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



We had an al fresco meeting to start out our new year. Since the library wasn't available, we improvised and met as a group in the lovely warm evening.

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. Also, because of a change in the rules we need new CAC/Delegate alternates. At the next SUM (November 1) we need to re-vote on delegates as our current teen delegates are no longer able to fulfill the duties due to a change in the rules regarding age. The minimum age is now 19 and we are in desperate need of two adult volunteers to be delegates. These delegates represent our Service Unit at Council.

NEW LEADERS: We welcomed the new leaders to the Service Unit, especially those newly minted Daisy leaders. We explained a little about the Service Unit and the types of activies that are planned throughout the year.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE: Our retiring registrar gave an update and had loads of papers with her. Most troops are registered, and the process is winding down. If your troop has not completed their registration yet ... please get that to Maggie Gonzales.

WEB SITE: We reminded leaders about the Service Unit Web site (http://www.bhgirlscouts.com/), a source of information for town contacts, activities, and links to Council, not to mention forms.

BROWNIE SCIENCE TRY-IT DAY: Date is set for 11/17 and a notice was sent.

MITTEN TREE: Will again be scheduled with the Berkeley Heights Township tree lighting on the first Saturday in December. Details will be sent closer to the date.

COUNCIL UPDATE: Merger with other councils is progressing. Lots of great activities planned, check their web site for details (http://westfieldnj.com/girlscouts/)

TOWN ENCAMPMENT: Kim Spellman provided an update on the plans for this year's Encampment. (kspellman@cohenandsteers.com or spell100@comcast.net). We are set for a beautiful time at Camp Henry Hoover for the weekend of Friday May 16th - Sunday May 18th. Some of you may have heard that we originally were scheduled for the Weekend of May 30th - June 1st which conflicted with Relay for Life. The Linden Girl Scouts and some very kind troops switched weekends with us and we are very grateful. We have the entire campsite except for Heronwood cabin (one of the largest cabins which holds 40). I have also reserved the CIT cabins - there are 3 of them that hold 10 people each (including a bathroom /shower) in case we have any troop interested. (Those are the cabins you see on the road up to the parking lot.) The way this will work is probably 3rd and 4th graders in cabins, 5th and up in platform tents.

The weekend will be called "BACK TO BASICS" and we will not be serving dinner as we did in the past. As usual you should have your girls bring up a brown bag dinner for Friday night and as a troop you will determine your food needs for the weekend. On Saturday night we will exchange swaps, have a bonfire, serve ice cream bars and sing songs utilizing the amphitheatre below the center. During the day there will be boating and ropes. I think it may be too cold for swimming. I am looking into having Horseback Riding available for Saturday (Spring Valley Farms - 15 minutes away - troop would have to provide own transportation and payment) Townley Hall and Creation Studios will be open Friday night and all day Saturday. Every troop must have a camp certified adult and a first aider. No exceptions. We will provide coach buses - leaving probably at 5pm from Little Flower Church and arriving back on Sunday afternoon at Columbia Middle School. Cost for the weekend will probably be around $40/person (the bus alone is always $20/person). Your troop expenses, i.e. food is not included. As a troop you should determine your menu and cost per girl and include that when you collect your money. Sign up sheets will be forthcoming. Deposits will be due by January 31st with final payment due to me by March 6th. This is a troop event.

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