Membership Staff
Vice President - Membership
Carolyn Johnson

Directors
Gladys Birdwell
Sandee Williams

Team Leaders
Kathy Denton
Tracy Gillin
Deepa Seetepalli
Karyn Smith
Pam Soles
Nina Williams
Sue Zingleman

Membership Managers
Alex DeReinzi
Stephanie Finleon
Lynn Flournoy
Dawn Francis
Gina Galloway
Cecilia Garcia
Gloria Gracia Johnson
Milly Garzon
JoAnna Harris
Sheila Hauser
Laura Hernadez
Selina Howard
Sandra Johnson
Elizabeth Leas
Alicia McWilliams
Parina Paripoonnanonda
Wendy Rea
Juana Rhoden
Donna Robinson
Maria Roldan
Abby Sibley
Jamie Stiyer
Theresa Thomas
Celia Valles
Purvi Zaver

Cate Teague, Administrative Assistant
Linda Pharris, Departmental Assistant
Jean Rhoden, Secretary

713-292-0300

"Toadally Awesome" Troop Program
with the Fall Product Program
by Jo Anna D. Harris

     Is your troop saving money to travel this year? Are you a new troop in need of “start-up” cash? Do you need some help developing troop program? If you answered, “yes” to any of these questions, you and your troop should participate in the Fall Product Program. This year it is “Toadally Awesome!”
     The Fall Product Program starts September 17 and ends October 7. This “friends and family” sale kicks off just when troops/groups are looking for extra “start-up” funds to support their new membership year. The activity consists of a nut and candy sale and troops retain 25 percent of the selling price as the troop bonus. In addition, your troop can sell the Holiday Gift Combo, a nut and candy gift set, earning $5 for each combo that’s sold. The combo’s can be sold through December 1.
     Troops participate in the Fall Product Program not only to raise funds, but because this activity ties into Girl Scout badge work, so troops can work on earned awards while participating in the sale. The mascot of this year’s sale is the frog, which represents our social responsibility of being aware of our environment, especially water conservation. Some earned awards girls can earn are the Water Everywhere Try-it for Brownie Girl Scouts; the Water Wonders Badge and the Science Discovery Badge for Junior Girl Scouts; and Eco-Action Interest Project for Girls 11-17. Your troop will also receive additional troop programming on water conservation by your participation.
     The Fall Product Program teaches girls about goal setting, dealing with finances, handling money, communicating effectively, and much more. These invaluable life skills go beyond Girl Scouting to teach the girls to become responsible adults.
      If you are a new troop leader and don’t think your troop is established enough to participate in the Fall Product Program, that’s not true. This sale is a great opportunity to get your parents involved in troop activities. Participation is easy. Simply ask an adult within your troop to become the Fall Product manager. She or he will receive training for this position in your service unit. The Council will provide the troop/group fall product manager with all the necessary materials needed to facilitate the sale. Then your troop can get started!
     The Fall Product Program provides girls with a positive experience that develops character and invaluable life skills. It is also a great way to start the year learning about environmental issues that can assist girls in learning how to use resources wisely by conserving water. For more information on how to participate, please contact your service unit manager or membership manager.

Note: Remember that money-earning should not dominate your troop or group’s activities. Make sure that decisions about money-earning and spending reflect the needs and interests of all the girls in the troop.