March 2018 meeting for GEMS-Girls Empowered and Motivated to Serve at Portage High School

1. GEMS
Girls
Empowered and
Motivated to
Serve
MARCH:
GIRLS CHOICE!
Stress/anxiety
management

2. Upcoming Events
● Next meeting is FRIDAY, APRIL 20th (2nd to last meeting!)
● What It Means To Be Homeless
○ Thursday, Mar. 15th - 5:00-7:00PM at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
○ Enjoy a free meal and learn about how you can help our homeless community
● Teen Video Game Night
○ Friday, Mar. 23rd - 4:00-5:30PM at Portage Library
● Pop Top Counting for Mercedes
○ Saturday, Mar. 24th - 8:00AM at PHS
○ Contact keith.klafke@portagewi.gov if you can help!
● Easter Egg Hunt at Our House Senior Living
○ Saturday, Mar. 24th - 10:00-11:30AM
○ Contact Brooke Peterson at 608-745-0331
● Portage Sharing Supper
○ Monday, Mar. 26th - 5:00-6:30PM at Bartels Middle School
○ Enjoy a free meal and help with the Kid’s Corner

3. Upcoming Events
● Endeavor Sharing Supper
○ Wednesday, Mar. 28th - 5:00-6:30PM at Endeavor Elementary
○ Enjoy a free meal and help with the Kid’s Corner
● Portage Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt
○ Saturday, Mar. 31st- 10:00-10:30AM at John Muir/Woodridge grounds
○ Contact Nancy Schaper at 608-742-7242
● Tivoli Easter Egg Hunt
○ Saturday, Mar. 24th - 10:00-11:00AM at Divine Savior Tivoli
○ Contact pjdjwest@yahoo.com to volunteer with cookie decorating as well
● Free Theatre Classes at PCA
○ Saturday, April 7th - 10:00AM-Noon at Portage Center for the Arts
○ Open to ages 8-18, contact info@portagecenterforthearts.com to register
● Sam Bieno Memorial Blood Drive
○ Friday, April 13th - 11:00AM-4:00PM at Divine Savior Clinic Suite 100
○ Make your appointment at www.bcw.edu/divinesavior

4. Activity
1. Deep breathing exercise
a. Take a deep breath through your mouth, hold it for 5-10 seconds
as you tense every muscle in your body
b. Exhale and release all tension. Repeat.
2. Grounding exercise
a. Identify three things around you that connects to each of the 5
senses (see, hear, smell, touch, taste) to allow for awareness of
your environment.
3. Write it out
a. Take a moment to write down exactly what you are feeling, what
you are anxious about.

5. Discussion
Stress and anxiety are neither good nor bad. It can be motivating, but it
can also be harmful.
The effect of stress is determined by your reaction to it! We cannot
completely eliminate stressors from our lives, but we can practice
controlling how we deal with stress.
Tips to reduce stress and anxiety:
● Keep a planner or to-do list, get organized
● Take time every day to unwind
● Try essential oils
● Exercise, meditation or yoga
● Talk it out

6. Let’s Vote
Service project for our next meeting?
● Fleece tie blankets for River Haven
● Writing letters to military
● Write a thank-you to a teacher or staff
● Others???

7. Closing Announcements
● Next meeting is FRIDAY, APRIL 20
○ TOPIC: SURPRISE… Girls choice
● Sign up for a spring service project!
● LIKE and TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS for GEMS Facebook page!!!
○ Updates, surveys, meeting changes, announcements
● GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY IS APRIL 20-22nd