July 21 – Safe Guide Transition Guide released - NEW A.5 and the H.1 are posted on the national website. (GGC website, Forms & Clip Art, under Safe Guide) http://forms.girlguides.ca/default.aspx#sg_english

July 28 -Safe Guide 2008 posted on the national website at:
https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C5/Safe%20Guide%202008/default.aspx
The new Safe Guide will come into effect on September 1, however early posting will allow Guiders, Assessors and Trainers time to familiarize themselves with the document before the date of implementation. Until then, Guiders are still expected to follow Safe Guide 2004 to support their activity planning.

August 1st – E-store website updated with brand new look! Check it out at:
http://www.thegirlguidestore.ca/

Late August – All Unit Contact Guiders will be mailed a package including key dates, girl registration forms, training information and lots more to help you prepare for the fall.

August 18 OR August 24 - Ranger Guider Conference Calls at 8pm
Learning & Development will be running two (2) conference calls for leaders that have any questions about the new program and/or the information outlined in the transition guide. Ontario Council has forwarded the new program book to all registered Ranger Guiders (if you have not received your book contact your UA). The transition guide can be found at https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C7/Girl-Program-Updates/default.aspx.

The conference calls will take place on Monday August 18th and Sunday August 24th at 8:00pm. Register via e-mail to event.coord2@guidesontario.org. Space is limited on these calls, so register early to avoid disappointment.

September 1 – Safe Guide 2008 version in effect. Use the new forms and ensure each girl has submitted the new Parent Consent Form – New A.5. http://forms.girlguides.ca/appregrec/A5.doc

September 12 - Submission deadline for “Design the WAGGGS Our World, Our Climate, Our Food Youth Education project”.
For more information click here http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/drawing%20contest..pdf

September 13 - Open Houses for new adult volunteers
Click here for more locations and information.

September 13-21, 2008 National Registration Week – For information on September Registration Events in Ontario click here– Link to our Events page where all the registration events are posted http://www.guidesontario.org/events/ontarioevents_table.htm#S
Let us know about your upcoming registration events and we will be happy to post them in the website listing. Contact the provincial Local Event Coordinator at event.coord@guidesontario.org.
Click here for information about planning registration events.

September 19 - Provincial Annual 2008 – A Difference of One: Inspire, Inform, Involve! Final delegate registration deadline. Apply now! New Members welcome!
November 21-23, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Select Toronto Airport
To view brochure, click:
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/provincial_annual_2008.pdf
To view registration form, click:
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/prov_annual_reg.pdf

September 20 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of Ontario Council
Doe Lake Camp, Sprucedale ON
Click here to view flyer.

September 16 to 20 - International Plowing Match, Teeswater, ON
Click here to view details.

October 2 to 5 – Markham Fair
Click here to view details.

October 19 – Provincial Recognition Ceremony, Ottawa
Click here to view details.

October 2008 – Everything’s Gone Green – Photo Contest deadline
For information on this national contest click here www.girlguides.ca/green

October 2008 - Dominica Adopt-A-Unit
Monthly packages to Dominica will continue again in October 2008. To see what items have already been mailed to the Units in Dominica, a supply list is posted on the Provincial website at http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/Supply%20List.doc
and is updated each month as packages are mailed.

For detailed information on the following, please view the "International" and "Twinning" pages of the Provincial website: http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/international.htm and http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/twinning.htm

November 3 - Sponsored trip deadline for application submission to Ontario Guide House. To view fact sheet, click; http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/international.htm

November 16 – Provincial Recognition Ceremony, Kitchener-Waterloo
Click here to view details.

December 31, 2008 - Unit/Guild banking converted to Centralized Banking System
Don’t wait until the last minute to move your unit or guild to the centralized banking system. Until the end of August the format for
training will remain as is. Check the events calendar for a listing of trainings. http://www.guidesontario.org/events/ontarioevents_table.htm#K
Coming in mid-August is a self-guided training manual which will be used by Unit or Guild Treasurers to facilitate training on new web-form banking. Ontario Council will provide this document to you in August. Please check with your Contact Guider for this information.

Over the past year, National staff and volunteers have worked diligently to develop a new Safe Guide. Safe Guide 2008 comes into effect September 1, 2008. It is being distributed on a CD-Rom in the fall issue of Canadian Guider. The new Safe Guide will
also be available on MemberZone as of July 28, 2008 at: https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C5/Safe%20Guide%202008/default.aspx

This new Safe Guide categorizes activities into three levels: Green, Yellow or Red. National has already posted a Transition Guide (https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C5/Safe%20Guide%202008/
Document%20Library/Safe_Guide_Transition_Guide.pdf) (524KB) to provide Members with an overview of the new streamlined Safe Guide procedures, including the new activity assessment process and a summary of the revised forms and procedures.

All activities submitted on old forms before September 1, 2008, will be accepted. Guiders will not need to re-do the forms.

After September 1, 2008, activities should be submitted on new forms.

Assessors who receive forms for activities that no longer require authorization will get in touch with the Guider to confirm that she has the new Parent/Guardian Consent form signed for girls in the Unit so that the activity can go ahead. If not, the Guider will need to have the new Parent/Guardian Consent signed before the activity can proceed.

