Hello Awesome Ladies!
Below you will find my May Action Plan. Please weigh-in on how I can improve, clarify, etc. this plan.
My Community Partner for our initial offering is the Girl Scouts. This happened as my plans evolved, folks decided that they would not participate/partner, things happened, needs became known. Serendipity seems to be a component of this change in partners. I am so fortunate to have pursued partners other that the local school system. It seems that budget cuts, job eliminations, and a change in how the entire school day is scheduled has caused chaos with my initial partner.
The Girl Scouts were selected as partners after we learned of their need for support, and their awareness of the need to teach youth the same sorts of things that our informal needs assessment indicated were needed (soft skills, financial skills, daily living skills). In addition, as seems to be in keeping with our project, we have long-established relationships with the scouts as we have provided space for their meetings since our doors opened nearly six years ago. In addition, the scouts are receptive to partnership at this time, as opposed to a time in the future that revolves around grant cycles, etc.
Girl Scout Troop 119, is a “budget troop.” The girls share one badge book and are not required to each pay the $25.00 membership dues each year. The troop leader has goals for the troop and when a scout agrees to work toward the common goals of learning and service she is then encouraged to join this troop. There would be no members of this troop were it necessary to pay annual membership dues of $25.00. Troop 119 meets at my library biweekly. The troop has been adjusted to accommodate middle school girls 5th through 8th grade as opposed to the standard 6th through 8th grade that comprises the typical Girl Scout Cadette troop. I selected this group after learning of their need for enhanced instruction in the areas of financial literacy and daily living skills. In fact, the instruction and material that have been gathered thus far align nicely with the Girl Scout badge requirements. In addition, these Scouts lack the financial means to acquire some of the materials and tools necessary to meet badge requirements. The library has these materials and tools or has access to them.
At this time the plan is to begin working with the Troop 119 in September 2017. During September, new scouts join the troop or move up from the younger group of girl scouts. The troop leader has plans in place for her summer meetings and waiting until September allows for the inclusion of the incoming scouts.
Troop 119 will continue to meet at the library bi-monthly.
Our plan is to address financial literacy by instruction in the areas of wants versus needs, basic budgeting and ways to track one’s spending. We will evaluate using pre and post testing as well as discussion. This program will be structured in such a way as to be enjoyable. Supper will be provided (pizza). In fact, a discussion will revolve around Little Cesar’s $5.00 pizza versus pizza available at higher cost.
I meet with the local extension office tomorrow to discuss partnership. Wish me luck!