Spotlight!
If just the words “holiday season” send your taste buds into a flurry, you’re not alone. For many of us, the holidays are a time to get together with loved ones and enjoy our favorite foods – even the ones we hold forbidden during the year. That’s right! It’s time for turkey and roasts, candies and cakes, pies and hot chocolate - perhaps you’ll even enjoy the often infamous fruitcake. 

This holiday season, as we gather around our friends and family, let’s be sure to remember our older community members. Lead by Frances Savini, Senior Troop 2845 of Feasterville has made caring for others their holiday tradition for ten years. Through Aid for Friends the girls provide delicious home-cooked meals for the elderly shut-in.

Back when the girls were Daisies, Brownies and Juniors, they relied on their parents to cook the meals. They would produce about 50 meals each holiday season. Today the girls prepare the food themselves and invite other troops to join in on their mission. Having met and surpassed their goal of delivering 1,000 meals this year, Troop 2845’s holiday tradition has turned into a holiday miracle for the elderly who receive their meals.

Of course, preparing 1,000 + meals isn’t easy. In the middle of the holiday bustle, the girls find time to prepare turkeys, mashed potatoes, and plenty of fixings. They cook at home, at friends’ houses, and in community centers. The assembled trays must then be frozen for a full 48 hours before being transported to Aid for Friends for distribution. The girls call on volunteers, friends, and family to find extra freezer space.

This year, Troop 2845 called on Junior Troops #2598 and #275, Brownie Troops #2226, #2532 and #2825, as well as Daisy Troop #205 to assist them in their mission. The girls teach the new participators how to prepare the plates – thereby assuring their tradition will continue for years to come. It’s what the holidays are all about.  

Aid for Friends is a completely volunteer staffed program operating since 1974. Serving the 5-county greater Philadelphia area, they provide elderly citizens with home-cooked frozen meals and companionship on a weekly basis. For more information visit www.aidforfriends.org

Every month GS News will feature a different SPOTLIGHT! article. If you know of a great volunteer or motivating project that is taking place, please contact Tonya Towles at ttowles@gsep.org or (215) 564-2030, ext. 1043.

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Announcements

Dove Video - ONSLAUGHT
Skinnier. Firmer. Taller. Tighter. Thinner. Smoother. How many times a day do magazine ads and television commercials try to convince you that you’re short of perfection without their products? Imagine, then, the messages our young girls face at a time when they’re just starting to define their own identity. The Dove Self Esteem Fund has released a new 2 minute viral video called “ONSLAUGHT” – and it speaks to this issue. It’s an attention grabbing video that dramatizes the barrage of images and messages that girls constantly face. To view the video go to www.campaignforrealbeauty.com. Have a discussion with your older girls about unrealistic expectations.   

Dove currently funds uniquely ME!, The Girl Scout/Dove Self Esteem Program containing self-esteem building activities for girls 8-17. Click here to learn more about uniquely ME! and information concerning the battle girls face with self esteem http://www.gsep.org/pages/events_gs.html.

Shop and Service Center Hours
With the holidays approaching, please note that the Service Centers and Shops will be closed on the following dates and times:

Service Center Hours
December 24 – closed at 1 pm
December 25 – closed all day
December 31 – closed all day
January 1 – closed all day
January 21 – closed all day

Shop Hours
December 24 – closed
December 25 through January 1 - closed
January 21 – closed all day

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Upcoming Events

*SAVE THE DATE!
Young Women’s Conference
When: Saturday, January 12, 2008
Time: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
Age Level: 13-18
Cost: $15

Join us for a powerhouse series of fun and informative breakout sessions. Along with the fun and fellowship of hanging out with girls, experience the awesome programs such as:

• Real Beauty: Who decides what is “pretty” and what isn’t? How has “beauty” changed over time?
• uniquely ME!: It’s about discovering what makes us all the same, and totally unique at the same time
• Your Identity!: Embrace culture and heritage through creative fashion exercises

Plus, there will be plenty of fun activities including self defense, yoga, dance, writing, acting, singing, culinary arts, career and college exploration, fashion, and sports.
Please contact the registration department for information on how to sign up at 215-564-2030.
*SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, March 1, 2008 - Saturday Enhancement Program for leaders and adult volunteers

GSEP presents its premiere Adult Leadership/Enhancement Day at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA.

Do you have fond memories of Pot of Gold and Spring Sampler? So do we! This new annual event will feature workshops for new leaders and experienced volunteers. This is our opportunity to come together for a fun, dynamic, learning experience. Become a better leader, learn new skills, and develop professional expertise. Network with your Girl Scout friends, both old and new. The event will take place in rotating locations throughout the Council.

