Mountain View Mirror - Online

SEPTEMBER 1998

We have some great programs slated for our Leader Meetings. Time will be allocated at each meeting to discuss some must-know information. You will want to read your newsletter for important information not covered in our meetings.

To really get our year up and running we still need to fill some service team positions. Please consider volunteering as an organizer to assign girls to new and existing troops. We need troop organizers to coordinate new girls becoming Girl Scouts at each local school. And lastly, we need a Cookie Sale Chairperson/Committee to organize our Cookie Sale. Training for Cookie Chair is in November. To hold a Neighborhood Cookie Sale we need to fill this position.

Over the summer the Service Team met and developed the following goals for the Mountain View Girl Scout Neighborhood:

1. Complete a good year
2. Cultivate more diversified participation within the Neighborhood
3. Involve existing leaders into Neighborhood planning more
4. Understand how the new Evergreen School District school reorganization will impact and influence the Girl Scout Program
5. Rebuild and strengthen relationship between the Neighborhood and Council

These goals have been set by your Service Team, but are meant for everyone to strive to attain. We are only as strong as our weakest link. Let’s all pull together to reach these goals.

We are pleased to welcome Hilary Stanley as our new Neighborhood Liaison. She has joined the staff at Columbia River Girl Scout Council as a Membership Director and will be serving our Neighborhood.

You can reach Hilary at (503) 598-6531 or (800) 338-5248 extension 6531. Hilary is looking forward to working with us this coming year.

Sep. ……………….… Safety-Wise / Program Guidelines / Travel Presentation
Oct. ………………..… School District Reorganization and It’s Impact on Bridging
Nov. ………………….. Strengthening Self-Esteem of Girls
Dec. …………………………..… No Meeting / Newsletter Only
Jan. …………….….. Developing Leadership Skills in Girls
Feb. ………………….. Communication Skills for Leaders / Parents / Girls
Mar. ……………………………..…….. Leader Appreciation
Apr. ………………..…… Outdoor Skills / New Technology
May ………………………………….. Low Impact Camping
June ………………….…… Leader-Daughter Activity / Date to be Announced

Neighborhood Meetings will be held the 3rd Monday of each month. Service Team meetings will be held the 1st Wednesday of each month. Both will be at Hearthwood Elementary.

Thursday and Tuesday, September 24 and 29 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Wy’East Junior High School is the times and dates set for the Mountain View Neighborhood Recruitment Nights: "A Girl Scout Gathering". Help is needed by leaders and some girls to make this a success. If you know anyone that’s interested in joining Girl Scouts, then this is the meeting to have them attend! For more information call Hilary Stanley at 1-800-338-5248 Ext. 6531.

Recruitment patches are available for girls interested in helping with Neighborhood recruitment activities. For more information contact Deb Wallace.

The purpose of Girl Scouting is to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens.

Does your troop have service hours to report? Please turn them in to Carol Jensen at Neighborhood Meetings. Service is a vital and important part of a well-rounded Girl Scout Program and your participation means a lot to not only your girls, but to those to whom they have given service. It’s the "Girl Scout Way!"

From: Sue Moore-Vest
Ages: All

Supplies:

• White gauze or other very thin white material cut into squares about 12"
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• plastic glass - small
• round rubber ball (of a size to sit on glass)
• wire or pencils
• tape

Directions:

MAKE MOLD: Set glass upright, and place ball in mouth of glass, making sure it sticks up to give the ghost a round head. Tape wire or pencils so they stick out the side of the cup, this will form the arms.

MAKE SUGAR STIFFENER SOLUTION: In heavy saucepan and stirring constantly, melt sugar in water over low heat until you can't see crystals. Let solution boil briefly then remove to cool.

FORMING GHOSTS: Make sure you cut your fabric large enough to drape well over mold. Fit fabric over mold to help decide how you want it to be formed. Dip fabric into cooled sugar solution, making certain the fabric is saturated. Squeeze excess solution back into pan. Drape fabric over mold, arranging folds as desired. Let set till hard.

OPTIONAL DECORATING: You can leave your ghost plain or decorate it with felt pieces, google eyes, markers, etc. You can vary the size by using larger molds (I once used a 2-liter bottle I had rounded off with a wad of paper taped down) and fabric. I once used cloth diapers, the unfolded kind. If you trim off the ends, you have a thin cloth with tight weave which I think works great for ghosts. Each of my diapers was made of 2 pieces of fabric, so they went a long way. For extra fun, get a chemical glow stick, break it and support it (such as in a small ball of play dough) and place the ghost over top.

