October 15 – deadline for submission of Fee Subsidy forms to Community offices.
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/feesubsidy.pdf

October 15 – Application deadline for NEW TRIP
Leading Teams and Cultural Diversity in WAGGGS” International Seminar,
Our Cabana in Mexico-January 2009. Event fact sheet info
https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/International/default.aspx
NOTE: NT. 1 needs only the applicant’s signature. Send directly to national GGC.

October 20, 2008 – Deadline for ticket purchase for Provincial Annual banquet ONLY
Click here for registration form and more details.
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/banquet%20ticket%20order%20form.pdf

October 31, 2008 – After this date only Safe Guide 2008 forms will be accepted. We thank all Members in advance for taking the time to download and complete the new forms as part of your activity planning. The new forms are easy to use and can be downloaded in MS Word format in MemberZone
https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C12/Ontario/Safe%20Guide%20Updates/October%202008.pdf

November 1 – Flat Suki Project 2009
Click here for information

November 3, 2008 - Application deadline to GGC, Ontario Council for
sponsored Interprovincial and International travel (Summer 2009).
Information fact sheets for Ontario sponsored travel (both Interprovincial and International) and National sponsored travel events are posted.
http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/international.htm#A2
A trip flyer is also available to download from our website for you to hand out to your unit and qualifying Members.
Note: National Council is in the process of updating the trip application forms. If you reviewed the fact sheets previously and the form requirements were not listed, please check the fact sheets again since they have been updated.

November 11 - Remembrance Day
Are you planning to participate in a ceremony to commemorate Remembrance Day with your unit? You might be eligible to receive up to a $50 subsidy towards the cost. Click here and review the criteria under "Public Awareness" activity
http://www.guidesontario.org/events/girlevent.htm

November 14, 2008 – Trefoil Guild Members registration fee deadline (national fee of $45 per Member) due to GGC, Ontario Council. Full details have been sent to Guild Presidents.

November 14, 2008 – Applications due for first Ontario International Local Specialty Community trip to England. Summer 2009. Open to Youth Members ages 14 – 17. Full details found at http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/international.htm shortly.
Plans are in the works!

November 15, 2008 – deadline for submitting applications for postings on Provincial Projects Task Groups (Read details under “Exciting New Opportunities.”)

November 19, 2008 – Unit Cookie Payment Due to Unit Administrator or deposited in your central account.

November 21-23, 2008 – Provincial Annual.
If you wish to participate in the service project click here for details.
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/2008%20service%20project.pdf

By the end of November - Communities 26, 27, 28, 29 Members participate in Dominica Twinning project.
For more information click here http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/twinning.htm.

Dec 31, 2008 – all units and Guilds to have moved to centralized banking

—————————————————————————————————————————

July 8, 2010 - GM 2010 is just 17 months away!
On July 8, 2010 about 3000 girls and Guiders from across Canada and around the world will be gathering for a very special event to celebrate our 100th anniversary. Check out the website at www.guidingmosaic.ca and sign up for GM 2010 newsletter.

In the September issue of ONLine the Safe Guide Update noted two important amendments that have been introduced by National. These amendments involved the administration of Over the Counter medications for girls under 12 years of age and requirements for the Home Contact person.

To review these amendments, click here.
https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C12/Ontario/Safe%20Guide%20

Update%20-%20September%205,%202008.pdf

The following reminders are provided to help make our assessment process more efficient and less time consuming for you.

Emergency Response Plan (SG.4): The phone number to fill in on both the Commissioner or ACL line and the Provincial Office line is 1-877-323-4545, ext. 2350 OR 416-926-2350.

New SG.1 and SG.4 forms have been updated for GGC camp properties and will be posted on the website to all the Property Profiles shortly.
Click here to view camp sections: http://www.guidesontario.org/camping/campprofiles.htm

Communicating with the Assessor: Your Safe Guide Assessor may contact you by e-mail or phone to request clarification, provide help or additional information. Please follow up with her as soon as possible so that she can complete the assessment of your activity.

Confirming the Status of your Activity: 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.

First Aid Certificates: If you have received a certificate for a First Aid training your Unit Administrator can update your iMIS record if you forward her a copy of the certificate.