We encourage all Members to review the new Safe Guide 2008 online in the MemberZone or on their CD-Rom during the month of August so that you are familiar with the new procedures and changes prior to the beginning of the new Guiding year.

Ontario’s various Safe Guide Assessment teams are made up of dedicated volunteers. Together they have assessed more than 5,000 GGC-Ontario activities in the past 10 months! Ontario Council wishes to thank these busy volunteers for the time, commitment and dedication to this process.

Lori Prospero, Volunteer Provincial Safe Guide Coordinator, is currently working with her teams to finalize the assessment process to be used under the new Safe Guide starting in September. If you have questions on the Safe Guide process in Ontario you can email Lori at sgacoordinator@guidesontario.org

Forms for Yellow and Red activities should come to an Assessor through the provincial office by emailing safeguide@guidesontario.org or faxing your forms to 416-920-1440 ATTN. Safe Guide. Stay tuned for revised procedures which you can use to update your Procedures Manual.

Over the past several months, Safe Guide Assessors have shared common questions and misconceptions. As a result, please review the following reminders to help make our assessment process more efficient and less time consuming for you.
• Our Program Administrative Assistant, Marika Hill, monitors the safeguide@guidesontario.org e-mail address and is a great support to all Members and our Safe Guide Assessment teams. However, please note that she is not an assessor and therefore must forward your paperwork and any questions to a member of our team for response.
• Safe Guide Assessors do not have access to iMIS and therefore cannot look up qualifications in iMIS. If requested please forward hard copies of qualifications.
• In some cases, the Safe Guide Assessor will contact you by e-mail or phone to request clarification or additional information. Please follow up with her as soon as possible so that she can complete the assessment of your activity.
• After you submit your activity for review please contact: safeguide@guidesontario.org if you have not heard back from an assessor within one week of your submission. Don’t wait until the day before to confirm whether or not your forms were received.
• If you have not received authorization for your activity at least three days prior to your activity date, please contact safeguide@guidesontario.org to request a status update.
• If taking a first aid course or recertifying your qualification, please review the Safe Guide to ensure that you are taking the correct type of first aid training. Some activities require or recommend Emergency First Aid; others require or recommend Standard First Aid training.
• If you have received notice that your police records check (PRC) has expired please submit a new one as soon as possible. Your Unit Administrator can help you with this! You must have a current PRC to participate in Guiding activities.
• Please confirm with Non-Member volunteers that they have submitted a current PRC. The Non-Member needs to complete an A.7, be recorded in iMIS by the Unit Administrator and complete and submit a PRC. Your UA can help you with this process

Looking for a great, economical way to end the summer? How about Family Camp for the whole family including the guys at Doe Lake Camp or Camp Wyoka? Click below for further information:

Camp Wyoka: http://www.guidesontario.org/camping/camps/wyoka_final.pdf
(Family Camp is August 24-30).

Doe Lake Camp: http://www.guidesontario.org/camping/camps/doelake_final.pdf
(Family Camp is August 24-27).

Provincial Recognition Ceremonies
Recognition of the accomplishments of both girl and adult Members has always been very important within Guiding. We know that Guiders have had many special ways to celebrate their achievements. This may be a special evening at a Pathfinder meeting; a special event that includes an advancement ceremony for all of the units in a town plus the presentation of Canada Cord pins and leader recognition awards; a gathering of all the Pathfinder and Senior Branches Award recipients within a city; the variety is unlimited! We encourage you to continue with these special local events at which pins are presented, as well as perhaps certificates from your local mayor or MPP.

We now have established a plan for Provincial Recognition Ceremonies, as well. Why? In addition to the local celebrations, we feel that these events will acknowledge the importance of what our Members have achieved throughout Ontario and highlight their accomplishments within their communities.

During every Guiding year, we are planning to hold up to 5 provincial ceremonies for recognition of both girl and Guider achievements. Locations will be chosen across the province and will change from year to year.

The Recognition Ceremonies Task Group (Membership Support) is pleased to announce the next two provincial awards ceremonies, now scheduled for the fall of 2008:

Ottawa – Sunday October 19th
Kitchener-Waterloo – Sunday November 16th

If you live in the Ottawa or Kitchener-Waterloo areas and you are interested in working with the local organizers of these events, contact the Task Group Chair, Jenn Wallage, at mrswookiee@gmail.com.

Invitations will be sent directly to new recipients of the Canada Cord, Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award, and Commonwealth Award - and to their Contact Guider. (Check out the information below about the new award tracking in iMIS!)

Please ensure that RSVPs are sent back by the deadlines noted, in order to avoid disappointment.

At the ceremony, the girl recipients will be presented with their Canada Cord certificate, Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award certificate and/or Commonwealth Award certificate, as well as letters from the Premier’s and Lieutenant Governor’s offices. The award pins should be presented by the unit prior to the provincial ceremony and girls should wear their pins to the ceremony. Each girl will be invited to bring guests to the ceremony. (The number of guests will be determined by the size of the venue)

Names of Guiders eligible for provincial recognition* will be pulled from iMIS automatically. As with the girls, the Guider’s award pins should be presented at local ceremonies prior to the provincial event. Certificates will be presented at the provincial ceremony.
* (Merit Awards, Medal of Merit, Ontario Award, Beaver Award, Gold Maple Leaf Award, Honorary Life Award, Fortitude Award, Valour Award.)

