Daisy Girl Scout Leaders

[Suellen]

Oh my! You got it easy! I'd simply hand that mom a volunteer application. If you only got one.... you are lucky.

I got:

The Patch Police Mom:

Why does so and so have that patch and my daughter doesn't?
Oh I see how it is ~ the leader's daughter gets ALL the cool patches!
An event? Is there a patch for that?​

The I didn't know Mom:

While you post each and every event on our FB group I didn't know about.... <insert event here>
I can't be expected to know when each meeting is!
Please call me directly each time there is something going on. I can't always be the one to PICK up OR drop off my kid.
I'm reporting you to council.​

The Do I have to be there mom (this is also coincidentally the Is the Troop paying for that mom):

Awesome event! Sounds like a lot of fun! I can just drop them off right?
The troop is paying for that right?
I can't afford $3.00 per week for dues, but I want the troop to pay for absolutely every event GS's puts on.
I know I've never, EVER offered to chaperone but I enjoy my breaks.
Then when we get to the event: Am I the ONLY mom not staying?
​

We have a big troop though... 14 girls. Almost all first grade with two kindergarteners.

*sigh* I also got chewed out for 30 minutes last year because we didn't "do enough" with our cookie money. She REALLY wanted us to take the girls to a local amusement park ~ which would have been a TON of money. The girls had voted to save their money to buy Brownie Uniforms for all the girls when we bridge. Taking BURDEN from their moms! All I got was complaining.

Seriously ~ some days.....I just keep reminding myself I do this for my daughter and her friends NOT their parents!

 

[GirlOutlaw]

Seriously ~ some days.....I just keep reminding myself I do this for my daughter and her friends NOT their parents!

Yes I have days like this too...you are NOT alone!!

 

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Thanks for these suggestions. I almost did (in a snarky way, so wouldn't have been very productive ) just tell her "well if you're so interested, you make it happen". But I managed to smile, tell her I would let parents know but we really didn't have time as a troop to fit this event in. Who knows, this could turn into one of those things where 2 years from now we're co-leading besties, right? And I like the idea of making some of the events optional/falling on the parents. Doesn't work for about 1/2 of our SU events (leaders only, limited to Safety Wise numbers) but there are some that would work for.

Sounds like this mom needs to be the communications and travel mom -- sending out information on the various scouting activities and organizing to see who can attend, doing the paperwork so girls can attend etc.

We do extra events where "whoever can make it attends" ... not every girl is interested in a singalong or save the rain forest event, so we have these as optional events and parents must attend with girls (b/c I'm not going to do every single event either, but I agree there are many cool things out there to do).

Just a thought ... somewhat facetious ... somewhat serious.

These are SU events for the most part, which are not posted on the council site. However, there is a newsletter from the council and one from the SU...as far as I know, none of the parents have signed up for either, even though I have informed the parents of them. I have also told parents that they can attend any event, even if we aren't as a troop. Again, none of the parents have taken advantage of this yet. We don't use troop money for most events (we've paid for 2 events with troop money this year, because the girls chose to do so). But I do try to think of how much money parents are doling out while making plans with the girls. I myself, have not found a money tree yet, and as far as I know, neither have any of our parents I like suggesting that she have her daughter bring the information to troop meetings. Maybe that will tone it down a bit.

"Why didn't you tell us about it?"

Aren't all of your council's events posted on their website?

Also, does your council have a newsletter?

Our council stressed to us that anyone who is a girl scout can attend council events, regardless of whether or not their troop is participating in the event and I have made that VERY clear to my troop parents.

Our troop does not pay for events. Not every girl can or wants to attend every event, so we don't use our troop money for events.

You can tell your parent that anytime she sees an upcoming event she is interested in her daughter attending, she should send you an email regarding the event and she should bring it up (or have her daughter bring it up) at the next meeting and let the girls/parents decide if they want to attend.

Trying to do my best not to get to that point....yet

I would tell her that if she doesn't like the way I'm running the troop that maybe she should become a leader and start her own troop.

There's only so much you can do.

Kelly

I have felt lucky so far as far as parents. I feel sometimes like this mom is the Patch Police. Or the event police. Off to count my blessings for not having the other moms (yet).

Oh my! You got it easy! I'd simply hand that mom a volunteer application. If you only got one.... you are lucky.

