Welcome Leaders
Volunteers are helping to inspire the leader in every girl!
Welcome to the great adventure of Girl Scouting! Thanks to volunteers like you, generations of girls have learned to be leaders in their own lives and in the world.
No matter why and how you choose to spend your time with Girl Scouts, your investment in time and energy will pay back ten-fold. Little can compare to the satisfaction you’ll feel as you help girls grow in self-confidence, discover their genuine selves, connect with the people and community around them, and take action to make a difference in the world.
(Volunteer Essentials Handbook)
Download the entire Volunteer Essentials
Handbook! 
Need help getting started with your troop? Just e-mail Debbie Frankovich for a helping hand
All meetings 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm @ Sycamore St. John's Lutheran Church on Second Thursday of the month!
We will be meeting at the Sycamore St. John's Lutheran Church. Service project is collecting winter coats.
I encourage every troop to have at least one leader there to hear about all the exciting things that are happening in scouts this year.
Please note: This room is much smaller than where we used to meet, and we will NOT be able to use the pre-school classrooms for child care.
Please make arrangements for someone to watch your children at home. Leaders of older girl troops can make a recommendation for a trustworthy scout to babysit. Also, we will not be serving coffee, juice or snacks. You are more than welcome to bring your own, but please pack out your garbage with you when you leave. Thank-you for all your understanding. See you on Thursday evenings.
Service Team meetings are on the first Thursday of the month.
Doubletree Service Unit
Below is a list of Service organizations, some of which we are doing at our Service Unit meetings but your troops are welcome to do some of these on your own.
Service Project Contacts:
Sycamore Food Pantry – Vickie @ 895-3826 Non-perishable food donations
Hope Haven – Andrea Kibling @ 815-758-3166. – hats, coats, boots, mittens, gloves, snowpants, etc.
Safe Passage – 756-5228 – personal Care products for mothers and children
We Care pregnancy Center – 403 N. 5th Str. DeKalb, 748-4242 – Baby products & infant clothes
Meals on Wheels -1606 Bethany Rd. 758-5703 – Call VAC for brown paper bags to decorate
DeKalb County Nursing Home – N. Annie Glidden Rd, 758-2477 – Cards for a resident
Toys for Tots – Mr. Peter May @ 761-7732 – new toys
Lions of Illinois Foundation 756-5633 – eyeglasses, visual aid items welcomed
Tails Humane Society – 2250 Barber Green Rd, 758-2457 – bleach, cat litter (unscented), paper towels,
towels, blankets, pet carriers (new & used),pet beds (new & used) etc.
Camp to belong – Andi Andree @ 895-6247 – personal camper items.
Dear Troop/Group Leaders:
Do you know a Girl Scout volunteer who has given exceptional service to Girl Scouts - Sybaquay Council? Help us reward our outstanding volunteers by nominating them for an adult recognition award. A summary of the awards is on the back of this sheet. If you would like to nominate someone, please talk to your troop service coordinator, service unit manager or other member of the service team about filling out an application. The deadline for all applications is 5 P.M. or postmark on the last working day in February.
Following the recommendations of Girl Scouts of the USA,
an individual can only earn each award once. If someone has already gotten the
award for which you would like to nominate her/him, ask your service team about
other ways of honoring that individual.
The Leadership Development Pin is available to everyone! Volunteers earn this
by taking required and enrichment trainings.
More information is available through the Service Unit Adult Recognition Binder.
