New Leader Troop Start-Up Guide

New Leader Troop Start -Up Guide

A quick-reference guide for becoming a troop leader.

1-22-17

Welcome

Dear valued adult volunteer:

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Girl Scouting, and we thank you for your commitment as a Girl Scouts of Connecticut volunteer. You are making a lasting difference in many one meeting, one event, one day at a time!

Girl Scouts of Connecticut serves nearly 32,000 Girl Scouts in every town in our state, and volunteers like you enable girls to discover themselves, their values and their voices, connect with others to build healthy relationships, and take action to make their communities and the world a better place.

This guide is designed to help you throughout your time as a volunteer. It is a reference for any and all questions that may arise during your journey with Girl Scouts of Connecticut. We place the safety and well-being of our girls and volunteers above all else and the important procedures, forms, and contacts in this guide are there to assist you. Read through it carefully to become familiar with our programming and policies.

Girl Scouts of Connecticut is grateful for all that you do to make Girl Scouting possible throughout the state. We thank you once again for your hard work and efforts in building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

We could not do it without you and others like yourself! So please be sure to use this guide to help you navigate the world of Girl Scout volunteering

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Mary Barneby Chief Executive Officer

Our Mission and Vision Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Scout Promise Girl Scout Law On my honor, I will try: I will do my best to be To serve God* and my country, honest and fair, To help people at all times, friendly and helpful, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and

responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, *Girl Scouts of the USA makes no attempt to define or interpret the respect authority,

establish for themselves the nature of their spiritual beliefs. When use resources wisely, making the Girl Scout Promise, individuals may substitute wording make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

All About Girl Scouts

Members Members are girls, adult volunteers, and lifetime Girl Scouts who are joined together in the pursuit of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Troops Troops are the most common way girls participate in Girl Scouts. Troops are led by volunteers (often parents, friends, or family members). The average troop size is 8-10 girls, but wehave troops of 20 or more! Troops allow girls to work as a team and build friendships to last a lifetime.

Service Units Our council is made up of more than 100 service units. Service units are comprised of volunteers and girl members in an immediate geographic area. These service units are led by experienced individuals who support leaders, troops, and individual members. You may hear from your service unit volunteers regarding events, trainings, cookies, and much more!

Girl Scouts of Connecticut Girl Scouts of Connecticut is one of 112 councils in the United States. With a membership of nearly 32,000 girls and more than 15,000 adults, we serve every city and town, rural and urban, across the state. One out of six girls in Connecticut participate in Girl Scouting. (and for years to come!) as you and your troop attend council events, ask questions, visit our website share on our social media, and more.

Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. (commonly referred to as GSUSA) is the national organization to which Girl Scouts of Connecticut belongs. Originally founded by Juliette Gordon Low, GSUSA now serves 1.8 million girls and adults. GSUSA is comprised of 112 Girl Scout councils in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

W.A.G.G.G.S. W.A.G.G.G.S. or the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, is a 146-member international

Girl Scouts of the USA is a member.

Girl Scouts of Connecticut

Check out your local service center! Our service centers and outdoor program centers are open to every Girl Scout throughout Connecticut. We operate a variety of summer camps and program centers across the state consisting of over 1,900 acres and servicing girls from all areas. . Outdoor program centers can be found in: Bristol, East Haven, East Lyme, Lebanon, Manchester, Milford, New Fairfield, Oxford, Stamford, Tolland, CT, Tolland, MA, and Weston.

Hartford Service Center Waterbury Service Center 340 Washington Street 171 Grandview Ave., Suite 102 Waterbury, CT 06708 Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 522-0163 (203) 757-1340

1-800-922-2770

Wilton Service Center Lebanon Service Center 529 Danbury Road 175 C Clubhouse Road Wilton, CT 06897

Lebanon, CT 06249 (203) 762-5557 (860) 423-5502

North Haven Service Center 20 Washington Ave. North Haven, CT 06473 (203) 239-2922 1-800-922-2770

GSOFCT Council - Retail Shops Girl Scouts of Connecticut operates three main shops located in the Hartford, North Haven, and Wilton Service Centers and one smaller satellite shop located in the Lebanon Service Center. You may purchase every item we carry from any shop, however, please note that our smaller satellite shop does not carry the complete line of merchandise due to space constrictions. All shops carry the Girl Scout basic items, (uniforms, badges, and books) that are needed to start your girls on their Girl Scout journey! You may place your order by phone, fax, or online at shop.gsofct.org. See all of our shop hours and locations at shop.gsofct.org/store/go/contact-us/. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. Please keep in mind that buying Girl Scout items from any of our Girl Scouts of Connecticut Shops generates proceeds which stay here in CT for your camps, girl programs, volunteer services, and more!

