A Message from the Woodlake Service Unit Co-Sums . . .

As we turn the corner on winter and enter spring we also start winding down on the school year.  Many troops stop meeting for the summer.  There are still plenty of things that are going on.  First of all, some Troops are hosting cookie booths.  To these Troops, Best of Luck in selling all your cookies! 

We’re beginning Family Partnership.  The information will be handed out at the March leader meeting.  If you have any questions on this, contact Julie.  Family Partnership is not an option – Your Troop MUST participate.  If you feel that you cannot make the presentation to your Troop, Julie will make it on your behalf.  Every family needs to be asked to make a donation.  It is not your choice as a leader to not do this. 

The second Thursday in April, we’ll be having our Volunteer Appreciation Night at the leader meeting.  Please ask those that have helped out in your troop this year to attend.  There will be more information coming soon. 

Remind your girls about summer camp.  This is always a good time for them. 

Thanks to Wendy Angeles, the Woodlake Service unit web page has been updated!  There is not much information out there but we’ll be busy adding to it in the next couple of weeks.  One thing we’d like to do is create a link to a page of “Troop News.”  If you would like to send either Wendy Angeles or me your Troop Update, she'll get a page going.  Send it in either email format or as a word document (attachment).  If you happen to have pictures of the girls to go along with your Troop Update, please send them.  The website is:  www.geocities.com/richfieldgirlscouts.  A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO WENDY!!

Thank you, all of you, for all that you do for your girls.                    -- Julie and JoAnn

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A Note from  . . . Joe!

This is the last, absolute, drop-dead end of cookie sales this weekend.

1. Phone orders to me must be completed no later than 6:00 pm on Sunday, March 16.

2. If you have damaged boxes of cookies, these must be returned to me (i.e., in my hands) for even exchange no later than 7:30 pm on Saturday, March 15.

3. I will only take returns of unsold cookies if I have another troop that wants them.

That takes care of the standard stuff . . .

As in previous years, I will provide an exchange service for those who have unsold cookies and those who get calls saying someone wants more cookies after the deadline has passed. It happens every year. DON'T PANIC! Just call me and let me know your situation. Remember that troops MAY NOT transfer cookies to each other on their own. All transactions must flow through me.

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2008 Girl Scout Cookie Program Important Dates

·         Fri, Feb 29 – Sun, Mar 30  Cookie Booths in progress

·         Saturday, March 8             Reorders due to Troop Cookie Manager

·         Sunday, March 9               Reorders due to Service Unit Cookie Manager

·         Saturday, March 15                       Final order due to Troop Cookie Manager

·         Sunday, March 16             Final order due to Service Unit Cookie Manager

·         Friday, March 28               ALL MONEY Due to Troop Cookie Manager

·         Monday, March 31                        Recognition Order Deadline entered into eBudde

·         Fri, Apr 4 – Sun, Apr 6      Troops finalize with Service Unit Cookie Manager

·         Beginning of May              Awards shipped to Service Unit Cookie Director; disseminated to Troop Cookie Managers

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got diversity? 

March is . . . Women’s History Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, Spiritual Wellness Month, and Greek-American Heritage Month

 

March

16        Palm Sunday (Protestant, Roman Catholic)
17        St. Patrick's Day (Ireland, United States)
20        Holy Thursday (Christian)
21        Good Friday (Protestant, Roman Catholic)
21        Naw-Ruz (Baha'i, Persia)
21        New Year's Day (India)
21        Purim (Jewish)
23        Easter (Protestant, Roman Catholic)
25        Feast of Annunciation (Christian)

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Biography – From the website www.infoplease.com

Helen Gurley Brown -- American writer and editor

Born: 1922–, American writer and editor

Birthplace: Green Forest, Ark.

In 1962 she published the best-selling Sex and the Single Girl (1962); its sequel Sex and the New Single Girl appeared in 1970. From 1965 to 1997 she was editor of Cosmopolitan, reviving the faltering magazine by directing it toward single young career women. The magazine under her guidance charted the accomplishments and aspirations of these women in both their public and private lives.