Nominate A Special Leader Today
Summary of Adult Recognitions
| Award Type | Award Recipient | Reason | How to Apply |
| Outstanding Leader Award | Troop/group leader, assistant leader or coordinator | For outstanding performance in working with girls | Submit an application with two letters of endorsement* |
| Outstanding Volunteer Award | Adult member in a position other than a troop/group leader | For excellence in service to a geographic area or program audience | Submit an application; no letters of endorsement are required |
| Sybaquay Bronze Charm | Adult member in a service unit position | For outstanding service at the service unit level | Submit an application with two letters of endorsement* |
| Appreciation Pin | Adult member | For outstanding service to a geographic area or program delivery audience | Submit an application with two letters of endorsement* |
| Honor Pin | Adult member | For outstanding service to two or more geographic areas or program delivery audiences | Submit an application with three letters of endorsement* |
| Thanks Badge | Adult member | For truly outstanding service that benefits the entire council or Girl Scout movement | Submit an application with four letters of endorsement* |
| Thanks Badge II | Thanks Badge recipient | For continued out- standing service benefit- ting the entire council or Girl Scout movement | Submit an application with four letters of endorsement* |
| Award Type | Award Recipient | Reason | How to Apply |
| Leadership Development Pin | Troop/group leader, assistant leader or coordinator | For participating in training in subject areas that increase skills in working with girls | Submit an application |
| Trainer’s Pin | Appointed council trainer | For completing specific training and actively participating in delivery of council training programs | No application necessary—awards are given as they are earned |
| President’s Award | Service unit | For moving the geo- graphic area further toward achievement of the council’s goals during the membership year | Submit an application |
T All
nominees must be registered adult members of GSUSA.
t Applications for all awards are
distributed to the service team and may be found online at
www.gs-sybaquay.org.
* The individual submitting the
application cannot submit a letter of endorsement for the nominee. Each letter
of endorsement must be submitted by a different person and cannot be a relative
or household member of the nominee.
Print your forms. PDF format
Outstanding Leader Award for outstanding performance
in working with girls by a troop/group leader, assistant leader or coordinator.
The Outstanding Leader Award pin depicts a leadership torch against a yellow
background.
Outstanding Volunteer Award for excellence in service
to a geographic area or program audience, by an adult member in a position other
than a troop/group leader. The Outstanding Volunteer Award pin depicts a white
chain and gold trefoil against a red background; it differs significantly from
the Appreciation Pin only in the level of approval required.
Council-Level Recognitions are submitted and reviewed by the Adult Recognition Committee and subject to approval by Sybaquay Council's Board of Directors. Awards are:
Application for
Sybaquay Bronze Charm is an award unique to Girl
Scouts - Sybaquay Council. It recognizes outstanding service to at least one
geographic area/service unit or program delivery audience by an adult member in
a service unit position.
Application for
the Appreciation Pin is a Girl Scouts of the USA
(GSUSA) award that recognizes outstanding delivery to at least one geographic
area/service unit or program delivery audience by an adult member.
Application for the Honor Pin recognizes outstanding
service to at least two or more geographic areas/service units or program
delivery audiences.
Application for
the Thanks Badge recognizes truly outstanding service
benefiting the entire council or the entire Girl Scout Movement by an adult
member.
Application for the Thanks Badge II
recognizes ongoing outstanding service benefiting the entire council or the
entire Girl Scout Movement by an adult volunteer who has already received the
Thanks Badge.
If you can’t open the file, you might need this free program for your computer:
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Leader Learning All start at 6:00p. unless stated differently , all local trainings are at :
Sycamore United Methodist Church,
St. Mary's Religious Ed Center DeKalb.
Field Trip Basics Leader Training is now available on line or by email:
Orientation also available on line or by email:
First Aid & CPR also available on line through Council with blended learning Red Cross
You must register at Sybaquay Council to receive password
if anyone needs cookies for the 20th
they need to contact me before the 20th as I will not be here -
I'll be at Treasure Chest.
2010
Girl Scout Area Cookies Sales
March 5- Jewel DeKalb 4-7
Lowes DeKalb 4-7
Walgreens DeKalb 4-7
March 6- Jewel DeKalb
10-6
Walmart DeKalb 10-3
Lowes DeKalb
10-5
March 7- Jewel DeKalb
10-2
Walmart DeKalb 10-2
Lowes DeKalb
11-3
Walgreens DeKalb 12-4
Browns Syc. 10-2
March 12- Jewel DeKalb
4-7
March 13- Jewel DeKalb
10-2
Walmart DeKalb 9-3
Lowes DeKalb 9-1
Walgreens Syc. 10-12
Browns Syc. 11-1
March 14- Walmart DeKalb
9-12
Lowes DeKalb
11-3
March 19- Lowes DeKalb
4-7
March 20- Walmart DeKalb
9-3
Lowes DeKalb 12-3
Walgreens Syc. 12-2
March 21- Walmart DeKalb
10-2
Browns Syc. 3-5
March 27- Walmart DeKalb
9-12
Lowes DeKalb 10-12
Jewel Syc. 12-2
Browns Syc. 1-3
March 28- Walmart DeKalb
10-3
Baden-Powell – Lord and Lady Robert Baden-Powell were the founders of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guide movement for boys and girls. Olave, his wife, was the World Chief Guide.
