Both council service centers will be closing early at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 18.

The results of the council's latest delegate Open Space workshop are available for you to review. You are encouraged to read about the issues delegates thought were important to the council, as well as the responses from council staff. The link also includes the results of previous open space sessions, allowing you to track the council's progress on various issues.

The Open Space approach helps groups create inspired meetings and events. The idea is simple. People often have great conversations during coffee breaks, but those discussions rarely take place with the same intensity during the meeting itself. Through the Open Space process, participants create and manage their own agenda of parallel working sessions around central themes of strategic importance. The end result is always improved communication, creative solutions, enhanced collaboration, and increased productivity.

Click here to go to the page with the latest open space information, as well as reports from previous sessions.

Looking for a great summer service project? Join the NJ Sea Grant Consortium, the Jersey Shore Partnership and the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore to accomplish much with little effort. Your help could save lives!

Between May 1 and the end of summer you, your family, your troop or a group of friends can help save lives by:

• Checking the beach (if you don’t have a favorite we can help find one with your input) for Rip Currents signs.
• Ensuring that the signs are posted and in good condition (you will have a method to report any signs that are missing or in disrepair).
• Place a QR code on each sign with a video choice in English or Spanish, as well as other resources to provide information on how to identify, avoid and “get out” of a rip current (groups will be properly identified to ensure others know their purpose).

Please note that the date for the Glamour Gala is Friday, June 1 at 7:00 pm at the Monmouth Mall (NOT May 1). Girls who sold more than 500 cookie boxes will dress up and have their special moment to walk the red carpet and be a star for the night. They will also receive a special patch and be recognized for their achievement. Eligible girls will be receiving a personal invitation.

Be sure to listen to Thunder 106 (106.3/106.5 FM) all this week to hear our Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore camp commercial! Special thanks to Clare Toman (pictured on left) and Noelle Ventura (pictured on right) for  lending their voices to the commercial. Great job, girls! Take a listen below.