From: Julie Thomas [GSLdrJulie@AOL.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 12:11 PM
Subject: Year end activities

    Since the end of the year will be here before we know it I need some ideas and suggestions about a few things.  This is my first year as a SUD.  I was reluctant to agree to be SUD but did so because 1) my husband encouraged me, thinking it might led to a paid position, unfortunately he had complained about the time I spend doing GS things and that there are many piles of GS stuff around my house, and 2) another leader who I like said she'd do it with me, but she has made it very clear that she will not be back as SUD next year.  Meanwhile, my daughter who is 11, complains, whines and argues with me about just about everything.  So I want to get completely out of GS and do something for myself for a change.  But I did have some things I wanted to accomplish this year as SUD and I can't seem to turn off the GS thought processes in my brain and I keep coming up with more ideas.
    The things I still want to do this year are listed below.  If you have any suggestions or experience with anything like these please share them with me.

        1. Leader Recognition Dinner (or event) - Most leaders work hard for their troop, harder than parents will ever realize.  In the 4 years I've been in this SU we've never really done anything for leaders.  I wanted to have some event where we can give out Leadership Development pins to those who have earned them, award someone or perhaps more with Outstanding Leader award and present Outstanding Volunteer Award if applicable.  What other kinds of awards have you seen done?  We have one new leader in our SU who nominated several parents in her troop for board approved awards since she thinks that they really help her troop a lot by taking time off from work to drive the troop to different activities.  Our MDE intercepted these applications and told her they would not qualify for board awards but maybe for SU awards. Then the MDE told me we needed to write them (the people nominated) within two weeks and give them an answer, like I have time.  I interpret Outstanding Volunteer Award in that it should go to someone who does something to benefit the whole SU not just a troop.  This new leader called me yesterday and asked if the SU would be interested in her planning an event to recognize parents who help out their troops a lot.  I told her that most troops recognize those parents within their own troop usually at an end-of-year awards ceremony. But she really thinks that the SU should do something for them and she's willing to plan the event.  Do other SUs out there do something for parents who help troops?  I'm afraid leaders are going to feel overlooked.  Please send me you comments about recognizing parents and more importantly to me, recognizing leaders.
        2. Early Bird event - Our service team likes my idea of having an early bird event at a neighborhood pool (yes, it has lifeguards) where those girls or parents who turn in their early bird registration form get to swim for free and others must pay for admission.  Anybody know of some games we can play at a pool party?  How long do you think such a party should last?
        3. Leader/Daughter event (this one is getting cut for this year but there's always next year)  My SU has never done this either.  I never mentioned it to anyone but my CO-SUD.  She liked the idea but we just haven't had time to plan this one.  Has anyone else ever done something like this before.  I was thinking about a campout.  Please share you thoughts with me on this one.
        4. GS Year Kickoff  --  This one would take place next August.  Our council always has a fall kickoff but I don't think all leaders are invited. It usually has several hour long sessions where they unveil things like the upcoming cookie theme, program guide, training, SHARE (share her real actual expense).  I thought about doing something similar for the leaders in the SU where they learn about cookies, SHARE, etc., but also have area businesses and other organizations there sharing with leaders what kind of activities they can help them with.  We've all read on this list about programs provided by Home Depot, Saturn, various Hair Salons, etc.  These are the kind of programs that leaders find on their own and schedule at a mutual convenience between the troop and business.  Yes, my council sets up some programs with other groups but to get in your name has to be drawn.  I've thought it would be great if I just had a list of contacts, and knowing before I called them that they were at least somewhat familiar with GS program that they could help with.  Please let me know your thoughts on this idea.
        5. SU evaluations and Leader evaluations and troop evaluations.  My council has a SU evaluation we are supposed to do but its sort of long & complicated.  Does anyone have an evaluation that they've use to evaluate how the SU did?  My council is considering to start to evaluate leaders and their performance over the past year.  Does anyone's council do this? If so, what do you think about that?  Does anyone have an evaluation that leaders can send out to their troop -- girls and parents?
    Thanks for sending me any comments, suggestions or ideas.  And if you've made it this far, thanks for reading my long post.

Julie T.
San Antonio