The intention of these large events is to rotate them through the province, year after year, and provide Members with a memorable recognition experience. Our plan is to have a rolling list of venues so that girls and Guiders will always have 4-5 events to choose from. They may choose an event close to home or perhaps one in the university community or another place where they are currently living.

Locations for 2009 events will be announced as soon as possible.

Tracking girl awards in iMIS
Girl awards are entered into their iMIS profiles, just as they are for adults.
A brand new feature in iMIS now tracks Ranger (previously Senior Branches) awards in a way that will allow us to send invitations to award ceremonies directly to the girl as soon as her award has been entered. The invitations will be sent on a monthly basis from the Membership department beginning in the fall.
The awards that can be entered include:
• Canada Cord*
• Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award*
• Commonwealth Award*
• Gold Thanks Pin
• Valour and Fortitude Awards
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award - Bronze/Silver/Gold
*Note: Award certificates will be presented at provincial recognition ceremonies for Canada Cord, Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award, and Commonwealth Award.

As girls complete any of the above awards, Guiders are asked to forward the girl’s name, iMIS number, name of the award and date of completion of the award to your Unit Administrator for entry into iMIS.

September 13 - Girl Guide Open Houses – Adult Recruitment Day
from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, at:
• Hamilton Guide House, 360 Queenston Road (at Parkdale S)
• Kingston Guide House, 216 Mowat Avenue (at King St W)
• London Guide House, 4096 Meadowbrook Drive, #104 (Exeter & Wharncliffe Rd S)
• Mississauga Guide House, 1563 Dundas Street West (east of Mississauga Rd)
• Newmarket Guide House, 38 Parkside Dr, #9 (Davis Dr & Yonge St)
• Oshawa Guide House, 121 Simcoe Street South (south of King W)
• Ottawa Guide House, 453 Parkdale Avenue (south of Wellington)
• Sudbury, St. Stephen’s On the Hill Church, 1248 Lauzon Street
• Toronto – Ontario Guide House, 14 Birch Avenue (Yonge & Summerhill)
• Windsor Guide House, 5760 Malden Rd, LaSalle

In September we will be hosting our second day of 2008 Open Houses in Ontario. Our goal is to increase our adult membership and support those who have already started the application process. Potential Members can drop in and find out what Guiding is all about, what it means to be a leader, and what we have to offer. Guiders will be on hand to answer questions and to help women complete the adult screening process.

Click here to print flyer for distribution - http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/enews/online_may/openhouse1.gif.

Volunteer for the day! If you are interested in supporting this membership initiative, please contact: membershipdev.adviser@guidesontario.org or call 416-486-8721 Ext. 2472.

Help with Tradeshows Needed!
September 16 to 20 - International Plowing Match, Teeswater, ON
This year, the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo will be hosted in Teeswater. This event moves around the province from year to year and offers a wonderful opportunity for Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council to showcase our talents. The Membership team is in need of local expertise and assistance at this event:
   • Be part of a team to staff the GGC booth,
   • There are many shifts to cover…the more the merrier!
   • Free admission for the day - enjoy the match and/or crafts and displays before and after your shift.

If you live, work, or vacation in this area and are willing and able to help out, please contact the Membership Development Adviser at membershipdev.adviser@guidesontario.org.

October 2 to 5 – Markham Fair, Markham, ON
Markham Fair is one of Canada oldest country fairs! Since 1844 the fair has been providing the community with a showcase for talents and products in a friendly competitive spirit. We are looking forward to joining in the fun!

This fair is held annually on the weekend before Thanksgiving, and hosts upwards of 60,000 attendees.

A local organizing team is already hard at work and they would welcome your participation. If you are in the region and would like to help out, please contact the Membership Development Adviser at membershipdev.adviser@guidesontario.org.

MEMBERSHIP PINS
The Membership team is making preparations to distribute membership pins in the fall. Before we send them out, we want to make sure that we have the correct information for each of you in your iMIS database profile. You can check this yourself and update your profile directly in the GGC website. Click here for instructions.

Signing Documents on Behalf of GGCON
A reminder that any contract, agreement or permit required for space use must be forwarded to the provincial User Space Coordinator for signature. The User Space Coordinator is the only person with signing authority for these documents. Click the link for further details of this procedure: https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C12/Ontario/ProceduresManual/Unit%20Guider%20-%20Membership/User%20space%20agreements%20contracts%20for%20onetime%20use%20signature.pdf

User Space Coordinator
Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council
303 – 250 Merton Street, Toronto, ON
e-mail: userspace.coord@guidesontario.org
Tel: 1-877-323-4545 ext. 2473
Fax: 416-920-1440

review and update my adult member profile?
We know that things change and it’s always a challenge to keep track of everyone we need to inform. Whether you’ve moved or changed your cell phone number, we want to make sure that we can keep in touch.

Please update your profile by September 19, 2008, and remember to update your youth years so that your receive the correct membership pin!

