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Volunteer Conference 2019: Leaders Lifting Leaders

2019 Volunteer Conference

Sunday, November 17, 2019
8 AM–5 PM
Boston Marriott Burlington | One Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA $25, lunch included

Start your membership year off strong! With a focus on Leaders Lifting Leaders, the 2019 GSEMA Volunteer Conference offers new perspectives on diversity and inclusion, dynamic workshops, informative vendor tables, and exciting networking opportunities to help you and your girls shine.

Do you know a great leader you think should be at the Volunteer Conference?  Nominate them for a Conferenceship in the spirit of leaders lifting leaders!

We offer full financial aid for the Volunteer Conference. To request, please email customercare@gsema.org.

REGISTER

Explore the workshops! All workshops are listed below by session start time. You can also view them in alphabetical order.

Keynote Speaker
Vanessa Calderón-Rosado

Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer – Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción

Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Ph.D., is the CEO of IBA-Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, a leading community development corporation dedicated to empowering and engaging individuals and families to improve their lives through high-quality affordable housing, education, and arts programs. Through her leadership, IBA has become the largest Latino-led nonprofit organization in Greater Boston.

In 2009, Dr. Calderón-Rosado was selected for the prestigious Barr Foundation Fellowship. In 2010, she became the first Latina ever to be appointed to the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education by former Governor Deval Patrick. In November 2013, Mayor-elect Martin Walsh appointed Dr. Calderón-Rosado to co-lead his housing transition team.  She has served as advisor to numerous other task forces, boards, commissions and high-profile searches, including Boston’s Police Department and Public Health Commission. In 2017, she was selected to the Community Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank, which offers diverse perspectives on the economic circumstances and financial services needs of consumers and communities, with a particular focus on the concerns of low- and moderate-income populations. Among other civic engagements, she is a Founding Board member of the Margarita Muñiz Academy, the first dual-language innovation high school in Massachusetts; and the Co-Founder of the Greater Boston Latino Network.

Dr. Calderón-Rosado is a Puerto Rican-born civic leader who received her doctorate in public policy from the UMASS Boston; and a Honoris Causa Doctorate from Cambridge College.

Board Affiliations

The Boston Foundation
Yawkey Foundation
Franklin Square House Foundation
MACDC
Greater Boston Latino Network
Federal Reserve Bank Board of Governors
Eastern Bank
Latino Legacy Fund

Session One: 10 AM

Encampment Director Training  
Sarah Kelley
10-11:50 AM
This training is required for coordinators of service unit or large group camp experiences. Learn encampment director requirements and responsibilities including assessing service unit readiness, planning timelines, safety policies and procedures, girl-led planning, program ideas, and property information. This training must be completed nine months prior to an encampment. Prerequisites: Past participation in one encampment, Brownie Camping or Junior Camping program, and Troop Camping Skills—Tent. Walk-ins will not be allowed at this session; advance sign-up is required.

Gold Award Panel
Liz Deck
10-11:50 AM
Hear from Gold Award Girl Scouts and Gold Award Advisors, learn best practices, get advice for Girl Scouts thinking of pursuing the Gold Award, hear success stories, and get answers to your Gold Award questions. This session does not replace Gold Award Orientation.

Making Girl Scouts Accessible for All: Handling Food Allergies
Ashley Mahanama and Giana DePasquale
10-10:50 AM
Learn about food allergies and how to keep children with food allergies safe, as well as how to plan for the safety and medical needs of children with both diagnosed and undiagnosed food allergies. You will also learn how to incorporate food allergy lessons into activities, and badge or volunteer work.

MEDIC Recertification First Aid and CPR
Workshop presenter to be announced!
10-11:50 AM
This course is for volunteers whose First Aid and CPR certifications are about to expire or have expired within 30 days of the listed session. Recertification is valid for two years. The course fee ($40) includes a take home resource book, keychain CPR mask, and certification card. You must register for this course separately through eBiz; registration includes free entrance to the Volunteer Conference.

Question and Answer with CEO Caitríona Taylor (NEW!)
Get to know GSEMA’s new Chief Executive Officer, Caitriona Taylor with a facilitated chat and an open question and answer session.  Bring your questions and learn about the exciting future of GSEMA!

Take Action: Daisy and Brownie
Workshop presenter to be announced!
10-10:50 AM
Daisy and Brownie troop volunteers will explore what Take Action means and how to implement level-specific Journey Take Action projects, and will gain resources for helping girls plan a successful Journey Take Action project.

