Inside This Issue:

  • News Roundup
  • Troop Resources
  • Programs/Training/Program Partners
  • New Outdoor Resources
  • Fall Product Sales
  • Welcome to the new Diamonds Insider. Our goal is to maintain consistent, monthly contact with key volunteers. We will share the most timely information and announcements, in a concise manner - because who has time for a super long email! Every issue, we'll try to limit to just a few key updates and remind you where you can find additional and regularly updated information.
    BACK to SCHOOL | BACK to TROOP
     
    School supplies - Yay! Carpool - Nay! Back to school is here, and that means Girl Scout troops are getting back into the swing of things as well. We can't really help you deal with the stresses of school pickup, but we can help with some tips to get you on your way to a great Girl Scout year:
      
    Get the paperwork out of the way and start the communication.
    Email your parents a "welcome back" letter and the blank forms to fill out and return:
    • Annual Permission Slip
    • Health History Form
    • Tentative calendar with goals (complete Journey, take a trip, etc.)
    • Reminder of expectations (behavior, attendance, parent support)
    Prepare for the first meeting.
    • Do an inventory of supplies (back to school sales are great for stocking up)
    • Make a new Kaper Chart
    • Review your materials (Journey books and Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting)
    • Find a new song to teach (YouTube is great)
    Most of all, remember to breathe and remember that help is here if you need it. Girl Scouts is supposed to be fun and rewarding, and we are here to help you make a difference in your girls' lives. Call a volunteer specialist if you need ideas or help!
    News Roundup
    • Program Resource Books are here! If you don't have one yet, check with your service unit or your council contact to get your copy. Of course, it's also available online.
    • Information about the new Council Advisory Team (CAT) has been introduced over the last few months at various meetings. If you missed it, or would like additional information, please check the materials online.
    • If you haven't yet seen a copy, check our Communications Roadmap, a document that outlines changes and initiatives of the council designed to improve two-way communications across all audiences of the council.
    • It's still a ways off, but as you are thinking through your budgeting and fundraising goals for the year, remember that GSUSA membership dues for the 2018 membership year are increasing. We've been talking about this for a while - click here for a refresher on the details. 
     
    Troop Resources
    You have great resources available to you in the form of printed materials (Program Resource Book, Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting and other publications), online information ( activity calendar, program partner listings, program resource book, forms, videos and training materials), and through the Diamonds Council staff members, who are here to support girls and volunteers. We encourage you to take full advantage of the resources available to you, and if you need something, please let us know!

    Programs/Training/Program Partners
    Each year, around August, we start out with a full schedule of signature events, scheduled programs and trainings, as well as a great group of program partners, to give volunteers, troops and individually registered girls a head start in planning their year. And, guess what? We add activities throughout the year. The best way to keep up with all the scheduled activities and keep on top of additions is to regularly check the website, and follow us on Facebook!
     

    New Outdoor Resources
    Thanks to a generous grant from the Elliott Wildlife Values Project, there is a new series of outdoor skill-building videos available to volunteers. Whether you're a camping pro, or just starting out, these videos are designed to help you help girls of all ages have a positive experience in the great outdoors.
    Fall Product Sales
    It's just about time for Fall Product Sales. Just a few basics listed here, and you can get much more information and "meet" the products online. In a nutshell (pun slightly intended), Fall Product choices include nuts, candy and magazines. Drool over the edible items here. Contact your service unit product sales manager or the Diamonds product sales department.

    Key dates for Fall Product Sales:
    • September 17 - Girls begin taking orders
    • October 16 - Traditional sale ends
    • Wk. of November 7 - Product delivered
    • November 13 - Online sales end 

    September & October

    9/10     Cardboard Boat Regatta - Pine Bluff
    9/20     Join. Volunteer. Give. - All Regional Locations
    9/24     Cardboard Boat Regatta - Camp Cahinnio (with camping option)
    10/8     Wild Wild West - Fort Smith (with camping option)
    10/15   Mission Mall - NWA
    10/22    Pink U - Texarkana
    Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas 
    800.632.6894 | girlscoutsdiamonds.org