Dads, brothers, uncles join in troop activities,
share skills, receive awards
by Suzanne Engelke |
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council offers a special
Do-Dad program for males, 18 or older, who are important in
the life of a Girl Scout. This includes dads, brothers, uncles,
grandfathers, cousins, or family friends. The purpose of the
Do-Dad program is to encourage male involvement in Girl Scout
troops/groups and to help dads spend quality time with their
daughters. Leaders benefit from the support and help, and all
girls benefit from the Do-Dad’s personal skills and knowledge.
“I became a Do-Dad because I wanted to be more involved
with my daughter and her activities,” said Chris Dominguez,
chair of the newly restructured Do-Dad Committee. “Her
troop was going on lots of fun activities, but it was the camping
that really interested me. First I took a camping training,
and I really liked it. Later I decided to take CPR and I eventually
became a ‘Cookie Dad’.”
After being a Do-Dad for a year and thoroughly enjoying it,
Chris took on the additional role of being one of the co-leaders
for his daughter’s troop. He assists the leader, his wife
Carmen, with the Cadette troop. “I strongly encourage
dads to get involved with their daughter’s troop. The
Do-Dad program gives them an opportunity to see what their daughters
do in Girl Scouting,” Dominguez added.
There are two levels of Do-Dads. Do-Dads help with the Council
Cookie Sale and one of the following Council-sponsored programs
such as the Fall Product Sale, Family Partnership, or grocery
card programs. Some of the things Level 1 Do-Dads may |
do are: help with troop meetings, complete a service project
with or for the troop, accompany the troop on activities, help
girls earn patches and awards, share a skill with the troop,
and assist troop/group in a Council-sponsored program. For their
efforts, they earn a Do-Dad Pin.
Level 2 Do-Dads have earned the Do-Dad Pin. Some of the additional
things they may choose to do are: lead the troop/parents in
planning a special activity or thank you for Leaders' Day, conduct
an outdoor activity, help with troop meetings, organize a parents'
meeting, recruited a new Level I Do-Dad, assist troop in a Council-sponsored
program. Level 2 Do-Dads receive a Do-Dad Rocker in recognition
of their continued support.
“It’s not easy to
get men involved in Girl Scouting. Most men see it as a woman
organization,” Dominguez said. “I hope that with
the Do-Dad program, they will find there is a place for men
in Girl Scouting.”
Men can attend an orientation to learn more about the Do-Dad
program. Do-Dad orientations are held every other month. The
next two orientations are March 30 and May 25 at 7 p.m. at the
Girl Scout Center. The orientations are free. To register, mail
or fax a training registration form to the Girl Scout Center
or register online at www.gssjc.org and click on training and
course offerings.
For more information on the Do-Dad program talk with your daughter’s
troop leader or contact Cecilia Garcia at 713-292-0287 or cgarcia@sjgs.org. |
Do you know an outstanding
Girl Scout family?
Nominate them for the Family Award
by Judy Syring |
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council recognizes
the outstanding volunteer contributions of a family with
its own award. Since 1983, approximately 145 families
have been honored with the Family Award recognition.
What comprises a family for the Family Award? Two or more
related or married adults form a family unit in the Council.
It could be two adult sisters; a grandmother, grandfather,
and adult daughter; husband, wife, and sibling or parent
of either; or the traditional husband and wife team. It
could be even be any combination of the above. The key
word here is adult. While the Adult Recognition Committee
appreciates all the work the girls do, this is an adult
recognition.
If you know a deserving family, GSSJC wants to recognize
their contributions to Girl Scouting. To nominate a family,
complete |
the Family Award Nomination Form (GSSJC F-57) and recruit
two more registered adults to write letters of endorsements
(GSSJC F-54a). Include the nominees’ updated Volunteer
Service Record Forms (GSSJC F-122). Submit the nomination
packet to: GSSJC Adult Recognitions Committee, Attn: Judy
Syring, 3110 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098.
The deadline for nominations for the Fall Recognition
Event is May 31. Wouldn’t it be great to recognize
a special family at beautiful Camp Agnes Arnold where
friends and other family members could witness this event?
Anyone with questions should contact Judy Syring at
713-292-0254 or jsyring@sjgs.org. |
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