I got:

The Patch Police Mom:

Why does so and so have that patch and my daughter doesn't?
Oh I see how it is ~ the leader's daughter gets ALL the cool patches!
An event? Is there a patch for that?​

The I didn't know Mom:

While you post each and every event on our FB group I didn't know about.... <insert event here>
I can't be expected to know when each meeting is!
Please call me directly each time there is something going on. I can't always be the one to PICK up OR drop off my kid.
I'm reporting you to council.​

The Do I have to be there mom (this is also coincidentally the Is the Troop paying for that mom):

Awesome event! Sounds like a lot of fun! I can just drop them off right?
The troop is paying for that right?
I can't afford $3.00 per week for dues, but I want the troop to pay for absolutely every event GS's puts on.
I know I've never, EVER offered to chaperone but I enjoy my breaks.
Then when we get to the event: Am I the ONLY mom not staying?
​

We have a big troop though... 14 girls. Almost all first grade with two kindergarteners.

*sigh* I also got chewed out for 30 minutes last year because we didn't "do enough" with our cookie money. She REALLY wanted us to take the girls to a local amusement park ~ which would have been a TON of money. The girls had voted to save their money to buy Brownie Uniforms for all the girls when we bridge. Taking BURDEN from their moms! All I got was complaining.

Seriously ~ some days.....I just keep reminding myself I do this for my daughter and her friends NOT their parents!

 

[Marshay]

Oh, I'm so sorry some of you are having a hard time with parents. We only have a small troop (6 girls) so haven't really experienced a lot of that yet.

None of us should be yelled out, talked down to, reamed out, get a talkin' to, etc. We are volunteers and probably need to push back more on the parents. If you let a parent do that one time to you, they will do it again.

Yes, I know sometimes it just hurts the girls for the parents {insert bad thing here like not knowing about an event, not getting a patch, not going to an event, etc} but that is also part of life and the girls need to know this happens too.

Please don't let the parents *rule* over you. If they don't like something then politely ask them if they would like to manage that for the troop. If they say no, then politely say that until someone volunteers to do such-and-such, we won't be able to do that (or something like that).

Girl Scouts is about volunteerism. We can only do so much and need to rely on others.

 

[Marshay]

One more thing...not sure if this would help or not (it works for our small troop)...

- Our first year, the co-leader and I did everything except we had each girl run a 5-10 minute portion of a single meeting on any topic they wanted.

- This is our 2nd year and we assigned full meetings to each mom to run, plus additional tasks like Supply Mom, Photographer and Cookie Mom and each girl had to run a 15 minute portion of a single meeting on their assigned holiday topic (T-day, Xmas, Valentine, Spring, etc)

Girls earn a leader fun patch after they help run the meeting (moms are allowed to assist, leaders do not help out).

- Next year we plan to have the moms run two full meetings each plus take on one additional task each. Then every girl has to run a 30 minute portion of a single meeting, probably based on the GS Brownie book but we haven't planned out next year yet!

- As 2nd year Brownies our goal is to have each girl run an entire meeting!

I definitely don't want to be doing GS all myself -- it's wonderful to see the other moms involved, even if they don't do it like I would and esp to see the girls running the meetings.

For the parent-run meetings we did ask for what they would like to do and one chose 1st Aid (Red petal), another chose scrapbooking (fun patch) and the other arranged a field trip for her meeting to the firehouse (petal for new girls and fun patch for all).

Perhaps this model might help you, too.

Best of luck everyone!!

 

[acomasdiaz]

Looking ahead...does anyone have any ideas for a bridging ceremony? Would love to hear them.

 

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

I think this is really where I went wrong. The very first time she said something, I should have used it as a recruiting opportunity. Another thing to add to my list of "things I learned my first year as a scout leader"...boy is that list getting long....

If you let a parent do that one time to you, they will do it again. If they don't like something then politely ask them if they would like to manage that for the troop. If they say no, then politely say that until someone volunteers to do such-and-such, we won't be able to do that (or something like that).

Girl Scouts is about volunteerism. We can only do so much and need to rely on others.

Our (well, my) ultimate goal is that the girls will be taking more responsibility every year...we have some really great troops in our service unit to model after (there are a few cadettes who have come to leader meetings and one who is acting as the "cookie mom" for her troop this year...I will definitely keep this in mind as we start making plans for next year...

One more thing...not sure if this would help or not (it works for our small troop)...

- Our first year, the co-leader and I did everything except we had each girl run a 5-10 minute portion of a single meeting on any topic they wanted.

- This is our 2nd year and we assigned full meetings to each mom to run, plus additional tasks like Supply Mom, Photographer and Cookie Mom and each girl had to run a 15 minute portion of a single meeting on their assigned holiday topic (T-day, Xmas, Valentine, Spring, etc)

Girls earn a leader fun patch after they help run the meeting (moms are allowed to assist, leaders do not help out).