To update your youth years, and other information in your profile, click on the link and follow the steps below: https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/eSeries/default.aspx
Step 1: Sign in to Member Zone.
Step 2: On the top menu bar, click on “Discussion Board, Profile & Unit Roster”
Step 3: Click on “more info” at the top right of the note paper
Step 4: Click on the “Demographics” link
You’re in!
Step 5: If your youth years are not included, or are not correct, highlight the number and
change it to the correct number of years.
Step 6: Click “update”
Step 7: A window box will appear saying, “Demographics Inserted Successfully”
Step 8: Click OK
You’ve done it!
Step 9: Have another look at your profile to make sure that everything else is current and correct. If so, that’s all there is to it. If not:
Step 10: Click “edit” and make your revisions. Go back to Step 6.
(If you don’t see the information you’re looking for, click “more info” again and look in the “Member demo 1” link).

If you don’t have access to the internet, we can update your profile for you. Please let us know:
Unit Guiders - contact your Unit Administrator at unitadmin.
(enter Admin Community Number)@guidesontario.org. (e.g., unitadmin.1@guidesontario.org).
Trefoil Guild Members – contact the Adult Administrative Assistant at
adult.admin@guidesontario.org or call 416-920-6666 Ext. 2488.
Link Members - contact the Adult Administrative Assistant at
adult.admin@guidesontario.org or call 416-920-6666 Ext. 2488.
Members-at-Large – contact the Membership Administrative Assistant at
membership.admin@guidesontario.org or call 416-486-8721 Ext. 2474.
Other Members – contact the Membership Administrative Assistant
at membership.admin@guidesontario.org or call 416-486-8721 Ext. 2474.

add girl membership years to my iMIS record?
See instructions above.

get a crest or item with a GGC logo on it approved?
Ontario has a new form to complete should you be considering producing a crest or patch
including the name or symbol of GGC.
Click on this to find out the new process: http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/crest%20approval%20process.pdf
Click here to download the form to complete and forward:
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/crest%20approval%20application.pdf

get my fundraising idea approved?
For information on the Fundraising Process, click here:
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/Fundraising%20Procedure.pdf
For the NEW Fundraising Application, click here:
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/Fundraising_Approval_Application.pdf

ensure that girl awards are tracked in iMIS?
As girls complete awards, Guiders are asked to forward the girl’s name, iMIS number, name of the award and date of completion of the award to your Unit Administrator for entry into iMIS.

The awards that can be entered include:
• Canada Cord*
• Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award*
• Commonwealth Award*
• Gold Thanks Pin
• Valour and Fortitude Awards
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award - Bronze/Silver/Gold
*Note: Award certificates will be presented at provincial recognition ceremonies for Canada Cord, Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award, and Commonwealth Award.
See the information above regarding provincial recognition ceremonies.

lead trips to Canadian and/or international destinations?
If you are a Guider willing to travel in 2009 with girls outside of your own Unit, to lead trips to Canadian
and/or international destinations and want to find out how to get started and what kind of planning assistance
you will receive from the Provincial Office, please contact the International Coordinator at
international.coord@guidesontario.org or call 416-920-6666 Ext. 2484.

obtain financial training?
Currently you can consult the listing of trainings at http://www.guidesontario.org/events/ontarioevents_table.htm#K.
Later in August, Ontario Unit Treasurers will be able to work on a web-based training module and a reference manual, Keeping the Books, will be mailed to every Contact Guider in Ontario (along with other information).

obtain a subsidy for First Aid Training?
Standard First Aid Subsidy program for Guiders!
Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council is pleased to have expanded our long-time association with the Canadian Red Cross recently to include them as our provider of choice for first aid training. This agreement provides GGC - Ontario with excellent rates at Canadian Red Cross branch offices for Standard First Aid courses and recertification in Standard First Aid. In the past we have successfully partnered with the Canadian Red Cross for our Emergency Preparedness Challenge and we look forward both, to working together in the provision of first aid training as well as some additional future opportunities for both the girls and adult members.

Generally the process for Ontario Council providing subsidies for First Aid Training will remain the same.

Registration Process for First Aid training – http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/learningdevelopment.htm

Standard First Aid Subsidy Application form http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/Standard%20First%20Aid%20and%20
Standard%20First%20Aid%20Recertification%20Subsidy%20Request.pdf

submit an article for the new ONLine?
Are you sending in a submission for either ONLine or the Provincial website?
Please keep the following in mind:
1. Send all photos separately – do not embed them in the document.
2. Send content in Microsoft Word format only. No track changes.
3. Ensure that your submission is the final, edited and proofed version and adhering to all Style Guide parameters.
4. Do not place date/time stamps on photos.
5. Confirm that all girls and adults appearing in photos have signed IR1 forms.
6. Specify what your submission is for: ONLine or the website.
7. Please keep sending us photos of Guiders and girls doing fun and wonderful things along with a short description.

get involved with the Lones program?
Lones – a great membership option for today’s girl or woman!
Did you know there are Lones in all branches of Guiding? These girls have chosen this option as they cannot attend regular meetings, but wish to continue their involvement in Girl Guides. The majority of their program is done through correspondence. Many Lones are "adopted" by a Unit so they are invited to take part in special activities or camps. Even something as small as a Thinking Day card would give the Lone a feeling of belonging to a larger organization...

Our Lone Guiders may not be associated with any other Unit in Guiding but their own Lone Unit and would appreciate being “adopted” by the Community in which they reside. This would give our Lone Guiders the opportunity to join in camps, training, sisterhood and special events. These women have a wealth of information in craft and program ideas, and can act as excellent resources.

