Hi, girls!

We’re making some changes Shout Out Message Boards soon, and I wanted to tell you what’s going to be happening and why!

1.  We have started “locking” topics that have not been posted to for 60 days or more, and will eventually be archiving those topics. This means that you will no longer be able to post new messages on those threads. Why: The large number of topics makes it harder for girls to find current topics because there are so many in each forum. It takes computer space to maintain all of the old topics, so we also want to keep space open for all the new topics you girls come up with!

2.  You will soon see a post at the top of every topic letting you know the appropriate subjects for this particular message board, and it will include the link to the Respect Differences Policy. Remember that it is OK to have different opinions from other girls – we can still be supportive of each other even if we don’t agree. Off-topic posts will either be removed or moved to a different topic.

3.  All role-play topics will be posted in Random Stuff. If there are role-plays in other forums, they will be moved to Random Stuff starting the first week of May. This is to help keep appropriate topics in the forums they should go in, and avoid confusion of where some topics should go. We know that there has been disagreement about where some of the role-playing topics belong, and while we know that some of you will disagree with this decision, the NMG staff thought this was best for all of our NMG members. It is okay if you disagree with this decision, and for you to express your opinions about it, but it is not something we will change our minds about at this point in time.

We made this decision because we thought it was best for all of our NMG members, and it is not about anyone winning or losing.. It is important that you all move on with grace and maturity; win/lose language is not acceptable and not respectful of others. It does not help to focus on taking sides. We hope you can all leave those arguments in the past and move forward, so Shout Out! can be a fun place for everyone to express themselves and their opinions respectfully.

We are all part of one community and even when we disagree, it is important that we respect each other and each other’s opinions. Help us to keep Shout Out a place for all of our members to express themselves, talk with each other, and learn from each other.

Love,

Luna and the NMG Staff

Let’s Go Orange for Animals: It’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month! How can you help prevent animal cruelty?

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month is the most important event held by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Since their beginning in 1866, the ASPCA urges everyone to “Go Orange for Animals” every April to help raise awareness for their cause and bring an end to the cruelty of animals.They believe that together, we can improve the lives of animals in every corner of the country!

You can support the efforts of the ASPCA, celebrate their victories and even join the fight against animal cruelty! Here’s How:

• Show your support by “going orange,” and wearing the ASPCA’s signature color!
• Raise awareness by going big! Write to your local newspaper or a leader of your town reminding them that April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, or create a poster to hang up at your library, school and local businesses.
• Support a local animal shelter like Sydney, 11, Texas, who volunteers at Operation Kindness — a no-kill animal shelter. She loves to work with the animals and give love to those who need it!
• Become an animal rights activist! Sign New Moon Girl members’ petitions to end animal testing and dog fighting, or create your own.
• Raise awareness of animal cruelty by reading and sharing stories like Aurora, 11, Australia’s speech about food production, and Minty, 9, California’s facts on animal circuses.

New Moon Girls love animals, and you love to make a difference! Check out this awesome poem about animals by Noelani, 11, New York! Visit Wild About Animals for pictures, poems and videos all about animals! Also, don’t forget to fill out our All About Animals Survey and tell us why you love all scaly, furry and feathery creatures!

Do you love animals? What could you do to celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and keep them safe? Let’s raise awareness to prevent animal cruelty this month and “Go Orange. Glow Orange. Show Orange for Animals!”

Emily

New Moon Intern

Girls Editorial Board member, Lila, is an American girl who lives in Hong King. She witnessed celebrations of the Ching Ming Festival as it happened this year, and shared it with us. Read her experience and see pictures below!

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April 4th of 2012 was the Ching Ming (also spelled Qingming) Festival!

This festival, celebrated in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao occurs on a different day every year, although it’s usually around April 5th. It’s 104 days after the winter solstice, which is why it was on April 4th this year.

This festival gives the Chinese and Taiwanese people a chance to tend to their ancestors and deceased family members’ graves. The people will pray for the ancestors, sweep the graves, and give offerings such as food and tea. They replace the dead flowers with fresh new ones, and they’ll also burn incense or paper. Some people will set off firecrackers, which is believed to scare away evil spirits and let the ancestors know that they’re there to pay their respects.

The Ching Ming Festival is like Memorial Day in the United States, or Day of the Dead in Mexico, since all three of them are about honoring your ancestors.

I think that this festival is a really nice way to honor your loved ones!

By: Lila, NMG Girls Editorial Board Member