Home Contact Person (HCP): Each HCP must be registered in iMIS as a non-member volunteer. If your HCP is a non-Guiding member, please confirm that he or she is registered in iMIS (already has an A.7 on file). Your Unit Administrator can look this up if you are not sure. If the HCP is not registered in iMIS, he/she will need to complete a Non-Member Form (A.7) and submit it to the Program Administrative Assistant at safeguide@guidesontario.org or fax it to 416-920-1440 Attention Safe Guide. Please inform the Assessor if you have just recently submitted an A.7 for your HCP.

National will be developing a Large Event Planner as an addendum to Safe Guide 2008. However, until this helpful tool is available, here are some basic tips to assist organizers of large events and the Guiders who will attend with their units. Click here for details.

STORE & MERCHANDISE UPDATE

Earlier this year, Girl Guides of Canada made a decision to adopt an e-commerce strategy for GGC merchandising. Consequently all stores across Canada need to close no later than December 31, 2010.

What does this mean for Ontario Guiding members and their families?
* The Ontario e-store will continue to operate through August 2009 to allow for a seamless transition to the new national e-store going live in September 2009.
* The two physical stores located in Mississauga and Ottawa will continue operation until December 31, 2010 As long as they remain financially viable.
*The National store in Toronto will close in June 2009.

• Aluminum water bottle complete with carrying case ($9.95)
• LED crank flashlight ($14.95)
• Round glass vase ($18.50)

The new logo is being phased in on all uniform pieces. While this process may take some time Members are reminded that all uniform pieces are always acceptable as official uniform.

With the streamlining of the uniform to move toward a more identifiable and uniform look many of the youth uniform items are being discontinued.

Watch for NEW items coming soon!
Navy zipped hooded sweatshirt in youth sizes small – XXL (for Sparks – Rangers) $29.95

“Roll-up” cargo pants (97% cotton/3% spandex) featuring an adjustable waist, two side slash pockets, a single side flap - cargo pocket and button tabs at mid calf for rolling up in warmer weather in youth sizes 4-16 (for Sparks – Rangers) $29.95

Need a nametag?
To order an official Girl Guide name tag please call 905-615-9965 or 1-877-323-4545 ext 2357. Pin style $5.50, Magnetic style $7.30.

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.

Submit Safe Guide forms for activities?
One central process for ALL Safe Guide forms:
All forms for Yellow, Red and International activities should come to an Ontario Safe Guide Assessor through the provincial office by emailing safeguide@guidesontario.org or faxing your forms to 416-920-1440 ATTN: Safe Guide.

If you do not have access to email or a fax machine, you may mail your forms to:
GGC, Ontario Council
Attn. Safe Guide
14 Birch Ave.
Toronto, ON M4V 1C8

Please allow an additional one week to accommodate for mail delivery.

Obtain Standard First Aid Training?
Looking for Standard First Aid training at an Ontario Red Cross branch office? Look for more information at http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/learningdevelopment.htm#A2 (online registration links and information on the Ontario Council subsidy program for Standard First Aid and Standard First Aid recertification)

Guiding Members are known for lending a helping hand. If you know a Member that you would like to nominate for the Canadian Red Cross Rescuer Award download the information by clicking here or going to www.redcross.ca.

Find out what trainings are available? Look at the Ontario Events and Training calendar at www.guidesontario.org. If you need Orientation to Guiding training you have some options!
1. Face-to-face session with a trainer or screening team member
2. Take the e-Learning training module through www.girlguides.ca and click on Member Area and then the green bubble that states Orientation. You will need your iMIS number (your UA or screening team member will be able to provide you with this)
3. Join a conference call session! This is a NEW option and sessions will be added to the events and training calendar.
http://www.guidesontario.org/events/ontarioevents_table.htm#J

UPDATE ON HONORARIUMS

Adult Members and volunteers are key to the success of Guiding. They give hugely of their time and talents to ensure that our girls have wonderful opportunities. In the past, especially at the end of some joint camp programs, a flat fee or honorarium has been paid to adults at the end of their time at camp. This was to recognize their volunteer participation and support.

There continues to be a need to show appreciation for volunteer services but based on the opinion of legal counsel, Ontario Council has passed a motion to end the practice of honorariums. This practice was discontinued this past summer at our OCA summer camps and will be in effect immediately for all other camp operations. This certainly does not prevent the covering of expenses related to the Guider’s participation at the camp.

