SSP Low-Down Moves into the 21st Century
Effective September 2005, South St. Paul Service Unit communications will be handled via an online format.
Please take some time to check out our new service unit website at http://sspserviceunit.tripod.com. Thanks to Diane Ekwochi for her work in developing this new tool!!
All SSP Service Unit meeting dates, events, and information will be posted to this site, and updated regularly.
This newsletter will also be posted regularly. Because the website will eliminate the need for paper copies of the newsletter,
we will discontinue mailing the SSP Low-Down after this issue.
If you do not have web access, and would like to continue to receive a paper copy of this publication, please
contact Nicole Smith at 651.552.1395.
Encampment 2005—Camp Lakamaga
This year’s encampment was a blast! 10 troops participated in a variety of activities including canoeing,
archery, a scavenger hunt, skits, opening and closing flag ceremonies, campfires and more.
Next year’s encampment will be held at Camp Rolling Ridges, just outside of Hudson, WI. Camp Rolling
Ridges has an outdoor swimming pool available that we will be able to use for our weekend, as well as nature trails and program
facilities. Look for more information in the upcoming months.
New Member Recruiting and Leader Meetings
One of the SSP Service Unit’s most important strategic goals is to increase our numbers of both girl and adult Girl
Scout members. In order to create a sustainable organization we need to have a diverse member group that spans all age levels.
To this end, we are excited to announce that new troops will be forming at most of the SSP schools this year.
We have also had a number of girls interested in joining existing troops. If you are approached by the service
unit registrar (Sue Boemer) to add new girls to your troop, please welcome them into your group. If you can think of ways
that we can increase member recruiting, we would love to hear your ideas!
One of the things that we have heard from our leaders is that it is important for both girls and leaders to
feel that they are supported by a larger organization. One way for leaders to do this is to attend our SSP Service Unit Leader
meetings. If you haven’t attended these meetings in the past, please consider doing so this year!
Another way to stay connected is by attending training. If you have not completed your Basic Leadership, CPR/First-Aid,
or Program Age Level training, the fall is a great time to do so! A number of opportunities are currently available (see girlscoutsvc.org
for a complete list of training opportunities).
GSUSA Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
Please check the Girl Scouts USA website for information and ways that your troop can help support the hurricane
relief effort. Go to www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2005 for more information. If your troop plans on earning more than $100.00, please complete a money-earning application
form and send it into the GSCSCV office. Feel free to share this information with parents and girls as they inquire about
what they can do to help.
Leader Information and 2005-2006 Program Guides
If you were not able to be at the South St. Paul Leader Picnic in August, please contact Cheryl Saver to obtain
the informational packets and program guides that were handed out. She can be reached via email at casaver@mmm.com or by phone at 651.457.6280.
Please note that the meeting schedule that was handed out at the picnic has changed. We will meet the first
Monday of each month, not the second Monday as previously
communicated. This means that our first leader meeting will be on Monday, October 3rd at 7:00 in the Holy Trinity
School cafeteria.
New Leader Orientation Training
Two dates have been scheduled for New Leader Orientation. These dates/locations are as follows (pick one date):
§ Wednesday, September 21st from 7:00 to 9:00 in the N. Centennial Room at Central Square Community Center
§ Monday, September 26th from 7:00 to 9:00 in Holy Trinity School’s cafeteria
Informational packets, leader training and reference materials, and volunteer application packets
will be available at these training sessions. Please note that this training is a required pre-requisite for future Girl Scout
leader training. Call Cheryl Steiner at 651.457.5752 or Nicole Smith at 651.552.1395 for more information or to register.
Upcoming Events Calendar
9/21/05 New Leader Orientation Training
7:00 – 9:00 Central Square—N. Centennial Room
9/26/05
New Leader Orientation Training
7:00 – 9:00 Holy Trinity
School Cafeteria
10/3/05 First Leader Meeting
7:00 – 8:00 PM Holy Trinity School Cafeteria
10/14/05 Kick Off Party/Juliette
Low Birthday Party
6:30 – 8:00 PM SSP High School Cafeteria
11/7/05 Leader Meeting
7:00 –
8:00 PM Holy Trinity School Cafeteria
11/19/05
SSP Service Unit Bowling Party
Wells Lanes (Time TBD)
12/5/05 Leader Meeting (Holiday Potluck)
7:00 – 8:00 PM Holy Trinity School Cafeteria
