The Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland blog is moving to a new location. Please update any bookmarks you may have.

• http://blog.girlscoutsmoheartland.org

Thank you.

Katie Walker

Katherine E. Walker, or “Katie” to those of us who knew her, passed away on August 12th. It can be said that she devoted her life to teaching and helping young people. With a degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State University, her career began at the Kingdom Christian School in Fulton, Missouri.

Her involvement with Girl Scouting began as a Brownie and continued throughout her life. For over thirty years she was a GSUSA Master Trainer and a Service Unit Manager or Neighborhood Director. Katie’s devotion to volunteering went with her all over the United States and military bases overseas, touching such councils as Midland Empire, Sooner, North Atlantic, Kentuckiana, and Wagon Wheel.

Katie served as council camp staff for three summers and received the Thanks Badge in 2008. She was a Membership Marketing Manager for Heart of Missouri before joining the staff of Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland as a Membership/Community Development Specialist last year.

Katie was loved and respected dearly by those who knew and worked with her. She will be greatly missed.

Leaders: Don’t forget this very important deadline! All copies of your deposit slips/payment are due to the Service Unit Product Activity Manager by March 27th, 5:00 p.m.

Also, don’t forget:

• Troop Earnings Worksheet (T-3)
• 5 Cent option form (T-5) if applicable
• Bonus Worksheet (T-8)
• Uncollected Funds Recport (T-9) if applicable
• Review “Cookie Works” for accuracy (Girl Cookie Detail Summary and Recognitions Order Summary By Girl)

Due to the service centers being closed that day, all council shops and cookie cupboards will be closed Wednesday, March 18th!

Dexter and Cape Girardeau service centers will be closing early Friday, March 20th!

Now on the Council Web site, a Girl Scout cookie booth locator!

You can search for a list of booths in a certain distance from you, or use maps to see booths in an area at a glance.

Please note, though, that this tool has just been released and is dependent upon vonlunteer leader participation to add their booths–so the information is not complete! If you’re a volunteer leader, use the link on the locator page to add your cookie booth!

The booth locator can be found here: http://www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/boothfind

Visit the Council Web site for the latest information on 2009 Summer (and Spring!) camp programs.

http://www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/page.php?pid=camp

From the Council’s Special Events and Programs:
Inaugural Leadership Celebration: A Promise to Our Girls for the Future
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Girl Scout volunteer leadership: bring your family for a fun weekend away!
Special hotel and entertainment rates are available.
See the Council Web site for more information and registration: 

http://www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/page.php?pid=events#sep

Girl Scouts of the USA, in conjunction with Microsoft,  just released their latest project for the girl of the digital age and their parents:

• LMK (let me know) : Life Online

“Welcome to LMK, the newest interactive Web site for teens from Girl Scouts and Windows. Created with help from teens like you and industry experts, you’ll get the know-how to navigate safely through your online life and even help your parents understand it too. We know how important it is to you! Go ahead, explore the site create a profile and make an impact.”

What is LMK?

LMK (“let me know”) is an online safety campaign created in partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA and Microsoft. The campaign includes an interactive Web site for girls, as well as an e-newsletter and Web site for adults. Each month, an all-girl editorial board explores a different internet safety topic online and then shares what they learned in the e-newsletter, which is distributed to adults the following month. 

What can girls expect to find on the girls’ Web site?

Girls can anticipate learning more about internet safety through a fun and interactive Web site which includes forums, video features, articles, quizzes, polls, games and a question & answer column from internet safety expert, Parry Aftab.

What about the adult components of the campaign?

The e-newsletter and adult site are designed to provide parents with timely guidance and also serve as a tool to help families have open and honest conversations about the dangers that lurk in cyberspace.  

Why is LMK important?

With the escalating popularity, increasing access to the internet and online technologies, it is important for teens and parents to be aware of the dangers that exist in cyberspace. The LMK (“let me know”) campaign not only creates a space for internet safety experts and teen peer advisors, it also provides guidance about topics like cyberbullying and online sexual predators. The adult components of the campaign help teens to bridge the digital generation gap between themselves and their parents. 

What is LMK teaching my kid that she doesn’t already know?

While many young people are aware of the issues of cyberbullying and online predators, not many people know how to keep themselves safe. The LMK campaign shows teenagers how to stay safe online by:

·         Surprising girls with what they can learn about online safety;

·         Inspiring girls to pass their learning on to their friends;

·         Including their parents in a dialogue about online safety; 

·         Empowering girls to become thought leaders who advocate safe and responsible use of technology.

Why is the Girl Scouts partnering with Microsoft?

Girl Scouts of the USA is committed to helping today’s girls become tomorrow’s leaders. Thanks to the support of Microsoft, we are able to create a unique online learning experience for girls, which furthers our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.  

Do you have to be a Girl Scout or a parent of a Girl Scout to participate?

No. LMK (“let me know”) is open to everyone, Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts alike, as well as any adult who wants to learn about internet safety.

“Be The Change!” The info and registration for the 2009 Leader’s Weekend has been released. Find it on the Council Publications page of the Web site: http://www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/page.php?pid=councilpubs

Check out the Council Web site for council and community collaboration events:

http://www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/page.php?pid=events