National Council Session

Read Convention Connections

Issue 6 Oct. 2008
Issue 5 Oct. 2008 Update
Issue 4 Oct. 2008
Issue 3 Sep. 2008
Issue 2 Aug. 2008
Issue 1 Jul. 2008

Share your Thoughts, Ideas and Questions about the Convention

True to our promise that this convention will be different, we invite you to Convention Talk, the interactive website where any member can post their questions and ideas in an open forum. ConventionTalk is NOT meant to replace existing e-lists or other discussion groups. It is intended to encourage talking – by all Girl Scouts.

Conversations are already taking place about texting, Open Space and posting topics for the Saturday discussion in the business meeting to name a few. What’s on your mind?

Join the Conversation in Open Space

Thursday, October 30 – 8:30 to 1:30 at the Marriott
Volunteers and staff throughout the country will join in conversation to share and learn how, as we approach the 100th Anniversary, we can bring Girl Scouting to a record number of girls. Don’t miss this opportunity to talk! Space is still available! Click here to sign-up.

Volunteer Now!

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer as a member of the StoryWeaving team. Jobs can be adapted to fit your schedule. Click here for more information.

National Council Session Update – September 8

The Convention is less than eight weeks away, and we are indeed in “full convention mode.” This message contains important information on two major topics: Day Passes and Hall of Exhibits Passes, and Text Messaging.

DAY PASS AND HALL-OF-EXHIBITS-ONLY PASS
If you or another Girl Scout cannot attend the convention full-time, consider one of these options:

Day Pass
A Day Pass allows admittance to the National Council Session and the Hall of Exhibits on the date indicated on the pass.

• Adult Day Passes are $90 per day and are ordered for specific day(s).
• Girl Day Passes are $45 per day and are ordered for specific day(s).

We can accept pre-orders for Day Passes until September 30, 2008. Contact Kathy Sandy at (813) 262-1771 or ksandy@gswcf.org. Ordering Day Passes in advance is preferable because they will be waiting for you upon arrival, but you can buy Day Passes on-site in Indianapolis.

Hall-of-Exhibits-Only Pass
This pass allows admittance to the Hall of Exhibits only on the date indicated on the pass.

• Adult Hall of Exhibits Passes are $15 per day and are ordered for specific day(s).
• Girl Hall of Exhibit Passes are $5 per day and are ordered for specific day(s).

We can accept pre-orders for Hall of Exhibit Passes until September 30, 2008. Contact Kathy Sandy at (813) 262-1771 or ksandy@gswcf.org. Ordering Hall of Exhibit Passes in advance is preferable because they will be waiting for you upon arrival, but you can buy Hall of Exhibit Passes on-site in Indianapolis.

TURN ON YOUR CELL PHONES!
If girls are at the center of what we do – we must communicate in their language… the language of text! Just think of it…thousands of members, cell phones in hand, responding to a question. Every answer matters – you don’t have to be a voting member – you don’t have to stand at a microphone for your voice to be heard. How cool is that!

Convention goers at both political conventions were given a chance to weigh in using text messaging. Girl Scouts will be given the same opportunity at our convention. You will be able to share your thoughts, forward themes from your conversations in the National Council Session, provide feedback and get familiar with the language of text. Easy-to-follow instructions will be given throughout the convention to support those who want to participate in text messaging.

If you have a cell phone or Blackberry with text service come prepared to let your fingers do the talking. The opportunity to use text messaging at the convention is one of many ways for members to express your opinions and engage around important issues in Girl Scouting. There will be plenty of opportunities to participate whether you have a cell phone/Blackberry or not. If you do have a cell phone or plan to get one before the convention, you may want to contact your service provider to:

• get details about text messaging in your wireless plan;
• find out about sending messages without a text message plan.

Knowing that text is not the primary language of many convention goers, tips, simple step by step instructions and need-to-know translations will be sent out in an upcoming convention newsletter. Check the convention website http://www.girlscouts.org/convention/default.asp frequently for updates.