- Next year we plan to have the moms run two full meetings each plus take on one additional task each. Then every girl has to run a 30 minute portion of a single meeting, probably based on the GS Brownie book but we haven't planned out next year yet!

- As 2nd year Brownies our goal is to have each girl run an entire meeting!

I definitely don't want to be doing GS all myself -- it's wonderful to see the other moms involved, even if they don't do it like I would and esp to see the girls running the meetings.

For the parent-run meetings we did ask for what they would like to do and one chose 1st Aid (Red petal), another chose scrapbooking (fun patch) and the other arranged a field trip for her meeting to the firehouse (petal for new girls and fun patch for all).

Perhaps this model might help you, too.

Best of luck everyone!!

 

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

First we have to figure out how to meet our requirements. We need to share GS w/ others and/or recruit (right now it looks like we may either set up a display in the case at the library or do an after school quick recruitment in the spring). We also need to visit a Brownie troop or have one visit us to get an idea of what being a Brownie means. We were hoping to invite a troop to join us for Sundaes and SWAPS, since we haven't really done SWAPs yet. But we may be changing it to Sundaes and Songs, since the girls really want to learn more GS songs (we know TAPS, Make New Friends, and I'm a Daisy Girl Scout). As far as Bridging...we may walk across the Golden Gate (we are in the Bay area), but probably not at one of the huge 100th events. We would make a day of it, maybe do some sightseeing....Or we may have a BBQ and borrow (or my dad said he would make us one) a small ceremonial bridge for the girls to walk across to mark the bridging. One thing we will probably be doing either way is having the girls make Daisy scrapbooks at one of the meetings before the ceremony. I am also hoping that the girls will have their vests by then, so we can take off our daisy vests, and put on our brownie vests at the ceremony.

Looking ahead...does anyone have any ideas for a bridging ceremony? Would love to hear them.

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

One more thing...not sure if this would help or not (it works for our small troop)...

- Our first year, the co-leader and I did everything except we had each girl run a 5-10 minute portion of a single meeting on any topic they wanted.

- This is our 2nd year and we assigned full meetings to each mom to run, plus additional tasks like Supply Mom, Photographer and Cookie Mom and each girl had to run a 15 minute portion of a single meeting on their assigned holiday topic (T-day, Xmas, Valentine, Spring, etc)

Girls earn a leader fun patch after they help run the meeting (moms are allowed to assist, leaders do not help out).

- Next year we plan to have the moms run two full meetings each plus take on one additional task each. Then every girl has to run a 30 minute portion of a single meeting, probably based on the GS Brownie book but we haven't planned out next year yet!

- As 2nd year Brownies our goal is to have each girl run an entire meeting!

I definitely don't want to be doing GS all myself -- it's wonderful to see the other moms involved, even if they don't do it like I would and esp to see the girls running the meetings.

For the parent-run meetings we did ask for what they would like to do and one chose 1st Aid (Red petal), another chose scrapbooking (fun patch) and the other arranged a field trip for her meeting to the firehouse (petal for new girls and fun patch for all).

Perhaps this model might help you, too.

Best of luck everyone!!

Wow are all of you moms registered as Girl Scouts? I only have myself and a co leader.

I am not sure what we are going to do next year yet. There are so many more opprotunities for Brownies.

 

[Marshay]

Wow are all of you moms registered as Girl Scouts? I only have myself and a co leader.

I am not sure what we are going to do next year yet. There are so many more opprotunities for Brownies.

Yep. I made it a requirement for all moms to register and take the volunteer 101 class, too. That way they can accompany the troop if I am sick or can't make an event.

This year two other moms agreed to be our Camp Adult and take the camping classes so we can do an overnight camping trip (moms and girls) at one of our local camps. I plan to take it too but don't want to be the only Camp Adult so told the troop if they want to go camping in the future, then I need 2 moms to step up.

I must say I am very blessed with the moms involvement.

And that is why we don't want to add any more girls either. We like our small troop of 6 girls.

 

[Suellen]

Your mom's don't need to be registered to lead a meeting (at least not here in Maine) they ask that the moms register if they will be at three or more meetings.

Great idea!! I am going to suggest it to my leaders for next year. We are moving and will have to find a new troop.

Any troops here it Oviedo, FL???

