The Friendship Circle from Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois

It's already a fan favorite episode featuring our own Mary Kay Golec, one of GSNI's beloved Resource Specialists! Mary Kay walks us though GSNI's Customer Care department and our Resource Centers for a unique and entertaining view on why everyone—even non-Girl Scouts— should visit a Resource Center for a wonderful, educational, and FUN experience! 

Join us for a look back on Women's History Month with new guest co-host Jordan Needham, GSNI Membership Engagement Specialist, and longtime Girl Scout, Girl Scout volunteer, and GSNI Historian Sue Reimer. Sue shares how Girl Scouts has been a part of women's history through the years and how our Historians are currently preserving Girl Scout tradition and history for future generations! 

We're excited to welcome Kathleen Baylis and Katie Hogan of GSNI's Gold Award Committee to this episode of The Friendship Circle! Along with guest co-host Angela Musial, GSNI Program Manager, they discuss the history of the Girl Scout Gold Award—the highest award a Girl Scout can earn—along with the best way to earn the award. They also talk about common pitfalls to avoid and ways families and leaders can best support Girl Scouts working towards the Gold Award. Bonus! You'll also hear about some special Gold Award projects throughout the years! 

Join us as we talk to several Girl Scout Cookie entrepreneurs in Troop 1923 about their cookie seasons—both past and present—and get the inside scoop on what works (or doesn't) during cookie booth season. These Girl Scouts share their ideas, tips, and innovations to make the most of the Girl Scout Cookie Program each year! 

Learn all about the PVSA and learn how to earn this prestigious community service award!

January 17, 2025, is the deadline to apply to be a National Council Delegate! What's a National Council Delegate? Would it be a great experience for you? Learn all about the opportunities to represent GSNI on the national stage and make a difference for current and future generations of Girl Scouts. Join our special guest Karen Tatlock for an exciting first-person account of the delegate experience! 

This month we're talking to Ranger Casey who takes care of GSNI's Mary Ann Beebe Center (affectionately known as MABC). Casey tells us all about MABC's features with available facilities, sites, and opportunities for unique outdoor adventures. Learn how GSNI service units and groups can use MABC, including for volunteer-led camps during the summer. Plus, Casey tells us the secret to successful crate stacking! 

It's nearly GivingTuesday! Taking place on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday is the world's largest generosity movement and will take place on December 3, 2024. Learn more about this unique holiday, along with family approaches to giving, philanthropy, and generosity with Cheryl Red of Be IncREDible Coaching. Cheryl shares tips on how giving can actually be good for you, your health, and your loved ones! 

Join us in a look back at Hispanic Heritage Month and ways several members of our staff (and our Girl Scouts!) celebrate this special time of year!

Congratulations to GSNI Girl Scout MariLyn for being one of the top ten entrepreneurs in our 2023 Fall Product Program! MariLyn and her mom (also her troop leader!) Kathy sat down with The Friendship Circle to talk about how to succeed in the Fall Product Program. MariLyn shares her customer's preferred products, favorite selling methods, and how she sets goals to earn the rewards she really wants. Kathy tells us about her tried-and-true Girl Scout mom and troop leader tips to best support individual Girl Scouts and troops throughout the Fall Product Program season!

We're excited to talk to GSNI Senior Product Program Manager, Debbie, about this year's Fall Product Program season! Debbie gives a full overview of the program, including benefits for Girl Scouts who choose to participate. Hear more about our adorable Ellie the Elephant mascot and Embrace Possibilities theme! Debbie also shares about awesome rewards, resources, patches, dates, troop proceeds, and proven ways to set reachable goals for each entrepreneur. Don't miss the new items debuting (and returning) to the 2024 Fall Product Program lineup, plus our Care to Share initiative!

Join us we talk about volunteer-led day and twilight camps with Kelly, Arapaho Day Camp Director, and Emily, River Valley Day Camp Director. These Girl Scout alums share their experience in hosting two very different camps with the same goal of giving Girl Scouts summer memories they'll never forget. Learn what it's like to plan a local summer camp, including ideas for locations, activities, and developing a strong volunteer camp team!