For more information or questions about your council shop, please contact us at 1-800-922-2770 or gsofct.org.

Troop Start-Up Checklist for the New Leader

This New Leader Troop Start- basic checklist that walks you through how to start your Girl Scout troop. Consider this page your quick reference guide for the first steps for starting a Girl Scout troop.

Congratulations! After completing your Girl Scout Membership Registration, the Volunteer Application Process, and review of Girl Scouting 101, you are now ready to become a Girl Scout volunteer. Reminder: Two non-related adults, one of which is female, must be present at all times and at least one has successfully completed the Volunteer Application process, Background Screening, and Core Leadership requirements. Leaders and co-leaders must be approved adults.

Start your training*  GSOFCT Orientation: online course Date: :  Troop Start - Up: in-person component Date:  Basic Leader Training* Date:  Jump into Journeys* Date:

* To register for a course go to the Program and Registration Area at .gsofct.org/iMIS_public/.

Connect with GSOFCT staff and your service unit Your service unit will be the best source of information for you as a new leader. At the monthly meetings, you will meet experienced leaders who will be able to answer your questions about activities, money-earning, traditions, and much more. You will also meet new leaders like yourself!

GSOFCT Staff Support: The council staff consists of more than 100 professionals who provide support to service units and volunteers in implementing the Girl Scout program. In addition to your service team, you will be directly supported by a service delivery team:  Recruitment Manager:

 Membership Manager:

 Membership Support Administrative Assistant: A complete listing of GSOFCT staff can be found at gsofct.org/about/staff.php.

Service Unit Support: For more information on your community and community support refer to SECTION ONE of this booklet.  Service Unit:

 Service Unit Manager:

 Meeting Details: (date(s), time, location)

Rallyhood: service unit using Rallyhood ,refer to SECTION ONE of this booklet.  New Volunteer Rally:

 Service Unit Rally:

Troop meeting place and time  My troop number is:  Meeting place:  Date(s):  Time: Schedule your troop meetings for when you are available. As much as possible, you should take into account family needs, scheduled events, religious holidays, and of course, availability of your meeting place. GSOFCT strongly discourages meetings held in private residences. Instead, we recommend that troop meetings take place in safe community settings that are accessible to all members, both girls and adults. Careful consideration should be used to find appropriate facilities for the age of the girls to be served and the activities to be conducted (i.e. schools, community centers, libraries, churches/synagogues, municipal entities, etc). Should a troop be unable to secure a public meeting place, council approval then needs to be secured for meetings in a private residence. See Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 8 for guidelines. If requested by the meeting place, a copy of the Certificate of Liability Insurance can be obtained by contacting [email protected]. If you are unsure how to find a meeting place, ask your Service Unit Manager or Membership Manager.

Register your troop the link below to your families and ask that they register their girls and themselves. Once they register each member, ask them to forward you their confirmation email so that you can see that they are registered. (OPTION A) You can also choose to take the troop leader/adult training video and receive troop credentials and register your troop members yourself from their completed paper registration forms. (OPTION B) Option A: Online Membership Registration Portal for NEW Members: https://portal.gsofct.org/IMIS/GSWCM/CreateAccountJoin.aspx  Each individual member can register and create their own membership profile and credentials! Individual Member Credentials: Individual Member Credentials: Username:______Username:______Password:______Password:______

Option B: Training Video to receive troop credentials to register troop members:  Troop Leader Training Video: youtube.com/watch?v=Yu5bJNkwjUw&feature=youtu.be Troop Leader Credentials: Username:______Password:______

One final note: Financial aid for membership is available for girls and adults when needed. Please contact your Service Unit Registrar or Membership Manager for more information.

