Council Resource Guide (CRG) - Girl Scouts of Northern California

Transcription

Council Resource Guide (CRG):
Volunteer Essentials
2015-2016
Your Role, Responsibilities as a Girl Scout Volunteer
Becoming a Volunteer in GSNorCal
Adult Screening v
Adult Learning & Support
Volunteer Toolkit
Volunteer Management Policies
New Troop/Group Checklist v
Other Volunteer Support
Knowing How Much You’re Appreciated
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19
21
24
26
27
29
31
31
Chapter 2: National Girl Scout Program
What Girl Scouting Does for Girls
Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)
The National Program Portfolio
Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting
National Leadership Journeys
All About Journeys
National Program Portfolio Resources v
What Do Girls Do in Girl Scouting?
(Daisy—Ambassador)
Activity & Event Planning / Hosting a Girl-Led Event
Take Action Projects Change the World
Advocacy vs. Electioneering
Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards
Emblems and Patches
Programs for Older Girls
Other Initiatives and Opportunities
Girl Scout Traditions, Celebrations, Ceremonies
Chapter 5: Managing Group Finances
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33
34
35
36
37
38
40
46
47
49
50
52
53
54
57
Chapter 3: Meeting With Girls & Adults
Forming a Friends and Family Network
First Parent/Guardian Meeting
Arranging a Time and Space for Girl-Led Meetings
Meeting with Girls for the First Time
Holding Troop Meetings
Organize Records & Communication
Letting Girls Lead - “Troop Government”
Understanding Healthy Development
Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance & Inclusion
Working with Girls
Working with Parents & Guardians
Your Leadership Style
Is Your Troop Girl-Led?
How Effective is Your Troop?
Developing a Growth Mindset
The Three Processes
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61
62
63
64
65
67
68
72
76
79
80
81
82
83
85
Troop/Group Bank Accounts
Troop/Group Finance Report
Financial Procedures When Groups Change
Options for Funding
Contributions from Families
Financial Literacy Skills for Girls
Understanding Financial/Sales Abilities by Grade
Level
Understanding the Girl Scout Product Sales Program
Using Online Resources to Market Product Sales
Safety: Product Sales
Additional Group Money-Earning
Donations From the Community, Sponsorships,
Gifts-in-Kind, Cause-Related Marketing,
Fundraising Guidelines
Supporting GSNorCal
Safeguarding Member’s Personal Information
How Long to Retain Documents
Online Camp/Event Registration for Service Units
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114
116
117
118
119
120
121
123
125
127
129
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133
134
135
Glossary
136
Forms / Index v
139
v Spanish Translation or Resource is Available
Council Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials 2015-2016
Quick Guide
GSNorCal
Volunteering
Chapter 1: Volunteering With Girl Scouts
Program
12
13
15
16
17
Glossary
Welcome to GSNorCal, Office & Property Locations
Property Reservations
GSNorCal Publications, Website & Retail Store
GSNorCal Staff v
Governance and Operations
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87
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
Troop Info
Girl Scouts of Northern California
Knowing Your Responsibilities
Girl Scout Safety Guidelines
Understanding How Many Volunteers Are Needed
Safety Activity Checkpoints
High-Adventure Activities & Forbidden Activities
High-Adventure: Approved Vendor List
Permission, Accident/Injury, & Incident Forms
Health History Forms v
Emergency Management Plan
First Aiders & Experts
Safety for Events & Overnight Activities
Girl Scout Activity Insurance
Transporting Girls
Trip Folders
Trip Checklist
Trip Planning Process
Traveling with Girls, Using Journeys Destinations,
GSNorCal Travel Opportunities, Global Travel Toolkit
Travel Procedures for Extended Trips
Money For Trips
Letting Girls Lead, Group Dynamics
Travel Security & Safety Tips
Reengaging Girls
Setting up a Group Website
Safety-Wise
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6
7
9
10
Finances
Chapter 4: Safety-Wise
Council Office & Retail Store Locations
We Are Girl Scouts! Girl Scout Promise and Law
Girl Scouts’ Organizational Structure
Who Can Join Girl Scouts—and How?
Flexible Ways to Belong
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Forms / Index
Quick Start Guide
Welcome to the Council Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials
Commonly referred to as the CRG, this booklet is filled with information about Girl Scouting and specifically about GSNorCal.
Use the index to quickly find topics in this book including information on Girl Scout traditions, responsibilities, leadership,
awards, badges and so much more. Use this book in combination with our online resources and training links to help you in
your volunteer role throughout the year. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of girls!
Questions? Please contact Member Services
Visit: www.GirlScoutsNorCal.org for office and service center hours.
phone: 800-447-4475 Ext 0 email: [email protected]
Below are answers to a few of the most common FAQs and scenarios:
Take your troop on a simple fieldtrip:
You need more parent support:
1. Take a training: training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
1. Read the section Asking for Help, page 79.
2. Check the Girl Scout Adult-to-Girl Ratio chart, page 89.
2. Send your parents to online training for their support
roles, training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org.
3. Read the information about permission forms, page 93
4. Read about transporting Girl Scouts, and Trip Folders,
Take your troop camping:
pages 99 & 100.
1. Take the Troop Camping Certification in-person class.
Take your troop on a High-Adventure fieldtrip such
2. Check our available properties, pages 12 & 13.
as swimming:
3. Visit the council forms page www.GSNorCal.org/forms
1. Take a training: training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
and find the Safety Activity Checkpoints for group
camping, hiking, and outdoor cooking.
2. Read about approved activities & vendors, pages 91 & 92.
4. Will dads go? Read our Girl Scout Safety Guidelines,
3. Read about High-Adventure Activity forms, page 93.
page 97.
4. Visit the council forms page www.GSNorCal.org/forms
5.
Get your trip pre-approved. Make a trip checklist, plan,
and find the Safety Activity Checkpoints for swimming
budget, and submit your trip forms, pages 101-103.
or any other activity.
Is there a place where I can go for information
and resources?
Go to the training pages for your role: training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
How do I connect with GS news and info?
Attend service unit meetings, sign up for service unit mailings & emails.
Sign up for our Monday Mailing (page 15). Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Pinterest & YouTube.
What training do I need?
Log in to the training page: training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
Select your volunteer role to view the training and resources available to you.
How do I become a Girl Scout member?
www.GSNorCal.org/join
How do I complete the screening process?
How about the parents/other adults?
Which adults need to be screened?
Adult Screening Policy and Process (pages 19-22),
If you’re new to Girl Scouts go to: www.GSNorCal.org/join
If you’re renewing, go to www.GSNorCal.org, click on MyGS.
Select a volunteer role and complete your Adult Screening if required.
How do I recruit girls and adults for my troop?
List your troop in the Opportunity Catalog, direct parents to join the troop via the
catalog. Not in the Opportunity Catalog? Go to www.GSNorCal.org/join. Have parents
register, select “Unsure”, and enter the troop number in the “notes” section.
How do I hold my first parent meeting?
training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org See page 61 for sample agenda
How do I communicate with the families
in my troop?
See pages 65 & 66 for ideas
How do I organize records and information?
See pages 65 & 66 for ideas
How do I open a troop/group bank account?
See pages 112 & 113
How do I find a place to meet? How do I get a
proof of insurance for schools/meeting place?
Check with staff member and service unit volunteers for ideas, see page 62
Request a proof of insurance document here: www.GSNorCal.org/coi
Do the girls need to be in full uniform?
Girl Scouts at each level have one required element (tunic, sash, or vest), for the display of
official pins and awards, that girls should wear when they participate in ceremonies or officially
represent Girl Scouting.
Download Uniform Cost worksheet by level here: www.GSNorCal.org/forms
What is an Investiture Ceremony?
See page 59, google ‘Girl Scout Investiture’ for ideas
What is a Leadership Journey?
See pages 36 & 37
How do I help the girls choose their first Journey?
Jump to Journeys patch program for girls AND adults, see page 37
How does the troop get money for activities?
See pages 107, 117 - 120, 127 - 128
How do I avoid being overwhelmed
by product sales in the first year?
Take Fall Sale or Cookie training to become familiar with the simple process.
Recruit another parent to take this role for the troop/group. See pages 121 - 126
How do I handle behavior problems?
See pages 78-79, talk with service unit volunteers or staff members.
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Council Offices and Retail Store Locations
Council Offices
Greater Bay Area
North Central Area
Alameda Office
1650 Harbor Bay Pkwy
Suite 100
Alameda, Ca 94502-3013
Phone: (510) 562-8470
or (800) 447-4475
Fax: (510) 633-7925
Chico Office
50 Landing Circle
Chico, CA 95973
San Jose Office
1310 S. Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128-4502
Phone: (408) 287-4170
or (800) 447-4475
Fax: (408) 287-8025
Redding Office
1670 Market Street
Suite 248
Redding, CA 96001
Phone: (530) 221-6180
or (800) 447-4475
Fax: (530) 221-5340
Phone: (530) 343-1904
or (800) 447-4475
Fax: (530) 343-6465
North Coast Area
Santa Rosa Office
4825 Old Redwood Hwy
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 544-5472
or (800) 447-4475
Fax: (707) 544-5477
Redwoods Area
Eureka Office
3203 T Street
Eureka, CA 95503
Phone: (707) 443-6641
or (800) 447-4475
Fax: (707) 443-0496
Field based staff are located throughout Northern California.
Contact Member Services to find out which Volunteer Development Manager serves your area.
800-447-4475 Ext 0, or [email protected]
Retail Store Locations
www.girlscoutshop.com/NORTHERN-CALIFORNIA-COUNCIL
Greater Bay Area
North Central Area
Alameda Office
1650 Harbor Bay Pkwy
Suite 100
Alameda, Ca 94502-3013
Phone: (510) 562-8470
ext. 7093
Fax: (510) 633-7925
Shop
@GirlScoutsNorCal.org
Chico Office
50 Landing Circle
Chico, CA 95973
San Jose Office
1310 S. Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128-4502
Redding Office
1670 Market Street
Suite 248
Redding, CA 96001
Phone: (530) 221-6180
ext. 7098
Fax: (530) 221-5340
ShopRedding
Phone: (408) 287-4170
ext. 7096
Fax: (408) 287-8025
ShopSanJose
Phone: (530) 343-1904
ext. 7097
Fax: (530) 343-6465
ShopChico
North Coast Area
Santa Rosa Office
4825 Old Redwood Hwy
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 544-5472
ext. 7091
Fax: (707) 544-5477
ShopSantaRosa
Redwoods Area
Eureka Office
3203 T Street
Eureka, CA 95503
Phone: (707) 443-6641
ext. 7099
Fax: (707) 443-0496
ShopEureka
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Quick Start Guide
Ready to get started?
Our convenient online training will teach
you everything you need to know.
Just choose your volunteer role for
your specific learning path.
Visit training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
Then read through this
booklet for support information.
Your Support Team
A team of volunteers and staff
provides you with local support,
learning opportunities, and advice.
Key Staff:
Our Member Services Specialists
are eager and able to answer your
questions.
Welcome to the great adventure of Girl Scouting!
Thanks to volunteers like you, generations of girls have learned to be leaders in their own lives and in the world.
1 (800) 447-4475 ext. 0
[email protected]
A full staff directory is on our council
website at: www.GSNorCal.org/staff
We know you’re busy and need to be efficient with your time. For that reason, this Quick-Start Guide to our Council Resource
Guide (CRG): Volunteer Essentials gives you the answers to the basic questions you might have right now about the
Girl Scout organization.
The rest of the Council Resource Guide (CRG): Volunteer Essentials is a reference for you to use as needed, and supports
our online training modules. When you have a question, simply look up the topic in the Table of Contents, and you’ll find your
answer. Think of it is as your encyclopedia to Girl Scout volunteering!
VDM (GSNorCal Staff)
Name: Phone: Email: We are Girl Scouts!
Girl Scouts was founded in 1912 by trailblazer Juliette
Gordon Low. We are the largest girl-serving organization
in the United States and a member of the World Association
of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, a sisterhood of close to
10 million girls and adults in 145 countries.
Our Mission
MDM (GSNorCal Staff)
Name: Phone: Email: Our Vision
Key Service Unit volunteers:
Girl Scouts builds girls of
courage, confidence, and character, who make the
world a better place.
We strive to be the premier
leadership organization for girls and experts on their
growth and development.
Girl Scout Promise and Law
The Girl Scout Promise and Law are shared by every member of Girl Scouting. The Girl Scout Promise is the way Girl
Scouts agree to act every day toward one another and other people, and the Girl Scout Law outlines a way to act
towards one another and the world. Everything we do in Girl Scouting is rooted in the Girl Scout Promise and Law, which
speak to the vision we all share for girls and inspire each of us to work on behalf of tomorrow’s leaders. The Promise is
often recited at Girl Scout troop meetings while holding up the three middle fingers of the right hand, which forms the
Girl Scout sign. Girl Scout policy states that the organization does not endorse or promote any particular philosophy or
religious belief. Girl Scout Promise
Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
On my honor, I will try
- To serve God* and my country,
- To help people at all times,
- And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
(*Girl Scouts makes no attempt to define or interpret the word “God”
in the Girl Scout Promise. We look to individual members to establish
for themselves the nature of their spiritual beliefs. When making the
Girl Scout Promise, individuals may substitute wording appropriate to
their own spiritual beliefs for the word “God.”)
*Note: This disclaimer appears in the National Leadership Journey
adult guides, but not in the girls’ books. It is included here as a
reminder to you, as a volunteer, that it’s your responsibility to be
sensitive to the spiritual beliefs of the girls in your group and to make
sure that everyone in the group feels comfortable and included in Girl
Scouting. Please feel free to share this information with girls’ families.
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and to
CRG - Quick Start Guide
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong,
and responsible for what I say and do,
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place,
and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Your Leader Support Manager:
Name: Phone: Email: Your Troop Support Manager:
Name: Phone: Email: Your Service Unit Registrar:
Name: Phone: Email: National Organization and Worldwide
Sisterhood
The national office of Girl Scouts of
the USA (GSUSA), located in New York
City, employs roughly 300 employees.
GSUSA is a member of the World
Association of Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts (WAGGGS). (Visit GSUSA
online www.GirlScouts.org where
you’ll find a wealth of resources for
both girls and volunteers).
Global Girl Scouting ensures that girls
have increased awareness about
the world, cross-cultural learning
opportunities, and education on
relevant global issues that may
inspire them to take action to make
the world a better place. Visit Global
Girl Scouting online for additional
information.
Since 1925, USA Girl Scouts Overseas
(USAGSO, a division of Global Girl
Scouting) has helped ease the
transition for American families
relocating overseas by offering
the familiar traditions and exciting
opportunities of Girl Scouting to
girls abroad. USAGSO now serves
thousands of American girls living
overseas, as well as girls attending
American or international schools.
Through Global Girl Scouting,
members participate in World
Thinking Day on February 22, visit
the four WAGGGS world centers
(see the “For Travel Volunteers”
appendix), participate in international
travel, promote global friendship
and understanding by supporting the
Juliette Low World Friendship Fund,
and take action on global issues.
What is a Service Unit Team?
As a volunteer, you will have the
most contact with your local Girl
Scout support team, which may be
called a service unit or another name.
Never hesitate to contact them,
because your support team
will guide and assist you in all things
Girl Scouting. If you have questions
about the Girl Scout program,
or working with girls, go to your
service unit team for answers and
ongoing support.
Girl Scouts is the world’s largest
organization of and for girls,
currently encompassing 2.3
million girl members and nearly
one million volunteers! Three
core structures support all
these members: the national
headquarters, your council,
and your local support team.
Your Service Unit Treasurer:
Name: Phone: Email: Your Program Support Manager:
Name: Phone: Email: Quick Guide
Girl Scouts’ Organizational Structure
. . . and be a sister to every Girl Scout!
You are not in this alone!
There is support and help every step of the way.
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We have identified Three Keys to Leadership:
girls Discover themselves and their values;
Connect with others;
and Take Action to make the world a better place. At Girl Scouts, everything
centers around the girl: activities are girl-led, which gives girls the opportunity to
learn by doing in a cooperative learning environment.
Connect Online
Connect with
Girl Scouts of the USA:
••
••
••
••
www.GirlScouts.org
www.facebook.com/GirlScoutsUSA
www.twitter.com/GirlScouts
www.pinterest.com/GSUSA
Connect with Girl Scouts
of Northern California:
••
••
••
••
••
••
••
www.GSNorCal.org
www.facebook.com/GSNorCal
www.twitter.com/GSNorCal
www.GSNorCal.blogspot.com
www.pinterest.com/GSNorCal
www.youtube.com/GirlScoutsSpeakOut
www.instagram.com/GirlScoutsNorCal
More than 3 Million Strong
We are urban, rural, and suburban. We are in schools, churches, temples,
mosques, public housing, foster homes, and detention centers. We are in virtually
every zip code and in 90 countries around the world.
••
••
••
••
••
2.3 million girls 5 to 18 years of age.
16,800 Girl Scouts overseas.
888,000 adult volunteers.
59 million alumnae.
112 councils throughout the United States.
At any given time, approximately 10 percent of girls are Girl Scouts,
and it’s interesting to know that:
•• 80 percent of women business owners were Girl Scouts.
•• 69 percent of female U.S Senators were Girl Scouts.
•• 67 percent of female members of the House of Representatives were Girl Scouts.
•• Virtually every female astronaut who has flown in space was a Girl Scout.
Who Can Join Girl Scouts—and How?
Girl Scouts is about sharing the
fun, friendship, and power of girls
and women together. Any girl—
from kindergarten through 12th
grade—can join Girl Scouts.
Girl Scout volunteers are also
a diverse group; you may be a
college volunteer working on
a community action project,
a parent volunteer ready for
an outdoor adventure with
your daughter’s troop, or any
responsible adult (female or
male, who have passed the
necessary screening process)
looking to help prime girls for the
day when they’ll lead—however
and wherever they choose.
What all members share, both
girls and adults, are the Girl Scout
Promise and Law. Each member
also agrees to follow safety
guidelines and pay the annual
membership dues.
Membership Dues
Adults: - $15
I Can’t Wait To
I Can’t Wait To is a multi-year campaign that focuses on getting the fun of Girl
Scouts into the lives of young girls (K–5), their parents and caregivers, and you,
the volunteer. We are heading into the second year of I Can’t Wait To, and the
promotions, games, and contests keep coming.
GSNorCal will be in touch with you and other volunteers about what is happening
locally with this campaign, so keep an eye out!
ToGetHerThere
At Girl Scouts, we know that when girls are given the opportunity, they change
their world. Every girl has an important role to play, and every girl deserves the
confidence to achieve anything she sets her sight on. But we need help to ensure
that girls in every U.S. zip code develop the confidence that Girl Scouts nurtures.
That’s why we’ve launched ToGetHerThere, the largest fundraising campaign for
girls in history.
ToGetHerThere is a Movement wide fundraising campaign with the goal of raising
$1 Billion for girls by 2020. Every gift to every Girl Scout Council counts toward
the goal. Together, we will get her there - to help lead her troop, her family, her
community, her company, her country, and her world. To learn more about
joining the largest campaign for girls visit www.GirlScouts.org/invest.
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$15 annual membership fee
(paid to GSUSA)
*option to purchase a lifetime membership for $375
Girls: - $30
$15 annual membership fee
(paid to GSUSA)
$15 annual Council Service Fee
(this portion directly
supports GSNorCal)
Girls at Every
Grade Level
After girls join, they team up at
the following grade levels:
Daisy (grades K–1)
Brownie (grades 2–3)
Junior (grades 4–5)
Cadette (grades 6–8)
Senior (grades 9–10)
Ambassador (grades 11–12)
Quick Guide
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
Adult volunteers in GSNorCal can serve:
at the troop/group level
•• Troop Leader
•• Help out within a troop or group
•• Manage product sales
•• Teach girls a skill
•• Drive or chaperone girls on trips or outings
•• Assist girls in preparing for and going camping
•• Be a first aider
•• Handle troop registration, permission forms, or other records
•• Maintain the troop bank account
or beyond the troop service unit or council level opportunities
•• Support troops traveling the world by sharing your love of travel!
•• Work with a group to plan and carry out events for girls in your area.
•• Join the Girl Scout Alumnae (former girl or adult members who serve
the council in a variety of ways).
•• Be a Campaign For Girls Champion in a local service unit (raise
awareness about the benefits of financially supporting our
Girl Scout council).
•• Work to coordinate cookie or fall sales in your local or regional area.
•• Manage a Fall Sales or Cookie Cupboard in your area (maintain an
inventory of products for local volunteers to check out or return
products during the sales).
•• Work on property improvement or maintenance for our camps.
•• Work with our Fund Development Department to explore funding
opportunities with your employer, or foundations or other
organizations you are affiliated with.
•• Volunteer at camp (Day and/or Resident).
•• Provide Girl Scouting for girls in hard to serve areas including migrant
camps, detention centers, homeless shelters or other areas.
•• Talk to potential new volunteers at a Parent Information Night or
recruiting event.
•• Training/development of adults, help coordinate volunteer learning
courses in your area, or mentor new volunteers in your area.
Contact Member Services for more information:
800-447-4475 Ext 0 or [email protected]
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The most important thing to remember is that you make Girl Scouts possible. That deserves a big high five! Don’t forget to have fun!
Flexible Ways to Participate
Across the country, the Girl Scout
community is hard at work on a
whole new approach to make sure
that everyone can participate in Girl
Scouting in the ways they want to.
As a volunteer, you can choose from
flexible ways to participate called Girl
Scout Pathways that can be tailored
to fit your schedule and lifestyle. You
can also volunteer behind the scenes
in a GSNorCal office, instead of
volunteering directly with girls.
of partnering with girls throughout a
membership year or committing to
an opportunity for only a few weeks
or months. Based on independent
research and extensive surveys with
thousands of council staff members
from around the country, we have
a good sense of which options will
interest girls, based on their grade
levels (see the chart below).
Girls can choose any one, all, or some
of the options—camp, events, series,
troop, travel, and virtual*— within a
single membership year. (*Note that
virtual is still in development).
As a volunteer, you too have the option
GRADES
K
1
2
3
TROOP
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
EVENTS
CAMP
VIRTUAL
SERIES
TRAVEL
Pathways in GSNorCal
Girls of all levels can explore their skills and interests while helping to shape a variety of fun and enriching leadership
experiences that inspire them to reach their personal best. No matter where and how girls participate, they get the necessary
guidance from adult volunteers and council staff to develop leadership skills and understand how those skills can be used to
make a difference in the world.
Troops
Girls participate in a series of programs
with the same group of girls over the
course of an academic year. Contact
the GSNorCal Member Services Team
for more info:
[email protected]
Events
Girls participate individually or with
their troop in one-time events
(e.g., career day).
www.GSNorCal.org/peg
Camp
Girls participate in day or resident
camp with a focus on the out-of-doors
and/or environmental education.
www.CampRocks.org
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Virtual
Girls in grades 4 and up may participate
in interactive, high-quality program
activities in a safe, secure, online
environment supplemented by live
events. The virtual pathway for girls
is under construction. If you have
ideas about how to make this pathway
viable for girls, please contact Member
Services. [email protected]
Series
Girls participate in a series of programs
with the same group of girls relating to
a specific theme or purpose (e.g., highadventure and travel groups, robotics
teams, or after school programs where
girls complete a Leadership Journey
over a six-week period).
Contact Member Services.
[email protected]
Travel
Girls plan, earn money, prepare, and
participate in regional, national, and
international trips!
GSNorCal believes that every girl
deserves a chance to see the world!
Therefore, we host two annual travel
adventures each summer (Cadette’s
and a separate trip for Senior &
Ambassadors).
www.GSNorCal.org/travelguidelines
GSUSA coordinates a national
destinations program that provides
unique experiences for girls in grades
6-12. Through this program girls can
apply for and attend events sponsored
by councils throughout the United
States that take place all over the
country and also internationally.
www.forgirls.girlscouts.org/travel/
Program:
Safety:
As a volunteer, you are in charge of keeping Girl Scouts
both safe and fun! You and your troop will share adventures
through something called the Girl Scout Leadership
Experience. It’s simple:
•• The girls discover what they care about,
•• They connect with and collaborate with people
in the community
•• Then they take action to do something that makes
the world a better place.
And there’s a whole galaxy of activities to choose from and
badges to earn along the way. Share these possibilities
with the girls. They will discuss, decide, and plan the
year’s adventures – everything from troop meetings to
camping trips!
Girl Scouts is fun, but it’s tough to have fun with bumps and
bruises, so we require that you keep safety a top priority.
Use the Safety Activity Checkpoints for all of your nontroop meeting activities. Make sure your girls have proper
supervision - always two unrelated adults (sometimes
more). Get permission from parents and caregivers for
anything outside of the normal time and place with girls. Be
Prepared for emergencies! Make sure everyone in the troop
knows how to handle fires, weather, and evacuations. And of
course, always have a first aid kit handy.
Online Training
Ready to learn more? GSNorCal provides
learning modules to help you every step of
the way, and you’ll earn virtual badges when
you complete them!
Go to: training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org and
select your role. All the learning modules, forms,
and resources you need are there just for you!
Be sure to review the
following resources
contained in this booklet:
Feelings get hurt, too, so one of your most important roles
is to ensure that your girls feel emotionally safe. This is the
place where girls try new things, and they have to do
it without fear of how they look while they try, fail, practice,
and succeed. Always include everyone – never ever allow
cliques, bullying, or discrimination in your troop. Be the role
model that encourages openness and acceptance.
Did You Know?
Safety guidelines are designed
to keep girls safe and protect
adults’ legal interests. You’ll be
provided with resources that
make it easy to comply with
local, state, and federal laws
and insurance requirements,
and spend more time having
fun with your girls!
Remember! Always make sure
your girls have proper supervision
—always two unrelated adults
and sometimes more!
•• Girl-Adult Supervision Ratios—page 89
•• Knowing who must be registered
and screened—pages 18 & 19
•• What to do with the girls—Chapter 2
•• Finding a place to meet—page 62
•• Girl characteristics—pages 68 - 71, 76-78
•• Communicating with girls—page 73-75
Support
•• What to do when sensitive topics
come up—page 74-77
You probably have more questions – that’s a good thing!
The volunteers and staff at GSNorCal will be answering them,
and supporting you, throughout all your Girl Scout adventures.
•• How to plan with girls—page 76
•• Preventing behavior problems
(and what to do when they occur—page 77-78)
•• Working with parents—page 79
•• Parent meetings—page 61
[email protected]
or 800-447-4475 Ext. 0
Don’t shy away from asking parents for a little time every now
and then – making adventure happen is a collaborative effort.
Finally, use the resources your council will provide for you
– you’ll find all the answers you’ll need in there, from how to
transport girls to events to contact information. And
if you can’t track down what you need, call your council!
There’s always someone to help you out!
11
Quick Guide
High Five!
Girl Scout Pathways: Flexible Ways to Belong
12
CRG - Girl Scouts of Northern California
GSNorCal
Fall and Spring Only
Fall and Spring Only
Tent site,
sleeping platforms
230
200
No
Platform tents
X
X
X
X
X
X
No
Year round
when not used by council
100 day / 40 night
Building, meeting rooms
No
School year only
100 day / 30 night
Building, meeting rooms
No
Year round
30 day / 20 night
Building
No
Year round
100
X
Yes
Sleeping shelters, tent sites,
or Home of Friendship
Year round
150
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Yes
Buildings, tent cabins, sleeping platforms
September - May
150
Building, camp sites
Yes
Year round
Year round
90 day / 30 night
60 day / 30 night
Tent site
Building
No
Yes
Yes
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Camp Sugar Pine
ADDITIONAL CA PROPERTIES
X
Skylark Ranch: Pescadero
X
X
X
Rainbow's End: San Jose
X
X
X
Lou Henry Hoover: Palo Alto
X
X
X
X
Ida Smith: San Francisco
X
X
Hidden Falls: Soquel
X
X
Butano Creek: Pescadero
X
Twin Canyon: Lafayette
SOUTH BAY / PENINSULA
X
Hayward Cabin
X
X
X
Cordelia Outdoor Center
X
X
X
X
A Girl's Place: Fairfield
EAST BAY / SOLANO AREA
X
X
Red Bluff Service Center
X
X
X
X
X
Chico Office
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Yes
Meeting Room
55 day / 25 night
Year round
Year round
40 meeting /
49 night
Meeting Room
Year round
Yes
Meeting Room
2 Meeting rooms, 5 beds
Yes
X
X
30
18 night
Limited use
Limited season,
100
Yes
Tent site, shelters
Year round
30 meeting /
10 night
Yes
Meeting Room
Year round
30 day / 10 night
Meeting Room
Yes
X
Year round
August - May
247
150 day / 40 night
Camp site, building
Buildings, tent cabins
Yes
Yes
X
X
CAPACITY
SLEEPING
ARRANGEMENTS
X
X
Check website for
availability &
more information
www.GSNorCal.org
/property-rental
ty-rental
[email protected]
or call (800) 447-4475 Ext. 0
CONTACT FOR
RESERVATIONS
NORTH CENTRAL
Weekday meetings, Outdoor Program space for overnights and day camp
• Cordelia Outdoor Program Center (no indoor space)
• Twin Canyon - Lafayette
• Rainbow’s End Program Center - South San Jose
• Ida Smith - Lake Merced SF
Eureka Program Center
Outdoor Program Center
REDWOODS
For information on Property
Rentals see chart on next page
www.GSNorCal.org/
property-rental
The Cove: Napa
Office
Hidden Falls
X
San Jose
Rohnert Park Scout Hut
Butano
Skylark
Camp
Sugar Pine
X
Office
X
Alameda
Main Office - Santa Rosa
Bothin
Arequipa
X
Santa Rosa
Office
Weekend and/or summer camping
• The Cove - Mt. Veeder
• Bothin - Fairfax
• Arequipa - Fairfax
• Butano Creek - Pescadero
• Skylark Ranch - North of Santa Cruz
• Hidden Falls - Santa Cruz Mtns.
• Deer Lake - Donner Summit
• Two Sentinels - Kirkwood
• Sugar Pine - Calaveras Co.
X
Two Sentinels
The Cove
Camp
X
Deer Lake
X
Office
Mendocino
Service Center
Bothin: Fairfax
Chico
NORTH COAST
Red Bluff
Office
Arequipa: Fairfax
Office
SITE
Redding
Staff + Retail Shop
• Eureka
• Santa Rosa Office
• Redding Office
• Chico Office
• Alameda Office
• San Jose Office
GSNorCal Property Rental Overview
Eureka
Office
Meeting Space + Limited Outdoor Space
• Rohnert Park Scout Hut
• St. Helena Scout House
• A Girl’s Place - Fairfield
• Benicia Scout House
• Livermore Cabin
• Hayward Cabin
• Carlton Corner GS House - San Bruno
• Lou Henry Hoover Program Center - Palo Alto
Office Locations
DAY USE
Meeting Space
OVERNIGHT
GSNorCal Property Locations
KITCHEN
We have 90 local service units to serve
our 19 counties. Service units are led
by local volunteers who will be able
to assist and support you. Visit the
GSNorCal website to determine
which service unit you belong to:
www.GSNorCal.org
HIGH-ROPES
COURSE
Please visit the GSNorCal website for
hours for all offices, service centers,
and stores: www.GSNorCal.org
HIKING
All offices, service centers, and shops
are closed on Thursdays. If you need to
meet with a staff person on a Thursday,
please make an appointment with
them.
BBQ
Volunteers are welcome to visit
whichever office, service center, or
retail store is most convenient to them.
Staff are assigned to work in offices
according to the regional area they
serve, but staff members in any office
are eager to assist you.
CAMPFIRE
CIRCLE
council serves approximately 46,000
girls and 31,000 adult members in 19
counties in Northern California which
include: Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa,
Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake,
Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Santa Clara,
San Francisco, San Mateo, Shasta,
Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama,
and Trinity Counties. Each county
is further divided into service units,
smaller geographic regions in which
our communities participate in Girl
Scouting together. GSNorCal is the
fourth largest council in the country,
and we are viewed as leaders by other
councils.
SHOWERS
The map above shows our council
boundaries and areas.
The map below shows where our
properties are located.
Girl Scout councils are chartered
by the national office to attract and
retain members in a geographic area,
provide ways for girls to participate in
Girl Scouting, create an environment
that reflects Girl Scout values and
ideals, manage volunteers’ experience
with Girl Scouting, and keep girls and
volunteers as safe as possible. The
national office provides support
materials to all councils to ensure that
the Girl Scout experience is nationally
consistent.
CAMP WORK
PARTIES
About GSNorCal
www.GSNorCal.org/proper-
Welcome to Girl Scouts of Northern California!
13
Q. Must I rent an entire site?
A. Smaller groups can plan their
own special trips by renting unit
areas within the larger site, and
service units and large
groups may rent entire campsites
for their events.
GSNorCal Retail Stores
Girl Scouts of Northern California offers a variety of
publications to inform girls, adults, volunteers, donors,
funders, staff, and community partners of our program
events, membership plans, and council business.
Girl Scout stores offer more than just Girl Scout handbooks
and clothing; they offer the latest information about what’s
going on in Girl Scouting, from resource materials to
membership and council news.
The following is a listing of council publications:
With stores in San Jose, Alameda, Santa Rosa, Chico, Eureka,
and Redding, it’s easy to get what you need at your local
Girl Scout shop! You can also order uniforms, supplies,
GSNorCal T-shirts, sweatshirts, patches, pins and more by
mail or through our online store.
CampRocks!
Q. May we exceed the stated
capacities for sites?
A. No. Day use and overnight
capacities at each site are based
on several factors, including
American Camping Association
safety standards and may not be
exceeded.
GSNorCal Property Reservations
Q. Where can I find out what the
rental fees are for properties?
A. Go to www.GSNorCal.org/
property-rental, email
[email protected],
or phone (800) 447-4475 ext. 2091
Q. How can I tell if the site is
available for my desired dates?
A. Go to www.GSNorCal.org/
property-rental, email
[email protected],
or phone (800) 447-4475 ext. 2091
Q. How will I know if my reservation
has been accepted?
A. Online reservations are
confirmed at the time of reservation.
Paper reservations are sent a
confirmation within 5 business
days if the site is available, or you
will be informed that the site is not
available for the dates requested.
Discover the fun of camping, overnights,
or other group activities with your
friends! Girl Scout groups can enjoy
special and affordable getaways at
one of the eight council camps located
throughout northern California.
Experience the adventure of cooking
out, sleeping in a cabin or tent, gazing at
the stars or learning about nature. Each
council site offers something unique,
from old growth redwoods and the
Pacific coast to trails that have sweeping
views of the San Francisco Bay!
Visit our website property page
www.GSNorCal.org/property-rental
for a rental directory, more information
on rental sites and a link to online
reservations.
Each rental property has a webpage
with a summary of facilities, pricing,
camp map, links to local attractions
and a slide show featuring facilities,
trails and landscape.
Reservations can be made online,
by fax or by mail. Reservations cannot
be taken over the phone. Mailed and
faxed reservations may take two to
three weeks to process.
Fees are based on a tiered system:
•• GSNorCal groups.
•• Other non-profit groups (including
out-of-council Girl Scouts).
Camp Brochure for council-run camps. Information about
these and volunteer-run camps also can be found at
www.CampRocks.org
Council Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials
GSNorCal Annual Report
GSNorCal websites
Girls Speak Out
Mailed and/or emailed to all donors and available on
our council website
www.GSNorCal.org (Council website)
www.CampRocks.org (Camp)
facebook.com/GSNorCal
twitter.com/GSNorCal
GSNorCal.blogspot.com
pinterest.com/GSNorCal
youtube.com/GirlScoutsSpeakOut
instagram.com/GirlScoutsNorCal
Inspire
Reservation Date
Monday Mailing*
Opening Date
User Group
Process
Now – Dec 31, 2015
Open
All
Online and
Offline
Jan 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2016
Sept 1, 2015
All
Online and
Offline
Aug 1, 2016
Service Unit and
Volunteer-Run
Camps renting
entire site
Service Unit
Property
Reservation
Request
Online Form
Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2017
Reservation Periods
Site
Check In time
Check Out time
Bothin, Butano Creek, Hidden Falls, Skylark Ranch
DAY Rentals
A Girl’s Place, Arequipa, Cordelia, The Cove, Hayward Cabin, Ida Smith,
Rainbow’s End, Twin Canyons
NIGHT Rentals
A Girl’s Place, Arequipa, Cordelia, The Cove, Hayward Cabin, Ida Smith,
Lou Henry Hoover (Saturday only), Rainbow’s End, Twin Canyons
4:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
Lou Henry Hoover
(Friday and Saturday night rentals listed above)
10:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Friday Night 6:00 p.m.
Saturday Day 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Day 10:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
Order by Mail, Email, Fax or Phone:
Girl Scouts of Northern California Council Shop
1650 Harbor Bay Pkwy Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94502-3013
Phone: (800) 447-4475 ext. 7090
FAX: (510) 633-7925
Email: [email protected]
This booklet. Also known as the CRG.
Reservation Opening Dates / Process
Ropes Course Program Information:
www.GSNorCal.org/ropes-course
or contact [email protected]
14
GSNorCal Publications
Donor newsletter mailed to all donors
Sign up on our council website to receive this weekly
electronic newsletter for Girl Scout volunteers. It’s full
of events, reminders, announcements, and volunteer
opportunities emailed to all registered leaders and
co-leaders. www.GSNorCal.org/subscribe
Program and Event Guide (PEG)
The activity guide for girls grades K-12 listing program
events throughout the council
Special Events and Announcements
Includes special e-newsletters such as CookiE-news,
Camp News and Notes, and other updates about special
events like Discoveree and much more.
www.GSNorCal.org/subscribe
Update from Marina*
The electronic message from our council CEO, Marina
Park, is sent to all registered adults and girls in grades 6-12.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from GSNorCal
electronic mailings, click on “Subscribe to E-News”
at the top of the page on the council website or:
GSNorCal’s Girl Scouts Speak Out Program gives Girl Scouts
a chance to get their voice heard and speak out on what it
means to be a Girl Scout. Girl Scouts Speak Out will air on
Girl Scouts of Northern California’s web site, and youTube
channel! youtube.com/GirlScoutsSpeakOut
Whistleblower Procedure
Volunteers and employees are expected to report serious
concerns. Concerns may include:
•• Suspected fraud or questionable or improper accounting;
abuse or misuse of the GSNorCal’s resources or assets;
dishonest actions or deeds, including theft; suspected
conflict of interest; experienced or awareness of
harassment or discrimination of any kind; safety
concerns, including child endangerment; violations or
suspected violations of the Council’s policies; or Illegal
activity.
•• We promote direct “open door” communications with our
volunteers, parents/caregivers and staff.
Volunteers Concerns or suspected violations can be
reported directly to her/his Council representative, the Chief
Mission Delivery Officer or the CEO.
•• If you are not sure who to report to or want to report
anonymously, call our confidential third party automated
telephone service, available 24/7:
[email protected] (877) 767-7781
Handling of Concerns
All reports received will be treated seriously and investigated
to the extent possible to determine the facts and circumstances. GSNorCal will contact the individual within five business days, if possible. It will not be possible to acknowledge
receipt of anonymously submitted concerns. Actions taken
by Council will include follow-up, with the complainant for
complete closure.
15
GSNorCal
About Girl Scouts of Northern California
Property
Reservation FAQs:
GSNorCal Staff
Governance and Operations
Our GSNorCal staff are extremely dedicated and committed to making Girl Scouting available to all girls in our nineteen
counties. Staff provide services to members and perform council support roles. Below is a brief description of each department.
How are decisions made?
1 (800) 447-4475 ext. 0
[email protected]
Much of our staff spends a great deal of time “in the field”
away from their email or phones. Each Member Services
Specialist has information at their fingertips via an
extensive solutions database. In the unlikely event they
are not able to answer your question, they will forward
your inquiry to a staff person who can.
Outdoor Program: Responsible for the summer council-run
and volunteer-run Day and Resident Camps. If your service unit
or region is interested in or is running a camp, Outdoor Program
can assist and support you. Also responsible for ropes course
and outdoor experience programming.
Help is also available in Spanish.
Product Sales: The Product Sales Department
supports the Fall Sale and Cookie programs.
Council Support:
Program: Responsible for ensuring that girls in GSNorCal
all have the benefit of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
(GSLE), partner with service units to deliver program
opportunities for girls, manage council-run events offered in
the Program and Event Guide (PEG), girl awards, girl training
courses, Green by Nature (environmental) and Girls Go Tech
(science , technology, engineering, & math) program boxes,
copies of the Girls Guide to Girl Scouting and Journeys in Braille,
as well as Got Choices (a program for girls involved with the
juvenile justice system), and Daughters of Farm Workers (which
serves girls from migrant and non-migrant communities).
Finance: Our finance department works to pay the bills and
keep track of our income, as well as managing the reporting
process for grant projects.
Fund Development: Responsible for soliciting grants
and individual gifts. If you plan to solicit donations of
goods, services, or funds, you should check with our Fund
Development Department before doing so. They can assist
you with solicitation and/or acknowledgement letters and
ensure that donations are tax deductible for your donors.
Human Resources: Human Resources: Responsible for
administering employment processes, including job posting,
recruiting, and performance evaluation systems, as well
as managing on-boarding and benefits. HR also addresses
employee relations programs such as diversity, health and
safety and employee policies and procedures.
Marketing/Communications (MarComm): Responsible
for all interaction with print, radio, or television media. They
also produce the Monday Mailing and other communication
pieces. If you’ve been approached by the media, or would like
to place articles in your local media, MarComm can help.
Member Services: Our friendly Customer Service staff
can help you with your needs and questions including:
Any questions about Girl Scout Programming
Adult screening process or status
Online membership registration and renewal
Program and Event Guide (PEG) program event
information and registration
Camp information and registration
Property information and reservations
Online and In-person adult learning course
information and registration
16
Property: Responsible for maintaining GSNorCal’s twenty-nine
properties (offices, program centers, outdoor program centers,
and camps). If you rent any of our properties, you will meet our
friendly site managers.
Retail Stores: Responsible for running our retail stores in the
Alameda, Chico, Eureka, Redding, San Jose, and Santa Rosa
office locations. They also bring mini-stores to major events
in the council. Shop online anytime:
www.girlscoutshop.com/NORTHERN-CALIFORNIA-COUNCIL
Risk Management & Travel: Responsible for Risk Management,
Insurance and the Travel Pathway. Can
assist you with trip approval process, travel questions,
high-adventure approved vendors, purchasing insurance
for non-members/members, Certificate of Insurance requests,
rental vehicles, council sponsored trips and more.
Contact [email protected] for any
insurance or policy questions.
Contact [email protected] for travel questions.
Volunteer Resources: Responsible for volunteer systems.
Volunteer Resources staff can assist you with online and
in-person adult learning classes, volunteer recognition.
Governance decisions are broad policy decisions made by the Board of Directors to provide stability within the council and
to give direction for the way Girl Scouting is implemented in the council jurisdiction. Governance decisions relate to strategic
planning, fund development, fiduciary oversight, selection and evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer, and organizational
performance appraisal.
Regional Delegates attend our council’s annual meeting, vote on any amendments to our Council Bylaws and elect the
Board of Directors, Board Development Committee and National Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the National
Council of GSUSA.
• Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors are volunteers who are nominated by the Board Development Committee, a group of
volunteers who take great care to make sure that the Board of Directors represent the council in terms of geographic
representation, as well as demographically.
• Regional Delegates:
Each of our fourteen regions may elect up to eight delegates, including at least two girl members. Remaining nominees
may be elected to serve as alternate delegates. Visit our Volunteer Learning Portal for information about the Delegate
positions. Nominations are open each year in October. Visit the council website for more information about our Board of
Directors and Regional and National Delegates. www.GSNorCal.org/en/our-council/leadership/board-ceo.html
Operations:
Operational decisions relate to annual planning, budgeting, the selection, placement, and supervision of operational
volunteers and staff, the development of systems to ensure the effective delivery of Girl Scout program to all girls within
the jurisdiction, oversight of fiscal and physical resources, and the implementation of policies and standards established
by the Board of Directors. Operational decisions are made by the Chief Executive Officer and are concerned with the
organization and management of all operational work within the framework of the council’s goals. They are based on
governance decisions made by the Board of Directors, as well as reflecting input from volunteers and staff who bring ideas
from their experience.
Become a
Delegate!
GSNorCal welcomes
registered Girl Scouts,
14 years of age
or over
to participate as
Regional Delegates
Governance
Big picture decisions
and direction
Operations
Carrying it out—implementing
decisions and direction
People in governance:
•• Board of Directors
•• National & Regional Delegates
•• Members of the Board
Development Committee
•• Members of board
committees & task groups
People in operations:
•• Leaders & other volunteers
working directly with girls
•• Service unit team members
& others working with
operational adults
•• Council staff
Governance is concerned with:
•• Setting policy & long-term
direction (strategic goals)
•• Establishing priorities
•• Ensuring financial &
organizational stability
People in operations are
responsible for:
•• Day to day management
•• Implementation of policy
•• Carrying out strategic goals
•• Providing feedback to the
governance arm on progress
& future needs
17
GSNorCal
Membership: Responsible for recruiting and retaining
members. Your local VDM (GSNorCal staff member) can
assist with many basic questions or can help you find who can.
They attend Service Unit Team meetings.
Governance:
Who
Our MVP departments work together to plan and
determine how best to support our volunteers.
M (Membership), V (Volunteer Resources) and P (Program,
Product Sales, and Outdoor Program) staff work as a team
to provide the best service possible to each area.
For questions and assistance,
please contact our Member
Services Department.
All calls and emails are tracked
to ensure a world class level of
customer service.
Responsibilities
MVP:
First Point of Contact:
Two categories of decisions are made in the Girl Scout organization - governance decisions and operational decisions.
Both types of decisions are based on the belief that members should have a voice in major decisions that will have an
effect on all or a large part of the membership.
Becoming A Volunteer in GSNorCal
No matter how you volunteer with Girl Scouts, your investment of time and energy will pay back tenfold. With your help, girls
will be able to identify issues they care about and work with one another to resolve them. Your interests and life experiences
make you the perfect person to be a new kind of partner for girls, someone who creates a safe environment where they can
work together and each girl feels free to work toward her highest aspirations. Have no doubt: you, and nearly one million other
volunteers like you, are helping girls make a lasting impact on the world.
Volunteering for Girl Scouts will be one of the most satisfying and gratifying things you will ever do. No matter what your role,
the place to start is with the four steps below:
Understanding Your
Role as a Girl Scout
Volunteer
Your most important role as a Girl
Scout volunteer is to be excited about
everything this opportunity affords
you: a chance to help girls succeed;
play a critical role in their lives, and
watch them blossom! You also want to
be someone who enjoys the activities
you’ll be embarking on with the girls—
whether you’re a volunteering at camp,
working with girls who are traveling, or
partnering with girls on a short-term
series on a topic that interests you.
As a Girl Scout volunteer, you’ll serve
as a partner and role model to girls.
You’ll also work closely with a covolunteer, because at least two adults
must be present at all times when
working with girls, and at least one of
those volunteers must be female and
not related to the other adult. This is
an important distinction that bears
repeating: Men can serve as troop
volunteers, but an adult female who
is not related to the other volunteer
must be present at all times, and only in
cases of emergency is a girl to be alone
with only one volunteer. Remember
to also check the adult-to-girl ratios
in the “Safety-Wise” chapter of this
handbook.
REGISTRATION RESOURCES:
Member Services: Assistance for any
registration issues, or to change your
name in the registration system.
[email protected]
Troop/Member Change Form:
To submit troop transfer, position
change, grade change, and school
change requests.
www.GSNorCal.org/troop-change
Membership Forms: If you will need
to complete your registration using
paper forms, all paper girl and adult
forms are found here with the
additional forms needed for the
paper registration process
(Troop Registration Summary form).
www.GSNorCal.org/forms
(search using “membership”)
18
Your Responsibilities
•• Your other responsibilities as a Girl
Scout volunteer include:
•• Accepting the Girl Scout Promise
and Law
•• Completing the appropriate learning
modules for your volunteer role.
•• Understanding the three keys to
leadership that are the basis of the
Girl Scout Leadership Experience:
Discover, Connect, and Take Action
•• Sharing your knowledge, experience,
and skills with a positive and flexible
approach
•• Working in a partnership with girls so
that their activities are girl-led, allow
them to learn by doing, and allow for
cooperative (group) learning; you’ll
also partner with other volunteers
and council staff for support and
guidance
•• Organizing fun, interactive, girl-led
activities that address relevant
issues and match girls’ interests
and needs
•• Providing guidance and information
regarding Girl Scout group meetings
with girls’ parents or guardians on a
regular and ongoing basis through
a variety of tools, including email,
phone calls, newsletters, blogs, other
forms of social media, and any other
method you choose
•• Be a Girl Scout member and ensure
the girls you’re working with are
registered Girl Scout members
•• Ensure health and safety of the girls
•• Communicating effectively and
delivering clear, organized, and
vibrant presentations or information
to an individual or the troop
•• Overseeing careful record-keeping
of the funds that girls raise with
honesty and integrity
•• Maintaining a close connection to
your volunteer support team
•• Facilitating a safe experience for
every girl.
CRG - Chapter 1: Volunteering with Girl Scouts
Your Friends and
Family Network
In your role as a Girl Scout volunteer,
you’ll team up with co-volunteers,
parents/guardians, members of the
community, council staff, and others
who have expressed interest in working
alongside you. The adult guide of each
Journey gives you tips and guidance for
creating a friends-and-family network
to support you all along the way.
The other volunteers on your support
team may help by:
•• Filling in for you
•• Arranging meeting places
•• Being responsible for communicating with girls and parents/guardians
•• Locating adults with special skills to
facilitate a specialized meeting
•• Assisting with trips and chaperoning
•• Managing group records
If you have a large support team, the
first thing you’ll want to do is meet with
this group and discuss what brought
each of you to Girl Scouts, review your
strengths and skills, and talk about how
you would like to work together as a
team. You might also discuss:
•• When important milestones will happen (Girl Scout cookie activities, field
trips, travel plans, events, dates for
other opportunities) and how long
the planning process will take
•• When and where to meet as a group
of volunteers, if necessary
•• Whether, when, where, and how often
to hold parent/caregiver meetings
•• Whether an advance trip to a destination, event site, or camp needs
to happen
Remember to call on your volunteer
support team. This team can help you
observe a meeting, assign you a buddy,
assist you with opening a bank account,
plan your first meeting, and so on.
Also plan to attend support meetings—
usually held several times throughout
the year—that provide excellent opportunities to learn from other volunteers.
See ideas for volunteer roles on
page 60.
Volunteer
Interest Form
Complete the Volunteer Interest Form. Go to www.GSNorCal.org and click on
Volunteer.
Select your Role
Search the Opportunity Catalog and select the opportunity that is right for you!
Select Unsure if you don’t find what you’re looking for or would like additional
assistance.
If you’d like to learn more about different roles, login to our Volunteer Learning
Portal at training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
Adult Screening
Enter your required information into the secure system. All information you
provide will be treated confidentially.
Welcome Video
Watch the four minute Welcome Video for an introduction and overview about
Girl Scouting.
Adult Learning Courses
Click on your role in the Volunteer Learning Portal to take the modules designed
just for you. training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
Who must be
screened?
Before any adult (regardless of
citizenship status) will volunteer with
GSNorCal she or he must complete
an adult screening.
Possible Outcomes
of Adult Screening
Process
At the time of the adult screening,
volunteers will be either eligible to
serve as Girl Scout volunteers, or
will be disqualified from serving in
any volunteer position. If the council
becomes aware of omissions or
inaccurate information on documents
or a subsequent conviction of a crime,
depending on the severity of the crime,
clearance may be revoked at any time
and a volunteer can be removed from
duties until the situation is resolved.
Any Girl Scout volunteer who is
formally accused of, charged with,
or under investigation by authorities
for any automatically disqualifying
offense (or offenses which might result
in disqualification at the discretion
of GSNorCal), will not be allowed to
volunteer until disposition of the
charge. The following procedures will
be followed. A volunteer so accused is
required to:
•• Suspend all Girl Scout activities
and duties until the matter has
been resolved.
•• Turn over all monies, materials,
and records to a designated
representative of the council
until the matter is resolved.
•• The accused is considered
innocent until proven guilty.
Volunteering
Chapter 1: Volunteering With Girl Scouts
People who are undocumented may
be concerned about the screening
process. It is not required that our
volunteers be citizens, and citizenship/
documentation status is not
considered in screening our
volunteers. We do require all
volunteers to complete an adult
screening. We believe that all of
our girl members deserve the same
protection, and an adult screening is
required of all of our volunteers.
Confidentiality
All information received in the
volunteer screening process will be
treated confidentially. The adult’s
clearance status (whether eligible or
disqualified) will be shared only with
staff or volunteers working directly
with the person, only as needed.
The reasons for a disqualification
will always remain confidential.
The reports only come to GSNorCal
and not to any other agencies or
organizations. The information is
confidential and cannot be used
against you, other than to deny your
application to work as a volunteer.
Girl Scouts of Northern California will
not report any information, including
citizenship status, to any government
agencies.
Questions?
800-447-4475 Ext 0
[email protected]
19
Adult Registration and Screening FAQs
Ser Voluntario para las Girl Scouts será una de las cosas más satisfactorias y gratificantes que tendrá que hacer. No importa
cuál sea su papel, el lugar para comenzar es con los cuatro pasos a continuación:
Who must register?
All girl members and adults who will
work directly with/supervise girls as part
of the adult-to-girl ratio or drive girls, work
with money or products, work with girls’
or other adults’ personal information, or
attend an overnight activity (including
family camp or a parent/daughter event),
must register each year.
Registered adult members are
automatically covered with the Girl
Scout Activity Accident Insurance for
the entire membership year (Plan 1). It
is recommended that all adults who will
participate in any meeting or activities
be registered. If an adult is not a
registered member and going to attend
an outing then the troop/group must
purchase additional insurance for each
event where unregistered adults or
children (including siblings) are present.
Can unregistered adults or children
(tagalongs) attend meetings or events?
Yes. If an adult attends a meeting or
activity as a visitor (e.g. guest speaker
or audience member) and is not
providing supervision in the adult-togirl ratios, they need not be registered.
This person would not be covered
under Girl Scout insurance, and this
should be made clear to them. The
same is also true of children (siblings
or friends) attending an activity as a
non-participating visitor (such as an
audience member at a ceremony.)
If the child will be included in any
activities, additional insurance must
be purchased.
It is the responsibility of the adult
volunteer team of any troop/group
to ensure that all adults or children
who participate in Girl Scout activities
(including siblings) are either:
•• Registered members so that they
will automatically be covered under
the Girl Scout Activity Accident
Insurance
•• Or, any unregistered children or
adults participating in the meeting or
activity are covered by purchasing
additional activity insurance
(information about purchasing this
very reasonably priced insurance is
found in this booklet on page 98).
Can an unregistered adult attend an
overnight event or activity?
No. All adults attending an overnight
event or activity must be registered and
complete an adult screening.
How often do I need to register?
Adult volunteers must register each
year, or can become a lifetime member.
Girl members must also register each
year. Registered members are covered
by Girl Scout insurance and can serve
as Girl Scout volunteers.
Formulario de Interés
para Voluntarios
Complete el Formulario de Interés de Voluntarios.
Vaya a www.GSNorCal.org y apriete el botón en Volunteer.
Seleccione su función
Busque en el catálogo de Oportunidades (opportunity)y seleccione la oportunidad
que sea adecuada para usted!
Seleccione Inseguro si usted no encuentra lo que está buscando o desea
ayuda adicional.
Si desea obtener más información sobre los diferentes roles, inicie sesión en
nuestro Portal de Voluntarios de Aprendizaje en training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
Proyección adulto
Introduzca su información requerida en el sistema seguro. Toda la información
que usted proporcione será tratada de manera confidencial.
Vídeo de bienvenida
Vea el video de bienvenida de cuatro minutos para una introducción y una visión
general sobre las Girl Scouts.
Cursos para Adultos
Apriete el botón en el Portal de Aprendizaje voluntario en su función para llevar
a los módulos diseñados sólo para usted. training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
¿Quién debe someterse a las
pruebas?
Antes de que cualquier adulto (sin
importar el estatus de ciudadanía)
sea voluntario con GSNorCal él o ella
debe completar una verificación de
antecedentes.
Posibles resultados de Proceso
de verificación de antecedentes
(Screening)
En el momento de la verificación
de antecedentes, los voluntarios
serán elegible no elegibles para servir
como voluntarios de Girl Scouts,
puedan server en cualquier posición
de voluntarios. Si el concilio se da
cuenta de omisiones o información
incorrecta en los documentos o una
condena posterior de un crimen,
dependiendo de la gravedad del delito,
el proceso puede ser revocado en
cualquier momento y un voluntario
puede ser removido de sus funciones
hasta que se resuelva la situación.
Cualquier voluntario de Girl Scouts
que está acusado formalmente de,
implicado en, o bajo investigación de
las autoridades de cualquier delito
será descalificado automáticamente
(o delitos que podrían resultar en
la descalificación a discreción del
GSNorCal), no se le permitirá ser
voluntario hasta la disposición de
el cargo. Se seguirán los siguientes
procedimientos. Un voluntario que esta
acusado está obligado a:
20
•• Suspender todas las actividades de
Girl Scouts y deberes hasta que el
asunto se haya resuelto.
•• Devolver todo el dinero, materiales
y registros a un representante
designado por el concilio hasta que
se resuelva el asunto.
•• El acusado es considerado inocente
hasta que se demuestre su
culpabilidad.
Confidencialidad
Toda la información recibida en el
proceso de selección de voluntarios
será tratada de forma confidencial.
Estado de clarificación del adulto
(sea elegible o descalificado) será
compartida solamente con el
personal o voluntarios que trabajan
directamente con la persona, sólo
cuando sea necesario. Las razones
de una descalificación siempre serán
confidenciales.
Los informes sólo vienen a GSNorCal y
no a otras agencias u organizaciones.
La información es confidencial y
no puede ser usada en su contra,
solamente será para negar su solicitud
para trabajar como voluntario. Girl
Scouts del Norte de California no va
a reportar cualquier información,
incluyendo el estatus de ciudadanía, a
las agencias gubernamentales.
Las personas que no poseen
documentos pueden estar
preocupados por el proceso de
selección. Pero no se requiere que los
voluntarios sean los ciudadanos y el
estado de ciudadanía / documentación
no se considera en la selección de
nuestros voluntarios. Requerimos a
todos los voluntarios el completar una
verificación de antecedentes. Creemos
que todas nuestras niñas miembros
merecen la misma protección, y una
revisión de antecedentes se requiere
de todos nuestros voluntarios.
¿Preguntas?
800-447-4475 Ext 0
[email protected]
What if I change my name or contact
information?
Should you begin using a hyphenated
last name, change your last name, or
change your contact information, it is
necessary to notify the council.
For name changes, please email
[email protected] To change
your contact information, please log
in to your membership community
account at www.GSNorCal.org/myGS
or email [email protected]
What if I don’t have a computer (or
smart phone or tablet) and cannot
register online?
If you will need to complete your
registration using paper forms, the
girl and adult membership forms are
found here www.GSNorCal.org/forms
(search using ‘membership’) along with
the additional form needed for the
paper registration process
(Troop Registration Summary).
I’ve had an adult screening done for
another organization. Can I ask that
organization to share my results with
Girl Scouts of Northern California.
No. State law prohibits organizations
from sharing information with other
agencies. However, there are some
screening vendors (including our
vendor, Verified Volunteers) who
can share your screening results
with multiple organizations with your
authorization. If you believe that your
background check might be shared,
contact [email protected]
for further assistance.
Must all drivers complete adult
screening?
Yes. Drivers are the only adults who are
ever alone with girls. Driving records are
part of the screening process, and it is
important to take steps to ensure the
safety of girls.
I’d like to complete my adult
screening using fingerprinting.
The council no longer offers a
fingerprinting option for adult
screenings, but those who previously
completed fingerprinting will not have
their screening expire as long as there
has been no lapse in membership.
We will have an astronomer
come to a meeting to talk about
constellations. Must that person be
registered and screened?
No. The minimum number of registered
and screened adults must be present at
all times and will provide supervision for
the girls while the astronomer is visiting.
May unscreened parents visit during
meetings or attend outings with the
troop/group?
Unscreened adults may not attend
overnight activities, but as long as the
minimum number of screened adults
will provide supervision for the girls at all
times (and are aware of who the other
screened adults providing supervision
are), it is acceptable for meetings or day
trips to have unscreened adults present
as visitors.
Are there people who cannot attend
Girl Scout activities?
Yes. Anyone who has been convicted
of a violent crime or crimes against
persons, including registered sex
offenders, may not attend Girl Scout
activities where girls are present.
Who must complete adult screening
this year?
All new volunteers and renewing
volunteers who completed the
electronic background check in
2012-2013 or before are required to
complete an adult screening. Adult
screenings must be repeated every
three years during renewal. There is
no fingerprinting option for screening,
however, volunteers who previously
completed their background check
by fingerprinting with GSNorCal do
not have to complete their screening
again if there has been no lapse in
membership.
Who ensures screening
is completed?
The troop or group’s adult volunteer
team makes sure that adults are
properly registered and screened. You
can check the ‘My Troop’ tab in the
Volunteer Toolkit at www.GSNorCal.
org/myGS Many groups ask the
adults to register and complete their
screening when the girls are registered
as members to avoid disappointment
(if they try to complete their adult
screening at the last minute before a
certain activity and cannot complete
the process quickly enough).
The adult volunteer team must also
ensure that girls are always supervised
by an adequate number of registered
and screened adults (minimum
numbers per Adult-to-Girl ratio listed
on page 89). Those adults providing
supervision should be aware of which
other adults are also registered and
screened and providing supervision
(and which aren’t). Unscreened adult
visitors may never be counted in
the minimum adult-to-girl ratios for
supervision (page 89), nor should they
be present without sufficient numbers
of registered and screened adults who
are supervising the girls. Unregistered
adults may not attend overnight
activities.
21
Volunteering
Convertirse en un voluntario en GSNorCal
¿Quién debe registrarse?
Todas las niñas y los adultos miembros
que trabajarán directamente con/
supervisar las niñas como parte del
radio de adulto a chica o conducen las
niñas, trabajan con dinero o productos,
trabajan con niñas o con información
personal de otros adultos, o asisten
a una actividad durante la noche
(incluyendo el campamento de la
familia o un evento de padre/hija),
deben registrarse cada año.
Miembros adultos registrados están
cubiertos automáticamente con el
Seguro de Accidentes en Actividades
de las Girl Scouts por todo el año de
membresía (Plan 1). Se recomienda que
todos los adultos que van a participar
en cualquier reunión o actividades
se registren. Si un adulto no es un
miembro registrado y va a asistir a una
excursión entonces, la tropa/grupo
debe adquirir un seguro adicional
para cada evento en el que los adultos
no registrados o niños (incluyendo
hermanos) estén presentes.
¿Pueden los adultos o niños no
registrados (Adicionales), asistir a
las reuniones o eventos?