Lones are looking for Units to adopt them so they're able to participate on hikes, camping, special events and selling cookies. To adopt a Lone or for more information on becoming a Lone Guider, contact program.coord@guidesontario.org or call 416-920-6666 Ext. 2485.

get help planning my registration events?
Let us know where your events are happening and we will post them in the provincial events listing on the GGCON website!
http://www.guidesontario.org/events/ontarioevents_table.htm#S

We know you have great ideas for your local events. Please share them with the Membership Development team, as well as your ACL. The best plan for your Community may be a centralized event or a number of smaller events based on your Community’s identified need.

Membership Development wants to provide support for your events and there is some funding available. Please include the following information in your application:
   • Contact for the event – Guider name, phone number and e-mail
   • Date and time of the event
   • Administrative Community and location of event
   • How many units are participating – please include the names of the units
   • Is this event only for registration, or combined with another activity?

To apply for support for registration events, contact the Membership Development Coordinator at
membershipdev.coord@guidesontario.org or call 416-486-8721 Ext. 2472.

advertise for fall registration?
In addition to supporting your registration events, there is also some funding available for advertising registration.
Please include the following in your application:
   • Will this be a published ad, or a flyer for distribution?
   • Provide as much detail as possible regarding the actual ad or flyer, i.e. size of ad, focus on girl/adult/both, date to be published, approx. cost, existing artwork
   • Will the publication create the ad or do they require that you submit camera-ready copy?
   • Artwork must be pre-approved for funding to apply, therefore, please allow enough time for your submission to be reviewed by the provincial Membership Development team.

To apply for advertising support, please contact the Membership Development Coordinator at
membershipdev.coord@guidesontario.org or call 416-486-8721 Ext. 2472.

dispose of my cork (Bag-a-Cork)?
June 30, 2008 was the date that GGC, Ontario Council withdrew from participating in this program. We are no longer involved in the collecting, sorting or shipping of cork bottle stoppers for recycling. Ontario Girl Guide’s participation in this program over the last three years helped prevent more than eight tons of cork bottle stoppers from landing in Ontario’s landfill sites and many girl environmentally-focused service projects were funded from the sale of the cork. You can learn about these initiatives at http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/environment.htm
Cork is biodegradable and you can include this in most municipalities’ garden waste collection bags (check with your municipality to ensure this applies where you reside).

It’s not too late to apply! To view a complete listing of ALL Guiding events,
please go to the Events page of our website at: http://www.guidesontario.org/events/ontarioevents_table.htm

CHECK FREQUENTLY AS THE LISTINGS CHANGE!

Catch the Laughter Camp (for Guides)
September 19 - 21, 2008
Camp Wyoka
Clifford, Ontario

41st Annual International River Crossing
September 27, 2008
Cundick Park
Sombra, Ontario

Just Between Friends Camp (for Pathfinders)
September 26 - 28, 2008
Camp Wyoka
Clifford, Ontario

GUIDING ROARRS …with the Hamilton Tiger Cats
October 4-5, 2008
Ivor Wynne Stadium
Hamilton, Ontario

Great Wolf Lodge Getaway
January 17 & 18, 2009
Niagara Falls, Ontario


Special Cookie selling opportunities!
TTC Cookie Blitz – Toronto (various stations)
Thursday, October 23 (4-7pm)
Saturday, October 25 (9am-5pm)
http://www.guidesontario.org/events/ontarioevents_table.htm#A

Cookies on the GO!
Several GO train stations
Friday, October 24
http://www.guidesontario.org/events/ontarioevents_table.htm#A

Marg Treloar did and we are so pleased to congratulate Margaret Treloar of Cobourg,
Ontario on her election as Chairman of the World Board of WAGGGS. Marg has been
a Guider for more than 25 years. In Ontario and Canada, Marg has played key roles with
cookies and membership. In 2005, Marg was elected to the World Board. To find out more
about Marg, check out the Provincial Annual brochure! http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/provincial_annual_2008.pdf

YOU can make a difference in Ontario by volunteering for one of the
positions posted on the website and listed below!
Volunteer Application Form: http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/
employment/provincial%20adviser_application.doc
Volunteer Positions:
http://www.guidesontario.org/about/provincialopportunities.htm

Provincial Recognition Ceremonies Task Group Member
Work with the Provincial Membership Support Adviser and the Task Group Chair to identify appropriate locations in Ontario to hold ceremonies to present awards to girls and Guiders – consideration of larger populated centres may provide opportunities for venue selection and convenience for attendance.

Local help needed with Provincial Recognition Ceremonies
The Recognition Ceremonies Task Group (Membership Support) is pleased to announce the next two provincial awards ceremonies, now scheduled for the fall of 2008: Ottawa – Sunday October 19, 2008 and Kitchener-Waterloo – Sunday November 16, 2008.

If you live in the Ottawa or Kitchener-Waterloo areas and you
are interested in working with the local organizers of these events,
contact the Task Group Chair, Jenn Wallage, at mrswookiee@gmail.com.

