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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Historical Trivia Question & November Leadership Connection Meetings

Question of the Day: In 1922, for how much per dozen did a local Girl Scout director suggest cookies could be sold?

The answer will be at the bottom of this post!

November's Leadership Connection Meetings are next week. These meetings are open to anyone who would like updated information on everything Girl Scouts related! Service Unit Directors, Service Unit Product Managers, Troop Leaders, parents of girls in troops or other Pathways.... these meetings are for you! We encourage you to attend! We offer these meetings typically the first week of each month (none in January) in a variety of locations.

Zeeland and Atlanta have a meeting location change this month. Please see below for the address locations:

Monday, November 1, 6:30 pm
*Faith United Church of God
3290 Walker Ave NW, Grand Rapids

*Traverse City Service Center
1820 Oak Hollow Rd, Traverse City

*Royal Atrium Inn
400 Parkside Drive, Zeeland

Tuesday, November 2, 6:30 pm
*Atlanta Congregational Church
12385 Jerome Street, Atlanta

*Muskegon Service Center
1217 E River Rd, Muskegon

Wednesday, November 3, 6:30 pm
*Ionia Intermediate School Dist.
2191 Harwood Rd, Ionia

*Ludington Little House
1024 Olmstead Street, Ludington,

Thursday, November 4
*United Church - 6:30 pm
110 State Street, Big Rapids

*Charlevoix Public Library - 6 pm
220 W Clinton St, Charlevoix

Answer: A dozen cookies could be sold for 25 cents! In the July 1922 issue of The American Girl magazine, Florence E. Neil from Chicago provided her cookie recipe to 2,000 Girl Scouts and estimated that the cost of ingredients for six to seven dozen cookies was 26¢ to 36¢. She suggested the girls sell them for 25¢ or 30¢ per dozen.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Fun Question of the Day.... and not so fun- Troubleshooting Guide for Fall Product Software

Question of the Day: In what year did the sale of cookies as a way to finance troop and community activities begin?
At the bottom of this post- you will find the answer!

Troubleshooting Guide for Fall Product Software
Are you running into snags entering Fall Product online?
Below are troubleshooting questions and answers.... your question might be on here!

1. I cannot open the PDF reports
Answer: You should update to the most current version of Adobe Reader located at the bottom of the Reports page.

2. I entered email addresses online for the magazine sale. How can I tell when someone purchases a magazine subscription from my online emails?
Answer: At the end of the sale you go back into the system and print out the detailed order report. That tells how many emails the girls sent, how many orders were generated and for how much.......she turns this into the troop leader with her nut order, other mag orders etc. The online is listed separate from regular magazines on the report.

3. How do I learn more about the prize incentives?
Answer: http://www.alschutzman.com/2010gsigirls/

4. In response to numerous issues with Troops accidentally submitting their Nut/Candy orders, we have now added the following pop up box when troops click the submit button:
"Are you sure you want to submit your entire Troops Nut/Candy Order?" with an "Okay" or "Cancel" option.

5. Please remind users that when entering a girls order they have to:
1) Save her QSP/Nut order
2) Save her Incentive order
3) Save the entire order. This is the same process as last year.
What I'm finding is that users only save the QSP/Nut order and think they are done. I have also found out that some users have their screen resolution set so when the final box opens it is out of view. They would have to scroll over or down to see it.


Okay- enough of the techy info.... the answer to my Question of the day.......

Answer: In December 1917, just five years after the founding of Girl Scouting, Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, OK, baked cookies and sold them in their high school cafeteria as a service project. A year later, Thistle Troop of South Lancaster, MA, sold a variety of sweets and raised enough money to buy khaki fabric for their homemade uniforms.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Cookie Training Dates set!

We have our dates set for Cookie Trainings! Mark your calendars.....