 

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Woo-hoo! We are officially in the midst of cookie season! We had our first booth ever yesterday, and managed to sell 40 boxes in 3 hours at an out of the way location on a cold, wet day...I figure not bad, considering I was told we should plan for 90 at the busiest locations on an ideal day. The girls are super excited and had a blast yesterday...they can't wait to go back on Friday. I am just about to leave to pick up more from the cupboard, since we are quickly depleting our stock...how's everyone else doing?

 

[Marshay]

OUr first (and only) booth sale isn't until Feb 26th. We are at the local movie theater and they let people eat the GS cookies in the theater! So it's a popular spot.

 

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Sounds fun! I can't imagine a theater around here ever allowing a cookie booth...that would be competition for the snack bar...lets see $4 for a box of GS cookies, or $4 for a stale, tasteless theater cookie?

OUr first (and only) booth sale isn't until Feb 26th. We are at the local movie theater and they let people eat the GS cookies in the theater! So it's a popular spot.

Anyone have any tips for keeping the girls on task at the booths? The girls all eagerly asked customers if they would like some cookies, but anytime someone actually said yes, things fell apart...usually it ended with a mom bagging up the cookies while another made change...I would like to make sure the girls are participating as much as possible...we did assign roles, but the girls seem to have a hard time remembering who does what...do you just keep walking them through every transaction? Maybe make some nametags w/ their assigned role (ie cashier, greeter, etc.)? Anyone have smooth running booths that wants to share tips?

 

[Marshay]

Sounds fun! I can't imagine a theater around here ever allowing a cookie booth...that would be competition for the snack bar...lets see $4 for a box of GS cookies, or $4 for a stale, tasteless theater cookie?

Anyone have any tips for keeping the girls on task at the booths? The girls all eagerly asked customers if they would like some cookies, but anytime someone actually said yes, things fell apart...usually it ended with a mom bagging up the cookies while another made change...I would like to make sure the girls are participating as much as possible...we did assign roles, but the girls seem to have a hard time remembering who does what...do you just keep walking them through every transaction? Maybe make some nametags w/ their assigned role (ie cashier, greeter, etc.)? Anyone have smooth running booths that wants to share tips?

yeah, the theater is being extra nice...now it is a Sunday night so we're not stealing their prime Thurs-Sat night snacks ... but still, I've been told the theater spot does make a good amount.

This is also our very first cookie booth, so anything else is greatly appreciated.

We are bringing our own table, tablecloth, the girls all made posters to go around the table. We'll bring a large container for the Gifts of Sharing cookies and we are renting the Cookie costume for the girls to take turns being the mascot! The cookie mom is bringing the money box and starting us off with lots of $1 bills.

We are also doing a special if customers buy 3 or more boxes we'll wrap them up in a pretty ribbon of their choice (got the ribbon for free). We also plan to print out a bunch of recipe cards so people can make special desserts out of the GS cookies (and hopefully buy more so they can make the desserts PLUS just eat the cookies.).

We are debating about whether or not to do free samples (cut into 4 pieces!) ...don't want a bunch of kids just taking the samples that we have to pay for and not buying anything!

 

[mousireid]

I have to ask on this thread about the upcoming Bridging Ceremony at Epcot. Seeing as we are an hour away and our little Daisy Troop (6 girlies) are going, I would LOVE to hear anyone elses experiences on this if they have gone? I am having a hard time finding information other than the generic versions online

 

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Whew! Anyone else counting down to the end of cookie season? I can't believe how much product we have moved! And I have certainly learned a lot about running cookie season, lol... we have decided to go see the Lorax on the last day of sales (the 18th) as a way to mark the end of the season and just relax/have fun as a troop . Right now I'm trying not to freak about 10 missing boxes of cookies from pickups on Saturday . I keep telling myself it was an honest mistake and that turn ins are tomorrow and we will find the missing boxes...Between cookie sales, we have gone to the library and the firehouse, and at the end of the month we have a trip to a local wildlife museum....we have one more weekend round of booths, and then it is just a matter of waiting for incentives to deposit and finishing up the paperwork! Yay!!! Biggest lesson learned-get a product sales team, not just one cookie chair...that way when the cookie chair:

A-tells you she can't keep cookies at her house after all because she just couldn't find room
Then
B-tells you she just can't figure out eBudde even though you have sat down with her at the computer (TWICE) and walked her through it...
AND
C-can't make deposits because her week is just so busy...
FINISHED W/ THE KICKER
D-bails on chaperoning at the last minute because she just HAS to go see her friend's kid in a play but then gets upset because you "didn't tell her that they were going to be earning patches" (granted, that one wasn't a cookie thing, but still, REALLY? )



You have BACKUP

LOL....luckily, I have a couple of really great moms who have helped pick up the slack and have managed to make sure we always have coverage, etc. And we had so much fun at the firehouse on Saturday that I totally forgot everything cookie related and feel refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the year...