•• Sí. Si un adulto asiste a una
reunión o actividad como (por
ejemplo, miembro orador invitado
o audiencia), visitante y no está
proporcionando supervisión en el
radio de proporciones de adultos y
niñas, no necesitan estar registrados.
Esta persona no estará cubierto
por el seguro de Girl Scouts, y esto
debe quedar claro para ellos. Lo
mismo puede decirse de los niños
(hermanos o amigos) que asisten a
una actividad en calidad de visitante
no participantes (como un miembro
de la audiencia en una ceremonia.) Si
el niño va a ser incluido en cualquier
actividad, debe hacerse la compra
de seguro adicional
•• Es la responsabilidad del equipo
de voluntarios adultos de cualquier
tropa/grupo el asegurarse de que
todos los adultos o los niños que
participan en actividades de Girl
Scouts (incluyendo hermanos) son:
•• Miembros registrados para que
automáticamente sean cubiertos
bajo el Seguro de Accidentes en
Actividad de Girl Scouts.
•• O bien, los hijos no registrados o
adultos que participan en la reunión
o actividad están cubiertos con la
compra de seguros de actividad
adicional (información sobre la
compra de este seguro a un precio
razonable se encuentra en este
folleto en la página 98).
¿Puede un adulto no registrado
asistir a un evento o actividad
22
durante la noche?
No. Todos los adultos que asisten a un
evento o actividad durante la noche
deben registrarse y completar una
verificación de antecedentes.
¿Con qué frecuencia tengo que
registrarme??
Los voluntarios adultos deben
registrarse cada año, o puede llegar
a ser un miembro vitalicio. Niñas
miembros también deben registrarse
cada año. Los miembros registrados
están cubiertos por el seguro de Girl
Scout y pueden servir como voluntarios
de Girl Scouts.
¿Qué pasa si cambio mi nombre o
información de contacto?
En caso de comenzar a usar un apellido
con guion, cambie su apellido, o
cambio su información de contacto,
es necesario notificar al concilio. Para
cambios de nombre, por favor escriba
a [email protected] Para
cambiar su información de contacto,
por favor, ingrese a su cuenta de
miembro en la comunidad
www.GSNorCal.org/myGS o envíe
email a [email protected]
¿Qué pasa si no tengo una
computadora (o teléfono inteligente o
tableta) y no puedo registrar en línea?
Si usted va a necesitar para completar
su registro mediante formularios de
papel, los formularios de afiliación para
niñas y adultos se encuentran aquí en
www.GSNorCal.org/forms (búsqueda
usando ‘membrecía’) junto con el
formulario adicional necesario para el
proceso de registro de papel
(Resumen Registro Tropa).
He tenido una verificación de
antecedentes realizado por otra
organización. ¿Puedo pedir que la
organización para compartir mis
resultados con las Girl Scouts del
Norte de California?
La ley estatal prohíbe a las
organizaciones el compartir información
con otras agencias. Sin embargo, hay
algunos vendedores de Verificación
(incluyendo nuestro proveedor,
Verificados voluntarios) que pueden
compartir sus resultados de detección
con múltiples organizaciones con
su autorización. Si usted cree que su
verificación de antecedentes podría
ser compartida, contáctenos en info@
GirlScoutsNorCal.org para obtener
más ayuda.
¿Deben completar todos los
conductores la verificación de
adultos?
Sí. Los conductores son los únicos
adultos que nunca están a solas con
las niñas. Registros de conducción son
parte del proceso de selección, y es
importante que se tome medidas para
garantizar la seguridad de las niñas.
Me gustaría terminar mi verificación
de antecedentes mediante las huellas
dactilares.
El consejo ya no ofrece una opción
de toma de huellas dactilares para la
verificación de antecedentes, pero
los que previamente han completado
huellas digitales no tendrán expiración
de tiempo de detección mientras no
haya ningún lapso en la membresía.
Tendremos un astrónomo venir
a una reunión para hablar de las
constelaciones. ¿Debe esa persona
se registre y se verifique?
No. El número mínimo de adultos
registrados y verificados debe
estar presente en todo momento y
proporcionará la supervisión de las
niñas, mientras que el astrónomo se
encuentre de visita.
¿Pueden visitar a los padres no
verificados durante las reuniones o
asistir a las excursiones con la tropa/
grupo?
Adultos no verificados no pueden asistir
a las actividades durante la noche,
pero siempre y cuando el número
mínimo de adultos seleccionados
proporcione la supervisión de las niñas
en todo momento (y saben quiénes
son los otros adultos seleccionados),
es aceptable para las reuniones o viajes
de un día tener adultos no verificados
presentes como visitantes.
¿Hay personas que no pueden asistir
a las actividades de Girl Scouts?
Sí. Cualquiera que haya sido condenado
por un crimen violento o delitos
contra las personas, incluyendo los
delincuentes sexuales registrados,
no pueden asistir a las actividades
de Girl Scouts donde las niñas están
presentes.
¿Quién debe completar una
verificación de antecedentes de este
año?
Se requiere que todos los nuevos
voluntarios y cualquier voluntario
quienes completaron la verificación
de antecedentes electrónicos en
2012-2013 o antes de completar
una verificación de antecedentes.
Verificaciones de antecedentes
electrónicos deben repetirse cada
tres años. No hay ninguna opción para
la detección de huellas dactilares,
sin embargo, los voluntarios que
previamente completaron su revisión
de antecedentes por huellas digitales
con GSNorCal no tienen que completar
su programación de nuevo si no ha
habido ningún lapso en la membresía.
¿Quién asegura la detección se ha
completado?
El equipo voluntario de adultos de la
tropa o del grupo se asegurara de que los
adultos están debidamente registrados
y verificados. Puedes consultar la
sección ‘Mi Tropa’ en el equipo (kit), de
herramientas de voluntario en
www.GSNorCal.org/myGS Muchos
grupos piden a los adultos el registrarse
y completar su programación cuando
las niñas están registrándose como
miembros para evitar la decepción
(si tratan de completar su revisión
de antecedentes en el último minuto
antes de una determinada actividad y
no pueden completar el proceso con la
suficiente rapidez).
El equipo voluntario de adultos también
debe asegurarse de que las niñas son
siempre supervisadas por un número
adecuado de adultos registrados y
examinados (número mínimo relación
adulto-a-niña en la página 89). Esos
adultos supervisores de vigilancia
deben ser conscientes de que otros
adultos también están registrados y
verificados y proporcionan supervisión
(y quienes no lo son). Visitantes adultos
no verificados no se pueden contar en los
radios mínimos de adultos y niñas para
supervisión (página 89), ni deben estar
presentes sin un número suficiente de
adultos registrados y seleccionados que
están supervisando las niñas. Adultos
no registrados no pueden asistir a las
actividades durante la noche.
Ser voluntario no requiere mucho
tiempo. Además se aprende mucho
de las niñas y eso es maravilloso y
muy divertido”, dice Tanya Vélez,
quien asegura haber “crecido con
Girl Scouts”.
GSUSA ha lanzado dos nuevos
libros en Español para Brownies
y Juniors: ¡Las Girl Scouts Brownies Cambian el Mundo! y ¡Juniors
Apuntan a las Estrellas! Estos
recursos fueron creados para
introducir Girl Scouts a voluntarios
y niñas que su idioma preferido
es el español y que tienen poco
o ningún conocimiento de Girl
Scouting. Estos libros ofrecen
a los voluntarios y niñas todo lo
que necesitan para ¡un año lleno
de diversiones en Girl Scouting!
www.girlscoutshop.com/s.nl/
sc.19/category.102/.f
¡La familia juega un
rol sumamente
importante!
No te preocupes.
¡Tú también puedes
hacerlo!
Tú puedes contribuir a la red de
más de 800,000 adultos ayudando de muchas maneras y
Girl Scouts no podría existir sin
las voluntarias que nos ayudan a
servir a nuestras niñas. Muchas
de nuestras voluntarias latinas
se unen a Girl Scouts, porque es
el lugar ideal para vivir experiencias inolvidables junto a sus hijas
mientras les enseñan, escuchan,
inspiran y procuran su seguridad.
Al mismo tiempo, estas mamás
desarrollan habilidades de liderazgo que tienen un impacto positivo
en sus propias vidas, sus familias y
sus comunidades.
Girl Scouts ofrece guía y capacitación a través de oportunidades
de aprendizaje, instrucción personal, y apoyo en línea. Muchos de
los materiales están disponibles
en español tanto en los concilios
como a través de Internet.
GS NorCal
Información de venta
de Productos
Este es un programa de las tropas
y las niñas para ganar dinero. El
programa también está diseñado
para enseñarles a las niñas a interactuar con los clientes, manejar
el dinero y la ética. Las Girl Scouts
han vendido galletas desde 1917
para apoyar a sus tropas. Este es
el mayor programa de educación
financiera y es una tradición
Americana.
Las ganancias de las tropas es la
porción de dinero resultado de las
ventas que le quedan las tropas.
Las tropas pueden utilizar este
dinero para pagar sus actividades
de Girl Scouts, uniformes, insignias,
equipos y más.
No hay costo para participar. Este
es un programa donde las niñas
pueden ganar dinero para sus tropas y reconocimientos para ellas.
La tropa da las galletas a las niñas
para venderlas en ciertas fechas. Ella le paga a la tropa por las
galletas que venden. Si las galletas
no son vendidas y se devuelven a
tiempo, la familia no será responsable de pagar por ellas. Si no se
devuelven a tiempo, la familia es
responsable del pago.
Volunteering
Preguntas Frecuentes de Inscripción y Verificación de Adultos
www.girlscouts.org/espanol/
La Promesa de Girl Scouts
Por mi honor, yo tartarè:
De server a Dios y a mi patria,
Ayudar a las personas en todo
momento,
Y vivir conforme a la Ley de Girl
Scouts.
La Ley de Girl Scouts
Yo me esforzaré por:
ser honrada y justa,
cordial y servicial,
considerada y compasiva,
valiente y fuerte, y
responsable de lo que digo y hago,
y por
respetarme a mí misma y a los
demás
respetar la autoridad,
usar los recursos de manera prudente,
hacer del mundo un lugar mejor,
y ser hermana de cada una de las
Girl Scouts
23
Taking Advantage of Volunteer
Learning Opportunities
Girl Scouts strives to provide you with the necessary
information to successfully manage your group of girls,
and to let you know how and where you can get additional
information on certain topics when you want to learn more.
Volunteer learning is offered in a variety of ways, to best
meet your unique learning styles: written resources, faceto-face learning, interactive online learning—and additional
methods are being developed and tested all the time!
There is a specific learning path for each volunteer role,
which may consist of a combination of online and/or inperson courses designed to acquaint you with Girl Scouting
basics, provide resources for you to be more effective in
your role, and help you feel prepared.
GSNorCal’s Volunteer Learning Portal is designed to give
you the information you need just when you need it! Most of
the online courses are fewer than 10 minutes long. You can
learn at a time and pace that is convenient for you, resume
where you left off, and your progress and completions will be
tracked for your records. Our in person courses vary from 2
hours or can be a whole weekend.
Find Your Volunteer Checklist
There is a checklist for most volunteer roles here:
training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
Your checklist will take the guesswork out of which
modules/courses are required or recommended for you,
along with links for needed forms and helpful publications
and resources. Most of the modules are very short and
specifically address particular topics, such as “Open Your
Bank Account” which will answer all of your questions
about how to open a bank account for your troop/group, or
“Getting Adults to Help” which will help you understand what
kind of help you need and some tried and true techniques on
how to get it. When you have completed each module, you’ll
receive a virtual badge for that module. If you have already
completed a step (for example, you are a Brownie leader and
you already took Welcome to GSNorCal as a Daisy Leader) you
don’t need to re-take the module.
Badges Aren’t Just for
Girls Anymore!
You’ll earn a virtual badge for each module you complete.
When you’ve completed all of the required modules in a
course, you’ll receive a virtual course badge. If you need to
show someone which modules and courses you’ve completed
as well as the badges you’ve earned, click on My Profile and
View Profile and print that page.
Multiple Roles
If you have more than one role, that’s terrific! Use the
checklists for each of your roles. For example, you may
be a troop leader and also have a position on your Service
Unit Team as a Service Unit Treasurer. You might also be
a Regional Delegate. If that’s the case, you’ll work with the
checklist for each of your roles. You don’t have to do the
steps twice, though—once is enough! If you’ve already
taken Girl Scout Program in your capacity as a leader,
you don’t need to take it again because you are a
Service Unit Treasurer.
Your Course Completions
If you want to see your course completions, click on Home,
and then My Profile, and then View Profile in lower right of
your screen. You will then be able to see the courses you are
enrolled in, and which ones you’ve completed. You can also
click on your name in the upper right of your screen and click
on badges for a quick look at the modules you’ve completed.
Discussion Forums
Each volunteer checklist has a discussion news forum
where you can ask questions or share good ideas with other
volunteers who have the same role that you do.
Leaders: Get Help More Easily!
One of the things that some leaders struggle with is getting
help from the parents in the troop/group. One of the best
ways to get people to help is to be very specific about exactly
what is expected, and give people the tools and resources
they need to do what you’ve asked.
Once you’ve recruited someone for a certain role, you can
simply give the volunteer the link to the Volunteer Learning
Portal and have them select their role. They will have all the
tools they need, and will be able to take modules or courses
to support them, rather than you having to take all the
courses yourself and then to have to train another volunteer
about what they need to know.
There are specific courses for most of the roles you’ll need,
and more are coming soon! If you’d rather take the time
to train your volunteers yourself, you can still do that. For
example, you might feel it would be easier to let the drivers
for a field trip know what their responsibilities are, but you
don’t have to—you can simply refer them to the troop driver
webpage where they will take a short safety module and will
learn all they need to know.
Volunteer Learning Portal
You must register at least one week in advance for in person
training courses. All course registration closes one week before
the course. Our volunteer facilitator/trainers plan and bring
materials based on the number of registered participants.
Also, only registered participants are notified of occasional
cancellations or last minute changes in location.
Use one of the three methods below to register for your in
person classes. Note that first aid and camping courses have
fees required. Volunteers may consider using troop/group
funds to take needed courses if the girls and families agree.
Please note that we do not accept registrations for classes
over the phone.
Online Registration
(preferred method—fastest and most secure)
•• Search available in-person course offerings in our Volunteer
Learning Portal training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org. When you
find the date and time that works best for you, just click on
the link to register.
Mail
Mail registration form www.tinyurl.com/GSinpersonreg
and any payments to:
Member Services —Adult Learning Registration
1310 S. Bascom Ave.
San Jose, CA 95128-4502
Fax
To fax registration form: (408) 287-8025
•• Do not fax your credit card number—please call
(800) 447-4475 ext. 2091 to give it verbally after
you fax your form).
•• You will receive a course confirmation email about one
week before your course. If you do not receive confirmation
(check your junk or spam email folder!), please contact:
[email protected].
What to Bring
•• Check the course description or your course confirmation
•• Water or other beverage (optional). Feel free to bring a
snack or light meal if the course occurs at your meal time.
Get trained, and Get Outdoors!
In More than ‘Smores: Success and Surprises in Girl Scouts
Outdoor Experiences, the Girl Scout Research Institute
(GSRI) has described the role of Adult Volunteers:
“Because everything girls do outdoors in Girl Scouts must be
supported by an adult, these results speak indirectly to adult
volunteers and their preparation. To get girls outdoors more
regularly, Girl Scouts need adult volunteers who encourage and
promote outdoor experiences. Communicating to volunteers
and parents that casual outdoor experiences are effective
ways of giving girls opportunities to build competencies and
try new things may be the key to opening the gateway for all Girl
Scouts to participate in the outdoors on a more regular basis.”
(2014, p.27)
Let us do the planning!
GSNorCal provides hundreds of events throughout Northern
California each year, many of which contain an Adult Training
Component. Take a look through PEG - the GSNorCal Program
& Event Guide to discover
endless opportunities for
fun, learning, and adventure.
We have something for
everyone; troops, individual
girls, and yes, adults too!
www.GSNorCal.org/peg
Participate in a series, a
one-time event, or explore
our travel opportunities.
For info visit the Activity
Finder on our website:
www.GSNorCal.org/events
All you need to do is share
the guide with your girls and
find something that fits your
calendar and your budget. Simply register online, and show up
for an excellent program opportunity! So easy!
Program Boxes
Go to gsnorcal.org/program-boxes for a list of Green By
Nature and Girls Go Tech boxes and to reserve boxes for your
troop and pick them up at your local Girl Scout office. Inside
you’ll find everything you need--instructions and supplies--for
some unique and fun program experiences for girls. For more
information, contact [email protected]
In-Person Training
Register for one of our Enhancement
Learning Opportunities where numerous
workshops are offered!
Fall Festival
Discoveree
Operation Relaxation
www.GSNorCal.org/en/events/
learning-events.html
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25
Volunteering
Registration for In-Person
Volunteer Learning Courses
Adult Learning and Support
Volunteer Management Policies
GSUSA and GSNorCal have launched The Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) which is a comprehensive digital tool
accessible on your computer, smartphone and/or tablet that is the primary support resource for troop leaders. This means
that we have a new resource with a transformative purpose: to save our volunteers precious time and frustration
so you can spend less time navigating our many available resources as you plan, organize, and manage your troop year
with the girls and more time doing the things that you imagined when you volunteered: changing girls’ lives through
amazing experiences!
Girl Scouts of Northern California is governed by the policies of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) as stated in the Blue Book of
Basic Documents, 2009 edition and the Volunteer Management Policies stated below. The goal of the Girl Scouts of Northern
California is to provide beneficial and safe program for girls. The Girl Scouts of Northern California Board of Directors has
adopted the following as policy:
How do I access the Volunteer
Toolkit? Click on the My GS tab on
the GSNorCal website and enter your
member login credentials.
Will there be training on how to use
the Volunteer Toolkit? The toolkit is
designed to be intuitive and require no
formal training, however, video tutorials
are available in the Volunteer Learning
Portal for Daisy, Brownie and Junior
troop leaders.
Will all troop leadership have access
to the toolkit? All leaders have access
to the fantastic administrative tools. K-5
leaders have prepopulated meetings
plans, with more added all the time.
Why aren’t there meeting plans for
older girl troops? In order to use our
resources wisely, we had to narrow our
focus to a starting point. Stay tuned!
What if I don’t have internet access
at my meeting place? You can easily
download the materials to a laptop or
print them to take to your meeting. Also,
the VTK can be accessed on a tablet or
smart phone, which may expand where
it can be used.
What about volunteers who don’t
have internet access at home? The toolkit can be accessed from
any computer or device. Libraries or
other public computers are a great
resource. Meeting plans can be printed
or downloaded.
Why has Girl Scouting decided
to go digital? VTK is designed to
help cut down the amount of time
it takes for a volunteer to manage
their troop including planning
meetings (in partnership with the
girls), communicating with parents,
and finding support resources. Now
volunteers can easily find resources,
access the website, and communicate
with parents all in one spot.
Coming in Later Releases
••
••
••
••
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Meeting plans for older girls
Meeting plans for multi-level troops
Parent view
Lots more
My Troop—Troop Information
•• Manage roster and contact information
for girls and parents/caregivers
•• Know which volunteers are screened
and registered at a glance
•• Set Meeting Logistics for upcoming
meetings
•• Pre-configured editable parent emails
Year Plan—Troop Year Overview and Plans
•• Full year view for meetings and activities
•• Add/update activities and events
•• Move/Add Meetings during the year
•• Export Calendar to integrate with your
own iCalendar
Meeting Plan—Detailed Plans for Meetings
•• Review Activity Details—activities with
steps, materials, time required
•• Meeting Aids—Downloads and videos
•• Manage Agenda—change duration,
delete or add your own activities
•• Change Meeting to another meeting
on a pre-populated list
Girl Friendly In-Meeting Tools
•• Track Attendance, Dues and Forms
•• Access aids (song lyrics, videos)
during meeting
•• View agenda items to manage time
•• Review Meeting Checklist
Finance—Simplified Troop
Financial Reporting (Coming in Fall 2015)
•• Track finances in a simple form
(dues, event/activity funding)
•• Send financial report to families
and the council with ease
Safety
Volunteers and participants in the Girl Scout program
should familiarize themselves with Council Resource Guide/
Volunteer Essentials and the Safety Activity Checkpoints,
which outline the guidelines and checkpoints for maintaining
a safe environment in which to conduct Girl Scout activities.
All activities should be conducted following the Safety Activity
Checkpoints and the guidelines listed in the Girl Scouts of
Northern California Council Resource Guide: Volunteer
Essentials, or following state or federal laws, whichever is
most stringent. Where no specific activity checkpoints or laws
are stated, the guidelines of Girl Scouts of the USA and the
policies and procedures of Girl Scouts of Northern California
are recognized as the authority on the specific activity as an
acceptable practice.
Equal Opportunity
/Affirmative Action
Girl Scouts of Northern California seeks to offer volunteer
opportunities to all adults, age 18 and up, regardless of race,
color, creed, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation,
gender identity, national origin, ancestry, veteran status,
citizenship, pregnancy, childbirth or other related medical
condition, marital status or any other classification protected
by federal, state or local laws or ordinances. Adult volunteers
are selected on the basis of ability to perform the volunteer
tasks, willingness and availability to participate in training for
the position and acceptance of the principles and beliefs of
Girl Scouting. All girls and adults who meet the membership
requirements will not be denied access to the program.
Annually we review our Affirmative Action Program to monitor
progress toward our council goal. Girl Scouts of Northern
California is committed to the Affirmative Action policies of
GSUSA and our local Affirmative Action Policy as set forth in
this paragraph. The council will endeavor, through targeted
recruitment efforts, to enroll and train adult volunteers of
culturally, racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. The
council is committed to assuring equal opportunity and
equal consideration to all applicants. In most cases, a written
agreement will be completed at the time of appointment,
which will include a term of appointment, specific
expectations for tasks, and signatures of the volunteer
and her/his supervisor.
Girl Scout volunteers who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are
treated no differently than those with any other catastrophic
illness. They are subject to Girl Scout volunteer policies and
practices in the same manner as other volunteers.
Male volunteers are welcomed to the organization to serve
in accordance with standards established in the Council
Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials and the Safety Activity
Checkpoints. Girl Scouts of Northern California believes that
female role models are especially important to girls as they
develop the decision making and planning abilities they will
need as women. Therefore, when men serve in troop/group
leadership roles, they do so as assistant leaders or co-leaders
with female leaders.
Girl Scouts values diversity and inclusiveness, and our staff
and volunteers are representative of our diverse communities.
Girl Scout membership does not discriminate on any basis;
including sexual orientation and gender identity. There are
established standards that do not permit adults to advocate
or promote a personal lifestyle or sexual orientation, nor
do we recruit accordingly. Adults working with girls must
adhere to our firm standards relating to appropriate conduct,
and we comply with all federal and state human resource
regulations. With guidance from volunteers and their parents,
girls themselves are expected to respect the values and
beliefs of other girls and refrain from advocating or promoting
a personal lifestyle or sexual orientation. We believe that
sexual orientation is a private matter for girls and their families
to address together. In relation to gender identity, if a child
identifies as a girl and the child’s family presents her as a girl,
Girl Scouts of Northern California welcomes her as a Girl
Scout. GSNorCal will work with the family to get the child
involved in Girl Scouts and will provide training and support,
as necessary, to our staff and volunteers to ensure the child’s
Girl Scout experience is a positive one. Harassment
All girl members, volunteers and employees in Girl Scouts of
Northern California are entitled to work in an environment free
of harassment in all forms including sexual, verbal, and physical
harassment. Girl Scouts of Northern California maintains a
strict policy prohibiting harassment of all forms. Council policy
and equal opportunity law prohibit harassment on the basis
of race, color, creed, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, veteran
status, citizenship, pregnancy, childbirth or other related
medical condition, marital status or any other classification
protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinances.
Adult Screening
A screening process for volunteers has been established
for the safety of our girl members and the protection of our
adult members. All volunteers must complete the screening
process as established by the council for the specific role they
will assume or have assumed.
Before any adult will work directly with/supervise girls (or drive
them), work with money or be responsible for products, work
with girls’ or other adults’ personal information, or attend an
overnight activity (including family camp or a parent/daughter
event), she or he must complete the volunteer screening
process as outlined by GSNorCal, including completion of an
Adult Screening. The adult’s clearance status will be shared
with staff or volunteers only as needed. The reasons for a
disqualification will always remain confidential. Any Girl Scout
volunteer who is formally accused of, charged with, or under
investigation by authorities for any automatically disqualifying
offense (or offenses which might result in disqualification at
the discretion of GSNorCal), will not be allowed to volunteer
until disposition of the charge.
The following procedures will be followed.
A volunteer so accused is required to:
•• Suspend all Girl Scout activities and duties until the matter
has been resolved.
•• Turn over all monies, materials, and records to a designated.
representative of the council until the matter is resolved.
The accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
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Volunteering
Volunteer Toolkit
Standards outlining acceptable conduct of volunteers are
important for the orderly operation of any organization and for the
benefit and protection of the rights and safety of all the members.
Volunteers are expected to abide by the Girl Scout Promise and
Law and all policies, standards and practices established by Girl
Scouts of Northern California and GSUSA. Inappropriate conduct
may result in revoking volunteer status. Some examples of
unacceptable conduct are identified below:
•• Possession of alcohol or any controlled substance at a
Girl Scout event where girls are present, or while on Girl Scouts
of Northern California premises (unless at an adult event)
or participation in Girl Scout activities under the influence of
alcohol or any controlled substance, unless as prescribed by a
personal physician. Alcohol must not be consumed by adults for
the entirety of the event or activity when they are responsible for
the supervision of girls as part of the adult-to-girl ratio.
•• Smoking in areas designated as non-smoking areas or any place
girl members are present.
If this does not solve the problem, the appropriate staff member
should be contacted to provide assistance. (If the staff member
is involved in the problem, that person’s supervisor should
be contacted).
If the volunteer still feels that the situation is not adequately resolved,
the issue may be taken to the Chief Officer for the department
involved who will make a final decision on the conflict and see that
the decision is implemented. All decisions should be documented,
and each party should sign the agreement and keep a copy.
Child Abuse Reporting
Girl Scout volunteers have a moral responsibility to report known
or suspected cases of child abuse to Child Protective Services. If a
volunteer is told or suspects that a child has been abused, she/he
may report this information to the council staff member assigned
to her/his area for assistance with the report to Child Protective
Services. Staff are mandated reporters and must ensure that a
report is filed.
•• Bringing dangerous or unauthorized materials such as
explosives, firearms and other similar items onto council
properties or to Girl Scout activities unless such items are part
of the program and are under strict supervision and control.
California law defines an abused child as one who is any one
or more of the following:
•• Failure to comply with California State Law requiring the driver
and each passenger to be restrained by a separate safety belt
when a passenger car, truck or van is being used.
•• Emotionally neglected or abused
•• Failure to comply with California State Law regarding the use
of car seats for children, and the use of cell phones or other
electronic devices without a hands-free device while driving.
Children must be in a belt-positioning booster seat until they
are at least 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
•• Failure to comply with the American Academy of Pediatrics and
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines
which prohibit children under 12 years of age from riding in the
front seat of a car equipped with air bags.
•• Falsifying or making material omissions in Council records.
•• Misappropriation of any Girl Scout funds.
•• Theft or inappropriate removal of property that belongs to or is
in the possession of Girl Scouts of Northern California, council
employees, girl members or visitors, and/or malicious or willful
destruction or damage to such.
•• Soliciting or accepting gratuities for personal gain or benefit.
•• Violation of federal, state, or local laws.
•• Girl Scouts of Northern California reserves the right to release
any volunteer from service if, in the sole discretion of the Girl
Scouts of Northern California, the volunteer’s actions are
inconsistent with Girl Scout policies, principles, or procedures.
•• Adult volunteers are responsible for informing parents and
others participating in Girl Scout activities of the standards
of acceptable conduct.
Grievance Process
A grievance is a complaint regarding the application of policies and
procedures. The grievance process is set up for handling these
complaints in an orderly and fair manner. All council adults should
seek resolution to problems through open communications and
informal discussions.
If a volunteer has a concern or conflict, they should take it to
the person involved first and negotiate for a mutually beneficial
resolution.
If informal communications fail, the people involved should meet
with their volunteer supervisor. The parties should try to resolve the
conflict and specify the specific steps necessary.
28
•• Physically abused
•• Sexually molested
•• Under constant verbal attack or torment
•• Without proper food, clothing, or shelter
•• Left alone for long periods of time
•• Volunteer suspected accused of abusing children
In the event that a Girl Scout volunteer is formally accused of,
charged with, or under investigation by authorities for the crime
of child abuse, the following procedures will be followed.
A volunteer so accused is required to:
•• Suspend all Girl Scout activities and duties until the matter
has been resolved.
•• Turn over all monies, materials, and records to a designated
representative of the council until the matter is resolved.
The accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Registered Sex Offenders,
Those Living in Households
with Registered Sex Offenders
Registered sex offenders are expressly prohibited from serving as
Girl Scout volunteers in any capacity. Those living in households
with registered sex offenders are expressly prohibited from serving
as Girl Scout volunteers in any capacity where they work directly
with, drive, or supervise girls.
Adult Education/Training
All volunteers with primary responsibility for working with girls must
be adequately prepared for the position they will assume or have
assumed in accordance with guidelines established by the council.
Basic courses that are designated as mandatory for the position
must be completed within a specified time frame. Adult courses will
ensure that each volunteer has the knowledge and skills needed to
be successful in her or his work.
Drivers
Drivers for Girl Scout activities where the transportation is arranged
by Girl Scout volunteers or staff, must be at least 21 years of age,
have a valid driver’s license, carry the minimum insurance required
by law and have completed screening procedures for drivers
established by the council.
New Girl Scout Troop/Group Checklist
1. Become a Volunteer
VOLUNTEER
o Register as a volunteer. www.GSNorCal.org/Volunteer
2. Complete Adult Learning Modules
Volunteering
Volunteer Conduct
o Go to the Volunteer Learning Portal on your computer or
any smart device and choose your corresponding checklist
Everything you need is right there for you!
3. Form Your Troop/Group
o Host a parent meeting or find another way for the group to communicate
and make decisions on how the troop/group will operate. Page 61
•• Ensure that the families have registered their girl(s) and that the adults in
your Friends and Family Network are registered and screened. New girls
and adults can also be added during the year.
•• Recruit your Friends and Family Network, including assistant or co-leaders,
drivers, product sales manager and treasurer (who should also be a signer
on the bank account). Ask them to visit the Volunteer Learning Portal at
training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org for their position descriptions, training
requirements and resources. See page 60.
•• Make plans with the parents for your first meeting with girls.
4. Open Your Bank Account
o Complete learning module to open your bank account:
o Download the Troop/Group Bank Account Packet
www.GirlScoutsNorCal.org/forms and follow instructions to open
your bank account. Your bank account must have a minimum of two
signers (can add more later). Signers must be registered and screened.
5. Prepare to Meet with Girls
o Complete learning modules required before meeting with girls:
o Use your Volunteer Toolkit to send a meeting notice out to the families,
set up your basic calendar, download meeting plans, and keep track of
your finances
29
Lista de Verificación de Tropa/Grupo de Girl Scouts Nueva
Other Volunteer Support
1. Hazte un Voluntario
In addition to the online and in-person courses and learning events, GSNorCal also offers the
following support for volunteers:
Regístrese

como Voluntario en www.GSNorCal.org
800-447-4475 Ext 0 [email protected]
GSNorCal Staff: Member Services and Volunteer
Development Managers (VDMs) are available to help you.
2. Conéctate Con GSNorCal
Vaya

al Portal de Aprendizaje Voluntario en su ordenador (computer),
o en cualquier dispositivo inteligente (Smart Phone), y elija su entrenamiento correspondiente en la lista. www.GSNorCal.org ¡Todo lo que
necesita está allí para usted!
3. Forma Tu Tropa/Grupo
Organice

una reunión de padres o encuentre otra manera para que el
grupo pueda comunicarse y tomar decisiones sobre cómo la tropa / grupo
operará. Página 61.
•• Asegúrese de que las familias han registrado su niña (s) y que los adultos
en sus Red de Amigos y Familia están registrados y verificados. También se
pueden añadir niñas y adultos nuevos durante el año.
•• Recluta a tus amigos en tu Red de Amigos y Familia, incluyendo asistentes
o co-líderes, conductores, gerente de ventas de productos y tesorero
(que también debe ser uno de los firmantes de la cuenta bancaria). Pídales
que visiten el Portal del Entrenamiento de Aprendizaje de Voluntariado.
www.GSNorCal.org por sus descripciones de puestos, los requisitos de
capacitación y recursos. Consulte la página 60.
•• Haga planes con los padres para su primer encuentro con las niñas.
4. Abra Una Cuenta Bancaria
Módulo completo de aprendizaje para abrir su cuenta bancaria:
Descarga los paquetes de Cuenta de Tropa / Grupo Banco en www.
GirlScoutsNorCal.org/forms y siga las instrucciones para abrir su cuenta
bancaria. Su cuenta bancaria debe tener un mínimo de dos firmantes (puede
añadir más adelante). Los firmantes deben estar registrados y verificados.
5. Prepare Una Reunión Con Niñas
Complete

los Módulos de aprendizaje requeridos antes de reunirse con
las chicas: training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
Utilice

el Equipo (kit) de herramientas de Voluntarios para enviar un aviso
de la reunión con las familias, establecer su calendario básico, descargar
planes de reuniones, y realizar un seguimiento de sus finanzas
30
Service Unit Team: Experienced volunteers in your
local service unit who provide coaching, support and ideas.
Volunteering
VOLUNTARIO
Social Media & Monday Mailing: Monday Mailing electronic newsletter contains
many reminders and ongoing clarification on procedures as well as program ideas.
Electronic Resources: The GSNorCal website has specific publications, tools, templates,
ideas, and other resources designed specifically for each volunteer role. See page 60 for
specific links. www.GSNorCal.org/forms
Enhancement Courses: There are enhancement courses offered throughout the year,
including three major learning events: Discoveree, held in the Bay Area in early February,
Fall Festival held outside of Redding, and Operation Relaxation at Skylark Ranch.
www.GSNorCal.org/en/events/learning-events.html
Local Service Unit Meetings: Taking part in ongoing training and attending service unit meetings are basic
responsibilities of a Girl Scout Leader or Advisor. Service unit meetings throughout the council offer ongoing minicourses, and are considered an important part of a volunteers’ development. You’ll also have networking opportunities
which will put you in touch with many experienced volunteers who are eager to give you ideas, advice, help and support,
and a chance to discuss timely topics that will help you become more effective in the way you work with your girls.
www.GirlScoutsNorCal.org/service-units
Knowing How Much You’re Appreciated
Whatever your volunteer position, your
hard work means the world to girls, to
your council staff, and to Girl Scouts of
the USA. We’re calling on all members
of society to help girls reach their full
potential, and you’ve answered that
call. So thank you, from the bottom
of our hearts.
Volunteer
Appreciation Week
Volunteer Appreciation Weekthe third week in April-is set aside
especially for you. Girl Scouts pay
tribute to the volunteers who help
girls make the world a better place.
The week centers on the longstanding National Girl Scout Leaders’
Day (April 22). In addition, Girl Scouts
also celebrates Volunteers Make a
Difference Week, in conjunction with
Make a Difference Day, which takes
place during the weekend in autumn
that we set our clocks back.
Just as you’ll receive support
throughout your volunteering
experience, when you reach the end
of the term you signed up for, you’ll
talk with your support team about the
positive parts of your experience, as
well as the challenges you faced, and
discuss whether you want to return to
this position or try something new. The
end of your troop year, camp season,
overseas trip, or series/event session
is just the beginning of your next
adventure in Girl Scouting!
If you’re ready for more opportunities
to work with girls, be sure to let your
support team know how you’d like to
be a part of girls’ lives in the future—
whether in the same position or in
other, flexible ways. Are you ready to
organize a series or event? Take a trip?
Work with girls at camp? Work with a
troop of girls as a year-long volunteer?
Share your skills at a council office
working behind the scenes? The
possibilities are endless, and can be
tailored to fit your skills and interests.
Adult Recognition in GSNorCal
Visit the council website at www.GSNorCal.org/en/for-volunteers/
recognition---awards.html for ideas on how to recognize your volunteers,
find the nomination forms for national, council, or service unit awards for adults,
and more info. Do you have a special volunteer who deserves recognition?
Download the Adult Recognition Booklet from the council website:
www.tinyurl.com/GSrecogbook
31
What Girl Scouting Does for Girls
Now that you’re a Girl Scout
volunteer, you belong to a network of
more than 1 million adults who share
an important commitment: preparing
girls to lead successful lives. During
your time as a volunteer, you’ll have
fun, meet new people, and learn by
doing alongside girls at every step.
The Girl Scout program—what girls
do in Girl Scouting—is based on the
Girl Scout Leadership Experience
(GSLE), a national model that helps
girls become leaders in their own
lives and as they grow. No matter
where girls live or what their age or
background, as Girl Scouts they are
part of a powerful, national experience.
As they build leadership skills, they
also develop lifelong friendships and
earn meaningful awards, two of many
treasured traditions in the sisterhood
of Girl Scouting.
The design of the Girl Scout
Leadership Experience (GSLE)
helps girls develop 21st Century skills
that will help them to thrive in our
changing global economy. The design
of the GSLE helps girls build practical
life skills through badge work. However, it is the design of Journeys that
helps girls develop an understanding
of how to be lifelong learners, embrace challenges, and understand
their ability to make the world a better
place. Girls will develop a natural curiosity to discover their values and the
world around them. They’ll use critical
thinking skills as they connect to how
these issues affect them and their
community. And, continually build
their creative confidence to develop
solutions that don’t yet exist as they
Take Action in their community. Girls
will thrive in this exploration when
it is girl led, allowing them a place to
try on their own leadership, take risks
safely as they learn by doing independently and as a team. Through
cooperative learning girls will learn
how to work together, learn differently from each other and help each
other through the stages of
project planning and execution.
32
Girl Scouting guides girls to become leaders in their daily lives, their communities,
and the world—helping them become the kind of person exemplified by the Girl
Scout Law. When girls—as the Girl Scout Law states—are “honest and fair,” when
they “use resources wisely,” and know how to be “courageous and strong,” they
can be more successful in everything they do. It may start in school and on sports
teams, but research shows that the courage, confidence, and character they
develop as Girl Scouts follows them throughout their lives.
Girl Scouting has a practical approach to helping girls become leaders:
•• When girls lead in their own lives, they Discover their values and the confidence
to do what’s right. This helps girls act in ways that make us proud, no matter
where they are.
•• When girls lead in their communities, they Connect as they learn how to
work with other people. This helps them get along better with others, resolve
conflicts, and do better on group projects at school.
•• When girls lead in the world, they Take Action to change the world for the better.
Starting as young Girl Scouts, girls learn how to see problems—such as a food
pantry in need of donations or an elderly neighbor who could use a hand—and
come up with a solution.
In other words: Discover + Connect + Take Action = Leadership. And
everything you do with girls in Girl Scouting is aimed at giving them the benefits of
these Three Keys to Leadership.
More details about the benefits (or outcomes) Girl Scouts offers girls can be found
in Transforming Leadership Continued, available online at
www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts/research/publications.html
Volunteer Toolkit
Your Girl Scout year just got easier.
CRG - Chapter 2: National Girl Scout Program
As a Girl Scout volunteer, you already
know that your girls love Girl Scouts for the
friends, the fun, and all the new things they
get to try.
But what if there was a way to run your
troop or group that saves you time and
helps you plan so that you can spend more
time with the girls? Meet the Volunteer
Toolkit, the web app that makes it easy for
you to get the most out of every troop or
group meeting.
And here’s the best part—with the Volunteer Toolkit, you can say goodbye to
digging through big stacks of books and
piles of resources. It is accessible from
your home computer, tablet, or mobile
device—placing everything you need in one
easy-to-access place that’s accessible on
the go.
All K-12 troop leaders can:
•• Plan a year’s worth of meetings with
pre-filled or customized agendas
•• Manage troop finances
•• Access the girl and family roster
•• Track girls’ achievements and
attendance
To access the Volunteer Toolkit, simply
sign in where it says “MyGS”
at www.GSNorCal.org
Girl Scout Leader Ship Experience (GSLE)
WHAT GIRLS DO
HOW THEY DO IT
DISCOVER
GIRL-LED
CONNECT
COOPERATIVE LEARNING
TAKE ACTION
LEARNING BY DOING
The three leadership keys describe What Girls Do.
Discover
Girls explore many different topics but don’t just
learn about them, they also discover their own
value towards complex challenges in the world as
they discover many different points of view around
a topic. They then begin to wonder how they can
make a difference.
Connect
These activities are based on two things. First,
the process of cooperative learning in which girls
can understand other’s point of view and how
that affects the community they live in as well as
solutions to complex challenges. They also learn
about different solutions by working with a team of
girls to explore how to best use their individual interest and
talents to work together.
Take Action
These activities help girls to make meaningful
change in their community—the best possible
way to build their sense of empowerment and
independence. Take Action activities are not just
actively doing something like going to a children’s
museum, but give them the opportunity to create
lasting impact together and individually.
The Girl Scout Processes describe How They Do It
Girl Scouting isn’t just about what we do; it’s also about how
we do it. Over time, we’ve noticed that girls will give almost
any activity a try, as long as the adults guiding them take the
right approach. Girl Scout activities ask adult volunteers to
engage girls in three ways that make Girl Scouting unique
from school and other extracurricular activities:
Girl-led
Girls of every grade level take an active role in determining
what, where, when, why, and how they’ll structure activities.
Of course, you’ll provide guidance appropriate to the age of
the girls. Plus, you’ll encourage them to bring their ideas and
imaginations into the experiences, make choices, and lead
the way as much as they can.
Cooperative learning
Girls learn so much about themselves and each other when
they team up on common goals. Plus, great teamwork helps
girls in school now and on the job later. Look for ways to help
each girl contribute her unique talents and ideas to the team,
help all girls see how their differences are valuable to the
team, and coach girls to resolve their conflicts productively.
Learning by doing
This means that girls have active, hands-on experiences.
It also means they have a chance to think and talk about
what they are learning as a result of the activities. This kind
of reflection is what helps girls gain self-awareness and
confidence to dive into new challenges. So make sure girls
always have a chance to talk with each other—and you—after
an activity. It doesn’t have to be formal, just get them talking
and see what happens.
One last tip about using the processes: The girls’ time in
Girl Scouting isn’t a to-do list, so please don’t ever feel
that checking activities off a list is more important than
tuning in to what interests and excites girls and sparks their
imaginations. Projects don’t have to come out perfectly, and
girls don’t have to fill their vests and sashes with badges:
what matters most is the fun and learning that happens as
girls make experiences their own.
We call these three methods “processes.” You might be
wondering how to put these processes into action with the
girls in your group. These steps should help you get started:
•• Help girls choose a National Leadership Journey.
•• Get the adult guide that accompanies the Journey.
•• Read through that guide, look at how the activities,
conversations, and choice-making options are set up
using the three processes.
Once you start practicing the processes, you’ll probably find
that they become second nature when you’re with girls.
33
Program
Chapter 2: National Girl Scout Program
The National Program Portfolio
34
Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting
In addition to the Leadership Journeys,
girls at each Girl Scout grade level
have their own edition of The Girl’s
Guide to Girl Scouting—a binder full of
information about being a Girl Scout
and how to earn certain badges,
including badges about financial
literacy and the Girl Scout Product
Sales and Cookie Program. Girls who
want to earn more badges can add
a Skill Building Badge Set tied to the
theme of the Journey they’ve chosen.
When a Girl Scout earns a badge, it
shows that she’s learned a new skill,
such as how to make a healthy snack
or take great digital photos. It may even
spark an interest at school or plant
the seed for a future career. Please
remember that we don’t expect you to
be an expert in the badge topics; just
have fun learning by doing with the girls!
While you’re having fun, keep in mind:
Badges are for educating girls, not for
decorating their sashes and vests. The
quality of a girl’s experience—and the
skills and pride she gains from earning
leadership awards and skill-building
badges—far outweigh the quantity of
badges she earns.
If you’re working with Girl Scout Daisies,
please note that they earn Petals and
Leaves (which form a flower) instead of
badges.
Program
You’ll use several books, awards, and
online resources to bring the Girl
Scout Leadership Experience to life
with girls. We strongly recommend
that each girl has her own book from
the National Program Portfolio. These
books—the Journeys and The Girl’s
Guide to Girl Scouting—and national
program awards—like badges and
pins—are an important part of how
Girl Scouting helps girls experience
the power of millions of girls changing
the world together.
As you use the National Program
Portfolio with girls, keep in mind
that Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)
creates materials to serve our vast
and diverse community of girls. To
help bring topics off the page and into
life, we sometimes provide girls and
volunteers with suggestions about
what people across the country and
around the world are doing. We also
sometimes make suggestions about
movies, books, music, websites, and
more that might spark girls’ interests.
At GSUSA, we know that not every
example or suggestion we provide will
work for every girl, family, volunteer,
or community. In partnership
with those who assist you with
your Girl Scout group—including
parents, faith groups, schools, and
community organizations—we trust
you to choose real-life topic experts
from your community as well as
movies, books, music, websites, and
other opportunities that are most
appropriate for the girls in your area
to enrich their Girl Scout activities.
We are proud to be the premier
leadership organization for girls.
While girls and their families may have
questions or interest in programming
relevant to other aspects of girls’ lives,
we are not always the organization
best suited to offer such information.
Your council can recommend local
organizations or resources that are
best suited to do so.
Also note that GSUSA continuously
reviews national program content to
guarantee that all our resources are
relevant and age appropriate, and
that their content doesn’t include
violence, sex, inappropriate language,
or risky behavior. We value your input
and hope that you will bring to your
council’s attention any content that
concerns you.
The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting
For Brownies through
Ambassadors,
each badge has
five steps and three
choices for each step.
Want More Badges?
There are additional badges and requirements available on the shop site. www.GSNorCal.org/shop
Legacy Badges
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Artist
The Girl Scout Way
Citizen
Cook
First Aid
Athlete
Naturalist
Cookie Business Badges
Financial Literacy Badges
Skill-Building Badges
for Brownie - Senior Levels
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Outdoors
Performance
Animals
Practical LIfe Skills
Healthy Living
Manners
Do It Yourself
Digital Arts
Adventure
Craft
Storytelling
Creative Play
Investigation
Science & Technology
Innovation
Outdoor Badges
New outdoor badges were introduced
in early 2015 after girls voted to
choose the topic for their badge. The
outdoor badges were created for
Brownie through Ambassador girls.
The requirements can be downloaded
here: www.GirlScoutShop.com/newgirls-choice-outdoor-badges.
Make Your Own Badge
Girls are
welcome to
develop and
complete
activities to
make their own
badge—a great
way to explore a topic of personal
interest. (In addition, girls who make
their own badge will learn how to learn,
which is an important skill to have in
school, on the job, and in life!) Once
girls check the Awards Log in The
Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting to make
sure there’s not already a badge on
the topic they want to explore, they’ll
follow steps outlined in that handbook
to complete the requirements for their
very own badge. Even better, they can
go online to design and purchase a
badge that later arrives in the mail!
For more information, check out the
Make Your Own Badge website.
www.GSMakeYourOwn.com.
35
All About Journeys
Getting Started with the National Leadership Program
Through Journeys
The Girl Scout program is based on
the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
(GSLE), in which girls discover
themselves, connect with others, and
take action to make the world a better
place - all within the safety of an all-girl
environment where girls take the lead,
learn by doing, and learn cooperatively.
At the core of the GSLE are National
Leadership Journeys, which are fun
and challenging experiences grouped
around a theme and spread over a
series of sessions. Each Journey has
all the important components of the
GSLE sewn right in. So, to guide girls
on a great Journey, all you need is
enthusiasm and a sense of adventure.
Before you dive in, try these five
simple tips:
•• Choose a Journey. Because Girl
Scouting is girl-led, it’s important
to give girls the chance to pick the
Journey they want to do. Talk to
them about what each Journey for
their grade level is about and let
them choose one. Use the Jump to
Journeys patch program found on
the council website: www.tinyurl.
com/GSjump-to-journeys
•• Get to know the Journey. Pick up a
girls’ book and an adult guide. Read
the girls’ book for the pleasure of
it, just to get an overview of the
Journey’s theme and content.
•• Review the sample session plans
in the adult guide. These sample
session plans give you ideas about
bringing the Journey to life with girls,
while leaving plenty of room for
creativity and customizing.
•• Invite the girls (and their parents/
guardians) to use their imaginations
to make the Journeys come to life in
ways that excite them. Remember
that you and the girls don’t have to
do everything exactly as laid out in
the sample sessions, but you should
do them in order.
•• Step back and watch how the girls,
with your knowledge, support, and
guidance, have enormous fun and
a rewarding experience. Celebrate
with them as they earn their national
leadership Journey awards, and
perhaps some Girl Scout badges too!
National Leadership Journeys help Girl
Scouts learn and practice the Three
36
Keys, aid their communities, and earn
leadership awards, progressing up Girl
Scouting’s Ladder of Leadership as
they do so. There are three series of
Leadership Journeys, each about a
different theme; the girls in your group
can choose the theme that interests
them most.
After the girls choose a Journey, spend
some time reading the companion
adult guide. It’ll give you a feel for
how to bring the Journey to life, and
you’ll get ideas for the steps girls will
take (with your support) to earn their
leadership awards. Don’t worry; you
don’t have to be any kind of expert to
do a Leadership Journey with girls. You
just need to be willing to dive in and
enjoy the learning-by-doing experience
with them.
Each Journey adult guide contains
sample plans that you can customize
to fit the needs of your group, whether
you guide a troop, volunteer at a Girl
Scout camp, mentor girls on a travel
adventure, or engage with girls in a
series or at an event. Each Journey also
offers opportunities to enjoy the longstanding traditions of Girl Scouting,
from ceremonies and songs to earning
awards and skill badges.
Why do Journeys? Journeys help girls
develop 21st Century skills that allow
them to come up with creative solutions to challenges in their lives and
their community. Journeys offer girls
a path to understand how to best dive
into a topic. Armed with research, critical thinking skills, and brainstorming
sessions,girls come up with creative solutions to problems in their community.
Each time a girl completes a Journey,
she has learned skills which will help
her accomplish future goals, including
working towards the Bronze, Silver, and
Gold Awards.
Girls who use Journeys have learned
to be curious and know how to
accomplish their goals. This will
help them throughout college and
later in their careers in a fast-paced,
technologically driven global economy.
In a national survey, when girls were
asked whether they believed that a
girl could make a difference in the
world, about 90% answered yes. But,
when the same Girl Scouts were asked
whether they believed they personally
could make a difference in the world,
most did not believe they could.
Community service has long been a
fundamental part of the Girl Scout
program. But, it’s clear that girls want
to be able to make a lasting change
in the world. Journeys provide stepby-step instructions for helping girls
to create and carry out a Take Action
project in the sample sessions in the
Adult Guides. They also incorporate
Discover and Connect activities, and
the three Girl Scout processes (Girlled, Learning by Doing, and Cooperative
Learning). The sample sessions in the
Adult Guides have it all mapped out!
Journey Adult Guides
are all organized in
the same way:
First Half of Adult Guide:
Overview
Awards
Sessions at a Glance
Involving families
Girl Characteristics
Girl Scout Process
Traditions
Health & Safety
Outcomes
Second Half of Adult Guide:
Sample Sessions with all the activities
spelled out and materials needed
are listed.
Back Cover of Adult Guide:
Gives a little synopsis of that Journey.
START
HERE
Teambuilding
Girls get to
know each
other and learn
each other’s
strengths
Be Inspired
and interests.
Girls learn
about
women role
models,
and think
Learn &
about who
Discover
inspires
Girls have the
them.
opportunity to
learn about
an issue they
Create A
care about.
Vision
Girls create
a vision – if
they had no
Choose A Take
boundaries,
Action Project
what would
they want to
Girls focus on
accomplish?
a doable part
of their vision
and choose
Plan the
a Take Action
Project
project.
Girls make
plans, and
realize that
Do the Project together they
Girls carry out can do greater
things than
their plans and
they can
get a chance
alone.
to make
mistakes,
and adjust,
Reflect
in a safe
environment.
Girls think
about what
went well,
what didn’t,
and…
what they
Celebrate
learned.
Girls plan a
celebration of
what they’ve
accomplished.
FINISH
Every Journey has all of these
elements along the way (although
not necessarily in exactly this order).
Using Journeys
Customize! Your Journey’s adult guide offers step-by-step activities,
discussions, ceremonies and reflections. The sample sessions are just that,
samples. What is most important about the session is the goal. If you want a
guide, you can use the sessions as they are written, or you can customize by:
Adding in activities: Along with the girls, make the most of resources in your
region to add trips, activities, guest speakers, and the other special items to
the Journey. You’ll find plenty of tips for doing so in your adult guide and the
Journey will be much more fun and relevant as girls make it their own.
Substituting activities: If you can think of a way to make the activity more
fun, do it! Rather than drawing and creating a poster, why not create a video
to tell your story? Have the girls go to one side of the room or the other to
indicate whether they agree or disagree with certain thoughts rather than just
sitting and discussing. Rather than creating a collage about your strengths, how
about creating a mask and writing your strengths inside it? The trick is to “stay
within the spirit of the activity” so that the girls don’t miss out on an important
component of the process.
Leave out activities: (But do this carefully!) If the girls just did a very similar
activity at school, they probably won’t want to repeat it. But, make sure you
aren’t leaving out a critical component of the Journey process!
Program
Do the activities in order: The Journeys, unlike badge requirements which
usually can be done in any order, should usually be done in sequence since
activities build on each other in a Journey.
Take your time or speed things up.
Sample sessions in the Journeys have been created to show how it is possible
to have a Girl Scout Leadership Experience in a set number of 90 minute
experiences. Many girls and adults quickly find there is more they want to
do, which is why your adult guide is filled with tips for how to stretch out the
experience. As their imaginations take hold, girls will have many more ideas
about how to extend the Journey. Conversely, you and the girls may decide you
want to complete a Journey in only four or five group gatherings or do several
sessions in a weekend.
Harness the power of stories. All Girl Scout leadership Journeys engage girls
in stories—real and fictional—of girls and women taking action in the world. Make
use of these stories and expand upon them whenever you can—in any way that
you and girls will enjoy. Stories, after all, capture the imagination and motivate.
Ultimately, girls will create their own stories on the Journey, meeting new people
and taking action in the world. What other stories are going on in your regional
area, and how can girls connect to them? What can girls find in stories—in art or
life—that add to the feelings and ideas during this adventure?
Connect to the three keys.
As a volunteer in Girl Scouts, your experiences—and your view of leadership—
will influence and inspire girls. Use the reflection exercises in the adult guide to
think about the three keys to leadership (discover, connect, and take action)
and how you can best apply them as you team up with Girl Scouts on their
Leadership Journey.
Choosing a Journey
Your Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) will walk you through the process of having your
girls choose their Journey. The VTK currently provides you with year plans for 2 of
the 3 journeys available to you. For girls in grades 6-12, use our council’s “Jump to
Journeys” patch. www.tinyurl.com/GSjump-to-journeys
Requirements to earn Journey awards are found in the Adult Guides.
37
National Program Portfolio Resources
Take an In-Person Training
Three Processes, One Powerful Program is an in-person
class which will help you understand how to work with girls.
You can also look in the “Adult” tab of the Program and
Event Guide for programs that offer you learning and
networking experiences while your girls are having fun!
Jump to Journeys Patch
The Jump to Journeys patch is designed to give
you, as the leader/advisor of a troop/group, a
taste of the activities offered in the Journeys for
the grade level you are working with. Girls have
a chance to do taster activities to learn more
about each Journey. By doing the activities and earning this
patch with your troop/group you and the girls will have the
information you need to decide which Journey to dive into.
When your troop/group finishes the requirements the patch
is available for purchase in your local GSNorCal retail store.
www.tinyurl.com/GSjump-to-journeys
Digital Programming
1
2
3
4
Publications & CDs
There are a variety of publications, and other resources
available in our GSNorCal retail stores, as well as songbooks
with CDs and songs for every occasion.
www.GirlScoutShop.com/NORTHERN-CALIFORNIACOUNCIL
Interactive online books that give an overview of
each journey. gsbooks.docpit.com
Journey Overview and Downloads
Downloads to send home to parents, Journey Assets
(lists that provide a fast, easy way to find the relevant
pages for each topic area), songs, ties to state curriculum,
and other resources for every Journey.
www.GirlScouts.org/program/journeys/
29%
Two of the Journey series—It’s
Your World—Change It! and
It’s Your Planet—Love It!—are
available in Spanish, as are
two new supporting books for
Spanish-speaking volunteers
to use with Spanish-speaking and bilingual Girl Scout
Brownies and Juniors: ¡Las Girl Scouts Brownies
Cambian El Mundo! (Girl Scout Brownies Change the
World!) and ¡Las Girl Scouts Juniors Apuntan a las
Estrellas! (Girl Scout Juniors Reach for the Stars!). The
books, which introduce the Girl Scout movement to
these girls and their families, provide everything you
need for a fun-filled year in Girl Scouting. These books
are available at the GSNorCal retail shops.
Be sure to visit Pinterest and search for “Girl Scout Journeys”
Girls really enjoy outdoor activities in Girl Scouts
Monthly outdoor exposure contributes to girls’
challenge seeking and problem solving.
Girl Scouts who get outdoors are twice as likely
to connect with and care for the environment
than non-Girl Scouts.
Girls of color and girls in lower socioeconomic
backgrounds report even stronger benefits from
outdoor experiences.
“It was my first time on the water, in
a lake. I was scared at first but when I
started to paddle I got the hang of it.
I really loved it!
10 year old Girl Scout
Because of Girl Scouts . . .
Spanish-Language Resources
38
Findings from the 2014 More than S’Mores Report
The For Girls section of www.GirlScouts.org features a
variety of videos, games, blogs, and other fun ways to enrich
the GSLE. Girls will find opportunities to post their ideas
for public service announcements on topics that matter
to them and get inspired by watching short videos that tell
the stories of women from all walks of life. If you work with Girl
Scout Daisies and Brownies, you might like the site’s printand-play coloring and game pages—great for having on hand
when energetic girls get together! Both girls and volunteers
will have fun with Badge Explorer, an overview of all of the
badges girls can earn. For Girls is updated frequently, so
check back often—and invite girls to do the same!
Journey Flipbooks
Need more ideas?
Top Reasons Why Girls Should Get Outdoors
of girls
overcame a
fear of
an outdoor
activity
48%
of girls helped
other girls do an
outdoor activity
Program
There are several ways to supplement the National Program Portfolio and enhance girls’ time as Girl Scouts—and have fun
while you’re doing it! A few of them are outlined here:
71%
of girls
improved
an outdoor
skill
71%
of girls
tried an
outdoor
activity for
the first time
New outdoor badges
New outdoor badges were introduced in early 2015 after girls voted to choose the topic for their badge.
The outdoor badges were created for Brownie through Ambassador girls. The requirements can be downloaded here:
www.girlscoutshop.com/NEW-GIRLS-CHOICE-OUTDOOR-BADGES
39
Program
40
41
Program
42
43
Program
44
45
GSLE Checklist for Activities and Events
1. Three keys to Leadership: Consider the girl’s selection. Check which ones
apply. Consult Transforming Leadership (page 68) to see what this looks
like for each program level
o Discover: Girls discover a strong sense of self, their values
and use their knowledge and skills to explore their world.
o Connect: Girls care about, inspire, and team with others
locally and globally.
o Take Action: Girls act to make the world a better place.
2. Girl Scout Processes: NOW give it the Processes check, and check which
ones apply. Consult Transforming Leadership Continued (page 68)
to see how you can build each process for each program level.
o The plan and the activities provide opportunities to be girl-led.
o The plan and the activities will encourage cooperative learning.
o The girls will have the opportunity to learn-by-doing by giving
them the chance to reflect and learn from the activities they
have completed.
o The girls will have the opportunity to do hands on activities
3. Outcomes: NOW be intentional about the outcomes.
o Ask yourself what benefit(s) the girls derive from their involvement
in the plan and activities they have selected.
o Can you change things slightly so that another outcome could also be met?
Girl Scouting is all about fun, but “fun
with a purpose”. Use the Girl Scout
Leadership Experience (GSLE) check
list at left to ensure that your event
delivers the GSLE to your girls—they
deserve nothing less!
If your service unit is having trouble
getting used to Journeys, it’s highly
recommended that you host a Journey
based event—whether you offer taster
activities from Journeys to help the girls
choose which one to work on, do the
first session or few sessions to get them
started, or a giant Take Action project
planning session.
GSNorCal Program Dept can help!
[email protected]
Hosting A Girl-Led Event
To get girls started, ask them to think about the following questions:
o What sort of event do we have
in mind?
o Who is our intended audience?
o Will it be outdoors?
o Does the audience have to be
invited, or can anyone come?
o What’s our main topic or focus?
o What’s our objective—what do
we hope to accomplish at the
end of the day?
o Will one or more speakers need
to be invited? If so, who? How do
we find speakers?
o Where will the event take place?
o Are there adequate facilities for the
audience? If not, how much will extra
portable toilets cost, and how many
do we need?
o What decorations will we use?
o Will we give away any keepsakes?
o Is there adequate parking or a
drop-off point for girls?
o Will we charge for the event?
o Do we need tables? Chairs?
Podiums? Microphones? Speakers?
o Who will clean up after the event?
o What sort of entertainment will
we provide?
o Will we provide or sell refreshments?
If so, what kinds?
o How many chaperones will we need?
Who will we ask?
o Is the venue large enough to
accommodate the audience?
o What emergency care do we need
to plan for? Is the event large
enough that local police and fire
departments need to be notified?
o Do we have to obtain permission to
use this venue? If so, from whom?
o Do we need to purchase additional
insurance for non–Girl Scouts?
o Is there a charge for this venue?
o How will we advertise the event?
o Who will set up the event?
o How will we determine whether
the event was a success?
If you’re working with girls who want to
host an event—large or small—be sure
girls are leading the event-planning,
instead of sitting by passively while you
or another adult plans the event.
Ideas for girl-led events with family,
friends, and community experts are
also available in the Leadership Journey
adult guides!
Online Event Manager Training
NOTE: At least one adult who is working with girls or other volunteers running events where this person is responsible for the
planning and implementation of the event and for the well being of the participants must take the Event Manager course.
It is highly recommended that girls who are planning to host events take the online course. Check the council website for
more information: training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
46
We have a proud tradition in Girl Scouting of being a service
organization—one that has provided countless hours of
valuable service to local and broader communities. However,
when questioned about the “Take Action outcomes” girls are
consistently reporting that, while they believe that girls can
make a difference in the world, they don’t see themselves
personally in this way.
We are faced with the challenge of finding ways to help girls
raise the bar from simply performing community service to
truly taking action and making a difference in the world.
A Take Action project has three qualities:
1. It is a sustainable solution—it addresses the root cause
of the issue in some way so as to make a lasting impact
When girls create a change that directly addresses the
root cause of the problem, the project could almost
always be considered sustainable. Sustainable means
that there is lasting effect, it does not necessarily mean
that somebody has to continue the project yearly. As
an example; a beach clean up is a community service
project, because the beach is just going to get dirty again.