Adult volunteer support for your troop  Meeting place:  Date:

 Time: The parent/guardian meeting should be held at least two weeks prior to your first Girl Scout meeting. For more information and ideas on what to cover in your parent meeting and how to engage parental support, refer to SECTION TWO in this booklet. Each Jou parents. Most importantly, GET THE PARENTS INVOLVED from the start! Set the expectation that parents are an important part of the Girl Scout experience.  Sample Agenda for Girl Scout Parent/Guardian Meeting  Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need  Ways Adults Can Help Form

Getting ready for your troop meeting! See SECTION THREE of this booklet for troop management information including tips for getting started and some examples of forms you might find useful.  - gsofct.org/pages/LeadersToolbox.php  First Five Meetings Booklets Daisy, Brownie, and Junior levels  Level Basic Guides - Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadettes, and Senior/Ambassador levels  Leader2Leader Sharing Circles Virtually connect with other leaders and staff to ask questions and share experiences  Girl Scout Badges by Grade Level - Quick guide to available badges, pins, and more. gsofct.org/content- files/File/Program/GSUSAGirlBadgesbyGradelevel.pdf  Forms:  Troop Attendance Record   Girl Scouts of Connecticut website: .gsofct.org  GSOFCT Council Retail Shop - online at shop.gsofct.org/store/  Girl Scouts of the USA website: girlscouts.org

Girl Scout program resources The National Program Portfolio has two main parts: the National Leadership Journeys and The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. Complemented by the Girl Scout Product Sales Program and Girl Scout Awards, the National Program Portfolio is designed to help girls develop as leaders and build confidence by learning new skills. It also ensures that Girl Scouts at every level are sharing a powerful, national experience girls together are changing the world! Please see SECTION FOUR for details and Girl Scout program resources.  Leadership Journey books and  Program Resource Guide and Summer Camp Brochure  Volunteer Essentials - Detailed volunteer manual and operating procedures  Safety Activity Checkpoints Safety guidelines by activity  Girl Scouts of Connecticut website: gsofct.org  Girl Scouts of the USA website: girlscouts.org

Managing troop finances

All Girl Scout troops must have a bank account. For steps on how to set one up, please refer to SECTION FIVE in this booklet. Included are some helpful hints for planning the troop budget, organizing troop finances, and completing the Troop/Group Year-End Financial Report. The Service Unit Treasurer will assist you with setting up your bank account and will inform you of any other financial reporting requirements.  Opening your checking account  Troop/Group Budget Forecast Worksheet  Troop/Group Year-End Financial Report  Product Sales

Getting your paperwork organized Need a rough outline for organizing your Girl Scout materials? Check out SECTION SIX for tips on getting organized!  Troop information  Girl Information  Adult information  Trips/Events  Finance

Safety First! The safety and well-being of girl and adult members is our highest priority. See SECTION SEVEN for information to ensure for a safe Girl Scout experience.  Inspiring open communication  Inclusivity

Appendix: Other things you need to know

For the most accurate and complete information about Girl Scouts of

to Volunteer Essentials available at gsofct.org.

Service Unit Support Team SECTION ONE

Girl Scouts of Connecticut is divided into over 100 geographic areas called service units, which exist to support each leader in implementing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Your service unit consists of girls and adults from your neighborhood and surrounding schools.

Service Unit: Service Unit #:

Monthly Meeting: Day: Time: Location:

Purpose of the service unit: A service unit is one of many specific geographical areas within Girl Scouts of council jurisdiction. It is made up of a number of troops/groups of different levels as well as individually registered girl and adult members. The goal of a service unit is to provide additional program opportunities for the girls it serves as well as enrichment and meeting opportunities for its leaders and adults.

The service unit fulfills its role by ensuring that:  Messages and activities of the service unit reflect the Girl Scout Mission and council goals.  The service unit engages volunteers in developing plans that meet the needs and interests through a variety of methods.  Volunteers will receive ongoing coaching and education that equip them to be successful in their role.  The Girl Scout program is represented and supported in the local community and continues to grow.

What are service unit meetings? Regularly-scheduled meetings are held locally for adult volunteers within your service units. These monthly leader meetings support volunteers by providing them with information and resources to support troop programming as well as a networking opportunity to share ideas and support. It is very important that you or an adult from your troop attend every service unit meeting to get the most accurate and timely local and council-wide information. If you miss a meeting, contact your service unit manager to receive the information discussed and get any materials that were distributed.

