January 2018: Your Checklist for Success
Need a refresher from last month? Check out the December Checklist!
Need to download a copy of the January Checklist? Click here!
Upcoming - For Girls, Troops, and Families
Cookie Program Updates for Families
- Girl logins for Smart Cookies will be sent to families on January 23 – be sure to add noreply@abcsmartcookies.com to your contacts list to ensure it won’t go to your spam folder! Smart Cookies helps girls set goals, send ecards to customers, and sell cookies for direct ship.
- Girl Scout Cookie Pro: Learn more about how girls can enter to win a trip to NYC and a chance to be featured on a Girl Scout Cookie package at girlscouts.org/cookiepro.
Upcoming Events
We're excited for a brand new year and what we have in store for you! Be sure to check out the events calendar for more.
Cookie Kick-Offs – Register for the Cookie Kick-Off nearest you! (Sioux City, Des Moines, Omaha, or Mason City).
Capitol Girls – (Grades 7-12; February 8; Des Moines) Get a special in-depth look at government in this unique event at the Iowa State Capitol!
Girl Scout Day at the Capitol – (Grades 4-12; March 28; Des Moines) Learn all about our state legislature and explore the Iowa State Capitol!
London 2019 – (Grades 9-12; July 9-15, 2019) Reserve your spot for this amazing trip – you can use your Cookie Dough to help you get there!
Winter/Spring Events at Camp
The camp fun doesn’t stop when summer ends! Check out Spring Into Camp at Camp Sacajawea – (Grades 2-10; March 12-15) while school's out - at least for a little while! Girls can spend spring break at camp.
Summer Camp Registration is Open Now - Register by Feb. 2 to Save!
Registration is open now for your Girl Scout's next adventure at Camp Tanglefoot and Camp Sacajawea. Even better: register for an overnight summer camp by February 2, and you'll automatically save $35. A Girl Scout magazine is on its way to your mailbox soon, but you can see the sessions for Camp Tanglefoot and Camp Sacajawea online now, and register from our Event List!
Volunteer Resources
Save the Date for Circle of Excellence
We want to bring everyone together for a wonderful spring celebration of the amazing things you've accomplished this year. Please save the date for this year's big event, which will be held on April 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Council Bluffs! Watch for more details next month.
Smart Cookies Training: Your New Inventory Management System
Missed the Smart Cookies training webinars? You can view the recording on The Bridge (available the week of January 15)! You’ll get an orientation to Smart Cookies (replacing Snap+), so you’ll be ready to kick-off the Cookie Program next month.
There's Still Time to Nominate a Volunteer for an Award!
Nominate an awesome volunteer for a well-deserved award this year! The nomination deadline is February 15. Check out our Volunteer Awards page for more info.
Initial Orders Due for the Cookie Program on January 16!
Remember, Initial Orders for cookies to start your troop’s program are due in Smart Cookies at 11:59p.m. on Tuesday, January 16! Your Initial Order will set your girls up for success, ensuring they can kick off their Cookie Program with enough inventory to satisfy customers who have been anxiously waiting for cookie season! Need help placing your Initial Order? Check out some great resources in the January 4 Shout Out!
World Thinking Day is Coming Up on February 22!
Celebrated since 1926, World Thinking Day - February 22 - is a day of international friendship and speaking out on issues that affect girls and young women. Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in 146 different countries make a global impact and think about their fellow Scouts on this special day. Head over to our Program Kits page to request instant access to World Thinking Day planning tools!
Upcoming CPR/First-Aid Trainings
Need to complete your CPR/First-Aid training? We have two trainings coming up on January 27 in Urbandale, and February 24 in Mason City!
Cookie Program Booth Sales
You can set up troop-secured booth sale locations now in Smart Cookies, or sign up for the council-secured booth lottery by January 13! Check out the Booth Sales – Smart Cookies Guide for more info.
Building Girl Scouts
Grow Your Troop for a Chance to Win!
Interested in having more girls/volunteers join your troop? Participate in our winter membership campaign for the chance to win a $50 gift card of your choice for your troop. Each troop will be entered into the drawing for each new girl OR new adult added to their roster between December 1 and January 31 (2 new girls and 1 new adult = 3 entries). There will be a total of 4 troop winners council wide.
EXTRA - if you participate, we’ll provide a full "Bring-a-Friend" meeting package, including patches. If you would like to participate in the campaign or have any questions, contact us at info@gsiowa.org.