Facilitator Training Dates:
Dec. 1, 6 -8 pm @ Traverse City Service Center

Dec. 2, 6-8 pm @ Grand Rapids Service Center

Dec. 3, 10am -12 pm @ Muskegon Service Center

Service Unit Product Managers Training Dates:
Sat., Dec. 4, 10am – 12 pm @ Charlevoix, Big Rapids, Ludington, Ionia

Tues., Dec. 7, 7-9 pm @ Ionia

Wed., Dec. 8, 6-8 pm @ Grand Rapids Service Center, Muskegon Service Center, Traverse City Service Center

Thurs., Dec. 9, 6-8 pm @ Zeeland, Charlevoix, Big Rapids, Gaylord

Sat., Dec. 11, 10 am – 12 pm @ Grand Rapids Service Center, Muskegon Service Center, Traverse City Service Center, Atlanta

Mon., Dec. 13, 6-8 pm @ Alpena Girl Scouts Office

*If the Service Unit Product Manager dates do not work, you can attend a Faciliator Training instead. However, we encourage you first to try to attend your own Training.
This is a back-up only.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Individual Girl Scouts not in Troops encouraged to sell Fall Product!

If you are an individual Girl Scout and want to sell QSP and Fall product then read on...
Here’s how YOU can participate!

  1. Contact a Product Sales Manager (see below)
  2. They will mail you a packet containing:
    *A magazine packet
    *A nut/candy order card

It’s that simple!


Some important dates to remember:
*October 18 - November 8: Order taking
*November 12: Turn in order card and money for product
*November 30 - Dec. 3: Pick up your product (where you turned in your order card)

The Product Sales Department will help you with every part of the sale! It’s a great
experience for all Girl Scouts!

Selling QSP and Fall product gives you the opportunity to enjoy many benefits of the Girl
Scout program. You may have the opportunity to participate in Council programs such as
Day Camp, Resident Camp, as well as other Council events and programs.

So, what are you waiting for? Contact a Product Sale Manager today!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Top 10 Reasons

Here are our TOP 10 Reasons to participate in the Online Magazine Program:

One…You can do it all in the comfort & safety of your own home. You don’t even have to leave the house.

Two…You can complete this program in about 10 to 15 minutes…that’s it.

Three…It’s an excellent learning activity for your Girl Scout.

Four….She does not have to ask anyone to buy. The emails do that for her.

Five…She does not have to collect any money. Everyone pays by credit card with the online magazine program so no money needs to be collected.

Six…She does not have to deliver any products. Customers receive the magazines in the mail.

Seven…Your Girl Scout can earn some exciting & fun incentives from her magazine and nut sales.

Eight…Troops can earn Needed Early Start Up Funds. By participating in this program, troops can earn money now…and not have to wait until the cookie money starts coming in later on in the year.

Nine…It benefits our Girl Scout Council. Those funds are a very important part of helping us provide the girl programs, camps, and other valuable services for girls.

Ten…It’s FUN & EASY. There is nothing to it…just send some emails and WALLA…you can benefit in all of the above ways.

So…Time is ticking by. Our sale ends: November 12!

Why not get started with the online program right now?

Here is the link to click and get started. http://girlscouts.qsp.com/gsa/index.aspx?siteid=12&faccountid=425610148. If clicking the link does not work, please copy and paste the URL into your browser to go to our site. You can also go to our website: http://gsmists.org/
and go under Product Sales and there is the QSP icon there.

Don’t forget to “Stock Up” on the delicious Nuts & Chocolates we are also offering. They are deeeeeeeelicious…. And…we Do Not make Reorders…so be sure and order what you want…before it’s too late.

Thank you, thank you, thank you…for all that you do for girls.
Your efforts today…will be felt in your girl’s lives forever.

YOU make a difference…and we appreciate YOU.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Selling!!!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Girl Scouts are EVERYWHERE!

FUN FACT- We are an international family! Through its membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a worldwide family of 10 million girls and adults in 145 countries!

Here are just a few of the countries where you can find Girl Scouts-
Australia, Africa, Australia, Belgium, Egypt, Fiji, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Libya, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom..... and many, many more!

In other news----
Thanks again for leading your troops into the Fall Product Program. We've hit the ground running in what will hopefully be our best Fall Product Program ever. Things are moving fast, but GSMISTS is with you all along the way.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS
You can stay updated 24/7 with the latest regarding the GSMISTS 2010 Fall Product Program by visiting the website at www.gsmits.org. Any questions? Contact your Troop Leader, Fall Product Managers and/or Product Sales Managers.