How do I connect with my service unit? You connect using Rallyhood! Rallyhood is a communication platform that allows staff, service units, and troops to organize and manage events in one web application including a message wall, photo gallery, sign-up forms, calendar, and many other functions. Users visit Rallyhood.com and login to see their dashboards, which then links them to all of the rallies of which they are

Volunteer Application Process.

What is a service team? Most service units are led by a group of trained adult volunteers, known as the service team, which oversees activities within the geographical area. The service team works together to recruit, retain, and support girls and volunteers within the service tnit. The team is prepared to provide you with assistance in managing the activities of working with girls as well as the opportunity to attend monthly meetings with other leaders and adult volunteers. Service team volunteers should always be the first people you contact when you are in need of assistance. While your local volunteer is one of the first places to go, volunteers and staff can be found everywhere to help you find your way.

Who is part of the service unit team? (included but are not limited to)

Service Unit Manager (SUM): The Service Unit Manager is appointed by and works in partnership with the Membership Manager to oversee and coordinate Girl Scouting in the service unit. She/he is responsible for the development, extension, and maintenance of girl and adult membership. She/he plans and directs the delivery of services to girls and adults holding service unit meetings on a regular basis. The Service Unit Manager also approves troop/group trips and money-earning activities, as well as the ongoing mentoring and coaching of area volunteers.

Service Unit Registrar (SUR): The Service Unit Registrar oversees girl and adult membership registration within the service unit. She/he ensures all members of the service unit are correctly registered, processes paperwork in an accurate and timely manner, and maintains records of membership data and annual registration fees paid.

Service Unit Treasurer (SUT): The Service Unit Treasurer manages finances for the service unit. She/he maintains accurate records of all service unit transactions and tracks all troop/group accounts within the service unit. She/he works with new troops/groups to establish bank accounts, assists volunteers in managing their finances, handles any payments and bills incurred by service unit activities, and processes bank deposits. If you have questions about setting up troop/group bank accounts, the Service Unit Treasurer can help!

Service Unit Recruiter: The Service Unit Recruiter is responsible for recruiting, organizing, placing, and retaining girls and adult volunteers for an assigned school(s), ensuring that all girls are provided with the opportunity to fully participate in Girl Scout programs and activities. If you need assistance with your initial parent/guardian meeting, the recruiter can help!

Service Unit Orientation Volunteer: The Service Unit Orientation Volunteer facilitates the new leader Troop Start-Up courses for prospective volunteers. Troop Start-Up, the in-person component of Girl Scouts of Connecticut Orientation, is part of the Core Leadership Requirements.

Service Unit Product Sales Manager: The Service Unit Product Sales Manager manages the QSP and/or cookie program within the service unit. She/he provides training and ongoing support to Troop/Group Product Sales Managers, submits the service unit order to council, distributes product to troops/groups, and reconciles accounts.

Please Note: Service team positions are voluntary and no payment is provided for this service.

Rallyhood

Rallyhood is a communication platform that allows service units to communicate easily in one web or mobile application. Rallies include a message wall, photo gallery, sign-up forms, and many other functions. Each service unit has its very own Rally within our GSOFCT Service Unit Community. There are also other Rallies within the SU Community for Service Unit Managers and Service Unit Recruiters. All of our Rallies are set to private, so only people who are members will be able to see anything that is posted.

How to get started: You should receive an email invitation from your Service Unit Manager or their representative* inviting you to join your Service Unit Rally.

your profile. Add all a basic info and a picture!

IMPORTANT NOTE: When setting up your profile, make sure your time zone is set to EASTERN TIME. Otherwise, the times for your calendar and any events you create will be incorrect.

In Privacy Settings, you can choose whether to have your email displayed to other Rally Friends or Admins.

By going to Email Settings, you can confirm your email, choose whether you want to get daily or weekly digests of Rally activity, and if you want all of your Rallies condensed into one email (recommended).

Sidebar: You can access all of your Rallies and Communites from My Rallies on the sidebar. You can also see a calendar of all of the events happening in all of your Rallies on My Calendar. You can add personal events that will only be seen by you. If you receive messages through Rallyhood, you can see and respond to them in My Inbox.

help section.