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Biography – From the website www.infoplease.com

Liz Claiborne (Elisabeth Claiborne Ortenberg) fashion designer, business executive
Born: 1929                 Died: 6/26/2007

Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium

 

Raised in New Orleans, she studied art in Europe rather than finish high school. She worked as a designer in New York for 25 years before founding her own firm in 1976. The company began designing stylish sportswear for working women, then expanded into men's clothing and accessories, ultimately commanding a billion dollars a year. She retired from active management in 1989.

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Biography – From the website www.infoplease.com

Christa McAuliffe -- teacher
Born: 1948                 Died: Jan. 28, 1986

Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts

 

Christa had been fascinated by the space program since she was a child. She earned a BA from Framingham State College in 1970 and soon after married her longtime boyfriend, Steven McAuliffe. The couple moved to Washington, DC, so McAuliffe could attend Georgetown University Law School.  Christa taught American history and social studies in the Washington area and earned her Master's degree from Bowie State University. The couple had two children.

In 1978, they moved to Concord, New Hampshire, when McAuliffe was named assistant to the state attorney general. Christa became a teacher at Concord High School. In 1984, NASA announced it was seeking a teacher to fly on the space shuttle and Christa applied. McAulliffe was accepted and took a leave of absence from teaching to train for the expedition. McAuliffe and the seven other astronauts on board were killed when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 78 seconds after taking off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 28, 1986.

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“Be yourself, try your best, and never be afraid to dream.”

-- Christa McAuliffe (1948-1986), American teacher and astronaut and former Girl Scout

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Tips For Leaders – From Connections -- your service unit team newsletter𔂝

NEW LEADER?  Try these great resources . . .

·    SWAPS   The tradition of SWAPS began as a way for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides to share a little bit about themselves with new friends. SWAPS were first exchanged at National Girl Scout Senior Roundups and referred to as Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere. Originally, a SWAP was a little remembrance that one girl gave another.

·    SWAPS are handmade, thus the girl is giving a part of herself to show friendship. Swaps are usually only an inch or two in size and attached with a safety pin. The items represents the givers' country, community, or local Girl Scout council. Swaps are exchanged at national conventions, council events, destinations, service unit or neighborhood events, troop meetings, and most frequently at day camp. The SWAPS may have a tag attached with the event name and date or the troop number, council name, or state.

·    Swapping promotes friendship and encourages girls to talk to other people. SWAPS are great mementos of a good time, as well as a great way to share something about where we live and what we do.  For more information and SWAPS ideas check out the Brooklyn Center Service Center website or Scouting Web.

What’s New in the Woods?

This is YOUR Space especially reserved for YOUR and YOUR Troop!

·         SEND ME YOUR TROOP NEWS & RECEIVE A $5.00 GIFT CARD AT APRIL’S MEETING!

·         What has your Troop been up to?  Have you had some extraordinary meetings? 

·         Tell me about an exciting field trip you went on with your Troop.

·         How many cookies did your Troop sell?  What would the girls like to do with the money?

·         Let me know what your Troop’s been doing. My email is [email protected].

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Troop Leader Linda Boyd sent the following info:

Troop 11385 is working on putting their documentary together. We are working on the introduction and conclusion and want to begin editing the film this month. We also attended the Richfield birthday celebration on February 26.

Troop 11404 worked on their Puppet badge. The girls made paper bag puppets for the story of the Little Red Hen. They presented a puppet show for family and friends at their last meeting. They’ll begin working on their Minnesota Nice badge this week. Linda Boyd will receive a $5.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble at the March Leader Meeting.

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Send Your Favorite Recipe To me – Receive a PRIZE!

Healthy Snacks – Chips & Salsa

Chips:  Place whole wheat flour tortillas on a baking sheet and lightly sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. 

Bake 5-7 minutes at 300 degrees or until slightly brown and crisp.