As a reminder-
Product Sales Managers:
Grand Rapids Service Center
Jered Michael
jmichael@gsmists.org (616) 784-3341 x124

Muskegon Service Center
Sally Ellis
sellis@gsmists.org(231) 744-4774 x202
Traverse City Service Center
Deb Lang
dlang@gsmists.org(231) 947-7354 x222
And don't forget- you can always always always contact me. I am 2 weeks into the position and if I do not have the answers, I will find someone who does! Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to all our Girl Scouts. You're the best!



Monday, October 18, 2010

Dance into our Fall Product Sale!


Today is the day!! Our Fall Product sale has officially begun! Encourage your girls to sell, sell, sell! What a fun way to kickoff your troop season. It is not too late to start. If you need product information, please contact myself or any of your Product Managers. We are here to support you and answer any questions.
Anyone out there love to dance? Enjoy watching ballet? Enjoy anything artistic in general? This week is your lucky week! We have a very special opportunity for anyone involved in Girl Scouts in any capacity. The Grand Rapids Ballet has a show this weekend. Just mention ‘Girl Scouts’ when you call and your ballet tickets will be half off! Details are below.

Ballet: Who Cares?

Dates: October 22 - 7:30 pm, October 23-7:30 pm, October 24- 2:00 pm

Venue: DeVos Performance Hall

Description: Our Fall Production features a work by George Balanchine titled Who Cares? This classic favorite, to songs by George Gershwin, portrays an exuberance that is broadly American. We have also invited a few world stars to perform a classical bravura showcase and a contemporary firework. We will open the evening with the grand ballet Raymonda Pas de Dix in elaborate tutu’s, tiaras and chandeliers. All these works combine in one huge show, creating a season opener of incredible talent and artistry!

Tickets: $20 - $45. (this is before the half off offer).
Available at the Ballet Box Office by calling 454-4771 x 10.

I have had the priviledge of seeing a number of Grand Rapids Ballet performances and they are amazing! Don't miss your chance to see Michigan's only professional ballet company live!

Friday, October 15, 2010

My stomach is rumbling.....

I love to eat! Specifically, I love to eat anything sugary and sweet! I have actually won 3 pie eating contests in my day and I wear that title proudly! I am so happy today to be writing about our Fall food product!

Girls can sell a variety of delicious treats. Do you love chocolate? We have chocolate covered pretzels, double-dipped chocolate peanuts, chocolate covered raisins, chocolate covered almonds. YUM!! For the peanut butter fans- we have peanut butter dreams. Peanut butter dreams are a scrumptious treat made of peanut butter in the middle surrounded by milk chocolate! If you’re not a chocolate fan (which I’m sure is far and few in between) you can purchase Fat Free Fruit slices! Don’t forget about the cashews, cranberry nut mix (made of peanuts, raisins, cranberries, cashews, banana chips, almonds and walnuts) and our hot Cajun mix (corn sticks, peanuts, pretzels and sesame sticks).

We have added 1 additional Fall Sale Product Training for the Gaylord area. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 19th at 2:45 p.m. It will be held at the Friendship Church at 415 N. Ohio Avenue, at the corner of Ohio and West Streets in Gaylord.
Registration paperwork as well as Fall Product Sale materials will be available.
Please spread the word to other leaders you know who are looking to be trained. We hope to see you there!

I am suddenly very hungry so I’m signing off for today!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Do you need Fall Product Information?

Our Fall Product Sale kicks off this coming Monday, October 18th! It is not too late to participate! Our goal is to have every girl earning money and the Fall sale is a great opportunity! Do you need Fall Product Information? Your girls have October 18-November 8 to sell. I am happy to mail you out a packet. The only requirement- make sure your troop is registered.

Do you know there are 2 ways to earn money without ever leaving your kitchen table?

1. Address Booklet- Girls write down 11 names and addresses of family and friends in the provided QSP Address Booklet. QSP then sends those individuals information to order magazines. For every completed Address Booklet, the troop earns $2!

2. Online email addresses. From our website, follow the link and register. Then upload or enter email addresses of family members and friends. 12 Email addresses earns a Capture your Dream Patch. Then, when a magazine subscription is ordered, your troop gets credit for the sale!