Help with Tradeshows Needed!
September 16 to 20 - International Plowing Match, Teeswater, ON
October 2 to 5 – Markham Fair, Markham, ON
Local organizing teams are hard at work, but would welcome your
participation. If you would like to help out, please contact the Membership Development Adviser at membershipdev.adviser@guidesontario.org.

To apply for any of the following Task Group positions, please complete
the ‘Application for Provincial Volunteer Positions’ which can be downloaded from our website: http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/forms.htm.

International Showcases 2009 Task Group Chair
The International Task Group Chair will be required to form a committee
to plan an International Day to be held in fall 2009. The Task Group Chair will be
responsible for organizing activities and content for 5 International
Showcase events which will take place on the same day across the province.
The Showcases will target Guide age girls and educate them about what
International Guiding is all about and include displays by previous travelers.
This task group will start January 2009.

Ontario Guide Adventure 2011 Task Group Chair
The International section is seeking two Task Group Chairs to form a
committee to plan an International focused event to be held in Ontario
that will promote International education and awareness with our younger
Members. One task group will organize an event for Guide age girls and the
second task group will organize an event for Pathfinder age girls. These
task groups will start Fall 2009.

For more information about the above Task Group Chair positions, contact International.coord@guidesontario.org or call 416-920-6666 Ext. 2485.

Watershed CSI Challenge Development Task Group
Enthusiastic Guiders with a passion for protecting our water are needed
to create this fun, hands-on challenge.
   • We are looking for Guiders with knowledge of watersheds and water systems.
   • We need Guiders who have a strong knowledge of girl programs
     (representatives from all levels)
   • Guiders should have a girl-centered, hands-on approach to programming!
   • Creativity welcome
   • Familiarity with water protection agencies an asset (although not required)
For more information, please contact the environment adviser at environment.adviser@guidesontario.org

Go Green Girl Challenge Development Task Group
We are looking for creative and environmentally passionate Guiders to
develop this challenge which will encourage all girl and adult members to
become more environmentally friendly within our Guiding units and events.
   • Need Guiders who have a strong knowledge of girl programs (all branches)
   • Need adult Guiding member(s) to represent the needs and interests of
     Trefoil Guild and Link
   • Must have a strong interest in/solid knowledge of environment and conservation issues and be willing to look at creative ways to apply this to our programs.
   • Volunteers should have a girl-centered and hands-on approach to programming.
For more information, please contact the environment adviser at environment.adviser@guidesontario.org

Resource Guiders - ONGOING
Have you got a skill that you would like to share with the girls? Why not
become a Resource Guider? Just check out the Ontario website to see how to
become one for this upcoming Guiding year. http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/programoffer.doc and send your submission
form to program.coord@guidesontario.org or call 416-920-6666 Ext. 2485.

Local Specialty Community Leaders Wanted…
Are you interested in traveling internationally or interprovincially with girls
from across the province but need help with the planning and organizing
of a trip? Why not lead a Local Specialty Community – travel group!!! You
can decide on your own destination or choose from a list of suggestions!

If you are a Guider willing to travel in 2009 with girls outside of your own
Unit to lead trips to Canadian and/or international destinations and want
to find out how to get started and what kind of planning assistance you
will receive from the Provincial Office, please contact the International
Coordinator at international.coord@guidesontario.org or call
416-920-6666 Ext. 2484.

We look forward to helping you in any way we can to plan your adventure!

Program is listening!
We listened to your comments on a recent survey and we want to thank you for letting us know you really would like program ideas to be easily accessible on the website. We are in the process of providing more Bright Ideas http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/brightideas.htm (submitted by Guiders) and other resources that we are updating. Please keep looking under For Our Members at www.guidesontario.org! If you would like to submit an idea, or have a comment on resources that you would like to see, please send an e-mail to program.coord@guidesontairo.org or call 416-920-6666 Ext. 2485.

Community Resource (external program activities) listing http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/communityresources.htm
Consult our website for the ever-changing list of Community Resources available to help you make program options even more exciting for girls!

Planning for the year?
If you’re looking for an environmental service project for this year, here are some things to consider:
• Is there a “green space” near your meeting spot your Unit could adopt? If you already visit an outdoor spot throughout the year, have a little chase while you’re there to help keep it beautiful. Many branches have program requirements encouraging you to visit a natural spot over several seasons, make a difference while you accomplish these!
• Join a local recycling project. Team up with a local business, food bank or charity to help out with battery collection, printer cartridge collection, or even used clothing collection. See what’s available in your area.
• Have you considered participating in Yellow Fish Road? http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/environment.htm Your girls can spread the message about protecting storm drains from pollutants by painting yellow fish next to them and delivering educational flyers to homes in your neighbourhood. Spring is the ideal time to participate in this project, but don’t wait that long to register. By registering in advance, you’ll be able to collect supplies well in advance and will be able to get permission from your municipality in time. Check out www.yellowfishroad.org for more info.
• Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup!
September 20 - 28, 2008 - click here to view flyer.
Join thousands of Canadians as they clean up rivers, lakes, streams, and ocean shorelines during the 2008 TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
• Check out your municipality’s website. Find out if your region has a clean-up day, planting or beautification projects, or light bulb/Christmas light exchange they need volunteers for.
• Plant some trees! Keep your eyes on the Girl Guides of Canada website for details on the grants available.
• Contact your local Conservation Authority, National Park or Provincial Park to see if they’ve got any projects you can help with. Projects vary by region; your girls might be able to spread woodchips on trails, count turtles or birds, or assist in other ways. This link from our website directs you to Community Resources and features some information on conservation areas that work with the Girl Guide program http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/commUnityresources.htm

Get your Unit running green!

