Welcome! Please feel free to add your own discussion topics. Thanks for participating!

Pen Pals: Does anyone know of a way that we can start a pen pal network for our troop, maybe with a troop in another state or country?

Hello, this is Michelle Eklund from Council. I'm not sure if there is a "standard" way to start a pen pal network. I get e-mails all the time from individual troop leaders from other councils looking to connect with leaders from our area. I pass along the info in our "What's New at Girl Scouts?" e-mail blast to leaders. You can try to contact the Marketing Department at other councils. You could also try to connect with other leaders via social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Please let me know if we can help with anything.

Hi Socalsunshine

When I was a Daisy leader about 2 years ago, we tried penpals. I did get the other troops info from Michelle in an e-mail blast. I contacted about 3 troops but only received 1 reply back from a troop in Kentucky. Apparently the Daisy troops usually pick USA for their country to study on for Thinking Day, so it was more like a one time thnig penpal project. We exchanged a few letters, but that was it. I was thinking of supervised email penpals might be more effective, even some sort of live chat with a troop during one of their meetings. It seems most don't write letters anymore.

Hi All,

Does anyone have any advice on approaching local businesses for donations? I have a brand new Brownie Troop and I was hoping to provide them with a vest and a Journey book.

This is Michelle Eklund from Council. For fundraising - by sure to talk with the Fund Development Department. there are some requirements and guidelines. Best of luck and please send us pictures!

Parents that don't pay their monthly dues--Anyone??? How do you handle a parent that won't pay their montly dues?  We are allowing the child to participate in weekly meetings, but for now we are not enrolling the child in upcoming outtings (no pay no play).

Hi Abalonia - This is Michelle Eklund from Council. That is a great question for a Volunteer Meeting or Roundtable Discussion. You can find a meeting near you on our calendar of events.