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Official Farmgirl Sisterhood Members:  Farmerettes?  |
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 09 2009 : 04:34:57 AM
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Any of you sisters have some farmerettes under your wing? I have read about farmerettes in the sisterhood info, but when I searched the messages I didn't find much activity about them.
I lead a girl scout troop of third to fifth graders and I wondered if anyone has completed patches with little girls before, and how did it go? I know my girls really respond to something "real" if that makes any sense. This year we are doing alot of outside stuff - orienteering, tree and wildflower ID, hiking, and for our indoor time we will focus on ecologically sound activities - like making our own household cleaners, making tshirt shopping bags, and using recycled craft materials. No more foam sheets ugh I am fed up with that ugly stuff. We will also do some cooking - make their own snack each meeting.
It looked like some of the badges fit in with this plan and were doable for kids.
If I join the sisterhood, do girls working with me have to join also, or are they under my membership somehow? And can they actually get a badge - I thought they could decorate them and wear them on the backs of their sashes and vests where we can add "fun patches".
I have a scheme to get some of my girl scout moms to join with me and then we would have a sisterhood group
Any other gs leaders out there?
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at SunshineForDinner.com
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2009 : 08:02:43 AM
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If you go over to the Woo-hoo sisters thread. Where we post our badge projects, you will find some farmettes there. Carrie M's daughters come to my mind.
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/RFBlog/
www.twitter.com/RuralFarmgirl
Circumstances made us FRIENDS; MaryJane's has made us SISTERS :) |
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2009 : 08:17:47 AM
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Rene - could you help me find this thread? I did a search for it and just looked a little, but nothing is jumping out at me. I'd love to see some of the badges they worked on.
Since I see that you are "sisterhood coordinator" maybe you can answer my question - do farmerettes have to pay a membership fee to wear a badge?
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at SunshineForDinner.com
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2009 : 3:17:39 PM
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Thanks so much. I can relate to the post in the other thread asking "what about little farmers?" i.e. boys. We have some brothers and out-of-age-group sisters that are tagalongs to our gs troop that could be included - we made them honorary troop members and call them 'explorer scouts'. I don't have the energy to establish 4H in my town, but we need a program for all ages and all genders. This isn't easy to find.
This is a good excuse to sign myself up for the sisterhood! I have wanted to for a long time.
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at SunshineForDinner.com
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2009 : 10:46:31 AM
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Rene: I can give you an earful on this topic LOL. We (me and my fellow girl scout troop leaders, that is) wish we could find an alternative to girl scouts that would keep our troop (group) together, but could include more ages and be for both boys and girls. 4H is a great program that somehow totally avoids any kind of implied gender requirement for its members, but we like that girl scouts is laid out with projects so it is easy for the leader. So we are still with GS, since we are busy moms.
Here is the #1 reason we stay with GS - they have a well known history and a reputation for being worthwhile (I am not saying it *is* worthwhile, mind you, I am saying parents think it is). Our average member is over-scheduled and so are all their brothers and sisters and moms. The moms are willing to carve out five or so hours a month for the girls because it is "Girl Scouts". If I said tomorrow that it wasn't girl scouts any more, but instead we were having an outdoor nature study group (which is essentially all we do lol), the girls would be thrilled, and the moms would not send them back.
To sell another program to my girls' families, I need something with a leader's guide, something for the kids, like a handbook, and a brochure and website for parents to look at. And I would do it in a heartbeat!!! But I wish it could be appealing to boys as well.
Is this the kind of input you are looking for, Rene? I would love to see/participate in an analysis of Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts and 4H or other groups with an eye to borrowing the successful parts and putting in the Mary Jane Butters ethic and aesthetic. I am sick of the GS bureaucracy but I will put up with it because the girls need to stay together and I can't find an alternative.
I am too busy to tell more right now but will try to pitch in in a few days with my thoughts on group liability insurance, leader training, meeting places, etc. These issues will eventually confront any farmgirl who is trying to work with a group of kids.
BTW my girls will like the category "outpost" the best LOL.
Glad to know that others have an interest in this,
Georgiaberry
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at SunshineForDinner.com
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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RubyJunes
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
June
Greenwich
Ohio
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Oct 05 2009 : 2:41:28 PM
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Rene,
I am following this topic with great interest, as it is something I would like to see further developed as well. Other mothers and I have been tossing around the idea of doing "farmerette" type projects with our daughters/grandaughters, but not all are official sisterhood members, and I believe that is a requirement to get the farmerettes in under your wing, isn't it? As a mother of a young daughter, I see the need to be teaching as many young ones these necessary skills for life!