From: Karen Moye-Kelly
Ages: All

Directions:
Let's talk TOO easy .... you get that puzzle out of the back of your or one of your children's closet ... you put white paint in a metal pan ... do NOT use watercolors ... then you paint the puzzle pieces white ... (I'm not goin' too fast, am I) ... next, you put two (2) black dots on one of the corners of the puzzle piece (do this one puzzle piece at a time) ... you have yourself one easy-to-make ghost ... even 3 year olds can make these ... brownies/junior Girl Scouts attach pins to backs for swaps ... older girls make earrings with them ... too cute!!!

• 1 4 oz. pack instant pudding
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 8 lb. bags of ice
• 1 28 oz. box table salt

Make pudding according to directions (using the 2 cups milk). Stir in sugar and canned milk. Pour equally into several snack- or quart-sized zip-lock bags. Place two or three of these small filled bags into a 1-gallon zip-lock bag. Put 2 cups of ice cubes in the large bag and 1/4 cup of table salt. Let out as much air as possible, and seal. Wrap the bag in a towel (it gets cold quickly) and shake, shake, shake. If too much of the ice turns to water, empty water and add some more ice and salt. In ten to fifteen minutes, you will have ice cream!

We made peach and French vanilla (just as good in any other flavor of instant pudding you choose). This recipe has a couple of advantages over "kick the can:"
1) Ziplocks are easier to come by, and take less space than, small and large coffee cans, when you're packing for a camping trip.
2) You don't need rock salt.
3) The recipe doesn't call for eggs (like some better ice cream recipes do).
4) Brownies can help measure, mix and take turns shaking. I have done this recipe with every age level, and it works well consistently.
5) If the weather is especially warm, and the girls don't shake really hard, it still makes a "pudding shake" and the girls love it.
6) Girls can eat out of the individual bags, so there is little clean-up necessary. Just the original mixing bowl, spoon, and teaspoons.
7) This is good with cookies!!!!!!!!!

Winifred McGee
Leader, Cadette GS Troop 1957
Hershey, PA

Use 3 large white candles for each part of the promise.

On my honor I will try
To serve God and my country (light the candle to the girl's left)
To help people at all times, (light the middle candle)
and to live by the Girl Scout Law.(light the candle to the girl's right)

Sing "Whene'er You Make A Promise" (Found on page 6 of the Girl Scout Pocket Handbook)

(Use 10 white candles, each tied with specified color ribbon as noted. Each girl reads her line then lights the candle)

I will do my best to be: (all the girls say together)

Honest and fair (girl #1)
The purple ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of honesty and fairness. A Girl Scout works honestly and keeps her promise. She is fair in all she does and those she meets.

Friendly and helpful (girl #2)
The blue ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of friendship and thoughtfulness. A Girl Scout is amiable and loyal to her friends. She helps others wherever and whenever she can.

Considerate and caring (girl #3)
The orange ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of kindness and warmth. A Girl Scout works well with others and looks out for the well-being of others.

Courageous and strong (girl #4)
The red ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of adventure and independence. A Girl Scout attempts new tasks and braves new endeavors. She is confident and self-assured in her actions.

Responsible for what I say and do (girl #5)
The gold ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of ownership and pride in her work. She readily admits her strengths and weakness and is aware of the consequences of her actions. A Girl Scout is up front with her intentions.

And to: (all the girls say together)

Respect myself and others (girl #6)
The white ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of integrity. A Girl Scout directs her thoughts and deeds to encompass her won beliefs and to be sensitive to, and respectful of the beliefs of those around her.

Respect authority (girl #7)
The yellow ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of regard for another's position. A Girl Scout understands the importance of having a leader of a group to make final decisions. She works with that leader to make the best decisions for the good of the group.

Use resources wisely (girl #8)
The green ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of being careful with resources. She uses her materials, money, time, and energy wisely. A Girl Scout does not wasted the Earth's resources.

Make the world a better place (girl #9)
The brown ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of improvement. A Girl Scout strives to be clean, conserve, and enrich the world around her. She believes it is important to leave a better place than when she found it.

Be a sister to every Girl Scout (girl #10)
The silver ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's loyalty to sisters all over the world. A Girl Scout is always ready to accept more friends into her ever widening circle. She treats all of her sisters with kindness, acceptance, and warmth.

