All “outstanding” cookie 2020 rewards have been distributed to your coordinator. Please reach out to your leader for information if you have yet to receive your rewards.
Dear Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council,
Below is my weekly report and update of the current status on in-person troop meetings and what needs to happen before they can resume.
Currently, troops may not meet in person. We are observing both state and county mandates restricting in-person gatherings of individuals from different households.
A new set of color-coded criteria was announced in the past week by California’s governor. There is virtually no change in status from previous weeks for counties in the “Purple” tier, which includes both Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Note that moving to a lower tier will require meeting that tier’s criteria for two weeks prior to the move, with a mandatory 21-day wait time between each move. A detailed description of the new criteria is reprinted below,
Once our two counties move to a tier that permits social gatherings like troop meetings, a two-week waiting period in that tier will be required after which Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council will lift its restrictions. At that time, specific guidelines and precautions will be shared with troops regarding the resumption of face-to-face meetings.
I hope this helps to answer any questions you may have. I know that we are all longing to meet again face-to-face, and we will do so as soon as state and local mandates allow.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Cynthia H. Breunig
Dear Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council,
We are receiving many questions about when troops can resume in-person meetings. In this update, you will find the current status on in-person troop meetings and what needs to happen before they can resume.
Currently, troops may not meet in person. We are observing both state and county mandates restricting in-person gatherings of individuals from different households.
Both Riverside and San Bernardino counties are currently on the State of California’s COVID Monitoring List. Once mandates are lifted and our two counties are removed from the Monitoring List and remain off of the list for at least two weeks, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council will lift its restrictions. At that time, specific guidelines and precautions will be shared with troops regarding the resumption of face-to-face meetings.
Because things are changing daily, I will be providing weekly updates on when troops may resume in-person meetings. The following sources are being used to help guide our decision-making process:
I hope this helps to answer any questions you may have. I am sorry we do not have a firm date at this time. I know that we are all longing to meet again face-to-face.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Cynthia H. Breunig
Dear Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio,
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is changing how we
live, how we work, and how we serve our girls and volunteers. In
response to these changes, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council is
providing quality virtual programming for our girls, because it is
clear they need us now more than ever. Virtual offerings can be found
on GSSGC’s website, under “GSSGC
Virtual.” Facebook Live sessions highlighting various skills, such
as learning how to tie different types of knots, are also airing
throughout the month of August on our Facebook page.
In-person Girl Scout troop meetings, suspended since
mid-March, continue via Zoom or other virtual platforms. While
providing a much-needed form of communication and connection, we know
that virtual meetings do not compare to being able to meet
face-to-face. However, our utmost priority is and must be the safety
of our girls, volunteers, and staff members. Until that time when
state and county restrictions are lifted and it is safe to meet again,
in-person troop meetings and events will continue virtually.
Your Council has made a pledge to ensure all girls, and their
parents and leaders, are welcomed, respected and valued. We stand by
our commitment to eliminate institutional racism and the structure
that supports it within our own Council. As we continue to seek
comments from our girls and leaders, we are finding many real-life
examples of the times we have fallen short. It is painful and shocking
to hear testimony of racism occurring within our own beloved Council.
I know that if we have the courage to listen and learn from one
another, then we can take positive action. We can do better and be
better -- after all, we are all Girl Scouts and live by the Promise
and the Law, “to make the world a better place, and be a sister to
every Girl Scout.”
The Board of Directors has
established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee that is
in the process of selecting an outside expert to guide us through
training and examination of all policies and practices. The staff has
also established a DEI Action Committee whose members include
volunteers and older girls. Our first task has been to strengthen the
Volunteer Policies & Procedures to support our promise to girls
and volunteers that racism in any form will not be tolerated. The new
policy was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors on August
12, 2020. It will be widely shared in the next few weeks.
Finally, the anticipated reopening of our offices has been
pushed back to January 5, 2021. During this time of remote working,
all departments are fully functional and stand ready and reachable to
assist in all of your Girl Scouting needs. Our retail shops will begin
to reopen next week on August 18th with limited hours and days for
each location. Maximum precautions are being taken for everyone’s
health and safety and current state and local guidelines are being
followed. This newsletter contains important information and updates,
with answers to many of the questions you may have. If you don’t find
the information you need here, do not hesitate to contact Customer
Care. You can chat with our Customer Care Specialists in real time via
the “We Are Here” chat app found on GSSGC’s Contact Us
webpage. To connect with a Customer Care Specialist by phone, dial
the main number, (909) 307-6555, and at any point during the recording
dial extension 5002. You may also contact Customer Care by emailing customercare@gssgc.org.