Think green when you’re organizing your Unit for the year. Here are a few tips that many Guiders already have in place. Give them a try:

   • Ask parents if they could to receive an e-newsletter from your Unit instead of a paper copy.
   • Double-side your permission forms and other paperwork.
   • Encourage girls to bring snacks in reusable containers rather than disposable ones.
   • Hold a uniform swap or sale at the beginning of the year for parents. If you prefer to do this online, know the branch, size and price.
   • Sew supply storage bags – Instead of buying big plastic container, you can have the girls (or parent volunteers) sew bags from old shirts or donated fabric. Many parents have scraps from leftover projects around the house that they’re usually willing to donate.
   • More storage ideas – try those plastic salad tubs, or cardboard boxes (cookie cases are a great size for this). Coffee tins with lids are great for storage of crayons and markers; check your recycle bin for more items you can reuse.
   • Encourage your girls to bring in reusable cups and plates to use for snack time.
   • Make little notebooks using the backs of one-sided copy paper. Chop them to a nice size and staple on wallpaper covers to fancy them up. You can usually get last season’s wallpaper books for free from décor stores or interior decorators if you ask nicely.

Ranger Guiders!
New Ranger Books
At the end of June Ontario Council mailed the new Ranger program book to all Guiders that were returning to a Ranger (Senior Branches) Unit this fall. If you haven’t received your new Ranger program book from Ontario Council, contact your Unit Administrator and she will make sure that you receive one.

Great idea for your Ranger Weekend!
Are you are planning your program for the upcoming year and assisting your Rangers with their Ranger Weekend? Think about doing an Emergency Preparedness Day for your Community or Units in your Community. What a great way to do a program project and to assist other Units to obtain their challenge crests. Information can be found at http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/emo.htm or if you wish a booklet, contact the Program Coordinator at program.coord@guidesontario.org or call 416-920-6666 Ext. 2485

Program idea of the month – Macramé Key Chain
Submitted by Danielle Slade of the 1 Ameliasburgh Brownies
Click here to view project idea!

Ideas with an International focus…Dominica Twinning
We are entering the final Guiding year of the Dominica Adopt-a-Unit project. Monthly packages will continue to be sent until October 2008. To see what items have already been mailed to the Units in Dominica, see the supply list posted on our website. It is updated each month as packages are mailed.

During the 2008/2009 Guiding year, Members and Units in Ontario are encouraged to continue to participate in this Twinning Project. Check the schedule below for your Community’s adoption month. Please send your Unit’s items for the project to your Community office by the 5th of the month.

More information about the Dominica Adopt-a-Unit Program is located on our website at http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/twinning.htm.

Fun idea for Camp! 
Click here to view article.
Submitted by Danielle Slade of the 1st Ameliasburgh Brownies

Plan ahead! November is Sparks Ablaze month! When planning your program for the coming year, don’t forget about the month of November, Fire Safety Month. What a great time to do the Sparks Ablaze meetings and visit your local Fire Station. The Office of the Fire Marshall is glad to extend this invitation to support their portion of the meetings. So cross off the month of November as done, and don’t forget to send us an e-mail after you have completed the activities to receive your Sparks Ablaze tattoos! For more detailed information on Sparks Ablaze Click here http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/sparksablaze.htm Program ideas from Girl Guides of Canada, National Council. https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C9/IdeaZone/default.aspx

Great Experience of a Lifetime….
By Jazmine Bouwmeester, 15, member of the 3rd Whitby Pathfinders/Sr. Branches and the Girl Advisory Forum
I have been in Guiding for 10 years. In that time I have had many great experiences, including weeks at Camp Adelaide, making friends, camping with my units and this year finally helping to run some camps for younger girls. But above all these experiences is one that I know I will always remember. This summer I went with a group of 10 Guiding Members (three leaders, seven girls and one leader’s husband) on a tour of China. While we were there we visited 4 of the major cities.

First there was Beijing, where we went to the beautiful summer palace where the emperor lived in the summer. We went to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and had a traditional Peking duck dinner. The next highlight was the Great Wall. The view was amazing! It was really hot but we still went as high as we possibly could and felt great about it. At night most of us went shopping at a market, which we really enjoyed. We learned the art of bartering!

The next day the group flew to Xi’an. When we got there we went to the city wall and most went for a Chinese massage. The next day we visited the Terracotta Warriors. A long time ago one of the emperors had life-size models made of the warriors who protected him. They were all destroyed by angry townspeople later and now they are being excavated and pieced together each night and it’s open to the public every day.

After that we flew to Shanghai. The highlight there was the visit to a seniors’ centre and then we got to visit a local family and ask them any questions that we had. The next day we went to a Jade Buddha Temple, which was really neat. The highlight was the Acrobatic show after dinner. It was very cool.

