lil Sis) were in attendance. Rumor is that next week's meeting coincides with a dance, so we'll probably have the same outcome. Meeting for November 6th has been cancelled due to lack of interest. We adjourned after 30 minutes of Candyland.
Until ???
Mrs. B
p.s. Halloween Party 2006 pics are up in the photo album. October 24 Ocober 23 MeetingLast week there were no minutes handed in to post.
Bug has been corresponding regularly with a girl from our sister troop in MN.
The Halloween party was planned and moved up to this week (as we had it last night), so next week's meeting is a surprise. Princess was out sick. See new photo album posting for highlights. Reimbursements for food out of troop funds are forthcoming. Please give Pugnatious your dollar amounts so she can update the finance report and get everybody paid.
Everyone should be gearing up for next month's cookie sale and governmental process fun. Princess will be leader for November meetings and activities.
Until Next Week
Mrs. B
October 02 Monday, October 2There is no meeting today. I have been to council to meet with Gold Award liaison and Boomba instead. First, Boomba, I'm sorry that I made you so nervous. I'm only just beginning to realize how much pressure I put on you girls. It's good that I will have less influence this year during meetings. I do really need to back off and let you all grow.
Just a reminder, I need registrations from Princess, FamilyGuy, and BooBooKitty ... yours is not signed. That will need to be corrected. Pugnatious, Bug and Boomba are registered as well as Mrs. M and I.
There will also be no meeting next week. We will resume on October 16th with Pugnatious as Leader and Activity Director. Please remember to treat her as you would like to be treated when the time comes for you to lead the meetings. Be ready to share your plans and progress for your own activities.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B September 26 September 25 MeetingThis is the last meeting being led by Mrs. B until April. FamilyGuy was out due to illness.
The meeting began with intense discussion about MySpace.com and internet safety. The troop now has a few more tools in their knowledge arsenal to protect themselves online. My fervent hope is that they use them. Girls, please remember to bring FamilyGuy up to speed on this discussion as she was one of the two that needed this knowledge the most. Teach her what you know about protecting your identity online.
Also discussed was the non-profit vs. profit status of groups with an emphasis on Non-profit and all the rules and regs that go with that. When discussing troop finances, please remember that the money you make must be earmarked for something and that not spending it makes us subject to "For Profit" status.
Registration forms were collected and will be turned in before the next meeting on October 16th. Princess and FamilyGuy --- please get your registration forms and money to me ASAP.
The rest of the meeting was devoted to a thorough explanation of what is required when you become "Leader-of-the-Month" and "Activity Director". Again, FamilyGuy will need to be brought up to speed on all of this. The calendar was re-arranged a bit to accommodate people's preferences. The new schedule is as follows:
I haven't forgotten the bonuses either. We received an e-mail from one of the girls in troop 971 from Minnesota. Two of our members are interested in writing to this new friend, so I have passed the note on and hopefully, we'll start sharing stories very soon. Boomba - Gold ... call Wendy. Until Next Week,
Mrs. B Between MeetingsMySpace.com. I recently addressed my girls on MySpace.com about internet safety, personal safety, risk, informed experimentation ... I have been watching all of them and many others for a long time now. A couple of them knew who I was. A couple didn't. Since last night's meeting, they all know who I am. They also know the steps they have to take to avoid me. I figure if I can't get to them (and I know them), they are as safe as they are ever going to be online. The Internet is PUBLIC. Internet safety isn't just something we should talk about. It's something we should all think about every time we log on. From creeps targeting our children to creeps stealing identities to creeps trying to con us into handing over our life savings, there is no safe harbor except knowledge. We all need to take the right steps to avoid becoming victims. We all have that responsibility to OURSELVES. This is Boomba's answer to my frustrated anger at what I imagined was their complete and total disregard for their own personal safety. It's well worth reading. I think you may confuse us ignoring you with simple teenage angst. Seriously, I understand what you want/are talking about/why you care. Its sunk in. Seriously. I actually have a couples ideas on how to expand your impact in this subject. Can I come to meeting about...5 minutes early to share? I cannot speak for the troop, only for myself. I know that you just want us to be safe. I am working on it. Seriously...my page is going to be me free rather soon. It is important. You are important. And although we aren't