Since our summer camp season has come to an end, we wanted to learn more about Volunteer Led Day Camp's and how our amazing volunteers are successful. Listen as we talk to Sarah Collins, Barrington Twilight Camp Director, about her approach to putting on an amazing Twilight Camp that Girl Scouts are excited for every year!

It's our 20th Annual Thin Mint Sprint! Join us in Fox River Grove on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Lions Park for a timed 5K fun run/walk and stay for the after party. This community event raises funds in support of current and future Girl Scouts all throughout northern Illinois. Listen as we talk to GSNI CEO Kari about how Girl Scouts can qualify for her “Quicker than Kari” patch, and Kristine, GSNI Philanthropy Manager, about upcoming event details, exciting after party, and an exclusive discount just for GSNI podcast listeners! You'll love hearing from our partners at the Fox River Grove Memorial Library's Running Club, as they are our most entertaining guests yet!

Get the inside scoop on how Arabella from Troop 1168 was able to sell cookies to all 50 states! WOW! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

Hear from one of GSNI's Americorps Members, Shante Jones! Shante shares her story about how she joined GSNI and the fun she has with the Girl Scouts in her troop. She also tells us about her involvement on GSNI's Belonging Team and the Engagement Black Families group. Shante tells us a story about being welcomed back after a break. Here's a link to the photo she references: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=685388183623482&set=pcb.685389670290000 And here are photos from the MLK Day of Service: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=763878059107827&set=pcb.763880212440945 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

Explore the summer camp options that GSNI offers! Hear about how GSNI's incredible service units run their own volunteer-led day camp offerings. Learn about all the fun coming this summer at GSNI's council-sponsored summer camps. Special thanks to Beth Metzler (bmetzler@girlscoutsni.org), Angela "No Name" Musial (amusial@girlscoutsni.org), and Lynda "Lady D" Harrison (lharrison@girlscoutsni.org) for joining Ann-Marie and Kris on GSNI's podcast this month. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

With the cookie season quickly approaching we wanted to sit down with GSNI Product Program Team to discuss the importance of the cookie season and important details for the 2024 season! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

Since November is Native American Heritage Month, listen as our GSNI Podcasters welcome Louise Glon, Girl Scout Alum and Ship 361 Leader to give us some insight on Native American Heritage --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

In this episode, Brookelyn and Ann-Marie get all of the insight on Rallyhood and how it can be used by Girl Scout Troops from Maredith Feldshau, Fox Tales Service Unit Manager and Troop 2386 Leader --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

In this episode, we introduce our new Market Specialist at GSNI, Brookelyn Sears. Listen as Brookelyn and Ann-Marie get all of the insight on Girl Scouts from two of our own Recruiting Specialists, Marybeth Markwell and Grace Shapiro! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

In this special episode, we share the amazing work done by three of GSNI's Girl Scouts. We are so proud of our GSNI ⁠Gold Award Girl Scouts ⁠. We are thrilled to hear from 3 of our 2023 award recipients explain their Gold Award projects, how they came up with the idea, the work they did, what they gained, and how they're moving forward to growing into their adult lives and impact Girl Scouts has had on their lives. ⁠Vedika Shah⁠ ⁠Aisling McGrath⁠ ⁠Sabrina Arshad --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

On this June 2023 Episode of the GSNI - Friendship Circle, you'll hear news updates, voices from friends around the council, and our feature stories on Amazing Girl Scouts! As our Girl Scouts grow older, it becomes a bit more challenging to know how to fit Girl Scouts into your schedule, especially from Middle School to High School. If you faced this dilemma or your Girl Scout has, then our interview with four amazing Girl Scouts will help you decide why to keep Girl Scouts in front of you instead of your review mirror! You will be inspired by four incredible stories of Girl Scouts who are creating their future through their thoughtful focus on travel, compassion, giving back, and having fun. Tatum is first up to share with us the start of her amazing trip to Thailand as she embarks on a Girl Scout Destinations trip with other Girl Scouts around the country. #TatumnGoesToThailand --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