So, taking literally 10 minutes out of their day, your girls can earn money for their troops. It’s fun and easy and encourages girls to develop their business sense.

The average family has 5 magazine subscriptions. Why not renew even one of those through the Girl Scouts? I have looked through the magazine catalog and I am impressed by the variety. There are over 600 different subscriptions to choose from! Magazines include everything from sports, cooking, fitness to family childcare, men’s, women’s and children’s magazines. There is something for everyone.

Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Stepping into the past

I have come to the end of my 1st official week on the job. There is so much I am learning! Our volunteers are truly the backbone of this organization. There are over 4,500 of you out there helping make Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore what it is today- a thriving organization supporting girls! That is so exciting! My main goal through this blog is to make sure all of you have the knowledge you need to support our girls in terms of product sales. It is you who are the heart and soul of Girl Scouts. Many have not only been long time volunteers, but Girl Scouts as well! I dug deep into history to pull out some 'gems' from the past. Oftentimes before planning the future- we need to look into the past. Girl Scouts has such a rich legacy!

I went on ebay and discovered many historical Girl Scouts memorabilia. My 1st item is a 1920s Girl Scouts pencil box. The White blouse and Black bloomers were customary as Girl Scout Camping Uniforms in the 1920s. Wow!

Another find- a 1918-1920 Girl Scout Badge Pin. My research shows that this is a very rare Trefoil pin, the second Trefoil made, the first one ran 1914-1917 and looks the same but without the GS on the top. Type 2 ran from 1918-1927. This particular one was made 1918-1920 it has 3 stripes on the shield, also called Type 2A.

Those are my fun facts for today. Thanks for going with me today on a little historical journey. I am learning everything I can presently and looking forward to a great future with Girl Scouts!













Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Welcome to GS Delish!

Hello Everyone!


My name is Taryn Myers and I am the new Product Sales Director for Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore. I am SO excited to be here! I am starting a blog today to communicate with all of you. I would love to have you follow it. I will attempt to update the blog daily with pertinent information and fun facts too. If you would like to receive emails instead, please email me at tmyers@gsmists.org and I will put you on an email list instead.


A little bit about me:

I grew up in Grand Rapids and am the oldest of 4 girls. We even had a female cat and dog (my poor Dad!). I graduated from Forest Hills Northern and Cornerstone University. My husband’s name is Rick and we have been married for 4 years. I love.... carmel lattes, palm trees, splashing in the pool, macaroni and cheese, crab legs, Ludington, Disney World, bright colors, baking desserts, working out (after eating all those desserts), laughing, getting to know new people, sunshine and anything related to FL!!


Fall Product News:

Our 2010 Fall Product Sale kicks off Monday, October 18!
This is a great way for girls to earn start-up money for the new school year.
Products sold include yummy chocolates, nuts and candy as well as magazine subscriptions. Why not renew a magazine subscription and have it go toward Girl Scouts? Also, magazine subscriptions make wonderful Christmas presents!


Important New Dates:
We have 3 new Fall Product Sales Trainings happening next week!


Who can attend?
*Troop leaders who would like further training
*Any Troop Product Managers
*Troop Leaders who do not have a Service Unit Product Manager who still need training
*Parents of girls in other pathways who would like to earn proceeds

Fall Product Sales Training Dates:
*Monday, October 11th- Grand Rapids Service Center, 6:30-8:30 PM
3275 Walker Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544

*Tuesday, October 12th-Muskegon Service Center, 6:30-8:30 PM
1217 E. River Rd Muskegon, MI 49445

*Tuesday, October 12th- Ionia ISD, 7-9 PM
2191 Harwood Road, Ionia, MI 48846


Please never hesitate to contact me with ideas, questions, concerns or comments. I welcome and appreciate all of your feedback! My email is: tmyers@gsmists.org and my direct phone number is: 616-784-3341 ext. 142 or Toll Free: 866-566-7434. If you are near the Grand Rapids Service Center, please stop by my office and say ‘hi’. I would love to meet as many of you as possible!


Thanks and have a wonderful day!