GSWARM Meeting Notes March 8
Hello Everyone!
We accomplished quite a lot last night! Here are my notes and schedule changes, along with some quick media training highlights for those who couldn’t be there.
Girls were given forms for their parents to fill out:
Space Symposium Code of Conduct (to be returned to Dr. Layfield asap)
Dr. Layfield needs final numbers of those attending Space Symposium by March 22nd. (Space Symposium is April 6th from approximately 2-4pm)
Emily’s mom has 2 copies, one for Abigail and one for Ashley.
USAFA Media form (to be returned to Tamara Cinnamon by March 15)
Sashes:
Emily’s mom has them. She’ll coordinate with Ashley’s mom to get the crests and have them sewn on and brought to the Aerolab trip.
Girls will wear them at the Aerolab trip, and then give them to Amy’s mom. She’ll embroider GSWARM team name on them and they’ll be presented during our Investiture (April 5 rocket launch?)
Patches:
Dr. Layfield is currently coordinating with the GSCO Council Shop and another vendor to have these made. He’s going to go with whoever can do it the fastest. Their will be a cost associated with this.
New Mexico Trip:
Entry fees, transportation, lodging, etc. are expensive for this trip.
We’re currently looking for fundraising ideas.
Laura will put together a form letter for girls to bring to businesses and ask for donations. She’ll have this at the next meeting.
Dr Layfield will look into getting us a “room block” at the SpringHill Suites to see if he can get us a cheaper price
We need clarification on the time we need to be there on June 23rd. It looks like arriving on June 23rd and leaving on June 25th will work unless we need to be there the morning of June 23rd.
Transportation options were discussed.
Are any girls planning on attending without their parents?
Does anyone want to carpool?
Should we consider a charter bus?
Parachute:
We want a Nylon Material (no plastic)
15 or 24 inches, it doesn’t really matter
Check Apogee
Current timeline (work in progress)
March 15 – USAFA Aerolab Visit
Meet at the Academy Field House (via the Northgate entrance) at 5pm
Come with permission slips if not already turned in, wearing uniform (see media training below for more details).
Parents / Siblings can attend
The Gazette will be there (please review media information below and be prepared)
March 22 – Special guest Chrys Reinheirdt, from the Space Symposium, will be at our meeting to discuss event. Wear uniform.
March 29 – No meeting due to Spring Break
April 5th – Rocket Launch/Investiture at Abigail’s House (or if cancelled due to weather movie/investiture at Emily’s house)
April 6th – Space Symposium at the Broadmoor 2-4pm
Media Training Notes: March 8, 2017
Please go over this with your daughters and practice! We’re going to need to review this before each interview, as key points change depending on situations, and girls don’t have enough project experience yet to answer a lot of questions they’ll be asked. This training usually takes 2 hours. I’m going to do this as quickly as possible and just touch on the key points.
Your appearance for Media Interviews:
Please wear your entire Girl Scout Uniform. Khaki Pants, closed toed shoes, white polo, and sash. If you’re outside and it’s cold wear your uniform on the outside of your last layer of clothing.
Dress for the weather.
Be neat and clean. Comb your hair, wash your face, and make sure your uniform is clean and pressed.
Keep clothing and makeup age appropriate.
What makes a good interview?
Doing a good interview is more than going in and answering a reporters’ questions
Every interview is a chance for Girl Scouts to deliver the messages they feel are important to get out into the community
When you do an interview, you need to be prepared with 2-3 messages that tell your story.
We’re going to brainstorm this later
How to share your story with the media:
Know your story. Have 2-3 key messages prepared.
Be positive and don’t buy into negative questions!
Support your answers with personal examples and stories
Use off subject questions as an opportunity to transition to your keep messages
Be brief, enthusiastic, and clear in your answers
Use quotable language, active verbs (talk about “communicating with others” “solving problems” or “learning STEM skills”
Use full sentences and positive phrases
Don’t use Girl Scout Jargon (Like Daisy or Service Unit)
Be confident! You know more about your story than the reporter does! Tell them what they should be asking by answering the question you want to be asked, not necessarily the one they asked you
Wear a smile, breathe deeply and relax.
Maintain eye contact with the interviewer
Try not to fidget or talk too fast.
Remember to speak clearly and confidently
Don’t be afraid to say “I’m not sure” and answer with something you do know.
Don’t keep talking just to talk. 1-3 sentence answers are perfect!
If you screw up, it’s ok, it happens to everyone. Just keep going with the interview.
Use the ATM Method.
Let’s say the question is: “What do you think about Girl Scouts selling a fattening food?”
Answer or reference the question BRIEFLY: “Learning to enjoy treats, such as Girl Scout Cookies, in a healthy way – a couple of cookies at a time – is part of a healthy diet”
Transition However,
Message There are still ways to support the Girl Scouts even if you don’t purchase cookies for yourself. Through our Hometown Heroes / Gift of Caring Program, customers can purchase cookies for the military, food banks, non-profit organizations, police officers, and firefighters.
Some questions the girls practiced answering:
How did you develop an interest in rocketry?
Do you plan to enter a STEM career?
How did you come up with the payload plan?
How did you design your gliders?
What do you hope to achieve with your payload?
What are your plans for the future?
Developing your Story (or 2-3 key messages)
Think about…
What you’ve learned on this team (such as math skills, learning to talk to people you don’t know, teamwork, flexibility, changing designs, challenges, modifying things, etc.)
Your goals for this project
Challenges you’ve faced
Fun things you’ve done
Have each girl come up with 2-3 key messages they feel comfortable sharing. They should be personal.
Key Messages the girls came up with for USAFA Aerolab trip:
Thank the USAFA for hosting tour today
Details on Rocket Launch
Going to New Mexico
Had to submit a proposal and it had to get accepted
Now in the planning / development phase
Girl Scouting
Opportunity to be in the first Science Rocket Club for Girl Scouts.
We all have team jobs, and run the club like a business
Skills: leadership, teamwork, problem solving, planning,
More than just cookies