But a beach cleanup could be a Take Action Project if
other people were educated and inspired to act. For
example, you could place informational signs to educate
people about why they should throw out trash and provide
trash cans for them to use. This creates lasting change.
2. It makes a measurable impact—girls identify their
project goals for their community, target audience, and
themselves by developing success indicators so that they
can see the impact they’ve had.
3. It is girl-led. The girls (even the youngest girls) need to be
involved in the planning and carrying out of the project—
not just showing up and participating.
Does all this mean that there is no place for community
service projects in Girl Scouting? Absolutely not! These
projects can provide girls with experience so that they can
later take action themselves.
These aspects of a Take Action project may seem like lofty
ideals that are not possible for girls to achieve. However, like
almost anything else in Girl Scouting, the idea is to start small
and think about providing stepping stones for our youngest
girls so that they are ready
for ever larger steps as they get older. And, it’s always easier
to ensure that you arrive at your destination if you know
ahead of time where you are planning to go! Journeys for
all grade levels walk girls through the process of doing Take
Action projects in age-appropriate ways.
The Take Action philosophy has been incorporated into
the Journeys—if you’d like to help your girls Take Action,
a Journey will guide you through the process.
Journey Adult Guides Show How Girls Can Take Action
Elevating to Take Action
Service Projects
Service Projects are a great first step toward helping girls to
do their Take Action projects. “To do a good turn daily” is an
important part of the Girl Scout philosophy, and all troops
and groups are encouraged to seek out opportunities for
service. Service projects may involve helping other people,
animals or our environment. Girls should be encouraged
to plan, promote and participate in service projects for the
joy and satisfaction of helping others rather than to earn
something for themselves. GSNorCal offers a variety of
patch programs. It is important to be mindful that receiving
these patches should be a welcome surprise for girls, not
a motivating force.
Council-Wide Service Projects
Each year, the council coordinates a variety of council-wide
service projects open to troops and groups throughout the
council. Information on council sponsored service projects
will be available at your service unit leader meetings and in
the Program and Event Guide (PEG) or on our website :
www.GirlScoutsNorCal.org.
Planning Your Own Service Project?
Girls and adults should feel free to use their local community
contacts to design community service projects or Take
Action projects that are of interest to them.
Take Action is one of the three leadership keys in Girl
Scouting. While community service projects will always
have a place in Girl Scouting, girls deserve the benefits
of the full Girl Scout Leadership Experience by having the
opportunity to do Take Action projects. Through participating
in Take Action projects, girls really do have the opportunity
to change the world! More info on page 48.
Community Service Projects
address a one
time need
Take Action Projects
address the root
of the problem
One time food drive.
(People will be hungry
again when the food is
gone). Nearly 4 million
Californians are food
insecure, which means
they have limited access
or uncertain availability of
nutritionally adequate food.
One of the root causes is
not enough stores accept
food stamps (EBT from
the CalFresh Program).
Girls might identify a store
in an impacted area and
work with them to adopt
the food stamp to make
nutritious food available.
Beach cleanup (litter will
accumulate again).
Beach cleanup with a
publicity campaign of the
quantity and types of litter
to educate the public.
47
Program
Take Action Projects Change the World
Activity & Event Planning
1.
Create A Chart:
Identify an issue or problem you want to take action on.
Idea Idea Idea Idea
1
2
3
4
2. Investigate thoroughly to ensure it is a problem/issue.
3. Identify root causes of the issue or problem.
Hot Topic
4. Brainstorm possible solutions that address
a root cause.
Possible Solutions or Ideas
5. Assess your resources.
6. Create a realistic plan, including a timeline.
7. Spread the word— and solicit help from
the people you need.
8. Carry out your Take Action project.
9. Reflect on your project’s results.
Cost:
How Much, Where Will the Money
Come From? (Cookie and fall
product programs can help you
raise needed funds!)
People Power:
Who Should Be Included?
Timeframe:
How Much Time Will
the Project Require?
10. Celebrate your success!!
Pass It On: Choose a Journey activity that you participated
in. Think about who else could benefit from doing the
same activity. For example, get permission to lead a special
lunchtime (or early morning or after-school) session for
kids who are interested in learning how to create a personal
budget. Adjust the activity for your audience.
Pass It Down: Assist younger girls with their memorization
skills. Organize a mini-workshop by adapting the Journey
activities or games for younger girls. Organize a “get ready
for middle school” session for girls in elementary school.
Enhance your project’s sustainability by leaving behind a tip
sheet or activity kit for teachers.
Increase Adult Awareness: Do you think adults could be
savvier about global warming issues? Organize a workshop
for adults on ways to reduce the causes of climate change,
including changes they can make in their homes and daily
lives. Encourage them to think about how they can pass their
ideas on!
Spread the Word: On a website or the radio or in print,
develop a “miniseries” or awareness campaign of an issue
you explored.
Is the Project Realistic?
Feeling stuck? Reach out to others! Ask students
and teachers at your school what problems they have seen
in the community. What would they like to change? What are
some of the hot issues that you have read about in your local
papers or seen on local news programs? You may want to
invite guest speakers from community organizations, or take
a trip to visit their facilities.
Tips for Adults:
One of the hardest things is to
avoid giving the girls a list of projects to choose from. But
they will really miss out if they don’t get to go through the
process themselves. If you find yourself wanting to rush the
process or solve the problems or do the planning, resolve to
only ask questions. Instead of “That won’t work—we’ll have
to do it this way” ask “How do you think we should find out if
it’s OK if we do this project?” or “Do we have all the important
information on the flyer?” These leading questions will
help the girls think through the process. Finally, trust the
process— even the youngest girls can come up with some
ideas of issues and solutions (unless they’re not allowed to).
Advocacy vs. Electioneering
Girls may decide to engage in advocacy activities as part
of their Take Action Projects. The laws governing nonprofit
organizations draw a distinction between lobbying activities
and electioneering activities. While GSUSA encourages
members to actively work with and lobby their public
officials on policy issues, it is important to remember that
any type of electioneering in your official Girl Scout capacity
is prohibited. Electioneering is defined as participating in
the electoral process by promoting particular candidates
for office. Such activity is a direct violation of the tax law
that governs non-profit organizations. You may, however,
campaign on behalf of a political candidate as an individual
without reference to your role as a Girl Scout leader.
Nonprofit organizations are allowed to educate elected
officials or other government officials about issues that
are important to them. In your capacity as a Girl Scout
representative, you may communicate with elected officials
and their staff members in order to influence action on
specific legislation, encouraging them either to enact it or
defeat it. As a Girl Scout representative, you can write letters
48
to members of congress and/or their staff, visit them, send
e-mails, or make phone calls about their legislative interests
or pending legislation. However, if you are in communication
with an elected official during his or her re-election
campaign, you must be very careful that your actions aren’t
misconstrued as an endorsement.
The official GSUSA policy on
electioneering is as follows:
Political and Legislative Activity: Girl Scouts of the
United States of America and any Girl Scout council or
other organization holding a Girl Scouts of the United States
of America credential may not, nor may they authorize
anyone on their behalf to, participate or intervene directly
or indirectly in any political campaign on behalf of or in
opposition to any candidate for public office; or participates
in any legislative activity or function which contravenes the
laws governing tax-exempt organizations.
(Blue Book of Basic Documents 2015).
Advocacy
Electioneering
n. Public support for or recommendation
of a particular cause or policy.
n. To work for the success of a particular
candidate, party, ticket, etc. in an election.
Advocacy (or lobbying) Activities
(Allowed)
Electioneering Activities
(Not Allowed)
It IS acceptable for Girl Scout staff and volunteers to engage
in the following activities:
•• Write, visit, or call your Members of Congress, Governor,
state legislator and all other local policy makers in support
or opposition to legislation, especially when
Girl Scout or girl issues arise.
Below is a list of electioneering examples. This list is not
exhaustive and if at any point you are uncertain as to what
constitutes electioneering, contact your local Girl Scout
legal counsel. When acting as a Girl Scout representative,
a Girl Scout council staff person, volunteer or young
Girl Scout may NOT engage in the following prohibited
electoral activity:
•• Endorse any candidate for public office.
•• Keep your Members of Congress, Governor, state
legislators and all other local policy makers informed
about of your council’s work. For example, you may
continue to mail to your elected officials newsletters, key
press releases, fact sheets, annual reports, and other
relevant council publications with your position
on legislative proposals (including ballot measures)
and other public issues.
•• Invite your elected officials to major council events, such
as Gold Award ceremonies or other community events,
hosted by your council as long as the elected official
is clear that they cannot use their speaking time as an
election-related platform.
•• Participate in and host “get out the vote” registration
drives. Registration may not be limited to a particular
political party or on behalf of a specific political party
or candidate.
It IS acceptable for Girl Scout staff and volunteers to teach
girls about the election process by encouraging them to
participate in the following activities:
•• Going to the polls with an adult on Election Day.
•• Collecting signatures of members in their community
who promise that they will vote on Election Day such
as participating in the “I Promise a Girl Scout I Will Vote”
campaign and publicizing the efforts.
•• Stage a public candidate debate on a wide range of issues
concerning girls that the candidates would address if
elected to the office and that are of interest
to the public.
•• Equally attend Republican and Democratic candidate
events in Girl Scout uniform and ask candidates
questions about issues that are important to girls
and publicize the responses.
•• Participate and host “get out the vote” registration drives,
urge the public to register to vote and publicize efforts.
Again, registration may not be specific to a particular
political party or on behalf of a specific political party or
candidate.
The Girl Scouts Advocacy Network provides a tool for
you to become the voice for girls and to make a
difference in your community and across the nation.
www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts
/advocacy.html
•• Influence in any way the nomination or election of
someone to a federal, state or local public office or to
an office in a political organization.
•• Mobilize constituents to support or defeat a candidate.
•• Use official Girl Scout letterhead or office email to write
in support or opposition of a candidate or let a political
candidate use any council office space or property for
a campaign event.
•• Distribute campaign materials, including flyers, postcards,
newsletters and signage.
•• Coordinate or host council site visits, activities or other
functions with an election campaign office.
•• Participate in any election events or activities, including a
campaign parade or rally.
•• Host a flag ceremony to open a political campaign event.
•• Provide public opinions about a candidate.
•• Wear official Girl Scouts uniforms or other insignia to
a political campaign event or fundraiser, even during nonwork hours.
•• Wear campaign buttons on the Girl Scout uniform at
any time, as well as on non-Girl Scout apparel, while
conducting official Girl Scout business.
•• Make financial contributions to candidates or political
parties on behalf of Girl Scouts, meaning any payment,
loan, deposit, gift, or other transfer of anything of value.
Electioneering OK as an Individual
GSUSA respects that Girl Scout staff and volunteers
may hold strong political convictions concerning
the upcoming elections; however, it is crucial that
you adhere to the GSUSA policy.
Participation in electioneering as Girl Scouts could
result in the loss of our 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt status.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding
this topic, please contact the GSUSA
Public Policy and Advocacy Office at
(202) 659-3780 or [email protected].
49
Program
Choose A Take Action Project
General Overview
The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and
Gold Awards are Girl Scouting’s
highest awards. These awards offer
girls relevant, grade-level-appropriate
challenges related to teamwork, goal
setting, community networking and
leadership. They also engage girls in
building networks that not only support
them in their award project, but in new
educational and career opportunities.
Like everything girls do in Girl Scouting,
the steps to earning these awards
are rooted in the GSLE. This is why, to
earn each of these awards, girls first
complete a grade-level Journey
(two Journeys for the Gold Award
or a Silver Award and one Journey).
With Journeys, girls experience the
keys to leadership and learn to identify
community needs, work in partnership
with their communities, and carry out
Take Action projects that make a lasting
difference. They can then use the skills
they developed during a Journey to
develop and execute projects for their
Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold
Awards. Girl Scouts has just introduced
a web app that takes girls step-by-step
through the Gold Award requirements.
Visit www.GirlScouts.org/program/
highest_awards/gold_award.asp
to take a peek. This website provides
generic information for awards. For
council specific requirements, we
recommend using GSNorCal’s online
training titled Award Training and
online electronic forms for each of the
awards. www.GSNorCal.org/awards
to access these useful resources.
Did you know that a Girl Scout who has
earned her Gold Award immediately
rises one rank in all four branches of
the U.S. Military? A number of collegescholarship opportunities also await
Gold Award designees. A girl does not,
however, have to earn a Bronze or Silver
Award before earning the Girl Scout
Gold Award. She is eligible to earn any
recognition at the grade level in which
she is registered.
As a Girl Scout volunteer, encourage
girls to go for it by earning these awards
at the Junior through Ambassador
levels. Check out some of the award
projects girls are doing by visiting
forgirls.girlscouts.org/map-it-girlschanging-the-world/ or talk to a few
past recipients of the Girl Scout Gold
Award. You’ll be inspired when you see
and hear what girls can accomplish as
leaders—and by the confidence, values,
and team-building expertise they
gain while doing so. And imagine the
impact girls have on their communities,
country, and even the world as they
identify problems they care about,
team with others, and act to make
change happen!
All this, of course, starts with you—a
Girl Scout volunteer! Encourage girls
to go after Girl Scouting’s highest
awards—information on the awards and
guidelines for you to use when helping
girls earn their awards are also available
online www.GSNorCal.org/awards
For information regarding troop bank
accounts and funding awards, see the
“Options for Funding” section on page 117.
Girls can partner with GSNorCal on
small grants to support their Awards
take action projects. Contact
[email protected] if you
plan on applying for a grant. More
information about grants can be found
here: DoSomething.org
www.YSA.org
Snapshot View of Prerequisites and Requirements
For Detailed Info and Adult Guides: www.GSNorCal.org/awards
Bronze
Award
•• Go on a Girl Scout
Junior Journey.
•• Build your Girl Scout
Bronze Award team.
•• Explore your community.
•• Choose your Girl Scout
Bronze Award project.
•• Make a plan.
•• Put your plan in motion.
•• Spread the word.
Silver
Award
•• Go on a Cadette Journey.
•• Identify issues you care
about through online
and in-person research.
•• Build your Girl Scout Silver
Award team or decide to
go solo.
•• Explore your community.
•• Pick your Take Action
project.
•• Develop your project.
•• Make a plan and put it
into motion.
•• Reflect, share your story,
and celebrate.
Gold
Award
•• Go on two Senior or Ambassador Journeys or have
earned the Silver Award and completed one Senior
or Ambassador Journey.
•• Choose an issue: Use your values and skills to
identify a community issue you care about.
•• Investigate: Use online searches and in-person
interviews to ensure that it is an issue.
•• Get help: Invite others to support and
Take Action with you.
•• Create a plan: Create a project plan that achieves
sustainable and measurable impact.
•• Present your plan and get feedback:
Sum up your project plan for your Girl Scout
council for approval to start.
•• Take Action: Take the lead to carry out your plan.
•• Educate and inspire: Share what you have
experienced with others.
A Tradition of Honoring Girls
From the beginning of Girl Scouts, one prestigious award has recognized the girls who make a difference in their communities
and in their own lives. The first of these awards, in 1916, was the Golden Eagle of Merit. In 1919, the name changed to The Golden
Eaglet, and in 1920, the requirements for The Golden Eaglet were updated. The First Class Award existed for only two years,
from 1938–1940, and was replaced in 1940 with The Curved Bar Award, the requirements for which were updated in 1947.
In 1963, GSUSA re-introduced the First Class Award, for a girl who was an “all-around” person, with skills in many fields and a
proficiency in one. Today’s highest award, the Girl Scout Gold Award, was introduced in 1980.
GSNorCal Procedures
Information and electronic forms for girls working on the
Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards can be found on the GSNorCal
website at www.GSNorCal.org/awards. Each award has
specific prerequisites and requirements that must be met
in order for a girl to complete a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Take
Action project and earn the award.
Bronze Award
The Bronze Award is the highest award for Junior Girl Scouts,
girls in grades 4-5, and is designed to be completed within
the group setting. Adults and girls take the online Bronze
Award training to learn how to do the Bronze Award prior
to planning the project. For training, please visit,
training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org.
Council approval is not needed to begin the work or to
purchase the award. Approval is given by the supervising
adult. Troop leaders notify the council upon project
completion by submitting the Bronze Award final report form
found on our website: www.GirlScoutsNorCal.org/forms.
Silver Award
been accepted by the Program Department. Silver Awards
must be completed by September 30th of the year in which
girls complete 8th grade.
Gold Award
The Gold Award is the highest recognition a girl can earn
in Girl Scouts. This award is for Senior (grades 9-10)
and Ambassador (grades 11-12) girls. Preliminary work is
completed with approval of a supervising adult, but preapproval by the council must be obtained before work can
begin on the final project. Adults and girls take the online
Gold Award training to learn how to do the Gold Award
prior to planning the project. For training, please visit,
The council’s volunteer Gold Award Committee works
directly with girls, and pre-approves projects, monitors
progress, receives final reports, and approves completions.
Work for the Gold Award must be completed by September
30th directly following high school graduation, or their
eighteenth birthday, whichever is the later date. Gold
Award pins are available at the council store. You’ll receive
a notification from the council office when it is available
to pickup.
The Silver Award is the highest award for Cadette Girl Scouts,
girls in grades 6-8. This award is primarily completed within
a group setting in teams of no more than four, however
individual girls may also earn the award with a team of her
own volunteers. Adults and girls take the online Silver Award
training to learn how to do the Silver Award prior to planning
the project. For training, please visit:
Questions?
Council approval is not needed to begin the Silver Award,
but an electronic final report form must be submitted
to the council Program Department for final approval
upon completion of the work. The Silver Award pin can be
purchased at the council store once the girl’s final report has
[email protected] or (800) 447-4475 Ext. 0
For more information about these new procedures, please
visit: www.GSNorCal.org/awards. It will be very helpful for
you to read the general information on the website first so
we can better assist you with your specific questions.
For more information, please contact:
Please Note: The Bronze, Silver and Gold Award pins may
not be purchased until after a girl has earned the award.
Everything you need to know about awards is on the council website.
The following downloads are available at: www.GSNorCal.org/awards
Bronze Award Resources
••
••
••
••
Bronze Award Online Training
Bronze Award Girl Guidelines
Bronze Award Adult Guidelines
Bronze Award Electronic
Final Report
•• FAQ’s
Silver Award Resources
••
••
••
••
Silver Award Online Training
Silver Award Girl Guidelines
Silver Award Adult Guidelines
Silver Award Electronic
Final Report
•• FAQ’s
Note: Girls use Gold Award Toolkit
50
Gold Award Resources
••
••
••
••
••
Gold Award Online Training
Gold Award Girl Guidelines
Gold Award Adult Guidelines
Gold Award Electronic Proposal Gold Award Electronic
Final Report •• FAQ’s
51
Program
Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards
In addition to leadership awards tied to the Journeys and
national proficiency badges, girls can show they belong by
adding emblems to the front of their vests or sashes and
participation patches on the back.
Emblems show membership in Girl Scouts, a particular
council, a particular troop, or in some other Girl Scout group.
These can be worn on the front of a sash or vest (see the
diagram in the handbook section of The Girl’s Guide to Girl
Scouting to see where these are placed.
Participation patches represent activities girls have tried
and are fun ways for girls to remember special events
they’ve attended. Since these patches and pins aren’t tied
to skill-building activities, they are worn on the back of a
girl’s sash or vest.
Programs for Older Girls
Purchasing Information
You can purchase emblems and patches, along with badges
and leadership awards at: www.girlscoutshop.com/
NORTHERN-CALIFORNIA-COUNCIL or,
www.GirlScoutShop.com
Where to find awards
requirements, insignia
placement
On our website: www.tinyurl.com/GSinsigniabook you’ll
find a helpful booklet of the earned awards for each grade
level. There are illustrations which show exactly where girls
can place their emblems, awards, badges, pins, and patches
on their vests and sashes.
Girls earn the Journey Summit Award by completing all three Journeys at their grade level. It will be placed just
below the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards on a sash or vest to recognize the importance of the award. This is
now the highest award that a Daisy or Brownie can earn, and second only to the Bronze Award for Juniors, the
Silver Award for Cadettes, or the Gold Award for Seniors or Ambassadors.
The Girl Scout Law includes many of
the principles and values common to
most faiths. And even though Girl Scouts
is a secular organization, we’ve always
encouraged girls to explore spirituality via
their own faiths. Girls of all grade levels can
now earn the My Promise, My Faith pin. By
carefully examining the Girl Scout Law and directly tying it to
tenets of her faith, a girl can earn the pin once each year she
participates in Girl Scouting. You can find more about the
requirements for this pin in The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting.
Religious Recognitions
The My Promise My Faith
pin is found in the Girl’s
Guide to Girl Scouting
and can be earned by
girls of any faith. Religious
Recognition programs
are also developed and
administered by each of
the major religious groups
themselves. Through
Girl Scouting, each girl is
encouraged to become a
stronger member of her
own religion. Girls who
choose to participate in
one of these programs usually do so outside of their regular
group meetings with a group of girls guided by a spiritual
counselor or with their own families. Individual awards are
listed on the council website. PRAY (Programs of Religious
Activities with Youth) works with various religious groups to
develop requirements for the various awards. You can find
information about requirements and ordering information
on the PRAY website: www.PrayPub.org
www.GSNorCal.org/en/about-girl-scouts/our-program/
highest-awards/additional-awards.html
For more information, please contact
[email protected] or call (800) 447-4475 ext. 0
The National Park Service and Girl Scouts of the United States of America have partnered to create
the Girl Scout Ranger Program. Girl Scouts are invited to participate in a variety of existing, organized
educational or service projects at national park sites, or design their own experience or project to align
with Journey work, badge activities, or a Take Action or Highest Award project.
Girl Scouts are awarded certificates and/or patches for their participation.
Find out more: www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/girlscoutranger.htm
52
Leader in Action (LiA)
This special award is
available to Girl Scout
Cadettes who assist
a Girl Scout Brownie
troop in completing
a Brownie Journey.
There are separate
Leader in Action awards for each
Brownie Journey. Requirements can be
found by visiting: www.GSNorCal.org
The LiA is a prerequisite for earning
the Program Aide.
Program Aide (PA)
Journey Summit Award
My Promise, My Faith Pin
The Girl Scout program for older girls (grades 6-12) involves much more than working on awards. In fact, some girls may not
be interested in earning the Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards and, while a little gentle encouragement never hurts, girls should
not be pressured to do so. When working with older girls, it is crucial to remember that girls should have ownership of their
program. We challenge both leaders and girls to be flexible and to explore the full potential of all available program options.
receive their
PA Cadettes
Program Aide award by
earning one LiA award, completing the
GSNorCal Program Aide curriculum,
and working directly with younger girls.
Requirements for the Program Aide
are found in the Cadette Girl’s Guide
to Girl Scouting. This program enables
girls to become proficient in an area
of interest, and to develop leadership
skills by sharing their specialized
knowledge with younger girls in a troop,
group, activity, or event setting. Girls
can also specialize in areas such as
crafts, computers, games, and songs.
For more information on Program Aide
trainings, check with your local Service
Unit team.
Counselor-in-Training
(CIT/CIT II)
Girl Scout Seniors and
Ambassadors mentor
young girls in a camp
setting as they build skills
toward becoming a camp counselor.
To earn this award Girl Scouts complete
a leadership course on outdoor
experiences and work with younger
girls over the course of a camp session.
Requirements for the CIT can be found
in the Senior and Ambassador Girl’s
Guide to Girl Scouting. Additionally, Girl
Scout Ambassadors can earn their CIT
II Award. Girl Scout Ambassadors earn
this award by working with younger girls
over the course of at least one camp
session while focused on increasing
their skills in one specific area--such
as riding instruction, lifeguarding, or
CIT
CIT II
the arts. Requirements can be found
in the Ambassador Girl’s Guide to Girl
Scouting. For more information about
the CIT/CIT II programs, please visit
www.CampRocks.org
www.GSNorCal.org
Volunteer-in-Training
(VIT)
This award is for girls who’d
like to mentor a Girl Scout
Daisy, Brownie, Junior or Cadette
group outside of the camp experience.
Girls who have completed ninth grade
are eligible to earn this award. Girls
complete a group leadership course,
and commit to helping a younger
girl troop under the guidance of that
troop’s leader. The program usually
spans five to eight months with
time split between course work and
25 volunteer hours with the troop.
Requirements can be found in the
Senior and Ambassador Girl’s Guide
to Girl Scouting.
VIT
Girl Planning
Committees
Girls in grades 9-12 work with adult
advisors to plan activities for older girls.
Girls are in the driver’s seat and make
decisions about issues they care about
that benefit other girls in their areas.
This is a great way for girls to make a
big impact on the council and have fun,
too. For more information, contact your
local office or email :
[email protected]
Delegate to the
National Council
of GSUSA
Girls aged 14 and older are eligible to
be a delegate to the National Council,
which meets every three years.
Delegates, who are elected by their
council, serve for three years; they
voice their opinions and vote on issues
critical to the future of Girl Scouting.
Contact [email protected]
for more information.
GSNorCal
Regional Delegate
Girls aged 14 and older are eligible to
be a Regional Delegate and attend the
GSNorCal Annual Meeting held each
year in the spring. Regional Delegates
are elected by their regions. Girls aged
14 and older are eligible to run for either
a one or a two year term. Regional
Delegates are the liaison between
the members of their region and
GSNorCal’s Board of Directors. They
carry information to the members,
and gather input to inform their vote
on issues of great importance to the
future of our council. Nominations are
open October, and elections are held in
January. www.GSNorCal.org
Girl Scouts of
Northern California
Board of Directors
As a Girl Scout 14 years or older,
girls are eligible to be a Girl Board
Participant. The Board of Directors
meets throughout the year to conduct
business. Girl Board Participants are
elected by the council, serve for one
year, voice their opinions, and vote
on issues critical to the future of
GSNorCal. www.GSNorCal.org
53
Program
Emblems and Patches
Other exciting initiatives and opportunities exist to support the National Program Portfolio. A few examples are listed here,
and you can find out how to engage your group in opportunities like these by visiting www.GirlScouts.org/program/basics
The Three Branches of Program
Program Initiatives:
Enrichment
Business Smarts
Program and Event Guide (PEG) are events offered to
all girls throughout the council designed to enrich their
Girl Scout experience and retain their membership in
Girl Scouting.
Community Engagement
Brings Girl Scouting to girls and adults who don’t have
access to Girl Scouting. Examples include:
•• Got Choices (detention center program for girls
in the juvenile justice system)
•• Daughters of Farm Workers Day Camp
•• In School Programs
•• After School Programs
Everyone knows about the Cookie Program, but did you
know that the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the longest
running and largest financial literacy program for girls in the
world? Through business and financial literacy programs,
girls and adults experience a range of programs including
product sales, mother/daughter skills-based workshops,
career exploration, and money management camps.
Growing Strong
Events that help build self-esteem and healthy living,
including art, drama, adventure, sports or friendships.
Get Outdoors
Adventures that build outdoor skills for girls and/or adults.
STEM:
Program Initiatives
GSNorCal focuses on four core program initiatives to
enrich the Girl Scout experience for girls in our council
that follow the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Opportunities to dive into science, technology, engineering,
math (Girls Go Tech), as well as environmental and
conservation activities (Green By Nature).
Adventure Out
Adventure Out
Camp Out
Outdoor Progression
Progression allows girls to learn the skills they need to become
competent in the outdoors, including how to plan and organize
outdoor activities. Acknowledge a girl's mastery of an
outdoor skill and invite her to challenge herself further
by taking that next step up and out! Outdoor fun can
be endless when girls lead.
Out
xploreOut
EExplore
Meet Out
Meet Out
ut
ok O
Lo
LOOK
OUT
Share past
experiences
in the
outdoors.
Talk about
favorite
outdoor
places and
why they're
special.
Wonder what
else can be
seen in the
outdoors.
54
Step
outside to
look, listen,
feel, and
smell.
Move Out
Plan and take
a short and
easy hike.
Plan and take
a short walk
outside.
Discuss
what to take
in a day pack.
Discuss being
prepared for
the weather.
Dress for the
weather.
Share
what was
observed.
Do activities
to explore
nature.
Learn
more about
what was
discovered.
Plan and carry
out an indoor
sleepover.
Plan a healthy
snack or lunch.
Learn how to
stay safe in the
outdoors.
NCIPLES:
LEAVE NO TRACE PRI
Sleep
Out
Sleep
Out
Cook Out
Cook Out
Plan and cook
a simple meal
outdoors.
Make a list of
gear and food
supplies needed.
Learn and
practice skills
needed to cook
a meal.
Review outdoor
cooking safety.
Practice hand and
dish sanitation.
Create a Kaper
Chart for the
cookout.
Plan and
carry out an
overnight in
a cabin/
backyard.
Discuss what to
pack for the
sleep out.
Learn to use and
care for camping gear.
Learn and
practice new
outdoor skills.
Plan and take
a 1- to 2-night
camping trip.
Take more
responsibility
for planning.
Learn and
practice a new
outdoor skill.
Learn a new
outdoor cooking
skill.
Plan a food
budget, then buy
and pack food.
Practice campsite set up.
Plan a menu
with a new
cooking skill.
Plan an agenda
that includes
fun activities.
Discuss
campsite
organization.
Explore/protect
the surrounding
environment.
Plan time for
fun activities.
Travel
& Camp
on Durable
Surfaces
Respect
Wildlife
Plan Ahead
& Prepare
Leave What
You Find
Minimize
Campfire
Impacts
Plan and take an
outdoor trip for
several days.
Learn and practice
a new outdoor skill.
Learn a new
outdoor cooking
skill.
Develop first-aid
skills and use
safety check
points.
Budget, schedule,
and make arrangements.
Participate in an
environmental
service project.
Teach and inspire
others about the
outdoors.
Imagine new
experiences to be
had outdoors.
Practice all
Leave No Trace
principles.
Be
Considerate
of Other
Visitors
Dispose
of Waste
Properly
Camps: Day and Resident
Day Camps, Resident Camps and Core Camps offer a variety of outdoor activities for girls, and are usually held during the
summer months. Day Camps at both the service unit and council level are usually one-week sessions at convenient in-town
locations. Resident camps last for more than three nights. Core camps are short-term outdoor programs, lasting from one
to three nights and are managed by the council.
Camp brochures highlighting our council-run camps are mailed to all girls and 01 leaders in the winter. Some volunteer-run
camp flyers containing detailed information are available in the winter and spring online at www.CampRocks.org.
All registered Girl Scouts as well as non-Girl Scouts are welcome to register.
Volunteer-Run Camps
Day and resident camps run by volunteers are held at
community locations throughout Northern California.
Parents and volunteers can often attend with their daughter
in exchange for helping in different areas of camp operation.
Check for available training dates and resources.
Volunteer Run Resident Camps
Volunteer run resident camps occur in many local areas.
Flyers are mailed or given to girls in those areas in late winter
with registration opening in late winter and spring.
•• Butano Creek — in San Mateo County near the town of
Pescadero
•• Camp Tall Trees — Northern Humboldt County
•• Two Sentinels — on the shores of Lake Kirkwood high in
the Sierra Nevada Mountains
•• Kamp Konocti — Camp Navarro in Mendocino County
For information on any of the camping programs, please visit
www.CampRocks.org, or phone (800) 447-4475 ext. 0
or email [email protected].
On Call Groups and Individuals
Community Visibility
Girl Scouts have much to be proud of and excited about.
We often get opportunities to talk to the media, speak
publicly, participate in flag ceremonies and parades, and
otherwise share our Girl Scout experiences. We maintain an
“On Call” list of girls, adults, troops, and individuals who want
to engage in supporting community visibility for Girl Scouts
and promoting our programs and organization’s incredible
successes and rich history. If you would like to be a part of
our “On Call” list, or to find out more about how to promote
Girl Scouts in your area, contact (800) 447-4475 ext 0 or
[email protected]
Interest Groups
Outdoor Interest Groups provide volunteer-run, girlcentered outdoor program opportunities for older girls. All
Girl Scouts, grades 5-12, are welcome to join whether they
are independent Girl Scouts or members of a traditional
troop. Outdoor Interest Groups include: Backpacking,
High-Adventure, Mariners, & Older Girl Adventure Interest
Groups. For more information, please visit:
www.GSNorCal.org/interest-groups
Council-Run Camps
Organized resident camps run by full time and seasonal
Council staff members. Girls attend as an individual, not with
their troop or parents (except for family camp programs).
Council Run Resident Camps
•• Bothin - Marin County
•• Deer Lake — in the high Sierras near Donner Summit
•• Skylark Ranch — overlooks the Pacific Ocean north of
Santa Cruz
•• Sugar Pine — in the Sierras in Calaveras County
Registration for camp opens on February 1.
Girls 18 & over can go to camp too!
If your registered scout is a graduated high school senior
who is 18 years or older she can get screened, transferred to
adult status, and work at a resident or council run camp!
Ropes Course Rentals
We offer different options for groups to choose from
when renting the ropes course at either Camp Bothin
or Skylark Ranch. Unique opportunities are available to
build teamwork with your group, develop climbing skills,
participate in an individual challenge, and more through
this ultimate high adventure activity!
Dynamic Course: High Elements: Participant is attached
to a dynamic rope that passes through a pulley or
karabiner above them and is kept tensioned by a belayer or
belay team.
Challenge Course: Low Elements: An element for which
safety is achieved through safe and effective spotting.
Static Course: Participant attaches themselves to various
anchor points. This involves the use of a pair of karabiners,
attached to the climbers harness with loops of webbing.
Zip Line: Girls will develop courage and confidence in
participants as they climb through the cargo nets and
descend the zip line through the trees.
For more information and fee information:
www.GSNorCal.org/ropes-course
or contact: [email protected]
Outdoor Adventures
Being outside is a great way for girls to explore leadership, build skills, and develop a deep appreciation for nature. Whether
they spend an afternoon exploring a local hiking trail or a week at camp, being outside gives girls an opportunity to grow,
explore, and have fun in a whole new environment.
For more information, visit www.GSNorCal.org/en/about-girl-scouts/our-program/get-outdoors.html
55
Program
Other Initiatives and Opportunities in GSNorCal
In addition to giving girls an opportunity
to earn money to fund their Girl
Scouting goals, taking part in the
Girl Scout Product Sales and Cookie
Program teaches girls five important
skills that serve them throughout their
lives: goal setting, money management,
people skills, decision making, and
business ethics. For more on everything
involved in the Girl Scout Product
Sales and Cookie Program, turn to the
“Managing Group Finances” chapter of
this handbook.
Girl Scouts have been selling cookies
to earn money as early as 1917, only
five years after Juliette Gordon Low
founded the Girl Scout movement in
the United States. Since then it has
become a part of American culture as
well as the premier financial literacy
program for girls.
offers two product sales programs—the
Fall Product Program, and the Cookie
Program in the spring. Participation in
the Girl Scout Product Sales Program
provides exceptional opportunities for
girls to develop life skills in leadership,
teamwork and commitment, along
with business skills in marketing,
project management and budgeting,
and is the best way to fund group
activities. Materials provided offer fun
and age-appropriate activities for all
girls to learn these life and business
skills. Product sales programs are
appropriate for all girls including Girl
Scout Daisies. The Fall Product Sale,
which includes nuts and magazines,
kicks off the year to provide startup funds for the group. The cookie
program takes place in February
and March. Girls learn about fiscal
management by setting group goals,
helping to plan how group earnings
are spent, participating in booth
sales and accounting for money
and products, and math skills when
learning to calculate change. Groups
are strongly encouraged to put group
funds to good use by holding program
events, restocking group supplies and/
or supporting a service project in the
community.
which allow customers to donate
products through Girl Scouts to benefit
military troops and community food
banks. Incentives benefitting girls and
families can also be earned through
this program, including ways to stretch
the family budget by partially or fully
funding resident camp experiences,
participation in Program and Event
Guide (PEG) program events, and
more.
Information about the product sales
comes from council offices and
through monthly service unit leader
meetings. A volunteer service unit
Product Sales Manager will promote
each sale during the appropriate
season. For more information, contact
your service unit or go to:
www.GSNorCal.org/cookies
www.GSNorCal.org/fall-sale
Care to Give (Fall Sale) and Gift of
Caring (Cookie Program) are councilsponsored community service projects
Girl Scout “Ways” - Traditions and Celebrations
Throughout the long history of Girl Scouts, certain traditions remain meaningful and important and are still practiced today.
This section gives you an overview of annual celebrations in the Girl Scout year, as well as other revered Girl Scout traditions.
Be sure to look in The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting and leadership Journeys for more information on songs, outdoor activities,
historical anecdotes, traditions, and ceremonies.
Songs
Girl Scout Calendar
Girl Scouts celebrate several special days each year, which
you’re encouraged to include in your group planning.
February 22: World Thinking Day (the birthday of both
Lord Baden-Powell and Lady Olave Baden-Powell, the
originators of Boy Scouts and the Scouting Movement
worldwide).
March 12: The birthday of Girl Scouting in the USA. The
first troop meeting was held in Savannah, Georgia, on this
date in 1912. Note that Girl Scout Week begins the Sunday
before March 12 (a day known as “Girl Scout Sunday”) and
extends through the Saturday following March 12 (a day
known as “Girl Scout Sabbath”).
Third week in April: Volunteer Appreciation Week
centers on the long-standing National Girl Scout Leaders’
Day (April 22), but expands the definition of volunteers
beyond troop leaders, to include all the volunteers who work
in so many ways on behalf of girls in Girl Scouting.
October 31: Founder’s Day (Juliette Gordon Low’s
birthday).
Teaching Essential Skills for a Lifetime
Signs, Songs, Handshake,
and More!
Through “learning by earning,” Girl Scouting aims to empower girls through the development of five essential skills through
their participating in the cookie program: goal setting, money management, people skills, decision making, and business
ethics.
In 2012, the Girl Scout Research Institute set out to understand the extent to which Girl Scouts actually develop these five
essential skills, as well as to examine the specific ways girls benefit from their participation in the Cookie Program.
Girl Scout Sign
1. Overall, a majority of Girl Scout “Cookie
Entrepreneurs” develop the 5 essential skills.
•• 85% of girls developed Money Management skills,
reporting that they had developed budgets, taken
cookie orders, and handled customers’ money.
•• 80% of girls developed their Goal Setting, learning
how to set sales goals and action plans.
•• 77% of girls developed their Decision Making, learning
how to work as a team, deciding when and where to sell,
and deciding what to do with the money they earned.
2. Learning the 5 essential skills has a positive
impact on girls’ lives.
•• Girls who developed the 5 skills learned new things
while selling cookies that will help them in school and
other areas of their life than girls who did not (93% vs. 63%).
•• Overall, girls reported that selling cookies was fun
(96%). Learning by earning made it even more fun.
3. Specific Girl Scout experiences can make the
difference between achieving and not achieving
the 5 essential skills.
•• Girls who attended troop or group meetings about
selling cookies, practiced how to sell Girl Scout cookies
with their friends and family, and worked toward
the Cookie Business and Financial Literacy badges
developed more skills.
•• Girls who acted as leaders, engaged in hands-on
learning experiences, and worked cooperatively as
part of a team developed more of the 5 skills than
girls who did not.
What do girls like the most about selling cookies?
“Working toward a goal and sorting and organizing the customers’ orders.” - Junior Girl Scout, 4th grade
“Knowing that I’m helping my troop and my community.” – Junior Girl Scout, 5th grade
“Doing math to figure out how many I have left to sell for my goal.” – Brownie Girl Scout, 3rd grade
Over time, any organization is going to develop a few
common signals that everyone understands. Such is the
case with Girl Scouts which has developed a few unique
ways to greet, acknowledge, and communicate.
The idea of the sign came from the days
of chivalry, when armed knights greeted
friendly knights by raising the right hand,
palm open, as a sign of friendship. To give
the sign yourself, raise the three middle
fingers of the right hand palm forward and
shoulder high (the three extended fingers represent the
three parts of the Girl Scout Promise). Girls give the sign
when they:
•• Say the Promise
•• Welcomes new members.
•• Receive an award, patch, pin, or other recognition.
•• Greet other Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.
Whether singing around a campfire or
lifting a chorus of voices on the Mall in
Washington, D.C., Girl Scouts have always
enjoyed the fun and fellowship of music.
In fact, the first Girl Scout Song Book, a
collection of songs put together by girl
members, was published in 1925.
Songs can be used to open or close meetings, enhance
ceremonies, lighten a load while hiking, or just share a special
moment with other Girl Scouts. A variety of songbooks are
available for purchase. Visit the GSUSA online shop
www.GirlScoutShop.com
Girl Scout Handshake
The handshake is a more formal way of
greeting other Girl Scouts, and is also an
appropriate way to receive an award.
Shake left hands and give the Girl Scout
Sign with your right hand. Robert Baden
Powell stated that the left hand is closest
to your heart, so when you offer your left hand you offer
friendship.
Quiet Sign
The quiet sign can be extremely useful
to you as a volunteer—teach this to girls
during your first meeting! Raise your right
hand high with an open palm. As girls in the
group see the sign, they stop talking and
also raise their hands. Once everyone is
silent, the meeting can begin.
Here’s a bit of “Girl Scout lore” for you: the quiet sign is made
with the open hand. The five fingers refer to the 5th Girl Scout
Law in an older version, which was “to be courteous”, so you
give the quiet sign, you are being courteous to the speaker.
Friendship Circle
When we stand in a friendship circle, we
stand with our right hand over our left.
Sometimes, we have the Friendship
Squeeze, when we gently squeeze hands in
turn all around the circle.
Girl Scout Slogan and Motto
The Girl Scout slogan is, “Do a good turn daily.”
The Girl Scout motto is, “Be prepared.”
“I love counting how many I sold.” – Brownie Girl Scout, 3rd grade
56
57
Program
About the Product Sales Program
Girl Scout Promise and Law Activities
Time-Honored Ceremonies
The Girl Scout Promise and Law are central to what we do in
Girl Scouting. Every girl should have the opportunity to learn
the meaning of the Promise and Law, and to find ways to live
them. Traditionally, girls learn and study them in their first
four meetings as a Girl Scout, leading up to their Investiture
ceremony. It is more important to understand the meaning
of the Promise and Law than to memorize them exactly.
Here are a few activities to help younger girls learn the Girl
Scout Promise and Law.
Ceremonies play an important part in Girl Scouts and are used not only to celebrate accomplishments, experience time-honored
traditions, and reinforce the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law, but also to encourage girls to take a short pause in their
busy lives and connect with their fellow Girl Scouts in fun and meaningful ways. Many examples of ceremonies—for awards,
meeting openings and closings, and so on—are sewn right into the Journeys, including ideas for new ceremonies girls can create!
•• Write the Girl Scout Promise on cards putting two to three
words on each card. Pin a card on each girl and have them
shuffle the cards (move themselves around). The girls
then line up until the Girl Scout Promise is in order. The
girls can then say the Promise together.
•• Have girls make a large poster with the Girl Scout Law
written on it. Let girls either draw a picture or cut out
pictures from magazines that show the ten parts of the
Girl Scout Law. The girls can then paste the pictures next
to the part of the law it represents until all ten parts are
represented visually.
•• Discuss with girls how service is an integral part of the Girl
Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law. Have them brainstorm
•• Have each girl tell one thing she did since the last meeting
to live the Promise/Law. Or, concentrate on only one part
each time, e.g. honest and fair, etc.
•• Law Tag: In order to not be tagged, sit down and say one
part of the Law before the person who is it tags you. No
part of the Law can be used more than once.
•• Promise Ball: Have the girls stand in a circle. The girl with
the ball tosses it to someone else, saying ‘On’. The girl who
catches the ball says ‘my’, and tosses it to a third person
until the whole Promise is said.
•• Run for the Law Relay: Make up strips of paper with the
phrases of the Promise or Law—one set for each team.
The girls run to their table (team tables should be spaced
apart), draw one slip from the bag, and place it where she
thinks it goes in relation to the other phrases. Toward the
end, after there are no more slips to draw, a girl can use
her turn to move a phrase if she knows it was incorrectly
placed.
•• The Law can be sung to the tune of Home on the Range!
(I will do my best = verse—oh, give me a home; And to
respect myself and others = chorus—Home, Home on
the Range).
No One Right Way,
Make new traditions:
Like much of Girl Scouting, there are
few hard and fast rules for planning and
carrying out ceremonies; what really
counts is that the occasion has special
meaning for the participants. There are
traditional ways to do things, but it is
also fun to create some new traditions.
Some occasions call for pull-out-all-thestops formality, and on other occasions,
ceremonies can and should be more
light-hearted and informal.
Mix & Match
Ceremonies can be mixed and matched
or used in combination with each other.
For example, a bridging ceremony might
(and usually does!) incorporate an
opening ceremony, a flag ceremony, a
rededication ceremony, as well as using
a closing ceremony.
Be Creative
Girl Scout Heritage
Historic Uniforms and Memorabilia Collections
The GSNorCal Heritage Committee has collections of historic US Girl Scout uniforms, International uniforms, and camp
uniforms. They may be rented for fashion shows, book reports, or service unit or troop events. Juliette’s Trunk is also
available for check-out, which includes hands-on activities to help girls learn about old-time Girl Scouting.
Heritage Museums
GSNorCal’s Heritage Committee also maintains two Girl Scout Museums; one at Camp Bothin in Marin County, and one at
the council office in Alameda. The Heritage Museum at the Alameda office is adjacent to the retail store and may be visited
during store hours. Camp Bothin Heritage Museum tours/visits can also be arranged (two weeks notice recommended).
If you are reserving Camp Bothin for an event, please feel free to schedule a museum visit while your group is on site.
Heritage Committee Contact
Please visit the council website at www.GSNorCal.org/museum for more information or contact
[email protected] or phone (800) 447-4475 ext. 0 to be put in touch with the right people to assist you.
World Thinking Day
Juliette Low with the first Girl Scout Troop in 1912.
58
About Ceremonies
World Thinking Day, first created in 1926, offers a special day for Girl
Scouts and Girl Guides from around the world to “think” of each
other and give thanks and appreciation to their sister Girl Scouts.
February 22 is the mutual birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of
the Boy Scout movement, and his wife, Olave, who served as World
Chief Guide.
Today, girls honor World Thinking Day by earning the World Thinking
Day award, which focuses on an annual theme selected by the
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. They also show
their appreciation and friendship on World Thinking Day not only by
extending warm wishes but also by contributing to the Juliette Low
World Friendship Fund, which helps offer Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting
to more girls and young women worldwide.
Ceremonies can be edited to fit the
situation, and become even more
meaningful with a little personalization.
Girl Planning!!!
The most important thing to remember
when planning ceremonies is that they
are for the girls. The most meaningful
ceremonies to the girls will be the ones
that they have planned themselves.
Remember that ceremonies are
opportunities for the girls, not the
adults, to express themselves, and that
is far more important than it is to put on
a polished production.
Girls use ceremonies for all sorts
of reasons. Here’s a brief list, in
alphabetical order, so that you can
become familiar with the most common
Girl Scout ceremonies:
Bridging
Bridging Ceremonies mark a girl’s move
from one grade level of Girl Scouting to
another, such as from Junior to Cadette.
(Note that Fly-Up is a special bridging
ceremony for Girl Scout Brownies who
are bridging to Juniors).
Closing
Closing Ceremonies finalize the
meeting, with expectations for the next.
A closing ceremony may be as simple
as a hand squeeze while standing in a
circle.
Court of Awards
Court of Awards: Court of Awards
is a time to recognize girls who have
accomplished something spectacular
during the Girl Scout year.
Flag
Flag Ceremonies can be part of any
activity that honors the American flag.
Girl Scout Award Ceremonies
Girl Scout Bronze (or Silver or Gold)
Award Ceremonies honor Girl Scout
Juniors who have earned the Girl Scout
Bronze Award (Cadettes who have
earned the Silver Award; Seniors or
Ambassadors who have earned the
Gold Award). These ceremonies are
hosted locally by families, troops, and
service units. In addition, regional Gold
Award ceremonies are hosted annually
by the Girl Scout Alumnae Chapters.
Girl Scouts’ Own
Girl Scouts’ Own is a girl-led program
that allows girls to explore their feelings
and beliefs around a topic (such as
the importance of friendship or the
personal meaning they get from the
Girl Scout Promise and Law) using the
spoken word, favorite songs, poetry, or
other methods of expression. It is never
a religious ceremony.
Investiture
Investiture welcomes new members,
girls or adults, into the Girl Scout family
for the first time. Girls receive their Girl
Scout, Brownie Girl Scout, or Daisy Girl
Scout pin at this time. Traditionally,
investiture ceremonies are held after a
girl has attended four meetings (may be
held on fourth meeting). Traditionally,
this is the first time the girl may wear her
Girl Scout uniform. Investitures are held
only once for a girl—she doesn’t need to be
reinvested at each level of Girl Scouting.
Investiture ceremonies have three basic
elements (everything else is extra!):
1. Making of Girl Scout Promise
by each girl.
2. Receiving pins.
3. Girl is welcomed into troop
and Girl Scouting.
Opening
Opening ceremonies start troop
meetings and can also begin other
group meetings.
Pinning
Pinning ceremonies help celebrate
when girls receive grade-level Girl Scout
pins. Membership pins are received at
investiture or rededication.
Rededication
Rededication ceremonies are
opportunities for girls and adults to
renew their commitment to the Girl
Girl Scout Daisy membership
pin, given at girls’ investiture
ceremony.
Brownie membership pin, given
at a rededication ceremony
for girls who were Daisies, at
investiture for new Girl Scouts.
Girl Scout membership pins.
Traditional or contemporary
(3 faces) pins chosen
according to preference. Worn
by Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes,
Seniors, Ambassadors, and
adults. Given at a rededication
ceremony for continuing
members; at an investiture
ceremony for new members.
World Trefoil Pin. Worn by all
members. May be received at
investiture or first World
Thinking Day ceremony.
For more about ceremonies,
visit www.girlscouts.org/en/
about-girl-scouts/traditions/
ceremonies.html
59
Program
•• Have girls draw a picture of what the Girl Scout Promise
and/or Girl Scout Law means to them and then discuss
how different or similar everyone’s drawing is. Or, have
the girls draw a picture for one part and put them in order.
ideas for future service projects. Ask the girls if they think
the service project is represented in the Law, such as
being cheerful when visiting people in a nursing home.
Chapter 3: Meeting With Girls and Adults
Troop Size
Although troop size may vary
greatly, all troops need to stay
open to a minimum of 12 girls.
If you are listed in the
Troop Opportunity Catalog,
your troop will automatically stay open
until 12 girls are registered with the troop.
Troops that have fewer girls may meet and
carry out their activities, but should always
be open to taking more girls.
Larger groups should not see
the minimum as a limit.
Large troops can be super fun and offer
lots of opportunities for different groups
of girls to interact with each other.
Forming a Friends and Family Network
You’ll want to involve other adults
in the troop. Many hands make light
work, and the role is more fun when
it’s shared. Think about the people
you know whom you admire, who can
connect with girls, who are dependable
and responsible, and who realistically
have time to spend volunteering.
(Remember that these adults will need
to register as Girl Scout members,
fill out volunteer application forms
and complete volunteer screening,
take online learning sessions, and
review written resources). Consider
business associates, neighbors, former
classmates, friends, and so on. If you
have trouble finding reliable, quality
volunteers to assist, talk to your
volunteer support team for advice
and support. And feel free to use the
sample welcome letter and friends/
family checklist in the Girl Scout
Daisy, Brownie, and Junior leadership
Journeys to assist you in expanding
your troop’s adult network.
Be sure every volunteer reviews
and follows the 12 Girl Scout Safety
Guidelines, available both in the QuickStart Guide to this handbook and in the
“Safety-Wise” chapter.
Set up positions that work for you,
and draw on other volunteers who
possess skill sets that you may lack.
When you’re ready to invite parents,
neighbors, friends, colleagues, and
other respected adults to work with
you, send them a letter and invite them
to their first troop committee meeting.
60
Your troop committee members might
help by:
•• Filling in for you
•• Arranging meeting places
•• Locating adults with expertise on a
topic of special interest to girls
•• Assisting with trips and chaperoning
•• Managing troop records
A troop committee may be made up
of general members or may include
specific positions. The following
positions have online training
modules available at :
Fall Sale or Cookie Manager:
Manages all aspects of Girl Scout fall
sale or cookie activities.
Troop Treasurer: Someone to keep
track of the money and financial records.
Troop Trip Organizer: The
volunteer you’d look to whenever you
need to transport girls for any reason;
this person would have volunteers
available to drive and chaperone.
Troop Driver: Someone to drive on
occasional outings or trips.
Troop Helper/Chaperone: Attends
all meetings with girls (or rotates
with other adults) and plans meeting
activities with girls and
other adults.
Troop/Group First Aider: Holds
current first aid and CPR certification,
accompanies the troop when a first
aider is required, knows how to use the
Safety Activity Checkpoints, and helps
CRG - Chapter 3: Meeting with Girls & Adults
to train girls in safe ways to plan their
activities.
Troop Camping Certified Adult:
Assumes responsibility for camping
activities, trains and prepares girls in
camping skills. Attends camping trip.
Backpacking Certified Adult:
Assumes responsibility for training and
preparing girls for their backpacking
experience. Attends backpacking trip.
Bronze Award Coach: Assumes
responsibility for Bronze Award
activities, trains girls in guidelines, and
helps them through the process.
Silver Award Coach: Assumes
responsibility for Silver Award activities,
trains girls in guidelines, and helps them
through the process.
Gold Award Coach: Assumes
responsibility for Gold Award activities,
trains girls in guidelines, and helps them
through the process.
The following positions do not have
official training available:
Snack Coordinator: Develops
schedule for snack responsibilities and
communicates schedule to families.
Communication Coordinator:
Phones families as necessary in the
event of meeting changes or lastminute announcements and develops
phone tree for use when troop is on
outings.
You’re free to structure your parent/guardian meetings in whatever way works for you, but the following structure works for
many new volunteers.
Planning for the
Meeting:
How Much Does It
Cost?
•• Decide: date, location, time,
will girls attend?
•• The cost of membership, including
the $15 annual GSUSA dues, the $15
Council Service Fee (for girls, not
adult members), and any resources
parents/guardians will need to buy
(such as a girl’s book for a Journey)
•• Discuss the availability of financial
assistance and how the Girl Scout
Cookie Program and other product
sales generate funds for the group
treasury
•• Download the Uniform Cost Sheet
from the Volunteer Learning Portal, if
the girls want to wear uniforms
•• Discuss whether dues or start-up
contributions will be collected.
Care should be taken to establish
an amount that is affordable for all
families
••Adults will sign in with contact
information
Why Girl Scouts?
•• Welcome the girls and adults
•• Adults and girls introduce themselves, discuss whether anyone in
their families has been a Girl Scout,
and talk about what it means to them
•• Welcome everyone, regardless of
experience. (If you’re new to Girl
Scouting, don’t worry—just let everyone know you’ll be learning about Girl
Scouting together!)
If Girls Are Present
Ask the girls to go with the adult or teen
in charge of their activity and begin the
discussion.
About Girl Scouts
•• All the fun girls are going to have!
•• When and where the group will meet
•• The Girl Scout Mission, Promise,
and Law
•• The Girl Scout program, especially
what the GSLE is and what the
program does for their daughters
•• When Girl Scout cookies (and
other products) will go on sale and
how participation in product sales
teaches life skills and helps fund
group activities
•• How you plan to keep in touch
with parents/guardians (Facebook
page or group, Twitter, email, text
messaging, a phone tree, or flyers
the girls take home are just some
ideas)
Girl Scout Activities
•• Some examples of activities the girls
might choose. Adults brainstorm
their ideas.
•• Explain that girl planning and
decision-making is an important part
of Girl Scouting—so all of these ideas
will be discussed with the girls before
finalizing the calendar
Asking Adults to Help
(Use downloads from Volunteer
Learning Portal)
•• Sign up sheet
•• Parent Interest Survey
•• Discuss adult training responsibilities
Health and Safety
Guidelines
•• Girl Health History Forms
•• Annual Permission Form—an Activity
Permission Form will always used
for activities outside the group’s
usual meeting time and/or place and
the importance of completing and
returning it
•• Supervision and driving guidelines
for meetings and trips, Troop
Driver Information Form, proof of
insurance and license number for
drivers
•• Show Council Resource Guide:
Volunteer Essentials and a few
Registration (Including
Adult Screening)
Required for:
•• Any adults who will work with or
supervise the girls in the minimum
Adult-to-Girl ratio on page 89,
including drivers
•• Any adult who will work with money
(such as Treasurer, or Group Product
Sales Manager)
•• Any adult who will work with the girls’
or other adults’ personal information
•• Any adult who will attend an
overnight activity
Closing the Meeting
•• Remind the group of the next
meeting (if you’ll have one) and
thank everyone for attending.
•• Hold the next meeting when it
makes sense for you and your
co-volunteers—that may be in two
months if face-to-face meetings are
best, or not at all if you’re diligent
about keeping in touch with parents/
guardians via Facebook, Twitter, text
messages, email, phone calls, or
some other form of communication.
•• Let families know that they can also
make donations to the council—and
why they might want to do that!
After the Meeting
•• After the meeting, follow up with
any parents/guardians who did not
attend to connect them with the
group, inform them of decisions,
and discuss how they can best
help the girls.
Online resources
for your meeting!
Under Troop Leaders you can view a
quick training module titled
Meeting with Parents/Caregivers
Then click on the Resources link
on the same page - you’ll find some
great support tools for your meeting!
There are also sample handouts to
send home to parents/guardians in
the Adult Guides of each Journey at:
www.GSNorCal.org/journeys
Sibling Baby-sitter: Watch children
during the meetings so other parents
can get involved.
61
Troop Info
As a Girl Scout volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to guide girls of all
backgrounds, behaviors, skills, and abilities. You’ll help her develop leadership
skills she can use now and as she grows—all in a safe and accepting environment.
This chapter gives you tips for doing just that.
You’ll read about how to find a suitable place for meeting with girls, how to effectively
mentor girls to reach their highest potential, and how to effectively engage
parents and other volunteers.
One of the key elements of participation in a Girl Scout troop is the group
experience. Therefore, the minimum size for a troop is twelve girls. Data shows
that troops and groups have the most positive experience and stay together
when they have at least twelve girls. Larger groups tend to have fewer problems
with girls not getting along—girls can take a break from each other when there
are other girls around. Getting along with people in a group and being tolerant of
others are important life skills.
Sometimes new volunteers are hesitant to have a larger group of girls. But, with twelve
girls (or more), you have more adults to help and spread out the responsibilities.
Agenda: First Parent/Guardian Meeting
When and how often to meet is up
to you, your co-volunteers, parents
and girls. Most troops meet bi-weekly.
Is after school best or will meetings
work better in the evenings or on the
weekends?
A meeting place needs to provide a
safe, clean, and secure environment
that allows for the participation of all
girls. Consider using meeting rooms at
schools, libraries, houses of worship,
community buildings, childcare
facilities, and local businesses. For
teens, you can also rotate meetings at
local coffee shops, bookstores, and
other places girls enjoy spending time.
Here are a few points to keep in mind
as you consider meeting locations:
•• Cost: The space should be free to
use if at all possible. Contact your
VDM (GSNorCal staff member) or
service unit for help in locating a
suitable space.
•• Size: The space should be large
enough to accommodate the group
and all planned activities.
•• Availability: The space should be
available at the time and day you
want to meet, for the entire length of
time you want to meet.
•• Resources: Determine what types
of furnishings (table? chairs?) come
with the room and ensure that the
lighting is adequate. A bonus would
be a cubby of some sort, where you
can store supplies!
•• Safety: Ensure that the space
is safe, secure, clean, properly
ventilated, heated (or cooled,
depending on your location), free
from hazards, and has at least two
exits that are well-marked and fully
functional. Also be sure that first aid
equipment is on hand .
•• Facilities: Sanitary and accessible
toilets are critical.
•• Communication-friendly:
Be sure your cell phone works in
the meeting space.
•• Allergen-free: Ensure that pet
dander and other common allergens
won’t bother susceptible girls during
meetings.
•• Accessibility: Be sure the space
can accommodate girls and/or
parents with disabilities who may
come to meetings.
62
Meeting Place Safety Guide
Whether meeting at a private residence or elsewhere, use the following checklist
before each meeting to think about how to make your meeting place safer to
prevent accidents or injuries. The safest possible meeting places should be
chosen, and steps should be taken wherever possible to minimize potential risks
listed in this guide.
Outside Around the
Meeting Place
o Does the lighting system illuminate
entrances, walkways, and parking?
Inside the Meeting Place
o Are there two or more separate,
usable exits available?
o Are exits ever blocked?
o Are facility access points located in
open, well-traveled areas?
o Are exits available clearly marked
with emergency lighting?
o Are sidewalks and exterior stairs
clear of snow and ice?
o Are steps clear of trip and fall
hazards?
o Is playground equipment anchored
so that it does not tip, slide, or move
in an unintended manner?
o Are handrails and railings on stairs
present and secure?
o Are there pinch, crush or tearing
points on individual pieces of
playground equipment that could
injure a girl?
o Are floors and walking areas free of
trip and fall hazards?
o Is floor space adequate for the
desired activities?
o Do surface materials in fall zones
under playground equipment
absorb shock (materials such as
rubber-like material, sand, gravel;
shredded wood products)?
o Are toilets and sanitary facilities
accessible?
o If the property has a pool, is the pool
access locked so that girls cannot
enter the pool area unless swimming
activities are to be conducted?
o Are electrical outlets protected with
outlet covers?
o Are pool chemicals stored, secured,
and out of reach from children?
Physical Hazards
o Are all chemical cleaning solutions
kept out of reach and properly
stored to prevent access to
children?
o Are all prescription medications
children?
o Are all weapons kept out of reach
and properly stored to prevent
access to children?
o Are all tools and power equipment
children?
o Is the area reasonably free of biting,
and stinging insects?
o Is access restricted to recreational
equipment such as ATVs, archery
equipment, trampolines, and other
sports equipment unless as part of
the planned and supervised activity
when allowed?
o Do girls or adults have special needs
that require adaptations of facilities
for their disabilities?
o Are extension cords tucked away so
that they will not be walked on or trip
someone?
o Are barriers or warnings provided for
hot surfaces like fireplaces, heaters,
radiators, and wood stoves?
o Are fire extinguishers available?
o Is first aid equipment readily
available?
o Is telephone available and
operational?
o Are emergency phone numbers
provided for fire, ambulance, police,
and poison control center?
Before the girls arrive
o Look around to see if there is
anything you can do to lessen the
chance of an accident.
Always consult the
for each activity the girls will
participate in, whether at a
meeting, an outing, or trip.
Meeting with Girls for the First Time
When you first get together with girls
(and this meeting may also include
parents/guardians,) you’ll want to get to
know the girls, and give them a chance
to get to know one other.
Ice-breaker games that let girls share
simple details about themselves are
a great way to start off your first
gathering. Journeys often start with
such an icebreaker.