Badge – Round embroidered award for Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts to indicate increased knowledge and skill in a particular subject.
Bridging – The move from one program age level of Girl Scouting to the next (e.g. from Junior to Cadette Girl Scouting.)
Buddy System – A safety practice in which girls of equal ability are paired to help and to keep track of each other.
Core Camping – Troop camping with some staff provided by Council (e.g., cook, waterfront, program director) at a given campsite.
Counselor-in-Training (CIT) – A Senior Girl Scout who is taking a course to learn outdoor group leadership skills as a camp counselor.
Court of Awards – A ceremony that can be held any time during the year at which badges and other awards are presented.
Court of Honor – Committee made up of the leader, patrol leaders, troop secretary and treasurer for decision making purposes.
Day Camp – Camping by the day for a minimum of four consecutive days.
Edith Macy Conference Center – National Girl Scout training facility located just outside New York City.
Emblems – Insignia that denote Girl Scout membership at the national council, and troop levels.
Fly-Up – The ceremony in which a Brownie Girl Scout “graduates” to Junior Girl Scouts.
Founder’s Day – Juliette Low’s birthday, October 31.
Friendship Circle – A symbolic gesture in which Girl Scouts form a circle by clasping each other’s hands. It is often used at a closing ceremony.
Girl Guides – The original name for Girl Scouts, still used in many countries.
Girl Scout Birthday – March 12 is the Girl Scout birthday because it marks the first meeting of Girl Scouts in the U.S.A in Savannah, Georgia, in 1912
Girl Scout Gold Award – The highest award in Girl Scouting earned by a Senior Girl Scout.
Girl Scout Handshake – A formal way of greeting other Girl Scouts by shaking left hands while giving the Girl Scout Sign with the right.
Girl Scout Leader’s Day – April 22, a special day to honor Girl Scout leaders.
Girl Scout Sign – The official Girl Scout greeting. The right hand is raised shoulder high with the three middle fingers extended and the thumb crossing over the palm to hold down the little finger.
Girl Scout Silver Award – The highest award in Girl Scouting earned by a Cadette Girl Scout.
Girl Scout’s Own – A quiet inspirational ceremony that has a theme and is planned by Girl Scouts and their leaders.
Girl Scout Week – An annual celebration during the week of March 12th, the Girl Scout birthday.
GSUSA – Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
Insignia – The umbrella term used to refer to all official terms that girls may wear on the uniform.
Interest Project – Rectangular embroidered award earned by Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts.
Investiture – A special ceremony in which a new member makes her Girl Scout Promise and receives her membership pin.
Kaper Chart – A chart that shows the delegation of jobs and rotation of responsibility day by day and/or meal by meal.
Leader-in-Training (LIT) – A Senior Girl Scout who is taking a course to learn leadership skills as a troop leader.
Learning Petals – Awards earned by Daisy Girl Scouts for showing appreciation for one part of the Girl Scout Law.
Low, Juliette Gordon – (nicknamed Daisy) – Founder of Girl Scouting in the United States, she formed the first troop that met in Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912.
Motto –”Be Prepared.”
Participation Patches and Pins – Supplementary insignia whose focus is participation, not prescribed requirements. These insignia are developed at the national or council level.
Patrol – A widely used form of troop government where the troop divides into small groups.
Proficiency Awards – Insignia from the Girl Scout
age-level books that are earned by completing the requirements indicated.
Program Aide – Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts who have been trained to assist younger Girl Scout groups with songs, games, crafts, ceremonies or skills.