Volunteer Resiliency: Self Care and Stress Management
Dr. Kandyce Mutter
10-10:50 AM
Without healthy volunteers, troops can't exist. Learn easy-to-implement tips and strategies to manage stress. You’ll also leave with easy and tangible methods for improving health and wellness.

Session Two: 11 AM

Cookie Program: Start Up Strong
GSEMA Product Program Team
11-11:50 AM
This discussion and Q&A session is ideal for new cookie volunteers with less than one year of experience. Learn how to participate, what materials are required, and how to get cookies. You will also learn cookie lingo, different ways girls can sell, and the important entrepreneurial skills they will develop.

History, Her-story, YOUR Story at Plimoth Plantation (NEW!)
The brave women of our shared past empower and inspire girls of all ages to take risks, innovate, make change, and lead with courage. Join Plimoth Plantation's Education & Outreach staff and discover how learning stories from our nation's shared past can help girls be mindful and engaged community members. Learn about the Museum's immersive and hands-on scout patches, overnight programs, and workshops (suitable for all ages and levels), and try your hand at solving a 400-year-old history mystery. 

Making STEM Easy for Daisies and Brownies
Eileen Koury
11-11:50 AM
Are you looking to engage your Daisy or Brownie level girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)? Try an engineering and/or coding activity that you can take back to your girls, and gain other STEM resources that relate to newly released badge materials. No prior STEM knowledge required.  

Newsworthy: Press and Social Media for Girl Scouts
Michelle Juralewicz
11-11:50 AM
Learn tips and best practices for sharing the news about all that your awesome Girl Scouts are doing and achieving in local newspapers and on social media. You’ll receive concrete deliverables and learn how to find contacts for your local newspaper.

Staying Safe in Girl Scouts: The Basics
Crystal Cruz
11-11:50 AM
Review the ways to ensure safety with your girls including the Girl Scout Activity Form, Safety Activity Checkpoints, Volunteer Essentials, and the volunteer policies and procedures required for troops to go on one- to two-night indoor overnights and camping trips.

Session Three: 1:30 PM

Launch Pad; Making STEM Fun and Accessible for Juniors and Above
Eileen Koury
1:30-2:20 PM
Are you looking to engage your older Girl Scouts (Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors) in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)? Learn ways to include STEM with your troops, even if they might be wary about these subjects. You will try a space science and/or coding activity that you can take back to your girls, and discuss other STEM resources that relate to newly released badge materials. No prior STEM knowledge required.

Making Girl Scouts Accessible for All: Handling Food Allergies
Ashley Mahanama and Giana DePasquale
1:30-2:20 PM
Learn about food allergies and how to keep children with food allergies safe, as well as how to plan for the safety and medical needs of children with both diagnosed and undiagnosed food allergies. You will also learn how to incorporate food allergy lessons into activities, and badge or volunteer work.

MEDIC Blended Learning First Aid and CPR
Workshop presenter to be announced!
1:30-4:20 PM
This First Aid and CPR course is offered in two parts: an online program and a hands-on skills session with an instructor. The online portion must be completed prior to the in-person session, and both portions must be completed for certification. Certification is valid for two years. The course fee ($75) includes a take-home resource book, keychain CPR mask, and certification card. You must register for this course separately through eBiz; registration includes free entrance to the Volunteer Conference.  

Preparing for Extended Trips and Travel
Crystal Cruz
1:30-2:20 PM
Gain insight into planning extended trips of three nights or more, an out-of-state trip, or an adventure abroad. Learn how to do this safely, what the requirements are, what paperwork is necessary, and what laws must be considered.

Smart Cookies: Let's Get Technical
GSEMA Product Program Team
1:30-2:20 PM
This training session and Q&A for Troop Cookie Coordinators and Service Unit Cookie Mentors provides an overview of ABC Smart Cookies, which is the online platform for the cookie program. This session will include a live training session and Smart Cookies demonstration.

Use Social Media in Empowering Ways
Michelle Cove
1:30-2:20 PM
Explore social media’s powerful influence on girls’ well-being, how to shine the spotlight on teen girls using their platforms for good, and envision new ways girls can make social media more empowering and positive.

Volunteer Recognitions Panel
Kim Lambert
1:30-2:20 PM
Recognizing the incredible work of volunteers is so important. The Volunteer Recognition Committee will provide easy and helpful insight into the formal council awards and share other informal ways to show appreciation for the volunteers around you.