Complete the Volunteer Application Form:
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/volunteer_application.pdf

FINANCE SPECIALTY COMMUNITIES
Are you a ‘numbers’ person? Do you have good communication skills? Do you enjoy working with adults? We need your expertise for four new specialty communities.
* Finance Support Community – to provide support for Unit Guiders in the use of the centralized banking system and to assist in resolving financial questions and issues that may arise at the Unit level
* Unit Financial Review Community – if you have accounting/bookkeeping training your assistance in conducting year end Unit reviews is needed
* Finance Extreme Specialty Community – when major problems arise, we need assistance to investigate and resolve the issues.
*Finance Support Independent International Trips – if you have bookkeeping skills and are familiar with travel in Guiding we are looking for individuals in conducting reviews after the trips are complete.

If interested in any or all of these opportunities, contact Rayanne Webster, Provincial Treasurer through executive.coord@guidesontario.org

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - Guiding representatives needed
From time to time, Membership Development receives requests for a Guiding representative to attend parent fairs, volunteer fairs and information nights. Where time permits, these opportunities will be posted in ONLine . If you are interested in participating in one of the opportunities listed below, please contact the Membership Development Coordinator at membershipdev.coord@guidesontario.org or extension 2472.

Albion Public Library
Volunteer Fair for High School – for high school students between the ages of 14 and 18 looking for ideas to complete the required 40 volunteer community involvement for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Thursday, October 16, 4:30-6:30 pm

Cooperative Program Planning Committee of Halton Hills
Community Open House – focus on connecting the community and promoting fun and exciting opportunities to be green in Halton Hills
Saturday, October 18, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Thames District School Board and the Thames Valley Parent Involvement Committee
Parent Learning Forum Exhibitor’s Display and Trade Show – bringing together parents, school volunteers and staff and members of the community, provides information, resources and ideas that support student success
Saturday, October 25, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

North York Central Library
Volunteer Fair for High School – for high school students between the ages of 14 and 18 looking for ideas to complete the required 40 volunteer community involvement for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Monday, November 3, 3:30-6:00 pm

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - Specialty Community
Thank you to all of you who put in the extra effort over the past few months to ensure that Guiding remains strong and vibrant in communities across the province. Whether it was marching in parades, staffing booths at local festivals or organizing registration events, you have shown your dedication to Guiding. The Membership Development team has been working hard alongside you to support your local efforts. While we have experienced some challenges, every effort is being made to make your local development initiatives a success, but we need your help.

The goal of this specialty community is to find local Guiders interested in focusing on membership. Many of you are already covering membership functions; we encourage you work in partnership with us to strengthen local and provincial initiatives. By working in partnership with the Membership Development team, you will be a valuable link to your community and provide insight to the local impact of provincial projects. Contact Membership Development Coordinator at 1-877-323-4545 ext. 2472 or membershipdev.coord@guidesontario.org for more information.

International Local Specialty Community Leaders - ONGOING
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.

You can also access the NEW Procedures for this in the Procedures Manual at:
https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/C12/Ontario/ProceduresManual/Forms/
AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2fC12%2fOntario%2fProceduresManual%2f
Specialty%20Community%20%2d%20International&View=%7b69BC21BC%
2d3471%2d4A5F%2d8A56%2d145EEAFE7897%7d

Topic: International Local Specialty Community - Planning Independent Trips with Youth Members from Several Different Units and/or Communities
SC-IN-1

Resource Guiders - ONGOING
Have you got a skill or activity 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 1-877-323-4545.

PROVINCIAL PROJECTS – TASK GROUPS
YOU can make a difference in Ontario by volunteering for one of the provincial project task groups posted on the website and listed below!
Please submit your application prior to November 15, 2008 for consideration.

Volunteer Application Form:
http://www.guidesontario.org/forms/volunteer_application.pdf

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.

Proposed locations for 2009: Burlington, Markham, Barrie, Chatham, Peterborough, Kingston, Thunder Bay, North Bay and Timmins.

Do you know a suitable venue in one of these communities? Possible venues include school auditoriums, community centres, town meeting halls, and banquet halls. Please contact the Provincial Event Coordinator at provevents.coord@guidesontario.org or 1-877-323-4545 ext 2481 and let her know your suggestion.
Would you be interested in working on the local organizing committee? Contact the Membership Support Coordinator at membersupport.coord@guidesontario.org or 1-877-323-4545 ext 2471.