Sing "Make New Friends" (Found on page 10 of the Girl Scout Pocket Handbook)

From: Tracy Buckley
Ages: Appropriate for: Older Brownies that can do cutting & sewing, Juniors, Cadettes & Seniors
"Here is a really neat (magical) craft that will work for the Oct or Nov time frame..."

Supplies:

• old dark colored stocking (pantyhose with runs)
• bleach
• polyfil stuffing
• needle & orange thread (or big needles & orange yarn)
• green felt
• scissors

Directions:
1. Before you meet with your troop, some prep work needs to be done. Or if you are at camp, the first night can be used to get the stockings ready. Do this in a well ventilated area! Take your black stockings and soak them overnight (or at least about 3 hours) in a mixture of 1 part water to 1 part bleach. The darker the stockings the ORANGER they turn. NO dyes are needed! Magic!!! The bleach will turn your stockings various shades of light brown, orange and yellows.

2. Take your dyed stockings and cut 'em into about 3 strips for each leg (cut the toe) so you can stick your arm through. Tie a knot in the middle, double over one side of the knot to make a two layer piece of stocking. The knot should be on the inside of the pocket. Stuff the double pocket with polyfil and stitch the opening so the stuffing stays in. Next take your orange thread or yarn and run it through the middle and around the edge of your pumpkin ball to make as many ribs as you'd like. Finish it off by gluing a piece of green or brown felt that been rolled into a stem piece. You might also glue a leaf next to your stem. Done!

Effective September 1, 1998 you can phone in your registration request for G.R.E.A.T. Guide events and adult trainings. Call (503) 972-8517 and follow the menu of instructions. Have the following (four) pieces of information available when you call:

1. The eight digit registration number and title of G.R.E.A.T. Guide event.
2. Girl Scout troop number or first and last name if you are registering as an individual.
3. Total number of girls and number of adults.
4. First and last name with a phone number of the contact person if other than the registered Girl Scout Troop Leader.

If the line is busy, please hang up and try again, or call during non-peak hours 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. We are here to help and are eager to hear from you.

This only applies to those troops that re-registered by June 30 for the new membership year. Once the rest of the troops register for the 1999 membership year, they, too, will be able to use the phone-in registration system.

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G.R.E.A.T. Guide Update

• The date for the "Women and GirlSports" event with Portland State will be November 8, 1998. Due to scheduling concerns with Portland State the date was listed in the G.R.E.A.T. Guide as Sunday, November 15.
• Four dates have been added this fall for a small number of Junior Girl Scouts to work on the Junior Technology Badge. Saturdays: October 17, October 24, November 14 and November 21. Information on these workshops is listed on page 32 in the G.R.E.A.T. Guide.

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COUNCIL SHOP TALK

• Beginning Saturday, September 5, 1998 the Girl Scout Shop will again be open 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
• Patterns and fabrics for all levels of Girl Scout Uniforms are available at Joanne’s Fabric Stores.
• The remaining Trading Post merchandise from Camp Arrowhead will be available in the Girl Scout Shop after camp closes.

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U.S. BANK RELATIONSHIP

Due to the merger of US Bank with First Bank on July 18, 1998, our relationship with US Bank has changed. This means new procedures for Girl Scout accounts.

Fees - At this time fees are not being charged to existing Girl Scout accounts. (If your Girl Scout account is being charged a fee, contact your Membership Director). New accounts will be charged fees. You may be able to waive these fees, but only until October 17, 1998. It is very possible that all Girl Scout accounts will be charged fees. We are working with our representative at US Bank to look into other options. Troops and Neighborhoods are still responsible for the check printing fee.

New bank accounts - US Bank has requested that as of September 1, 1998, all new Girl Scout accounts be opened through the Girl Scout Service Center. This new procedure will streamline paperwork. Volunteers will only need to fill out one form. Girl Scout staff will fax the form to the bank. The bank is currently developing the form and it will be mailed to Neighborhood Chairs and Program Consultants when available.

Existing bank accounts - You will be affected by the merger with new bank statements and a new account number. You can continue to use your current checks and deposit slips for the near future.

Problems - Please be patient with the conversion, it is possible that a few accounts were not converted correctly. If you experience any problems, contact your Membership Director.

If you have additional questions, contact Cheryl Olson directly at (503) 598-6536 or 1-800-338-5248 extension 6536.

Troop Talk

Daisy Doings

This area can be filled with things that your Daisy troop is doing. Please submit your news no later than one week before the next Neighborhood Meeting.