The GSNI Friendship Circle is on the Air! This episode updates you with the news and events around GSNI for May 2023. Here are a few highlights: Girl Scouts of the USA's National Council Session, give your input on proposals and discussion topics.  Thin Mint Sprint early registration. Summer hours for GSNI Staff Spring Renew your registration patch We also have a series of extraordinary interviews from our Annual Awards Meeting from Volunteers. Girl Scouts and GSNI Board members are sharing their Girl Scout Stories. See our photos from this event here⁠. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

This month's episode presents the Podcasting Girls of GSNI! Brought to us by Catching on with Cadettes. Our Girl Scouts are Juniors, and some are bridging to Cadettes. We thought giving them a chance to be podcast stars would be fun! They take turns reading our news items (some are a little late to air, so bear with us). Here are a few links we referenced in the show. Enjoy! Ice Hogs April 15th 2023 Annual Meeting and Recognition Event  Rallyhood for GSNI --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

In this episode, we talk to Kathleen Baylis from our Programs Department, who helps coordinate travel for some of our Overseas adventures! Kathleen explains the exciting adventures that await Girl Scouts as they progress from Daisy through Ambassador. Girl Scouts provides a unique stepped introduction to travel. Girl Scouts learn first how to go places with people other than their immediate family and progress up to World Travel! We talk about cool destinations. Girl Scout programs give its members a path to the world and successful travel as they meet other Girl Scouts from all over the country and the world! From local sleepovers to Disney World to the Swiss Alps and beyond. Knowing how to navigate new environments is a valuable life skill that can begin with Girl Scouts. We also have monthly announcements with special guest announcer Ann-Marie from our Marketing and Communications team. For more information on Girl Scout Travel, visit our Travel page on our website or GSUSA Destinations. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

This special GSNI Friendship Circle episode is a "Mini-Pod" focusing on Black History Month. Joining us are special friends Emma Eschenfeldt - Director of Community Programs, and Chastity Hoarde - Community Specialist with GSNI, who work on such initiatives as Black Women Take the Lead and other special projects focused on GSNI partnering with the Black Community that uniquely meet the needs of their children. We chatted about the success of the program and the continued efforts to extend these programs to other communities in the GSNI Council area. And finally, we spoke about black women we admire from history, our lives, and their lasting inspiration and impact. #GSNIPodcast Presented by Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois | CustomerCare@girlscoutsni.org | Customer Care - 1-844-GSNI-4-ME | 1-844-476-4463 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

Summer camp is a blast, and one of our most popular camps is Camp McCormick, located in Stillman Valley, Illinois. This camp has a long history for our council, and we thought it would be fun to sit down and chat with one of our GSNI historians Betty Moore. Cozy up with a hot cup of tea (and maybe a cookie or two!) as we get in our way-back machine and learn how Camp McCormick came to be. Plus, we'll know a little more about its namesake—Ruth Hanna McCormick. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

In this episode, you will hear our December 2022 announcements. Emily does a quick catch-up with a GSNI Cadette, Lucy, from one of the celebration events; also, in this episode, we sit down to chat with our GSNI CEO, Dr. Kari Rockwell! Kari shared how she came to her new position and her ideas for expanding and developing our council in our interview. Visit us at our website: www.girlscoutsni.org or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Email the podcast at podcast@girlscoutsni.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

Welcome back, listeners, to Episode 7! This episode brings our announcements and a new feature focusing on languages and culture as we chat with friends from around GSNI6's area. First up is Katelyn, a Junior Girl Scout from the Lake Zurich area, and she shares her story of learning the Chinese language Mandarin. Also, we revisit with our friend Vanessa Mendoza, Hispanic Engagement Manager. Vanessa tells her Girl Scout story from the perspective of a Latina whose family has a Mexican heritage. You can connect with Vanessa and her team here. Remember, there are many ways to connect with us! Email us at: podcast@girlscoutsni.org or leave a voice memo right here on this site. Our GSNI Customer Care Team is also an excellent resource for all things Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois related. Reach out and connect with us at Customer Care - 1-844-GSNI-4-ME customercare@girlscoutsni.org Be sure to visit our website and discover all GSNI has to offer. www.girlscoutsni.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

