Introductory presentation for GEMS-Girls Empowered and Motivated to Serve Meeting date: Friday, September 15th

1. GEMS
Girls
Empowered and
Motivated to
Serve
With Jessica Hammer
PHS Alumni and
Miss America Organization
Contestant

2. Why are you here today?
● Do you want to be part of a positive and accepting environment?
● Do you want to discover what you’re good at OR explore your
passions even further?
● Do you want to learn how to gain confidence?
● Do you want to get more involved in the community?
● Do you want to find out how to set goals for yourself AND reach
them?
● Do you want to make a difference?

3. What is GEMS?
● GEMS stands for Girls Empowered and Motivated to Serve
● Program started in 2016 by Jessica Hammer and Brenda Collins of
St. Mary’s Parish
● GEMS is a program designed for young girls and women to interact,
support, and encourage one another to be confident, motivated, and
service-minded
● Safe space to share ideas and goals and plan ways to achieve them

4. What does GEMS do?
● GEMS reaches out to community organizations and schools across
Wisconsin to organize workshops and establish clubs for girls (and
boys) to join, learn and participate in….
○ Goal setting and perseverance
○ Empowering one another
○ Self worth
○ Talents and passions
○ Life skills
○ Community service opportunities

5. Why bring GEMS to
Portage?
● Being a teen is TOUGH, especially a teen GIRL
● It’s important to have a supportive group of people to associate
yourself with from pre-teen age through college
● We recognize a need for clubs that girls can be involved in
● We want Portage girls to be the next generation of leaders
● Being involved in a club that promotes REAL LIFE skills and
opportunities will help you grow from now through the rest of your
life.

6. Let’s break
it down...

7. Girls
● What makes a strong woman?
● What does being a girl mean to you?
● What are your strengths?
● What opportunities do we have as women in
the U.S?

8. Empowered
● Define EMPOWER
● How can empowerment help us reach
our goals?
● Why should we empower others?
● What does success look like to you?
● WHO is stopping you? WHAT is stopping
you? What is holding you back?

9. Motivated
● Define MOTIVATE
● What motivates you?
● Why should we motivate others?
● How can we stay motivated?
● What actions can you take right now to
reach your goals?

10. Serve
● Define SERVICE
● What is our purpose as members of a
community?
● Why is it important to serve others?
● What does it mean to have a servant’s heart?
● What are some ways we can serve our
community?

11. Put it all together!
STRONG GIRLS….
● Are confident in their strengths and abilities
● Understand their self worth
● Know how to set goals
● Stay motivated to achieve them
● Empower each other
● Have a heart for serving others
● Make their community a better place

12. Activity
● Intro survey

13. Upcoming Events
● Interested in a career in HEALTHCARE?
○ CNA Scholarship & Hiring Event, St. Clare Meadows Baraboo
■ St. Clare Meadows has CNA positions open, also offering a CNA
Scholarship Program to cover costs of CNA education and
certification test
■ Event is Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 3:00-5:00pm at St. Clare
Meadows Care Center, Baraboo
■ Can’t make it?
● More information is available at St. Clare Meadows front desk
● Email stclaremeadows@ssmhealth.com

14. Upcoming Events
● VOLUNTEER Opportunities
○ Apple Fest at Surgeon’s Quarters
■ Saturday, Sept. 23 from 10:00am-4:00pm
■ Apple cider press, pumpkin carving, leaf art for children, fall food items for sale, tours, etc.
■ Call 608-742-2949 or visit fortwinnebagosurgeonsquarters.org
○ Portage Color Run & Family 5K
■ Saturday, Sept. 23 from 8:30am-10:30am
■ Email williamsm@portage.k12.wi.us or jmuirptc@gmail.com
○ Walk For Hope- Prevent Suicide Columbia County
■ Saturday, Sept. 23 from 10:00am-1:00pm
■ Guest speakers, live music, remembrance projects, educational booths, and an optional free Suicide
Prevention Training
■ Visit preventsuicidecolumbiacounty.org/walk-for-hope.html or email krystal.rykiel@co.columbia.wi.us
○ Salvation Army Coat Drive Collection
■ October 1st - October 20th
■ Drop off new or gently used clean jackets, coats, snow pants, hats, mittens and boots to Portage Police Dept
or Portage Cleaners.

15. Closing Announcements
● Next meeting is FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
○ TOPIC: Discovering your passions and talents
○ Bring a friend!
● Homecoming next week...
○ Parade banner?
● LIKE and TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS for GEMS Facebook page!!!
○ Updates, surveys, changes, announcements, opportunities
● BE HERE TO BE ACTIVE