Program Trail – A diagram for planning program activities in which one idea sparks another.
Promise Center – An award earned by Daisy Girl Scouts for understanding the Girl Scout Promise.
Quiet Sign – The Girl Scout signal for silence in a group situation. The person in charge raises her/his right hand and the Girl Scouts present fall silent and raise their right hands.
Rededication – A formal ceremony at which a girl or adult, who was previously invested, renews her Girl Scout Promise.
Resident Camp – A sustained camping experience for a minimum of six days, with overnight sleeping at a Council owned, leased, rented or borrowed facility.
Safety-Wise – A GSUSA book with safety program standards and guidelines.
Service Team – A group of adult volunteers responsible for organizing and delivering service to Girl Scouts directed by a service unit manager.
Service Unit – A geographic subdivision within the Council.
Sit Upon – A “cushion” often made by Girl Scouts to use when the ground is damp or to keep their clothes clean.
S.W.A.P.S. – “Special Whachamacalits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” Small items used for trading.
Thinking Day – Celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts throughout the world, February 22 is the birthday of Lord Baden-Powell and Lady Baden-Powell. This is the day for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides to think about their sisters around the world, through special projects, international program activities or pen pal projects.
Trefoil – The international symbol of Girl Scouting. The three leaves of the trefoil represent the three parts of the promise.
Try-lt – Triangular embroidered awards for Brownie Girl Scouts earned by doing activities and completing projects.
Wide Game – A game played by following a trail with stops at several stations.
Wider Opportunity – Any Girl Scout activity that takes girls outside their own troop or council.
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) – An international educational association for girls with a membership of eight million.
World Trefoil Pin – A pin worn by all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides
World Centers – Four program activity centers owned by WAGGGS. The centers are located in Mexico, England, India, and Switzerland.
Patrol systems can be very rewarding and education at the same time.
Girls are not aware but they are learning responsibility and having fun at the same time.
Patrol systems can also make your life as a leader easier…because by the time the girls reach Cadettes they will be planning on their own and you will be the advisor.
Patrols are made up of small groups in the troop (a great way to get away from the
“clicks”). One person is elected to be the patrol Leader. This position should be rotated through out the year so that everyone in the Patrol has a chance to be the leader.
Patrols may come up with a special color, name, or symbol to represent them.
The Patrol leader should have something to wear to signify that she is the leader,
whether it be a scarf or a sash, and it should be in that Patrol’s color, or some how made to signify the patrol.
Patrol are used to assign different things. examples would be with younger
girls: opening, closing, cleanup etc. As they take on more responsibility,
the patrol may be responsible for the food for a campout, permission slips, cleanup,
decorations for a party, etc. Once they are 3rd year Juniors, the Patrols may be responsible for planning the different parts of the meeting; badge work, craft, refreshment. Etc.
Court of Honor is for Patrol leaders, Leaders, and troop officers if you have any.
You should 1st meet with your court of honor to come up with the agenda or
decisions that will need to be taken back to the Patrols.
Once the Court of Honor has met…the Patrol Leaders will go back to the patrols
and discuss the agenda. The Patrol Leader will lead the discussion with the
Patrol and bring the results back to the court of Honor
Patrol systems are an exciting way to watch the girls grow and become responsible young ladies.
Kapers
A Kaper, simply put, is a job or chore that must be done. In Girl Scouting, this generally involves a "kaper chart" which indicates all of the jobs available and who is responsible for each one. This may be done with patrols or individual girls. Below is a sample of a weekend camp kaper chart. Each flower represents a patrol. Notice that each patrol gets a chance to do each job in this ideal situation.
| Kaper | Duties | Sat. Breakfast | Sat. Lunch | Sat. Dinner | Sun. Breakfast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hostess
|
Setting table, choosing & leading grace |
|
|
|
|
Fire
|
Laying, lighting, & maintaining fire, making sure fire safety eqpt. is present. |
|
|
|
|
|
Cook
|
Clean, prepare, & serve the planned menu |
|
|
 |
 |
Clean-Up |
Put water on to heat before dinner, make sure dish- wash set-up is done, wash pots. |
|
|
|
|
If the these patrols are only in place at camp, it may be beneficial to have a chart posted at camp with who is on which patrol such as the following:
|
|
|
|
|
| Sally | Sarah | Melissa | Kathy |
| Jessica | Courtney | Judy | Marie |
| Jennifer | Anne | Megan | Jane |
Just
for
those
Special
Leaders
Every Girl Brings With Her A Precious Gift
A Girl Scout Leader is Someone Who...