June
www.RubyJunes.blogspot.com
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Oct 05 2009 : 4:37:36 PM
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*Rene*
Got your email and I hope I will have a chance to call you tomorrow. I hope we can continue brainstorming here in the forum as well, as it is nice to get everyone's input.
*Ruby* I saw on your blog that your kids are in 4H - how do they/you like it? Can you tell me a little about meetings, and does anyone do any activities that are not animal related?
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at SunshineForDinner.com
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
Posted - Oct 05 2009 : 7:05:57 PM
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So just chiming in here as a disillusioned parent with a young daughter who will someday want to be a "scout" type character.
Doesn't Girl Scouts charge a membership fee too? So I am thinking one way you could show the benefits to a "on the fence" type mom would be to point out that the Sisterhood membership is relatively cheap and has benefits for her as well.
And instead of selling girl scout cookies for a fund raiser if a fund raiser is needed in the future maybe they could sell MaryJanesFarm Chocolate! Yum! I would buy from farmerettes! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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RubyJunes
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
June
Greenwich
Ohio
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2009 : 04:19:09 AM
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Rene,
I totally agree with you and understand regarding the fees. I don't have any problem with the fees, I just know that one Farmgirl couldn't submit Farmerette achievements for an entire group of Farmerettes under that one fee paid. I am excited to see further development of this program considered, as even my daughter's friends are excited to know what she is learning, and of course they want to be a part of it, too!
I have been keeping a binder with all of my badge progress, along with my daughter's...I really should take the time to submit some of them!
June
www.RubyJunes.blogspot.com
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2009 : 05:38:35 AM
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One aspect of Girls Scouts that has been very positive for our group is how inexpensive it is. The annual membership is only $12, and we try to use group funds (cookie money) to pay the girls memberships for the next year. The membership fee basically covers a group insurance policy. The way GS really makes money is on the peripherals. A vest is $14, each patch is $1.25. A starter kit with the handbook, badgebook, vest and insignia is about $50. There are GS branded clothes, toys, pencils, hair clip, stationery, anything you can think of - all for sale in the council shop. Then there is the cookie sale - our council went up to $3.50 per box last year, a full $1 increase - of which we get .50. Now they are requiring a new program called "journeys" - another money maker as the book for each girl is about $8 and there is a leader book as well.
If you stay away from the extras it can be very low cost - and for the most part, we do. We don't even require a uniform. But if you want to spend, they have plenty for you to spend on!
BTW they are expecting you to fund your activities (like event registrations, camps, etc) through cookie sales - which I have already pointed out are a huge moneymaker for GS. We do the cookie sale, but very low key, so we have the moms pay for the events if the girls want to go. I just went to a science program with my daughter last weekend and I think it was $15 for the badge and the 3hr program (no snack LOL). $15 would be our troop income from 30 boxes of cookies, from which GS would have already gleaned $90. That is per girl attending the event. If all nine girls went, and we funded it with cookie money, that would be 270 boxes of cookies, $810 already made off our sales by GS, and then the $135 for our registrations.
I try not to think about this too much, because today is a GS meeting and I need to be in a good frame of mind.
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at www.SunshineForDinner.com
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2009 : 05:46:01 AM
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Whew, after rereading my cookie rant - I guess what I really mean is this: I would rather pay an honest, higher fee for membership or materials and have an useful and profitable fundraising effort, than use little girls to sell overpriced cookies for slave wages!
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at www.SunshineForDinner.com
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2009 : 09:33:25 AM
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Taking a few minutes on a rainy day to revisit this topic:)
One scenario that I can see working for me, as the group leader, is establishing a "working group" type of recurring activity, as opposed to the "program" type of group we have now.
I am not sure that I can make this distinction as clear here as it is in my head - but, I wish that a meeting time would exist for kids and adults to get together in a convenient and useful location in order to work on projects. The projects could be selected from the guidelines established by MJF, or they could be just whatever the kids wanted - but in the catagories established in the Lifebook. I envision mostly individual projects, such as handwork, being brought to meetings and supported by the leader and others at the meeting. If members wanted to get together and start a group project - a cooking event or a quilt or work at a community garden, the meeting would be a place to work and organize.