Rallyhood Features

Homepage: Quick access and previews of the newest info

Message Wall: Share info and have discussions. Share files or photos with your message, which will automatically be uploaded into the Files section or Gallery, respectively.

Calendar: Events for this Rally, and shared Community Events

Gallery: Post pictures of Troop or SU happenings to share

Files: Documents for your SU, and share Community Files

Sign-ups: Sign up for an activity or to bring an item (Only Admins can create sign-ups.)

Friends: See who else is in the Rally! Send private messages by clicking the envelope next to their name. (Only Admins can invite or delete Rally Friends.)

Keep your eyes out for more Rally news! Rallyhood is always improving their system, and GSOFCT may be opening more Communities and Rallies in the future!

*Some Service Unit Managers have chosen another Service Team member or Troop/Group Leader to be the Rally Admin in their place. If

Membership Manager!

If you have questions about Rallyhood, talk to your Service Unit Manager, M Specialist, Megan Clark, at [email protected].

Meeting Place Safety Guidelines

Councils and troops often use the facilities of schools, shopping malls, parks, or other municipal entities as meeting places or venues for special events. Careful consideration should be used to find appropriate facilities for the age of the girls to be served and the activities to be conducted. A meeting place needs to provide a safe, clean, and secure environment that allows for the participation of all girls. Review Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 8, for tips and guidance in selecting meeting sites. Reminders:  Direct any questions or concerns regarding a possible meeting place to your Service Unit Manager or the Membership Manager for your area.  Use the Meeting Place Safety Checklist when selecting any meeting site.

 Written agreements may be required when securing meeting sites. Please remember that you are not authorized to sign any building-use agreements or contracts. Send all building-use agreements and/or contracts to your Membership Manager to be reviewed and forwarded for approval.

 Notify your Service Unit Manager or Membership Manager about the location for your

regular troop/group meetings, as well as, any

 Ensure meeting space is accessible to all girls and adults, including those with disabilities.

 Set up the meeting area prior to the arrival of the girls so that you will be ready to greet and supervise them when they arrive. (Move furniture, operate equipment, decorate room, etc.).

 Ensure that an adequate number of adults will be present at each meeting to supervise the girls. Girl Scouts adult-to-girl ratios show the minimum number of adults needed to supervise a specific number of girls. See Chapter 5 in Volunteer Essentials for specifics.

 Teach the girls to use the buddy system to keep each other safe.

 Enforce rules about where the girls are allowed to run and play games at the meeting place.

 Check all equipment for safety prior to use by girls. Reference the Safety Activity Checkpoints specific to the activity the girls will be participating in.

 Release each girl only to her parent or guardian, unless written permission has been obtained for another adult to pick-up.

 Volunteers are prohibited from smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages in the presence of girls and/or during any Girl Scout activity.

Steps for Creating an Account and Membership Registration for Individual NEW Members:

Visit gsofct.org Click on the Blue MEMBERSHIP tab Online Membership Registration

Next you will see the screen below. Click on the green bar (GSOFCT Online Membership Registration) at the top to begin the registration process.

Next you will see the screen below. In order to create a NEW profile and register, click on (Create and Account or Register as a Member) to begin the registration process.

Next click on Join Girl Scouts of Connecticut

Next click on Create and Account & Register as a Member

From this screen the registration process for each new member begins. As part of the registration process, each NEW member creates personal credentials for their membership profile. These should be kept in a safe place and can be used in the future to access the profile to change personal information and register for programs, events, and trainings for adults.

*This is an individual registration process and must be completed for each NEW member.

Current Members: ALL current members have a personal username and password that should be used for re-registration purposes. If a current member, either adult or girl, is joining your troop, please ask your Service Unit Registrar for assistance in transferring that member into your troop.