If you already know which Journey
the girls want to do, you’ll find it useful
to accomplish some of the following
during this meeting. (Note that all these
points are detailed in the adult guide
for each Journey, too). If your girls
haven’t chosen a Journey yet, you can
spend time during the first meeting
talking about the themes of the three
Journeys that are available for their
grade level and find out which one the
group would like to do.
1. Introduce the Journey
Each Journey’s adult guide gives
you ideas for talking with girls and
their parents/guardians about the
Journey’s theme and the three keys
to leadership.
2. Find out what interests the group
so you and the girls can begin to
customize the Journey. Ask the
girls what they’re passionate about,
what they’ve always wanted to do,
and how they would spend their
time if money and other barriers
were no object. Remind the girls they
can do activities inside or outside.
Build off the ideas shared, but be
sure to include opinions from all the
girls. Ask direct questions of those
who seem to be holding back or are
unsure about answering, so that
everyone is included.
3. Get the girls talking about how
they want to schedule their time
together. Use the planning pages
from their Journey, referring to your
draft calendar only as needed, so
that the girls are allowed to lead
4.Consider questions like these:
•• Can the girls organize and plan a field
trip or longer travel opportunity that
will allow them to learn more about a
particular Journey topic or theme?
•• Is there an event that meshes with
this topic or area of interest?
•• Can the girls communicate with an
expert in the field via email or social
media?
•• Can they invite a guest speaker to
answer questions or demonstrate
particular skills?
•• Which badges can the group choose
to work on that will deepen their skills
in this particular area?
•• If they are Juniors or older, are they
interested in pursuing their Girl Scout
Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards?
•• Do they have ideas for activities that
will involved younger or older girls?
Leader Resources
Volunteer Learning Portal
The Volunteer Learning Portal
includes short online modules
to help you at every step, plus
resources galore!
Volunteer Toolkit
Your Volunteer Toolkit contains
your yearly calendar, meeting
plans & curriculum, troop contact
information, a troop finances tool,
and more!
Journey Adult Guides
The sample sessions in the Adult
Guides can be used “as is” as a guide
for your Girl Scout meetings. They
have all the “parts” of a meeting, as
well as ceremonies and other Girl
Scout traditions, built right in. They
list out materials needed and what
you need to do to prepare.
Jump to Journeys for
6th - 12th grade troops
Use this patch program to help your
girls select their first Journey. You
could use the requirements as your
first meeting with your girls. www.
tinyurl.com/GSjump-to-journeys
Meeting Place Checklist
See page 62
Working With Girls
Fun ways to get the girls’ ideas and
help them narrow their choices.
See page 76
Behavior problems
See page 78
Contracts and
Use Permits
If you are asked to sign a contract
or use permit for your meeting site,
it must be signed by a council staff
member if it lists “Girl Scouts” (troop,
service unit, the council) as being
responsible for any of the following:
•• Payment
•• Taking care of a site or property
•• Liability for damage to property
or persons
•• Insurance
Troops and service units are not legal
entities, and you cannot legally enter
into a contract on their behalf. See
page 132 for more information about
contracts and use permits. Certificates of
Insurance (COI)
Often facilities and vendors will
request a Certificate of Insurance
(COI) from GSNorCal when a troop
has a meeting at a site or hosts a
cookie booth in front of a business.
This is a standard practice and is
commonly requested in a contract.
Likewise, when planning events on
behalf of GSNorCal (for example,
volunteer-run camps, service unit
events, high-adventure activities
with vendors, etc.), COIs are often
needed to verify that an organization
or location meets Girl Scouts’
insurance standards.
If you are asked to supply a COI, use
the Certificate of Insurance Request
Form found on the council website at
If the girls will participate in an activity
defined as high-adventure, (page 91)
the facility must supply the council
with a Certificate of Liability Insurance
for one million dollars or more,
must read “Girl Scouts of Northern
California is named as additional
insured on the General Liability Policy”
and complete the checklist relating to
the high-adventure activity they offer.
For more information, visit
www.GSNorCal.org/coi
Property owners and renters have legal liability if any person (invited or not)
is injured while on their property. Adequate homeowners or renters insurance
is a must if Girl Scout meetings or other activities will be held at your place of
residence to protect your financial interests. If you choose to hold Girl Scout
meetings at your residence, you carry the same legal liability as when any other
visitor is on your property or at your place of residence.
63
Troop Info
Arranging a Time and Place for Girl-Led Meetings
Organizing Records & Communication
Sample Troop Year
Here is just one example of how you
and the girls could set up your troop
year.
o Hold a parent/guardian meeting.
o Open a checking account.
o Register all the girls in the troop.
o Meet together for the first time,
allowing the girls to decide how
they can learn each others’ names
and find out more about each
other.
o Kick off a leadership Journey
with the opening ceremony
recommended in the first sample
session, or a trip or special event
that fits the theme. Have the girls
brainstorm and plan any trip or
event.
o Enjoy the full Journey, including its
take-action project.
o Along the way, add in related
badge activities that girls will enjoy
and that will give them a wellrounded year.
o Have the girls plan, budget for, and
“earn and learn” in the Girl Scout
Cookie Program.
o Help girls plan a field trip or other
travel opportunity.
o Encourage girls to plan a
culminating ceremony for
the Journey, including awards
presentations, using ideas in the
Journey girls’ book and/or adult
guide.
o Pre-register girls for next year.
o Camp out!
o Participate in a council-wide event
with girls from around your region.
o Have the girls plan and hold
a bridging ceremony for girls
continuing on to the next Girl
Scout grade level.
Anyone who has been
convicted of a violent
crime or crimes
against persons,
including registered sex
offenders, may not attend
Girl Scout activities where
girls are present.
64
The sample sessions in the Leadership Journey adult guides will give you ideas
about how to plan and hold successful troop meetings that allow girls to Discover,
Connect, and Take Action as they have fun with a purpose. (See the “Girl Scouting
as a National Experience” chapter of this handbook for more on the three
processes).
Many volunteers find it helpful to think of meetings having six parts, as outlined
below, but feel free to structure the meeting in a way that makes sense for you
and the girls.
As girls arrive: Start-up activities are
planned so that when girls arrive at the
meeting they have something to do
until the meeting begins. For younger
girls, it could be coloring pages; teen
girls might jot down a journal entry or
just enjoy a little time to talk.
Opening: The opening focuses the
meeting and allows girls to start the
meeting. Each troop decides how to
open their own meeting—most begin
with the Girl Scout Promise and Law,
and then add a simple flag ceremony,
song, game, story, or other ceremony
designed by the girls. Girl Scout
Brownies, for example, might create
a new tradition by skipping in a circle
while singing a song. Ceremonies, even
when brief or humorous, make Girl
Scout time special. The Journey adult
guides contain ideas about openings
that correspond to the Journey themes.
You’ll also find plenty of snack ideas
and signup forms in the adult guide of
most leadership Journeys.
Clean-up: Clean-up is a great habit
for girls to get their meeting space back
to the way it was when they arrived—
maybe even cleaner than it was! Girls
can also take leadership of the cleaning
themselves, deciding who does what.
They might even enjoy the tradition of
a kaper chart (a chore chart that lists all
the chores and assigns girls’ names to
each), so that everyone takes turns at
each responsibility. (See page 77)
Closing: The closing lets the girls know
Business: Troop business may
that the troop meeting is ending. Many
girls close with the friendship circle, in
which each girl stands in a circle, puts
her right arm over her left, and holds
the hand of the girl standing next to
her. The friendship squeeze is started
by one girl, and then passed around
the circle until it comes back to the
girl who started it. When the squeeze
is finished, girls twist clockwise out
of the circle lifting their arms and
turning around and out of the circle.
In addition, you may find some helpful
Journey related closing ceremony
ideas in the Journey’s adult guide.
Activities: Activities will depend
Involving Girls in
Meeting Planning
include taking attendance, collecting
dues, making announcements, and
planning an upcoming event or trip.
This is a good time for girls to take
turns leading, especially as they grow
up! (Some troops ay move the business
portion of the meeting to an earlier or
later slot).
on what the girls want to do in their
troop and how they want to spend
their collective time. Outdoor time is
important, so encourage the girls to do
an activity at a park or forest. If girls are
interested in animals, encourage the
girls to plan a visit to a zoo or animal
shelter. As you engage in one of the
three national leadership Journeys,
review the “Sample Sessions at a
Glance” in the adult guide for Journey
activity ideas.
Snack: Treats are an option some
troops decide to include in their
meetings. If girls choose to include
snacks, guide them to consider the
health of a potential snack, as well as
possible food allergies. Enlist the help
of parents or guardians by asking them
to sign up and bring a treat.
You help each troop member do
her part to ensure the meeting and
activities are enriching and fun. Based
on their grade levels and abilities, girls
may decide and plan opening and
closing activities, bring and prepare
treats, teach songs or games, and
clean up. As girls grow, they can show
and teach younger members about
Girl Scouting. They can also assist you
in preparing materials for activities.
For trips, campouts, parent meetings,
and multi-troop events, girls may be
responsible for shopping, packing
equipment, handing out programs,
cleaning up, gathering wood, and so on.
As long as you pay attention to grade level
and maturity, what girls can do is endless!
Planning
Binder System
Yearly Approach: In the spring the girls make lists of ideas
for activities the following year. A “draft” calendar is then
created for the last meeting and parents sign up to help with
the activities. Over the summer a tentative yearly calendar is
put together and folders with the meeting info and schedule
along with the roster and calendar. Girls receive their folder
at the first meeting and then they can lead the meetings
following the calendar that they set up.
Month to Month Approach: After the girls make some
decisions about what they’d like to do, make a general
calendar for the year with the big things they’ve planned,
and then prepare a calendar each month with the regular
meeting activities which are scheduled. That way, the girls
can be planning as they go, and have more flexibility to plan
in additional activities doing something they are enjoying. As
well, there is less ’pressure’ to finish projects since they can
just keep going with them at the next meeting if they want to.
Use a zippered binder for the stuff that must be carried to
every meeting (health forms, roster/contact list of girls/
parents, list of meeting and field trip dates, Emergency Card,
etc). Keep a copy of this book: Council Resource Guide:
Volunteer Essentials in the binder.
A binder or folders for other troop adults can be kept to
facilitate more efficient communication for delegated tasks.
Contents might be as follows:
•• Treasurer: Attendance record, dues record, bank
statements, receipts, finance record and blank paper.
•• Service Projects Parent: A printout of service project
ideas along with contact information and blank paper.
•• Special Projects Parent: Holiday ideas and blank paper.
This parent helps with any holidays and field trips.
•• Girl/Adult Records: All individual girl records including
completed badges. Adult records would include training
records.
Keep a seasonal binder with info such as product sales
and camping.
Keep a reference binder with a section for songs, games,
ceremonies, camping, service projects, SWAPs, crafts, etc.
The girls can use these for ideas.
OR: Use expandable file folders.
Organization by File Box
Have a file folder for each girl, and one marked “Back to
Troop.” When there are papers to go out (such as permission
forms) put one in each girl’s folder. Then you can tell who
missed paperwork. When they bring it back, they put it in the
“Back to Troop” folder. You can leave the box on your porch
for people to pick things up. Also include files for:
•• A folder that contains anything needed for the meeting,
printout sheets for an activity, meeting plan, kaper chart.
Try to have instructions and everything needed so that
the girls can take charge.
•• Roster of girls and leaders , with emergency contact
information.
•• Important phone numbers, community resources, etc.
•• Copy of Council Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials
and Safety Activity Checkpoints.
•• Copies of signed Annual Permission Forms.
•• Girl Health History Forms in a sealed envelope.
•• “Start Up Kits” for potential new girls (Link to “Join” url on
website, Health History form, what to buy for uniform/
books, leader contact names/phone #, etc).
•• Information for parent helpers—schedule if they rotate,
contact information, etc.
•• Attendance records.
•• Dues records.
•• Meeting agendas (keep one from each meeting
to refer back to).
•• Catalog/Insignia Order Forms/Copies of how to
put on the insignia.
•• Ceremony sheets for girls to use as reference.
•• Planning worksheets and spiral notebook for each
group or patrol.
•• Service project ideas (printed from the internet).
•• Song books.
•• Just add a few new registration forms and you are
ready to roll the next year!
Troop Info
Holding Troop Meetings
Troop Leaders:
Meet the Volunteer Toolkit!
A new web app that has everything you need for
a whole year of Girl Scout fun in one convenient
place—your computer, tablet or smart phone.
65
•• With the new Volunteer Toolkit,
leaders will be able to send emails
with reminders, updates, and
information about program
to their troop families.
•• Use clear plastic green file envelopes
(girls can decorate with stickers) to
send all paperwork home in. This
makes it easy for parents to identify
Girl Scout paperwork and prevents
permission slips from getting lost
in backpacks or school homework.
Parents may also send back info in
this envelope.
•• Consider having a Yahoo Group or
other distribution list. Be sure to find
a way to communicate with parents
who don’t have email access. (Be
sure to follow internet safety rules).
•• To make sure to have ample
volunteers for your meetings,
put down the list of volunteers
for upcoming meetings on each
newsletter sent home. If a parent
can’t volunteer on that assigned day,
they trade with another parent.
•• www.Callingpost.com can handle
reminders for a small fee. You record
a 60 second message and send it to
your distribution list. •• Have a parent handbook and
possibly keep it online to cut down
copying costs. (Be sure not to post
girls’ last names, private contact info,
meeting place/time etc. in public
areas on the internet!)
•• Monthly Newsletter – On a regular
basis, have the girls take home a
newsletter—if they know when it
comes, they’ll look for it.
Reengaging Girls
The Volunteer Toolkit is the best way
to keep records for your troop. The
things you’ll want to keep track of are:
•• Attendance—helps to know who was
absent and might have missed info
•• Dues, Financial Records
•• Badge and Award records
•• Who’s earned what: keep track
of specific requirements, and
whole badges
•• Permission slips etc.
(who got them, who’s turned them in)
•• Other Girl Records—what activities
she’s been a part of (service
projects, camping, etc). Nice to have
if a girl moves/transfers to another
troop, and for Silver/Gold award
ceremonies later down the line!
The end of the troop year doesn’t
have to be the end of a girl’s time with
Girl Scouting, or the end of your time
with girls. Some girls may no longer
have time for a full-year commitment
and will be unsure what’s next for
them. Others won’t be able to
imagine their lives without this same
group of girls.
Here’s how you can best reengage
your troop:
Some girls may want other options
besides troops. That’s okay—
Girl Scouts offers many ways to
participate. Talk to girls about
day and residence camp, travel
opportunities, series offerings, and
events your council may offer. Older
girls, especially, enjoy these shorterterm, flexible ways to be Girl Scouts.
Troop Bucket or
Plastic Bin
(Always with the Troop)
o First aid kit
o Girl Health History Forms
o Emergency Card
o GS insurance info
o Emergency procedures card/info
o Program activities for extra time
o Craft supplies: scissors, markers,
pens, pencils, glue, glue sticks,
tape, colored pencils, 6-inch rulers,
rubber bands, paper clips, paper,
etc.
Some girls will be excited to bridge to
the next grade-level in Girl Scouting,
and will look to you for guidance on
how to hold a bridging ceremony.
Even if you’re not sure of your
continued participation with Girl
Scouts (and we hope you will find
lots of exciting ways to be involved,
even if leading a troop no longer fits
your life), be sure to capture their
excitement and work with them as a
plan a meaningful bridging ceremony.
If you plan to stay with this troop, but
some girls are bridging to the next
grade level, talk to your council about
helping them decide how they’d like
to continue in Girl Scouting—perhaps
in series, events, or travel!
Talk to girls about earning their Girl
Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards,
which are opportunities for them to
make a dramatic difference in their
communities, and to have plenty to
brag about with college admissions
officers, too.
And what about you? If you want to
stay with this troop, start working with
them to plan their group activities
next year. And if you’re a little worn
out but are interested in staying with
Girl Scouts in other, flexible ways,
be sure to let your council know how
you’d like to be a part of girls’ lives in
the future. Are you ready to volunteer
at camp? Help organize a series or
event? Take a trip? The possibilities
are endless.
Letting Girls Lead—”Troop Government”
Many troops employ a democratic system of governance so that all members have the opportunity to express their
interests and feelings and share in the planning and coordination of activities. Girls partner with you and other adults, and
you facilitate, act as a sounding board, and ask and answer questions. Girls from Daisies through Ambassadors will gain
confidence and leadership skills when given the opportunity to lead their activities, learn cooperatively as a group, and learn
by doing instead of by observing.
Girls may choose any form of troop government (or combination) that works for them. They may need to experiment with
different things until the troop is running the way they would like it to. The aim is to find a way for every girl to express her
ideas and be part of the decisions. The following are some traditions troops have used for girl-led governance, but these are
just examples. Journeys offer examples of team decision-making too.
Adult
Volunteer
Patrol
Leader
Adult
Volunteer
Patrol
Leader
Adult
Volunteer
Patrol Leaders
Junior/Cadette/Senior/Ambassador Executive Board: In the
executive board system (also called steering committee), one
leadership team makes decisions for the entire troop. This is similar
to student government systems that girls may be familiar with. The
boards’ (elected officers) responsibility is to plan activities and assign
jobs based on interests and needs, and the rest of the troop decides
how to pass their ideas and suggestions to the executive board
throughout the year. The executive board usually has a president,
vice president, secretary, and treasurer and holds its own meetings to
discuss troop matters. Limit the length of time each girl serves on the
executive board so all troop members can participate during the year.
Secretary President Vice
Treasurer
President
Meeting Moderators
Committee
Chair
o Comfort items: Hand wipes, trash
bags, paper towels, etc.
Patrol
Leader
Junior/Cadette/Senior/Ambassador Patrol or Team System:
In this system, large troops divide into small groups, with every
member playing a role. Teams of four to six girls are recommended so
that each girl gets a chance to participate and express her opinions.
Patrols may be organized by interests or activities that feed into a
take-action project, with each team taking responsibility for some
part of the total project, and girls may even enjoy coming up with
names for their teams.
Court of Honor
Adult
Volunteer
66
Daisy/Brownie Circle: While sitting in a circle (sometimes called a
ring), girls create a formal group decision-making body. The circle is an
organized time for girls to express their ideas and talk about activities
they enjoy, and you play an active role in facilitating discussion and
helping them plan. Girls often vote to finalize decisions. If girls are
talking over each other, consider passing an object like a talking stick
that entitles one girl to speak at a time. See page 78.
End-of-Year
Party
Committee
Task Groups/Committees: Small groups are formed for specific
tasks. Task groups may be used to investigate information on a
particular question, plan and/or carry out parts of a troop project, or
carry out routine and/or special tasks.
Task Group
Chair
Troop Trip
Investigation
Task Group
Junior/Cadette/Senior/Ambassador Town Meeting: Under the
town meeting system, business is discussed and decisions are made
at meetings attended by all the girls in the troop. As in the patrol and
executive board systems, everyone gets the chance to participate in
decision-making and leadership. Your role is to act as a moderator,
who makes sure everyone gets a chance to talk and that all ideas are
considered.
Adult
Volunteer
67
Troop Info
Communication
with Families
Record Keeping
Healthy Development for Each Grade Level
Just being attentive to what girls are experiencing as they mature is a big help to girls. So take some time to understand the
likes, needs, and abilities of girls at different ages.
As you listen and learn along with girls, you may find it useful to review the highlights of their development.
What follows are the developmental abilities and needs of girls at each grade level. You’ll also find these listed in the adult guide of each
leadership Journey. Plus, the activities in the Journeys are set up with the following guidelines in mind!
Of course, each girl is an individual, so these are only guidelines that help you get to know the girls.
Transforming Leadership
Transforming Leadership Continued
Girl Scout Daisies
How do you know what is “age
appropriate”? A powerful resource
called Transforming Leadership
is available to Girl Scout volunteers
which lists age-appropriate sample
signs and indicators for each
grade level as they relate to the 15
outcomes. This gives a tangible way
to tell if girls have age-appropriate
skills, and how you can tell if girls
are reaching the outcomes. For
example, for the Connect outcome
“girls promote cooperation and team building”, Brownies
might be able to identify strengths or talents that each girl
brings to group projects (e.g. “Monica is good at drawing and I
am a really good singer”). For the same outcome, 11th or 12th
grade Ambassadors might describe how their Take Action
project encouraged sustained cooperation among various
people and organizations in their communities.
The book is organized by leadership key, so you can compare
the signs and indicators for girls of different grade levels,
and then by grade level so you can zero in on the skills you’d
expect to see in the girls you’re working with.
This powerful tool allows adults to keep an eye on how their
girls are progressing, and to make sure their skills are on par
with what is expected from girls of any particular age. Just
as you would take steps to assist a child who couldn’t feed
themselves at age 5 (and who didn’t have some physical
problem), you would also be working to build skills in a
group of 8th graders who “didn’t like to plan” or who weren’t
capable of figuring out how to make their plans a reality.
Transforming Leadership is available through the
GSNorCal retail store or can be downloaded free of charge
from tinyurl.com/GS-transforming-leadership
Transforming Leadership
Continued is another useful
tool available to volunteers. This
resource lists very tangible ways
for volunteers to incorporate the
three Girl Scout processes (Girl-led,
Cooperative Learning, Learning by
Doing) more effectively for each
grade level.
For example, Girl Scout Daisies
should be expected to take initiative
in doing activities without adult help. Adults might encourage
girls to volunteer for tasks they think they might be good at.
Girl Scout Seniors should be able to question the logic of
popular opinions, laws, and rules. To encourage this, an adult
might ask girls to investigate why the specific qualities stated
in the Girl Scout Promise and Law are the foundation of Girl
Scouting.
Transforming Leadership Continued can be downloaded
at tinyurl.com/GS-TL-continued
At the Girl Scout Daisy level
(K and 1st grade), girls . . .
This means . . .
Have loads of energy and need to run, walk, and play outside.
They’ll enjoy going on nature walks and outdoor scavenger
hunts.
Are great builders and budding artists, though they are still
developing their fine motor skills.
Encouraging them to express themselves and their creativity
by making things with their hands. Girls may need assistance
holding scissors, cutting in a straight line, and so on.
Love to move and dance.
They might especially enjoy marching like a penguin, dancing
like a dolphin, or acting out how they might care for animals in
the jungle.
Are concrete thinkers and focused on the here and now.
Showing instead of telling, for example, about how animals are
cared for. Plan visits to animal shelters, farms, or zoos; meet
care providers; or make a creative bird feeder.
Are only beginning to learn about basic number concepts,
time, and money.
You’ll want to take opportunities to count out supplies
together—and, perhaps, the legs on a caterpillar!
Are just beginning to write and spell, and they don’t always
have the words for what they’re thinking or feeling.
Having girls draw a picture of something they are trying to
communicate is easier and more meaningful for them.
Know how to follow simple directions and respond well to
recognition for doing so.
Being specific and offering only one direction at a time.
Acknowledge when girls have followed directions well to
increase their motivation to listen and follow again.
Girl-Adult Partnership
Girl Scouting is for the enjoyment and benefit of the girls,
so meetings are built around the girls’ ideas.
When you put the girls first, you’re helping develop a
team relationship, making space for the development
of leadership skills, and allowing girls to benefit from the
guidance, mentoring, and coaching of caring adults.
The three Girl Scout processes (Girl-Led, Learning By
Doing, and Cooperative Learning) are integral to the girladult partnership. Take time to read over the description
of these processes and think about how to incorporate
them into your group’s experiences. See Chapter 2 of this
handbook for more information about the Journey adult
guides.
Progression
Girl Scout activities should be age-appropriate and
should build on existing skills, while being just a little bit
(attainable) challenging. Activities should build the girls’
skills as they go.
Fun ways of planning with girls and helping them
narrow down their choices are found on page 76.
Transforming Leadership relates benefits (outcomes) to signs and indicators for each grade level.
Transforming Leadership Continued relates how the Girl Scout processes
can be incorporated for each grade level.
68
Girl Scout Brownies
At the Girl Scout Brownie level
(2nd & 3rd grade), girls . . .
This means . . .
Have lots of energy and need to run, walk, and play outside.
Taking your session activities outside whenever possible.
Are social and enjoy working in groups.
Allowing girls to team up in small or large groups for art projects
and performances.
Want to help others and appreciate being given individual Letting girls lead, direct, and help out in activities whenever
possible. Allow girls as a group to make decisions about
responsibilities for a task.
individual roles and responsibilities.
Doing more than just reading to girls about the Brownie Elf’s
adventures. Ask girls questions to gauge their understanding
Are concrete thinkers and focused on the here and now.
and allow them to role play their own pretend visit to a new
country.
Need clear directions and structure, and like knowing what to Offering only one direction at a time. Also, have girls create the
schedule and flow of your get-togethers and share it at the start.
expect.
Offering support only when needed. Allow girls to set schedules
Are becoming comfortable with basic number concepts, time, for meetings or performances, count out money for a trip, and
money, and distance.
so on.
Encouraging girls to express themselves and their creativity by
Are continuing to develop their fine motor skills and can tie making things with their hands. Girls may need some assistance,
shoes, use basic tools, begin to sew, etc.
however, holding scissors, threading needles, and so on.
Love to act in plays, create music, and dance.
Girls might like to create a play about welcoming a new girl to
their school, or tell a story through dance or creative movement.
Acknowledging when the girls have listened or followed the
Know how to follow rules, listen well, and appreciate recognition directions well, which will increase their motivation to listen and
of a job done well.
follow again!
69
Troop Info
Understanding Healthy Development in Girls
Girl Scout Seniors
Girl Scout Juniors
At the Girl Scout Junior level
(4th & 5th grade), girls . . .
This means . . .
At the Girl Scout Senior level
This means . . .
Want to make decisions and express their opinions.
Whenever possible, allowing girls to make decisions and express
their opinions through guided discussion and active reflection
activities. Also, have girls set rules for listening to others’ opinions
and offering assistance in decision making.
Are beginning to clarify their own values, consider alternative points of view on controversial issues, and see multiple
aspects of a situation.
Asking girls to explain the reasoning behind their decisions.
Engage girls in role-play and performances, where others can
watch and offer alternative solutions.
Are social and enjoy doing things in groups.
Allowing girls to team-up in small or large groups for art projects,
performances, and written activities.
Girls are more than able to go beyond community service to deHave strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and are velop projects that will create sustainable solutions in their comable to plan and reflect on their own learning experiences.
munities. Be sure to have girls plan and follow up on these experiences through written and discussion-based reflective activities.
Spend more time in peer groups than with their families and
are very concerned about friends and relationships with others their age.
Girls will enjoy teaming up in small or large groups for art projects,
performances, and written activities. They’ll also want to tackle relationship issues through both artistic endeavors and take-action
projects. Alter the makeup of groups with each activity so that girls
interact with those they might not usually pair up with.
Frequently enjoy expressing their individuality.
Encouraging girls to express their individuality in their dress, creative
expression, and thinking. Remind girls frequently that there isn’t just
one way to look, feel, think, or act. Assist girls in coming up with new
ways of expressing their individuality.
Feel they have lots of responsibilities and pressures—from
home, school, peers, work, and so on.
Acknowledging girls’ pressures and sharing how stress can limit
health, creativity, and productivity. Help girls release stress through
creative expression, movement, and more traditional stressreduction techniques.
Are continuing to navigate their increasing independence and
expectations from adults—at school and at home.
Trusting girls to plan and make key decisions, allowing them to
experience what’s known as “fun failure:” girls learn from trying
something new and making mistakes.
Not shying away from discussing why rules are in place, and
having girls develop their own rules for their group.
Are concerned about equity and fairness.
Are beginning to think abstractly and critically, and are capable Asking girls to explain why they made a decision, share their
of flexible thought. Juniors can consider more than one visions of their roles in the future, and challenge their own and
perspective, as well as the feelings and attitudes of another.
others’ perspectives.
Have strong fine and gross motor skills and coordination.
Engaging girls in moving their minds and their bodies. Allow girls
to express themselves through written word, choreography, and
so on.
Love to act in plays, create music, and dance.
Girls might like to tell a story through play writing, playing an
instrument, or choreographing a dance.
Being sensitive to girls’ changing bodies, possible discomfort
May be starting puberty, which means beginning breast over these changes, and their desire for more information.
development, skin changes, and weight changes. Some may be Create an environment that acknowledges and celebrates this
getting their periods.
transition as healthy and normal for girls.
Girl Scout Ambassadors
At the Girl Scout Ambassadors level
Girl Scout Cadettes
At the Girl Scout Cadettes level
(6th, 7th, & 8th grade), girls . . .
This means . . .
Being sensitive to the many changes Cadettes are undergoing—
acknowledging that these changes are as normal as growing
Are going through puberty, including changes in their skin, body- and
Girls need time to adapt to their changing bodies, and their
shape, and weight. They’re also starting their menstrual cycles taller!
feelings
about their bodies may not keep up. Reinforce that, as
and have occasional shifts in mood.
with everything else, people go through puberty in different ways
and at different times.
Are starting to spend more time in peer groups than with their
families and are very concerned about friends and relationships
with others their age.
That girls will enjoy teaming-up in small or large groups for art
projects, performances, and written activities, as well as tackling
relationship issues through both artistic endeavors and take
action projects.
Troop Info
Although it’s okay to have expectations, the expectation is not
Are aware of expectations and sensitive to the judgments of perfection! Share your own mistakes and what you learned from
others.
them, and be sure to create an environment where girls can be
comfortable sharing theirs.
This means . . .
Can see the complexity of situations and controversial issues— Inviting girls to develop stories as a group, and then individually
they understand that problems often have no clear solution and create endings that they later discuss and share.
that varying points of view may each have merit.
Girls are more than able to go beyond community service to
Have strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and develop projects that will create sustainable solutions in their
can adapt logical thinking to real-life situations. Ambassadors communities. Be sure to have girls plan and follow up on these
recognize and incorporate practical limitations to solutions.
experiences through written and discussion-based reflective
activities.
Girls will enjoy teaming up in small or large groups for art projects,
Spend more time with peers than with their families and are very performances, and written activities. They’ll also want to tackle
concerned about friends and relationships with others their age. relationship issues through artistic endeavors and take action
projects. Alter the makeup of groups with each activity so that
girls interact with those they might not usually pair up with.
Frequently enjoy expressing their individuality.
Encouraging girls to express their individuality in their dress,
creative expression, and thinking. Remind girls frequently that
there isn’t just one way to look, feel, think, or act. Assist girls in
coming up with new ways of expressing their individuality.
Encouraging girls to share, but only when they are comfortable.
this age, they may be more comfortable sharing a piece of
Can be very self-conscious—wanting to be like everyone else, At
artwork
or a fictional story than their own words. Throughout
but fearing they are unique in their thoughts and feelings.
the activities, highlight and discuss differences as positive,
interesting, and beautiful.
Acknowledging girls’ pressures and sharing how stress can limit
Feel they have lots of responsibilities and pressures—from home, health, creativity, and productivity. Help girls release stress
school, peers, work, etc.
through creative expression, movement, and more traditional
stress-reduction techniques.
girls to plan and make key decisions, allowing them to
Are beginning to navigate their increasing independence and Trusting
experience
what’s known as “fun failure:” girls learn from trying
expectations from adults—at school and at home.
Are continuing to navigate their increasing independence and Trusting girls to plan and make key decisions, allowing them to
expectations from adults—at school and at home—and are experience what’s known as “fun failure.” Girls learn from trying
looking to their futures.
70
71
Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance and Inclusion
Creating a Safe Space for Girls
Girl Scouts embraces girls of all abilities, backgrounds,
and heritage, with a specific and positive philosophy of
inclusion that benefits everyone. Each girl—without regard
to socioeconomic status, race, physical or cognitive ability,
ethnicity, primary language, or religion—is an equal and
valued member of the group, and groups reflect the diversity
of the community.
Inclusion is an approach and an attitude, rather than a set of
guidelines. Inclusion is about belonging, about all girls being
offered the same opportunities, about respect and dignity,
and about honoring the uniqueness of and differences
among us all. You’re accepting and inclusive when you:
•• Welcome every girl and focus on building community.
•• Emphasize cooperation instead of competition.
•• Provide a safe and socially comfortable environment for girls.
•• Teach respect for, understanding of, and dignity toward all
girls and their families.
•• Actively reach out to girls and families who are traditionally
excluded or marginalized.
•• Foster a sense of belonging to community as a respected
and valued peer.
•• Honor the intrinsic value of each person’s life.
As you think about where, when, and how often to meet
with your group, you will find yourself considering the needs,
resources, safety, and beliefs of all members and potential
members. As you do this, include the special needs of any
members who have disabilities, or whose parents or guardians have disabilities. But please don’t rely on visual cues to
inform you of a disability: Approximately 20 percent of the
U.S. population has a disability—that’s one in five people, of
every socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and religion.
As a volunteer, your interactions with girls present an
opportunity to improve the way society views girls (and their
parents/guardians) with disabilities. Historically, disabilities
have been looked at from a deficit viewpoint with a focus on
how people with disabilities could be fixed. Today, the focus
is on a person’s abilities—on what she can do rather than on
what she cannot.
If you want to find out what a girl with a disability needs to
make her Girl Scout experience successful, simply ask her
or her parent/guardian. If you are frank and accessible, it’s
likely they will respond in kind, creating an atmosphere that
enriches everyone.
It’s important for all girls to be rewarded based on their best
efforts—not on the completion of a task. Give any girl the
opportunity to do her best and she will. Sometimes that
means changing a few rules or approaching an activity in
a more creative way. Here are some examples of ways to
modify activities:
•• Invite a girl to complete an activity after she has observed
others doing it.
•• If you are visiting a museum to view sculpture, find out if a girl
who is blind might be given permission to touch the pieces.
•• If an activity requires running, a girl who is unable to run
could be asked to walk or do another physical movement.
A safe space is one in which girls feel as though they can be themselves, without explanation, judgment, or ridicule. Girl Scout
research shows that girls are looking for an emotionally safe environment, where confidentiality is respected and they can
express themselves without fear.
The environment you create is as important (maybe more) than the activities girls do; it’s the key to developing the sort of
group that girls want to be part of. The following sections share some tips on creating a warm, safe environment for girls.
72
Girls with cognitive disabilities can be registered as closely
as possible to their chronological ages. They wear the
uniform of that grade level. Make any adaptations for the
girl to ongoing activities of the grade level to which the
group belongs. Young women with cognitive disorders may
choose to retain their girl membership through their 21st
year, and then move into an adult membership category.
In addition, note that people-first language puts the person
before the disability.
Say . . .
Instead of . . .
She has a
learning disability
She has a
developmental disability
She uses a wheelchair
She is learning disabled
She is mentally retarded;
she is slow
She is wheelchair-bound
When interacting with a girl (or parent/guardian) with a
disability, consider these final tips:
•• When talking to a girl with a disability, speak directly to her,
not through a parent/guardian or friend.
•• It’s okay to offer assistance to a girl with a disability, but
wait until your offer is accepted before you begin to help.
Listen closely to any instructions the person may have.
•• Leaning on a girl’s wheelchair is invading her space and is
considered annoying and rude.
•• When speaking to a girl who is deaf and using an
interpreter, speak to the girl, not to her interpreter.
•• When speaking for more than a few minutes to a girl who
uses a wheelchair, place yourself at eye level.
•• When greeting a girl with a visual disability, always identify
yourself and others. You might say, “Hi, it’s Sheryl. Tara is
on my right, and Chris is on my left.”
GSNorCal staff and volunteers can assist you in
accommodating girls with disabilities. Remember that not all
disabilities can be seen—a girl who acts out may well have a
diagnosed or undiagnosed condition.
A Variety of Formats
for Publications
The Latina population is the largestgrowing in the United States, which
is why Girls Scouts has translated
many of its publications into
Spanish. Over time, Girl Scouts
will continue to identify members’
needs and produce resources to
support those needs, including
translating publications into
additional languages and formats.
Recognizing and Supporting Each Girl
Girls look up to their volunteers. They
need to know that you consider each
of them an important person. They
can survive a poor meeting place or
an activity that flops, but they cannot
endure being ignored or rejected.
Recognize acts of trying as well as
instances of clear success. Emphasize
the positive qualities that make each
girl worthy and unique. Be generous
with praise and stingy with rebuke. Help
girls find ways to show acceptance of
and support for one another.
Promoting Fairness
Girls are sensitive to injustice. They
forgive mistakes if they are sure you
are trying to be fair. They look for
fairness in the ways responsibilities are
shared, in handling of disagreements,
and in responses to performance and
accomplishment. When possible,
consult girls as to what they think
is fair before decisions are made.
Explain your reasoning and show
why you did something. Be willing to
apologize if needed. Try to see that the
responsibilities, as well as the chances
for feeling important, are equally
divided. Help girls explore and decide
for themselves the fair ways of solving
problems, carrying out activities,
and responding to behavior and
accomplishments.
Building Trust
Girls need your belief in them and your
support when they try new things.
They must be sure you will not betray
a confidence. Show girls you trust
them to think for themselves and use
their own judgment. Help them make
the important decisions in the group.
Help them correct their own mistakes.
Help girls give and show trust toward
one another. Help them see how
trust can be built, lost, regained and
strengthened.
Managing Conflict
Conflicts and disagreements are
an inevitable part of life, and when
handled constructively can actually
enhance communication and
relationships. At the very least, Girl
Scouts are expected to practice selfcontrol and diplomacy so that conflicts
do not erupt into regrettable incidents.
(Shouting, verbal abuse, or physical
confrontations are never warranted
and cannot be tolerated in the Girl
Scout environment).
When a conflict arises between girls or
a girl and a volunteer, get those involved
to sit down together and talk calmly
and in a nonjudgmental manner. (Each
party may need some time—even a few
days or a week—to calm down before
being able to do this). Although talking
in this way can be uncomfortable and
difficult, it does lay the groundwork
for working well together in the future.
Whatever you do, do not spread your
complaint around to others—that won’t
help the situation and causes only
embarrassment and anger.
If a conflict persists, be sure you
explain the matter to your volunteer
support team. If the leader/manager
of this group cannot resolve the issues
satisfactorily (or if the problem involves
the leader/manager), the issue can be
taken to the next level of supervision
and, ultimately, contact your council if
you need extra help.
Inspiring Open
Communication
Girls want someone who will listen
to what they think, feel, and want to
do. They like having someone they
can talk to about important things,
including things that might not seem
important to adults. Listen to the girls.
Respond with words and actions.
Speak your mind openly when you are
happy or concerned about something,
and encourage girls to do this, too.
Leave the door open for girls to seek
advice, share ideas and feelings, and
propose plans or improvements. Help
girls see how open communication
can result in action, discovery, better
understanding of self and others, and a
more comfortable climate for fun and
accomplishment.
Addressing the
Needs of Older Girls
Consider the following tips when
working with teenage girls:
•• Think of yourself as a partner
and as a coach or mentor
(not a “leader”).
•• Ask girls what rules they need for
safety and what group agreements
they need to be a good team.
•• Understand that girls need time to
talk, unwind, and just have
fun together.
•• Ask what they think and what
they want to do.
•• Encourage girls to speak
their minds.
•• Provide structure, but
don’t micromanage.
•• Give everyone a voice in the group.
•• Treat girls like partners.
•• Don’t repeat what’s said in
the group to anyone outside
of it (unless necessary for the
girl’s safety).
Prevent conflict by encouraging the girls
to put themselves in each others’ shoes.
73
Troop Info
Registering Girls
with Cognitive Disabilities
When communicating with girls, consider the following tips:
Listen: Listening to girls, as opposed
to telling them what to think, feel, or do
(no “you shoulds”) is the first step in
helping them take ownership of their
program.
Be honest: If you’re not comfortable
with a topic or activity, say so. No
one expects you to be an expert on
every topic. Ask for alternatives or
seek out volunteers with the required
expertise. Owning up to mistakes—and
apologizing for them—goes a long way
with girls.
Be open to real issues: For girls,
important topics are things like
relationships, peer pressure, school,
money, drugs, and other serious issues.
(You’ll also have plenty of time to
discuss less weighty subjects). When
you don’t know, listen. Also seek help
from your council staff if you need
assistance or more information than
you currently have.
Show respect: Girls often say that
their best experiences were the ones
where adults treated them as equal
partners. Being spoken to as a young
adult helps them grow.
Offer options: Providing flexibility in
changing needs and interests shows
that you respect the girls and their busy
lives. But whatever option is chosen,
girls at every grade level also want
guidance and parameters.
Stay current: Be aware of the TV
shows girls watch, the movies they like,
books and magazines they read, and
music they listen to—not to pretend
you have the same interests, but to
show you’re interested in their world.
74
One way to communicate with girls
is through the LUTE method—listen,
understand, tolerate, and empathize.
Here is a breakdown of the acronym
LUTE to remind you of how to respond
when a girl is upset, angry, or confused.
L = Listen: Hear her out, ask for details,
and reflect back what you hear, such
as, “What happened next?” or “What
did she say?”
U = Understand: Try to be
understanding of her feelings, with
comments such as, “So what I hear you
saying is . . .” “I’m sure that upset you,” “I
understand why you’re unhappy,” and
“Your feelings are hurt; mine would be,
too.”
T = Tolerate: You can tolerate the
feelings that she just can’t handle right
now on her own. It just signifies that you
can listen and accept how she is feeling
about the situation. Suggestions: “Try
talking to me about it. I’ll listen,” “I know
you’re mad—talking it out helps,” and “I
can handle it—say whatever you want
to.”
E = Empathize: Let her know you can
imagine feeling what she’s feeling, with
comments such as, “I’m sure that really
hurts” or “I can imagine how painful this
is for you.”
Girl Scout
Research Institute
It’s amazing what you can learn
when you listen to girls.
Since its founding in 2000, the Girl
Scout Research Institute (GSRI)
has become an internationally
recognized center for research
and public policy information on
the development and well-being
of girls. Not just Girl Scouts, but
all girls.
In addition to research staff, the
GSRI draws on experts in child
development, education, business,
government, and the not-for-profit
sector. We provide the youth
development field with definitive
research reviews that consolidate
existing studies. And, by most
measures, we are now the leading
source of original research on the
issues that girls face and the social
trends that affect their lives.
Please visit:
www.GirlScouts.org/research
Discussing
Sensitive Topics
In Girl Scouts, “sensitive issues” are
subjects that may be deeply rooted in
beliefs and values, or are controversial
topics. Examples are topics such as
these: relationships, dating, violence,
human sexuality, eating disorders,
pregnancy, suicide, death, drug/
alcohol use, or current events of a
controversial nature.
It’s not uncommon for girls of any age
to spontaneously talk about these
topics. They are faced with them in
school, in the news, and in magazines,
and will want to talk about them
together. This is especially true with
pre-teen and teenage girls. Also, the
girls in your troop/group may choose
a sensitive issue as a program focus.
Girl Scouting plays an important role
in helping girls explore their values and
beliefs and gain self-confidence in their
ability to make good decisions.
According to Feeling Safe: What
Girls Say, a 2003 Girl Scout Research
Institute study, girls are looking for
groups that allow connection and a
sense of close friendship. They want
volunteers who are teen savvy and
can help them with issues they face,
such as bullying, peer pressure, dating,
athletic and academic performance,
and more. Some of these issues may
be considered “sensitive” by parents,
and they may have opinions or input
about how, and whether, Girl Scouts
should cover these topics should be
covered with their daughters.
Girl Scouts welcomes and serves girls
and families from a wide spectrum of
faiths and cultures. When girls wish to
participate in discussions or activities
that could be considered sensitive—
even for some—put the topic on hold
until you have spoken with parents and
received guidance from your council.
You should know, GSUSA does not
take a position or develop materials on
issues relating to human sexuality, birth
control, or abortion. We feel our role is
to help girls develop self-confidence
and good decision-making skills that
will help them make wise choices in all
areas of their lives. We believe parents
and guardians, along with schools and
faith communities, are the primary
sources of information on these topics.
Parents/guardians make all decisions
regarding their girl’s participation in
Girl Scout program that may be of
a sensitive nature. As a volunteer
leader, you must get written parental
permission for any locally planned
program offering that could be
considered sensitive. Included on the
permission form should be the topic
of the activity, any specific content
that might create controversy, and any
action steps the girls will take when the
activity is complete. Sensitive Issues
Permission forms are available from
www.GSNorCal.org/forms. Be sure
to have a form for each girl, and keep
the forms on hand in case a problem
arises. For activities not sponsored
by Girl Scouts, find out in advance
(from organizers or other volunteers
who may be familiar with the content)
what will be presented, and follow
your council’s guidelines for obtaining
written permission.
Listen and Ask: As the preceding
sections suggest, you can help most
just by being an empathetic listener.
Sometimes, you may also find that by
asking questions, you can help girls
figure out how to get more information
and guidance at school or at home. You
don’t have to solve their issues, but you
can put them on the trail toward solving
them.
Arrange for Education: If you
observe that girls need or want
more information on a topic that
concerns them, check with your VDM
(GSNorCal staff member) or the
GSNorCal Program Department about
opportunities for arranging topical
discussions with experts on areas such
as healthy eating, or coping with bullies
and cliques.
Don’t feel that you have to solve
everything! Your role is to help girls get
information from those trained people
who can provide it. Council staff have
built up relationships with community
experts who can help.
What may seem benign to one
person could be a sensitive issue for
another, so when you or the girls wish
to participate in anything that could
be considered controversial (health
or education in human sexuality,
advocacy projects, work with religious
groups, or anything that could yield a
political/social debate), put the topic
on hold until you’ve obtained written
parental permission, on forms available
from www.GSNorCal.org/forms.
For non-Girl Scout activities, find out
in advance (from organizers or other
volunteers who may be familiar with
the content) what will be presented,
and follow your council’s guidelines for
obtaining written permission.
Report concerns: There may be
times when you worry about the health
and well-being of girls in your group.
Alcohol, drugs, sex, bullying, abuse,
depression, and eating disorders are
some of the issues girls may encounter.
You are on the frontlines of girls’ lives,
and you are in a unique position to
identify a situation in which a girl may
need help. If you believe a girl is at risk
of hurting herself or others, your role
is to promptly bring that information
to her parent/guardian or the council
so she can get the expert assistance
she needs. Your concern about a girl’s
well-being and safety is taken seriously,
and GSNorCal staff will guide you in
addressing these concerns.
If you suspect that a girl
needs special help:
•• Contact a staff member at GSNorCal
and find out how to refer the girl and
her parents guardians to experts at
school or in the community.
•• Share your concern with the girl’s
family, if this is feasible.
Here are a few signs that could
indicate a girl needs expert help:
•• Marked changes in behavior or
personality (for example, unusual
moodiness, aggressiveness, or
sensitivity)
•• Declining academic performance
and/or inability to concentrate
•• Withdrawal from school, family
activities, or friendships
•• Fatigue, apathy, or loss of interest in
previously enjoyed activities
•• Sleep disturbances
•• Increased secretiveness
•• Deterioration in appearance and
personal hygiene.
•• Eating extremes, unexplained weight
loss, distorted body image
•• Tendency toward perfectionism
•• Giving away prized possessions;
preoccupation with the subject
of death
•• Unexplained injuries such as bruises,
burns, or fractures
•• Avoidance of eye contact or physical
contact
•• Excessive fearfulness or distrust
of adults
•• Abusive behavior toward other
children, especially younger ones
When Girl Scout activities involve
sensitive issues, your role is
that of caring adult who can
help girls acquire their own skills
and knowledge in a supportive
atmosphere, not someone who
advocates any particular position.
Here are some guidelines for you:
1. Remain neutral
2. Provide factual information
3. Respect the girls’ family values
4. Admit when you don’t know an
answer, or if the topic makes you
uncomfortable
5. Express confidence in the girls’
decision-making abilities.
6. Protect the girls’ privacy
7. Gently interrupt if the discussion
becomes too personal and
suggest that you talk it over after
the meeting
8. If possible, bring in experts
9. Parental permission slips for
Sensitive/ Contemporary Issues
should be used whenever you
feel the families may wish to
be notified. Every region of our
council and the country differs
in terms of what families feel
is okay for girls to discuss at
various grade levels. You may
use the Permission Form for
Sensitive Issues which is found
on the council website.
10. Consult with GSNorCal staff
for additional support (and
whenever there are legal issues
involved).
Advocating For Girls
The Girl Scouts Public Policy and
Advocacy Office in Washington, D.C.,
builds relationships with members
of Congress, White House officials,
and other federal departments and
agencies, continuously informing
and educating them about issues
important to girls and Girl Scouting.
The office also supports Girl Scout
councils at the state and local levels,
as they build capacity to be the voice
for girls. These advocacy efforts help
demonstrate to lawmakers that Girl
Scouts is a resource and an authority
on issues affecting girls. Visit the
Advocacy office at: www.GirlScouts.
org/who_we_are/advocacy
75
Troop Info
Communicating Effectively with Girls of Any Age
Discussions and decision-making should be fun!
Along with the fun techniques in the Journey sample sessions, here are some other fun ideas.
Getting Ideas:
It’s a good idea to use many different
ways to get the girls’ ideas and engage
them in their planning. Here are fun
ways to bring out their ideas.
•• Brainstorm Graffiti Sheet: Hang
a large sheet of paper on the wall at
each meeting. Let girls write ideas or
add to other ones already written.
•• Brainstorm Session: This
immediately gives girls the feeling that
anything is possible, and ideas will flow.
•• Checklists or Surveys: Provide a
list of possible activities that could
be done. Leave space at the bottom
of the sheet for them to write in
suggestions.
•• Fives: Everyone gives five ideas in
each of the categories they agree on:
crafts, outings, outdoor activities,
service projects, awards, etc.
•• Idea or Dream Box: Girls suggest
activities.
•• Jelly Bean Game: Each girl gets a
certain number of jelly beans (or
Cheerios, grapes, raisins, M&Ms, etc).
As you go around a circle, each girl
gives an idea or answers a question
(such as “What do I like to do?” or
“Where would I like to go?”) and eats
her jelly bean. You can’t eat a jelly
bean unless you answer or speak
up, and you can’t answer/speak up
unless you have a jelly bean.
•• Sticky Notes: Have girls draw or write
things they like to do on separate
sticky notes to post on a large piece
of paper for all to see.
•• “Taster” activities: Try sample
activities and ask for girls’ reactions.
They won’t hide their enthusiasm
(or lack of it!)
•• “What we like to do collage”:
Have girls cut pictures from
magazines or draw pictures of
things they like to do.
Narrowing Choices:
First, allow girls to advocate for some
of their choices. Here are some ways to
find out the girls’ feelings about the ideas.
•• Now, Soon, Later: Three corners
of the room are designated “Now,
Soon, or Later.” As each idea is
said, have girls run to the area that
corresponds with how they feel.
•• Pep ‘N Flash: Ideas are written down
on separate index cards and passed
out evenly to the girls. Each girl
reads a card, all girls say Yea or Boo.
If there are any Boos, the card is
put in the center of the circle. Keep
going around until the only cards
left are the ones without any Boos.
Narrow choices from there by having
everyone only vote three times, etc.
•• Spectrum: Have a line with one end
for “My favorite idea ever” and the
other end for “I’m not interested”.
For each idea, have the girls arrange
themselves on the line according to
their feelings.
•• Stickers: Write the ideas on a large
piece of paper. Have each girl place
a sticker next to the ones she likes.
Or, give each girl a specific number
of stickers—e.g. ”you can only vote
five times.”
Tips on how to build ‘sisterliness’ in your troop/group:
•• Open discussion within the troop on
Girl Scout principles (such as being
a sister to every other Girl Scout) as
applied to one another.
•• One-to-one discussion with
individual girls and their parents/
guardians (if situations can’t be
resolved within the troop or between
leaders and girls).
•• Rotating patrol members or work
group members.
•• Changing buddies frequently on long
outings or overnights (“Now buddy
up with someone new!”)
•• Using various methods to group girls
for carpools, small group activities,
buddies, etc.
•• Choosing secret sisters or secret
pals. Draw names at the beginning
of the year. Ask the girls to be a
special friend to that person by
complimenting her, sitting by her,
choosing her as their helper, etc.
Have the girls brainstorm other ways
to make their Girl Scout sister feel
special.
•• Specific reinforcement by leaders
of desired behavior (“I’m glad to see
that Susan and Maria have teamed
up today!”; “Shawna, thanks for
helping Sam with her bracelet!”)
•• Inviting older Girl Scouts or young
adults to come and talk to girls about
their lasting friendships within Girl
Scouts even though their GS friends
may go to different schools or they
may not be best friends at school
(this is especially effective if the
visiting girls have been together
since Daisies or Brownies!)
Journey Sample Sessions in the Adult Guide and the Volunteer Toolkit give lots
of ideas for fun ways of having discussions and making group decisions.
76
Preventing Problems
Dealing With Problems
The best way to deal with troop interpersonal and behavior
problems is to prevent them. An ounce of prevention really
is worth a pound of cure! In Girl Scouting, we use many
techniques to accomplish this:
•• Team Agreements (Ground Rules): It’s a good idea
to have the group establish expectations and agree on
consequences at the very beginning. The team agreement
can be revisited throughout the year to see if it needs any
adjustment.
•• Girls should be involved in making them.
•• Rules/consequences should be settled in advance at
a calm time.
•• Girls and adults must agree to them (some rules are
non-negotiable, especially those relating to safety).
•• Good idea to post the rules at meetings as a reminder
to all.
•• Good idea to relate rules to the Girl Scout Promise
and Law.
•• Teambuilding Activities and Games: Ensuring that
the girls have an opportunity to get to know each other is
important. This can be done by providing opportunities to
work in small groups and pairs, rotating them frequently.
Cooperative games can also help the girls in your troop
’be a sister to every Girl Scout’.
•• Changing Activities Frequently: Changing activities
often can help a variety of problems. Girls, especially
young ones, have short attention spans. Savvy adults
know that if girls start picking at each other or having
problems getting along, that is time to pull out something
new to do and possibly change the groups around.
•• Split the girls up into groups for activities: This allows
the opportunity to put girls together who might be good
friends, separate girls who are having interpersonal
difficulties before the problem escalates, and allows girls
the opportunity to get to know all of the girls, rather than
always sticking with those one or two “best friends”.
•• Do It/Did It: Start with two cans and all girls’ names (on
popsicle sticks) in the Do It can. Draw a name from the
can when you need a line leader, the person to be “It” in a
game, or the person who gets to do the special thing that
everyone wants to do. Put that person’s name in the Did
It can. Start over when everyone has had a turn. (Can also
use slips of paper in a bag).
•• Program Resources: The adult Journey guides have lots
of ideas for how to do activities. There are also fun badges
in the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting that foster teambuilding
and developing inclusive behavior and empathy in girls.
•• Use Kaper Charts: This allows for a fair way to divide
up chores, avoids the appearance of playing favorites
or having the leader’s daughter get stuck with more
than her share, and also gives a way to mix up the girls to
help them get to know each other better. You can make
kaper charts in a variety of ways. You can also use kaper
charts to rotate tasks for individual girls or to rotate adult
responsibilities (and even schedule breaks).
•• Each girl must always be treated with respect. It’s never
appropriate to belittle a girl. Often, behavior problems or
acting out may be a result of difficult situations in a girl’s
life or simply a bad day.
•• Keep your cool! If you find yourself tempted to act or
speak in anger, have one of the other adults handle the
situation.
•• In conflicts, both sides of the story or issue must be heard.
•• Girls should talk about their feelings and differences and
resolve their own problems as much as possible.
•• Avoid calling undue attention to girls. Don’t stop the
activity or what you’re doing. Whenever possible handle
issues privately with girls.
•• Never discuss one girl with another (especially with your
own daughter) or with another adult who is not part of
the leadership team. Issues and conflicts must be kept
confidential.
•• Program resources can be used to promote conflict
resolution and active listening. Use the values in the Girl
Scout Promise and Law as behavioral guidelines.
•• Emphasize that Girl Scouting is for every girl, everywhere.
Is it really a problem, or is it my problem?
Sometimes it is a good idea for adults to step back and
ask themselves whether it really is a problem for the girls
to be giggling while doing an activity, being noisy, taking
creative license on a project, taking too long, or not
participating in a planned project. Is it really bothering
anyone besides you? Do they really need to finish it at
all? Girl Scouting is supposed to be fun, and should feel
more relaxed than school.
Keeping it girl-led: Savvy adults will recognize that
the girls’ lack of interest in an activity can be an indication
that the girls did not have enough input into it. Or, you
can involve them in adjusting the activity to make it
more fun.
Troop Info
Working With Girls
Kaper Chart
Opening Hostesses Clean Up
Closing
Sept. 15
Sept. 30
Oct. 15
Oct. 31
Hummingbirds:
Melissa
Denise
Sofia
Haley
Frogs:
Jessica
Lucille
Dale
Rebecca
Butterflies:
Sam
Ann
Beth
Brittany
Elephants:
Connie
Robin
Allie
Terry
77
Many of these ideas are more applicable for younger girls, but older girls may decide to use one or a few of these ideas when
they are establishing their team agreement.
Positive Reinforcement Consequences for
Techniques
Negative Behavior
CFL (Caught Following the Law)
Stickers (Could print CFL with a smiley
face on computer return address
labels). Walk around during the meeting
and stick on those who are ’caught’
following the Girl Scout Law. Don’t use
them at every meeting and the girls will
never know when they will get one.
Doghouse Have a small dog figurine,
make a doghouse out of quart size
milk carton. As long as girls are doing
well at meeting the dog stays out of
the doghouse to enjoy their activities.
When the girls are not following rules,
become too loud, etc. the dog retreats
to his doghouse to get away. The dog
usually will retreat into his house for 5
minutes before he peeks out to check
on the girls.
Marble Jar You will need a small jar
and some marbles or some other
small objects to fill the jar. You can
pre-determine reasons objects are
placed in the jar, e.g. everyone turning
in permission slips on time, bringing
asked for materials, etc. You place
objects into the jar for these rewards,
and you take objects out of the jar for
misbehavior. When the jar is full, they
receive a reward: a party, field trip, etc.
Quiet Sign Leader (or anyone who
wishes to get the group’s attention)
quietly raises right hand. The girls
should learn that they then also raise
their hands, and “when your hand goes
up, your mouth goes shut.”
Talking Sign When a girl wishes to
speak during a discussion, she taps her
raised index and middle fingers (two
fingers) in front of her on the floor or
on the table.
Talking Stick Have a special stick
(could be broomstick size or smaller,
could decorate) or other item and
the only person who can talk is the
one holding it. During certain types
of discussions the discussion leader
(could be a girl) holds on to the other
end and does not let go so she can
get it back when needed to hand it to
another person.
78
Blue Spot The “Blue Spot” can be just
a blue piece of construction paper. If
someone is breaking a rule or is overly
disruptive, the leader (without stopping
the activity, and usually without a word)
calmly hands the Blue Spot to the girl.
She would then take the Blue Spot to a
designated place away from everyone
and sit until she felt ready to rejoin the
group (or a specified few minutes).
Occasionally, you may ask if a girl feels
like she needs the blue spot and let her
make the decision herself.
Situation Jar Ask each girl to write
some “unacceptable situations” on
slips of paper. Discuss these situations
together as a troop, and after each has
been discussed, place the slip into the
jar. When the troop is satisfied that
they have thought of all the situations
they can, they then all agree to avoid
these situations. Situations can be
added as the year progresses and as
they arise. You might ask: “Is this a
situation for our jar?” and then write it
on a slip of paper and add it to the jar.
You might have an individual girl go to
the jar, write the situation and add it to
the jar. This accomplishes two things:
it makes her aware of the situation,
and also gives her a chance to remove
herself from the situation and creates a
“time out” (a time to refocus).
Three strikes A strike is represented
by a ticket. If a girl is breaking the rules,
etc., just quietly go over to her with no
comment, and place a ticket in front
of her. Continue what you are doing. If
she continues, place a second ticket in
front of her. If it is necessary to place
the third and final ticket, she is then
instructed to call for a ride home.
The adult volunteer team should
take the time to privately discuss
any problems. As a group, they
should spend time discussing
possible causes, preventions, and
interventions (ways to handle the
problem).
Involve a girl’s parents or guardians
in problem solving. They may be
able to help give ideas for effective
strategies, or may be able to help you
understand a girl’s personality and
temperament better, or if there are
any issues that might be contributing
to the situation.
The team should also consult with
local volunteers (remember to
protect confidentiality) and with
council staff for creative ideas or
solutions.
Be aware that acting out or
other inappropriate behavior
can be a symptom of emotional
or physical child abuse.
Volunteers are not “mandatory
reporters” under California law,
but should consider themselves
morally responsible to report
any suspected child abuse.
Note that you do not have to be
convinced that abuse is definitely
occurring—if the thought crosses
your mind and you think there is
a possibility that it could be true,
then this means that you suspect
abuse.
If you suspect child abuse,
contact your VDM or other
council staff member for
assistance. Staff members
are mandated reporters,
and have been trained in
reporting suspected child
abuse.
Working with Parents and Guardians
Most parents and guardians are helpful and supportive and
sincerely appreciate your time and effort on behalf of their
daughters. And you almost always have the same goal,
which is to make Girl Scouting an enriching experience
for their girls. Encourage them to check out
advocate.girlscouts.org to find out how to expand
their roles as advocates for their daughters.
Here are some
examples of
“you” statements:
Now look at
“I” statements:
Using “I” Statements
“Your daughter just
isn’t responsible.”
Perhaps the most important tip for communicating with
parents/guardians is for you to use “I” statements instead
of “you” statements. “I” statements tell, which are detailed
in the aMAZE Journey for Girl scout Cadettes, tell someone
what you need from her or him, while “you” statements may
make a the person feel defensive.
“I’d really like to help your
daughter learn to take on
more responsibility.”
“You’re not doing
your share.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could
help me with registration.”
If you need help with specific scenarios involving parents/guardians, try the following:
If a Parent or Guardian. . .
You Can Say. . .
Is uninvolved and asks how she can help
but seems to have no idea of how to follow
through or take leadership of even the
smallest activity
“I do need your help. Here are some written guidelines on how to
prepare for our camping trip.”
Constantly talks about all the ways you
could make the group better
“I need your leadership. Project ideas you would like to develop and lead
can fit in well with our plan. Please put your ideas in writing, and perhaps
I can help you carry them out.”
Tells you things like, “Denise’s mother is on
welfare, and Denise really doesn’t belong
in this group
“I need your sensitivity. Girl Scouting is for all girls, and by teaching your
daughter to be sensitive to others’ feelings you help teach the whole
group sensitivity.”
Shifts parental responsibilities to you and
is so busy with her own life that she allows
no time to help
“I love volunteering for Girl Scouts and want to make a difference. If you
could take a few moments from your busy schedule to let me know
what you value about what we’re doing, I’d appreciate it. It would keep
me going for another year.”
Troop Info
Managing Dynamics: A few techniques
Asking For Help
Open communication is the best way
to gain support from parents/guardians.
Here are some ideas for successfully
recruiting parent/guardian help:
•• See “Forming a Friends and Family
Network” on page 60 for a list of
helpful support positions.
Online trainings are available
for each position.
•• Plan something special: family
picnic, Me and My Guy activity, etc.,
to invite the families to.
•• Hold a parent meeting to let
everyone get to know each other
and learn about the girls’ plans.