Stay tuned for more about text messaging at the 2008 National Council Session and be sure to pack your cell phone and charger!

National Council Session Update – August 19

The August issue of the Convention Connections newsletter is hot off the virtual press. Click here to get the latest info.

Keep in mind we have our local training session on Monday, August 25, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Tampa Service Center. You’ll receive your tote with materials, travel and lodging arrangements…see the floor plans…learn about parliamentary procedure…watch some of the fun from past National Council Sessions…all the critical info you need. Delegates/Voting Members, Girl Leadership Institute attendees and staff support are required to attend training. Alternate delegates are encouraged to attend in case they get called upon to go to Indianapolis as a voting member. And anyone who’s going to Indianapolis as a non-voting member (official visitor) is most welcome to attend training because you’ll be part of our presence in Indianapolis. We will provide a light supper at training. If you haven’t confirmed your attendance yet, please do so right away so we have your materials ready for you. Contact Kathy at (813) 262-1771 or ksandy@gswcf.org.

National Council Session Update – July 31

GSUSA’s website for the 2008 Girl Scout National Council Session/51st Convention is now live. The site contains information that will be useful as you plan for the meeting. Information on proposals, the Hall of Exhibits, travel, as well as the tentative schedule, are just a few of the features. The site will be updated as new information is available, so check back often. The link to the Website is: www.girlscouts.org/convention

Preparation for Convention

Voting members can prepare for their role as delegates by going to the front page of the convention website. Click on “NCS/Convention” on the top of the page; then, click on the “Preparation” link located on the left side of the page. Under the heading “Self-Study Guide” are the six proposals and the Basics of Parliamentary Procedure.

We invite voting and non-voting members to click on “Resources,” also located under “Preparation.” Learn more about creating meaningful dialogues and how you can involve council membership in conversations.

Visit the website often. Look for updates and features such as voting member Message Boards (coming soon!) and other information on the convention.

Click here to read the first issue of GSUSA’s National Council Session newsletter.

National Council Session Update – July 1

Housing Information has arrived!

Our delegation will stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for both the Girl Scout Leadership Institute and the National Council Session and we will make hotel arrangements for our delegation.

Official visitors (GSWCF adults or girls) who want to stay at one of the convention hotels must make hotel reservations through GSWCF’s official point of contact, Kathy Sandy ksandy@gswcf.org or (813) 262-1771.

Please click here for hotel descriptions and rates; you’ll find a hotel map on the last page. Visitors and day pass holders are welcome to make their own lodging arrangements if they intend to stay at other than an official convention hotel.

Official Visitor (“Member”) Registration Reminder.

If you plan to go to National Council Session as an official visitor (now called “Member”) you have until July 7 to get your registration money in to council if you want the early registration fee of $245 for adults and $175 for girls. You can still register until early August, but you will pay the full fee; see the FAQs following this article for more information. Contact Kathy Sandy ksandy@gswcf.org or (813) 262-1771.

Day Passes and Hall of Exhibit Passes.

We don’t have any further info yet, but stay tuned – we’ll post the info here as soon as we get it from GSUSA.

National Council Session 2008 Frequently Asked Questions

Note the items in italics. They show recent changes in GSUSA’s terminology.

Where is the 2008 Girl Scout National Council Session/51st Convention being held?

Indiana Convention Center
100 South Capitol Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46225

What are the dates of the National Council Session/Convention?

Thursday, October 30, through Sunday, November 2, 2008

The Opening Ceremony of the convention will take place on Thursday, October 30, beginning in the early evening. The convention closes on Sunday, November 2, at approximately 12 noon.

Who can attend the National Council Session/Convention?

Voting Members (formerly known as Delegates) and Members (formerly known as Official Visitors) are determined by the local council. We elected our Voting Members at our Annual Meeting on April 26th.

Voting Members and Members must be registered members of GSUSA and be 14 years of age or older at the time of the convention.

How many Voting Members and Members are allowed per council?

GSUSA sent each council its Voting Member allocation earlier this year. Girl Scouts of West Central Florida will send 19 Voting Members.