Salsa:  Combine diced pineapple with fresh cilantro, lime juice, red onion, green chilies and chopped fresh tomato. 

This combo makes a tasty low-fat, nutrient-packed appetizer or snack.

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Essay Contest – From Connections -- your service unit team newsletter𔂝

·    Free Trips to Europe and DCGSUSA, in partnership with EF Educational Tours and Smithsonian Student Travel is sponsoring the second annual Girl Scout Global Citizen Essay Contest.  Expense paid trips to Washington, DC, and Europe will be offered to 18 winners.

·    The purpose of the Girl Scout Global Citizens Essay Contest is to help Girl Scouts reflect on the meaningful experiences they've had in Girl Scouting, and connect those experiences with the wider world. A global citizen is a person who understands and appreciates cultural differences, and strives to instill this virtue in others.

·    Please encourage girls, ages 12-17, to apply. The application and contest rules are available on the STUDIO 2B website.  Contest ends March 31.

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Introducing . . .

·    Each month, under the heading Introducing . . . , you’ll find informative articles about Leaders and Co-Leaders from the Woodlake Service Unit that I had the privilege of interviewing. 

·    In the April Issue . . . I’ll be Introducing . . . Tammy Gloege and Megan Wenaas!  Stay tuned!!

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Introducing . . . Cheryl Avenson

Cheryl was born in Edina, MN and lived in Richfield all her life except for one year while she was away attending College.   She has one sister who’s a year older than she is.  Cheryl’s parents owned a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad station wagon.  When Cheryl was 8 and her sister was 9, her family began going on a National Nomad Convention each summer.  These were held at various locations around the country.  They literally traveled around the USA in their Chevrolet. 

Cheryl was a Camp Fire Girl and attended Camp Fire Girl Day Camp and once, she went to Church Camp for a week.  Her favorite hobby while growing up was playing with her friends.  She tried some sports -- softball, dance, cross-country skiing and bowling -- the only one that she was sort of good at was bowling.  While attending school, Cheryl played the violin for four years and enjoyed Math and Photography.  During her summers (when not traveling across the country), Cheryl loved spending time with her friends and going to the Richfield Pool.

Cheryl graduated from Richfield High School and then went on to Gustavus Adolphus College where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish.

Her husband’s name is Mike and they have two children -- Matthew (10) and Clara (8) and a dog named Cookie.  Cheryl and her family enjoy camping in their camper at Itasca State Park.  They have snowmobiles and ride them near Park Rapids at Mike’s parents’ farm in Nevis.  They try to take a vacation out of State once in awhile, too, and will be traveling to St. Louis, MO this summer.

Cheryl has been doing daycare in her home for 10 years; the last three years she’s had a co-worker / assistant.  The two of them watch several teachers’ children during the school year and during the summer; they watch school-aged children.

Cheryl is co-leader for a second grade Brownie Troop -- Linda’s and Julie’s Troop.  Linda and Julie have been involved in Girl Scouts for awhile and Cheryl feels that it’s great to work with people who really know what they’re doing.  When asked if she had any advice for new leaders, she said, “I AM a new leader!”  Her advice is to ask questions and learn from the leaders that have been there.

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Being a Self-Assured Teenage Girl  -- From the TeenGrowth.com website  

Adolescence can be a challenging time for young women. Your reactions to the physical and emotional changes occurring during puberty often depend on how you feel about yourself. If you have a strong self-esteem, you’re less likely to engage in socially unacceptable behaviors. While everyone makes mistakes, if you’re self-confident you will learn from those mistakes and adapt your behavior, rather than repeating the same mistake again. Despite an emphasis on equality, boys and girls in modern culture still tend to handle self-esteem issues differently. When teenage boys in our society are faced with a period of low self esteem, they continue on with most of their normal activities: they still take that hard math class, try out for the football team and interact socially with their female counterparts. Young women, on the other hand, react differently when faced with this challenge. They often become indifferent, withdrawn, quiet and depressed.