•• Call parents of new girls to introduce
yourself and welcome them.
•• Send a parent interest survey to find
out what the parents’ interests and
talents are.
•• Invite the parents to attend troop/
group meetings.
•• Invite parents to special troop
ceremonies.
•• Ask for help personally—sending a
general plea in a newsletter doesn’t
always work.
•• Make yourself available after
meetings to greet and chat with the
parents—let them get to know you,
and take the time to get to know them.
•• Establish good communication:
newsletters, e-group, parent
meetings, etc. The more families
know about the girls’ plans, the more
likely they are to offer to help.
•• Do activities that involve family
interaction: e.g. girls develop family
safety plans.
•• Ask parents to drive for field trips.
•• Give sufficient notice; be specific
about what you’re asking for.
•• Encourage parents to reach out to
other adults; bring in resources.
•• Recognize and thank parents for
their contributions.
Remember, not everyone will be able to
help out in equal ways—some families
may have stressors, such as money
trouble, illness, or other problems that
they may not feel comfortable sharing.
Their daughters need Girl Scouting
even more than the other girls!
Ideas for Expressing Thanks:
•• Have the girls make thank you cards.
•• Have the girls make small thank you
gifts.
•• Remember to acknowledge
contributions in newsletters or
electronic communications.
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Your Leadership Style
Is Your Troop Girl-Led?
Take a quick assessment, check the next page to see your style!
o Girls are allowed to make mistakes (non life-threatening.)
o Everyone has a chance to voice her opinion.
Self Assessment #1
Self Assessment #2
1. As leader, if you gave your ideas for things to do in
the troop:
A The girls would put them on the list with all the other ideas
B The girls would be paying attention because it’s time
for announcements
1. When the girls start challenging you or each other, you:
A Get angry and frustrated. Why can’t things be easier?
B Keep your cool. You know the strategies for dealing with
different behaviors.
C Decide that this too will pass.
2. If girls gave their ideas, you would:
A Explore the ideas with the girls to see how they
could work
B Explain why your idea is more workable
2. A girl with developmental disabilities will be joining
your troop. You:
A Tell the girls not to embarrass the girl.
B Set up a meeting with the current girls, and discuss
how to welcome girls with various abilities.
C Do nothing—setting a welcoming environment is
a peer-to-peer issue.
o The leader asks the girls what is going to happen.
3. The girls want to have a spring fashion show. You:
A Make all the arrangements and select the outfits.
B Get the girls’ input for the show and then help them
accomplish it all.
C Let the girls plan the event and do all the work.
o Discussions are among girls, more than between
adults and girls.
4. If the girls were baking a cake but forgot to watch
the time:
A You would let them overbake it – they could always
eat the middle part!
B You would take the cake out of the oven when it’s done
5. If the girls wanted to do something that you don’t know
how to do:
A You would find another adult who could help the girls
make it happen
B You would tell them the troop wouldn’t be able to do it
6. If two girls in your troop were not getting along,
would you:
A Ask them to tell each other how they feel, and ask their
opinions about how the issue should be resolved?
B Talk to both of them to get the complete story and
then decide who should receive consequences
7. After an activity would you:
A Ask the girls their opinions about their activities and
what they might do differently?
B De-brief the activity with the other adults?
4. The girls are making a craft project. You ask them to
clean up and get ready to close the troop meeting.
The girls ignore you. You:
A Raise your voice and tell them to clean up—again!
B Ask the patrol leaders or other troop officers to make sure
that the rest of the troop knows that it is time to clean up.
C Allow the girls to work on the project until the end of the
meeting—you’ll clean up.
5. The girls are planning their Take Action Project for
their first journey. You:
A Decide what project the girls will work on.
B Understand how to help the girls set meaningful goals.
C You are disappointed when the girls just can’t think of
a project they can do and want to stop.
6. The girls would like to host an event for younger girls:
A You know that they can’t decide anything, and it takes
them forever to plan. It’s best to present them with two
or three ideas and let them pick one.
B When they start to have problems moving forward, you
give them some planning tools and models to help them
focus their plans.
C Their plans aren’t moving forward, but that’s how
“Girl Led” works.
7. The girls want to discuss boys, makeup, family rules,
and body changes. You:
A Put a stop to it. Girl Scouting is about activities and
badge work—”girl talk” is not appropriate.
B You realize that having fun is part of Girl Scouting, and
sometimes this includes “just hanging out.” In certain
situations, you might arrange for a professional from a
community organization to speak with the girls.
C Allow the girls to talk among themselves—no need to
get involved.
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o Girls and adults are talking with each other.
o Girls are participating in self-government.
o Girls and adults say “our” project.
o Girls are making their own plans and adults are
encouraging them.
o There is evidence of compromise.
o Girls are actively directing an event.
o Adults are close enough to answer questions
when needed…and far enough away not to interfere.
o Girls are planning complete events.
o Girls encourage their friends to join the troop/group.
o Girls actively participate in evaluation.
o Older girls’ events have greater attendance
because they have been planned by girls.
o Girls take responsibility for getting consultants, drivers,
and permission forms, and checking for safety issues.
o The adult leader comes back “less tired” and
more relaxed than her girls.
o The girls decide what the adults’ roles will be.
o A girl says, “I can do that – I can do anything.”
o An adult does not speak for the girls when the group
is asked to report.
o Girls and adults trust and respect one another.
o Strengths are utilized; weaknesses are given an
opportunity to strengthen.
o Everyone’s schedules are taken into consideration.
o Meetings run smoothly and in a timely fashion with
everyone participating.
o Both sides live up to agreements and project
commitments.
o Responsibilities are rotated equally or agreed
upon democratically.
o Girls have equal voice in decision making.
o Adults can let go of their own ideas, traditions,
histories, and stereotypes
Leadership Style Self Assessment #1
If you marked mostly ‘A’s, you know that even though it
sometimes takes a little more effort and time (and might
be a little messier!) to accomplish tasks, it is worth it in the
end to help the girls grow and learn skills by involving them
in the process. Your partnership with your girls will result in
empowering them to reach their fullest potential.
If you marked mostly ‘B’s, you are working hard to provide
a wonderful Girl Scout program for your girls, but probably should try to remember that how they do things is
really more important than what they do. They really need
a chance to “learn by doing.” Try involving them a little bit
more—it gets easier as you go!
Leadership Style Self Assessment #2
If you marked mostly ‘A’s, you enjoy being a Girl Scout
Leader, and want all the girls to succeed and have fun.
However, taking charge of it all is not always the best way.
Setting non-negotiable rules and being the decision-maker
will not teach girls how to make independent decisions—the
foundation for girls to grow as leaders. Strive to look for ways
to share the leadership role with the girls, and eventually
move from your role as a leader to that of an advisor.
If you marked mostly ‘B’s, you encourage the girls to be
involved in the planning process—recognizing that girls
need to take responsibility. It is one of the ways in which girls
become confident in their own abilities and develop their
own leadership skills. Keep it up! - you are acting as an
advisor in creating a ’girl led’ approach.
If you marked mostly ‘C’s, you want the best for the girls—
but they need you to be more than an observer. Girls often
take their cues from the adults around them. Your active
participation supports the girls in developing their own
skills—including leadership!
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Troop Info
3. If your troop was asked to share something at the
campfire at your Camporee:
A The girls would do the talking
B Adults would do the talking
o Brainstorming is an accepted way of generating ideas.
How Effective Is Your Troop/Group?
Developing a Growth Mindset
Girls look to Girl
Scout adults to
provide:
o Girls are learning skills to manage group disagreements.
Many people think of the brain as a mystery. They may believe that a person is born smart, average, or just not good at
certain things. However, new research from leading scientists shows that the brain is like a muscle. The brain changes
and gets stronger when we use it. Your Girl Scouts begin a second period of great change in the brain, starting around
age ten. Their brains are growing, right along with their bodies, as they enter adolescence. But just like a muscle, the
brain needs challenge and exercise to grow to its full potential. Like a coach supporting an athlete, you can help your
girls develop their brains! Want to learn more? training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org.
o Activities and events are affordable so as not to exclude any member.
Brains grow like muscles. How do we know?
o Events are planned to encourage family participation and accessibility
(time schedules, cultural, religious holidays and customs).
o Girls seem comfortable with group rules, and are part of setting them.
o Girls know that what they say will remain confidential.
o Girls are free to choose not to participate in some activities.
o Girls demonstrate respect for each other and themselves.
A place where they can support
each other and discuss their lives.
o Girls demonstrate respect for the racial, ethnic, cultural,
and diverse background of others.
o Girls freely express their likes, needs, and dislikes.
o Girls feel they are not being judged by each other.
o Girls have the time and comfort level to discuss issues of concern to them.
o Girls feel involved in the decisions being made by the group.
o Girls experience a variety of leadership roles in a non-threatening environment.
An all-girl program where the
girls are valued for their abilities.
o Girls show interest in trying activities suggested by other girls.
o Girls are involved in age-appropriate activities that progressively build skills.
o Girls are choosing activities that reflect a diverse range of interests.
o Adult volunteer team includes a variety of racial, religious, socio-economic
and age groups so that girls have a diversity of role models.
Many studies have now shown how the brain changes with experience. In one
study, twin rats were raised in two different kinds of cages. Half of the rats lived in
bare cages with just food and water. The other half of the rats lived in cages with
the same food and water, but they also had puzzles, toys and exercise equipment
to play with. The rats in the cages with toys ran mazes faster than the other rats.
Their brains grew heavier too. This research shows that challenging experiences
can actually make our brains grow!
Can a belief change the future?
When you believe you can shape and grow your basic qualities, you have a
“growth mindset.” Researchers tell us that youth with growth mindsets are
more likely to have brighter futures than those who don’t have this belief. Youth
can manage life’s challenges and reach great success with three things: effort,
adjusting strategies and seeking help. Unfortunately, some people believe abilities
can’t change. They believe that people have a certain amount of intelligence and
that’s it. They may also believe personalities cannot be changed much either.
These beliefs reflect a “fixed mindset.” This mindset prevents youth from learning
and growing to be their best. Youth with a fixed mindset tend to quit when a task
feels hard. They try to appear smart by sticking with easy things. These youth
don’t see challenge as a chance to grow. Without meaning to, adults with a
fixed mindset can limit their children’s potential.
Take advantage of this brain growth period!
The emotional centers of the youth brain grow first. “Thinking” areas aren’t fully
developed until age 25. This means that the youth’s brain is ready to be shaped by
effort and experience. Through your praise and support of challenging activities,
you can help your son or daughter reach for success.
o Girls speak of “our” troop and say that “we” did it.
o The interests and needs of girls guide the planning of activities within the troop.
A “girl-led” experience with girl
decision-making and girl/adult
partnership in planning, carrying
out, and evaluating experiences.
o Girls generate most of the conversation and ideas.
o Girls actively participate in planning meetings and activities.
o Girls are encouraged to honestly evaluate their activities.
o Girls are encouraged to make suggestions for doing things differently.
o Girls are actively involved in money management.
Skill:
Instead of Saying:
Try This:
Lots of Effort
“Wow, you make it
look easy.”
“Your practice is
paying off!”
Adjusting Strategies
“You keep making mistakes”
“I really like how you
learned from your
mistakes.”
Seeking Help
“You need to learn how
to do this by yourself”
“You tried hard.
Then you asked your
sister for help with the
math. Great!”
o Girls take responsibility in leaving the meeting room in good condition.
o A majority of girls come every meeting, and seem to be having a good time.
Fun and interesting things to do—
things that the girls think
are meaningful.
o Girls have good attention spans when participating in activities.
o Girls show enthusiasm and excitement about Girl Scout activities.
How can you help
your youth?
Tip #1: Promote Effort & Learning!
The brain gets stronger with challenge.
Help your girls accept challenge by
praising their efforts. Mention details of
what you saw. Be specific so that your girls
know you are really paying attention. When
offering tips for improvement, tell your
girls that you have high expectations, but
you believe they can do it.
Tip #2: Feed the Brain!
Food
The brain is the biggest burner of calories
in your body. It burns about one-third of
the food your body uses. Eggs, nuts, and
fish are some of the best brain foods.
Sleep
The teen brain needs 8-9 hours of sleep
each day to run well. When youth don’t
get enough sleep, they have trouble
remembering and learning things. In
fact, studies show that test scores
are one-third lower for tired youth
compared to rested ones.
Exercise
The brain works better when the body
gets regular exercise. With exercise, the
brain actually grows new cells and learns
more easily.
Challenge
When the brain is challenged, it builds
thicker connections between brain cells
it just used. The thicker the connections,
the faster and easier it is to do the task.
Tip #3: Focus!
It is hard for the brain when different kinds
of information enter at the same time.
The brain will have more trouble saving
and finding the information later. Support
your youth to avoid texting or watching
TV while doing homework.
o Girls tell other girls to join the troop.
A program where adults won’t
take over their projects or
overprotect them, and where
they have a chance to learn by
doing instead of watching.
o Girls can take healthy risks and make mistakes (where safety is not an issue)
without the fear of embarrassment.
o Girls are encouraged to problem-solve when things don’t go
according to their plans.
o Girls feel they are not being judged by the adult leaders.
o Girls help to define the roles of the adult leaders.
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83
Troop Info
A safe place built on trust and
confidentiality where they can
be themselves.
How to tell if you are providing it:
In our troop/group:
When you want to go somewhere new, a map or a GPS device is helpful. It can guide you through new streets that might be
confusing. Without a map or a GPS, you might eventually get to your destination. However, you are at more risk of getting lost
or upset along the way. Just like a GPS device, people can develop their own GPS goal skills that guide them to where they
want to go. Research studies show us that youth need strong goal skills to reach their full potential. They learn this GPS ability
through coaching from adults and practice.
Scientists have identified three parts of GPS goal skills.
You can help your girls develop GPS skills by focusing on each part of GPS:
G Goal Selection:
Help your girls develop goals that are
realistic and meaningful to them
(individually and as a group).
•• Engage your girls’ emotions by
asking, “What is a goal that matters
to you? What will it feel like when you
reach your goal?” Suggest that your
girls draw a picture or write details of
that future day. Visualize what that
success will feel and look like. We are
more likely to get to a goal when we
are excited and have thought about
it in detail.
•• Shrink the Change: Help your girls
break down each goal into bite-size
pieces. That way the goals don’t feel
so large or far away.
•• Examine relationships among goals.
When your girls have multiple goals,
help them think about relationships
between them. Do the goals work
together or are they in conflict?
When two goals work well together,
chances are higher for reaching
both. With goals in conflict, chances
are lower for reaching both. Perhaps
there is a conflict between your
girls spending a lot of time moneyearning for a trip and having time to
complete a Journey or award. Until
your girls have a plan to deal with this
conflict, their decisions may cause
them to not achieve either goal.
84
P Pursuit of Strategies:
Help your young person see a range
of strategies for reaching goals. Then
help select the best strategy for that
moment.
•• Encourage effort to stick to a plan.
•• Encourage creative thinking about
strategies.
•• Find Bright Spots. Help your girls
think about their progress and find
behaviors that are working. We call
them “bright spots.” Help your girls
think about how to do more of them.
These signs of early success will
provide hope to your girls that they
are capable of reaching goals.
•• Develop “action triggers”. Support
your girls to plan the exact time and
place to work toward their goals.
These “action triggers” will help your
girls stay on track and be less controlled by emotions of the moment.
S Shifting Gears:
At times, things get tough. Learning to
adapt, or shift gears, is important for
life success. Help your girls develop
these skills:
•• Seeking out new people and
resources to help with a goal.
•• Adjusting a goal when the goal
becomes unrealistic. For example,
if a young woman wants to be a
professional basketball player, but
develops a bad back, she might consider changing her goal to becoming
a sports reporter.
•• Copying strategies that others have
used. With your encouragement and
support, your girls will build strong
GPS goal-skills that will guide them
on the road to thriving!
When you use the three Girl Scout processes, you’ll find that volunteering with Girl Scouts is easier—and more fun! Girls get
the most out of any activity when it’s Girl Led (girls shape their experiences by asking questions, offering ideas, and using their
imaginations). When girls work together to choose an idea and develop a team plan, they engage in Cooperative Learning.
Most important, when you help girls think about what they’ve experienced so they can apply what they’ve learned to other
areas of their lives, they’re Learning by Doing. When you see how well girls can lead, you can relax and enjoy the process.
Remember: It’s the journey, not the destination, that benefits girls the most.
If you find yourself doing the thinking and planning, or directing the girls in what to do, here’s a simple trick to try: only allow
yourself to ask questions. Here are some examples of good questions to ask the girls when they are planning a project:
How could we share information
Should any ideas be crossed off
What interests you about the ideas
about our project with others?
our list of ideas?
in your book and the activities we’ve
Younger Girl Scouts?
done in this Journey?
How can we reach a final decision?
The community?
What things are most important
What issues concern you the most?
Why is this project important?
to consider?
What of those issues do you feel is
What will you be most proud of
Is there anyone we need to ask
most important?
with this project?
for
permission?
Are there any issues you’d like to
Is there anyone who has resources
What do you hope your project
learn more about?
that could help us with the project?
will accomplish?
How can we find out how we can
Could we ask them for help?
How do you hope to learn and grow
address the root cause of that
Please share both a good thing and
from this project? As a team?
problem?
a challenge you’ve experienced as
What kind of snowball might you
Who is working to improve this
a team.
start with your project?
situation? How could we find out
How do you feel about your interacwhat they do?
Who/what will this project help?
tions with each other? What would
What surprised you most about the
Who might we get to team up with us
you like to work on?
information you have learned?
to work together?
What communication do you expect
Is there anything else we should be
Does this project meet a true need?
to give and get as we progress on
thinking about?
How can we make sure there’s not
our project?
a better approach?
Are there resources we don’t have

What are our team’s greatest
that we need?
How could we try for sustainability
strengths? Weaknesses?
with this project to keep it going?
Are there resources that we don’t
Who would like to volunteer to lead
have and can’t get that can keep us
What skills or resources do we need
specific aspects of the project?
from being successful?
to carry off this plan? How can we get

Do we have the time available to
those?
What will be the most difficult thing
complete this project?
about our plan?
What will be challenging in this project? What might cause us to fail?
Who can we talk to about possible
improvements to our project?
Coaching Tips
There is no single way to coach all the people in all situations. Provide input on structure and process for the overall project, but
then stand back and make yourself available to answer questions or offer encouragement, as needed.
By staying outside the tactical execution, the coach can stay objective and help the other team members to achieve their goals...
and the overall goal. This will help you become a more flexible, versatile, and adaptive coach.
1 Belief
Believe in the girls—a basic trust and
confidence in their girls’ ability is a
prerequisite.
Remain objective—Don’t coach when you
are upset. Also don’t coach when the girl
is upset. Give her time to recover.
GPS stands for:
G Goal Selection Where do you want to go?
P Pursuit of Strategies What are the many ways to get there?
S Shifting Gears How do you adjust when the road gets rough?
2 Build Trust
In every group coaching situation, acknowledge and show appreciation for each
person’s contribution, no matter how small.
When you do not know the answer to a
question, admit it. Offer to find the answer and provide it at the next coaching
session (or sooner).
3 Build a relationship
Be sensitive to the style differences of
group members when coaching a group.
Encourage peer coaching. At the end of
a training workshop, invite participants
to find a partner for implementation
activities. Set up a system for these peer
coaches to encourage, support, motivate, assist, console, and collaborate with
each other.
4 Lead With Questions
Don’t just ask questions to ask questions—be purposeful in what you are
trying to learn.
Offer your ideas only after the girl has
completed her list, and you’ve asked as
many questions as you can think of.
5 Listen
Listen for not only what is said but also
what is not said.
Body language can speak louder than
words.
6 Provide Clear & Specific Feedback
The girl is likely to be her or his worst
critic. So begin your feedback session by
asking, ‘What did you do that makes you
feel positive and proud?’
Include an element of action “What
should you or could you do differently
next time?”
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Troop Info
The Three Processes
Goal Management with GPS
Chapter 4: Safety-Wise
Responsibilities of the Volunteer: GS Safety Guidelines
Knowing Your Responsibilities
Every adult in Girl Scouting is responsible for the physical and emotional safety of girls, and we all demonstrate that by agreeing to
follow these guidelines at all times.
You, the parents/guardians of the girls in your group, and the girls themselves share the responsibility for staying safe. The
next three sections flesh out who’s responsible for what.
Ensuring the health and safety of girls in Girl Scouting is a cornerstone of the Girl Scout Movement. This includes developing
safety consciousness in both girls and adults, as well as training staff, volunteers, and girls to ensure proper supervision,
planning to prevent accidents and incidents, and maintenance of program resources.
Everyone bears responsibility for safety: the council, the group leadership, the parents/guardians of the girls and the girls
themselves. The point of all safety resources produced by Girl Scouts of the USA and GSNorCal is to establish a sound
program experience that will protect and maintain the well-being of every Girl Scout, and protect the legal interests of
the adults.
1. Follow the Safety Activity
Checkpoints.
Instructions for staying safe while
participating in activities are detailed
in the Safety Activity Checkpoints,
available on www.tinyurl.com/
GSsafetyac. Read the checkpoints,
follow them, and share them with other
volunteers, parents, and girls before
engaging in activities with girls.
Why so many forms?
Nearly every form is designed to do at least one of two things:
1. To act as a checklist to inform you of certain legal or
procedural requirements so you don’t have to memorize
them,
and/or
2. Communicate needed information to the service unit or
council. Often, this information is needed to support you,
(i.e. legal or insurance information) so that you don’t have to
think about it again—submit the form and your part is done!
Check the Forms Index at the end of this booklet for
information about when specific forms are required.
All forms can be found at www.GSNorCal.org/forms.
With Girl Scouts she’ll gain:
89%
90%
of parents and
caregivers say their girl
has more new experiences
of parents and
with us than with other
caregivers say the
special girl in their extracurricular activities
lives is happier
Fun!
Happiness!
95%
of parents and
caregivers say their
girl has made
new friends
90%
of parents and
caregivers say their
girl’s confidence
has improved
Confidence!
Friends!
In addition to fun and friendship, girls are looking for adventure when they join Girl Scouts! These adventures provide them
with unique opportunities to try new things, improve skills, overcome fears, and help other girls. Nothing is more important
than ensuring the health and safety of girls when they are engaging in these fun adventures. At Girl Scouts, we work hard to
build safety consciousness in adults, training staff, volunteers, and girls on all safety protocols so that we can ensure proper
supervision, prevent accidents and incidents, and maintain program resources. Instilling in girls an understanding of the best
ways to stay safe in today’s complicated world is a top priority for us.
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CRG - Chapter 4: Safety-Wise
3. Arrange for proper adult
supervision of girls.
Your group must have at least two
unrelated, approved adult volunteers
present at all times, plus additional
adult volunteers as necessary,
depending on the size of the group
and the ages and abilities of girls.
Adult volunteers must be at least 18
years old and must have completed
the adult screening process and have
taken the appropriate adult learning
courses before volunteering. One
lead volunteer in every group must
be female. In addition, GSNorCal
expects volunteers to be fully capable
of performing their duties. Volunteers
are not permitted to use or be under
the influence of any substance which
may impair their physical and/or
mental skills at any time when they are
supervising girls as part of the adultto-girl minimums, even if girls are not
in the same room or are sleeping,
including alcohol or prescription
medications, medical marijuana, or
illegal drugs.
4. Get parent/guardian
permission.
When an activity takes place that is
outside the normal time and place,
advise each parent/guardian of the
details of the activity and obtain
permission for girls to participate.
Communicate with council and
parents. Follow council procedures
for activity approval, certificates of
insurance, and council guidelines
about girls’ general health
examinations. Make arrangements
in advance for all transportation and
confirm plans before departure.
5. Report abuse.
Sexual advances, improper touching,
and sexual activity of any kind with
girl members are forbidden. Physical,
verbal, and emotional abuse of girls
is also forbidden. Follow GSNorCal’s
7. Use the Buddy System.
Using the buddy system, girls are
divided into teams of two. Each girl is
responsible for staying with her buddy
at all times, warning her buddy of
danger, giving her buddy immediate
assistance if safe to do so, and seeking
help when the situation warrants it.
Girls are encouraged to stay near the
group or buddy with another team of
two, so in the event someone is injured,
one person cares for the patient while
two others seek help.
8. Travel safely.
When transporting girls to planned Girl
Scout field trips and other activities
that are outside the normal time
and place, every driver must be an
approved adult volunteer and have a
good driving record, a valid license, and
a registered/insured vehicle. Insist that
everyone is in a legal seat and wears
her seat belt at all times, and adhere to
state laws regarding booster seats and
requirements for children in rear seats.
9. Ensure safe overnight outings.
Prepare girls to be away from home
by involving them in planning, so they
know what to expect. Avoid having
men sleep in the same space as girls
and women. During family or parentdaughter overnights, one family
unit may sleep in the same sleeping
quarters in program areas. When
parents are staffing events, daughters
should remain in quarters with other
girls rather than in staff areas.
10. Role-model the right behavior.
Never use illegal drugs. Don’t consume
alcohol, smoke, or use foul language
in the presence of girls. Alcohol is not
permitted at an event where the main
objective is girl program. If girls are
present where alcohol is served at an
adult-only event (sponsored and run
by adults), they must be supervised
by an adult who is not consuming
alcohol who is responsible for the girls’
safety and well-being. (If alcohol is
being served at a Girl Scout event, the
participants will not be covered by Girl
Scout insurance unless prior approval
11. Create an emotionally safe space.
Adults are responsible for making Girl
Scouting a place where girls are as
safe emotionally as they are physically.
Protect the emotional safety of girls
by creating a team agreement and
coaching girls to honor it. Agreements
typically encourage behaviors like
respecting a diversity of feelings
and opinions; resolving conflicts
constructively; and avoiding physical
and verbal bullying, clique behavior,
and discrimination.
12. Ensure that no girl is treated
differently.
Girl Scouts welcomes all members,
regardless of race, ethnicity,
background, disability, family structure,
religious beliefs, and socioeconomic
status or sexual orientation. When
scheduling, helping plan, and carrying
out activities, carefully consider the
needs of all girls involved, including
school schedules, family needs,
financial constraints, religious holidays,
and the accessibility of appropriate
transportation and meeting places.
13. Promote online safety.
Instruct girls never to put their full
names or contact information online,
engage in virtual conversation with
strangers, or arrange in-person
meetings with online contacts, other
than to deliver cookies and only with
the approval and accompaniment of a
parent or designated adult. On group
websites or Facebook groups, publish
girls’ first names only and never divulge
their contact information. Teach girls
the Girl Scout Online Safety Pledge
www.tinyurl.com/GSinternetsafety-pledge and have them
commit to it.
14. Keep girls safe during moneyearning activities.
Girl Scout cookies and other councilsponsored product sales are an
integral part of the program. During
Girl Scout product sales, you are
responsible for the safety of girls,
money, and products. In addition, a
wide variety of organizations, causes,
and fundraisers may appeal to Girl
Scouts to be their labor force. When
representing Girl Scouts, girls cannot
participate in money-earning activities
that represent partisan politics or that
are not Girl Scout–approved product
sales and efforts.
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Chapter 4
The safety of our members is our highest priority.
Protecting the adults’ and the council’s legal interests
is also a high priority.
Restrictions on Girl Scout activities are generally set
by GSUSA in partnership with our insurance company.
Activities that are not allowed by GSNorCal are the activities
which are not covered under Girl Scout insurance. These
activities are deemed by the insurance company to carry an
inherent level of risk that they are not willing to assume.
Activities that require prior written permission from the
council are those that have additional laws, certifications
or other guidelines which must be followed in order to be
covered by our insurance. Our Risk Management & Travel
staff will assist you in meeting those guidelines.
GSNorCal believes that most volunteers would rather
focus their time on having fun with the girls doing Girl Scout
activities, rather than in spending time researching legal texts
to ensure that they are following local and state laws and
working with the insurance company to make sure that they
will be covered.
GSNorCal’s approach is for staff and interested volunteers
to monitor laws and guidelines so that you don’t have to!
When we must place restrictions on certain activities, there
is lots of discussion and research to make sure there isn’t
another solution. Guidelines found here in this booklet and
on our forms is a result of that work.
2. Points common to all Safety
Activity Checkpoints Include:
Girls plan the activity. Keeping their
grade-level abilities in mind, encourage
girls to take proactive leadership roles
in organizing details of the activity.
6. Be prepared for emergencies.
Work with girls and other adults to
establish and practice procedures
for emergencies related to weather,
fire, lost girls/adults, and site security.
Always keep handy a well-stocked firstaid kit, girl health history forms, and
contact information for girls’ families.
has been obtained from the insurance
carrier). Do not carry ammunition or
firearms in the presence of girls unless
given special permission by GSNorCal
for group marksmanship activities.
Safety-Wise
How are safety guidelines set?
guidelines on page 28 for reporting
concerns about abuse or neglect that
may be occurring inside or outside of
Girl Scouting.
Responsibilities of Parents and Guardians
Responsibilities of Girls
Girls who learn about and practice
safe and healthy behaviors are likely
to establish lifelong habits of safety
consciousness.
For that reason, each Girl Scout is
expected to:
•• Assist you and other volunteers in
safety planning.
•• Listen to and follow your instructions
and suggestions.
•• Learn and practice safety skills.
•• Learn to “think safety” at all times
and to be prepared.
•• Identify and evaluate an unsafe
situation.
•• Know how, when, and where to get
help when needed.
In addition, girls can be taught the
following skills over time to help them
to develop healthy habits for safety:
•• Brainstorm possible hazards or
potential situations, and discuss how
each situation should be handled.
•• Agree to safe boundaries (where
they can and cannot go) and other
expectations for each activity.
•• Older girls can be encouraged to
consult Safety Activity Checkpoints
when planning activities (but adults
still carry primary responsibility to
make sure these are followed).
Understanding How Many Volunteers You Need
Girl Scout Adult-to-Girl Ratios
Girl Scout groups are large enough
to provide a cooperative learning
environment and small enough to allow
for development of individual girls.
It is recommended that group sizes,
when possible, are as follows:
•• Girl Scout Daisies: 12 girls
•• Girl Scout Brownies: 88
any activity, read the specific Safety
Activity Checkpoints available on the
council website at www.tinyurl.com/
GSsafetyac related to any activity you
plan to do with girls.
If Safety Activity Checkpoints do not
exist for an activity you and the girls are
interested in, check with your council
before making any definite plans with
the girls. A few activities are allowed
only with written council pre-approval
and only for girls 12 and over, while
some are off-limits completely (listed
on page 91).
12–20 girls
•• Girl Scout Juniors: 12–25 girls
Sensitive Issues
An additional note: Girl Scouts
welcomes and serves girls and
families from a wide spectrum of
faiths and cultures. When girls wish to
participate in discussions or activities
that could be considered sensitive—
even for some—put the topic on hold
until you have spoken with parents
and received guidance from your
council. When Girl Scout activities
involve sensitive issues, your role is
that of a caring adult who can help
girls acquire skills and knowledge
in a supportive atmosphere, not
someone who advocates a particular
position. You are required to obtain
permission slips signed by the girls’
parents/guardians; see the “Meeting
with Girls and Adults” chapter of this
handbook for more information.
Sensitive/Controversial Issues
Permission Forms can be found on
the council website:
Approaching Activities
How can you, as a Girl Scout volunteer,
determine whether an activity is safe
and appropriate? Good judgment
and common sense often dictate
the answer. What’s safe in one
circumstance may not be safe in
another. An incoming storm, for
example, might force you to assess
or discontinue an activity. If you are
uncertain about the safety of an
activity, call your council staff with
full details and don’t proceed without
approval. Err on the side of caution
and make the safety of girls your most
important consideration. Prior to
It is the responsibility of the
troop/group leader to:
In addition to the adult-to-girl ratios, please remember that adult volunteers
must be at least 18 years old, and may not still be registered as girl members.
When planning activities with girls, note
the abilities of each girl and carefully
consider the progression of skills from
the easiest part to the most difficult.
Make sure the complexity of the
activity does not exceed girls’ individual
skills—bear in mind that skill levels
decline when people are tired, hungry,
or under stress. Also use activities as
opportunities for building teamwork,
which is one of the outcomes for the
Connect key in the GSLE.
•• Girl Scout Cadettes: 12–25 girls
•• Girl Scout Seniors:
12–30 girls
•• Girl Scout Ambassadors:12–30 girls
Girl Scouts’ adult-to-girl ratios show
the minimum number of adults needed
to supervise a specific number of girls.
(Sometimes the council or service
units may establish maximums due to
size or cost restrictions).
These supervision ratios were devised
to ensure the safety and health of
girls—for example, if one adult has to
respond to an emergency, a second
adult is always on hand for the rest of
the girls. It may take you a minute to
get used to the layout of this chart, but
once you start to use it, you’ll find the
chart extremely helpful.
The Girl Scout grade level is determined
by the current membership year,
beginning October 1st.
•• Make sure that there are always
at least the minimum number of
adults supervising the girls any time
they are participating in a Girl Scout
meeting or any kind of activity.
•• Ensure that all adults who are
providing supervision and are
counted in the Adult-to-Girl ratio
are registered members and have
completed the adult screening
process and are properly cleared.
•• Ensure that all adults who are
providing supervision and are
counted in the Adult-to-Girl ratio
are aware of which other adults
are providing supervision—at
no time should they allow
an unscreened (or otherwise
unapproved parent to substitute for
their supervision duties).
Here are some examples on utilizing
the chart:
•• If you’re meeting with 17 Daisies, you
need a minimum of three adults, at
least two of who are unrelated (in
other words, not your sister, spouse,
parent, or child), and at least one of
whom is female. (If this isn’t making
sense to you, follow the chart: you
need two adults for 12 Daisies and one
more adult for up to six more girls. You
have 17, so you need three adults).
•• If you have 17 Cadettes attending a
group meeting, you need a minimum
of two unrelated adults, at least one
of whom is female (because, on the
chart, two adults can manage up to
25 Cadettes).
Remember that these ratios are
minimum numbers—for some
activities, it may be necessary to have
more adult supervision. In addition,
GSNorCal expects volunteers to
be fully capable of performing their
duties. Volunteers are not permitted
to use or be under the influence of
any substance which may impair their
physical and/or mental skills at any
time when they are supervising girls
as part of the adult-to-girl minimums,
even if girls are not in the same room
or are sleeping, including alcohol or
prescription medications, medical
marijuana, or illegal drugs.
Adult supervision for girls also
extends to online activity.
Please consult:
•• The “Computer/Online Use”
•• Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge
•• Digital Cookie Terms &
Conditions for Girls, Digital Cookie
Terms & Conditions for Parents/
Guardians and Digital Cookie
Terms & Conditions for Volunteers
Girl Scout Adult-to-Girl Ratios Minimums
Group Meetings
Events, Travel, and Camping
Two unrelated adults
(at least one
of whom is female)
for this number of girls:
Plus one
additional adult
to each additional:
Two unrelated adults
(at least one
of whom is female)
for this number of girls:
Plus one
additional adult
to each additional:
12
1-6
6
1-4
Brownies
(grades 2–3)
20
1-8
12
1-6
Juniors
(grades 4–5)
25
1-10
16
1-8
Cadettes
(grades 6–8)
25
1-12
20
1-10
Seniors
(grades 9–10)
30
1-15
24
1-12
Ambassadors
(grades 11–12)
30
1-15
24
1-12
Girl Scout
Program Level
Daisies
(grades K–1)
89
Chapter 4
•• Provide their daughters with
appropriate clothing and equipment
for activities, or contact you before
the activity to find sources for the
necessary clothing and equipment.
•• Follow Girl Scout safety guidelines
and encourage their children to do
the same.
•• Assist you in planning and carrying
out program activities as safely as
possible.
•• Participate in parent/guardian
meetings.
•• Be aware of appropriate behavior
expected of their daughters as
determined by the council and you.
•• Assist volunteers if their daughters
have special needs or abilities and
their help is solicited.
Safety-Wise
Engage each parent or guardian to help
you work toward ensuring the health,
safety, and well-being of girls.
Clearly communicate to parents and
guardians that they are expected to:
•• Provide permission for their
daughters to participate in Girl
Scouting as well as provide
additional consent for activities that
take place outside the scheduled
meeting place. This can include
such activities as: product sales,
including Digital Cookie; overnight
travel; the use of special equipment;
or sensitive issues.
•• Make provisions for their daughters to
get to and from meeting places or
other designated sites in a safe and
timely manner and inform you if
someone other than the parent
or guardian will drop off or pick up
the child.
Emergency Preparedness
As you know, emergencies can happen.
Girls need to receive proper instruction in
how to care for themselves and others in
emergencies. They also need to learn the
importance of reporting any accidents,
illnesses, or unusual behaviors during
Girl Scout activities to adults.
To this end, you can help girls:
•• Know what to report. See the
“Procedures for Accidents” on
page 94.
•• Establish and practice procedures
for weather emergencies. Certain
extreme-weather conditions may
occur in your area. Please consult with
your council for the most relevant
information for you to share with girls.
90
for such circumstances as fire
evacuation, lost persons, and
building-security responses. Every
girl and adult must know how to act
in these situations. For example, you
and the girls, with the help of a fire
department representative, should
design a fire evacuation plan for
meeting places used by the group.
•• Assemble a well-stocked first aid kit
that is always accessible. First aid
administered in the first few minutes
can mean the difference between life
and death. In an emergency, secure
professional medical assistance as
soon as possible, normally by calling
911.
Consider these items when
developing your emergency plan
Girls can and should help develop the
emergency plans. Younger girls could
brainstorm safety rules, and older girls
could develop the entire emergency plan
with adult guidance. Use this checklist to
assist you.
o Make sure all drivers and adults
in attendance understand the
GSNorCal emergency management
plan on page 95 and specific
procedures for this activity.
o Ensure that all girls understand
expectations and rules—for
example:
•• Should they stay with a certain adult?
•• Where is it OK to go? With whom?
•• What should they do if they become
separated from the group?
•• What are the bathroom procedures?
o All adults should have a copy of the
council Emergency Cards (available
on council website) and troop
emergency contact information.
o Design a plan for managing
emergency situations, defining how
each possible emergency would be
handled (by whom, who would be
notified—when and how) including
consideration of:
•• Natural hazards (lake, cliffs, etc).
•• Natural disasters (earthquake,
storms, floods, fire, etc).
•• Each program activity
•• Injuries or medical emergencies
•• Lost children
•• Strangers or intruders
o Establish and communicate
emergency evacuation plan with all
participants. Let them know who is
in charge in these situations prior to
event. Should cars back into parking
spots? Where should participants
go?
o Specific emergency plans for this
trip should include evacuation
plans in situations where girls have
been dropped off. This is especially
important if there are not enough
vehicles on site during the event/
activity to evacuate all participants.
o Establish a security plan, adult
supervision, placement of adults
o Establish an emergency
communication system. Who
should be notified in case of an
emergency?
o Establish an at-home emergency
contact person as outlined in STEP 3
on page 103.
o Determine how parents will be
communicated with in the event of
an emergency.
High-Adventure Activities (formerly called High-Risk)
Activities that Require Written Activities That Are Never
Pre-Approval From the Council Allowed
Caution: You must get written pre-approval from
GSNorCal Risk Management & Travel Team for the
following activities ([email protected]):
•• Travel: Any trip that is three nights or more
•• Land Sports: archery, backpacking, bicycling with
vendor-supplied bicycles, “bounce houses”, caving,
challenge/ropes courses, climbing walls, marksmanship*,
gymnastics, horseback riding, rock climbing,
skateboarding at a skateboard park, skiing, snowboarding,
vaulting (on horseback), simulated skydiving and zerogravity rooms, or when girls ages 12 and older (not allowed
for younger girls) will operate motorized vehicles, (driving
or riding all-terrain vehicles, motor bikes and go-karts is
never allowed).
*Marksmanship activities require council permission, and
volunteers need to transport weapons separately from girls.
The minimum age for girls using firearms in highly supervised
activities is 12 years old.
•• Water Activities: boating, canoeing, kayaking, rafting,
sailing, scuba, snorkeling, swimming, tubing, water skiing,
windsurfing, any type of trips on waterways that are
highly changeable or uncontrollable (Class V and higher
watercraft trips are never allowed), or when girls ages
12 and older (not allowed for younger girls) will operate
motorized watercraft.
•• Any other activity which might be considered highadventure, which are activities that would fall into either or
both of these categories:
1. The activity involves a reasonable expectation of
physical risk to the girls.
2. The activity involves legal risk to the adult volunteers
and/or the council. These include situations where rider
or other additional insurance may be required, vendor
or facility contracts may need to be signed, adults must
be certified in a specific skill, or other specific critical
guidelines must be followed to ensure the safety of
the girls.
Warning: The following activities are never allowed
for any member:
•• Flying in noncommercial aircraft, such as small private
planes, helicopters, sailplanes, hot-air balloons, or blimps.
•• Potentially uncontrolled free-falling (bungee jumping,
hang gliding, parachuting, parasailing, and trampolines)
•• Creating extreme variations of approved activities
(such as high-altitude climbing and aerial tricks on
bicycles, skis, snowboards, skateboards, water skis,
and wakeboards, or stunt skiing)
•• Jeep tours where participants will not be wearing
seatbelts.
•• Hunting
•• Shooting a projectile at another person,
such as paintball
•• Riding all-terrain vehicles, motor bikes, or go-karts.
•• Riding motorized personal watercraft like jet-skis
•• Tomahawk/Knife Throwing
•• Trampoline
•• Trapeze
•• Taking watercraft trips in Class V or higher whitewater
•• Zorbing
In addition, there are some activities in which girls and
volunteers may not engage when representing Girl Scouts.
These include:
•• Endorsement of commercial products or services,
•• Solicitation of financial contributions for purposes other
than Girl Scouting (any other organization), and
•• Participation in political campaigns or legislative activities,
unless the legislative activity has been council-approved .
“It’s Not A Girl Scout Event” – Not A Good Idea!
Occasionally, a Girl Scout volunteer, in an effort to support the girls in the activities they would like to participate in, will
decide to tell the girls and families that they will do the activity “as friends, and not as a Girl Scout troop” rather than find an
approved vendor or modify the activity in order to comply with safety guidelines. Then the girls in the active troop/group,
supervised by the Girl Scout volunteers, engage in the activity together, and the supervising adults choose not to follow a
guideline established in the Council Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials or in a Safety Activity Checkpoint.
This could jeopardize the girls’ safety and also puts both the council and the volunteer(s) at legal risk, because courts may
look beyond the words to the actions (the girls in the troop/group, supervised by the Girl Scout volunteers, engaged in the
activity together). It may also expose the volunteer to some personal liability if there is an accident, injury or liability that
might have been avoided had the volunteer followed Girl Scout safety guidelines. Also, it is important to note that Girl Scout
insurance does not cover participants in non-Girl Scout events.
Safety Activity Checkpoints and Girl Scout Safety Guidelines
are designed to keep the girls and adults safe and to
protect the adults and the council from legal liability.
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Chapter 4
When preparing for any activity with girls, start by
reading the Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints
for that particular activity, which you can find
on GSNorCal’s website at: www.tinyurl.com/
GSsafetyac. Each Safety Activity Checkpoint:
•• Offers you information on where to do this
activity.
•• How to include girls with disabilities.
•• Where to find both basic and specialized gear
required for the activity.
•• How to prepare yourselves in advance of
the activity.
•• What specific steps to follow on the day of the
activity, and so on.
In addition to reading these checkpoints yourself, you can also email or print
them for co-volunteers, parents/guardians, and the girls themselves. The
checkpoints are formatted as checklists, so that you, your co-volunteers, and
the girls can check off that each step has been accomplished.
In keeping with the three processes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience,
be sure that:
•• All activities are girl-led. Take into account the age and abilities of the girls.
Older girls can take the bulk of the responsibility for carefully planning and
executing activities, while younger girls will require more of your guidance but
should still be deeply involved in making decisions about their activities.
•• Girls have the chance to learn cooperatively. Have the girls teach each other
new skills they may need for the activities, rather than hearing all that from you.
•• Girls learn by doing. If research or special equipment is needed, they’ll learn
better doing that research themselves than by having you do the legwork and
report back to them. Even Daisies can do basic research and give reports or
do show-and-tell for each other. Ambassadors may need you only for moral
support as they research, teach each other, and plan every detail of their
excursions.
If Safety Activity Checkpoints do not exist for an activity you and the girls are
interested in, check with GSNorCal Risk Management & Travel before making
any definite plans with the girls. A few activities are allowed only with written
council pre-approval and only for girls 12 and over, while some are off-limits
completely. See page 91.
Emergency Checklist
Safety-Wise
High-Adventure: Approved Vendor List
A list of currently High-Adventure
Approved Vendors can be found on the
council website at www.tinyurl.com/
GSapproved-vendors.
The approved vendors/facilities listed
have met the safety and insurance
guidelines for Girl Scouts of Northern
California & GSUSA.
Activities that are
not allowed are not
covered by Girl Scout
insurance.
Restrictions on activities
are set to ensure the girls’
safety, protect the council’s
and adult volunteers’ legal
interests, or both.
Troops are NOT limited to the facilities
and vendors on the approved vendor
list. If the vendor your troop wants
to use is not on the list, BEFORE
scheduling your activity, tell the
vendor that because your activity is
considered high-adventure by GSUSA
safety guidelines there are a few steps
to complete in order for any GS troop
from GSNorCal to use the facility.
The vendor needs to provide GSNorCal
with a copy of their Certificate of
Insurance (COI) that:
•• Indicates at least $1,000,000
General Liability Insurance
•• Lists Girl Scouts of Northern
California as a Certificate Holder
•• Lists Girl Scouts of Northern
California as Additionally Insured
In addition, the vendor must agree to
follow the Safety Activity Checkpoints
related to the activities they offer.
Mail Certificates of Insurance to:
Attn: Risk Management and Travel
1650 Harbor Bay Parkway
Suite 100, Alameda CA 94502
or email:
[email protected]
IMPORTANT: If a vendor/facility
refuses to follow the safety guidelines
listed above, then the council will not
be able to endorse this vendor/facility
on our High-Adventure Approved
Every time a group meets at a time or location different from the regular group meeting, you must use a permission form—
even if the girls are responsible for getting to that location on their own. Permission forms give parents the “who, what, when,
where, and why,” so that they can decide whether their daughter can participate in the trip or activity.
A signed permission form permits you to include the girl in the activity and provides up-to-date emergency contact information.
Registered girl members of the current year, even if over age 18, are required to have parental/guardian permission forms.
We have two types of permission forms in GSNorCal:
Vendor list OR approve trips/outings for
troops to use this vendor/facility.
The Approved Vendor List is updated
monthly. www.tinyurl.com/
GSapproved-vendors.
Please note, Approved vendors are
subject to change depending on when
their Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Policy expires. If a vendor’s Certificate
of Insurance (COI) policy expires and
we are unable to reach the vendor to
renew the policy, we must remove the
vendor from the list until we receive the
updated COI.
For more information on the trip
approval process, visit our website
at www.GSNorCal.org/travelguidelines
Please contact the Risk Management
& Travel team with any questions at:
[email protected]
Event Notification Form for Service Units
For any service unit level event, please also submit the requested information about your event here:
www.GSNorCal.org/event-notification
Council staff will be more able to assist you in an emergency, assist parents/guardians who may need important
information (such as where and when to pick their daughter up) or answer questions that come to the council
about your event.
Service Unit Trip or High-Adventure Activities
If your service unit hosts an event/trip that includes a high-adventure activity (see page 91) and/or lasts 3 nights
or more, you must receive approval from the council at least one month prior to the activity. To receive approval,
please complete the Event Notification Form and complete the section noting the high-adventure activity so that
we can approve your activity. The Event Manager will receive a response regarding approval within 3-10 business
days of submitting the request.
92
Annual Permission Forms
Electronic Signatures
Girl Scouts of Northern California allows the use of the
Annual Permission Form to be used if the activity meets
all of the following criteria:
•• Destination is located within 60 miles of the regular
meeting place
•• Does not exceed 6 hours
•• Is not considered high-adventure
Note that the use of this form does not release the adult
volunteers in the troop/group from the responsibility to
effectively communicate with every family regarding the
nature and logistics of the activity. If there is any possibility
of a miscommunication with a family, which could result
in a girl being mistakenly left unsupervised or a parent not
knowing the whereabouts of their child, it is recommended
that a regular written permission form be used.
Parent/guardian permission may be in the traditional paper
form, but increasingly, members may wish to use electronic
permission, which allows a much quicker return on
permission slips but also raises questions about electronic
signatures and scanned documents. In most cases, you
do not have to include any special language when using
electronic signatures in lieu of a handwritten signature. This
is because the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and
National Commerce Act (E-SIGN Act) accords electronic
records and electronic signatures the same legal status as
written records and handwritten signatures.
Electronic signatures include but are not limited to
the following:
•• Submission of an online survey through a click
•• Submit buttons or check boxes accompanied by language
to the effect of, “by clicking the button/checking the box,
I agree with these terms.”
•• A name typed by the sender at the end of an e-mail
message
•• Faxed signatures or other electronic transmission of
a document containing a handwritten signature
•• A code or PIN (such as those used with ATM and
credit cards)
Activity Permission Forms
The Activity Permission Form is recommended for any
activities on a different day/time or different location than
regular troop/group meetings. The Activity Permission Form
is required for any of the following:
•• when the destination is farther than 60 miles
from your regular meeting place
•• when the activity exceeds 6 hours
•• when the activity is considered high-adventure
Accident/Injury and Incident Forms
Who to Contact
Communicate with GSNorCal Risk Management
& Travel staff in the Alameda Office within 24
hours in case of any accident, injury, or incident at:
[email protected] or
(800) 447-4475 Ext. 0
Council staff are prepared and
eager to assist you.
In an emergency, follow the
Council Emergency Plan as outlined on page 95.
Always call 9-1-1 first (if needed).
Notify the council at its 24/7 emergency
answering service: (877) 636-1912.
What Forms to Use
o Accident/Injury Report Form: This form is to be used to report any
accident/injury occurring at a Girl Scouts of Northern California event
activity/meeting/campout/field trip/etc.
o Incident Report Form: Use this form to report any non-injury incident
that occurs which may result in future problems or other future
repercussions for the people involved or for Girl Scouts of Northern
California.
Incidents might include:
•• A serious argument
(may or may not escalate into verbal or physical threats)
•• A physical altercation
•• A non-injury incident of any sort where police are summoned
•• Possible or threatened legal proceedings
•• Possible or threatened adverse report(s) to the media
If you would like to report anything anonymously, please follow the
Whistleblower Procedures on page 15
Use permission forms when girls will participate in any Girl Scout activity at a
different time or different place than regularly scheduled meetings.
Chapter 4
For the safety of our members, the
council must approve sites and
vendors for these activities before
a troop uses the site or vendor for
a troop or service unit event. This
procedure is designed to ensure a safe
experience for our girls, as well as to
protect the legal interests of the adult
volunteers and the council.
Adding Vendors to the
Approved Vendor List
Safety-Wise
For trips of three nights or more,
involving air travel, high-adventure
activities, OR international trips, your
service unit will forward your Trip or
High-Adventure Activity Form to:
[email protected]
Permission Forms
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Health History forms (which are also
available in Spanish) are available on
our council website:
For various reasons, some
parents/guardians may object
to immunizations or medical
examinations. Check with council staff
with concerns.
It is important for you to also be aware
of any medications a girl may take or
allergies she may have.
Medication, including over-thecounter products, must never be
dispensed without prior written
permission from a girl’s custodial
parent or guardian. Some girls may
need to carry and administer their
own medications, such as bronchial
inhalers, an EpiPen, or diabetes
medication.
Common food allergies include dairy
products, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts,
tree nuts, and seafood. This means
that, before serving any food (such as
peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,
cookies, or chips), ask whether anyone
is allergic to peanuts, dairy products, or
wheat. Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies
should be aware of their allergies, but
double-checking with their parents/
guardians is always a good idea.
Please keep in mind that information
from a health examination is confidential
and may be shared only with people
who must know this information (such
as the girl herself, her parent/guardian,
and a health practitioner).
If an injury occurs, a copy of the Health
History Form must be submitted to the
council with the Accident/Injury Report
Form. Consult page 134 regarding
retention of these forms.
Girl Health History Forms
Girl Health
History Form
(English)
Historia Salud
Niña (Español)
Girl Health
History Form
(with Physical)
(English)
Use this form to retain girls’ medical history and receive
permission from parent/guardian for emergency medical
treatment. Must have on site whenever girls are participating
in any Girl Scout activity (meeting or outing). Completed
annually, should be reviewed and initialed within 2 months of
any overnight activity.
Required for resident camp or trips lasting three nights
or more, or when girls will be participating in physically
demanding or strenuous activities. A health examination
within the previous 24 months is required.
Adult Health History Forms
Adult Health
History Form
(English)
Historia de
Salud de Adulto
(Español)
Adult Health
History Form
(with Physical)
(English)
Required for adults attending overnight events.
Required for adults attending trips
3 nights or more, or when they participate in strenuous or
physically demanding activities. A health examination within
the previous 24 months is required.
Procedures for Accidents
Although you hope the worst never
happens, you must observe council
procedures for handling accidents
and fatalities. At the scene of an
accident, first provide all possible care
for the sick or injured person. Follow
established council procedures for
obtaining medical assistance and
immediately reporting the emergency.
To do this, you must always have
the names of parents/guardians,
and emergency services such as the
police, fire department, or hospital
emergency technicians and the
council emergency number of
1 (877) 636-1912 on hand .
After receiving a report of an accident,
council staff will immediately arrange
for additional assistance at the scene,
if needed, and will notify parents/
guardians, as appropriate. If a Girl
Scout needs emergency medical
care as the result of an accident
or injury, first contact emergency
medical services, and then follow
council procedures for accidents and
incidents. Your adherence to these
MAINTAINING PRIVACY
procedures is critical, especially
with regard to notifying parents or
guardians. If the media is involved, let
council-designated staff discuss the
incident with these representatives.
In the event of a fatality or other
serious accident, the police must be
notified and a responsible adult must
remain at the scene at all times. In
the case of a fatality, do not disturb
the victim or surroundings and follow
police instructions. Do not share
information about the accident
with anyone but the police, your
council and, if applicable, insurance
representatives or legal counsel.
Be Prepared: Carry forms with you!
In case of emergency, troop leaders
and event managers should always
carry a copy (multiple copies for a
large event) of the Media Information
Form, the Accident/Injury Report
Form, and the Incident Form, as well as
permission forms and Health History
Forms. All forms are available at
Health History Forms contain private health information, and are subject to privacy laws. The forms should be
reviewed by the leader or other responsible adult, and kept in a sealed envelope to be accessed in case of an
emergency. Only those adults who have a need to review the information should have access to the forms.
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Emergency Number: 1 (877) 636-1912
In line with recommendations from Girl Scouts of the USA, our council has
developed a plan and a team to help respond to any emergency needing the
attention of more than local troop or service unit personnel. Such emergencies
are incidents of a serious nature that occur during Girl Scout activities.
An emergency is defined as any of the following:
•• A fatality or serious injury requiring urgent or emergency medical treatment
•• A traffic accident involving Girl Scouts during Girl Scout activities
•• An illness serious enough to require hospitalization
•• Any situation which involves law enforcement officers
•• Allegation of child molestation or rape
•• Lost participant
•• Kidnapping
•• Allegation of tampering with products sold
•• Threat of legal action
•• Other occurrences that may have adverse media or legal implications
If you become aware of any incident related to the above:
1. Remain as calm as possible. Find out as much information as quickly as
possible about the situation.
2. Instruct someone to call 9-1-1 if needed. Obtain name and phone number
of a contact person (if not yourself).
3. Give priority attention to providing all possible care for the injured. Secure
emergency medical professionals, ambulance, and police as appropriate.
4. In the event of a fatality or other serious accident, notify the police. Retain
a responsible person at the scene. See that no disturbance of the victim or
surroundings is permitted until police have arrived.
5. Ascertain whether a parent has been notified — but if a serious injury or
fatality, get direction from council emergency contact before notifying
parents.
6. Notify the council of the emergency. Call (877) 636-1912. The council
answering service will contact the appropriate council staff, who will
evaluate the level of additional council support required. Always be sure
to leave a phone number where you can be reached.
You Witness or
Experience Abuse
Sexual advances, improper touching,
and sexual activity of any kind with girl
members are forbidden. Physical,
verbal and emotional abuse of girls
is also forbidden. All states, the District
of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam,
the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have
statues identifying persons who are required to report suspected child abuse
to an appropriate agency. Therefore,
if you witness or suspect child abuse
or neglect, whether inside or outside
of Girl Scouting, contact
[email protected] for
assistance. Staff members are mandated reporters, and have been trained
in reporting suspected child abuse.
For additional information please check
the following resources:
•• U.S. Department of Health & Human
Services, Child Welfare Information
Gateway: www.childwelfare.gov/can/
•• How to Report Suspected Child
Maltreatment: www.childwelfare.gov/
topics/responding/reporting/how/
•• Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse
and Neglect: www.childwelfare.
gov/topics/systemwide/lawspolicies/statutes/manda/
Girl Scout
First Aiders must:
1. Have current CPR/First Aid
Certification
2.AND have completed the online
Girl Scout First Aider course
7. Carry the Media Information Form with you, and fill out as directed by the
Emergency Team member to give to the media. Refer all media inquiries
(press, radio, TV) to the council. Use the emergency number noted above
and either the council’s Communications Manager or an alternate council
spokesperson will respond to all media inquiries.
3.Downloaded the most updated
GSNorCal Health & Safety Plan
for Activities and Events after
completing the online training
and before each event.
8. Complete Accident/Injury Report Form or Incident Report Form and send
it to Risk Management and Travel at the Alameda Office along with copies
of the Health History Form, membership registration form (if registered
with offline paper registration), and Permission Form within 24 hours of
occurrence. [email protected]
For resources, forms and
information about training:
9. Be sensitive to the fact that those involved in a traumatic situation may
need further support. Contact your VDM (GSNorCal staff member) if
additional assistance is needed.
Emergency Number: 1 (877) 636-1912
Member Services: 800-447-4475 Ext 0
95
Chapter 4
Health History forms—which may
include a physician’s examination
and a list of immunizations—must be
collected and kept on hand by the
troop/group leader.
Emergency Management Plan
Safety-Wise
Health History Forms
Emergencies require prompt action
and quick judgment. For many
activities, Girl Scouts recommends
that at least one adult volunteer be first
aid/CPR-certified. For that reason, if
you have the opportunity to get trained
in council-approved first aid/CPR, do
it! You can take advantage of first aid/
CPR training offered by chapters of the
American Red Cross, National Safety
Council, Medic First Aid, American
Heart Association, or other sponsoring
organizations approved by GSNorCal.
Caution: First-aid/CPR training that
is available entirely online does not
satisfy Girl Scouts’ requirements.
Such courses do not offer enough
opportunities to practice and receive
feedback on your technique. If you’re
taking a course not offered by one of
the organizations listed in the previous
paragraph, or any course that has
online components, get approval from
your support team or council.
First Aiders
A first aider is an adult volunteer who
has taken Girl Scout–approved first aid
and CPR training that includes specific
instructions for child CPR. The following
healthcare providers may also serve
as first-aiders: physician, physician’s
assistant, nurse practitioner, registered
nurse, licensed practical nurse, paramedic,
military medic, and emergency medical
technician. First Aiders must take the
online Girl Scout First Aider course
which will familiarize them with their
responsibilities, treatment protocols,
procedures for emergencies, forms
and record-keeping. They must also
obtain the most updated version of
the GSNorCal Health & Safety Plan for
Activities and Events.
If you have the opportunity to be
fully trained in council-approved
first-aid/CPR, do it. Doing so may
make your activity planning go a little
more smoothly. The Safety Activity
Checkpoints always tell you when a first
aider needs to be present for troop/
group events or activities.
Activities can take place in a variety
of locations, which is why first-aid
requirements are based on the
remoteness of the activity—as noted
in the Safety Activity Checkpoints for
that activity. For example, it’s possible
to do a two-mile hike that has cell
phone reception and service along
the entire route and EMS (Emergency
96
Access to EMS
Minimum Level of
First Aid Required
Less than 30
minutes
CPR / First Aid +
Online Girl Scout
First Aider
More than 30
minutes
Wilderness First
Aid (WFA) or
Wilderness First
Responder (WFR)*
*Although a WFR is not required, it is
strongly recommended when traveling
with groups in areas that are greater
than 30 minutes from EMS.
It is important to understand the
differences between a first-aid course
and a wilderness-rated course.
Although standard first-aid training
provides basic incident response,
wilderness-rated courses include
training on remote-assessment
skills, as well as the emergency firstaid response, including evacuation
techniques, to use when EMS is not
readily available.
The presence of a first-aider is required
at resident camp. For large events,
there should be one first-aider for every
200 participants. For traveling or station
events where there is a considerable
distance between stations, event
organizers should consider having
first aiders with each group.
First Aid Kit
Make sure a general first aid kit is
available at your group meeting place
and accompanies girls on any activity
(including transportation to and from
the activity). Please be aware that you
may need to provide this kit if one is
not available at your meeting place.
You can purchase a Girl Scout first aid
kit, you can buy a commercial kit, or
you and the girls can assemble a kit
yourselves. American Red Cross offers
a list of potential items in its Anatomy
of a First Aid Kit on their website.
(Note that the Red Cross suggested
list includes aspirin, which you will not
be at liberty to give to girls without
direct parent/guardian permission).
You can also customize a kit to cover
your specific needs, including flares,
treatments for frostbite or snake bites,
and the like.
In addition to standard materials, all
first aid kits should contain your council
office telephone numbers (available
at the beginning of this booklet)
and emergency telephone number
1 (877) 636-1912, as well as contact
information for parents/guardians, and
emergency services such as the police,
fire department, or hospital emergency
technicians. Girl Scout activity
insurance forms, parent permission
forms, and health history forms should
be included as well.
Someone Needs
Emergency Care
As you know, emergencies can happen.
Girls need to receive proper instruction in how to care for themselves and
others in emergencies. They also need
to learn the importance of reporting
to adults any accidents, illnesses or
unusual behaviors during Girl Scout
activities. You can help girls by keeping
in mind the following:
•• Know what to report. See the “What
To Do If There is an Accident” section
earlier in this chapter.
•• Establish and practice procedures for
weather emergencies. Know the type
of extreme weather to expect in your
area (e.g. tornadoes, hurricanes and
lightning). Please consult with your
council for the most relevant information for you to share with girls.
Overnight Activities
The Safety Activity Checkpoints for most activities require
having an expert on hand to help girls learn an activity. Please
remember that all experts must be approved by GSNorCal
Risk Management & Travel staff at:
[email protected]
Screening Requirements
To make it a bit easier, GSNorCal maintains a list of local
experts and facilities (such as roller skating rinks) that
have already been approved. If your expert or venue is not
on the approved list, you can work with GSNorCal’s Risk
Management & Travel staff to have them included on the list.
It is usually a relatively simple process to have an expert or
facility placed on the approved vendor list.