 

[kelann7]

I have to ask on this thread about the upcoming Bridging Ceremony at Epcot. Seeing as we are an hour away and our little Daisy Troop (6 girlies) are going, I would LOVE to hear anyone elses experiences on this if they have gone? I am having a hard time finding information other than the generic versions online

As far as I know, this is a one time thing for the 100th anniversary, so it has never been done before, so no one will have experience with it. I hope they do it again when my girls are older - that would be a great trip. Tell us all about it when you get back!

Thanks.

Kelly

 

[kelann7]

Whew! Anyone else counting down to the end of cookie season?

Yes, I'm counting down. At first, it was kinda exciting, but now I'm ready for it to be over with. We had our first booth sale at our church this past Sunday. 5 girls were supposed to be there, only 3 showed up (my 2 co-leaders and their daughters and me and my daughter) I have cookies put aside for 4 girls to be picked up - 3 of them should be coming today to pick up, haven't heard back from the 4th person.

All in all, we did pretty good with our sales, I'm just ready to finish with it and move on to something else.

Kelly

 

[Marshay]

I have to ask on this thread about the upcoming Bridging Ceremony at Epcot. Seeing as we are an hour away and our little Daisy Troop (6 girlies) are going, I would LOVE to hear anyone elses experiences on this if they have gone? I am having a hard time finding information other than the generic versions online

Just double-check on who can participate. I thought I read this was only for Brownies on up not Daisies.

Whew! Anyone else counting down to the end of cookie season? I can't believe how much product we have moved! And I have certainly learned a lot about running cookie season, lol... we have decided to go see the Lorax on the last day of sales (the 18th) as a way to mark the end of the season and just relax/have fun as a troop . Right now I'm trying not to freak about 10 missing boxes of cookies from pickups on Saturday . I keep telling myself it was an honest mistake and that turn ins are tomorrow and we will find the missing boxes...Between cookie sales, we have gone to the library and the firehouse, and at the end of the month we have a trip to a local wildlife museum....we have one more weekend round of booths, and then it is just a matter of waiting for incentives to deposit and finishing up the paperwork! Yay!!! Biggest lesson learned-get a product sales team, not just one cookie chair...that way when the cookie chair:

A-tells you she can't keep cookies at her house after all because she just couldn't find room
Then
B-tells you she just can't figure out eBudde even though you have sat down with her at the computer (TWICE) and walked her through it...
AND
C-can't make deposits because her week is just so busy...
FINISHED W/ THE KICKER
D-bails on chaperoning at the last minute because she just HAS to go see her friend's kid in a play but then gets upset because you "didn't tell her that they were going to be earning patches" (granted, that one wasn't a cookie thing, but still, REALLY? )



You have BACKUP

LOL....luckily, I have a couple of really great moms who have helped pick up the slack and have managed to make sure we always have coverage, etc. And we had so much fun at the firehouse on Saturday that I totally forgot everything cookie related and feel refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the year...

So sorry to hear all these troubles.

We just did one cookie booth and actually ran out of cookies for the final shift. But we rather do that than be stuck with a lot leftover. However, this was our first year selling cookies so we tried to keep it simple.

I praise our Cookie Mom -- she was great!

As far as I know, this is a one time thing for the 100th anniversary, so it has never been done before, so no one will have experience with it. I hope they do it again when my girls are older - that would be a great trip. Tell us all about it when you get back!

Thanks.

Kelly

I already told our girls that we should set aside a bit of money each year for a big trip when they are older -- and my DD6 said, "Yes, to Disney!!"

Yes, I'm counting down. At first, it was kinda exciting, but now I'm ready for it to be over with. We had our first booth sale at our church this past Sunday. 5 girls were supposed to be there, only 3 showed up (my 2 co-leaders and their daughters and me and my daughter) I have cookies put aside for 4 girls to be picked up - 3 of them should be coming today to pick up, haven't heard back from the 4th person.

All in all, we did pretty good with our sales, I'm just ready to finish with it and move on to something else.

Kelly

Me, too. Glad we are done with the cookies!

Our girls decided to do a trip to the local Washington, DC Zoo. Since the zoo itself is free, we'll buy lunch, ice cream and a souvenir for each girl. They are thrilled!