that good at expressing it sometimes, I know I appreciate you and all you do for us. On a slightly different topic yet under the same spectrum indeed: I never properly appologized for last week. I shouldn't have talked when Pug was on the phone, and I agree with your punishment in that it is probably best I am not in the car with Pug because I am a distraction. It wasn't how anyone wanted to start off the year, and I just hope it doesn't become like that thing with my sister. I am not that bad of a kid, you know that. I am a little much sometimes and I am the first to admit. So, in shorter terms I am quite sorry about that. I am glad another year of GS has started not only for my friends but your standards. First of all, I am tired of making so many cookies. I like making 'em but I don't like the way they make me look, you see its hard for me to say no and to be the bad guy to my friends and it is good you did it this year. I am working on that whole saying no thing...but thank you. I am glad we have to do a project each month. It would be nice to have something to say when people ask what I do in GS because basically what I tell them now is what I do but it is what I do by myself. I want to do stuff as a troop. I miss having the unity is provides. And I wouldn't mind switching monthes with whoever got cabin camping because I do really want to do that. And also, that leader of the month thing, even though Pug doesn't like it but what does she like, was a good idea. We need to start taking more control of our troop because last year and previous years it was your troop because we were not willling to take that responsibility. Sorry I am leaving all of this here but I can't ever seem to get the troop blog to let me leave a comment even though I got an MSN account and everything...so....now you know. By the way, I do read the troop blog and it is a nice insight into what happened. I know we should be taking responsibility but I think you should still write that because you are really good at writing. We could take notes though. For all the leaders, teachers, mentors, parents, concerned adults out there who truly have the best interests of our children at heart ... TEACH your children how to protect themselves. SHOW your children how to be safe. LECTURE, PREACH, CAJOLE ... do whatever you have to do to make sure they understand what 's out there waiting for them. Information and education are the keys to changing the world. Be an active part of Making the World a Better Place. From my heart to yours,
Mrs. B (a.k.a. Elle) September 18 September 18 MeetingWelcome back. The year started with a lecture on decision making because half the troop decided to go shopping after school today and things got a little out of control. NOT the way I wanted things to go today. 'Nuff said.
Registrations were handed out. It was decided that everyone should pay their own registration fee this year and not use troop funds for it. It was also decided that dues would still be taken weekly in the amount of $.50 per scout.
Because the girls are 10th thru 12th grade, I am no longer going to take care of the regular weekly business of the troop. The girls decided to divvy up the Leadership duties on a "leader-of-the-month" basis. Each scout will have three or four meetings where they are the organizer, note-taker, in-charge person. I will guide and suggest, but I will not do any of the work that needs to be taken care of for meetings. The schedule lays out as follows:
It was also decided that each month will have a project of some kind for the troop to work on. It could be an event, a trip, a craft, a party, whatever. The following schedule has been laid out:
In addition to these things, Mrs. M and Boomba's mom, Mrs. H have decided to keep troop 654 going by training to be co-leaders for next year. A huge thank-you is due them for accepting this challenge. Boomba is determined to pursue Gold Award and has been instructed to begin writing her proposal immediately due to very big impending changes in our home council. I don't want her to get stuck behind unforseen circumstances yet again. She won't have time to start over. All members recieved a membership star that I forgot to obtain at the close of last year, and Pugnatious also recieved a Studio 2B charm for "Looking In, Reaching Out". We looked through the new fun patch book to see what we might like to get this year, and finally, Mrs. B forbid unhealthy snacks from troop meetings. Not a popular edict, but a necessary one. We are all WAY too addicted to Boomba's cookies. A very productive first meeting. I am well-pleased to see this group step up to the responsibilities that will be expected of them this year. Despite an angry beginning, we will overcome mistakes, learn to communicate better, and hopefully learn the true meaning of the Girl Scout Law. Until Next Week,
Mrs. B September 01 Calling New Friends!Well, we put out a call to a bunch of potential new MSN Friends today. We also deleted a couple of friends who no longer keep spaces here. Cleaning house is important once in a while. So ... troops, leaders, scouts ... this is for all who answer the call.