The next day we flew to Hong Kong. We went up a mountain at night and saw a light show on the buildings from the top, then took a cable car down. We later went shopping at a night time market. On the following day, our last, we got to go to the local jewellery factory and also went out on a boat to see where all of the local fishermen live. The government is forcing them to leave, so if you go in a few years you may not see these people there anymore.
If you are considering going on an international trip, I highly recommend it. You get closer to those that you already know and meet others. You also get the experience of a lifetime!

Great Helping Hands while traveling
Read about a “good deed!”
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/good%20deed.pdf

Great Spirit for charity
Nicole Burns from the 29th Brantford Guides Unit has been asking since last summer to donate her hair to Angel Hair for Kids in Mississauga. Recently Nicole was able to donate 15 and a half inches of hair! Her principal at school was also so proud that he cut her ponytail himself during their year end assembly! Click here to view picture.

Raeann Friesen also wanted to have her hair cut for Angel Hair for a while. When she decided to go ahead, she talked to her mother about her Guide Leader, Laura and her hair, and decided to challenge her leader to cut her hair with her. They decided to do it in uniform as a member of Guiding. When Laura was asked what had finally made up her mind she said, "How could I not follow such a good example from a young lady?"

In this picture are: Click here to view picture.
Laura Schell (Guide Leader – 1st Walden Guides)
Wendy Bell (Walden hair Care Plus)
Raeann Friesen (Girl Guide – 1st Walden Guides)

Angel Hair will provide wigs free of charge!

Great Leaders Today!
The selections have been completed for the Take Action Academy! organized by “Leaders Today.” Congratulations to Ontario girls:

Robyn Skelly, 13, Toronto, ON
Amy Derochie, 17, Cornwall, ON

As part of their application process, these girls have committed to developing social change projects with support from National. This pilot will provide us with information of leadership development (specific to advocacy and community action) education for youth. More information on this program can be found on the following website http://www.leaderstoday.com/academy/toronto.php

National Council has completed the selections for the Leaders Today Ecuador event, taking place in August 2008. Congratulations to Noreen Khimji, of Toronto, ON. Noreen is 1 of 3 girls from Canada representing Girl Guides of Canada for this international service project.

WHERE in the WORLD are our members TRAVELING?
During the summer months, the following groups submitted an IT.2-Intent to Travel and approval has been granted to move forward in their trip planning process:

For a more detailed list of where our members are traveling, log in to MemberZone on the National Website: www.girlguides.ca, under the Ontario section.

Congratulations to Tawne Joskow-Marks of the 2nd Manvers Sparks - the winner of June's ONLine "Found It!" contest.
For the July/August contest, find the mystery link word “Ontario” somewhere within this ONLine document. When you find this hyperlink, click on it and send us an e-mail in the window that opens with the subject: Found It! We will choose one winner randomly for a $25 credit for our Online Guide Store or one of our two Ontario Guide Store locations. Good luck! The July/August winner will be announced in the September ONLine.

Community Chatter and Trefoil Tidbits will now be featured on the Provincial website rather than ONLine. Each month this will be updated to showcase that month’s “community news.” You can find this on the “News and Publications” section of the Provincial website - http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/newspublications.htm

Join the LINK national e-Group!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/national_link/
Any Link member can join! The above link will take you to a sign in page to access the site. If you are not a member of the group, you can submit a request to join. Benefits of an e-group include "instant" contact with Links across the province and country. Becoming a member also grants you access to the archives, to view previous messages.
The National Link Specialist is Ashley Fleischer ashleyfleischer@yahoo.ca

Trefoil Guild Members – National GGC is pleased to send you the latest issue of the TG News by e-mail. You can download the newsletter directly from their Web site at www.girlguides.ca or through this link: https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C3/TG-News/Document%20Library/2008_Spring.pdf

Congratulations to our volunteers!
Click here to view article and pictures from Community 34's Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.
Submitted by Dawn Moore
Administrative Community Leader (ACL)
Community 34

Congratulations to the Canada Cord recipients in the 2nd Kanata Pathfinders!
Click here to view details.
Submitted by Sharon O'Connor to Lynn Gee,
Unit Administrator
Community #27

Perhaps she has her filter set too high on her computer and the ONLine delivery is blocked. The ONLine is a bulk e-mail and therefore may be landing in the “Junk E-mail” box, so please suggest she check there!

Perhaps we have an out of date e-mail address for her in iMIS and she can update it as follows:
Unit Guider – contact the Unit Administrator in your Community Trefoil or Link Members – contact adult.admin@guidesontario.org (416-920-6666 Ext. 2488)
Member at Large – contact imis.coord@guidesontario.org (416-920-6666 Ext. 2431)

You may access the PDF form at http://www.guidesontario.org/forMembers/newspublications.htm

Having trouble opening PDF links?
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ONLine Feedback
We hope you enjoyed this edition of ONLine! As it is our intent to produce this publication monthly, we're seeking feedback. Pease tell us what you liked, disliked or would like to see in future issues. Drop our Communications Coordinator an e-mail and share your thoughts. We look forward to hearing from you.

Would you like to feature something in next month's issue of ONLine? If yes, please send your article to the Communications Coordinator no later than Monday, August 18th for consideration.
Articles received after the deadline date will be saved for publication in the following month’s issue. Thank you for understanding.

 

ONLine July/August issue 2008             www.guidesontario.org            Toll free: 1-877-323-4545