Adult Sleeping Arrangements
Some things to keep in mind:
•• Does the person have documented training and
experience? She or he should have documented
experience for the activity in question, such as course
completion certificates or cards, records of previous
training to instruct the activity, and letters of reference.
•• What does she or he need to be able to do? This
person should have the knowledge and experience to
make appropriate judgments concerning participants,
equipment, facilities, safety considerations, supervision,
and procedures for the activity. At the very least, he or
she should be able to give clear instructions to girls and
adults, troubleshoot unexpected scenarios, and respond
appropriately in an emergency.
Even when not required to have an expert instruct the girls
for a specific activity for safety reasons, it is always a great
idea to use your personal and troop networks to find
experts to teach the girls particular skills. This will enrich
their experience (and yours). Research performed by
the Girl Scout Research Institute has shown that girls
really appreciate the opportunity to learn from experts
whenever possible.
Generally, adults should not be sleeping in tents or the same
area such as a hotel room with the girls. If the girls are not
ready to be sleeping without an adult in their tents, shelters,
or hotel rooms, it is recommended that the group plan a
simpler trip with indoor dormitory-style sleeping.
If adults will be sleeping in the same area with the girls, more
than one unrelated adult should be sleeping with more than
one unrelated girl. No adult should be alone with any girl,
unless she is her or his own child.
To clarify:
A troop leader, her mother, and another unrelated female
adult could sleep in a dormitory style room with more than
one girl in the group.
One adult should not sleep in a tent or a hotel room with girls
unless they are her/his own daughters. If an adult must sleep
in the same area with girls, there must be more than one
unrelated adult with the group of girls.
Specific Rules Regarding
Men & Boys
For overnight events, men and boys sleep in separate
areas and have separate facilities or separate times for
bathroom use.
Safety for Events
Are you planning events and activities for your service unit
or the council? The Event Manager course is required for
volunteers running events where this person is responsible
for the planning and implementation of the event and for
the well-being of the participants. The course is available in
person and online formats.
The participant notebook for the course is designed as
a checklist, and outlines the safety, financial, and other
guidelines for events in GSNorCal. Event Managers are
responsible for following all guidelines and procedures
covered in the Event Manager course.
For large events, there should be one first-aider for every
200 participants. For traveling or station events where there
is a considerable distance between stations, event organizers
should consider having first aiders with each group.
for such circumstances as fire evacuation, lost persons and building-security
issues. Every girl and adult must know
how to act in these situations. For
example, you and the girls, with the help
of a fire department representative,
should design a fire evacuation plan for
meeting places used by the group.
Safety Activity Checkpoints List:
•• If a First Aider is required
(specifying the level of certification and specific
skills and experience needed).
•• Assemble a well-stocked first-aid kit
that is always accessible. First-aid
administered in the first few minutes
can make a significant difference in
the severity of an injury. In an emergency, secure professional medical
assistance as soon as possible, normally by calling 911, and then administer first aid, if appropriately trained.
Any adult who will attend an overnight activity must have
completed the volunteer screening process.
Chapter 4
First Aid/CPR
Medical System) is, at maximum, 30
minutes away at all times. It is also
possible to hike more remotely with
no cell phone service at a place where
EMS would take more than 30 minutes
to arrive. It’s important that you or
another volunteer with your group has
the necessary medical experience
(including knowledge of evacuation
techniques) to ensure group safety.
The levels of first aid required for any
activity take into account both how
much danger is involved and how
remote the area is from emergency
medical services.
Experts
Safety-Wise
First Aiders and Experts
•• If certified experts must be present
(such as lifeguards, archery instructors, etc).
Water Activity Requirement:
Information about the Event Manager course can be
found here: training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
•• Certified lifeguards are required for all activities
where water levels are above the girls’ knees.
97
Every registered Girl Scout and registered adult member in
the Girl Scout movement is automatically covered under the
basic plan (Plan 1) upon registration. The entire premium
cost for this protection is borne by Girl Scouts of the USA.
The basic plan is effective during the fiscal year (October
to the following October). Up to 14 months of insurance
coverage is provided for new members who register in the
month of August. This insurance provides up to a specified
maximum for medical expenses incurred as a result of an
accident while a member is participating in an approved,
supervised Girl Scout activity, after the individual’s primary
insurance pays out. This is one reason that all adults and girls
should be registered members. Non-registered parents,
friends, siblings, and other persons are not covered by basic
coverage.
This insurance coverage is not intended to diminish the
need for or replace family health insurance. When $130 in
benefits have been paid for covered accident medical or
dental expense, any subsequent benefits will be payable
only for expenses incurred that aren’t compensable under
another insurance policy. If there is no family insurance
or healthcare program, a specified maximum of medical
benefits is available.
An optional plan of activity insurance is available for Girl
Scouts taking extended trips and for non-members who
participate in age-appropriate Girl Scout activities. These
plans are secondary insurance a council may offer to
cover participants taking part in any GSNorCal approved,
supervised Girl Scout activity. Optional insurance coverage
is available for any Girl Scout activity that involves non-Girl
Scouts or lasts three nights or more. This insurance is very
reasonably priced, but it would be a lot easier to register
those adults who will volunteer more than once or twice.
Review the information about activity insurance on our
council website: www.tinyurl.com/GSinsuranceplans.
For additional information, contact the Risk Management
& Travel Assistant in the Alameda office at:
[email protected]
Ordering Event Insurance
Troop Leaders (or other registered adults in charge of an event) may order insurance by following the instructions on our
website. Visit www.tinyurl.com/GSinsuranceplans. Please take the time to become familiar with the council instructions
BEFORE you try to order insurance. Please note: All enrollment forms may be printed from the GSNorCal website. They may
NOT be transmitted directly to the insurance company - they must be sent (with a check) to the Alameda office for approval/
signature. Please e-mail the Risk Management & Travel Assistant if you have any questions at [email protected].
All requests must be received 2 weeks/10 workdays prior to the first day of your event. If you make a late request to
the council, you will be asked to prepare the enrollment form and forward it with your check to the Risk Management & Travel
Assistant in the Alameda Office in time for verification, signature and mailing.
GS Insurance Plan Comparison Chart
If ANY person—girl, sibling, adult or anyone who is not currently registered as a Girl Scout member will participate at your meeting,
trip, or any other Girl Scout gathering, you will need to purchase additional insurance to cover this person or people. If an adult
will participate other than as a visiting speaker or presenter or audience member, or unregistered children (siblings or friends)
will participate in any way other than as an audience member, the additional insurance is necessary. This insurance is very
reasonably priced, and the process is easy. Contact the Risk Management & Travel Assistant in the Alameda office Insurance@
GirlScoutsNorCal.org. Note that if an adult will supervise girls, she/he must register and complete adult screening.
PLAN 1
Accident Insurance
Automatic coverage for registered members for Girl Scout event which does not exceed
a total of 3 nights or more. You do not need to order this insurance.
PLAN 2
Accident Insurance
To cover participants who are NOT registered Girl Scouts and/or Girl Scouts participating
in an event lasting MORE than 3 nights or more. Example: If your troop is planning a trip to
Southern California for 5 days and 4 nights, you will need to purchase insurance for all of
the registered members for the full 5 days because the trip is 3 nights or more.
PLAN 3E
Accident and Sickness
Insurance
This plan is recommended for trips out of state or for any other trip where sickness
could occur.
PLAN 3P
Insurance
For groups with one or more participants who do not have personal family insurance
(or where personal insurance may not be honored).
PLAN 3PI
Insurance for
International Trips
For any Girl Scout group planning a trip out of the country. It should be purchased in the
planning stages of the trip, after it has been approved by the council, due to certain
pre-trip benefits. Call the council office to obtain detailed information on how to purchase
this plan.
98
A Girl Scout trip is an opportunity for girls to have fun, to experience adventure, and to enrich their ongoing Girl Scout
program. Sometimes a trip is the culmination of a progression of activities that the girls are already engaged in.
A Girl Scout trip is defined as any time a group has an activity at a location other than the regularly scheduled meeting place.
If the group will start and end at the regular meeting location, but will walk to a local park or other destination, this activity is
not defined as a trip.
Safety Activity Checkpoints and the guidelines in this booklet should be consulted when planning a trip of any length. Care
should be taken to determine if troops are ready to participate in troop/group travel and trips. Safety and money-earning
procedures are also available in this resource.
Transporting Girls
How parents decide to transport
girls between their homes and Girl
Scout meeting places is each parent’s
individual decision and responsibility.
For planned Girl Scout field trips and
other activities—outside the normal
time and place—in which a group will be
transported in private vehicles:
•• Every driver must be an approved
adult volunteer at least 21 years
old, and have a good driving record,
a valid license, and a registered/
insured vehicle.
•• Girls never drive other girls.
•• If a group is traveling in one vehicle,
there must be at least two unrelated,
approved adult volunteers in the
vehicle, one of which is female, and
the girl-volunteer ratios on page 89
must be followed.
•• If a group is traveling in more than
one vehicle, the entire group must
consist of at least two unrelated,
approved adult volunteers, one of
whom is female, and the girlvolunteer ratios on page 89 must be
followed. Care should be taken so
that a single car (with a single adult
driver) is not separated from the
group for an extended length of time.
California Car Seat Laws
Current laws regarding car safety seats
for children must be followed. Children
must be in a belt-positioning booster
seat until they are at least 8 years old or
4 feet 9 inches tall. In addition, children
under 12 must be in a rear seat (may not
ride in a front seat because of air bags).
Vehicles
GSNorCal encourages groups to
transport girls in family-sized vehicles
which are familiar to the drivers.
Vans carrying up to 10 people are
acceptable. Vans designed to carry
12 passengers may be used upon
special approval if at least two
drivers have a current Class B license.
Vans designed to carry 15 or more
passengers are NOT approved to
transport Girl Scouts in our council.
Private Transportation
Private transportation includes private
passenger vehicles, rental cars,
privately owned or rented recreational
vehicles and campers, chartered
buses, chartered boats, and chartered
flights. Each driver of motorized private
transportation must be at least 21 years
old and hold a valid operator’s license
appropriate to the vehicle—state laws
must be followed even if they are more
stringent than the guidelines here.
Drivers
It is the responsibility of the troop/
group leader to ensure that drivers
have a valid driver’s license and proof
of insurance. Use the Troop Driver
Form, available on the council website
When driving a vehicle to transport Girl
Scouts, take the following precautions
and ask any other drivers to do the
same. The troop/group leader may
familiarize drivers with guidelines for
acting in this capacity, or ask them to
take a short online module:
Each driver of motorized private
transportation must:
•• Be at least 21 years old. Girls
may not transport other girls. It
may be assumed that Girl Scout
activities begin when custody of
the participant takes place. To
be specific, if travel is part of the
activity, girls may not transport other
girls.
•• Hold a valid driver’s/operator’s
license appropriate to the vehicle
being driven. For example, anyone
who is driving a vehicle with 12
passengers must also possess a
Class B driver’s license.
•• Carry the minimum insurance
required by the California
Responsibility Law.
•• Must be registered members and
complete the adult screening
process established by the council.
•• A male volunteer may act as a
driver, but must never have one girl
in the car alone, except for his own
daughter.
•• Keep directions and a road map in
the car, along with a first aid kit and
a flashlight.
•• Check your lights, signals, tires,
windshield wipers, horns, and fluid
levels before each trip and check
them periodically on long trips.
•• Keep all necessary papers up to
date, such as your driver’s license,
vehicle registration, any state or local
inspections, insurance coverage,
and the like.
•• Wear your seat belt at all times, and
insist that all passengers do the same.
Keep girls under 12 in the back seats.
•• Never transport girls in flatbed or
panel trucks, in the bed of a pickup,
or in a camper-trailer. Girls must
always wear seatbelts and be in a
seat intended for passengers.
•• Follow all established rules of the
road in California (following the
speed limit, keeping a two car length
between you and the car ahead of
you, not talking or texting on a cell
phone or other personal electronic
devices, not using ear buds or
headphones, driving with your
headlights on, and so on.)
•• Avoid driving for extended periods
at night, when tired, or taking
medication that makes you drowsy.
•• Plan rest stops every few hours.
If driving with others, prearrange
stopping places along the way. When
planning longer trips, arrange for
relief drivers.
•• Never travel in caravans (having
drivers follow behind one another).
This can result in an increased
chance of accidents if drivers hurry
99
Chapter 4
For many of the activities you do as Girl Scouts, you will need to purchase additional insurance, especially for trips
longer than 3 nights, activities involving non-members, out of state trips, and/or international trips.
Transporting Girls
Safety-Wise
Girl Scout Activity Insurance
Even though written agreements
are always required when renting or
chartering, you are not authorized to
sign an agreement or contract, —even
if there is no cost associated with
the rental. Such an agreement must
instead be signed by the council staff
person designated by GSNorCal.
(See contracts page 132).
Rental Vehicles
When rental vehicles of any kind are
to be used by Girl Scouts, permission
must be obtained from the Risk
Management & Travel in the Alameda
office. An Authorization to Rent
Vehicles form www.GSNorCal.org/
forms must be completed and sent
to the Risk Management & Travel
Assistant in the Alameda office with
your Trip or High-Adventure Activity
Form at least four weeks before the
trip or event.
If GSNorCal has given permission
to use a rented car, read all rental
agreements to be sure you comply
with their terms and avoid surprises.
Note the minimum age of drivers
(often 25), as well as the maximum
age (often under 70). Be sure the car
Commercial Buses
Groups wishing to lease commercial
buses must also have permission from
the GSNorCal Risk Management and
Travel Team.
Commercial bus companies must:
•• Be approved by GSNorCal listed on
the Approved Vendor list.
•• Carry a minimum of $1 million
in liability insurance.
•• Provide a copy of their last
CHP safety inspection.
•• Show that drivers are approved by
the state to carry children.
•• Show that drivers are part of the
statewide program that monitors
driving records.
Rental or Purchase
Policy for Storage
Units and Trailers
supports the rental of storage units
and/or purchase of storage units and
storage trailers purchased by Service
Units and Day Camps in the name of
Girl Scouts of Northern California for
the use of storing program supplies and
product sales property. These units
should never be used to store personal
property. Contracts and Agreements
are to be signed by the key holders of
the units with a minimum of two unrelated signors for each unit. In the case
of moving storage units, such as trailers
that are purchased in the name of Girl
Scouts of Northern California, it is the
responsibility of the Service Unit or Day
Camp to uphold maintenance and vehicle registration tags for the unit. The
storage of the vehicles are the responsibility of the Service Unit/ Day Camp.
Service Unit must annually submit copies of their registration and insurance
to the Senior Property Director. Girl
Scouts of Northern California will cover
liability insurance on all storage vehicles and units as long as the property
is owned and utilized in the name of Girl
Scouts of Northern California. Liability
insurance will renew annually when
contracts or registrations are renewed
with facilities or the State of California
Department of Motor Vehicles. Liability
insurance does not cover theft, or in
the case of trailers, collision. These extra insurances should be purchased by
the Service Unit/Day Camp in charge of
the unit. If the Service Unit/Day Camp
fails to maintain the vehicle registration and upkeep of vehicles, Girl Scouts
of Northern California has the right to
transfer the property of unit out of the
possession of the Service Unit/Day
Camp. No trailer should ever be used
without up-to-date registration tags,
collision insurance and Girl Scout of
Northern California liability insurance. “
Trip Folders
Troop 12345
TRIP
FOLDER
Drivers or chaperones should carry a trip folder on any trip in case
of any accident or other emergency, along with a first aid kit.
Leader should collect folders at the end of each trip.
Trip Checklist
Use this checklist and the supporting information on the next few pages to plan your trips.
Step 1: Planning
o
o
o
o
Budgeting
Follow Safety Activity Checkpoints and safety guidelines in this booklet including adult to girl ratios on page 87
Group Money-Earning, if applicable
Logistics (Contracts, Drivers—screening and Troop Driver Form, and Insurance)
Step 2: Communicate With Parents: Permission Forms
Permission Forms must always be used when:
o Activities are held in a different place than regularly scheduled meetings OR
o Activities are held on a different day or time than regularly scheduled meetings OR
o Activities are considered high-adventure
For any of the above, one of the following types of forms must be used (see page 93):
o Annual Permission Form OR
o Permission Form (regular)
Step 3: Communicate with Service Unit, Emergency Contact Person, and Council:
Select the type of trip/event on the left.
The Right column explains when the Trip or High-Adventure Form Needs to be submitted.
o Trip is less than 60 miles from your regular meeting
place, under 6 hours in duration, and not
High-Adventure.
o Council sponsored activities in the
Program and Event Guide (PEG).
o Activities where girls walk or ride their own bicycles as
part of their regularly scheduled meetings.
100
Driving Directions
and/or map
Troop Roster
Including Cell phones
of all drivers on
trip and contact
information for
parents of girls in the
car.
Permission
Forms for the trip
Emergency Phone #s
1 (877) 636-1912
(for the girls with that
chaperone or driver)
BACK POCKET:
•• Accident/Injury
Report Form
•• Incident
Report Form
•• Mutual of Omaha Claim
Form and brochure
•• Media
Information Form
•• All forms
available:
The Trip or High-Adventure Activity Form can be used
as a planning tool (easy way to communicate with the
emergency contact person before the trip) but does not
need to be turned in to the service unit for these types of
activities.
o Service unit activities that are not High-Adventure and
less than 3 nights.
o Trip is farther than 60 miles from your regular meeting
place and longer than 6 hours in duration but not
High-Adventure.
o Event/trip includes a High-Adventure activity
o Trip is 3 nights or more
o Trip involves air travel
FRONT POCKET:
•• Health History
forms for the girls
in that car, in a
sealed envelope,
to be opened
only in the case
of emergency
(information
shared only on an
as needed basis)
•• Tickets or passes,
money for bridge
tolls or to pay for
girls’ expenses
Explains the approval process and time line for
submitting the Trip or High-Adventure Form.
Type of Trip/Event
Chapter 4
Rented or
Chartered Vehicles
is adequately insured, knowing who is
responsible for damage to or the loss
of the vehicle itself. Also, ensure you
have a good paper trail that shows the
vehicle rental is Girl Scout-related.
Keep the GS insurance card in the
vehicle at all times.
Safety-Wise
through a light to stay together, or
make unsafe lane changes to follow.
Instead, every driver should know
where they are going and where any
rest stops will be taken.
Travel plans require approval from your service unit at least
two weeks in advance.
Travel plans require BOTH the council and service unit
approval.
Approval Time Line:
•• Extended Travel: Submit form 3-6 months in advance
•• High-Adventure: Submit form 1-3 months in advance if
the vendor is approved or 3 months in advance if the
vendor needs to be approved.
Travel plans require BOTH the council and service unit
approval.
o International Trip
Approval Time Line:
•• 2 year planning process for troop
•• Submit form 1 year in advance to receive necessary
support
Step 4: Go on trip—have fun!
o
o
o
o
Bring Permission, Health History Forms, first aid kit (Health History with Physical Exam form for trips of 3 nights or more)
Follow safety guidelines in this booklet and in the Safety Activity Checkpoints
Trip Folders for all drivers/adult chaperones
Emergency Plans and Emergency Cards
101
Girl Scout trips should be affordable
to all the girls in the troop/group.
The girls should be involved in all
financial decisions. Parental support
is essential. Discuss travel plans,
budgeting and money-earning projects
with families before finalizing plans.
When creating the budget, be sure
to calculate all costs, which may
include event registration, admission,
postage, duplication of materials,
transportation, parking, gas, insurance,
lodging, food, and souvenirs. Indicate
the amount paid by the troop and the
amount paid by each girl.
All troop money belongs to the troop/
group, not individuals, so everyone
should understand that under no
circumstances would an individual take
any portion of the money with her to
use for non-Girl Scout purposes. The
IRS has issued an advisory that nonprofit organizations may NOT track
individual “trip accounts”. Per the IRS,
“a section 501(c)(3) organization must
not be organized or operated for the
benefit of private interests. No part of
the net earnings of a section 501(c)(3)
organization may inure to the benefit of
any private shareholder or individual.”
The IRS took the position that using the
money raised in various fundraising
activities to further the Scouting program
was in accordance with their exempt
purpose, but the creation of a reserve
fund for individual girls within a troop
(i.e. earmarked accounts) is not allowed.
Everyone must understand that if they
leave the troop that the money is not
their personal property (the money
is there for girls to use for their Girl
Scouting activities). Since the money
belongs to the troop/group, the adults
should not be making the decisions
about how it is spent, instead the
girls make the decisions. If they’re
ready for a trip, they’re ready for this
responsibility, too.
Girls should attempt to decide how
different possible situations will be
handled ahead of time, including:
•• Shall the group pay all or any part of
the costs for adult advisors to attend
the trip? (Note that it would not be
acceptable to use troop funds to
pay for “extra” adults who were not
needed as part of the adult-to-girl
ratios).
102
Follow Safety
Guidelines
•• Follow minimum adult to girl ratios
for events, outing and trips on
page 89.
•• Check the Safety Activity
Checkpoints for ALL activities the
girls will be participating in and
establish adult supervision plans.
•• Brainstorm safety rules and
precautions with girls such as
establishing boundaries, use of
buddy system, etc.
•• Make sure all girls and adults
understand rules and expectations
for the trip along with consequences
for breaking the rules.
Money-Earning,
if applicable
Not all trips involve money-earning
projects, but if yours does:
•• GSUSA and GSNorCal policies and
guidelines must be followed. The
money earned by the troop does not
belong to the individual girls. If a girl
cannot go on the trip, she forfeits
any portion of the trip funds she
helped to earn, and all money is kept
in troop funds. The girls in the troop/
group should decide (preferably very
early in the planning process) how
that money should be spent.
•• The troop/group must submit a
Money-Earning Application before
the project:
www.gsnorcal.org/money-earning
Logistics
Contracts or Signed Agreements:
All contracts or signed agreements
must be signed by a council staff
member. Troops and service units are
not legal entities, and may not legally
enter into contracts. Please allow at
least two weeks prior to the date you
need the signed agreement. See page
132 for further information.
Drivers - All drivers must:
•• Be registered members.
•• Complete the adult screening
requirements.
•• Turn in completed Troop Driver
Form to Troop Leader. This form
should be reviewed and updated on
an ongoing basis to verify that each
driver has a current driver’s license
and sufficient insurance.
Information and a short training
module is available:
Planning
Although outings and trips take a lot of
planning and coordination, the rewards
are great—in addition to being fun,
they offer the girls the opportunity to
learn life skills and gain independence.
It’s important to involve them in the
planning and preparation, even at
young ages.
Insurance
As with any Girl Scout activity, if
any unregistered adults or children
(including siblings) will participate in
the trip, and/or if the trip lasts 3 nights
or more, is out of state or international,
additional insurance must be
purchased. (Page 98)
STEP 2: Parent
Permission Forms
Use either the Annual or Activity
Permission forms as outlined on page
93. If the activity will also involve issues
of a sensitive or controversial nature,
the Sensitive/Controversial Issues
Permission Form should also be used.
STEP 3: Trip or
High-Adventure Activity Form
Communicate your plans
While permission forms are used to communicate with parents, it is also
necessary to communicate with your troop emergency contact person for each
trip, and with your service unit for some trips. For certain trips, your service unit
will also contact the council on your behalf.
Troop/Group Emergency Contact Person
A troop/group emergency contact person must be established for every trip. Your
service unit leadership must be given contact information for your troop/group’s
emergency contact person in case there are any problems or emergencies that
arise on any trip (particularly day trips where the Trip or High-Adventure Activity
Form does not need to be turned in).
The troop/group emergency contact person must be a person who will NOT
attend the trip, and should know:
•• Which girls and adults are present on the trip.
•• Where the troop is going.
•• Dates and times of the trip.
•• Where and when the group will return.
•• Contact information for the adults present on the trip.
•• Contact information for service unit leadership.
•• Contact information for all families.
•• How to activate the council’s emergency plans.
Trip OR High-Adventure Activity Form
The Trip or High-Adventure Activity Form must be used for any outings, trips OR
high-adventure activities. www.GSNorCal.org/forms
The Trip or High-Adventure Activity Form can be used as a planning tool (easy
way to communicate with the emergency contact person before the trip) but
does NOT need to be turned in to the service unit for the following activities:
•• Trips is less than 60 miles from your regular meeting place, under 6 hours in
duration, and not High-Adventure.
•• Council sponsored activities in the Program and Event Guide (PEG).
•• Activities where girls walk or ride their own bicycles as part of their regularly
scheduled meetings.
•• Service unit activities that are not High-Adventure and less than 3 nights.
Travel plans require approval from your service unit at least two weeks in
advance if the:
•• Trip is farther than 60 miles from your regular meeting place and longer than 6
hours in duration but not High-Adventure.
Travel plans require BOTH the council and service unit approval (preferably
3-6 months in advance) if the:
•• Event/trip includes a High-Adventure activity (2 weeks in advance if the vendor
is already on the approved vendor list).
•• Trips is 3 nights or more.
•• Trip involves air travel.
•• Trip is out of state or international (1 year advance notice is preferred for
international travel to ensure the leader receives necessary support during
planning process).
STEP 4: Go on your
trip and have fun!
Bring forms and
first aid kit
•• Permission Forms (Annual or
Regular).
•• Health History Forms (if trip is three
nights or more or for organized
competitive sports, the Health
History must include a physical).
See page 94.
Follow All Safety
Guidelines
Follow all guidelines in this booklet, as
well as the Safety Activity Guidelines
for each activity you will participate in.
Trip Folders for
All Drivers/Adult
Chaperones
All drivers or adult chaperones should
carry a folder containing permission
forms and Health History forms (in a
sealed envelope) for all girls they are
responsible for, driving directions/
maps, itinerary information, and
pertinent emergency contact
information or council emergency
card. Sample trip folder is shown on
page 100.
See page 91 for an explanation of
High-Adventure activities, and page 92
for further information about
the approval process.
103
Chapter 4
Budgeting
•• What percentage of money should
be held to cover regular troop/group
expenses?
•• Not all families can afford to spend
the same amount for activities. Will
there be some money set aside
for scholarships? How could a
confidential system be set in place
to allow girls to apply for the funds?
•• How should it be handled if a new girl
joins the troop sometime before the
trip?
Safety-Wise
STEP 1: Planning
Traveling with Girls
Using Journeys and The Girl’s
Guide to Girl Scouting in Their
Travels
104
Exploration: The
Girl Scout Guide to
Global Travel
Takes girls through the steps of
planning their own international
group trip. It’s filled with tips and
tricks for traveling abroad.
The Adult Guide to
Girl Scout Global
Travel
Serves as a companion to The Girl
Scout Guide to Global Travel and
The Girl Scout Travel Log.
The Girl Scout Travel
Log
A journal for girls to record their
travel experiences – before, during
and after your trip.
2011 Edition
destinations are amazing national and International
travel opportunities lasting 2 days—3 weeks with specific
themes. These opportunities are sponsored by GSUSA
in partnership with a council or travel organization and
open to individual girls ages 11-18. To be considered, girls
need to submit 2 letters of reference and an application by
November 1 for first round acceptance. Sponsoring groups
select the applicants. We recommend submitting your
application early for better results. For more information
on this exciting opportunity and for tips on how to help fund
this type of travel opportunity, please visit our website at
forgirls.girlscouts.org/travel/ or email:
[email protected]
There are six categories of destinations:
•• Domestic—events within the U.S.
•• International—events outside of the U.S.
•• Outdoors—events ranging from learning outdoor skills to
Outward Bound challenges on land or sea.
•• STEM—events that take science to a new level. Learn
animal behavior or what a doctor’s life is like.
•• People—events that visit cities and countrysides so you
can experience the culture of new places.
•• Apprenticeships—events that give you hands-on,
real-life experience in a potential career field.
Getaways
This is a fun option for troops who want to explore two-to
four-day events created just for Girl Scouts. Getaways are
open to troops and don’t require an application process.
Learn more at:
forgirls.girlscouts.org/travel/take-a-trip/getaways/
GSNorCal Travel Opportunities
A PA R T O F T H E G LO B A L T R A V E L T O O L K I T
The Girl Scout
Destinations
The
Appendix
Travel resources, handouts, and GSUSA
forms. Please use GSNorCal forms for
travel and use this document for the
additional resources.
Girl Scouts offers many travel opportunities so girls
can see new places, meet new people, and learn about
different cultures and ideas. Whether exploring your
own neighborhoods, going on overnight camping trips,
participating in a GS event across the country, or flying
to a World Center, Girl Scouts are continually expanding
their horizons through travel. Join us for a special council
sponsored travel trip or travel the world as a troop. For more
information about these exciting opportunities, please visit
www.GirlScoutsNorCal.org/travel
From the Birth of Girl Scouting to the World Centers
The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia, is a fantastic place for Girl Scout Juniors and older to visit. Reservations and
council approval are required to take a group of girls to visit the birthplace, and most educational opportunities are booked at least a year in
advance, so book early! Families and individuals, however, do not need to reserve a tour in advance.
In addition, four lodges are available in England, Mexico, Switzerland, and India for use by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, each with hostel or
dormitory-style accommodations. The world centers are operated by WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) and
offer low-cost accommodations and special programs. They are also a great way to meet Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world.
Closer to home, check with your council to see whether council-owned camps and other facilities can be rented out to the group of girls
with whom you’re working.
105
Chapter 4
Not only do some of the most memorable moments in a Girl Scout’s life happen while taking trips, but travel also offers a
wealth of opportunities for girls to develop leadership skills. Let us help you prepare girls for local, regional, or international
travel of any scope and duration.
locally, regionally, and even internationally. Girls can travel
regardless of how else they are—or aren’t—participating in
Girl Scouting.
Girls love trips! And Girl Scouts is a great place for them
to learn how to plan and take exciting trips, because travel
is built on a progression of activities—that is, one activity
leads to the next. Girl Scout Daisies, for example, can begin
with a discovery walk. As girls grow in their travel skills and
experience and can better manage the planning process,
they progress to longer trips. Your Journey adult guide has a
Girl Scout travel is an ideal way to offer girls leadership
lot of other ideas about trips that bring the Journey to life.
opportunities. Encourage girls to choose one of the three
Here are some examples of the progression of events
series of National Leadership Journeys. The Journey’s
and trips in Girl Scouting’s Ladder of Leadership:
theme will give girls a way to explore leadership through
their travels. Use the adult guide to incorporate activities
Short trips to points of interest in the neighborhood
and discussions that help girls explore the Three Keys to
(Daisies and older): A walk to the nearby garden or a short
Leadership (Discover, Connect, and Take Action) as they
ride by car or public transportation to the firehouse or
plan their trip and eventually travel.
courthouse is a great first step for Daisies.
Tying your trip to the topic of a Leadership Journey is a cinch.
Day trip (Brownies and older): An all-day visit to a point of
For example, if Cadette girls have chosen MEdia, before
historical or natural interest (bringing their own lunch) or a
their trip they can read online newspapers from the area to
which they’re traveling—and evaluate when they arrive how
day-long trip to a nearby city (stopping at a restaurant for a
meal)—younger girls can select locations and do much of the well the media reflects the realities there. If Senior girls are
using SOW WHAT?, they can plan to observe agricultural
trip-planning, while never being too far from home.
practices in other parts of the country or around the world.
Overnight trips (Brownies and older): One (or possibly
Ambassadors using BLISS: Live It! Give It! can build a trip
two) nights away to a state or national park, historic city,
around dreaming big—and empowering others in their
community to dream big, too.
or nearby city for sightseeing, staying in a hotel, motel,
or campground. These short trips are just long enough
If girls also want to complete skill-building badge
to whet their appetites, but not long enough to generate
requirements as part of their trip, they can. The most
homesickness.
obvious example is the Senior Traveler badge, which fits
perfectly into planning a trip. In addition, girls can explore
Extended overnight trips (Juniors and older): Three
other badge topics, depending on the focus of their trip. For
or more nights camping or a stay in a hotel, motel, or hostel
examples, Cadettes can explore the food in other regions
within the girls’ home region (for example, New England, the
or countries for their New Cuisines badge, Seniors can find
Upper Midwest, the Southeast, the Pacific Northwest, and
out about international business customs as part of their
so on). Planning a trip to a large museum—and many offer
Business Etiquette badge, and Ambassadors can work on
their Photography badge while documenting their trip.
unique opportunities for girls to actually spend the night on
museum grounds—makes for an exciting experience for girls. Be sure to visit the “Girl Scouting as a National Experience”
chapter in this handbook to find out more about the three
National trips (Cadettes and older): Travel anywhere in
exciting series of Journeys and The Girl’s Guide to Girl
the country, often lasting a week or more. Try to steer clear
Scouting.
of trips girls might take with their families and consider
To ensure that any travel you do with girls infuses the Girl
those that offer some educational component—this often
Scout Leadership Experience at every opportunity, limit your
means no Disney and no cruises, but can incorporate some
role to facilitating the girls’ brainstorming and planning—but
incredible cities, historic sites, and museums around the
never doing the work for them. Allow the girls to lead, learn
country.
collaboratively, and learn by doing (and by making mistakes).
All the while, however, provide ideas and insight, ask tough
International trips (Cadettes, Seniors, and
questions when you have to, and support all their decisions
Ambassadors): Travel around the world, often requiring one
with enthusiasm and encouragement!
or two years of preparation; when girls show an interest in
traveling abroad, contact your council to get permission to
plan the trip and download the Global Travel Toolkit from the
www.GirlScouts.org website. Visiting one of the four World
Centers is a great place to start, but also consider traveling
with worldwide service organizations. Recently, girls have
traveled to rural Costa Rica to volunteer at an elementary
school, to Mexico to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity,
and to India to work with girls living in poverty.
Although some girls who are in a group (for example, a troop
of Cadettes) may decide to travel together, opportunities
exists for girls who are not otherwise involved in Girl Scouts
to get together specifically for the purpose of traveling
Girl Scout troops/groups planning
an international trip are strongly
encouraged to use the Global
Travel Toolkit. The toolkit is a nuts
and bolts resource for international
travel, including planning advice,
procedures for international travel,
budgeting suggestions, cultural
recommendations, and resources
on Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting
all over the world. Download your
Global Travel Toolkit at forgirls.girlscouts.org/travel/
resources/global-travel-toolkit/
The Global Travel Toolkit consists of the following
sections:
Safety-Wise
For Travel Volunteers
Seeking Council
Permission
The trip approval process in GSNorCal
using the Trip or High-Adventure
Activity Form as outlined in the SafetyWise chapter of this booklet. It is
recommended that groups spend
two years planning and preparing for a
major trip. Encourage girls to complete
and submit the Trip or High-Adventure
Activity Form themselves.
Procedures for
Extended Trips
Planning for an extended trip is just as
important as the trip in Girl Scouting.
Here are a few procedures.
Extended Travel
Training (ETT)
This course is required of at least
one adult who will attend the trip
and who is involved in the planning
process for a trip of 3 nights or more,
national and international trips. This
course should be completed prior
to starting the planning process or at
least 9 months before the trip. It is
highly recommended that girls take
this course as well to help facilitate
the girl planning of the trip. Training
requirements for troop trip organizers
which includes extended travel training can
be found on our Volunteer Learning Portal
at: training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org
Parent Permission
Forms and Health
History Forms
Parent Permission Forms must be used
for extended trips of three nights or
more. Annual permission forms may
not be used for overnight trips. Health
History Forms Requiring Physical
Exam are needed for girls and adults
participating in any trip lasting three
nights or more. The health examination
by a professional health care provider
must have been no more than 24
months prior to travel. Camp and
school physicals are accepted.
106
Accident/Illness
Insurance
All trips of 3 nights or more and/
or international or out of state
trips, require additional insurance
per person. See page 98 for more
information. Consider buying travel
insurance in case of flight cancellation,
delays, or date changes.
ID Bracelet or Dog Tag
An ID bracelet (or dog tag) is required
for each person with the following
information: participants name, Girl
Scouts of Northern California, Council
emergency phone number (including
the country code for international
travelers). These can be made at a pet
store.
Trip Folder
A trip folder should be provided to
all chaperones or drivers for any trip.
See page 100 for more information.
If the group will be driving, then it is
important to use the Troop Driver
Form and Vehicle Assignment List
also. See Chapter 4 of the Council
Resource Guide for additional
guidance regarding rental vehicles and
information about drivers.
Things to Bring:
Adults:
•• Parent Permission Forms and Health
History Forms With Physical Exam
for all adults on the trip.
•• First-aid kit including items such
as Benadryl, Tylenol, anti-diarrhea
medicine, stomach upsets and
motion sickness medicines. Parents/
guardians must indicate on the
health forms which over-thecounter drugs girls are permitted to
take.
•• Medication for girls, unless a girl has
physician or parental note to carry
her own. This authorization may be
needed in situations where home
hospitality is given and the girl is
away from the first-aider.
Girls:
•• A copy of her Health History Forms
with Physical Exam and insurance
information.
•• A copy of the group itinerary with all
contact numbers.
•• Personal medications to be
administered in case of emergency,
such as bee sting kits, asthma
inhalers, etc. (Girls need a doctor’s
note to keep the medication with her
at all times).
International Trips
If you will be travelling internationally,
there is one more important form that
must be used:
•• Permission to Travel with Minor.
This gives the adult chaperones
permission to transport minors
across international borders. This
form can be found in the Global
Travel Toolkit, and it must be
notarized. Two individually signed
and notarized Permission to Travel
with Minor forms should be carried
for each girl signed by each parent
(or guardian). If a single parent
or guardian has custody, attach
documentation stating the minor is
in the sole custody of the signer of
the Permission to Travel with Minor
form.
In addition to procedures in Chapter
4 about emergency plans include
in-country contacts (e.g., number for
the U.S. embassy, American Express,
Red Cross), and a “lost plan” for each
location you visit in case any group
members get separated.
Girls and adults carry international
calling cards that you can purchase in
local shops. Most U.S. cell phones do
not work overseas. Contact your phone
provider to find out before you go.
Girls and adults carry citizenship
documents or documentation of
her legal status to reenter the United
States.
Register your group with the U.S.
embassy in countries you plan to visit,
provide a list of names and group
itinerary.
The Girl Scout product program is the
nation’s leading business and financial
literacy program for girls and it can
make a huge difference when financing
a troops travel dreams.
Travel adventures cost more than a day
trip but this offers girls the opportunity
to learn some financial skills that will
serve them well throughout their lives
while working towards an amazing goal.
Girls learn:
•• Budgeting
•• Goal setting
•• Marketing
•• Customer relations
•• Good business practices
Budgeting and
Goal Setting
Create a detailed and realistic budget
with the girls. Include figures for
transportation, food, tips, insurance,
recreation, admission fees, taxes, fees
for travel documents and vaccinations,
and emergency funds.
The Global Travel Toolkit has different
templates to help the girls think of all
the possible expenses so that they can
determine the cost of their trip.
Once you have an idea of how much
the trip is going to cost, help the girls to
figure out how much they need to earn.
Decide how much money each girl and
her family can contribute. Then girls
determine how much they can earn
and contribute on their own through
part-time jobs or other ways of earning
money. What’s left is the amount
needed to raise through moneyearning projects. Establish a group goal.
How much will the group need to earn
together?
Marketing & Customer
Relations
Review the guidelines on moneyearning projects in Chapter 5 of the
Council Resource Guide. There are
lots of ideas for successful moneyearning projects on page 127. MoneyEarning projects allow girls a variety of
opportunities to think about how to
promote and publicize their projects
and interact with the public.
Good Business
Practices
In the beginning stages of planning, it
seems pretty straightforward to figure
out total expenses divided by the
number of people who will attend. But
in reality, all kinds of different things can
happen with a given group before the
trip actually takes place.
Decide in the beginning how different
situations will be handled.
•• Shall the group pay (all or a portion)
for adults to come along as
chaperones? How many adults?
Which ones? Could these adults help
with the money-earning projects to
help defray their expenses? The
group cannot go on the trip without
qualified adult chaperones, so this
might be considered an expense to
the troop/group. Travel Tip: When
selecting adults for a trip, define the
needs of the trip first. For example,
does the trip require a lifeguard, or
an adult who has taken Extended
Travel Training, or Troop Camping
Certification? Select adults that can
fulfil the needs of the trip.
•• How will the troop/group fund other
activities besides the trip?
•• Not all families can afford the same
amount for activities. Shall a certain
amount be set aside for financial
aid?
•• What if a new girl joins the group
before the trip? How would the
troop/group help make it possible for
her to attend?
•• How will the money be managed?
•• What will the money be used for if
plans for the trip fall through?
It’s important to remember that all
money belongs to the troop/group and
not to individuals. Therefore, under no
circumstances would an individual take
any portion of the money with her to
use for non-Girl Scout purposes.
Since the money belongs to the troop/
group, the adults should not be making
the decisions about how it is spent—
the girls make the decisions. If they’re
ready for a trip, they’re ready for this
responsibility, too.
To support girls in group moneyearning projects for travel:
•• Get council approval for all moneyearning projects and follow safety
standards. Refer to Chapter 5
of the Council Resource Guide
(this booklet). The Money-Earning
Application is available on the
council website at:
•• Check with the Fund Development
Dept. before soliciting funds from
local organizations, foundations, or
businesses.
•• Encourage girls to present travel
plans to potential contributors—
but leave the “ask” to adults. In
other words, let the girls share their
excitement about their goals, but let
the adults ask for donations. Asking
for money or materials or services
is considered fundraising by the IRS
and Girl Scout policies, and for many
reasons (legal and otherwise), adults
are the only people who can raise
money for Girl Scouts.
•• Help the girls define personal and
group expenses.
•• Set up a group travel bank account to
be overseen by a designated adult.
•• Have just one person responsible
for group funds and keep a daily
account of expenditures. However,
all funds should not be held by just
one person at any time during the trip.
•• Make decisions in advance about
how to pay bills that occur before,
during, and after the trip.
107
Chapter 4
We recommend submitting the Trip or High-Adventure Approval Form
one year in advance to receive council and service unit support during the planning process.
Money for Trips
Safety-Wise
Travel Procedures for Extended Trips
Per the IRS, “a section 501(c)(3)
organization must not be organized
or operated for the benefit of private
interests. No part of the net earnings
of a section 501(c)(3) organization
may inure to the benefit of any private
shareholder or individual.” The IRS
took the position that using the money
raised in various fundraising activities
to further the Scouting program was
in accordance with their exempt
purpose, but the creation of a reserve
fund for individual girls within a troop
(i.e. earmarked accounts) is not
allowed.
Travel Adult
Learning Courses
Outings, Short Trips &
Overnights
Before the first outing, trip, or
overnight, the Outings, Short Trips
& Overnights course is required of
at least one adult who will attend
outing and who is involved in the
planning process with the girls. This
course is offered online.
Extended Travel Training (ETT)
When planning trips of 3 nights or
more, national and international
trips, the Extended Travel course
is required of at least one adult
who will attend outing and who is
involved in the planning process
for the trip. Course should be
completed prior to starting the
planning process or at least 9
months before the trip. This course
is offered in person.
For info, resources or
training information
108
Whether the trip is a day hike or a cross-country trek, the basic steps of trip
planning are essentially the same. It’s true that as the locale gets farther away,
the itinerary longer and more complex, the details become richer and more
complex, but planning every trip—from a day-long event to an international
trek—starts by asking the following:
•• What do we hope to experience?
•• Who will we want to talk to and meet? What will we ask?
•• Where are we interested in going?
•• When are we all available to go?
•• Will everyone in our group be able to go?
•• Are there physical barriers that cannot be accommodated?
•• What are hours and the need for advance reservations?
•• What are our options for getting there?
•• What’s the least and most this trip could cost?
•• What can we do now to get ourselves ready?
•• How will we earn the money?
•• What’s the availability of drinking water, restrooms, and eating places?
•• Where is emergency help available?
•• What safety factors must we consider?
•• What will we do as we travel?
•• What will we do when we get there?
•• How will we share the Take Action story?
As girls answer these questions, they begin the trip-planning process. In time,
girls can make specific arrangements, attend to a myriad of details, create a
budget and handle money, and accept responsibility for their personal conduct
and safety. Later, after they’ve returned from an event or trip, girls also have the
chance to evaluate their experiences and share them with others.
Group Dynamics and Team Capabilities
A successful trip is dependent upon the ability of the group to work and
function together as a team. Certain factors are crucial, including:
•• the ability to function as a team member
•• the ability to follow as well as lead
•• the ability to accept more direction and leadership from the group leaders
than they are used to at home.
A group needs to establish a working relationship prior to traveling together.
This can be done through planning meetings, activities, and electronic
correspondence prior to the trip. Ways of addressing differences and
emergencies, whether life-threatening, cultural, or due to individual attitudes,
should be discussed prior to travel.
Establishing a team agreement prior to leaving for the trip on how the group will
function and make decisions is very important.
Here are some things to consider:
•• Safety rules and expectations. What are your rules for the buddy system, and
what if two girls clique up for the entire trip?
•• Curfews and consequences for breaking them.
•• Policy on bringing extra money for souvenirs or snacks.
•• Rules/expectations about cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices.
•• How will the group decide where/what to eat? Expectations regarding
restaurant behavior, and how much food is suitable to order at one meal.
•• What to wear and not wear.
•• How much luggage to pack/bring.
A Note About Safety
Consult all safety guidelines
in this booklet, especially
regarding transporting girls.
In addition, Safety Activity
Checkpoints for each
activity in which the girls
will participate must be
followed for every trip.
Staying Safe During
the Trip
Tips for Girls
Traveling Alone
If a Girl Scout Cadette, Senior,
or Ambassador will be traveling
alone during any part of a trip, use
the opportunity to help her feel
comfortable with and capable of being
on her own. Always talk first with her
parents to assess her maturity and
ability to handle herself, and have them
complete an emergency form. If she is
flying, discuss the possibility of booking
a nonstop flight to make her trip less
stressful, and ask parents to contact
the airline, which will make special
arrangements for any unaccompanied
minor. With the girl herself, develop a
trip plan, discuss hotel security and
safety, and talk about avoiding excess
communication with strangers, not
wearing a nametag, and avoiding
exposing money or other items (such
as smartphones, iPads, and iPods) that
are attractive to pickpockets.
Be sure to discuss the following items
with the girls and their parents before
you leave on any trip (you may also
want to put this information in writing
and have girls sign it):
•• Who her buddy is—and how the
buddy system works
•• What to do if she is separated from
the group, whether by accident or
because of a crime
•• What to do if she loses something
significant: money, passport, luggage
•• How to report a crime
•• What to do if emergency help is
needed
•• How to perform basic first aid
procedures
•• How to deal with a large crowd (if
applicable)
•• What to do in the event of a crime
•• What behaviors you expect—and
what consequences exist for not
living up to those behaviors
Involving
Chaperones
To determine how many volunteer
chaperones the girls will need with
them on the trip, see the adult-togirl ratios on page 89. As you ask for
chaperones, be sure to look for ones
who are committed to:
•• Being a positive role model
•• Respecting all girls and adults
equally, with no preferential
treatment
•• Creating a safe space for girls
•• Prioritizing the safety of all girls
•• Supporting and reinforcing a group
agreement
•• Handling pressure and stress by
modeling flexibility and a sense of
humor
•• Creating an experience for and with
girls
•• Getting fit (appropriate to the trip)
•• Becoming a registered Girl Scout
member
•• Completing the adult screening
process and learning courses
•• Be sure every chaperone reviews
and follows the Girl Scout Safety
Guidelines, available both in the
Quick Start Guide to this handbook
and in the “Safety-Wise” chapter.
For info, resources, and training:
Travel Security and Safety Tips
Share these safety tips with girls before you leave on any trip that involves a stay at a hotel, motel, hostel, or dormitory:
•• Always lock the door behind you, using the deadbolt and the chain or anchor.
•• Do not open the door for strangers; if hotel staff claims to be at the door, call the front desk to confirm.
•• Don’t mention or display your room number when in the presence of strangers.
•• Never leave jewelry, cameras, electronics, cash, or credit cards in your room.
•• Never leave luggage unattended in the hotel lobby (or in an airport or train or bus station).
•• When arriving at the hotel, locate emergency exits.
•• Keep a small flashlight on your bedside table, along with a small bag with your room key, wallet, passport, and cell phone.
Take the flashlight and bag with you if you have to leave the room in an emergency.
•• If a fire alarm goes off, get out as quickly as possible. Don’t stop to pack your suitcase.
•• Before leaving your room, feel the door: If it is warm, do not open it. Stay in your room and stuff towels around the door. Call
the hotel operator immediately. If the door is cool, proceed slowly out the door, looking for flames or smoke. Repeat these
instructions for any door you encounter.
•• Contact the front desk to make sure girls’ rooms are cleared of any minibars or refrigerators. Also be sure the hotel doesn’t
provide access to inappropriate movies on TVs and does not allow long-distance calls. Alert the hotel management that
underage girls are staying in the hotel, and ask them to contact you if any girls are seen out of their rooms after bedtime.
Chapter 4
All troop money belongs to the troop/
group, not individuals, so everyone
should understand that under no
circumstances would an individual
take any portion of the money with her
to use for non-Girl Scout purposes.
The IRS has issued an advisory that
non-profit organizations may NOT
track individual “trip accounts”.
Letting Girls Lead
Safety-Wise
INDIVIDUAL
ACCOUNTS
NOT ALLOWED
109
Trip of three
nights or longer or
involving air travel:
High-Adventure
activity:
International Trip:
Trip requires approval from your service unit at least 2
weeks in advance. Submit to your service unit contact and
give a copy to troop/group emergency contact person.
Extended travel requires approval from your Service Unit
and the Council. Submit initial form with service unit 3-6
months in advance of the activity. Service Unit will forward
to the Risk Management & Travel Council staff for approval
at [email protected]. Final forms (including
updates and final roster) submitted with the council at
least 4 weeks prior to the activity.
Activity requires approval from Service Unit and Council.
Submit form to service unit 1-3 months in advance if
the vendor is approved or 3 months in advance if the
vendor needs to be approved. Give a copy to troop/group
emergency contact person. Service unit will forward to the
Risk Management & Travel Council staff for approval.
Activity requires approval from Service Unit and Council.
Submit with service unit at least one year prior to the
activity and again with updated information 2 months prior.
Juliette Low World
Friendship Fund
Travel
Progression
Checklist
If your group is thinking about
travel, consider first whether the
girls are mature enough to handle
the trip. Determine a group’s
readiness for travel, by assessing
the girls’:
To honor Juliette Gordon Low’s
love of travel, of experiencing
different cultures, and of making
friends, Girl Scouts created the
Juliette Low World Friendship
Fund in 1927. Today, this fund
supports girls’ international travel,
participation in adult learning, and
attendance at other international
events—any event that fosters
global friendships that connect
Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from
145 nations. To find out more or to
donate to the fund:
www.girlscouts.org/en/aboutgirl-scouts/global.html
Reengaging Girls
The end of this trip doesn’t have to be
the end of a girls’ time with Girl Scouting.
Some girls participate in Girl Scouting in
all sorts of ways; others are excited only
about travel. What lies ahead for them—
and for you?
•• Girls who have never been
involved in any other way besides
travel may be looking for longerterm opportunities closer at home.
Younger Cadettes may want to
participate in resident camp, while
Seniors and Ambassadors—as well
as older Cadettes—will want to
hear all about upcoming series and
events at your council.
•• Girls who have traveled once
tend to want to travel again. Be
sure girls are aware that other
travel opportunities, such as
destinations, forgirls.girlscouts.
org/travel/ will exist for them
in the years ahead. The great
experiences they had on this trip
may have prepared them for longer
and more global trips in the future.
•• Girls may want to hear about the
Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards,
which are opportunities for them
to make a dramatic difference in
their communities, and to have
plenty to brag about with college
admissions officers, too!
And what about you? If you’re ready for
more opportunities to work with girls,
be sure to let your council know how
you’d like to be a part of girls’ lives in the
future. Are you ready for a year-long
volunteer opportunity with a troop?
Help organize a series or event?
Take another trip? The possibilities
are endless.
Setting Up a Group Website
Groups whose girls meet age criteria (13 years or older) and have parental
permission may set up a group website or a Facebook group. It can be a fantastic
way for girls to share information, market Girl Scout products, and talk about their
Take Action projects.
Before you and the girls design a website, do remember that the web is an open
forum for anyone, including potential predators. Documented instances of
cyberstalkers make it imperative that any information that could jeopardize the
safety and security of girls and adults is not disclosed on a website.
Please adhere to these guidelines to ensure the girls’ safety:
•• Use girls’ first names only.
•• Never post girls’ addresses, phone
numbers, or email addresses.
•• Never, ever, ever post addresses of
group meeting places or dates and
times of meetings, events, or trips!
(An adult volunteer who wishes to
communicate upcoming events
with families of girls should use
email instead of posting details on a
website, unless that site is password
protected or is a closed/secret
Facebook group.
•• Always have a parent’s or guardian’s
signature on a photo release form
(or the Annual Permission Form)
before using pictures of girls on a
website.
•• Make yours a static site that does not
allow outsiders to post messages
to the site, or make sure all postings
(such as message boards or guest
books) have adult oversight and are
screened prior to posting live.
•• Don’t violate copyright law by using
designs, text from magazines or
books, poetry, music, lyrics, videos,
graphics, or trademarked symbols
without specific permission from the
copyright or trademark holder (and,
generally, this permission is pretty
tough to get!). Girl Scout trademarks
(such as the trefoil shape, Girl Scout
pins, and badges and patches) can
be used only in accordance with
guidelines for their use. (The Girl
Scout trefoil, for example, may not
be animated or used as wallpaper for
a website). Check with your council’s
website for complete graphics
guidelines and approvals.
Internet safety information and
guidance can be found here:
www.tinyurl.com/GSsafetyac
In addition to great resources for girls,
there is plenty of advice for adults on
how to monitor your child’s online use,
family internet safety tips, how to tell
which sites are safe and reliable for
teens, safe texting, IMing, and gaming,
and more.
Girls under age 13
may not use social
networks in Girl
Scouting activities.
Safety Process
Adult supervision for girls also
extends to online activity.
Please consult:
•• “Computer/Online Use” Safety
Activity Checkpoints
•• Digital Cookie Terms & Conditions
for Girls, Digital Cookie Terms &
Conditions for Parents/Guardians
and Digital Cookie Terms &
Conditions for Volunteers
•• Follow the Girl Scout Safety
Guidelines on page 87
•• Ensure that girls are supervised
according to the Adult-to-Girl ratio
minimums on page 89 at all times.
o Ability to be away from their
parents and their homes
o Ability to make decisions
well and easily
•• Consult the Safety Activity
Checkpoints for every activity the
girls do on the council website at
www.tinyurl.com/GSsafetyac
o Previous cross-cultural
experiences
•• Use required forms as the safety
tools they are intended to be.
o Ability to get along with each
other and handle challenges
•• Follow additional guidelines found
in this booklet.
o Ability to adapt to unfamiliar
surroundings and situations
o Ability to work well as a team
•• Don’t forget to use your common
sense.
o Skills and interests
o Language skills
(where applicable)
110
Chapter 4
Trip farther than
60 miles or longer
than 6 hours in
duration but NOT
high-adventure:
Required Approvals
111
Safety-Wise
Type of Trip
Chapter 5: Managing Group Finances
Steps For Opening Your Troop/Group’s Bank Account
Helping girls decide what they want to do, and coaching them
as they earn and manage money to pursue their goals, is an
integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE).
Your Girl Scout group plans and finances its own activities,
with your guidance. At the same time, the girls learn many
valuable skills that serve them throughout their lives.
Girl Scout groups are funded by a share of money earned
through council-sponsored product sale activities (such
as Girl Scout cookie activities), group money-earning
activities (council-approved, of course), and any dues
your group may charge. This is in addition to the $15 annual
membership dues that go to the national organization, (and
the $15 GSNorCal Council Service fee which pertains to girl
memberships only). This chapter gives you the ins and outs
of establishing a group account and helping girls manage
their group’s finances, practice successful product-sales
techniques, review the safety requirements around product
sales, and understand how to collaborate with sponsors and
causes.
It’s important to note that the group’s money belongs to
the group—therefore if a girl leaves, she does not take any
portion of the money with her. The girls should always make
decisions together on how to spend their funds.
Once you have your troop number you are ready to open your bank account. Visit our Volunteer Learning Portal to complete
the “Opening Your Bank Account” training which will help you with this process. training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org.
The steps below describe how to open your troop/group’s bank account at Wells Fargo Bank. If you will not be able to open
your account at Wells Fargo, please contact [email protected] assistance.
To open your troop/group’s account at Wells Fargo Bank, follow the process as outlined in the following steps in order to
reduce or eliminate errors. Do not set up accounts at local branches as this will create problems.
If your troop/group is earning, collecting, or spending money
for the group, the group needs to set up a bank account.
If you’re taking over an existing group, you may inherit a
checking account, but with a new group, you’ll want to open
a new account. This usually happens when there is money to
deposit, such as group dues, or money from product sales or
group money-earning activities.
Consider these tips when working with a group account:
•• Keep group funds in the bank before an activity or trip,
paying for as many items in advance of your departure.
•• Use debit cards during the activity or trip.
•• Make one person responsible for group funds and for
keeping a daily account of expenditures.
•• Have one or more back-up people who also have debit
cards, in case the main card is lost. If a card is lost, cancel
it immediately.
•• The person who will be responsible for the bank account
complete the volunteer screening process and be a
registered member before opening the bank account.
•• All signers on the account must complete the volunteer
screening process.
Your Group’s Bank Account.
If at all possible, groups are asked to set up accounts at Wells
Fargo Bank using the council process. This will entitle you to:
•• Free “Basic” checking account, no minimum balance
required.
•• Wells Fargo Business Online Banking.
•• ATM/debit card.
112
Important Information
About Accounts
•• Girl Scout Troop/Group funds cannot be co-mingled with
personal accounts. This includes borrowing Girl Scout
money for personal use or using Girl Scout money for
personal expenses.
•• Group checks may not be imprinted with the name of the
group leader/adult volunteer.
•• All volunteers who handle money must be registered as
current Girl Scout members and have completed the
application and screening process.
•• Any one of the signers may write checks for group
expenses (multiple signatures are not required).
•• To protect them from legal liability, girls may not be signers
on the group account.
Sales Tax and Non Profit Organizations
Some believe that nonprofit organizations do not have to
pay sales tax. The only time that volunteers or council staff
do not pay sales tax is when the items will be resold. If the
items will be resold you must collect the tax from your
customers and pay the sales tax directly to the state. It is
generally easier to pay the sales tax for your purchase and
resell to your members without having to charge sales tax.
If you will be reselling any items on behalf of any Girl Scout
troop, service unit or other group, please contact Member
Services for guidance before purchasing your items.
Troop Leader, Troop Treasurer, SU Treasurer
For information, resources, and training:
CRG - Chapter 5: Managing Group Finances
Things to Know About Your Wells Fargo Account
•• Although there is no minimum balance required for this account, an initial deposit of $100 must be made to fund the
account, either by self funding (if the troop has enough money), or GSNorCal will temporarily loan the initial $100.
At least a few dollars must be kept for the account to remain active; it will not remain open with a zero balance.
•• Overdrawn accounts are also subject to closure and/or fees.
•• If you go into a branch office after your account is open and they offer additional services, let them know that you cannot
participate in their programs (rewards, bill pay, etc).
•• If a monthly service charge is posted to the account, please contact Member Services for assistance in having the fee
reversed and setting up the account as free.
Steps to Open
Your Account
Explanation and Additional Information
STEP 1:
Complete the forms in the Bank
Account Packet available on the
council website:
•• Signers: At least two signers who are registered Girl Scout members with
approved background checks are needed. The signers must be the same on all
forms in the packet. The first signer should be the Troop Treasurer (person who
will receive communication about the account from the bank and GSNorCal).
Members of the same family may not be signers on the same account, nor can
GSNorCal staff members.
•• Please title the account Girl Scouts of Northern California Troop
(5 digit number).
STEP 2:
Mail the forms to the GSNorCal
address listed in the Bank
Account Packet
GSNorCal will confirm receipt by email within 3 business days. If you do not receive
confirmation or have problems related to opening your account, please contact
[email protected]. Do not email or fax forms (these forms contain your
sensitive personal information).
STEP 3:
Fund Your Account: Once your
account has been opened, it will
need to be funded with $100
within 3 business days, either
by self funding (if the troop has
enough money) or GSNorCal will
temporarily loan the initial $100
that is required to open a troop
bank account.
Troops that have completed the Loan Document and Troop ACH Debit Authorization
Form (which authorizes the automated loan and repayment) will have their account
funded by GSNorCal within 3 business days by automated transaction after the
account has been opened. (The Troop Treasurer—signer #1—will be notified via email
that the automated deposit has been made).
STEP 4:
Receive and sign bank
agreements, signers go to a
branch to sign.
Chapter 5
Establishing a Bank Account
GSNorCal reserves the right to pursue collection efforts
and/or prosecute to the fullest extent allowable under
the law. Situations involving large amounts of money or
product may require that a police report be filed, and/
or be referred to the District Attorney for investigation.
Additionally, individuals involved in delinquencies, theft,
or misuse of troop funds (such as borrowing funds from
the troop account for personal use) will face release from
their current Girl Scout position and ineligibility for future
appointment. Primary communication and collection
attempts will begin and will be the responsibility of
council staff. Failure to repay the amount owed can
result in immediate criminal charges, notification to
creditors, referral for collection by an outside agency,
and/or wages garnished.
Finances
Troop/Group Bank Accounts
Money Owed to the Council or
Taken/Borrowed From Girl Scout
Troop/Group Accounts
Upon opening the troop account, the bank sends the “Addendum to Certificate of
Authority” with the signers’ information, confirming the account. Review these forms.
Signers take forms to any Wells Fargo branch to show proof of identity and sign the
forms.
The loan will be repaid to GSNorCal via ACH (automated transfer) within 10 business
days after the account has been funded, and the Troop Treasurer (signer #1) will be
notified via email. Troops are encouraged to make a deposit within this timeframe.
If there are any issues, please contact [email protected].
Signer #1 will receive an ATM/debit card and PIN number. These items will arrive
separately within 7-10 business days.
STEP 5:
Sign up for online banking and
online statement delivery at:
www.WellsFargo.com/biz
A paper statement fee will apply if the Troop Treasurer (signer #1) does not sign up
for electronic statements within 60 days. Requests to reverse fees must occur within
60 days. Due to the increases in fraudulent activities, it is strongly recommended you
sign up for online banking, and it’s free of charge.
113
Do I have to use Wells Fargo? No, you don’t. Keep in mind that
if you are not using Wells Fargo and have an issue GSNorCal
might not be able to help easily. Using Wells Fargo also gives
the council the ability to monitor and manage accounts that
become delinquent or dormant or when troops disband
without completing the process.
Contact Member Services for assistance in having an
erroneous fee reversed. If you have a question related to a
bank charge please call the Wells Fargo Business Banking
Center for more information. They may not be able to waive
the fee but they should be able to explain it. Check your
statement to see if the correct boxes are checked on their
statements. Look at the columns on the right hand side
under account options:
1. Online banking should be checked.
2. Online statements should be checked. 3. If Rewards Is checked the troop will be charged $25
per year. The Wells Fargo Business Banking Center can
remove that option.