Planning is still underway, but there are plenty of ways for you to get involved:

• Workshop Presenter: Are you interested in facilitating a workshop? Contact Amy Immekus at amyi54@aol.com or 610-431-2064.
• Girl Opportunities: Older girl troops will have the opportunity to sell breakfast, lunch and beverages, and provide child care. Submission forms and contact information for this opportunity will be provided in the near future.
• Name that event!: We need a creative name for this new event that is unique to GSEP (and a new patch!) Submission of ideas and designs should be submitted to Dale Moelter at dmoelter@gsep.org or at 866-564-2030 ext. 1019.

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Program Corner

The Program Guide
The 2007-2008 Program Guide was mailed to every registered Girl Scout household in early October.  If you have not received your copy, please contact your nearest Service Center for a copy. The Program Guide is your source for council-sponsored programs that help girls connect with other girls from all across the council while earning some of the harder-to-earn badges, try-it’s, and interest projects. 

Open Activities from the Program Guide
See you Program Guide for more information. Register for available programs online at www.gsep.org or by mail using the Registration Form within the Program Guide.

Super Scout Ski Day at Jack Frost and Big Boulder
All Ages
Cost: $30 for lift ticket and ski or snowboard lesson
Date: Saturday, January 27, 2008
Spend the Day at Jack Frost and Big Boulder with Girl Scout friends and family.  Click here to view a flyer about the event and obtain registration forms http://www.gsep.org/pages/events_gs.html.

What A Drag!
Junior Age Level
Location: American Helicopter Museum, West Chester
Date: Saturday, February 2, 2008
Earn the Aerospace Badge while enjoying the museum and doing hands-on activities and experiments.

New Program
The following is a program that has not been listed in the Program Guide, and is available for immediate registration.

Sleeping Beauty at the Arden
Age Level: All
Date: Friday, January 25, 2008
Time: 4:30pm-8:30pm
Cost: $20 per person
Minimum: 20 people
Maximum: 200 people
Location: The Arden Theatre Company
40 N Second St, Philadelphia, PA  19106

Once upon a time...get ready! Here comes a modern, funnier version of one of your favorite tales. Meet our smart and independent Princess, a girl named Briar Rose (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty) and Gryff, her sidekick half-dragon with big dreams. There's Branwen, the friendly witch and there’s a Prince of course - Owain. It's a twist on the story you remember, right through to the happily-ever-after. In between is a magical adventure, replete with troublesome fairies, a Spider King, and a dashing sword fight! Fee includes production, workshops, the Arden Activity Patch, snack and juice. Girls should bring a bag dinner. Register through E Council or by using the Registration Form in the Program Guide. 

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Cookie Corner
February is cookie month!

Cookie Cake Contest!
In honor of our 95th Girl Scout year and to kick off sales we’re looking for troops to enter our Cookie Cake Contest. Troops will work with professional chefs or bakers to create a unique Girl Scout “birthday” Cake using Girl Scout Cookies in the recipe. The event will take place on February 1st or 2nd. Girls must be available to meet with their chef or baker twice between January 14 and the event date in order to discuss the cake creation and then bake the cake creation. Details below:
Who – 3 troops from each of the counties, open to Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, or Seniors.
What – Work with chef/baker to develop a 95th anniversary birthday cake for Girl Scouts using Girl Scout cookies in the recipe.
When – Presentation will take place on Feb 1 or 2. Girls must be able to meet with their chef/baker twice between January 14th and the event date.
What Can We Earn – This activity corresponds with numerous badges, additional details to come.
How to Enter – Fax or email the following information to Tonya Towles, Marketing Manager, at 215-564-6953 or ttowles@gsep.org
1. Troop Leader Name
2. Troop Leader Phone, Address, and Email
3. Troop Number
4. How many girls are in your troop?
5. What are their ages?
6. How many girls would participate?
7. Do you know any chefs or bakers that you would like to work with?
8. If so, please leave the name and contact information for the chef or baker.
Entries must be received by January 7th. A confirmation email will be sent to you when your complete information is received. Council will notify you if you have won our lottery to participate by January 14th.

Thank you and Good Luck!

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Mystery House
Don’t forget your door to door sales. There are mystery prizes out there for you to earn! In every Service Unit territory there will be 2 Mystery Houses. Simply knock on the right door and you’ll receive a voucher for a Mystery Prize. Submit the voucher to Girl Scouts and we’ll send you your prize. Remember, safety first – our policy states that every girl must be accompanied by an adult as they do door to door sales.

Booth Lottery
Booth lottery information is now available online, however we are constantly adding new locations. Be sure to check back frequently. Go to http://www.gsep.org/pdf/current_members/CookieBoothLocations.pdf to view the available locations.

Also, if you need a Council Cookie Booth Agreement and Lottery form please contact your Service Unit Cookie Manager. If you need the name of your Service Unit Cookie Manager please contact Wendy Dyer-Avis in the Product Sales Department at 215-564-2030 ext 1022.

Again, updates will be posted daily. Don’t send your form in too soon. All forms must be received by a Service Center by January 2nd, 2008. The drawing will take place on January 3rd, 2008.