Several large studies have shown girls aged 8 and 9 are confident, assertive and feel good about themselves. This is probably due to the more mature social interactions and skills that females have developed up to this time, especially when compared to their male contemporaries. Surprisingly, these same girls can emerge at the end of adolescence with a poor self-image, a narrowed view of their future, & less confidence about themselves and their abilities.

What controls the development of a healthy self-esteem in teen girls? According to one study, physical appearance was the most important factor. If they are not attractive (by someone else's standards), many girls feel worthless and helpless. Popular culture floods young girls with images of the ideal female figure, personality, and social skills – all of which are mostly inappropriate and unobtainable. The result is not surprising...in order to maintain this ideal of perfection, girls become obsessed with their physical appearance. The extreme reaction in some unfortunate girls is a dependence on diet pills and the development of eating disorders. Young women see movie stars or situation comedy characters as models on which to shape their social interactions. Unfortunately, the behaviors of these "role models" are often biased toward the disrespectful and promiscuous. Another factor that can lower some teenage girls’ self esteem is the loss of community. We used to live in towns where everyone knew each other.  Now, 72% of Americans don't even know their neighbors. Other changes in our society, such as divorce, drugs, and alcohol, seem to have negatively affected teen girls even more than boys. It is therefore easy to understand why many teenage girls are more concerned about impressing or pleasing others rather than themselves.

If you’re a female and feel like you’re lacking self-esteem, here are a few suggestions:

·    Talk frequently with an adult you trust. Know that it’s OK to share your feelings, concerns or fears. Talking about things is one of the best ways to explore feelings.

·    Participate in sports. The physical activity and team support is as helpful for girls as it is for boys.

·    Volunteer your time for organizations you feel strongly about: for example, a local hospital, a local animal shelter, youth groups, charitable causes, etc.

·    Try your best to succeed, but don’t get down if you meet challenges along the way. It really is true that we learn more from our failures than our successes, so try to look at everything as a learning opportunity.

·    Interact with adults (parents, relatives, teachers) and feel confident about it – share in the conversations and maintain eye contact. Adults can often appreciate your strengths even more than your peers can.

·    Get a part-time job (if you’re old enough, it doesn’t interfere with your school activities and your parents approve). It can be a great way to add to your skills and sense of worth.

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“Burn Up, Not Out!” by Amanda Gore at [email protected]

“Every now and then – go away. Have a little relaxation. For when you come back to your work, your judgment will be surer, since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose the power of judgment . . .go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and a lack of harmony or proportion is more readily seen.”

Guess who spoke these words? The partner of a frantically busy workaholic? A doctor? Your mother? Wrong! It was Leonardo da Vinci.

Several hundred years doesn’t seem to make much difference to wisdom!

Recall the last really good break you had from work – a terrific holiday where you rested, really relaxed and unwound. You laughed and felt energized and fantastic when you returned to work and home. How was your performance afterwards? How did you handle stress, difficult people and awkward situations?

How was your personal relationship when you returned? Did you realize that your partner had undergone a personality transplant! They had become human, more loving and you remembered why you were in love with them?

Funny how the idiots at work seemed to be less in number or to have undergone a personality transplant as well! And things at work had settled and work was more enjoyable; there was more flow and less struggle; it was easier to get things done.

What is the common denominator here? You of course! If we do relax, and ‘go some distance away’, we have a chance to restore our sense of perspective. Small issues remain small and manageable. We are able to maintain our integrity and keep breathing under pressure. Our ability to relate to others is enhanced and we are more flexible and creative in our approach to people and situations.

However, we seem to forget this renewed capability as the year and volume of work progress. We naturally think we are always performing at our best and it’s only when we take a significant break that we see the true situation clearly.

I know many people will see this as a blinding flash of the obvious, and that it’s just common sense. If that’s the case why are so many people struggling, exhausted, stressed and burnt out? Because we forget how important it is to have a long (2 weeks at least; 3 weeks is better!) break from the daily grind . . . & to have short breaks on a regular basis throughout the year.