•• Overdrafts are the responsibility of the adult accountable
for the charge. The troop should be reimbursed by that
person.
•• When a signer changes or leaves the troop, use the Wells
Fargo Changing Signer’s Packet www.GSNorCal.org/
forms. It’s important to ensure that signers are removed
from the account right away if they leave the troop.
Reporting Responsibilities
Troop/Group Finance Report
By June 30, groups are required to submit a year-end
financial report accompanied by a bank statement ending
May 31 of that year with their Service Unit Treasurer. Groups
carrying over $500 at the end of the year must document
program plans for expending the funds on the Troop/Group
Finance Report. These reports are randomly audited by
service unit treasurers, council staff, and/or the council’s
audit firm. The account may be subject to closure by
September 30th if the report has not been received.
A copy of the report must be furnished to girls and families.
Many problems can be avoided if the person responsible
for maintaining the bank account reports more often
(monthly or quarterly, as appropriate for your group). It also
is suggested that the treasurer report to the girls and families
after each product sale with financial details. Keep receipts
for every expenditure for a minimum of three years.
It can make the task of completing the Troop/Group Finance
Report easier if records are kept using the same income and
expense categories as those on the form.
114
Unused Girl Scout money left in accounts when groups
disband becomes the property of GSNorCal. The group
may decide to donate any unused funds to a worthwhile
organization, to another group, or for girl activities prior
to disbanding. See guidelines on page 116.
As when closing a personal account, be sure all checks
and other debits have cleared the account before you
close it, and realize that you may have to close the
account in person. Turn remaining funds over to a
council staff member.
Bill Pay Services Not Allowed
There are a number of internet and banking services
(such as PayPal) that would allow for a troop leader or
treasurer to send bills and collect payments. In this way,
money could be collected from families to pay for dues,
travel, or other amounts. Services such as these are
not allowed for Girl Scout troops or groups because the
process could involve improper handling of troop funds,
and would likely involve an improper co-mingling of
personal and group funds. The girls should be involved
with the troop finances. Bringing in, collecting, keeping
track of, filling out deposits, etc. for troop finances is
an important learning experience and can begin with
adult guidance from the youngest ages. This type of
service may not be used for groups with girl members.
For information on how Service Units can utilize bill pay
services, please contact [email protected].
Check Acceptance Policy
Troops should not accept checks with amounts larger than
$60, post dated checks, foreign or non-imprinted checks.
Troops are responsible for the handling of their funds and
charges incurred in their accounts such as returned checks.
Policy on Counterfeit Bills
It is strongly recommended that troops are careful when
accepting money from customers. The Council suggests the
use of a counterfeit money marker (available in office supply
stores). If a counterfeit bill is detected, please follow these
steps:
•• Return the bills to the bank- be sure to get a receipt.
•• For bills received (no larger than $20) in regards to
a council sponsored product sale, submit an ACH
Discrepancy Form—directions are found in the troop
manual for each product sale.
Write a check or particpate?
Sometimes parents ask if they might just write a check and
be done with worrying about money for the troop, rather
than helping their daughter earn the money for her dues and
helping her participate in the product sales program. One
of the unique aspects of Girl Scouting is that girls will learn
financial literacy skills. Whenever possible, involve the girls in
handling their money—let them count it, keep track of it, and
figure out how much things cost.
Reporting Responsibilities:
Service Units
Troop Bank Account Required
A troop bank account is required in order to
participate in the Fall Sale and Cookie Sale
Programs. GSNorCal’s portion of the proceeds
will be automatically transferred electronically. In
addition, one of the signers on the troop/group bank
account must complete the online form with bank
account information and authorizing the transfer.
You will find information in the Product Sales
manuals.
Your troop/group will not be able to pick up
products until the online authorization is set up.
Registering Girls in Girl Scouting
Every participant (girl or adult) in Girl Scouting must
register and become a member of Girl Scouts of the USA
(GSUSA). GSUSA membership dues are valid for one year.
Membership dues (currently $15) are sent by the council
to GSUSA; the additional Council Service fee of $15 per
girl remains with GSNorCal. Membership dues may not be
transferred to another member and is not refundable.
Pre-registration for the upcoming membership year
occurs in the spring. Girls are encouraged to register
early to avoid the fall rush. Early registration helps ensure
uninterrupted receipt of forms and materials from the
council, helps girls and councils plan ahead, and gets girls
excited about all the great stuff they want to do as Girl
Scouts next year. Girl Scout grade level is determined by
the current membership year beginning October 1.
Lifetime membership is available at a reduced rate.
A lifetime member must be at least 18 years old (or a
17-year-old high-school graduate) and agree to the Girl
Service Unit Financial Aid
The Troop/Group Finance Report must be
submitted each year by June 30
It’s a good idea to become familiar with
the form so that you can organize your
records as you go.
Members who handle credit card information must
complete the PCI/DSS online module then sign and submit
the PCI Compliance Form which can be found online at:
www.GSNorCal.org/pci-form
For more information, see page 133 of this book.
The Troop Finance Report course can be accessed from
the Troop Leader, Troop Treasurer, or SU Treasurer Role
pages at training.GirlScoutsNorCal.org. This course
walks you through the process of completing the Troop/
Group Finance Report if you need some coaching. It’s
not difficult, especially if you’ve kept good records.
Chapter 5
Can I use my local branch for ongoing banking transactions
and maintenance? Once your bank account has been
established following the procedures outlined in this booklet,
you can use your local branch for deposits and most banking
maintenance. However, adding and deleting signers should
be done through the council. This will ensure all signers are
screened and registered.
Closing a Bank Account
Service Units are encouraged to provide financial aid for
girls in the service unit for membership registration or
to participate in troop, service unit, council, national, or
international Girl Scouting opportunities if they are able to
do so. It is important that a consistent process for awarding
financial aid is established.
For assistance, contact [email protected]. These
expenses should be included in the “donations” line on the
Service Unit Finance Report (or “destinations” line if used for
girls to attend national or international destinations events).
Finances
Bank Account FAQs
Service Unit College Scholarships
While some service units have scholarship funds to help
troops and girls who cannot afford the fees to attend SU
events, service units should not award educational scholarships for girls. All Girl Scout money is to be used to fund activities for girls in Girl Scouting. The council manages some
funds that have come through endowments to support
educational scholarships in specific areas. If a service unit
has funds specifically donated for this purpose, they must
work with the council to comply with all regulations.
NOTE: Many colleges, universities, and community funders
have established scholarships that recognize girls’ leadership experience in Girl Scouting. Scholarship information
is available at: www.girlscouts.org/en/site-search.
html?q=scholarships
Service Units should report regularly to
the Service Unit Team and members on the
service unit’s financial situation.
The Service Unit Finance Report must be
submitted each year by September 30.
It’s a good idea to become familiar with
the form so that you can organize your
records as you go.
115
Girls Changing Groups
all un-apportioned funds until the beginning of the following
membership year (at least 12 months from the date of the
disband). All custodial funds from disbanded troops will be
transferred into the GSNorCal Opportunity Fund
www.GSNorCal.org/donate-now.
Troops, groups, girls earning Bronze,
Silver or Gold awards, and service units
have several options to obtain money to
fund planned activities:
after the hold period has occurred. If the group reactivates
during this period, the funds will be returned to the group by
written request to the council.
•• Individual girl dues or financial
investment by families
If one or more girls move from one group to another group
within the council, their original group account stays intact
and no funds are transferred. When girls are placed/accepted
into an existing group they participate in the activities planned
by that group and work within the constraints of that group’s
treasury.
Merging Groups
If two groups merge, the funds from both groups are
combined into one account.
Bridging Groups
When a troop disbands:
If the group decides not to re-register or decides to stop
meeting during the membership year, the leader is to:
1. Notify the service unit leadership.
Multi-age groups with girls bridging to a new level and thus
into a new group may transfer a proportionate amount of the
former group funds to the new group. The former group is not
considered disbanded.
Splitting Groups
If the entire group (ALL girls and families) mutually decide to
split or divide, it is appropriate for the group to decide to split
the funds of the existing troop/group proportionally. However,
if a small group decides to split off to form a new group, they
do so with the understanding that they have no claim to their
“share” of the funds unless the group decides together to
split the funds in this way. Contact your service unit or your
VDM (council staff member) for assistance in the process/
procedures to split the funds.
Disbandment Procedures
A group is considered disbanded if, it is no longer meeting,
or the group has not registered for at least four months from
the expiration date of the last registration. If one or more
girls from a disbanding group are placed into one or several
other active groups within the council, a percentage of the
group funds transfers to the new group(s). This percentage
is determined by dividing the total amount in the account by
the number of girls in the group at the time of disbanding. This
division is made regardless of an individual girl’s contribution
through product sales and other money-earning means.
2. Help the girls decide how to use existing group funds. This
decision must be made by the girls. Please note: the funds
are for Girl Scout activities and are not to be retained by
individuals as their property. Girls may contribute a portion
of their group treasury to organizations or projects they
consider worthwhile. Appropriate use of funds includes
choosing a program activity, or donations to GSNorCal
Opportunity Fund www.gsnorcal.org/en/supportus/campaigns.html or Juliette Low World Friendship
Fund donate.girlscouts.org/worldfriendshipfund,
purchasing Lifetime Membership for graduating high
school seniors, or a donation to another organization of the
girls’ choice. Be sure to request documentation from the
organization that your troop has donated to and attach this
documentation to your Troop/Group Finance Report.
3. Complete the Troop Disband Form.
4. Complete a Troop/Group Finance Report.
5. Remit any remaining funds to the council for disbursal: get
a cashier’s check for any remaining funds or issue a group
check. Close the account after all checks and other debits
have cleared.
6. Turn everything (checkbook, bank statements, ATM
cards, deposit slips, endorsement stamps, troop/group
equipment and supplies, and the final Troop/Group
Finance Report) in to your Leader Support Manager or
Service Unit Treasurer.
The apportioned amount of money per girl is transferred
directly from the disbanding group bank account to the other
active group(s) bank account(s) and may not be given to any
individual girl or adult. The transfer of funds must take place
within 60 days of the group disbanding. The council will hold
Summary: Disbursal of Group Funds
Girl leaves group, does not continue in Girl Scouts
No funds move
Girl moves to another group
No funds move
Group disbands, girl moves into another group
Portion of funds transfers
Group disbands, no girls continue in Girl Scouts
Funds held by council until start of next
membership year, or not less than 12
months of the date of the disbandment
Group ends, some girls bridge to a new troop
Portion of funds transfers
Groups merge
Funds combine
Group splits into 2 or more groups
Group decides—contact your service unit or
GSNorCal to discuss procedures
116
1. Contributions from families:
2. Money earned by girls:
•• The Girl Scout Cookie Program and
other sales of Girl Scout–authorized
products (such as Girl Scout cookies,
calendars, magazines, or nuts
and candy), are organized by your
council and open to all Girl Scouts.
Girls can participate in two councilsponsored product sale activities
each year: the cookie sale and one
other council-authorized product
sale. All girl members who take part in
any pathway of Girl Scouting (troop,
camp, travel, etc), including Daisies,
are eligible to participate in councilsponsored product-sale activities,
with volunteer supervision. Please
remember: volunteers and Girl Scout
can decide to pay for expenses up to a
designated amount to fully or partially
fund the project, and can also decide
to pay for specific items and not for
others. If possible, the girl(s) should
submit bills to the troop for payment
directly to merchants or vendors. If this
is not possible or practical, the girl(s)
can be reimbursed for expenses within
the previously approved budgeted
amounts when original receipts are
submitted to the troop. If the girl(s)
realize that budget adjustments are
necessary, an updated and approved
budget should be submitted to the
troop to decide whether it will support
the budget adjustment prior to incurring
the expenses.
council staff don’t sell cookies and
other products—girls do.
•• “Group money-earning” refers to
activities organized by the group (not
by the council) that are planned and
carried out by girls (in partnership
with adults) and that earn money for
the group. These activities must be
approved by the council in writing prior
to beginning the activity.
•• The girls in the troop can decide to
designate a portion of troop funds to
pay for expenses towards Gold, Silver,
and Bronze award projects that their
members are carrying out. As in all
troop financial decisions, the girls in
the troop must make the decisions
on how their funds are spent, rather
than having the adults make those
decisions. The girl(s) seeking funding
should submit an approved Gold/Silver/
Bronze Award project budget to the
troop, listing the planned expenses
as well as any other funding sources
and amounts (see Award Guidelines
for approval requirements). The troop
Definitions
3. Donations from the community,
which can include:
••
••
••
••
Sponsorships
Gifts-in-Kind
Cause Related Marketing
Fundraising Projects (adults only
requires approval)
Procedures
Group Money-Earning
Activities that are planned and carried out by girls and supported by adults to earn
money for the group treasury. The income from group money-earning activities
never becomes the property of individual members - girls or adults - and is used to
support group program activities. Examples include: service unit, troop, or group
holds a garage sale, a troop provides babysitting at a community meeting and
receives donations from parents using the service at a community event.
Prerequisite: Requires prior
participation in council sponsored
product sales. Reference
Additional Money-Earning pg. 127
Complete the online Money-Earning
Application at least four weeks before
activity
In-Kind Donations
A gift of useful supplies, meeting space or services given in lieu of traditional cash
donations to a non-profit organization. Examples include: Donuts and coffee are
donated by a local grocery store, or anytime a service unit, troop, or group receives
a donation of goods or services (supplies, food, equipment, etc).
Complete the online Donation
Form. www.GSNorCal.org/forms
Sponsorship
Sponsors are community organizations, businesses or individuals working in
partnership with Girl Scouts to bring Girl Scouting to all girls. They may provide
funding, volunteer time, equipment, or group meeting space for group activities.
Examples include: a service unit, troop, or group holds meetings or an event in a
space donated by a local organization, or a service unit, troop, or group receives
any cash donation.
Cause-Related Marketing
A business donates a percentage of their sales or profits when customers bring
in promotional flyers distributed by the non-profit group. An example would be a
service unit, troop, or group passes out flyers for a pizza night at a local restaurant.
The restaurant in turn will donate a percentage of the proceeds for patrons who
bring the flyer.
Fundraising
The direct solicitation of businesses, organizations or individuals asking for funds
to support programs and/or activities of the organization. Fundraising is the
responsibility of adults; girls are not allowed to ask for donations to fund their Girl
Scout activities or to benefit other organizations. An example would be: girls doing
a Gold Award project will speak at a local Soroptomist Club and the adults will ask
for a donation to help fund their project after their speech.
Check with the council fund
development department
BEFORE soliciting a donation.
Donations of $250 or more MUST
be received by the council to comply
with IRS laws for charitable donations.
117
Chapter 5
Options for Funding
Finances
Financial Procedures When Groups Change
Family donations
Girls and their families should be part of
the decision on financial contributions
from families, rather than assessed
an amount decided on by the troop/
group leader or adult leadership team.
Care should be taken to ensure that
the amount chosen is affordable by
all families. Girl Scouting should be an
activity that is affordable for all girls in
the troop/group.
Encourage girls to designate a portion
of their group treasury for the annual
national membership dues of the
members. This practice enables girls
to meet membership dues and lessens
the potential burden to members.
Dues
It’s a great idea to have the girls pay
dues. Families often think it’s easier to
just give a flat amount at the beginning,
However, collecting dues offer some
great benefits to the girls:
•• They can do special chores at home
to earn the money.
•• They have to remember to bring the
dues, and keep track of the money
(good to have them practice that
before they get older and have to
carry larger amounts).
•• They can take turns being
“treasurer”—they have to collect the
money and count it up to make sure
it balances.
•• Handling money and building
financial literacy skills is part of our
Girl Scout program.
Here’s a fun idea: Start out every
meeting with clothespins marked with
girls’ names attached around the rim
of a large can. As the girls enter, they
attach their clothespin to their dues
and drop it into the can. If a girl forgot
her dues then she just drops the empty
clothespin in the can. If a clothespin
is left attached to the can, that girl is
absent. Marking attendance/dues is
easy for the girls.
Money-Earning Basics
Girls’ participation in both councilsponsored product sale activities and
group money-earning projects is based
upon the following:
•• Voluntary participation
•• Written permission of each girl’s
parent or guardian
•• An understanding of and ability to
explain clearly to others why the
money is needed
•• An understanding that moneyearning should not exceed what the
group needs to support its activities
•• Observance of local ordinances
related to involvement of children in
money-earning activities, as well as
health and safety laws
•• Vigilance in protecting the personal
safety of each girl
•• Arrangements for safeguarding the
money
There are a few specific guidelines—
some required by the Internal Revenue
Service—that ensure that sales are
conducted with legal and financial
integrity. To that end, consider the
following reminders and cautions:
•• All rewards earned by girls through
the product-sale activities must
support Girl Scout program
experiences (such as camp, travel,
and program events, but not
118
scholarships or financial credits
toward outside organizations).
•• Rewards are based on sales ranges
set by councils and may not be based
on a dollar-per-dollar calculation.
•• Troops and Groups are encouraged
to participate in council sponsored
product sales as their primary
money-earning activity; any group
money-earning shouldn’t compete
with the Girl Scout Cookie Program
or other council product sales.
•• Obtain written approval from your
council before a group moneyearning event using the MoneyEarning Application Form at least 4
weeks before your planned project.
•• Girl Scouts forbids use of games of
chance, the direct solicitation of cash,
and product-demonstration parties.
•• Group money-earning activities
need to be suited to the age and
abilities of the girls and consistent
with the principles of the Girl Scout
Leadership Experience, ensuring
girl/adult partnership in planning
and participation.
•• Money earned is for Girl Scout
activities for girls and is not to be
retained by individuals nor used for
adult experiences (other than for
required adults in adult-to-girl ratios).
Girls can, however, be awarded
incentives and/or may earn credits
from their Girl Scout product sales.
•• Funds acquired through group
money-earning projects must be
reported and accounted for by
the group, while following council
procedures.
Projects Benefitting
Another Organization
Troops/Girls CAN provide community
service to another organization by
collecting supplies to aid the organization
or distributing information related to the
organization’s mission.
Troops/Girls CAN give money from their
own troop/group treasury to another
organization (as long as the girls have
agreed together to do so—this cannot be
an adult decision)
Troops/Girls CAN invite the organization
to set up a booth at the troop’s event to
talk with people directly. The organization
could accept donations made directly
to that organization.
Girls CAN collect money to carry out
a Gold Award project that may be
an activity that directly benefits an
organization. It’s the GS activity that is
being funded through her efforts.
Troops/Girls CANNOT collect money to
pass directly over to another organization.
Making financial decisions and handling the troop/group’s
money is considered an important part of the Girl Scout
program. Even the youngest girls should be a part of making
decisions on how their money is spent and can be given
choices such as between purchasing patches or other items
or doing additional activities instead. The troop/group adults
should never make financial decisions without consulting the
girls in at least a general way on how their funds should be
spent. Other ways to involve girls in their finances:
•• Collect dues and count the money
•• Collecting money and making change at booth sales for
fall products or cookies
•• Investigate the costs of doing certain activities
•• Keep financial records
•• Assist the troop’s adult treasurer in reconciling bank
statements
•• Assist the troop’s adult treasurer in completing the Troop/
Group Finance Report
To protect girls from legal liability, they may NOT be signers
on the troop/group bank account.
Financial Best Practices
Keeping complete and accurate records protects you
from claims of financial impropriety. Your troop account
must be audited at the request of a parent or the council.
Keep receipts for every expenditure for a minimum of
three years.
How would you feel if the parents in your troop/group
thought these thoughts (real-life examples):
•• My daughter sold 862 boxes of cookies, but I really
don’t know how that money was spent.
•• I know our group earned $640 in cookie money this
year, but I sure don’t think it was spent on the troop–
they didn’t do that much.
•• The leader’s daughter always seems to have all the
uniform components. Why doesn’t she buy them for
the other girls?
•• I can’t believe that the leader spent all that money
buying those flower arrangements for the Investiture
ceremony.
Avoid the possibility of having your financial practices
being called into question by following these best practices:
•• Keep good financial records, including receipts (for a
minimum of three years) for every expenditure.
•• Involve girls (and sometimes parents) in financial
decision-making. The more they know, the better!
•• Review your Troop/Group bank statements monthly,
and report on group finances regularly to girls and
families. The money belongs to the girls, and they should
know how much they have and how it has been spent.
•• Pay attention to and follow the other financial guidelines
in this booklet. They are there to protect you, and help
keep you in compliance with various laws and IRS
regulations.
•• Be sure to use the Wells Fargo Change Form
immediately to change signers if a signer leaves the
troop to protect yourself and the girls’ funds.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is so well known in
communities, it’s likely that your girls will already know a bit
about it and want to get out there to start selling as soon as
possible. But it’s important that the girls have a clear plan
and purpose for their product-sale activities. One of your
opportunities as a volunteer is to facilitate girl-led financial
planning, which may include the following steps for the girls:
1. Set goals for money-earning activities. What do girls
hope to accomplish through this activity? In addition to
earning money, what skills do they hope to build? What
leadership opportunities present themselves?
2. Create a budget. Use a budget worksheet that includes
both expenses (the cost of supplies, admission to events,
travel, and so on) and available income (the group’s account
balance, projected Cookie sale proceeds, and so on).
•• Determine how much the group needs to earn.
Subtract expenses from available income to determine
how much money your group needs to earn. Compute
how many boxes of cookies or fall sale items would
need to be sold in order to be able to afford certain
activities
3. Make a plan. The group can brainstorm and make
decisions about its financial plans. Will cookie and
other product sales—if approached proactively and
energetically—earn enough money to meet the group’s
goals? If not, which group money-earning activities
might offset the difference in anticipated expense and
anticipated income? Will more than one group moneyearning activity be necessary to achieve the group’s
financial goals? In this planning stage, engage the girls
through the Girl Scout processes (girl-led, learning by
doing, and cooperative learning) and consider the value
of any potential activity. Have them weigh feasibility,
implementation, and safety factors.
4. Write it out. Once the group has decided on its financial
plan, describe it in writing. If the plan involves a group
money-earning activity, fill out an application for approval
from your council and submit it along with the budget
worksheet the girls created.
Remember: It’s great for girls to have opportunities, like the
Girl Scout Cookie sale, to earn funds that help them fulfill
their goals as part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
As a volunteer, try to help girls balance the money-earning
they do with opportunities to enjoy other activities that have
less emphasis on earning and spending money. Take-action
projects, for example, may not always require girls to spend a
lot of money!
119
Chapter 5
Girl Scouts of Northern California is a
nonprofit, and donations to Girl Scouts
of Northern California must benefit our
collective mission and not provide a
private benefit to a specific individual
girl. Pass through donations for troops
must go into the troop treasury and
be used for the benefit of all girls in the
troop. If the troop has decided, by a
democratic process, to support an individual girl’s Gold Award project, then
pass through donations to the troop
may be used to support an approved
Gold Award project based on the approved budget for that Gold Award
project. For questions about donations
to troops, please contact:
[email protected]
Financial Literacy Skills for Girls
Finances
Contributions from Families
Understanding Financial & Sales Abilities by Grade Level
Understanding the Girl Scout Product Sales Program
As with other activities, girls progress in their financial and sales abilities as they get older. This section gives you some
examples of the abilities of girls at each grade level.
Did you know that the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business
in the country, with sales of more than $700 million per year for girls and their
communities nationwide? That’s right. The Girl Scout Cookie sale is the leading
entrepreneurial program for girls: no university has produced as many female
business owners as the Girl Scout Cookie Program has. If you have a moment,
watch the latest Girl Scout What Can a Cookie Do? video for an inspiring look into
just how powerful those treats—and the girls who sell them—can be.
www.YouTube.com/watch?v=3Wy31SsNPv4
Girl Scout Brownies
At the Brownie level (2nd and 3rd grades),
•• The group volunteer handles money, keeps financial
records, and shares some of the group-budgeting
responsibilities.
•• Girls discuss the cost of activities (supplies, fees,
transportation, rentals, and so on).
•• Girls set goals for and participate in councilsponsored product sales.
•• Girls may decide to pay dues.
Girl Scout Juniors
At the Junior level (4th and 5th grades),
•• The group volunteer retains overall responsibility
for long-term budgeting and record-keeping,
but shares or delegates all other financial
responsibilities.
•• Girls decide on group dues, if any. Dues are
collected by girls and recorded by a group treasurer
(selected by the girls).
•• Girls budget for the short-term needs of the group,
on the basis of plans and income from the group dues.
•• Girls budget for more long-term activities, such as
overnight trips, group camping, and special events.
•• Girls budget for take-action projects, including the
Girl Scout Bronze Award, if they are pursuing it.
“If you involve the girls in small ways when they’re
young, they’ll be ready to completely manage their
money when they’re older.”
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At the Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador levels
(6th through 12th grades),
•• Girls estimate costs based on plans.
•• Girls determine the amount of group dues (if any)
and the scope of money-earning projects.
•• Girls carry out budgeting, planning, and group
money-earning projects.
•• Girls budget for extended travel, Take Action
projects, and leadership projects.
•• Girls may be involved in seeking donations for Take
Action projects, with council approval.
•• Girls keep their own financial records and give
reports to parents and group volunteers.
•• Girls budget for Take Action projects, including the
Girl Scout Silver or Gold Awards, if they are pursuing
them.
One critical task for each group, no matter what grade level,
is to keep excellent records and establish a clear accounting
system for all money earned and spent. As the group’s
volunteer, you’re in charge of making sure money is spent
wisely and that excellent records are kept (keeping copies of
all receipts in a binder or folder), and tracking all income, too.
For older girls, your job is to oversee their work, as they learn
to keep impeccable records.
Looking Down the Road
People often talk about “how time flies”, and how quickly
children grow up. When girls become adults and go out
on their own (whether off to college, or starting their
careers and establishing their own households) they will
need to know how to handle their bank accounts and
probably credit cards, pay their bills on time, and learn to
live within their means. Later, they’ll need to try to build
savings accounts, handle their investments, and start
saving for their retirement.
Will they be ready?
By building girls’ financial literacy skills as they grow, they’ll
be ready to meet their next challenges:
•• Going off to middle school ready to pay for gym
clothes, yearbooks, deposits
•• Heading to high school where they have to be
responsible for ever larger amounts of money
•• Leaving home and paying bills on time, having their
own bank accounts, and living within their means
Try to keep your eye on the skills on this page to make
sure your girls are on track. If they have a chance to
practice skills as they go, they will be ready!
Council-sponsored product sales are really the best way for girls to earn money
to pursue their goals: the sales are beloved by the community and come with
program, sales, and marketing materials and support that help girls run a great
business. And they’re an integral part of the GSLE. With every season of cookies,
another generation of girls learns five important skills:
1. Goal setting
2. Decision making
3. Money management
4. People skills
5. Business ethics
And most of all, girls gain a tremendous amount of confidence. It’s not easy
to ask people to buy something—you have to speak up, look them in the eye,
and believe in what you’re doing—all skills that help a girl succeed now and
throughout the rest of her life.
GSNorCal’s Role
Each year, GSNorCal provides learning
opportunities on the procedures to
follow during each sale. GSNorCal also
establishes guidelines and procedures
for conducting the sale and determines
how the proceeds and recognition
system will be managed.
The Girl/Adult
Partnership
Underlying all the lessons that girls can
learn from their participation in the Girl
Scout Cookie Program is the girl/adult
partnership. Ideally, this is a partnership between the girl and her leader
and between the girl and her parents
or guardian. Adult members do not sell
cookies, they participate only in supporting the direct involvement of girls.
During the Girl Scout Cookie Program
the girl/adult partnership may look like
this:
•• An adult and girl working together to
make plans and set goals.
•• An adult assisting a girl by giving her
access to the information and training she needs but letting the girl do
the selling and delivering of cookies.
•• An adult guiding a girl in understanding the finances and letting her
practice the skills.
•• An adult advising a girl on how to
market her cookies but allowing her
to make her make her own decisions.
•• An adult helping a girl understand her
responsibility to support her local
council but ensuring that her participation is voluntary.
Safely Selling Girl Scout Cookies Girl
safety is the top priority while selling
Girl Scout Cookie and other products.
Volunteers, Parents and girls should be
familiar with and practice the following:
•• Girl Scout Cookie/Council – Sponsored Product Sale Safety Activity
Checkpoints
•• Safety Tips for Product Sales
•• Computer/Online Use: Safety Activity Checkpoints
Cookie Donation
Programs
Your council may have a cookie donation program established where customers may purchase cookies for the
sole purpose of having them donated
to an organization coordinated by your
council. This is a great talking point for
girls to share with their customers and
a great way to help teach girls that the
cookie program can make a big impact
in their community and to others.
Here are some things to remember
about cookie donations:
•• All cookie donation programs must
be approved by your council
•• Donated cookies must stay within
the council jurisdiction unless your
council has the approval from other
council jurisdictions
•• Donated products cannot be resold
and must be used in a responsible
and ethical way.
•• Donated products are used in a way
that does not undermine the work of
councils or jeopardizes the integrity
of the Girl Scout Brand
Handling Product
Complaints
It has always been the practice of Girl
Scout councils and the bakers to guarantee customer satisfaction with their
cookies. If a customer for some reason
is not satisfied with the quality of their
cookies they can contact the baker via
the number printed on the side of the
box of cookies.
Troops/group should notify their council if they are aware of any customer
dissatisfaction
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Chapter 5
At the Daisy level (kindergarten and 1st grade),
•• The group volunteer handles money, keeps financial
records, and does all group budgeting.
•• Parents/guardians may decide they will contribute
to the cost of activities.
•• Girls can participate in Girl Scout Cookie sales and
other council-sponsored product sales.
•• Daisies are always paired with an adult when selling
anything. Girls do the asking and deliver the product,
but adults handle the money and keep the girls secure.
Girl Scout
Cadettes, Seniors, and
Ambassadors
Finances
Girl Scout Daisies
GSNorCal provides a breakdown of
“how the cookie crumbles” shown
above. Please share this information
with girls and their parents/guardians
so everyone’s clear on how revenue
raised through product sales makes
it possible for your Girl Scout council
to serve girls. Proceeds resulting
from product sales support program
activities—in fact, council-sponsored
Girls may earn official Girl Scout
grade-appropriate rewards and
incentives related to product sale
activities, and each council may
choose to provide items such as
participation patches, incentives,
and council credit for event fees,
camp fees, grants for travel and
take-action projects, as well as
materials and supplies for program
activities. The council plan for
recognition applies equally to all
girls participating in the product sale
activity. GSNorCal involves girls and
parents in the selection of awards and
administration of money given to girls
from product sales.
Sale Support
From Council
Your Volunteer Learning Portal has
everything you need for a successful
Fall or Cookie Sale: training modules,
job aids, forms, helpful hints, and
other resources are all there for
you and your girls to have the most
successful sale ever!
From Troop Families
It’s not a requirement to have a
“Cookie Parent”, but it’s highly
recommended. Ask your families
to support the troop by taking on
helpful roles such as: Cookie Parent,
Booth Coordinator, Cupboard
Runner, Money Handler, Inventory
Manager, Booth Sale Adult, and
Cookie Communications Manager.
Reward Cards
New pilot for the 2015-2016
membership year: Starting October
1, 2015, girls in grades 9-12 can choose
to convert their Product Sale Reward
Card into troop funds to support
council approved troop trips/highadventures or approved Gold Award
projects. Upon receipt by the troop
this becomes part of the troop funds
and follows the same guidelines for
handling of troop money.
Secrets to a Girls’ Sucess
Product sales are a super exciting and very busy time for your troop! Make sure
your girls are prepared to have a positive experience by incorporating some of
the following ideas:
Cookie & Financial
Literacy Awards
There is one Financial Literacy
and one Cookie Business badge to
earn each year for each grade level
(Daisy awards are “leaves” instead of
badges). The requirements can be
found in each level’s Girl’s Guide to
Girl Scouting.
The cookie sale activity pin is an
earned award that is worn to show
participation in the Girl Scout Cookie
Sale after completing participation
activities outlined in the Girl’s Guide
to Girl Scouting. The pin is awarded
each year in a different color.
•• Role play some simple sales techniques before your first booth sale.
Help the girls be experts on their products by sampling a box or two during
a preparatory meeting. Discuss ingredients, how much the troop makes
per box, where the money goes, and what your troop will be using it for.
•• Create necklace cards for the girls that display the product names on the
front and the prices by quantity on the back - this will help with the math
when they get nervous (or busy!)
Using Online Resources to Market Product Sales
Girls are texting, calling, emailing, Tweeting, and
Facebooking—and those are all effective ways that girls 13
and older can promote cookie and other product sales.
The following sections detail how girls can use electronic
marketing, social media, and group websites to gather sale
commitments from family, friends, and previous customers.
But first, please keep in mind that girls:
•• Can market to and collect indications of interest from
customers within their councils’ zip codes. Refer
prospects that come from outside council jurisdiction to
the council finder at www.GirlScoutCookies.org. Family
members and Digital Cookie sales are the exception to
this rule.
•• Digital Cookie is the only approved online sales tool
available for girls to use when selling cookies. Outside
of Digital Cookie, girls cannot set up online sites where
cookies are sold and money is exchange via the Internet.
•• Must sign the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge (available
www.tinyurl.com/GSinternet-safety-pledge before
doing any online activities, and all online activities must
be under the supervision of adults.
•• Cannot expose their own or any other girl’s email address,
physical address, or phone number to the public. When
writing email messages or online announcements, girls
should sign with their first name only, along with their
group number or name and their council name.
Contacting Prospects Electronically
Using Social Media
A girl (or group of girls) over the age of 13 may work in
partnership with an adult to market cookies and other
products online, using the social media account (such as
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or LinkedIn) of the adult. Social
media is a fun, fast way to get out an urgent message, such
as, “It’s Girl Scout Cookie time!” Posting, tweeting, or pinning
such a message will get the attention of friends and family.
Before girls use social media as a marketing tool, keep the
following in mind:
•• Girls must have parental permission to use social media.
•• Girls must meet age limits set by the provider, which is 13
and above in most cases, as per the United States Child
Online Privacy and Protection Act and the Child Online
Protection Act.
•• Any use of photos requires a photo-release form signed
by parents/guardians of the girls pictured and the
signature of any adults pictured.
•• Any use of online video sharing sites (such as YouTube),
where the video is representing Girl Scouts or Girl Scout
products, must follow specific requirements for that site,
as well as council guidelines. Girl Scout photo release
forms (or the Annual Permission Form) by parents/
guardians and any adults pictured. (In other words, this is
not an easy venture, but if you and the girls are willing, it’s
worth the investment).
Girls over age 13 may use Facebook, Twitter, text messages,
IMs, and emails as online marketing tools to let family,
friends, and former customers know about the sale and
collect indications of interest. Product-related email is not
intended to be spam (unwanted texts or emails), however, so
remind girls to be sure that their messages will be welcomed
by the receiver.
Chapter 5
product sales are a primary way
in which your council raises funds
to support Girl Scouting. The
percentage of money to be allocated
to participating groups (like yours)
is determined by the council and
explained to girls and adults as part of
the product sale activity orientation.
The income from product sales does
not become the property of individual
girl members. Girls, however, may be
eligible for incentives and credits that
they put toward Girl Scout activities,
such as camp, travel, Gold Award
Take Action projects, and Girl Scout
membership dues for the next year.
When girls are marketing cookies online, remind them to
always use a group email address (such as troop457@yahoo.
com), an adult’s personal email address, or a blind address
(one that does not reveal the address to the recipient).
In addition, be sure to discuss with girls the need to treat
customer email addresses from current and past years—as
well as phone numbers, IM addresses, Facebook accounts,
Twitter handles, and mail addresses—with respect; they are
private and must be kept so.
Finances
Knowing Where Proceeds Go
•• Help the girls develop creative decorating or theme ideas for their booths think about displays, props, even costumes - cookie costumes are available
for check out at office locations.
•• Be sure to cover safety and customer interaction for booth and
neighborhood sales.
•• Schedule multiple booths so everyone has a chance to sell to the public.
Some girls may not be able to sell in their neighborhood or to their families.
Online Marketing is Allowed
Online Selling is NOT Allowed
Letting people know the dates of the sales period and that
you will be selling products is allowed. Asking customers if
they would like to buy products is only permitted during the
sale dates. Posts regarding order requests cannot be made
prior to the Fall Sale start or Cookie Sale GO dates.
Completing the transaction and collecting money online is
NOT allowed other than through the council provided links.
You may not independently sell items online.
Help her build a lifetime of skills and confidence.
122
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Girl Scouts use the Internet for a variety of reasons including
the online marketing and sale of approved Girl Scout related
products. Below are some key points to keep in mind for all
online sales and marketing:
•• Girls must read, understand and accept the Girl Scout
Internet Safety Pledge, prior to conducting any online sales
or marketing activities, which is available at the end of the
Computer/Online Use: Safety Activity Checkpoints
•• Girls may send email messages to alert friends and rela-
Safeguard Information
Girls must understand that the Internet is an open means of
communication that anyone can access. As such, websites
will often attract people other than their intended users.
It is therefore imperative that any information that could
jeopardize the safety and security of girls and adults not be
disclosed on a website. The following measures will help to
ensure girls’ online safety:
•• Girl Scouts should only use their first names
•• A Girl Scout’s last name, address, phone number, or email
address should never be posted. For Digital Cookie a girl
may post her unique Digital Cookie URL on her Facebook
page and may email it to friends and family (for additional
information please refer to Safety Activity Checkpoint for
Online Product Sales, Digital Cookie Terms & Conditions for
Volunteers and Digital Cookie Pledge for Girls)
•• Always have a parent’s or guardian’s permission when using
pictures of girls on a website. This is especially important if
the girl is under 13 years old
•• Do not post addresses of group meeting places, dates and
times of meetings, events or trips on a website. Instead, an
adult who wishes to communicate upcoming events with
families of Girl Scouts should send an email to the families
•• Do not allow automatic posting of messages to a website.
All postings to message boards, social media and guest
books should have adult oversight, and be screened prior
to posting live.
•• Ensure that websites do not show personal email
addresses of girls, but use a troop, group or adult’s email.
Adult supervision for
all girls also extends to
any online activity.
For additional information on online safety,
please consult:
•• The “Computer/Online Use” Safety Activity
Checkpoints
•• Digital Cookie Terms & Conditions for Girls, Digital
Cookie Terms & Conditions for Parents/Guardians
and Digital Cookie Terms & Conditions for
Volunteers
tives about product sales and accept customer commitments via email
•• Social media sites may be used to market product, how-
ever, all applicable GSUSA and council guidelines must be
followed
•• Girls writing product emails or announcements online
should sign with their first names only, their troop/group
number or name and their council name.
•• Personal emails or street addresses of girls should never be
used. Instead, use one of the following:
•• A blind return address account where the girls’ name or
personal email is not revealed to the customer and is instead hosted on a secure site
•• A group account, monitored by an adult
•• An adult’s email account, which is supervised by
that adult
•• Girls should never arrange in-person meetings with online
contacts, other than to deliver cookies and only with the
approval and accompaniment of a parent or designated
adult.
•• For Digital Cookie there are additional, specific guidelines,
some of which are:
•• Girls must read and accept the Girl Scout Digital Cookie
Pledge before they can participate in Digital Cookie
•• Volunteers must read and accept the Digital Cookie Terms
and Conditions for Volunteers before they can participate
in Digital Cookie
•• Girls may only post about their participation on Digital
Cookie on social media that allows them to restrict access
to friends and family (e.g. Facebook).
•• Parents/guardians must approve the content of a girls
Digital Cookie web page before it goes live
•• For girls under 13 years old, a parent/guardian must man-
age the girl’s web site and be responsible for all content. In
other words, girls under 13 are not allowed to post anything
to their websites; it must be done by their parent/guardian.
For additional information and guidance please see the “Girl
Scout Cookie/Council-Sponsored Product Sale: Safety Activity Checkpoints”, “Computer/Online Use: Safety Activity
Checkpoints”, the Digital Cookie “Terms & Conditions for Girl
Scouts”, “Terms & Conditions for Parents/Guardians” and
“Terms & Conditions for Volunteers”.
Daisies: Stay Especially Safe!
Girl Scout Daisies are too young to be marketing online through their group, parent or guardian websites, or social media
sites. For this reason, Girl Scout Daisies are allowed to send out emails only when working directly with an adult. Daisies
and their adult volunteers use only blind emails (where the email address is not revealed to the recipient) or the online
marketing tools provided by GSUSA product vendors on their websites.
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Safely Selling Girl Scout Fall Sale and Cookie Booths
First, read the Cookie & Product Sale Activity Checkpoint. Here are a few other considerations that will help keep girls safe:
•• Volunteers and Girl Scout council staff do not sell cookies
and other products; girls sell them.
•• Parents and guardians must grant permission for girls
to participate and must be informed about the girls’
whereabouts when they are engaged in product sale
activities. Specific permission must be obtained when a girl
intends to use the internet for product marketing. A parent,
guardian, or other adult must know each girl’s whereabouts
when she is engaged in product sales, and if and when she
is online.
•• Girls should be identifiable as Girl Scouts by wearing a
Membership Pin, official uniform, tunic, sash or vest, or
other Girl Scout clothing.
•• Adult volunteers must monitor, supervise, and guide the
sale activities of girls at all age levels.
•• Girl Scout Daisies, (in kindergarten and first grade) may be
involved in council-sponsored product sale activities, but
they cannot collect money in any other way except through
group dues or parental contributions.
•• Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors must be
accompanied by an adult at all times. Girl Scout Cadettes,
Seniors, and Ambassadors who participate in door-to-door
sales must be supervised by (but do not need to be directly
accompanied by) an adult. Girls of all grade levels must
always use the buddy system.
•• Money due for sold products is collected when the
products are delivered to the customer. Guidelines for
accepting checks in the product sales manuals must be
followed.
•• Personal customer information should remain private.
Customer credit-card information should not be collected
by girls and should not be asked for on any form collected
by girls.
•• A girl’s physical address, social networking page address,
IM name, Skype name or number, or cell number should
never be revealed to anyone outside her immediate circle
of friends and family. You’ve heard it before, but it bears
repeating!
•• Girls can market cookies and other products by sending
emails to friends, family members, and former customers,
as long as they use a group email address, the address
of a parent/guardian or adult volunteer, a blind email
address (in which the recipients cannot see the sender’s
email address), or the online email tools provided by
cookie vendors. Girls 13 and older can also use a parent’s/
guardian’s or adult volunteer’s social networking site (such
as Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest) to do the same to her
immediate circle of friends and family. Be sure each girl’s
account uses the tightest privacy settings and doesn’t
reveal information about her or her location to anyone
outside her circle.
•• Sales may not be transacted on the Internet (for example,
through a site that has an electronic shopping cart), except
through the use of the links provided by council for the Fall
and Cooke sales. Girls can, however, during the active sale
dates, receive order commitments for cookies sales via
email or the Internet. In other words, potential customers
can relay (via email or a Facebook post, for example) that,
“Yes! I’d like four boxes of Thin Mints and three boxes of
Shortbread cookies.
Before beginning any cookies or other product sales with your
group, refer to the cookies section of www.GirlScouts.org
and www.GirlScoutCookies.org.
Selling at Girl Scout Booths
Cookie and Fall Sale booths, or temporary sales set-ups in
areas with lots of foot traffic, are a popular way for girls to
sell products as a team. Your council may have established
product booth locations; contact the council before
planning a product booth of your own.
Once you’ve gotten council approval, check out the booth
site before the day of the sale. Talk to business owners in the
area so they’ll know what to expect. Find out what security
measures are in place—these may include lights for evening
sales and whether a security camera watches the booth
area—and where the nearest bathrooms are located. In
addition, review the Girl Scout Cookie/Council-Sponsored
Product Sale Safety Activity Checkpoints to make sure you
and the girls are as prepared as possible.
Our council policy states that parents/guardians must be
aware of/approve their girl’s whereabouts, so keep this in
mind when selecting sites for approval.
On the day of the sale, these tips will help keep
everyone safe:
•• Ensure that you have adequate space at the booth (table,
products, and girls) to allow safe passage by pedestrians,
bikes, and cars.
•• Plan to have at least two adults and one girl at the booth
at all times. From time to time, volunteers might want
to take breaks or will have to accompany young girls to
the bathroom, so make sure to have a few extra adults
on hand. (in the case where a single girl is selling with
her parent, it is then permissible for only one adult to be
present).
•• Girls are a safe distance from cars. If possible, set up a
safety barrier between cars and the booth—perhaps a few
volunteers could park their cars in spaces near the booth
location
•• Girls make all sales, except in cases where adults are
helping Daisies handle money.
•• Respect the surrounding businesses by making sure your
booth isn’t blocking a store entrance or exit.
•• Attract customers with colorful signs. Remind girls to be
polite and to have their sales pitch ready for interested
shoppers.
•• It is recommended that money be held by adults in small
packs around their waist. Be especially careful with the
money box; make sure it’s under adult supervision and
out of public sight. Arrange for cash to be removed from
the site periodically. When you do travel with money, have
someone accompany you to your vehicle and/or the bank.
•• Tip or donation jars are never allowed as they constitute a
direct solicitation for money.
•• Report any suspicious people in the area to local security.
•• Girls and adults do not confront or engage an irate
customer, but call local authorities for assistance.
If someone takes money or cookies from your booth, do not
attempt to physically recover the stolen items and do not
allow the girls to do so. Instead, get a good description of the
offender(s), call 911, and alert local security (if applicable).
Make sure girls know what to do in case of theft. Report any
incidents to your local council according to its guidelines.
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Chapter 5
Safety in Technology Based Sales
Understand the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge
In order to make sure that girls are aware of how to safely use
the Internet, you should discuss online safety issues with the
girls and distribute copies of the Girl Scout Internet Safety
Pledge www.tinyurl.com/GSinternet-safety-pledge.
The girls should also take a copy of the pledge home and go
over it with their parents. Both the girl and her parent should
sign the pledge.
Finances
Computer/Online Safety
Adult supervision for all Girl Scouts extends to any online
activity. Consult the “Computer/Online Use” Safety Activity
Checkpoints for specific information about safe online practices for all activities, and to obtain a copy of the Girl Scout
Internet Safety Pledge.
Prepare Early
•• Not walking around with large amounts of money
•• Keeping the cash box against a wall or behind a barrier
Communicate with Parents
Ensure that the parents/guardians of all girls participating in
product sales are fully informed about the activity including
the:
•• Safety precautions in place
•• Need for appropriate clothing and/or supplies
•• Need for advance arrangements for all transportation and
confirmation of these plans
•• Need for written permission from them in order for their
daughter to participate
•• Location of designated sale areas, which are also
communicated to the Council
Communicate with Your Local Police Department
Establish a relationship with your local Police Department to
determine any support they may be able to provide during
product sales, especially those related to cookie booths,
and any safety precautions they might suggest. While Police
Departments vary from state to state and city to city, many of
them have resources such as:
•• School Resource Officers who have specific training for
communicating with young people
•• Community Volunteers who may be able to assist by being
present during booth sales
Police departments can also provide information on areas
and addresses to avoid, as well as access to known sex offender registries.
Prepare for Emergencies
Regardless of the type of activity, you need to be prepared
for emergencies involving girls or other adults. This should
include having a first aid kit always available and making sure
that if someone is injured and needs help, that one adult cares
for the injured person while another adult seeks help.
Arrange for Adult Supervision
Adults provide supervision and guidance for all grade levels, and must accompany Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and
Juniors when they are selling, taking orders for or delivering
products. Adults must be present at booth activities, regardless of the age of the girls (see also the section “Knowing How
Many Volunteers You Need”).
Adults who oversee Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and
Ambassadors must:
•• Be aware of how, when and where the girls are
selling products
•• Be on call when girls are participating in product sales
•• Be readily available to them should they need assistance.
•• Help girls understand how to be safe in their surroundings,
and always enforce the use of the buddy system
126
Plan for Safeguarding Money
Girls should always have a plan for safeguarding money, which
includes such things as:
of cookie boxes
•• Not keeping money at home or school
•• Giving cookie money to supervising adults, who will
deposit the money as soon as possible
Use the Buddy System
Using the buddy system, girls are divided into teams of two.
Each girl is responsible for staying with her buddy at all times,
warning her buddy of danger, giving her buddy immediate
assistance if safe to do so, and seeking help when the situation warrants it. Girls are encouraged to stay near the group or
buddy with another team of two, so in the event someone is
injured, one person cares for the patient while two others seek
help.
Be Streetwise and Follow Your Instincts
In order to ensure the safety of girls while selling door-to-door,
you and the girls should become familiar with the areas and
neighborhoods in which girls would like to sell. In addition, girls
should:
•• Participate in door-to-door sales only during daylight hours
•• Wear a membership pin, uniform, or Girl Scout clothing
(e.g., Girl Scout t-shirt) to clearly identify themselves as
Girl Scouts.
•• Avoid a house or person that makes them uncomfortable.
They should walk away and find the next person/place that
does not make them uncomfortable
•• Call 9-1-1 if they see someone that seems to be acting in a
way that makes them feel unsafe. This could include, but is
not limited to, any person who is staring at them for long
periods, seems to be following them for no apparent
reason or takes pictures of the them
•• Use safe pedestrian practices, such as crossing at corners
and obeying walk signals
•• Not enter the home or vehicle of a stranger, and to avoid
selling to people in vehicles (except at drive-thru cookie
booths) or going into alleys
•• Should not carry large amounts of money (see “Plan for
Safeguarding Money”, above)
Additional Group Money-Earning (beyond Product Sales)
Requirements for Additional Money-Earning
The two money-earning activities pre-approved by the council are the Girl Scout Product Sales - the Fall Sale (nuts, candies,
and magazines) in November and the Cookie Sale in February/March. Product Sales are first and foremost programs for girls
to gain skills in financial literacy and goal setting.
If the group has already participated in the Fall and/or Cookie Sale money-earning activites within the last 12 months at a
minimal level of 48 items average per registered girl in any combination of the Fall and/or Cookie sale, and they still need
additional money to support program activities, they might consider doing an additional money-earning activity. Please
attach your troop sales report to verify participation.
The group must submit the Money-Earning Application Form which will be reviewed by your VDM (council staff member) for
approval at least four weeks prior to your proposed money-earning activity date(s). The document serves as a written plan
that meets Girl Scout Program.
Money-Earning:
Award Program Participants
Sometimes girls earning their Gold, Silver, or Bronze Awards
need additional financial resources to complete their
project. The girl’s adult advisor/consultant is ultimately
entrusted with managing and accounting for the money of
the group or individual girl, which requires accountabilities
to the girls, their parents and the GSNorCal council. A
group may decide to devote a portion of the treasury to an
individual girl’s project, but it must be a group decision by the
girls in the group. The group must also decide on the method
of deposit or disbursement of funds to support an individual
girl’s project.
Independently Registered Girls can
Participate in Product Sales and
Additional Money-Earning Projects
Independently registered girls can and are encouraged to
participate in the Product Sale programs. Girls can earn
badges, girl rewards and gain support for their award project
or other program activities.
To participate, girls are buddied with a troop in their service
unit. Some service units have a special troop designed for
independent girls while other service units buddy them with
a standard volunteer led troop. This buddy-system is only
for the duration of the product sale. The registration of the
independent girl is not changed; she does not join the troop.
•• Girls interested in additional money-earning for awards
or travel can meet the requirements by working with the
buddy troop.
•• Girls can request financial support from the buddy troop—
some portion of the troop earned proceeds resulting
from the girl’s participation in the product sale. Girls never
receive troop proceeds directly; troops do. The girls in
the troop must vote to support the girl’s program activity.
The amount of support is decided on by the troop and
should not be directly reflective of the troop proceeds
contributed by the girl’s sale.
Additional Money-Earning Ideas
Product sales are a great way to earn the funds
necessary for girls to travel or carry out Take Action
projects. If income from the product sale isn’t enough,
however, girls have more options available to them.
Although you cannot resell products, you can offer
services, such as the following:
Collections/Drives
•• Cell phones for refurbishment.
•• Used ink cartridges turned in for money.
•• Christmas-tree recycling.
Food/Meal Events
•• Lunch box auction (prepared lunch or meal
auctioned off).
•• Themed meals, like high tea, Indian meal, Mexican
dinner (if girls are earning money for travel, tie the
meal to their destination).
Chapter 5
Girl Scout council-sponsored product sales, which include
magazines and nuts, as well as cookies, give girls proven opportunities to earn money and/or credits for their Girl Scout
program activities. These sales also contribute significantly
to the girls’ local councils and communities through Take
Action projects. In order to ensure the emotional and
physical safety and well-being of girls, which is always a top
priority in any activity, you need to read and understand the
following guidelines.
Service(s)
•• Service-a-thon (people sponsor a girl doing
service; funds go to support trip).
•• Babysitting for holiday (New Year’s Eve) or council
events.
•• Raking leaves, weeding, cutting grass, shoveling
snow, walking pets.
•• Cooking class or other specialty class.
Submit your Money-Earning Application
at least four weeks before your activity.
127
Finances
Product Sales Program Safety
Alcohol Served
at Adult-Only Events
Application and Filing
requirements
Alcohol is not permitted at an event where the main
objective is girl program. If girls are present where alcohol is
served at an adult-only event (sponsored and run by adults),
they must be supervised by an adult who is not consuming
alcohol who is responsible for the girls’ safety and well-being.
If alcohol will be served, please notify the Risk Management &
Travel Assistant [email protected]. at least
two weeks in advance and indicate:
•• Date of the Event
•• Where the Event is Held
•• The name & description of the event
•• Who is the organizer or person responsible for the event
•• How many adults in attendance
•• What kind of alcohol is being served
If you fail to notify GSNorCal in advance of your event, the
event will not be covered by the council’s insurance policy.
There are many local, state, and federal regulations involved,
and several specific permits required when alcohol might
be served or given as any sort of prize (auction or any type
of prize) at any adult event. Contact your VDM (council
staff member) and [email protected] before
beginning planning for such an event for guidance. In
addition to placing the council in legal jeopardy, you may
also be held personally liable if laws are inadvertently
broken. Alcohol is not permitted at an event where the main
objective is girl program. If girls are present where alcohol is
served at an adult-only event (sponsored and run by adults),
they must be supervised by an adult who is not consuming
alcohol who is responsible for the girls’ safety and wellbeing. (If alcohol is being served at a Girl Scout event, the
participants will not be covered by Girl Scout insurance
unless prior approval has been obtained from the insurance
carrier).
Raffles & Drawings Not Allowed
Because raffles are subject to many state and federal
regulations, raffles are generally not allowed for troops or
service units for raising funds. Because troops and service
units are not legal entities, they would not be able to comply
with the requirements of the regulatory agencies. If you
believe that your situation would be an exception (such as a
raffle to benefit the council or council properties), contact
the Fund Development Department for guidance before
beginning your project at, [email protected].
GSNorCal, as a registered non-profit, must apply for a
special raffle permit each year with the State Board of
Equalization and then report on the event’s income and
expenses. We are only allowed to file one report each year
(with all raffle events listed).
Silent Auctions
Silent auctions are only allowed in very limited
circumstances. Ultimately GSNorCal has to pay sales tax on
those purchases. (Example: When we host silent auctions at
our adult recognition events, we calculate the unpaid sales
tax and then pay that amount to the state).
If your troop or service unit would like to hold a Silent
Auction:
1. They must first get permission from the Fund
Development Department.
2. They must document the money-earning income on their
Troop/Group or Service Unit Finance Report.
3. Records must be maintained:
•• Fair market value of each donated item.
•• If their troop is audited, we need them to provide a
more detailed report of their event’s income and
expenses.
•• Buyers may only claim the amount they pay over the
fair market value of the item as a tax-deductible gift. If
the buyer wants tax acknowledgment for their donation
above the fair market value, the troop or service unit
must contact the Fund Development Dept. and they
will produce an acknowledgment letter.
Why does it seem like other local non-profits do auctions all
the time, and don’t have to follow the same rules?
Auctions are much more complex behind-the-scenes than
what we see happening at community events, and most
people have no idea that silent auctions usually show a net
revenue loss on paper because the items are often re-sold
for less than fair market value. But since GSNorCal is a large
non-profit, our IRS filing requirements are different than
what smaller non-profits file. Our fundraising event reports
are also different based on our IRS tax filing status. Girl
Scouts is also a strong national brand, and we want to make
sure we are protecting our non-profit status and being fully
compliant with the IRS and local state laws. That means we
also have to report our losses and pay owed sales tax. If we
get caught avoiding that payment, we might have to pay
penalty fees too. Auctions are one of those activities that
are a lot of work for little return on investment (investment
of time and money).
For information about projects benefitting another organization,
see page 118
128
Collaborating with Sponsors and Other Organizations
Sponsors help Girl Scout councils ensure that all girls in the community have an opportunity to participate in Girl Scouting.
Community organizations, businesses, religious organizations, and individuals may be sponsors and may provide group
meeting places, volunteer their time, offer in-kind donations, provide activity materials, or loan equipment. The sponsor’s
contribution can then be recognized by arranging for the girls to send thank-you cards, inviting the sponsor to a meeting or
ceremony, or working together on a take-action project.
For information on working with a sponsor, consult the council Fund Development staff at
[email protected].
They can give you guidance on the availability of sponsors, recruiting responsibility, and other council policies or practices
that must be followed. GSNorCal already has relationships with certain organizations, or may know of some reasons not to
collaborate with certain organizations.
Sponsorship Guidelines
Gifts-In-Kind
Community members or organizations can sponsor a group
in a number of ways:
•• Meeting Place
•• Transportation
•• Consultants
•• Resource Materials
•• Equipment
•• Financial Support
If the sponsor requires a tax acknowledgment of their
financial donation or donated resources (an in-kind
donation), you must submit the Donation Form to the Fund
Development Department which will formally ackowledge
the gift. www.gsnorcal.org/donation-form
(Also known as In-Kind Gifts or GIK).
Gifts of goods or services in lieu of cash gifts are also
considered donations. GSNorCal also retains information
about these donors for recognition. Use the online Donation
Form to record information about the gift both for the
group’s acknowledgement to the donor, as well as additional
acknowledgment by the Fund Development Department.
The Donation Form is online at
www.gsnorcal.org/donation-form
GSNorCal has sample Gift-In-Kind solicitation and
acknowledgment letters to help your group. Contact
[email protected] for a Sample Letter and Sample
Acknowledgement letter.
Financial Gifts Made to or
Designated to Troops/Groups
Any financial gift to the Girl Scout organization, including
to a troop/group, must be officially acknowledged (and
particularly gifts of $250+ to be in accordance with IRS
regulations). For assistance in acknowledging gifts contact
the fund development department.
A donor who wishes to designate their gift or donate
directly to a group should make their gift payable to the
non-profit organization, Girl Scouts of Northern California,
and it will be processed at the council office and paid out
to the designated group. If the check was made out to the
troop and deposited locally, but the donor still needs tax
acknowledgment, please submit the online Donation Form
to the Fund Development Department which will formally
acknowledge the gift. You can print a copy of what you
submit, and attach it to your annual Troop Financial Report.
Any group requesting donations over $500 must
contact the Fund Development Department at,
[email protected]
PRIOR to securing the gift to avoid a duplicate request.
The group must also provide a written plan and budget for
its proposed use of these funds. This process is reviewed
annually and is subject to change. See page 118 for additional
information about donations made to troops from families.
Wine / Alcohol Donations
There are many local, state, and federal regulations involved,
and several specific permits required when alcohol might be
served or given as any sort of prize (auction or any type of prize)
at any adult event. Contact [email protected]
before beginning planning for such an event for guidance. In
addition to placing the council in legal jeopardy, you may also
be held personally liable if laws are inadvertently broken.
Chapter 5
•• Sale of commercial products
(This includes product demonstration parties, coupon books, candy bars, or any other non-Girl Scout products).
•• Drawings, raffles or games of chance
•• Crowd Source Funding
•• Activities that raise money for other organizations such as walk-a-thons, telethons or similar activities
Donations From the Community
Cause-Related Marketing
Many businesses prefer to support non-profit organizations
through programs where they agree to donate a percentage
of their sales or profits when customers bring in promotional
flyers distributed by the non-profit group. This is known as
cause-related marketing and not fundraising. Example: Girl
Scout night at a local business or restaurant where GSNorCal
(council, service unit, troop or group) will be the beneficiary
of the proceeds from patrons on a designated date. Girl
Scouts might advertise a designated date at a local business
or restaurant. The business agrees to donate a percentage
of proceeds based on their business sales on that date. The
patrons of the business attend to support the cause (Girl
Scouts) but choose to buy a product from the business or
restaurant, which is therefore not considered a donation
to Girl Scouts. This type of event creates good visibility for
GSNorCal in the community while also building partnerships
with local businesses. Any group wishing to solicit a local
business for this type of gift should review sponsorship
guidelines and contact either [email protected],
or their local service unit, to ensure that duplicate requests
have not already been made in a particular community.
129
Finances
Examples of Money-Earning Activities that
WILL NOT be Approved by GSNorCal
Chili’s Gift Certificates for sale to benefit Girl Scouts: NO
Chili’s Gift Certificates are sold to a group at a discounted
rate, and a portion of the cost is donated back to (or retained
by) the Girl Scout group. The final certificate buyer (the
customer) is receiving something in exchange for their money.
This is the same as any product sale, but GSUSA’s standards
do not allow the sale of any non-Girl Scout branded product.
Girl Scout groups should avoid selling any non-Girl Scout
branded products to avoid confusion about endorsing other
companies and to avoid risk of loss to the Girl Scout group
who may have been pressured to fund the initial purchase.
GSNorCal maintains the official 501 (c)(3) status as a nonprofit organization. Note that service units and troops are
not legal entities, and are not non-profit organizations by
themselves. Girl Scout adults who wish to fundraise or apply
for grants for GSNorCal (council, service unit, or troop/group)
must work with Fund Development Department staff to
ensure that their solicitation is a part of the council’s overall
fund development plan.
GSNorCal has legal obligations in the solicitation of donations,
including grant solicitation, as a non-profit organization.
Donations must be routed through the council office
accounting processes to ensure proper recording and
accountability to protect its non-profit status. To satisfy IRS
rules and sound accounting policy, all donations of $250
or more must be officially acknowledged by the non-profit
organization.
GSNorCal likes to formally recognize donors in its annual
report, and often donors would like to retain a record of
their gift for tax purposes. Please submit donor information
for a letter of acknowledgment to the Fund Development
Department via the online Donation Form which can be found
online at www.gsnorcal.org/donation-form
When collaborating with any other organization, keep these
additional guidelines in mind:
Avoiding fundraising for other organizations: Girl
Scouts are not allowed, when identifying themselves as Girl
Scouts (such as wearing a uniform, a sash or vest, official pins,
and so on), to solicit money on behalf of another organization.
This includes participating in a walkathon or telethon while in
uniform. You and your group can, however, support another
organization through take-action projects or by making a
donation from your groups’ account.
And Girl Scouts as individuals are able to participate in
whatever events they choose, so long as they’re not wearing
anything that officially identifies them as “Girl Scouts.”
When people purchase cookies, patronize a car wash,
or donate money to a Girl Scout group, they believe
their money is going to support girls in their Girl Scout
activities. Therefore, when girls would like to support other
organizations they must do so through service projects or
a donation from their group treasury, rather than collecting
money in the name of the organization.