We are thrilled to bring you our first "mini-pod" featuring our GSNI staff members Vanessa Mendoza, Emma Eschenfeldt, and Kris Trusk discussing Hispanic Heritage Month's events. This is part 1 in our series, and we give a brief history behind Hispanic Heritage Month, talk about the GSNI events, fun activities, and yummy cultural treats available to attendees. We'll also hear more about the Hispanic Facebook Fan Page and the communication tool WhatsApp and how the international communities embrace it and widely used in US Hispanic communities. Background Music provided by https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/1000 Flam-Out --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

As we wind down our summer activities, we catch up with some friends we made throughout the summer. Emily has a delightful interview with our friend Louise Glon. Louise has helped manage the Girl Scout Mariner troop for over 20 years. This is a high adventure troop for older girls; they have had plenty of exciting trips over the years; she'll share a few stories with us. We also have a few short interviews with some volunteers and, as always, from Girl Scouts throughout the Council. All of this, as well as our August announcements. Be sure to listen in! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

Episode 5 In this episode, our Emily Lanore interviews local leaders and celebrities at our final Over The Edge fundraiser. Emily speaks to the Rockford, IL Mayor and Chief of Police along with GSUA Board members who were kind enough to stop in at our event. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

Episode 4 has great interviews with award winners and Girl Scouts throughout the council, as well as June 2022 announcements. We say a brief “Hello!” to our new CEO and an emotional “Goodbye” to our retiring CEO. Since our podcast is only once a month, our timing might be a little wonky. Please check our website or social media to verify dates, times, offers etc. Happy listening! From your hosts Jill Helser and Emily Lanore JOIN | GIVE | VOLUNTEER @gsnorthernil --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

In episode 3, Emily and Jill talk with the leadership team for GSNI Summer Camp. We find out all that goes into making this Summer tradition a memorable, fun, and eventful experience for our GSNI campers. Caregivers will especially take comfort in hearing the detailed safety measures to ensure the best possible time for your camper. We'll also hear about the other events at our campsites all year long. We have three camps, each offering something a little different click the links below to discover more: Camp Dean Camp McCormick Mary Ann Beebe Center Emily and Jill will also deliver May 2022 announcements, so stay tuned! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

In this episode, Emily and Jill will be adding a new feature to the program - Monthly Announcements! Listen for the new highlights of activities and events going on at GSNI for the month of April 2022. We will also be chatting with Chief Property and Program Officer Charlie Qualls. Charlie has been with Girl Scouts for 38 years and has been instrumental in the exciting transformations our council campsites have undergone throughout the years. Charlie has worn many hats at GSNI and has keen insight into the intricacies of our camps and the rigorous safety standards that our staff undergoes to prepare for a summer of fun for our Girl Scouts. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsnifriendshipcircle/message

Welcome to Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) Friendship Circle! Our Podcast is created especially for and by the members, troops, girls, staff, and communities of the GSNI region. We're excited to hear from all our friends around the GSNI community. We hope to listen to your stories, ideas, breaking news, celebrations, interviews, and updates! Please connect with us at stories@girlscoutsni.org. Let us know your content idea or provided material for the Podcast. In this inaugural episode, we will introduce you to our new platform with some lighthearted fun, a fascinating interview with Fiona Cummings, the GSNI Chief Executive Officer. Our field reporter Emily Lenore will be taking the show on the road for an interview with GSNI Recruiter, John Jones. All this and more. Presented by Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois | CustomerCare@girlscoutsni.org | Customer Care - 1-844-GSNI-4-ME | 1-844-476-4463 JOIN | GIVE | VOLUNTEER --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gsnifriendshipcircle/message