If considering the implications of this concept hasn’t convinced you to rethink your current plans, ask yourself this. How many times have you managed to work all year – long hours, weekends, days, nights for 12 months and not been ill; then you have gone on holidays. What happens? You get sick! And usually recover just in time to return to work.

We can fool our minds but we can’t fool our bodies. They store our stress. Our minds tell us we are just fine; we are coping well with the daily stresses and strains. As soon as we take a break, our body breathes a sigh of relief and says (metaphorically of course!) ‘Whew, now we have time to be sick!’. So, our back ‘goes’; we catch flu; our allergies play up ; we have gastritis, etc. We need to take mini stress buster breaks throughout the year.

Or worse, what about the people who brag about not having taken a holiday for 2 or 3 years? They are just too busy, too important or too essential to take time off work. How can they be performing well – either at home or work?

This applies to any situation – not just work. For example, if we are careers for someone old or infirmed or ill, we must have some respite to restore the energy and enthusiasm we need to genuinely care for them. Or perhaps even from our relationships.

Bernie Seigal author of a fantastic book called “Love, Medicine and Miracles” suggested we should ‘burn up, not out’! Burning up means our candle is lit and it burns all the way to the bottom and then it snuffs out. Burning out means our candle is lit and snuffs it half way down! Before we are ready.

You’ll burn up, not out, if you realize the importance of Leonardo’s words – “every now and then go away”!

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To-do lists tackled on Tuesdays -- Workweek's most productive day, execs say

-- By Margarita Bauza, Detroit Free Press, Pioneer Press, 11 March 2008

Fat Tuesday is for gorging. Super Tuesday is for voting. But most Tuesdays are for working - working hard, that is.

Tuesday is considered by far the most productive day of the workweek, according to a 2007 survey by Accountemps, a staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. Of 150 executives polled, 57 percent said Tuesdays are the busiest day ¿ up from 48 percent in 2002, the last time the survey was conducted.

Mondays came in second, with 12 percent of the vote, a decline from 26 percent in 2002.

The national poll included responses from executives in human resources, finance and marketing departments with the nation's 1,000 largest companies.

In all the years the survey has been conducted - last year, 2002, 1998 and 1987 - Tuesday has always been deemed the busiest day.

Many view Tuesday as an opportunity to focus efforts and establish momentum for the rest of the week, said Robin Ankton, Southfield, Mich., branch manager of Accountemps.

Weeks have a rhythm to them, and Monday, for the most part, is not a good day to get work done, said Don Wetmore, president of the Productivity Institute in Stratford, Conn.

"Just listen to the radio on Monday morning," he said. Songs typically played include the Carpenters' "Rainy Days and Mondays" or something equally melancholic, he added.

"Most people who go to work on Mondays don't want to be there," he said.

Ankton noted that most Mondays are jam-packed with meetings, making it difficult to get things accomplished.

Wednesday is hump day, and come Friday, most people want to be somewhere else, Wetmore said.

Understanding the rhythm of a week can help employees plan better and hustle more. However, most people work best at their own pace, Wetmore said.

"You have to go with who you are," he said. "There are racehorses and tortoises. Racehorses might schedule all their activities in one day, and a tortoise might spread it out. At the end of the day, both of us have accomplished the same, but gone about it differently."

Mortgage broker Gideon Pfeffer said his workweek gets progressively more productive, peaking on Wednesday and taking a tumble toward the end of the week. Friday is his least productive day, he said.

"Mondays are hard for people to get into the grind," Pfeffer said. "I think by Tuesday, you're in motion."

Work culture matters, he added. "We have a lot of networking events Thursday and Friday," he said. "Since I'm in real estate, a lot of Fridays, I'm out at job sites, and in the summer, I might catch nine holes in the afternoon."

Ankton said employees are most busy at her office on Tuesdays.

Better planning can help employees get more done during the rest of the workweek. Clustering tasks together and ignoring some e-mail can also boost productivity.

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