International Showcases 2009 Task Group Chair
This Task Group Chair will be required to form a committee to plan an International Day to be held in fall 2009. The Task Group 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.

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)

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.

New Provincial Adviser Announced
Welcome Kay Dubie of Kanata, Ontario, as our new Provincial Trefoil Guild Adviser! Kay is an Honourary Life Member who recently moved to Kanata from Sudbury. Kay has many years of Guiding experience and she is looking forward to the opportunity of working with Guilds from across the province. She can be reached at: trefoil.adviser@guidesontario.org

We do have extra cases of cookies available in the provincial cookie cupboards. If you are looking for extra cookies, please contact Georgina, our Cookie Coordinator, at cookie.coord@guidesontario.org or call 1-877-323-4545 x 2440 and she will let you know the closest location and arrange for you to pick up your cookies from that location.

We are VERY excited to report that many units and groups have been camping at properties they never knew existed before. We challenge each unit to go camping this fall and winter at a property that you have never been to!! Looking for a service project? Look for work weekends being scheduled.
http://www.guidesontario.org/camping/camping.htm

Community Resources
Have you had a chance to look at the updated listing of program activities, events, service projects, and all sorts of great information on the Ontario website? Click here to view. http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/communityresources.htm

Resource Guiders
Look at this link for a list of Guiding Members that will come into your unit with a unique program activity to enhance the girl experience http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/resource_guiders.htm
One example would be to contact Mylene Upjohn in Toronto who can help your unit sew or knit something to donate to the Provincial Annual service project.

Olympia Challenge
Did you take part in this WAGGGS challenge? If so please complete the evaluation by clicking here. [See attached evaluation]

Web-Resources for Program activities
Here are some links that may be of interest and assist you with program activities and ideas!

GGC website link for contests for girls http://www.girlguides.ca/ggcgirls/whats_new/contests.html

Girl Scout site focusing on math, science and technology (Guides, Pathfinders, Rangers) - www.girlsgotech.org

Stay Alert Stay Safe for Sparks, Brownies – http://www.thebusyeducator.com/archive_stay-alert.htm

All branches – http://www.famouscanadianwomen.com/activity/activity%20page%20introduction.htm

University of Winnipeg, The Centre for Sustainable Transportation booklet - Kids on the Move – Phase 2
http://cst.uwinnipeg.ca/completed.html

WHERE in the WORLD are our members TRAVELING?
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.

2009 Thinking Day Postcard Exchange
The Thinking Day Postcard Exchange is 12 years running and the 2009 exchange will begin the first part of September 2008. Last year, the exchange had 2961 US troops and 1057 International Units (from 49 countries) participating. To learn more about the program or to sign up, please visit www.mythinkingday.com.

Halloween Tree - Game/Craft of the Month – taken from Brownies Bright Ideas, Volume I – Festive theme found at http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/brightideas.htm. Got an idea for a submission? Send to: program.coord@guidesontario.org

Halloween Tree craft
Click here for details.

Great Experience of a Lifetime….
Girl Advisory Forum member Brittany Chandler, 18, recently moved to Thunder Bay to begin university."
Click here to read.

Summer 2008 Trips

Thank you to all 2008 Ontario Adventure Trip participants who provided feedback and pictures from your summer travels. All Members are welcome to take a look at the fun our Ontario Adventure Trip groups had when they traveled to Ecuador and Scotland this summer. The slideshows are now posted on the International page of the Ontario Website: http://www.guidesontario.org/events/gallery.htm

Congratulations to Sheron Campbell, a Guider with the 2nd Stouffville Pathfinders and the 2nd Stouffville Guides- the winner of September ONLine "Found It!" contest.
For the July/August contest, find the mystery link word “Administrator” 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

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?
Adobe’s Portable Document Format (PDF) is a universally accepted format that allows us to capture and view robust information—from any application, on any computer system—and share it with anyone around the world. If you are having trouble opening the PDF files included with ONLine, please consider upgrading your version of Adobe Reader for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

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, October 20 for consideration.
Articles received after the deadline date will be saved for publication in the following month’s issue. Thank you for understanding.

 

ONLine October issue 2008             www.guidesontario.org            Toll free: 1-877-323-4545