We are Girl Scout Troop 654 from Upstate NY. We are Seniors and in our last official year of scouting. It's not really the thing to do to call ourselves "Seniors" since the Studio 2B stuff started, but we like the title, and we're keeping it. I won't go through introductions here because there's a list to your left that tells who we are. Some of us have other spaces here, and those names are linked to personal MSN blogs. Most also have MySpace accounts. You have to have a Myspace to see them, though, so you won't get there from here. The troop e-mail is also there for anyone who'd like to bypass the comment section. We really like to hear from people, especially other scouts.
For the past year, this blog has been a weekly chronicle of our plans, thoughts, struggles, and triumphs. Troop meetings can be a place to explore, grow, learn, make mistakes, laugh, and cry. We've done all those things. We have become a family over the years ... real sisters ... and we act like it! Our personalities always shine through in whatever we do. We don't always get along, but we always come back.
We hope that this year you'll join our weekly adventures. Help us in our quest to grow stronger and get us ready for the world we're about to enter. We also hope that in some small way, we can help all of you ... to reflect, to absorb, to teach, and to learn. That's what this is all about, after all ... sisters supporting sisters across the globe. Come grow with us.
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.
("God" represents a higher power of your own choosing.
It is allowable to substitute another title that more
closely matches your own belief system.)
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,
To Respect Myself and Others
Respect Authority
Use Resources Wisely
Make the World a Better Place
And Be A Sister To Every Girl Scout
Make New Friends
Make new friends, but keep the old
One is Silver and the other's Gold
(This is the first stanza of a song nearly all Girl Scouts
learn in their early years of scouting. It's also a credo
we try very hard to live by. This is our way of reaching
out to all of you. Join our friendship circle!)
Meetings will begin on September 18th. Join us for our final year of fun and friendship as Girl Scouts of America.
Until then,
Mrs. B July 05 For VisitorsI have recently had a message on another board about teaching something to a young girl I don't know. Her mom probably thought it was a statement just thrown to the winds, but that's exactly what we're here to do. In the spirit of continuing to be a place Where Girls Grow Strong, I'm posting a few links here to get younger girls introduced to scouting.
(find out where the Girl Scouts are near you, and then
find out what others around the country are doing!)
Check out all the links in our Resource List for ways to participate, volunteer, visit, or just have fun doing what Girl Scouts do! Our camps are open to all girls even if you're not a Girl Scout. Our councils and stores are open to anybody who'd like to stop in, buy products, ask questions, or just look around. I'm not recruiting, but if you like what you find out, I'll be happy to answer questions and help you decide if Girl Scouts is really right for you. There are so many levels and different ways to participate, I truly believe that every person who is interested in making a stronger world can be a part of this organization. Contact me ... I will always here for you.
Have a great Summer!
Mrs. B May 24 May 22 - Our final meetingThis is it - our last meeting of the year. All members present and accounted for.
Patches and recognitions were given, but I forgot to get the membership stars. I'm sorry. I'll have them for the first meeting next year.
Everyone plans to come back in the fall, so I'll fill out re-registration paperwork over the summer.
Pugnatious received and completed the Studio 2B booklet on Mind Your Own Business during meeting, so I gave her the charm, too.
Bug took home a list of patches that we have left over from previous years to work on over the summer if she has time. Loopy has her Gold Award Project to write up.
Other summer plans include jobs, camp, and family vacations. I sincerely hope everybody has a few good days in there somewhere! I intend to!
Long good-byes are always a little sad, so I'm signing off with a short "so long". First meeting of our final year together will be September 18th, 2006. Have a fantastic summer!
