Dear Girl Scouts,
We are witnessing history as the world
and our nation respond to COVID-19 (coronavirus). Like many of you, we
have become increasingly concerned with how the evolving situation
could affect our community. Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore (GSJS) is
closely monitoring the COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease
Control, the World Health Organization, and the New Jersey Department
of Health, for both Monmouth and Ocean counties. Please know that the
health and well-being of our girls, volunteers, families, supporters
and community partners continues to be our organization's top
priority. For some, this is a true short-term crisis. For those who
are working on solutions, it is an opportunity for leadership.
At GSJS, we are unfortunately entering a season of program
activities, volunteer recognition and our annual meeting just as the
outbreak is forecast to be spreading nationally. We will be active in
managing our risks and ensuring our girls, volunteers, and staff stay
safe while also keeping Girl Scouting vibrant and active.
Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of council
staff and our girl and adult members, council service centers and
shops will be closed to external visitors and meetings from Monday,
March 16 through March 29, 2020. We are expanding our virtual work
capabilities for staff, and moving to a remote work-from-home
reality. Although we don't anticipate a reduction in service levels,
we ask that you be patient as we employ new tactics to ensure
business continuity.
Update (March 16, 2020): Council staff will work remotely through March 29, 2020.)
Now, as we have learned more about how best to protect our
community, we have made the decision to postpone/reschedule Girl
Scouts of the Jersey Shore council-sponsored programs, property
reservations, trainings, activities and events scheduled through March
31, 2020. The closure includes external partner events and council
in-person trainings. GSJS will offer program credit for all canceled
programs that could not be rescheduled. We will continue to evaluate
the situation and make changes as we deem necessary for the safety of
our members and council staff. We are currently evaluating
council-sponsored programs and events beyond March 31.
Going forward, decisions to postpone, reschedule, and/or cancel any
events will be made two weeks prior to each event and will be posted
on our website at GSFun.org/Coronavirus.
We recognize that many of you have questions about how this decision
might impact the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program. We are actively
working with GSUSA, along with Little Brownie Bakers, to provide
support and alternative options for girls and troops. At GSJS, we have
made the decision, effective Monday, March 16, to suspend all cookie
booths for the next two weeks and we anticipate extending the Cookie
Program through Sunday, May 17. We will do our best to reschedule
cookie booth dates or secure new cookie booth locations and dates to
allow troops/girls to sell beyond current cookie season dates. GSJS
Staff is also in the process of identifying community partners to
underwrite any remaining cookies to help alleviate the burden for the
troops/girls.
Here is what we know at this time.
- Deposit dates have been extended to Friday, April 17, 2020, and the late booth sale deposit date will be extended to Monday, May 18, 2020
- Any money collected to this point should be deposited immediately
- Booth sites are anticipated to extend until May 17, 2020
- All booth sales are suspended for two weeks effective Monday, March 16
- ALL depot orders pending pick up will be contacted with a pickup date and time
- Depots will reopen at a later time to accommodate all orders not picked up and to allow our troops to take advantage of the extension fully
- Troops that rented costumes for this weekend are asked to keep them until council reopens. Further instruction will be given at a later time. We ask that all costumes come back cleaned to prevent contamination
We will share additional product program news, as more information
becomes available.
The council is also requiring troops
to suspend all in-person meetings and partner events through at least
Tuesday, March 31. While this suspension of activities includes your
regular troop meetings, the opportunity to participate in
"normal" activities and engage with one another will
continue to be very important for girls, especially during this time
of uncertainty for them.
To keep girls actively engaged,
consider creating take-home packets or recommend a badge, Journey or
patch activity to work on individually. You can then host a virtual
group discussion or find a Facebook Live event to attend together.
There are various tools available to engage with council activities
and other troops. We encourage troop leaders to look at these and
alternative options and discuss the best solution for your troop's
needs with parents and girls.
While we know that
disruptions and cancellations are not ideal, these decisions were
reached based on our commitment to our community's health and
well-being. We ask for your patience, appreciate your commitment to
each other, and everyone's efforts to make the best of this tough
situation.
It is important to stay calm, reassure people
that we are prepared, and continue to be actively vigilant in keeping
our girls, volunteers, and staff safe as we lead through this
moment.
Please note that this is a quickly evolving
situation and we will update any changes to our recommendations and
decisions daily.
Sincerely,
Eileen M. Higgins
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of
the Jersey Shore