Steering clear of political fundraisers: When in
No raffles or drawings
No raising money for other organizations
No selling non-GS products
130
Financial Assistance
Note that financial aid is available through the council
office for membership dues, basic uniform and program
supplies, and programs like camp or destinations. If you have
questions about financial assistance for additional program
opportunities contact the Chief Program & Membership
Officer in the San Jose office.
Campaign For Girls
Our council raises needed funds to support program
activities and resources to all girls and leaders. GSNorCal
does not require mandatory membership dues or fees
(100% of the $15 membership dues paid at registration
is sent to the national organization, GSUSA). It costs
GSNorCal about $300/year per girl to deliver Girl Scouts to
girls in volunteer-led troops. These dollars help our council
support Girl Scout experiences, including maintaining
camp properties, training new and experienced volunteers,
developing online tools, conducting background screening
for adults working with girls, and operating retail shops and
program centers. We raise about $240 of this cost through
program fees, camp fees, property rentals and product
sales. The remaining $60 per girl requires fund raising - and
that is why the Campaign For Girls is so important.
The GSNorCal Campaign For Girls is the way that families
can help support not only their own daughter’s participation
in the program, but also such items as the Program and
Event Guide (PEG) activity calendar, camp properties,
adult training at low-to-no cost to our volunteers, and much
more. Gifts to support these efforts can be made directly
to our council office, or when you register online, update
your membership information, or through our secure online
donations webpage www.GSNorCal.org/donate-now
Employee Gifts, Matching Gifts
and United Way
Many employers offer a matching program for charitable
gifts or participate in employee gift programs offered through
agencies such as United Way. Please make sure to designate
Girl Scouts of Northern California as your preferred gift
beneficiary.
Sometimes employee gifts require additional approval by the
employer in order to process gifts to GSNorCal. For questions
or to get help with employers’ forms, contact
[email protected].
We can sign, verify or validate any paperwork needed to set
up the gift process.
Many companies and corporations offer matching gifts
or volunteer-hour matching gifts to honor and support
employees. This is a great way to maximize your gift to Girl
Scouts. Ask your human resources department if it is an
option for your company to match. The GSNorCal Fund
Development Department will assist you with any additional
paperwork that the employer provides or needs. For council
support, please email: [email protected]
Council Service Fee
A Council Service Fee of $15 per girl is collected when girls
register or renew their membership (there is no Council
Service Fee for adult members. Our council – Girl Scouts
of Northern California – does not receive any of the $15
national membership fee. This $15 Council Service Fee
supports services that Girl Scouts of Northern California
provides to our valued members. The Council Service
Fee will help us keep camps open and continue to invest
in the technology and services that volunteers (and girls)
want. On average, Girl Scouts of Northern California
spends about $300 per girl member each year to pay for
camps, technology, outreach programs, and all of the
back-office services that support our volunteers. The
$15 Council Service Fee will help us keep Girl Scouts fun,
strong and safe in Northern California.
an official Girl Scout capacity or in any way identifying
yourselves as Girl Scouts, your group may not participate
(directly or indirectly) in any political campaign or work on
behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for public office.
Letter-writing campaigns are not allowed, nor is participating
in a political rally, circulating a petition, or carrying a political
banner.
Cost of providing Girl Scouting for one girl: $300
Being respectful when collaborating with religious
organizations: Girl Scout groups must respect the
Funds raised through program and camp
fees, product sales and property rentals
$240
Amount needed per girl
$60
opinions and practices of religious partners, but no girl
should be required to take part in any religious observance
or practice of the sponsoring group.
A few things are not allowed:
Supporting GSNorCal
Avoiding selling or endorsing commercial products:
“Commercial products” is any product sold at retail. Since
1939, girls and volunteers have not been allowed to endorse,
provide a testimonial for, or sell such products.
Most families are
well-aware of the benefits
of Girl Scouting, and often
are eager to defray the cost
of providing Girl Scouting
to their own daughter or
to provide Girl Scouting
for another girl.
131
Chapter 5
Chili’s Fundraiser Night to benefit Girl Scouts: YES The Chili’s
Restaurant creates a flyer for distribution amongst the Girl
Scout groups, and diners must present their flyer to ensure
credit for their purchase is designated to Girl Scouts. Chili’s
Restaurant is the actual donor because they provided diners
with food in exchange for the customers’ money, and in turn
they are donating their profits to the Girl Scout organization.
Fundraising
Finances
Cause-Related Marketing Example: A Troop/Service Unit
wants to raise money for a project and they contact a local
restaurant who is willing to donate a portion of their proceeds
to the Girl Scout organization. Here are two examples of
cause-related marketing that commercial businesses offer –
one example is acceptable according to GSUSA’s standards,
and one example is not. Commercial companies want to
utilize Girl Scouts’ community networks to ultimately attract
more customers and benefit their business. We want to make
sure that these partnerships are low-risk and that the girls will
ultimately benefit from this community partner’s investment
in Girl Scouts.
1.
Ask: Does the memorandum of understanding or
contract attempt to make the troop/group, service unit,
“Girl Scouts” or other “Girl Scouts” entity (for example,
Heritage Committee, Discoveree, etc). responsible for
anything (for example, payment, taking care of a site,
insurance, liability for damage to person or property)?
Are words like “indemnify”, “hold harmless”,
“assumptions of risk” or “indemnification” used in the
contract language?
If yes, then proceed to step 2.
If no, then this is a contract between the volunteer and
third party and the volunteer is solely responsible for
performance and potential liability and may sign it.
2. If you need a Council signature, here is how to get it:
Don’t wait until the last minute , as contracts may take
5-8 business days to review and sign. All contracts must
be approved and signed in accordance with Boardestablished requirements. The council Bylaws establish
this requirement for the council’s protection.
Where to send contracts for Approvals / Signatures:
Email to: [email protected]
or
Mail to: 1650 Harbor Bay Parkway, Suite 100,
Alameda, CA 94502
Attn: Risk Management
and Dispute Resolution
Include the deadline for signing and where and to whom the signed contract should be sent.
Is it a contract?
Does the document hold any
Girl Scout entity (council,
troop, group, service unit,
committee) responsible for:
•• Payment? OR
•• Taking care of a site or
property? OR
•• Liability for damage to
property or persons? OR
•• Insurance?
If so, a council staff member
must sign the contract as
explained above.
Type of Contract
Volunteers and council staff are governed by state and local
laws which require the safeguarding of girls’ and adults’
personal information.
Safeguarding personal information refers to both:
•• Confidentiality: preserving girls’ and/or adults’ privacy
•• Integrity: safeguarding the accuracy and completeness of
information and processing methods.
Members’ personal and sensitive personal information
must be protected against all forms of unauthorized action,
whether this is access, use, disclosure, modification,
destruction, or denial of service.
Failure to adequately protect members’ personal information
could result in disciplinary action, loss of volunteer status,
legal action, or could be referred to police or other law
enforcement agencies in certain situations.
Contracts, MOUs, or any other
agreements that contain legal
language, including terms like
“indemnify”, “hold harmless”,
“assumption of risk”, or
“indemnification”
Forward these to the Alameda office
as noted above.
Agreements that do not
contain legal language
Forward these to the Alameda office
as noted above.
Being Paid for Services
If you will be hiring and/or paying a person to provide services
of any kind, you must contact your VDM (GSNorCal staff
member), who will assist you in consulting with the Human
Resources Dept. Your contract must be reviewed with the
Council prior to initiating the engagement. Allow at least four
weeks for this process, which will include:
•• Completion of Independent Contractor Checklist.
•• Certificate of Liability Insurance is required for
contractors who perform services requiring physical
labor with exposure to higher incidence of work-related
accidents such as construction, electrical, high-adventure
sports or for contractors that provide food services.
•• A Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance is
required if Contractor engages other employees in the
performance of the services.
Sometimes a troop, service unit, or group performs a service
for a community group or event and is offered payment for
their service, and may be asked to complete a W-9 form.
Since troops and service units are not legal entities, they
cannot receive earned income (which is taxable). Troops
or service units or other Girl Scout groups may, however,
accept a donation as a token of appreciation for their
service. Follow guidelines for sponsorships and submit the
Donation Form to the Fund Development Dept so that the
donor can be thanked for their donation.
Troops and service units are NOT legal
entities, and therefore cannot legally
enter into contracts
Members who handle credit card information must sign and
submit the PCI Compliance Form. Existing members will
submit this form along with the Troop/Group Finance Report
in 2013, and new troops/groups will complete it with their
Bank Account Packet when they open their bank account.
For more information, access the Information Security and
Data Protection Policy on the council website:
www.gsnorcal.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gsnorcal/
documents/volunteer_resources/volunteer-resourcesvolunteer-information-security-and-data-protectionpolicy.pdf
The PCI Complicance Form can be found online at:
www.GSNorCal.org/pci-form
Personal Information
Includes,
but is not
limited to:
Who Must Sign
Paying for Services
132
Safeguarding Members’ Personal Information
Volunteers
and staff
are legally
responsible:
Sensitive Personal Information
A person’s:
•• Name
•• Address
•• Phone number
•• Employer
•• Spouse/partner name
•• Names of children or parents
•• Age
•• Emergency contact information
•• Physician or medical contacts
•• Email addresses
A person’s:
•• Social Security number
•• Date of birth
•• Credit card numbers
•• Bank account numbers
•• Driver’s license number
To safeguard all personal information:
•• Personal information must only be used
for the Girl Scout purposes for which
it was furnished (e.g. registration for a
particular event). For example, the email
list cannot be used to send out flyers to
promote your friend’s business or invite
people to your Tupperware party.
•• Personal information may not be shared
with others outside the organization in any
case, nor anyone within the organization
who doesn’t have a legitimate need to
know the information.
•• You may not collect personal data that
isn’t absolutely necessary.
•• Take care to make sure information is
accurate and correct any inaccurate
information.
•• You must not hold data for longer than
necessary.
•• Documents must be kept securely (not
left exposed in home or in any public
location).
•• All requests by individuals, organizations,
or companies to have access to girl or
adult member personal information
should be referred to the Senior Director
of Membership or Volunteer Resources.
•• Otherwise comply with any other laws
that apply to safeguarding personal
information.
To protect sensitive personal information,
volunteers and staff must follow all guidelines
for safeguarding personal information PLUS:
•• May not transfer or communicate sensitive
personal data unless absolutely necessary
and it is approved by the Senior Director of
Membership.
Chapter 5
Does your contract require a council signature? Girl Scouts of Northern California is the legal entity that may sign a
contract on behalf of “Girl Scouts.” Troops and service units are not legal entities. Therefore, all contracts, agreements,
Memorandums of Understanding and facility use forms that benefit or impose responsibility or potential liability on “Girl
Scouts” must be approved and signed by authorized staff representatives of Girl Scouts of Northern California.
Regarding Credit Card Data:
•• Cardholder data or Sensitive Authentication
data may not be stored or transmitted
electronically.
•• Credit Card data may not be emailed under
any circumstances.
•• Scanned images, photocopies, word
processing, or spreadsheet documents may
never be used, in any form, to save or transmit
Cardholder or Sensitive Authentication data.
•• Faxing forms that contain credit card data
should be avoided (fax machines often store
the fax image electronically).
•• Any paper with credit card information must
be stored under lock until transferred to
GSNorCal staff to be processed.
•• Strive to turn over paper forms to GSNorCal
staff as soon as possible after collecting the
information.
•• Once payment is processed, the paper copy
must be destroyed, preferably by cross cut
shredders. If document must be retained,
credit card information must be blacked out.
•• Never save, store, or record credit card data.
Finances
Contracts Between GSNorCal and Third Parties
133
When to destroy (preferably by cross-cut shredder)
Paper Membership Forms (if girls or adults
registered online, you will not have these)
•• Discard at end of membership year.
•• Troop leader blacks out credit card number on forms (if provided),
and keeps all membership registration forms in a secure location.
If girl or adult leaves troop, at end of membership year:
•• Keep for up to two years if girl or adult remains with troop/
group (parents can date and initial the form within two months
of an overnight activity or at beginning of next troop year to
verify that the information is up to date).
At time of troop disbandment:
•• If girl is injured or becomes ill while participating in a Girl Scout
activity, copy of form must be forwarded to Risk Management
& Travel at the council headquarters in Alameda along with the
Accident/Injury Report Form or Incident Report Form and the
council will retain the form until the girl reaches 23years of age.
Health History Forms (Girl or Adult)
Camp HealthForms:
•• All Camp Health Forms and that year’s health logs and related
documentation must be stored until 7 years after the age of
majority. Return to council for storage at the end of each season.
•• Until the youngest person receiving documented treatment
Health Care Log
reaches 23 years of age.
•• Discard at end of membership year.
•• If a girl was injured or became ill on the trip, copy of form must
be forwarded to Risk Management & Travel at the council
Headquarters in Alameda along with the Accident/Injury Report
Form or Incident Report and the council will retain the form until
the girl reaches 23 years of age.
Trip Permission Forms
134
Sensitive Issues Permission Form
Discard at end of membership year.
Troop Driver Form
A driver’s license number is considered sensitive personal
information. As such, these forms should be kept under lock. Form
should be destroyed when the adult leaves the troop, at the time
of troop disbandment, or whenever a new replacement form is
created by the driver.
There are many benefits of using an online registration system for a service unit camp or event. If your group is considering
offering this option, you must ensure protection of credit card data in accordance with industry standards that are known as
PCI Compliance.
Summary of Requirements
In order to proceed, you must
acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. If you are considering using online
registration for your camp or event,
or have any questions about online
camp or event registration for your
service unit or groups, please email
info@ GirlScoutsNorCal.org for
your PCI Information Packet or visit
www.tinyurl.com/GSpci-packet.
2. Your service unit or group will
comply with the GSNorCal PCI
Compliance Requirements
described in the PCI Information
Packet and summarized here
concerning credit card processing
and protection of credit card data.
3. Your service unit or group
will comply with the contract
requirements for online registration
vendors as described in the
Contracts section of the packet.
4. All agreements with online
registration vendors must be
signed both by a representative
of your service unit or group and
by the CEO or CEO’s designee as
described in the Contracts section
of the packet.
5. Your service unit or group will
designate at least one volunteer
who is responsible for compliance
with the GSNorCal PCI Compliance
Requirements (“PCI Compliance
Volunteer”).
7. The PCI Compliance Volunteer will:
•• Participate in up to 1 hour of training
by GSNorCal about the GSNorCal PCI
Compliance Requirements either in
person or via conference call.
•• Ensure that Camp and/or Event
staff and all volunteers working with
or on behalf of the Camp and /or
Event are aware of the GSNorCal PCI
Compliance Requirements and have
procedures and guidelines in place
to ensure that these requirements
are followed.
•• Submit within 10 days after
completion of the last Event or
Camp session, the completed “PCI
Compliance Report” check list,
attached as Appendix B in the PCI
information packet, verifying your
compliance with the Girl Scouts of
Northern California PCI Compliance
Requirements.
8. Your service unit or group
must ensure that a customer
support system is in place and
communicates this system to their
respective service unit or group
participants.
9. GSNorCal requires all third party
service providers who process
credit card payments on behalf
of any council troop, group, or
service unit to be PCI compliant.
Third party service providers must
provide a current compliance
report and provide quarterly
updated reports as requested. If
the provider cannot provide the
required compliance report, they
are not permitted to process
credit card payments on behalf of
GSNorCal.
If you are given someone’s
credit card information, here
is what you need to know:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Any credit card data must be
secured and locked up until it is
processed, and then destroyed by
cross-cut shredder.
Credit card data must be
processed for payment as soon
as possible.
Credit card data may not be saved
or stored. This means that as soon
as you have processed payment,
the credit card data must be
destroyed (cut out that section of
the form, and destroy with crosscut shredder).
Under no circumstances should
anyone photocopy, scan, fax, or
otherwise electronically store
or transmit copies of forms
containing credit card data.
Credit card data may not be sent
by email under any circumstances.
Faxing should also be avoided for
security reasons.
GSNorCal chooses NEVER to store
or transmit any cardholder data
or sensitive authentication data
electronically in order to meet PCI
compliance requirements and to
ensure member and cardholder
data is not compromised.
Troop Roster
Discard at beginning of next membership year when new roster is
developed, or at time of troop disbandment.
Product Sales Records
Until product sales are complete the following year, or at time of
troop disbandment.
Bank Account Information
Bank account information is considered sensitive personal
information. As such, keep in a locked location for 7 years.
Receipts for every expenditure
Retain for a minimum of 3 years.
Badge Records
•• If a girl leaves the troop, pass on to the parents to keep
•• At time of troop disbandment, pass on to parents to keep.
Event Registration Rosters and Forms
After final event forms are submitted or retain for a maximum
of 1 year.
Be as careful with someone else’s personal information
as you would want someone to be with yours.
Service Unit Rosters
Discard at beginning of next membership year when new roster
is developed.
Other types of paperwork which include
personal information
Retain for a maximum of 1 year.
Failure to comply with PCI Standards may put our members’ confidential
information at risk, harm Girl Scouts’ reputation and subject your
service unit or group and GSNorCal to very significant penalties.
6. The Camp Director or Event
Manager and/or Registrar and
PCI Compliance Volunteer
will acknowledge, in writing,
that they received and
reviewed the GSNorCal PCI
Compliance Requirements via
the acknowledgement form
attached as Appendix A in the PCI
Information Packet.
10. All contracts for registration
providers must be approved
by GSNorCal’s acting Chief
Information Officer or his designee.
6.
135
Chapter 5
Type of Document
Online Camp/Event Registration Information
Finances
How long should documents be retained?
(Girl Scout) Ambassadors: A grade-level in Girl Scouting.
GS Ambassadors are in grades 11 and 12.
Day Camp: Programs conducted within a twelve hour period
over three or more days, occasionally including an overnight.
Annual Meeting: The yearly meeting a local Girl Scout
council holds to elect its board of directors and conduct other
business essential to Girl Scouting in the council.
Delegate: A Girl Scout member, 14 years of age or older,
elected to a voting position in the council.
Awards: Insignia from GS age-level program materials,
earned by completing a set of requirements or by
demonstrating an understanding of a concept.
Bridging: The process of moving from one program level to
the next: e.g. from Brownies to Juniors. A bridging patch can
be earned when a girl transitions to all levels.
Bridging Ceremony: A ceremony that celebrates the
transition from one age-level in Girl Scouting to the next.
(Girl Scout) Brownie: A grade-level in Girl Scouting.
GS Brownies are in grades 2 and 3.
Buddy System: A safety system in which girls are paired to
help and to keep track of each other.
(Girl Scout) Cadette: A grade-level in Girl Scouting.
GS Cadettes are in grades 6 to 8.
Camporee: A weekend camping event, usually organized by
Service Unit to serve its members.
Case: Any inquiry by members is logged as a case in GSNorCal’s membership system. A case is then handled by staff so
that volunteers can get the answers they need as quickly and
as accurately as possible.
Closed Case: When a case has been responded to, it is
closed in the system so that staff can tell that you have
received a response. If the answer you received is not satisfactory, contact the council – staff are always eager to try to
help!
Community Camp: See Volunteer-Run Camp.
destinations®: Girl Scout activities/events that individual
girls ages 14-17 can opt to participate in to broaden their
perspectives. They can be national or international.
Council Resource Guide (CRG): Volunteer Essentials:
This booklet. Contains policy, procedures, and Guidelines
for the members of Girl Scouts of Northern California.
Council: Girl Scouts of Northern California is chartered by
GSUSA to organize and deliver Girl Scout Program.
Council Board of Directors: A board elected by members
of the local Girl Scout council and, between annual meetings,
empowered to act for it within the framework of the council’s
bylaws. Board members represent many aspects of the
community as well as of Girl Scouting.
Counselor-in-Training (CIT): Girl Scout Seniors and
Ambassadors earn this award by completing a leadership
course designed by the council on outdoor experiences and
work with younger girls over the course of a camp session.
Court of Awards: A ceremony where girls receive awards
for their achievements.
CRG: Council Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials —
this booklet.
Disbanding/Disbandment: The process that is followed
when troops will not continue the following year.
Each One Add One: Initiative where every troop adds one girl
the next year, and every service unit add one more troop.
Girl Scout Sign: Made by raising three fingers of the right
hand. This sign stands for the three parts of the Promise.
Early Bird Registration: Spring registration of currently
registered girls and adults for the following membership year.
Girl Scout Silver Award®: The second highest award in
Girl Scouting, earned by girls 11-14.
EMS: Emergency Medical Services.
Girl Scout Week: The week containing March 12, the Girl
Scout birthday. This observance is celebrated each year,
starting with the Sunday on or preceding the 12th.
Extended trip: A trip lasting three nights or more (may
require a health examination as well as a health history,
local Girl Scout council approval, and additional insurance
coverage).
Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting: Girl handbook specific to
each program level.
Fly-up Ceremony: The event at which a Girl Scout Brownie
receives her Brownie Wings and becomes a Girl Scout Junior.
Girl Scouts’ Own: Girl-planned inspirational ceremonies
held in the troop/group or at camp.
Friendship Circle: A circle formed by Girl Scouts standing
and clasping hands. The circle represents the unbroken chain
of friendship and is usually used as a closing ceremony.
Governance: The policy setting system.
Friendship Squeeze: A hand squeeze that travels around a
friendship circle from one person to another after someone
starts it.
Girl Guide: The term used to identify girls and adults who are
members of the Girl Guiding Movement in many countries.
Girl Guides and Girl Scouts are part of the World Association
of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
Girl Scout Adult: An adult member of Girl Scouts of the USA
who is at least 18 or older or has completed high school.
Girl Scout Birthday: The official birthday of Girl Scouting,
March 12, celebrated during Girl Scout Week, marks the first
meeting of a Girl Scout troop held in Savannah, Georgia
in 1912.
Girl Scout Gold Award®: The highest award in Girl
Scouting. Earned by a girl ages 14-17, this award recognizes
the leadership, efforts, and impact girls have had on their
communities.
Girl Scout Handshake: A formal way of greeting other Girl
Scouts and Girl Guides. You shake hands with the left hand
and give the Girl Scout sign with your right hand.
Girl Scout Law: Along with the Girl Scout Promise, the Girl
Scout Law is the credo of Girl Scouting. A girl lives the 10 parts
of the Girl Scout Law to fulfill the Girl Scout Promise.
GSLE (Girl Scout Leadership Experience): The national
Girl Scout program. By participating in the program
activities in the Journeys and the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouts,
girls learn leadership skills.
(Girl Scout) Daisy: A grade-level in Girl Scouting.
Daisy Girl Scouts are in kindergarten-grade 1.
136
Girl Scout Volunteer’s Day: A day of appreciation for adult
volunteers in Girl Scouting held on April 22 every year.
Girl Scout Promise: Along with the Girl Scout Law, is the
credo of Girl Scouting; the pledge that binds members
together as part of the Girl Scout Movement. A girl must make
the Promise to become a Girl Scout member.
Girl Scout: A member of Girl Scouts of the USA or another
country’s national Girl Scout organization.
CDM: Community Development Manager works with
community partners to bring Girl Scouting to girls who
couldn’t otherwise experience it.
Girl Scout Leader/Volunteer/Advisor: A registered Girl
Scout adult and trained volunteer who meets regularly with
girls to help them achieve the purposes of Girl Scouting.
May also be referred to as an advisor, particularly when
working with girls in the GS Cadette, Senior and Ambassador
program levels.
CRG - Glossary
GSLE: Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Every activity
girls do in Girl Scouting should deliver the benefits of the
GSLE. Girls Discover, Connect, and Take Action in a girl-led,
cooperative learning, and learning by doing way so that they
can become leaders who can make the world a better place.
GSUSA: Girl Scouts of the United States of America. The
national headquarters are located in New York City.
Health History Form: An updated record of a girl’s past
and present health status (for example, of allergies, chronic
illnesses, and injuries), which her parent/guardian completes
for Girl Scouts.
High-Adventure Activities: Formerly called HighRisk. Activities that must be approved prior to the activity
by GSNorCal’s Risk Management & Travel team involve a
reasonable expectation of physical risk to the girls and/or a
legal risk to the adults and/or the council.
Inclusion: The deeply held belief subscribed to by all
members that all girls must be included in Girl Scout activities.
Interest Form: Prospective girl or adult members can
complete the online interest form, which will trigger staff
to help them get started.
Insignia: The umbrella term for earned age-level awards,
religious and other awards, emblems, and participation
patches and pins. Girls wear all insignia, except participation
patches and pins, on the front of their Girl Scout uniform.
Investiture: A special ceremony in which a new member
makes her Girl Scout Promise and receives her membership
pin and is formally welcomed into Girl Scouting.
Journey: A program for each grade level that takes the girls
through a series of age-appropriate activities to help them
discover, connect and take action to lead with courage,
confidence and character to make the world a better place.
Juliette Gordon Low: The founder of the Girl Scout
Movement in the United States. Her nickname was Daisy.
(Girl Scout) Junior: A grade-level in Girl Scouting.
Junior Girl Scouts grades 4 and 5.
Kaper Chart: A chart that shows the delegation of jobs
and rotation of responsibility.
LCDM: Latina Community Development Manager works with
Latino(a) communities to cultivate recruit Latina girl and adult
members into troops.
LF: Learning Facilitator. Volunteer who facilitates Adult
Learning courses and/or supports volunteers.
Lifetime membership: Granted to any person 18 years of
age or older or a high school graduate who has paid lifetime
dues of 25 times the annual membership dues.
LSM: Leader Support Manager. Service unit volunteer
responsible for supporting and retaining existing leaders and
girls. Plans and facilitates ongoing service units meetings and
support for volunteers.
MDM: Membership Development Manager works with Troop
Support Manager to recruit new girl and adult members
into troops.
TSM: Troop Support Manager. Service unit volunteer
responsible for developing membership growth by recruiting
girls and adults and assisting them in forming new
troops/groups.
Monday Mailing: Weekly newsletter sent to all adult
members of GSNorCal who request to receive it.
Mission statement: Girl Scouts builds girls of courage,
confidence and character, who make the world a
better place.
MVP: Refers to the coordinated efforts of the Membership,
Volunteer Resources and Program, Product Sales, and
Outdoor Program staff in supporting volunteers to deliver
the Girl Scout mission.
National: “Shorthand” way of referring to GSUSA. It is
preferred that the term GSUSA be used.
NPP: National Program Portfolio. Leadership Journeys
and the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting.
Opportunity Catalog: An electronic listing of the opportunities (openings in troops or groups) available for new girl
members. The catalog can be searched by zip code, within a
certain radius in miles, or by grade.
Participation Patches and Pins: Supplementary insignia
received by girls for simply participating in an event or activity.
Commonly called “fun patches”. Girls wear participation
patches and pins on the back of their Girl Scout uniform.
Pathways: The ways in which girls and adults experience Girl
Scouting. The most common are Troop, Camp, and Series,
but also included are Event, Travel and Virtual.
Patrol: A form of troop government in which the troop
is divided into small group of girls that plan and carry out
activities within the troop/larger group.
Permission Forms: Must be used any time girls will meet at a
different time or different place than the regularly scheduled
meeting place/time. The Annual Permission Form may be
used in specific situations specified on that form.
CRG - Glossary
137
Glossary
Glossary
Product Sales, Council-Sponsored: Council wide program
activities in which troops/groups may sell authorized, tangible
products, such as Girl Scout Cookies® or Fall Products.
Service Unit Team: A group of adult volunteers that
facilitates service to girls through its volunteers in a
geographic area (service unit).
Forms - www.GirlScoutsNorCal.org/forms
The following forms may be necessary depending on the activity:
Adult Education Registration Form: Online registration is preferred, but you may use this
Volunteer Screening: Process to become an approved
volunteer that includes an electronic Adult Screening.
form to register for in person courses.
Sit-upon: A lightweight pad or mat used when sitting on
the floor or ground.
Program Aide (PA): An 11-17-year-old girl who has been
trained to assist younger Girl Scout groups with songs,
games, crafts, ceremonies or skills.
Program and Event Guide (PEG): A yearly schedule of girl
events and trainings offered by the Girl Scouts of Northern
California. It is Available in print or on our website.
SU: Service Unit.
TFR: Troop Finance Report. Due each year on June 30.
Thinking Day: See World Thinking Day.
Adult Health History Forms: (English & Spanish) Required for adults attending overnight
Adults
events or high-adventure activities. Form requiring physical exam is required for extended
trips or physically demanding activities. Privacy laws require that health forms only be viewed
on a “need to know” basis only. Forms should be stored in a secure area.
Adult Photo Release: Required when pictures or video will be used in GSNorCal publications
or website.
Program Standard(s): An established level of quality or
achievement for measuring and judging a local Girl Scout
council’s performance in delivering the Girl Scout program
to girls.
Trainer: Outdated term referring to Learning Facilitators.
Training: Outdated term referring to Adult Learning/
Volunteer Learning courses.
Adult Recognition Nomination Forms: Packet and all forms to nominate an outstanding
PSM: Program Support Manager. Service unit volunteer
responsible for ensuring that all program activities and events
deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience benefits.
Troop Government: The various ways a troop/group
ensures that girls lead the planning and decision-making
for their Girl Scout experiences.
Register for adult learning courses at www.GSNorCal.org/en/events/learning-events.html
Quiet Sign: Raising the right hand over the head to signal for
attention and quiet at any Girl Scout gathering. When the hand
goes up, mouths go quiet, and everyone joins in giving the
quiet sign.
Troop/group money-earning: An activity planned and
carried out by girls to earn money for troop/group expenses.
Rededication Ceremony: A formal ceremony at which a girl
or adult, who was previously invested, renews their Girl Scout
Promise.
Religious and other awards: Official awards earned for
completing requirements set by religious/other organizations
or by Girl Scouts of the USA. These awards are all worn on a
similar place on the Girl Scout uniform.
Resident camp: A Girl Scout event conducted over at least 3
days, where campres stay overnight and camp is responsible
for campers 24 hours a day.
(Girl) Scouts’ Own: See Girl Scouts’ Own.
(Girl Scout) Senior: A grade-level in Girl Scouting.
Senior Girl Scouts are in grades 9 and 10.
Safety Activity Checkpoints: Available on the council
website at www.tinyurl.com/GSsafetyac. The safety
guidelines for specific activities. Always check the Safety
Activity Checkpoints for any activity. If you cannot find your
activity, check the general guidelines in the Safety-Wise
chapter and check to be sure that your activity is allowed and
does not require approval from GSNorCal Risk Management
& Travel.
Safety-Wise: This is an online training course, and also
signifies following the safety guidelines contained in the
Safety-Wise chapter of the CRG (Volunteer Essentials)
plus the Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Sensitive Issues: Topics highly personal in nature or rooted
in beliefs and values, i.e. Aids, child abuse, human sexuality,
and religion.
Service Unit: A geographic sub division within the
council and the Girl Scouts within it—all leaders, troops/
groups and girls. Leaders within each service unit attend a
regularly scheduled Service Unit Meeting where they obtain
information and help plan service unit activities.
138
Unit: A small troop/group formed at a day camp or resident
camp. Girl Scouts assigns campers to a unit based on age or
interest. Also a portion of a campsite designated as the living
and working area for a group of campers.
adult for one of our national or council awards.
The following forms may be necessary depending on the activity:
Health History Forms: Girls (English & Spanish): Required for girls attending any Girl Scout
Girls
VDM: Volunteer Development Manager Works with SU teams
and LSMs. Primarily responsible for member retention.

Volunteer-in-Training (VIT): A 14-17-year-old girl taking a
Volunteer-in-Training course to learn group leadership skills.
In addition to appropriate girl and adult forms and general forms, all of these
forms should be carried by the group:
Annual Permission Form: Use for general permission from parent or guardian; photo
Volunteer-Run Camp: Usually a week long or twilight
program organized by volunteers or council staff to serve
current registered girls and/or recruit new girls.
release, product sales, permission for emergency medical treatment, and trips where driving
distance is less than 60 miles, trip does not exceed 6 hours, and the activity is not considered
high-adventure.
Volunteer Toolkit: A web app that will allow you to manage
your troop roster and contact information, communication,
dates and plans, dues, attendance, and finances. For Daisy,
Brownie, and Junior troops, the Volunteer Toolkit comes with
pre-populated plans for everything—a full year of Girl Scouts
right there on your device! Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador
troops don’t get pre-populated meetings yet (coming soon),
but can still access the great planning features.
Wide game: A themed event with a number of stations.
Groups rotate between the stations, completing activities
at each one.
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
(WAGGGS): An association of Girl Scout and Girl Guide
national organizations around the world.
World Centers: Four program centers owned by WAGGS.
The centers are located in Mexico, England, India, and
Switzerland.
World Thinking Day: Celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts around the world on February 22, the birthdays of
both Lord and Lady Baden –Powell. At Thinking Day events,
girls participate in activities that help them learn about the
lives of their sisters around the world.
CRG - Glossary
meeting or activity (at the location or carried by the first aider or group leader). Form requiring
physical exam is required for resident camp, extended trips, high-adventure or physically
demanding activities, or organized sports. Privacy laws require that health forms only be
viewed on a “need to know” basis only. Forms should be stored in a secure area.
Minor Photo Release: When pictures or video will be used for GSNorCal publications
or website.
Accident/Injury Report Form: Submit within 24 hours to [email protected]
Emergency Contact Card: Adult leadership team should carry at any Girl Scout meeting.
Drivers/chaperones should have for any outing or trip.
Incident Report Form: Use this form to report any non-injury incident that occurs which
General
Forms
may result in future problems or other future repercussions for the people involved or for
GSNorCal. Incidents might include a serious argument (may or may not escalate into verbal
or physical threats), a physical altercation, a non-injury incident of any sort where police are
summoned, possible or threatened legal proceedings, or possible or threatened adverse
report to the media.
Media Information Sheet: Carry several copies of this form for use in case media are
present.
Mutual of Omaha Brochure: All drivers or chaperones should carry as part of trip folder.
Mutual of Omaha Claim Form: Use to file a claim under the Activity Accident
Insurance coverage.
In addition, the following forms might be needed:
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Online Form: Use if any vendor or site you are working
with requires a Certificate of Insurance from the council.
Sensitive/Controversial Issues Permission Form: Use when the troop/group will
discuss sensitive or controversial issues or do activities involving these types of issues.
Activity Accident Insurance Request: Use whenever non-registered adults or children
(including siblings) will participate in a Girl Scout meeting/activity (Plan 2); or when an event
is 3 nights or more (Plan 2); or if a trip is out of state (Plan 3E)/international (Plan 3PI); or if
sickness may occur during an outing (Plan 3P or Plan 3E); or any other time when additional
insurance is desired.
CRG - Forms / Index
139
Forms / Index
Policy: An established course of action that must be
followed.
In addition to appropriate girl and adult forms and general forms:
Event Budget Worksheet: Use to develop a budget for your event.
Event Financial Report: Submit prior to your event with estimates, after the event with
Bank Account Packet: All the forms and information you need to open a bank account or
make any changes to it (such as change of address, signers, or any other changes).
Volunteer-Run Camp Finance Report: Submit by September 30 following your camp.
actual figures.
Event Health Care Plan: Event first aider must download latest copy before event.
Event Notification and Approval Form: Submit prior to your event with estimates and
Troop Disband Form: Use when a troop/group is no longer meeting, or within 4 months of
Plan 2 Accident Activity Insurance Request Form: Use to cover participants who are
donation is received. If amount is $500 or more, you must contact the Fund Development
Dept. for guidance prior to securing the gift.
the last member’s registration.
plans, after event with actual information.
NOT registered Girl Scouts and/or Girl Scouts participating in a trip lasting 3 nights or more.
Service Unit Event Notification Form: Submit this online form at least two weeks before
your event. If your event includes a high-adventure activity or lasts 3 nights or more, to
receive approval, submit the form 4 weeks before the event at:
www.GSNorCal.org/event-notification
Money
Sample Ask Letter: Use when requesting a donation.
Sample Thank You Letter: Use to acknowledge a donation.
Service Unit Finance Report: Submit by September 30 of each year.
In addition to appropriate girl and adult forms and general forms, the following
forms maybe needed for any trip or outing:
Annual Permission Form: Use for general permission from parent or guardian; photo

Trips/
Outings
••
••
••
••
••
••
••
••
change of leadership.
If doing paper registration:
Registration
(Membership)
Girl Membership Registration Form (English & Spanish)
Troop Registration Summary Form
Troop Registration Summary Form: To submit troop transfer,
position change, grade change, and school change requests
www.GSNorCal.org/troop-change
Trip is farther than 60 miles from your regular meeting place and longer than 6 hours in duration but not
High-Adventure.
Travel plans require BOTH the council and service unit approval (preferably 2-6 months in
advance) if the:
Event/trip includes a High-Adventure activity (2 weeks in advance if the vendor is already on the
approved vendor list).
Trip is 3 nights or more.
Trip involves air travel.
Trip is out of state or international (1 year advance notice is preferred for international travel to ensure
the leader receives necessary support during planning process).
all girls if the adults will trade off responsibility for specific girls.
•
Adult Membership Registration Form (English & Spanish)
Travel plans require approval from your service unit at least two weeks in advance if the:
Troop Driver Form: Volunteers who will drive girls other than their own daughter must

Trips is less than 60 miles from your regular meeting place, under 6 hours in duration, and
not High-Adventure.
Council sponsored activities in the Program and Event Guide (PEG).
Activities where girls walk or ride their own bicycles as part of their regularly scheduled meeting.
Service unit activities that are not High-Adventure and less than 3 nights.
Trip Folder: Trip folder for all drivers/chaperones for the girls they’ll be responsible for (or for
140
Troop/Group Finance Report: Due by June 30 of each year, when a troop disbands, or upon
The Trip or High-Adventure Activity Form can be used as a planning tool (easy way to
communicate with the emergency contact person before the trip) but does not need to be
turned in to the service unit for the following activities:
••
Money-Earning Application: If your troop/group will earn money in any way except by
participating in the council-sponsored Fall Sale and Cookie Sale.
• Register for council Program and Event Guide (PEG) events at: www.GSNorCal.org/peg
• Reserve council property sites at: www.GSNorCal.org/property-rental
• To submit an article in the council Monday Mailing to advertise your event:
release, product sales, permission for emergency medical treatment, and trips where driving
distance is less than 60 miles, trip does not exceed 6 hours, and the activity is not considered
high-adventure.
Parent Permission Form: Use whenever the troop/group will meet at a different time or
different location than the usual meeting whenever the Annual Permission Form is not or
cannot be used.
Plan 2 Activity Accident Insurance Request Form: Use to cover participants who are
NOT registered Girl Scouts and/or Girl Scouts participating in a trip lasting 3 nights or more.
Plan 3E Accident & Sickness Insurance Request Form: This plan is recommended for
trips out of state or for nay other trip where sickness could occur, such as extended trips out
of town.
Plan 3PI Activity Accident Insurance Request Form: Use for any Girl Scout trip out of the
country.
Trip or High-Adventure Activity Form:
Financial Assistance Form: To request financial aid.
submit this form to the Troop/Group leader.
Vehicle Assignment List: Use as a tool to assist in assigning girls and adults to specific cars
for a trip.
Reserve council property sites at www.GSNorCal.org/property-rental
CRG - Forms / Index
Adult Photo Release: Required when pictures or video will be used in GSNorCal publications
or website.
Minor Photo Release: When pictures or video will be used for GSNorCal publications or
website.
Website
Website Guidelines - Online Social Networking Sites (by GSNorCal): Guidelines and
personal safety information for girls using online social networking sites.
Website Guidelines - Troop/Group/Service Unit (by GSUSA): Guidelines for troops/groups
or service units who would like to have a Girl Scout website, or who would like to post content
on online social networking sites like Facebook, mySpace, Twitter, youTube, Google Groups,
Yahoo Groups, and many others.
CRG - Forms / Index
141
Forms / Index
Events
Donation Form: Whenever a donation for goods or services is received, or when a financial
Index
“I” statements............................................................... 79
“Not A Girl Scout Event”............................................91
12 passenger vans, limitations...............................99
15 passenger vans not allowed..............................99
A Girl’s Place.............................................................12, 13
About GSNorCal........................................................... 12
Abuse, see child abuse........................15, 28, 75, 78
Acceptance................................................................... 72
Accident/Injury Form................................................93
Accident/Injury Report Form.................................93
Accidents........................................................ 93, 94, 96
Activities not allowed.................................................91
Activities, Promise and Law.......................................6
Activity Insurance.......................................................98
Address change............................................................18
Adult guides, Journeys.............................................36
Adult learning ............................................................... 24
Adult recognition.......................................................... 31
Adult recognition, forms........................................... 31
Adult screening............................................................. 21
Adult supervision........................................................89
Adult to Girl ratios, supervision............................89
Advocacy........................................................................49
Affirmative action....................................................... 27
Alcohol............................ 28, 74, 75, 87, 89, 128, 129
Alcohol use by adults, not allowed.............28, 128
All terrain vehicles..........................................................91
Alumnae................................................................... 8,9,59
Ambassadors, working with.................71,104,120,126
Announcements & special events...........................14
Annual Permission forms................................... 92,106
Approval process, activities & trips. 91, 92,100,106
Approved vendor list.....................................................91
Archery................................................................ 62, 91, 97
Arequipa...................................................................... 12-14
ATV, not allowed............................................................ 62
Awards for adults........................................................... 31
Background check – see: adult screening
Backpacking....................................................... 55, 61, 91
Badge records, retention......................................... 134
Badges...................................................24, 34, 40-45, 52
Bank account.......................................... 29, 102, 112-115
Bicycles, aerial tricks not allowed....................91, 103
142
Bicycling............................................................................91,
Bill Pay Services, not allowed.....................................14
Binder system............................................................... 65
Blimps, not allowed.......................................................91
Blue Book of Basic Documents........................ 26, 48
Board of Directors.................................. 16, 26, 53, 136
Boating...............................................................................91
Borrowing money from a troop - see:
Troop Money or Money Taken from Girl Scout
Troop/Group Accounts............................................ 103
Bothin............................................................. 12-14, 55, 58
Bridging............................................................ 59, 116, 136
Bridging groups, money..................................... 116, 117
Bronze Award...........................................................51, 60
Brownie Ring...................................................................126
Brownies, working with...............................69, 120, 136
Budgeting ............................................................. 102, 106
Building trust................................................................... 73
Bungee jumping, not allowed.....................................91
Business Smarts............................................................ 54
Butano Creek...................................................... 12-14, 55
Cadettes, working with..................... 70, 108, 120, 136
Calendar........................................................................... 57
Camp...................................................... 55, 105, 136, 138
Camp Pathway........................................................10, 137
CampRocks! Brochure................................................. 15
Canoeing...........................................................................91
Car seat.............................................................................99
Cause-Related Marketing................................. 117, 129
Caving................................................................................ 91
CDM: Community Development Manager......... 136
Ceremonies..................................................................... 59
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Request.63, 92, 139
Challenge/ropes courses............................................91
Change of name, address........................................... 21
Chaperones..............................109, 100, 103, 106-107
Check acceptance policy...........................................115
Checklist, troop effectiveness................................. 82
Chico Office..................................................... 5, 12-13, 15
Child abuse............................................15, 28, 78, 87, 95
Choices, see: Program and Event Guide (PEG)
Class V rapids, not allowed.........................................91
Climbing walls..................................................................91
Closing a bank account.............................................. 114
Closing ceremonies...................................................... 59
Coaching Tips................................................................. 85
CRG - Forms / Index
Cognitive disabilities.................................................... 72
Commercial buses.....................................................100
Communication............................................................ 65
Communication with families...................................66
(see also: Volunteer Toolkit)
Community Engagement........................................... 54
Community-Run Camps
(see Volunteer-Run camps)...................................... 55
Conflicts.............................................................. 73, 77, 87
Contacting staff..................................................... 4-5, 16
Contracts............................................... 132, 63, 102, 135
Contributions for another organization...... 118, 130
Cookie Business badges............................................122
Cookie sale activity pin...............................................122
Cookies, see product sales program .............56, 125
Cooperative learning..........................8, 32, 33, 68, 85
Cordelia Outdoor Center................................ 12, 13, 14
Council emergency number..............................94, 95
Council map..................................................................... 12
Counselor in Training (CIT/CIT II)............................ 53
Counterfeit bills policy................................................115
Court of awards............................................................. 59
Cove, the............................................................... 12, 13, 14
Credit card information........... 114, 125, 133, 134, 135
Criminal background check........................................ 21
Daisies, product sales................................................ 120
Daisies, working with........................................... 69, 120
Daisy Circle...................................................................... 67
Daughters of Farm Workers Day Camp................. 54
Day Camp.................................................................. 12, 55
Destinations.....................................10, 105, 110, 115, 131
Development, girls.................................................. 68-71
Developmental disabilities - see:
cognitive disabilities
Disabilities........................................................................ 72
Digital Programming..................................................... 38
Disbanding troops.......................................114, 116, 134
Discrimination.......................................................... 15, 87
Diversity...................................................................... 27, 72
Do it/did it......................................................................... 77
Document retention.................................................. 134
Dog tags/ID bracelet..................................................106
Donations to troop/group................................. 117, 129
Driver Information Form..............................................61
Drivers............................................21, 28, 60, 61, 99-103
Dues..............................................................26, 61, 112, 113
Effectiveness of your troop/group......................... 82
Electronic background check.................................... 21
Emblems.......................................................................... 52
Emergency Card................................... 66, 90, 101, 103
Emergency checklist....................................................90
Emergency contact person.......................91, 101, 102
Emergency Management Plan..........................90, 94
Emergency plans for trips....................... 101, 102, 107
Emergency preparedness.........................................90
Employee gifts................................................................131
Endorsement of commercial products.................91
Enrichment...................................................................... 54
Equal opportunity......................................................... 27
Eureka Program Center.......................................... 12, 13
Event Budget worksheet..........................................140
Event Financial Report..............................................140
Event first aiders............................................................96
Event Health Care Plan..............................................140
Event Manager Course..........................................47, 97
Event Notification & Approval Form..............92, 140
Event safety..................................................................... 92
Events Pathway.......................................................10, 137
Events, special & announcements.......................... 15
Executive Board system............................................. 67
Experts..............................................................................96
Extended Travel Training....................... 106, 107, 108,
Fall sale, see product sales program..............56, 125
Falsifying documents................................................... 28
Family donations.......................................................... 118
Campaign For Girls..............................................8, 9, 131
File box organization.................................................... 65
Financial assistance........................................... 131, 140
Financial literacy............................................56, 119, 122
Financial literacy badges............................................ 56
Financial record keeping............................................66
Financial skills by grade level................................... 120
Firearms/marksmanship..................................... 87, 91,
First Aid Kit......................................................66, 96, 106,
First Aid/CPR/Wilderness............................ 60, 95, 96
First aider................................................... 60, 95, 96, 97
Flag ceremonies............................................................ 59
Food allergies...........................................................64, 94
Founder’s Day................................................................ 57
Friendship circle..................................................... 57, 64
Fundraising .........................102, 107, 108, 117, 128-130
Fundraising for other orgs, not allowed............... 130
Gifts-in-Kind........................................................... 117, 129
CRG - Forms / Index
143
Forms / Index
Index
Index
Girl characteristics................................................ 69-71
Girl planning committees........................................... 53
Girl planning, see also girl-led..........8, 18 ,32, 33, 36,
......... 46-47, 59, 62, 67-68, 77, 81-82, 85, 90, 119, 121
Girl Scout Activity Insurance.....................................98
Girl Scout Birthday........................................................ 57
Girl Scout handshake................................................... 57
Girl Scout holidays........................................................ 57
Girl Scout Law, see Promise and Law........................6
Girl Scout Leadership Experience............... 7, 32, 34
Girl Scout motto............................................................ 57
Girl Scout processes........ 33, 36, 38, 46, 68, 85, 119
Girl Scout Promise, see also Promise.......................6
Girl Scout Ranger Program......................................... 52
Girl Scout sign................................................................. 57
Girl Scout slogan............................................................ 57
Girl Scouts’ Own............................................................ 59
Girl to Adult ratio............................................... 89, 21, 28
Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting........34, 35, 52, 104, 137
Girl-Adult Partnership.................................................68
Girl-led, girl planning............... 81, 82, 90, 119, 121, 137
Girls Changing Groups................................................ 116
Girls Go Tech GGT........................................... 16, 25, 54
Girls traveling alone....................................................109
Global Girl Scouting.........................................................7
Global Travel Toolkit................ 105 see also 106, 107,
Goal Management.........................................................84
Go-Karts, not allowed...................................................91
Gold Award..........................................50, 51, 53, 59, 60,
Got Choices..............................................................16, 54
Governance............................................................. 17, 137
GPS.....................................................................................84
Grade levels........................................................................9
Green by Nature (GBN).................................. 16, 25, 54
Grievance process........................................................ 28
Ground rules................................................................... 77
Growing Strong............................................................... 54
Growth Mindset............................................................. 83
GSLE, see Girl Scout Leadership Experience 8, 136
GSNorCal Camps................................................... 12 - 14
GSNorCal emergency number................................. 95
GSNorCal, about............................................................ 12
GSUSA..........................................................................7, 137
Gymnastics......................................................................91
Hang gliding, not allowed.............................................91
Harassment................................................................15, 27
144
Hayward Cabin.................................................... 12, 13, 14
Health History Form.......................................... 134, 139
Helicopters, not allowed..............................................91
Heritage Committee................................................... 58
Hidden Falls.......................................................... 12, 13, 14
High altitude climbing, not allowed..........................91
High-adventure activities
(formerly called highrisk)
.................................................. 91-92, 103, 16, 55, 63, 93,
....................................... 100, 101, 106, 110, 132, 139, 140
Historic uniforms.......................................................... 58
HIV/AIDS........................................................................... 27
Holding troop meetings..............................................64
Holidays, Girl Scout...................................................... 57
Horseback riding............................................................91
Hot air balloons, not allowed......................................91
How long, retention of documents....................... 134
How to Form a Troop/Group..................................... 29
Hunting, not allowed.....................................................91
“I” statements................................................................. 79
Ida Smith............................................................... 12, 13, 14
Incident Report form...................93, 94, 95, 100, 134
Inclusion........................................................................... 72
Injury, see Accident/Injury Form
Insignia....................................................................... 52, 65
Inspire................................................................................. 15
Insurance........... 98, 21, 28, 46, 63, 66, 87, 91, 92, 99
Interest Groups.............................................................. 55
International Trips...................... 92, 98, 104, 106, 108
Investiture........................................................................ 59
Jeep Tours........................................................................91
Jet-skis, not allowed......................................................91
Joining Girl Scouts.......................................................... 9
Journey Awards......................................................40-45
Journey Maps................................................................ 38
Journey Summit Award............................................... 52
Journeys................................................................... 34-38
Journeys, getting started..................................... 36-37
Journeys, how................................................................. 37
Journeys, why.......................................................... 34-35
Juliette Low.................................................................... 58
Juliette Low World Friendship Fund...7, 58, 110, 116
Juniors, working with............................70, 89 104, 120
Kaper Charts................................................................... 77
Kayaking.............................................................................91
Manager...........................................................................137
Leader Appreciation Day............................................ 57
CRG - Forms / Index
Leader in Action (LIA.................................................... 53
Leadership................................ 8, 32-37, 50, 52-53, 60
Leadership keys...................................................... 33, 47
Learning by doing...................... 33, 35, 36, 68, 85, 119
Lou Henry Hoover.................................................... 13-14
Low, Juliette see Juliette Low.................................. 58
Make Your Own Badge................................................. 35
Making decisions........................................... 64, 90, 119
Male volunteers.............................................................. 27
Managing conflict.......................................................... 73
Marijuana prescription......................................... 87, 89
Marksmanship/firearms.................................. 28, 87,91
Matching gifts..................................................................131
MDM: Membership Development Manager....... 137
Media information form.................... 94, 95, 100, 139
Meeting place considerations........................... 62-63
Meeting place safety guide........................................ 62
Meeting planning, see also girl-led..........................64
Meeting, parts of............................................................64
Membership dues.....................9, 112, 115, 118, 122, 131
Membership registration..............16, 95, 115, 134, 141
Memorabilia................................................................... 58
Merging groups, money.............................................. 116
Mission.................................................................................6
Monday Mailing.................................................... 15, 16, 31
Money owed to the council.......................................112
Money taken from a troop..........................................112
Money, trips................................................................... 107
Money-earning
.................... 87, 99, 101, 102, 107, 112, 116-120, 127, 128
Money-earning approvals.................................118, 128
Money-earning projects
...........................................102, 107, 118-119, 127, 128 130
Money-earning, alcohol.............................................128
Motor bikes, not allowed..............................................91
Museums.......................................................................... 58
Mutual of Omaha......................................................... 139
My Promise, My Faith.................................................... 52
Name change................................................................... 21
National delegates...................................................17, 53
National Program Portfolio................................. 34-58
Nomination for adult recognition............................. 31
Non-commercial aircraft, not allowed...................91
“Not A Girl Scout Event”...............................................91
Not allowed activities....................................................91
Older Girl programs...................................................... 53
Older girls’ needs........................................................... 73
On Call Groups............................................................... 55
Online camp/event registration..............................135
Online classes................................................................ 25
Online marketing..........................................................123
Online safety........................................................... 87, 124
Open communication........................................... 73,79
Opening a bank account.............................................113
Opening ceremonies................................................... 59
Operations........................................................................ 17
Opportunity Catalog.................................4, 19, 60, 137
Ordering insurance.......................................................98
Organization tips........................................................... 65
Organizational chart........................................................7
Outcomes.......................................................... 32, 46-47
Outcomes, screening process..................................19
Paintball, not allowed....................................................91
Parachuting, not allowed.............................................91
Parasailing, not allowed................................................91
Parent/guardian help................................................... 79
Parent/guardian permission
...... 101-103, 106,125 111, 137, 139-140 also 87, 93, 96
Parent/guardian, first meeting...................................61
Participation patches..........................................52, 137
Pathways...................................................................10, 137
Patrol system.......................................................... 67, 137
PCI compliance.................................................... 133, 135
Permission forms
......... 93 see, also 88, 100- 103,106, 134,137,139-140
Permission forms, Sensitive/Controversial Issues.
.........................................................103, 106, 134, 137, 139
Personal information, safeguarding............. 126, 132
Personal watercraft.......................................................91
Pinning ceremonies...................................................... 58
Planning, girl............ 25, 46-47, 53, 59, 61, 64, 65, 102
Positive reinforcement............................................... 78
Prescription medications .................................. 62, 94
Preventing problems.................................................... 77
Private planes, not allowed.........................................91
Private transportation................................................ 99
Product sales program........................................ 56, 121
Product sales, online marketing..............................123
Product sales, safety...................................................126
Program and Event Guide (PEG................. 15, 16, 138
Program boxes............................................................... 25
Program initiatives........................................................ 54
Program resources....................................................... 77
CRG - Forms / Index
145
Forms / Index
Index
Index
Index
146
Sample sessions.............................................. 36, 37, 64
Sample Thank You Letter.......................................... 141
Safety-Wise.............................................................. 86-111
Santa Rosa Office.................................................5, 12, 13
Screening.........................................19-22, 27, 61, 97, 99
Screening requirements....................................... 19-22
Screening, drivers.................................... 28, 60-61, 99
Scuba..................................................................................91
Seatbelts....................................................................91, 99
Seniors, working with............................................ 71, 120
Sensitive Issues................................................ 74, 75, 88
Sensitive personal information...............................133
Sensitive topics.............................................................. 74
Sensitive/Controversial Issues
Permission Form......................................... 88, 102, 139
Series Pathway................................................................10
Service centers.................................................................5
Service Unit Event Notification Form............92, 140
Service Unit Finance Report............. 114-115, 128, 141
Service Unit Financial Aid...........................................115
Service Unit
High-Adventure Activities.................. 91-92, 137, 140
Service units..................................................................... 12
Sexual orientation...................................................27, 87
Silver Award....................................... 50-52, 59, 60, 137
Simulated sky diving...............................................91-93
Sisterliness...................................................................... 76
Situation jar..................................................................... 78
Skateboarding..........................................................91-93
Skiing............................................................................91-93
Sky diving, not allowed................................................. 91
Skylark............................................................. 12, 13, 14, 55
Smoking............................................................................ 28
Snacks.................................................................25, 60, 64
Snorkeling...................................................................91-93
Snowboarding..........................................................91-93
Social networks, product sales................ 111, 125, 141
Solicitation of contributions for
another organization.............................91, 117, 118, 125,
Songs.......................................................................... 38, 57
Spanish-Language Resources...... 38, 72, 9, 139, 141
Splitting Groups............................................................ 116
Sponsorship...................................................117, 129, 132
Strategic Goals, GSNorCal.......................................... 17
Stunt skiing, not allowed..............................................91
Supervision
.. 11, 21, 28, 61, 73, 86, 89, 97, 102, 111, 117, 123, 12, 126
CRG - Forms / Index
Sustainable......................................................... 47, 50, 71
Swimming............................................................62, 91-93
Take action.......... 8, 32, 33, 36, 37, 46, 47, 48, 50, 68
Talking sign....................................................................... 78
Talking stick...................................................................... 78
Team agreements................................... 77, 78, 87, 108
Teambuilding ........................................................... 37, 77
Theft...................................................15, 28, 100, 112, 125
Thinking Day, see World Thinking Day
.......................................................................... 7, 57, 59, 138
Three keys to leadership
............................................. 8, 32, 33, 37, 46, 50, 63, 104
Tomahawk/knife throwing, not allowed..................91
Town Meeting.................................................................. 67
Traditions......................................................................... 57
Training, adult
.........................4, 6, 11, 19, 24, 25, 29, 46, 51, 53, 55, 60
Trampolines, not allowed.....................................62, 91
Transforming Leadership............................ 32, 46, 68
Transforming Leadership Continued.......32, 46, 68
Transporting girls........................................... 87, 99, 109
Trapeze, not allowed.....................................................91
Travel Pathway................................................................16
Travel progression........................................54, 104, 110
Travel security..............................................................109
Trip approval process..................16, 92, 101-103, 106
Trip Checklist................................................................ 101
Trip folders............................................................100, 103
Trip or High-Adventure Activity Form.......... 92, 103
Troop committee..........................................................60
Troop Disband Form........................................... 116, 141
Troop Driver Form...................................... 99, 102, 134
Troop government................................................67, 138
Troop pathway................................................................10
Troop Registration Summary Form.......... 18. 21, 141
Troop Roster..................................................... 100, 134
Troop year......................................................................64
Troop/Group Finance Report............. 114, 133, 141
Tubing................................................................................91
Twin Canyons.......................................................... 13, 14
United Way.................................................................... 131
Unregistered adults............................................21, 102
Unrelated female adult............................................. 97
Un-tethered hot air balloons, not allowed.......91
Update from Marina.................................................... 15
Use permits....................................................................63
VDM: Volunteer Development Manager...16, 138
Vehicle Assignment List...............................106, 140
Virtual Pathway..............................................................10
Vision ...................................................................................6
Volunteer appreciation week..........................31, 57
Volunteer conduct..................................................... 28
Volunteer Management Policies.......................... 27
Volunteer opportunities.............................................9
Volunteer roles and responsibilities...........18, 60
Volunteer-Run Camps.............................................. 55
Volunteer-in-Training (VIT).................................... 53
Volunteer-Run Camp Finance Report.............. 141
WAGGGS.................................................................. 7, 105
Water skiing.....................................................................91
Website Guidelines.................................................... 111
Website, council information................................. 12
Website, GSUSA information...................................7
Wilderness, First Aid (WFA) or
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)....................96
Windsurfing.....................................................................91
Working with girls......................................................... 76
Working with parents/guardians.......................... 79
World Centers............................................. 7, 104, 105
World Thinking Day.............................................57, 58
Zorbing, not allowed...................................................91
CRG - Forms / Index
147
Forms / Index
Progression.......................................................54, 68, 110
Progression, travel..................................................... 104
Promise and Law activities....................................... 58
Promoting fairness....................................................... 73
Property reservations...................................................14
Protect yourself, money....................................114, 126
Publications & CDs....................................................... 38
Quiet sign.......................................................... 138, 57, 78
Rafting................................................................................91
Rainbow’s End........................................................... 13-14
Ratios, Adult to Girl supervision........ 86,87, 124,126
Record keeping for troops.........................................66
Red Bluff Service Center............................................. 13
Rededication..........................................................59, 138
Reengaging girls.....................................................66, 110
Regional delegates................................................... 17,53
Registered sex offenders..................................... 21, 28
Registering for adult learning....................... 19, 24, 29
Registration..................................... 1, 21, 25, 61, 115, 136
Registration for camp, events online.....................135
Registration, membership............................... 9, 16, 18
Religious recognitions................................................. 52
Rental vehicles.............................................................100
Reporting Responsibilities: Service Unit...............115
Reserving camps or offices.................................. 13-14
Resident Camp.........................16, 55, 94, 96, 110, 139
Resident Camps............................................................ 55
Retail stores............................................................5, 12, 15
Retaining documents................................................ 134
Rock climbing.................................................................. 91
Rohnert Park: Scout House.................................. 12, 13
Role model............................... 11, 18, 27, 37, 82, 87, 109
Role of volunteers.......................................................... 18
Ropes Course Rentals............................................ 13, 14
Rosters..................................................... 26, 65, 100, 134
Safe space................................................................ 73, 87
Safeguarding information................................ 124, 133
................. 90-92, see also 27, 62, 87, 88, 97, 109, 124
Safety for events............................................................ 97
Safety responsibilities.......................................... 87-88
Safety, trips....................................................................109
Sailing..................................................................................91
Sailplanes, not allowed.................................................91
Sales tax............................................................................112
Sample Ask Letter........................................................ 141
Why Girl Scouts?
Life Success
Girl Scout alumnae display positive life outcomes to a greater degree
than women who were not Girl Scouts. These outcomes pertain to sense
of self, community service, civic engagement, education, and income.
Leadership
More than 78% of Girl Scouts have had leadership experience
through GSLE and are more likely to consider themselves
leaders than other girls.
Empowerment
45% of Girl Scouts view women leaders as creative,
collaborative, and inspirational. Girls say scouting has helped them
recognize their strengths and become better team members.
STEM
87% of girls in our Tech Choices program believe they can be an
engineer when they grow up. Girl Scouts is changing the way young
girls think about their futures.
Facilitators
Girl Scouts who engage in Take Action projects report they feel
prepared to play an active role in their communities in the future.
More than two-thirds volunteer for environmental causes.
Friendship
Girl Scouts provides the unique experience of supporting social and
mental growth, while building inner strength and character. Girls will
always remember the great friendships built through scouting.
Entrepreneurship
Girls who participate in cookie sales develop positive values,
practical life skills, critical thinking, healthy relationships, cooperation
and team building, conflict resolution, and problem solving skills.
Camp
Camp and outdoor programs are a central part of the Girl Scout
culture. 75% of girls reluctant to try new things said they had
chosen a growth mindset after attending camp.
Make the World a Better Place
Whether through Journey Take Action projects, or Bronze, Silver,
or Gold Awards, 2.8 million Girl Scouts all across the country are
changing the world for the better every single day!