Until Next Fall,
Mrs. B May 17 May 15 MeetingNot much to record this week. BooBoo Kitty was absent. Since she had the task of calling the After School Program, we are still in possession of an activity book to donate. Hopefully, we can make arrangements to get it done sometime next week. I have contacted Santa Clara County Council and have ordered the patches. They should be here within a couple of weeks.
Loopy has decided to dread-lock her hair. I think she was looking for either approval or scorn. I gave her neither. It's only hair, after all. As usual, she has done her homework and knows how to do it properly. I wonder sometimes, how far she's willing to go to get someone at home to pay attention . Just my observations. Later she made lists of different groupings of ideas for a big troop outing. We hung them on the wall for inspiration.
FamilyGuy was in a good mood. Apparently not fighting with father today. It's such a shame that all teenagers have to fight with their parents (mine included). I suppose it's a learning tool, but it's so unpleasant for everyone. She spent some time combing Bug's hair into an interesting up-do, and then braiding it with Loopy.
Bug had a new nail color ... a very deep red ... it was a nice change from boring black. I think the color suits her well. Loopy and FamilyGuy tried out different braiding techniques on her hair, but she went home with a nice single french braid down her back.
It was Pugnatious' birthday, so she'd played with her new digital camera for most of the meeting. I'm not sure what kind of photos she got, but she laughed a lot. We had cake and cookies to celebrate and sang funny birthday songs to her. She and Princess are attending her Prom together, so we touched base on hairstyles, timing and transportation. Before imaginations get out of hand, I know these kids. This is their way of avoiding sexual pressure, not of "coming out". I applaud them for having the nerve to do it.
Princess' father is looking for a new house. Since I did a mini search for local real estate last week, I gave her some places to look in their price range. It seems like she's always looking for a comfortable place to live (with mom, with dad, with grandma). I hope that when she finally gets out on her own, she begins to understand that her needs have to be met first.
I wrote all this because sometimes it seems like we do nothing, but that's never really the case. Even when the meeting stuff gets put aside, the learning continues. I hope that I'm teaching acceptance, tolerance, respect for differences and love, but if I'm not, I at least tried. If, by example, I can show these kids how to relate to others outside of this place, I will have done my job. If I can somehow teach them to love themselves, I will have excelled.
Until Next Week
Mrs. B May 10 May 8 MeetingI decided to barbeque tonight and feed the girlz. They never turn down food! I always seem to hold the first outdoor meeting a little too early in the season so we got a bit chilly, but ate well.
Princess was absent. The final meeting for this year will be May 22. The opening meeting for next year will be September 18. No other business was decided.
End of the year paperwork has been picked up from the Service Unit Manager. I will try to get it reconciled and turned in as soon as possible. Any girl not wishing to register for next year should let me know.
Any adult who would like to lead this troop after the 2006-07 year should contact me to make arrangements for instruction. It's not necessary, but it's nice to be able to tell you what you'll need to know. Loopy's mom seems sort-of interested in taking on the troop. I have sent home instructions that she should plan to attend some meetings next year in preparation.
There is still a lot of discrepancy about how to spend the troop's funds. I urge each girl to really decide what's important and try to be flexible when working toward a solution. Everyone has equal say in this. No decision means no event/trip/outing. Keep that in mind.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B May 04 May 1 MeetingThere's not a lot to report this week. FamilyGuy was absent. The rest of the troop finished the Conflict Resolution Patch except Pugnatious who will need to make up the interview portion from when she was out sick earlier this year. Hopefully, we can get hers' and FamilyGuys' pieces completed so everybody can get the patch.
Loopy got some ideas for activities for her Gold Award Project from a catalog Mrs B. got in the mail.
Most of the discussion was centered on May activities, scheduling of personal events and basic time management issues. A new idea was brought to the table for a larger troop activity, but may have to be re-worked due to scheduling conflicts already apparent.
We have tentatively decided to end meeting on May 22. Next week's meeting will solidify the decision, and then we will set a beginning date for fall.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B |
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