Session Four: 2:30 PM

Bronze and Silver Award Panel
Liz Deck
2:30-3:20 PM
Hear about the Bronze and Silver Awards from Junior and Cadette volunteers and GSEMA program staff. Learn best practices for supporting your Girl Scouts as they earn these awards, and get advice on getting started. Visit LEAD Online (gsema.litmos.com) to take Bronze or Silver Award Orientation before this session, which does not replace orientation.

Cookie Program: Returning Volunteers
GSEMA Product Program Team
2:30-3:20 PM
This session will provide returning cookie volunteers with an opportunity to hear about what's new for this year's program from GSEMA staff, and learn best practices from volunteer peer specialists in a discussion panel, which will focus on girl booth sales, online selling, and more.

Gender Identity 101
Andrew Harris and Jessie Pappagianopoulos
2:30-3:20 PM
Gender identity is how an individual personally conceptualizes themselves as a male, female, or sometimes: both, neither, or something else (regardless of the gender they were assigned at birth). Learn foundational information about topics related to gender identity. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. This session is best suited for volunteers who work directly with Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouting Beyond the Troop
Sue Kohlman
2:30-3:20 PM
Discuss ways to stay involved with Girl Scouts if the girls in your troop have graduated or if you are a recent Girl Scout alum. This session will cover opportunities: Service Unit Team Members, GSEMA committees, GSEMA delegates, facilitators, museum volunteers, and more!

Let's Talk About It: Facilitating Positive Discussions with Girls
Ashley Olafsen
2:30-3:20 PM
Learn how to facilitate focused group discussions and practice troubleshooting a variety of small group scenarios. Walk away with concrete tools and strategies for facilitating effective small groups.

Session Five: 3:30 PM

All Behavior is Communication
Jenn O'Rourke and Taylor Levesque
3:30-4:20 PM
It is essential to look for the purpose and meaning behind behavior and "chase the why." Sometimes we assume a child doesn’t want to listen and we focus on consequences. Learn to reframe behavior in terms of skills—what skills may be lagging that the child needs to build? What needs is a child trying to meet? This session is best suited for volunteers who work directly with Girl Scouts.

Discover GSUSA National Convention
Gail Spring
3:30-4:20 PM
G.I.R.L. 2020, Girl Scouts’ national convention, is the world’s largest girl-led event for girls, young women, and everyone who supports them—and it’s coming up fast! All Girl Scouts and troops are invited to attend this historic event in Orlando, Florida, in October 2020, so let’s get planning! Learn event details, the timeline, and the necessary safety forms and preparation.

Every G.I.R.L. Welcome: Multi-Age and Multi-Level Troops Panel
Sarah Leshay
3:30-4:20 PM
How do you work with girls in multiple age levels at once? Learn more about working with a range of ages and levels from several volunteers who have multi-level troops. Discuss best practices for badges and journeys, learn group management ideas, and brainstorm solutions to challenges.

Go for Gold
Liz Deck
3:30-4:20 PM
Do you have a Gold Award project idea? Meet with members of the GSEMA Gold Award Committee for support! You can review Gold Award criteria, discuss important components of the project proposal, and brainstorm project ideas. Please bring project notes, research you have collected, questions you have, and a Gold Award Project Proposal draft if you have one. This session is for Girl Scout Ambassadors who have attended a GSEMA Gold Award Orientation.

Making S'more Memories
Pat Gardner and Paula Ruozzi
3:30-4:20 PM
Take away tips and tricks for conducting a successful campfire, including ways to include girls in the planning and construction. Plus, you’ll be able to teach songs, games, and skits that draw participation and spark camping memories. 

Mindfulness for Girls
Jennifer Lynn
3:30-4:20 PM
Gain a deeper understanding of what mindfulness is, how it can be beneficial in our lives, and specific mind and body exercises that can be used during troop meetings.

Service Unit Success Panel
Eleni Dupuis
3:30-4:20 PM
Join members of thriving service units for a panel on best practices for managing a service unit. Volunteers will share their experiences and advice, and there will be plenty of time for questions.

  

Fun Spot for Daisies and Brownies

While volunteers are at the conference, Daisies and Brownies can spend the day enjoying arts and crafts, games, STEM activities, and more with other Girl Scouts on-site. Girls will also have the opportunity to sample activities from upcoming programs. Register your girl(s) for the Fun Spot ($40 per girl).