There is no limit on the number of Members a council may bring, but all Members must be registered for the convention through the council.

What does full-time registration include?

Full-time Voting Members and Members are entitled to attend the National Council Session and the Hall of Exhibits on all four days (October 30-November 2). Fees include all printed materials associated with the National Council Session.

What are the full-time registration fees for Voting Members (formerly known as Delegates) and Members (formerly known as Official Visitors)?

• Adults (18+) $245.00, age 18 and older if registered by July 18th
• Girls (age 14-17) $175.00 if registered by July 18th
• Adults (18+) $275.00 after July 18th
• Girls (age 14-17) $195.00 after July 18th

GSUSA will not accept full-time registrations after August 15th.

The council will pay the registration fees for all Voting Members. Members will be responsible for paying their own registration fees. Fees must be sent to the council prior to registration.

What is the schedule of events for the National Council Session/ Convention?

GSUSA is currently developing the Agenda; it will be emailed to Convention Representatives upon completion.

When will we receive hotel information?

Hotel information and reservation procedures will be distributed to local councils in mid-June. The council will make hotel reservations for the Voting Members and for Members who want to stay at the convention hotels.

GSUSA has contracted discounted rates at a number of downtown hotels for the convention. The hotel reservation process for the National Council Session will be on a first-come, first-served basis as it has been for the past several conventions.

For budgeting purposes, hotel rates will range from approximately $153.00 plus tax per room per night to $236.00 plus tax per room per night, depending on the hotel and number of people in the room. A limited number of suites will also be available at higher rates. To obtain these special convention rates, reservations must be made through GSUSA’s designated housing company following the procedures councils will receive in mid-June. Please do not contact the convention hotels directly.

Members who are not part of the official delegation are not required to stay at the convention hotels and may make private arrangements on their own.

What is a Day Pass and what does it include?

Day Passes are available to individuals age 12 and older who wish to attend the National Council Session on the day(s)/date(s) indicated on the pass. Day Passes also provide admission to the Hall of Exhibits on the day(s)/date(s) indicated on the pass.

What are the fees for Day Passes?

• Adults (age 18+)$90.00
• Girls (age 12-17) $45.00

How are Day Passes ordered?

Day Passes must be ordered through the council. Day Passes will be sold beginning in early September after full-time registration has closed and availability of space is determined by GSUSA. Further information regarding the process of purchasing Day Passes will be sent to Councils later this summer.

Who can visit the Hall of Exhibits?

All full-time registered Voting Members and Members will have access to the Hall of Exhibits during the entire convention, at no extra cost.

Day Pass holders will have access to the Hall of Exhibits at no extra cost on the day(s)/ date(s) indicated on the pass.

Hall of Exhibit Passes will be sold to people age 5 and older, providing access to that venue only (no access to the National Council Session), in mid to late July.

What are the fees for Hall of Exhibits Passes?

Adults (age 18+) $15.00
Girls (age 5-17) $5.00

How are Hall of Exhibits passes ordered?

Hall of Exhibit Passes must be ordered through the council. Further information regarding the purchase of Hall of Exhibit Passes will be sent to councils this summer.

Will there be a Girl Leadership Institute (formerly known as the Girl Congress)? When and where will it take place?

The Girl Scout Leadership Institute (formerly known as the Girl Congress) will be held Wednesday, October 29 through Thursday, October 30 prior to the start of the National Council Session. Sessions will be held at the Indianapolis Convention Center and the Westin Indianapolis Hotel. Girls in grades 6-12 who are registered members of Girl Scouts of the USA are eligible to participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Institute. Please visit www.girlscoutsindiana.org/gsli for more information. Contact Amy Foster at the Tampa Service Center for information about Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s participation in the Girl Leadership Institute.

I still have questions! Who can answer them?

For questions related to the National Council Session/Convention, contact Kathy Sandy at ksandy@gswcf.org or (813) 262-1771.

For questions related to the Girl Leadership Institute, contact Amy Foster at ahall@gswcf.org or (813) 262-1764.