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Brownie Bits

This area can be filled with things that your Brownie troop is doing. Please submit your news no later than one week before the next Neighborhood Meeting.

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Junior Journal

This area can be filled with things that your Junior troop is doing. Please submit your news no later than one week before the next Neighborhood Meeting.

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Cadette Capers

This area can be filled with things that your Cadette troop is doing. Please submit your news no later than one week before the next Neighborhood Meeting.

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Senior Sentinel

This area can be filled with things that your Senior troop is doing. Please submit your news no later than one week before the next Neighborhood Meeting.

Contest

THE SPIRIT OF THE CENTURY THE YEAR 2000 GIRL SCOUT CALENDAR PHOTO CONTEST

Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. is sponsoring a Year 2000 Girl Scout Calendar Photo Contest. This contest is open to all Girl Scout members: girls, adults, volunteers, and staff.

Contest entries should focus on the theme of the calendar, "The Spirit of the Century." Submissions will be photos that, in the member's view, depict the spirit of the 20th century as exemplified in Girl Scouting, such as images of a Senior Girl Scout blazing a nature trail or a Junior Girl Scout caring for others by donating to a food pantry.The photos will be reviewed by the staff of the organization's National Equipment Service.

Prizes for the winners include:

• 1st Prize - $500 savings bond to the individual whose photo is used on the front cover.
• 2nd Prize - $200 savings bond to the individual whose photo is used as a stand-alone illustration for any of the pages inside the calendar.
• 3rd Prize - $100 savings bond to the individual whose photos are used as part of a montage.

Contest Rules

• Entries must consist of either 8" x 10" color prints, 2Ό" color transparencies, 35 mm color slides. Black-and-white photos may also be submitted.
• Photos may be in a horizontal or vertical format.
• Girl Scout identification must be clearly visible in all entries.

Guidelines

• An explanation of the photo is helpful.
• Photos need to reflect all age levels, as well as the racial and ethnic diversity of the Girl Scout membership.

Judging

• No less than 12 photographs will be selected.
• The National Equipment Service will be the sole judge of the winning entries; the judge’s decisions are final.

Processing Entries

• All entries should be sent to
  Jennie Zino,
  Assistant Advertising Manager
  National Equipment Service
  Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
  420 Fifth Avenue
  New York, N.Y. 10018-2798
• Submissions should be mailed in time to arrive at GSUSA headquarters no later than October 16, 1998.
• Each entry must be clearly labeled with the member’s name, council name, address, and telephone number.
• Winners will be notified by January 15, 1999.
• The winning photos will become the property of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
• Entries submitted to GSUSA will not be returned.

Dates to Remember

September 24 ……....…Recruitment Night @ Wy’East
September 26 ….....# New Leader Essentials - Vanc.
………….…....….# Program Age Level Training
September 29 …..….…Recruitment Night @ Wy’East
October 7 …………...…………...Service Team Meeting
October 8 ……........…# Magical Stages of Puppetry - Vanc.
October 9-11 …………………………..…….# Tambu ‘98
October 10 …………...………..# Photo Seek and Search
……………........……# Junior Destination Unknown
October 10-11……..…..……# GS Celebration Overnight
October 16-18……...……….…# Troop Camping Special
October 17……………..……# Games Galore - Portland
………………....………….# Zoo Almost Overnight
………......……..……# Junior GS Playday - Camas
October 19 ………………..….Neighborhood Meeting
October 24 …..……………# Brownie Try-It - Dancersize
…………......………….……# Hangin’ With Ms. Low
………….........….# New Leader Essentials - Vanc.
………….......……..# Program Age Level Training
October 31…………..…….…# Games Galore - Portland
……………….....……..….Juliette Low’s Birthday
November 6 ………….…………..……….Skating Party
May 21-23 …………...…… …..Neighborhood Campout

# = Council Event - not all events listed. Please check your G.R.E.A.T. Guide for more information.

Service Team

1998-1999 Service Team

Neighborhood Chair…………….Deb Wallace
Registrar…………………………Carol Jensen
Brownie Program Consultant….Natalie Lund
Junior Program Consultant…….Helen Sullivan
Treasurer…………………………Jan Allen

Mirror Contributors

Editor………………………..…………….….Gail Branum
Message from the "Chair"…………………….Deb Wallace
Content …………………………………..…Service Team
Council Quotes …………….…Service Team Newsletter
Program Ideas……… ………………………Gail Branum
Troop Talk ………………..……………………Our troops

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Last updated 9/20/98.