The critical part would be - the kids should show up with their project, whether they have their embroidery in a bag, or their scrapbooking stuff, or their mom brings a bunch of bamboo to build trellises - or whatever, but it is driven by their initiative. I as the leader wouldn't say - ok today it is embroidery day, and here is the stuff and the pattern, and everyone would work on this. I see no reason why a room full of people of all ages couldn't visit and work on different things and help each other if needed.
I think a few prepped small projects like feltwork or crocheting should be kept available for kids who forget their project.
I'd like to think that big kids could make project kits for little kids - like lacing cards or feltboards.
I'd want parents to be there for all kids under third grade or 8 years old.
I would establish time at the end of each meeting to show whatever progress had been made during that session - a time to admire and compliment each other's work. This would naturally bring the meeting to a close - something that is hard for our group to accept sometimes LOL - and it would also encourage working, not goofing around.
I can imagine welcoming each member to the group with a standard initial project - like making a tote bag out of old jeans. This is an easy, useful, free, unisex project that can be then used to tote the projects and materials to meetings. We could also display our badges on it.
I think this working group approach would take some pressure off of the leader for prepping for meetings, and put the accomplishment back where it belongs, with the members who are learning and refining skills and creating something they can be proud of.
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at www.SunshineForDinner.com
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RubyJunes
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
June
Greenwich
Ohio
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2009 : 09:50:33 AM
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Georgiaberry,
I really like the ideas you have expressed here! I was thinking along similar lines, though incorporating an aspect of teaching the basics of several types of projects into meetings. I thought a teaching/hands-on workshop once a month, then an open time to freely bring projects as you had mentioned for the alternate meetings (once a month as well, for a total of two per month?) All of this could be flexible, but I am aware that many youngsters don't have any one available to teach them even the most basic of some of these things, and the grown-ups could also greatly benefit from the teaching sessions as well. Just some more of my input on this very exciting topic!
June
www.RubyJunes.blogspot.com
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2009 : 10:59:09 AM
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That is a good observation, Ruby. A workshop atmosphere would be appropriate. I think meeting format should be flexible - and I wonder how the adult sisterhood meetings work - I don't have any groups in my area as far as I know. I do my GS meeting every other week for 1.5 hours - and I don't think I could manage more often than that. Some leaders I know meet once a week for a shorter time, though.
I imagined circulating within the group giving aid for things I knew and helping to find info and interpret directions for things I didn't. I would expect other adults at the meetings to take part in mentoring, and that our own projects would take a backseat to this. I wish an adult group in my community might form out of this activity.
There could be themed meetings or seasonal focus, like making Christmas gifts or dying easter eggs naturally or "dreaming of spring", where everybody brings their seed catalogs and pools orders and plan their gardens.
Group projects like making cleaners or soap could be periodic - buying the materials in bulk saves money, and making orders and collecting money could be the responsibility of the leader - or a "project manager".
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at www.SunshineForDinner.com
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RubyJunes
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
June
Greenwich
Ohio
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2009 : 11:34:23 AM
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Yes! I think having the learning workshops would be to give them some inspiration, as a sort of a guide for the kids to use as a springboard into their own projects. I agree on the group projects, too. It seems our thoughts are very similar!
I think the Sisterhood would grow naturally as a result of this, as many moms & grandmothers might see how tremendous the entire lifestyle is!
I'm enjoying our "conversation" on this topic, Georgiaberry!
June
www.RubyJunes.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2009 : 3:03:07 PM
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ideas for topics for badges for kids - or for anyone ;)
woodworking
pen pals
mail art
journalism
local history
local geography
bookbinding
autograph book
penmanship
nature study
native plants
birdwatching
animal husbandry
old fashioned games
foreign language phrases
helping "littles"
reading list - book club
By the way, the way that the badges work now - same badge, different activity and extra row of stitching as you advance -- is really great. In GS we have age levels - different age levels are working from different badge books. We might have the same topic, say "wildlife", but the activities are different, and the badges are different. In theory, with the MJF method, a kid could earn a badge when they were little and then advance as they grow older, or a kid and a grandma could work on the same badge. Genius! That is inclusive and bonding, not exclusive and divisive.
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at www.SunshineForDinner.com
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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Georgiaberry Mobley
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Georgiaberry
Fouke
AR
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2009 : 5:43:14 PM
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Get well soon, Rene - I had my two kids home sick this week, and almost a third of my daughter's 4th grade class was out one day! I guess this is the season . . .
Farmgirl Georgiaberry
always busy at www.SunshineForDinner.com
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Official Farmgirl Sisterhood Members: Farmerettes? |
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Farmerettes?