Cookies From Home
Cookies From Home is in full effect! Remember to always ask customers if they would like to purchase an extra box of cookies for our military members. It’s a great way to help our troops abroad and all over the country enjoy a taste of home.

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Adult Development Corner

Training Schedule
The GSEP training schedule is updated on the GSEP website each week. Visit http://www.gsep.org/pages/adult_training.html. To access our schedule of learning opportunities with registration instructions, click on the "Training Information" link. Online Registration is available through E-Council for all trainings. Printed schedules are also available through our Service Centers. We will be adding many new age level and first aid learning opportunities for winter. Our new outdoor training modules will be introduced in January 2008.

New Training Events:

Starlab Training for Adults
When: January 5, 2007
Time: 10AM to Noon
Location: Valley Forge Program Center
Limited to: 12 people
Leaders, would you like to learn how to use Starlab, a portable planetarium?  Learn how to set up the huge dome (which can house up to 25 people); learn how to use the projector and it’s various cylinders (the constellations, Greek and Indian mythology, Egypt cultures, and Ancient Chinese legends).  You will also learn to convey concepts from a wide variety of disciplines through interactive, hands-on lessons that will engage girls. Please register for this training online with ECouncil.

MEDIC First Aid Instructors Course
When: January 26, 2008
Time: 9 AM – 5 PM
Location: Allentown Service Center
This full day course will prepare you to train CPR/First Aid throughout the Council. We are in need of more MEDIC instructors! There is no cost for this course and registration; but upon completion of this course we ask that you offer this training at least twice annually to volunteers in your area. Contact Devon Miller at dmiller@gsep.org or at 610-933-7555 ext. 1419. Registration is also available through E-council.

Bringing Training to You:
We want to help make your learning options as convenient as possible. If you have a group of five or more participants that need a specific training, please contact Devon or Jill and we will work with you to try to secure a volunteer trainer at a mutually convenient time.
- Devon Miller: Dmiller@gsep.org or 610-933-7555 ext. 1419
- Jill Sober: Jsober@gsep.org or 610-791-2411 ext. 1504  

Thinking of Becoming a Learning Facilitator/Trainer?
We need you! Contact Lorrie Klaric at lklaric@gsep.org if you would like more information. We’re working with GSUSA to make the process of becoming a learning facilitator much easier.

Adult Recognitions
New information about awards will be available online in early January including applications and a directory of adult recognition options for Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Deadline for submission of awards will be extended until March 1, 2008.

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GSEP Opportunities
The following employment opportunities are currently available with Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Please visit http://www.gsep.org/pages/join_us/join_employment.html for full job descriptions.

• Accounting Clerk
• Data Entry Clerk
  Development Manager for Individual Giving
• Director of Retail Sales
• Maintenance Assistant/Janitorial Services
• Media Relations Manager
• Volunteers

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Best Photo
Patriotism

Troop 687 in the heart of Allentown attend a Veterans Day Parade and take part in the Grand Opening of the World War II Exhibit at Lehigh County Historical Museum.

Due to overwhelming response, we will continue to feature a best photo in each GS News. If yours is not selected for the current issue, rest assured it will be considered for future issues. To submit your photo for our weekly Best Photo section, simply email the image along with a brief description of the event (when, where, who, why) to Tonya Towles at ttowles@gsep.org. Be sure to write Best Photo in the subject line of the email.

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Mission Mantra
“Life is a boomerang, what you give, you get back.”
Kim L. Shultz – Former Leader of Troop #900 and Registered Volunteer

Calling all wise sages: If you have an inspiring quote you live by, we would love to hear it. Please email Tonya Towles at ttowles@gsep.org. Be sure to include Mission Mantra in the title of the email.

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Contact Us
GS News Hard Copies
If you know of a Leader or Service Unit Manager who does not receive GS News because she/he does not have access to a computer, please have them contact us for a mailed copy of the GS News. Please call or email Loretta Rudzinski at 215-564-2030, ext. 1049 or lrudzinski@gsep.org.

The Adult Development Team is here to serve you:

• Adult Development Manager for Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties - Jill Sober at 610-791-2411 ext. 1504 or jsober@gsep.org  
• Adult Development Manager for Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties - Devon Miller at 610-933-7555 or 800-355-3847 ext. 1419 or dmiller@gsep.org
• Adult Development Coordinator - Teresa VanArsdale at 866-564-2030 ext 1021 or tvanarsdale@gsep.org
• Adult Recruitment Manager/Volunteer Application Process - Dale Moelter 866-564-2030 ext. 1019 or dmoelter@gsep.org
• Adult Development Director - Lorrie Klaric 866-564-2030 ext. 1025 or lklaric@gsep.org

Headquarters
Shelly Ridge Service Center
330 Manor Road
Miquon, PA 19444
Tel. (888/215) 564-4657
Fax. (215) 564-6953

Mailing address:
PO Box 27540
Philadelphia, PA 19118