A Girl Scout Leader is Someone Who...
Tries to listen to 10 little girls' conversations all at the same time.
Wakes up in the middle of the night worrying about the girls who weren't at the
last meeting.
Calls 5 mothers about the one galosh that was left at the meeting place.
Finds that cookies, Kool-Aid, and kind words will help solve most any girl's
problems.
Attends hours of training and how-to sessions only to discover that the meaning
of Girl Scouts is at the bottom of her own heart.
Remembers to bring insect repellant.
Says "Yes, I'll do it!" when it should be "No, no, a thousand times no!"
Gets a warning ticket from the State Patrol with a station wagon full of very
quiet girls.
Is a friend to the friendless and a foe only to big brothers who throw rocks.
Breathes deeply of the wonderful silence after they all go home but looks
forward to the meeting next week.
Sings "Kookaburra" in the shower.
Knows that the secret of eternal youth is not at the cosmetic counter but in
meeting with it every week.
Gives and gives and gives and gets: sticky kisses, shy hugs, sly winks, and not
much later, wedding invitations and baby announcements.
A GIRL SCOUT LEADER IS SOMEONE WHO IS VERY SPECIAL!
Mid-Continent Council of Girl Scouts
The Green Angel
I dreamed I went to Heaven
And saw among the dead
An Angel dressed in Green
A halo 'round her head.
And she looked kind of funny
Midst all the glaring white,
The others asked her jealously
What gave her such right?
I'm just a Girl Scout Leader.
I lay no hold to fame,
But being such a person
Means more than just the name.
My jobs on earth were many,
Praise and thanks were few.
I did more work in one day,
Than ten people ought to do.
I was a tin can cooker,
A hiker, a pathfinder;
I've also been an artist,
A sailor, a bookbinder,
I taught jumping jills to dance,
I taught parrots to sing:
I made saints out of hoodlums,
While mama had her fling.
I walked the streets till my feet
Felt like a ton of bricks,
Selling Girl Scout Cookies now
The mere thought makes me sick.
But it was all a lot of fun,
Life never was a bore,
See-- This role isn't new to me,
"I've been an angel before."
Volunteers...God Bless Them!
Many will be shocked to find
When the day of judgment nears
That there is a special place in heaven
Set aside for volunteers.
Furnished with big recliners,
Satin couches and footstools,
Where there are no committee chairs,
Not troop leaders or carpools.
No eager team that needs a coach,
No bazaar and no bake sale.
There will be nothing to staple,
Not one thing to fold or mail.
Telephone lists will be outlawed,
But a finger snap will bring
Cool drinks and gourmet dinners
And treats fit for a king.
You ask, "Who'll serve these privileged few
And work for all they're worth?"
Why, all those who reaped the benefits
And not once volunteered on earth.
Thanks so much for all you do!
Every Girl Brings With Her A Precious Gift
One girl brings intelligence- the challenge of her sparkling mind keeps me
continually learning.
One girl brings laughter- the challenge of her ready wit keeps me from taking
myself too seriously.
One girl brings simplicity- the challenge of her unquestioning acceptance keeps
me honest.
One girl brings skepticism- the challenge of her "show me" attitude keeps me
from ever trying to bluff my way through something.
One girl brings curiosity- the challenge of her continuing questions keeps me on
my toes.
One girl brings kindness- the challenge of her radiating warmth keeps me from
forgetting the importance of hugs.
One girl brings super activity- the challenge of her boundless energy keeps me
moving and free from laziness.
Every girl brings with her a precious gift.
Grant that I may always look for, and nurture, that precious gift in every girl.
Helen K, Division Commissioner for Opeongo Division, Ontario