November 2007 SUM Minutes                      Back to Service Unit Calendar & Meeting Minutes



It was nice being back in our traditional home for the November SUM meeting. Here are the topics discussed:

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS:
We need a new Registrar, as Maggie will be hunting for colleges. We also need a troop to sponsor World Thinking Day this year. Please contact Carmela on any of these.

DELEGATES:
We presented a slate of 2 nominees for Delegates, Susan O'Donnell and Betty Geminder. The slate was accepted by majority. Then, the Service Unit voted on the slate and both were elected by unanimous vote. We are still looking for more representatives - contact Carmela for details.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE:
There are still some troops that haven't completed their registration. Please get that taken care of with Maggie Gonzales.

BROWNIE SCIENCE TRY-IT DAY:
Two sessions of Brownies had a wonderful time!

MITTEN TREE:
The date is set for Saturday December 1st. A flyer was sent separately.

COUNCIL UPDATE:
Council needs help from older scouts in running programs; contact Melissa Boronkas (mboronkas@gswrc.com) for upcoming programs that need help. Also, there are opportunities at Hoover to help out, check out the Web site for details or contact Deb Hooker (dhooker@gswrc.com). Lots of great activities planned, check their web site for details (http://westfieldnj.com/girlscouts/). Special note, the council offices will be closed Dec 24-31st. See councils web site for other holiday hours.

TOWN ENCAMPMENT:
Reminder that encampment is the weekend of May 16-18 for 3rd grade and up. More information will be sent soon.

RELAY FOR LIFE:
Relay is on Saturday, May 31 until Sunday Morning June 1. It is a fun filled day in which we celebrate survivors of cancer and remember those lost to the disease. Teams are formed to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Volunteers are needed throughout the day to help with activities such as face painting, tattoos, etc. Also, we tentatively have two troops who will be handling the Luminaria ceremony, where we light luminary bags that have been placed around the track. Help will be needed there as well (probably 7th grade and older.) The event will be at Governor Livingston High School. Tentative start time is 5/31 at 3 pm. As we get more info, I will share. For questions, contact Cathy Pitingolo (cpitingolo@msn.com)

SOMEONE SPECIAL DANCE:
Usually offered for girls in grades K-4. Carmela will get an update from the sponsoring troop from last year and advise at the next SUM.

MOMMY & ME at Camp Hoover:
Troop 748 is currently planning activities for the 2008 Mommy and Me overnight at Camp Hoover, which is tentatively planned for Saturday February 2nd to Sunday February 3rd. The event will be open to Kindergarten, First, and Second grade scouts and their Mom's. Mark your calendars! A flyer will be distributed soon.

END OF YEAR EVENTS:
Last year we had two very successful end-of-year events, one for Gold Award recipients and a leader gathering. We need two individuals to help us plan these events for this year.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:
Each year Council hosts an Awards and Recognition event. This year is will be in April. Nominations for awards are due January 19 for consideration this year. Think about who has helped your troop or your girls and consider recommending them. Information can be found on the Web site (see Programs & Forms-->GSWRC Forms), or contact Carmela.

GIFTS for GIRLS = FAMILY GIVING:
the Gifts for Girls program has been renamed Family Giving. Families are encouraged to donate to this fund, which helps individual girls attend camping or other programs, and also helps support council programs such as Camp Hoover. Look for information from Council soon and mention to your families how important this is.

OTHER BUSINESS DISCUSSED:
- Tee Shirts: information will be available at the next SUM.
- Arbonne seminar: rescheduled for January, flyer sent out soon
- Sports Equipment Swap: The Service Unit still thinks this is a good idea and there was a lively discussion on ways we can pull this off. We are checking into a long-term storage option and will pass the ideas onto Sharon Dougherty, who is chairing the Family Giving Campaign.

NEXT SUM:
December 6th. Cookie Sale materials will be distributed - make sure that your Cookie person, or other troop representative attends this meeting.

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