No matter what the future brings, I know that by working
together and remaining highly focused on the needs of our girls, we
will help them rise and become women of courage, confidence, and
character, who make the world a better place. We work for today’s
girls and for future generations. This is our duty and
responsibility.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Cynthia H. Breunig
President and CEO
We loved seeing your faces, virtually, this summer. What a treat to programmatically engage with our girls via Facebook Lives, Camp Awesome, Virtual Field Trips, Series and many other fun opportunities offered via the program team this summer.
Be sure to check the event calendar and our Facebook for events as we launch cybersecurity for Juniors as well as other single day events and series items.
We then move into the “Back to Troop” fall season. Watch your mail boxes for the Food For Thought magazine arriving to mail boxes soon. Within the pages you will find information about Programs-in-a-Box, Virtual Clubs, and Opting into Program 411 so that you are the first in the know about new program opportunities.
Exciting News
Our retail shops will be reopened beginning August 18th. Our hours and days are limited based on increased sanitations and staffing, but we are thrilled to start seeing you within our shops.
Safety and Sanitation
Of course our shops will be following all local and state codes for sanitation and safety. This indicates the number of people allowed in the store at any one time, 6ft distancing especially when standing in line for the register. Masks must be worn at all times by both staff and customers – without exception.
Troop Support is currently working on Troop Financial Reports. We
still have a number of troops who have not submitted their reports,
but you will be relieved to know that the deadline was extended to
September 30 for non-renewed Co-Leaders. We will continue to reach
out to leaders and set up meetings with troops who have questions. If
your Troop Financial Report has not been submitted and you need
assistance contact our team.
We are still in the midst of
Renewal for the 20/21 membership year. If you are thinking about
changing troop leadership or need assistance restructuring your troop,
contact us. We will work to do what is in the best interest of your troop.
Service Unit Managers should be planning their back to troop Service Unit meetings and ensuring they have the tools to be successful in this new environment. We are encouraging our SUMs to schedule virtual meetings and activities until further notice. Reach out to your Service Unit Mangers for upcoming dates or contact Troop Support.
The Member Services Department is developing the framework for our upcoming Virtual Volunteer Conference in November. Stay tuned for more information.
Fall recruiting is in full swing and the recruitment team has scheduled several virtual meetups for interested new girls. If you have neighbors, friends or family that have expressed an interest in joining Girl Scouts, please direct them to send an email to customercare@gssgc.org. Someone from the recruitment team will personally reach out to them.
Juliette’s or Individual Girl Scouting allows for a one on one approach much like home schooling. Each year we look to see how can we best serve our individual Girl Scouts. This year we reviewed the Entrepreneurial Program. This program is best when done in a troop/ group setting vs. an individual format. As such, beginning with this year’s 2020 fall program there will be no standalone IRG entrepreneurial program. Girls who participated as Juliettes or IRGs, in the 2019 fall or 2020 cookie programs and earned Juliette Program Credits will continue to have access to them until they expire. If you would like to participate in the Entrepreneurial Programs in the future we urge you to form troops and/or join a troop. In today’s virtual world girls from all over our council can form a troop, meet via zoom and participate in the Entrepreneurial Program as a troop. Location or travel is no longer a hindrance for an engaging troop meeting. This allows for greater opportunities within Girl Scouting as well as within the entrepreneurial program such as troop proceeds which do not expire. Please contact customercare@gssgc.org for information in regards to forming troops or finding a troop near you.
Looking for a way to get ahead of the Girl Scout game? Overloaded on binge watching Netflix? Why not learn more about Girl Scouts? Or refresh your repertoire of Girl Scout trivia?
Get a jump start on the coming year. Go to the Council website, click on MyGS and log in using your Girl Scout community log in. You know - the same one you use to check your troop roster and access your VTK. Once you’re logged in, you can check out the courses that are in your course library. Even if you’re not a Cadette leader, take the Silver Award Training. What can it hurt? You say you’re a Brownie leader? Eventually you’ll be a Junior - sooner than you think – give the Bronze Award Training a try, you won’t regret it.
Even if you’ve been a leader for a while, check out the Successful Leader Learning Series, you might get some helpful tips or at the least reinforcement that you’re still doing it correctly.
Wander back once in a while, we will be adding more trainings in the future. Some might surprise you.
The Properties Department is closely monitoring guidance as provided by the State of California and the County of Riverside Department of Environmental Health on the operation of residential camps and meeting locations for non-family members. Currently GSSGC is not allowed to provide overnight camp experiences or provide meeting spaces for non-family member groups. If you have a camp reservation in the month of September or October, you will be receiving an email from our Program Coordinator letting you know about the status of your reservation. We are not accepting any new reservations until guidance is provided by the State and County. Please watch our Social Media posts as to when and how GSSGC will be accepting reservations for camp and meeting space use.
Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic is a situation that continues to change rapidly, and like all organizations, we have had to make decisions to best support the health and safety of our girls, volunteers and staff. With this in mind, we have made the difficult decission to cancel ALL in person activities through September 1, 2020.
During this time, please direct all refund requests through our Covid 19 Cancelled Submission Form
More details are included in our most recent newsletter from our President and CEO, Cynthia Breunig.
Customer Curbside Pickup is available while shops remain closed
Schedule:
Upcoming Closure in observance of July 4th – Friday, July 3rd and Monday, July 6th
How to:
The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health is ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence.
At Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio we encourage our girls to make hard choices and face challenges with courage, confidence and character. Our communities continue to be affected on a rapidly changing basis and both of our counties have persons that have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. While the health departments continue to advise us on precautionary measures, we have an obligation to also do our part to take measures to slow the spread of the virus as other organizations have also done.
To address the evolving concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19), and following the guidance of federal, state and county agencies to avoid or slow the spread of the disease, our leadership here at GSSGC has worked to be as transparent as possible with the thought-process we are using to make decisions: we want to ensure the safety of our Girl Scouts, volunteers, and staff while attempting to minimize the impact to our girls, community and our mission. We had much to consider, foremost among those is how to continue to serve and support you, while protecting the health and well-being of our staff, members and communities. Guided by heart and head, I announce the following actions, effective immediately.
Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio facilities are being closed to the public temporarily through March 30. This includes all offices, service centers, scout houses, and camps. We will continue to evaluate conditions and the closure may be extended. While many Council staff will be working remotely, most council operations will continue to function as in the past. All of us are committed to step up during this crisis and help our girls and volunteers thrive. Together we can be a source of stability and comfort to our girls in these uncertain times.
For our volunteers and troops, in-person meetings are suspended until further notice. We encourage virtual meetings so that the mission continues. Look to our social media for upcoming virtual meetings and journeys. All Girl Scout events are cancelled until April 30. With our girls now out of school and parents striving to keep them occupied and engaged, we will be looking for ways to offer them “Virtual Girl Scouting” starting this week.
All staff will be available to you to provide support and assistance where needed. Responses to emails will not be affected. Our switchboard capability will be reduced, so I encourage you to communicate via email whenever possible or use the “Contact Us” button on our website as we will have staff available for live chats during business hours. The Council Facebook page and Council website will contain the most up-to-date information.
Following are some helpful links you can use from your home:
This situation continues to evolve rapidly and we are working with our community partners, county health departments, government agencies and GSUSA on how we are responding and keeping our members updated on our council. I know we can count on you for patience and understanding as we closely monitor the situation and do our part, while continuing to evaluate additional measures to support our members, communities and friends. United we are strong and resilient and will get through this together as one Girl Scout Family.
GSSGC is closely monitoring the news and recommendations from the CDC and will share updates as they become available. We want to thank you all for your efforts around the community to follow recommended CDC guidelines to safeguard our service centers, our events and our community. The safety and welfare of our girls is Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio’s top priority.
First and foremost, we recommend that members regularly visit the Centers for Disease Control website for updated information on preventative measures.
GSSGC is closely monitoring the COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, American Camp Association (ACA) and the local public health departments for each of the two counties within our council boundaries. At this time, we are proceeding with the Cookie Program, all programs, events, camps, and property reservations as planned.
As Girl Scout events for children are similar to schools, we are paying close attention to local guidance for school closures. As much as possible, children should be allowed to carry on with their education and normal activities. We understand that some children have underlying health conditions, such as weakened immune systems, that put them at higher risk. Caregivers of children with underlying health conditions should consult with healthcare providers about whether their children should stay home.
As circumstances change, we will continue to seek guidance from these agencies and public health officials and are prepared to follow the recommendations of the CDC and local health departments to ensure the health and safety of our members.
Thank you for your help in keeping Girl Scouts a safe, fun space for everyone! If you have questions about how coronavirus may impact Girl Scout activities, please contact us at customercare@gssgc.org or 800-400-GIRL—we're here for you.
To be a resource to our members, we are reviewing local health departments' websites daily and updating our messaging. As always, check the CDC and your local health department’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Girl Scouts of the USA has developed a helpful resource for How to Talk to Your Girl About Coronavirus to help minimize stress and worry in your Girl Scout’s life and give her a sense of calm and control.