How Do I Register My Troop? Use this checklist if you are starting a brand new troop to help you take care of the registration process.  Receive Troop Number Your t position. Once you have completed this Troop Start-Up Meeting, please contact your Service Unit Registrar to receive your troop number.  OPTIONS for Troop Registration: Troop Leader Online Registration Option

Family (Individual)  Troop leader watches the online video to Online Registration Option learn about completing Online Membership  Each family registers their girl and active Registration for the troop and troop

adult independently using the directions members. for Online Individual Registration  After completing the video, the troop leader included above. follows the steps to receive the troop  Parents should forward the email credentials for use in the online membership confirmation of the girl and adult OR registration system. registration to the troop leader.  Troop leader has parents complete the paper  Troop leader forwards a listing of the girl and adult membership registration forms new troop members to the Service Unit and collects the funds for registration. Registrar who will transfer them into the  Troop leader deposits funds into new troop troop. back account and applies for troop debit card. Financial Assistance for Registration:  Troop leader uses the online membership

 Any member needing financial registration system to create troop profile assistance will complete a paper and enters each troop member into the troop. girl/adult membership registration  Troop leader uses new troop debit card to form and submit to the troop leader. pay for the membership registration for the troop members.

Adult Volunteer Support SECTION TWO for Your Troop

The initial parent/guardian meeting is a critical event to host as a troop leader. By hosting a meeting early on and asking parents/guardians for their help, your troop has the opportunity to gain their time, experience, and talents.

A parent/guardian meeting provides an opportunity to:  Inform parents/guardians about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and its benefit to girls.  Ask for parent/guardian support, assistance at troop meetings, and expectations of girls and leaders.  Direct parents/guardians to the Online Membership Registration portal to complete the Girl Scout membership registration process for their child and themselves and pay the Girl Scouts of the United States membership dues (see sample agenda for more information).  Have parents/guardians complete the Health History Form and other appropriate forms.

Benefits of Parent/Guardian Involvement: There are many benefits when parents/guardians are involved with Girl Scouting. Consider the following:  Parent/guardians know their children better than anyone else. They can provide insight and will be helpful when it comes to planning and problem solving.  Involving parents/guardians can help keep girls interested in the troop and troop activities.  Parents/guardians can ease the workload. Be sure to ask each parent/guardian to be involved. One of the top reasons why people do not volunteer is because no one asked them to!  Parents/guardians benefit from their involvement they become closer to their child, they develop an extended social network, and they can actively contribute to the community.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities: You want to engage each parent/guardian to help you work towards ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of girls. Clearly communicate to parents/guardians that they are expected to:  Follow Girl Scout safety guidelines and encourage their children to do so to.  Drop off and pick up on time; inform you if anyone other than themselves will be dropping off/picking up their child.  Participate in parent/guardian meetings. Help with at least one troop/group committee.  Pay troop/group dues.   Participate with their girl in the Girl Scout Cookie Program and QSP Product Sales Program, which are council-wide events.  Complete and sign all permission slips and return promptly.  Join Girl Scouts as an adult member.  Embrace all new and different experiences that Girl Scouts has to offer.  Understand what appropriate behavior is expected of their girl, as determined by council and you.

Six Steps to Parental Cooperation

1. Hold a Parent/Guardian Meeting Meet the parents/guardians, introduce yourself, and explain how the troop/group will operate. These are the most picking girls up on time, and ask for their help.

2. Ask for Help

request. Ask them face-to-face. Telephoning and notes are very ineffective to assume that someone else responded to a note. Ask ahead of time so that parents/guardians can make necessary adjustments or arrangements.

3. Know the Job What exactly do you want them to do? Be specific in your request. Tell them exactly what the job is, when it needs to be done (date and time), where it is to be done (at home, at the meeting site, from their office), and how long it will take (One hour, one meeting, a month, all year).

4. Ask Them to Help Their Troop, Not You They are more likely to want to help their girl than to help you a total stranger. Try, to help your

5. Expect and Insist That Every Parent/Guardian Do Something Many jobs can be done at night or on weekends (such as telephoning, shopping, driving, managing product sales) . Remind parents/guardians that you are a busy person too, and that you made the time to work with their girl, so they can make the time to help the troop in some way also.

6. Offer a Choice of Jobs, Not Just One Ask them: on our field trip to the museum next Tuesday afternoon, or shop for the

will you get turned down.

Planning the Parent/Guardian Meeting: You are encouraged to ask an experienced Girl Scout volunteer for guidance about the parent meeting.  Set the time and date and secure a location for the meeting. Limit your meeting time to one hour or less.  Invite all parents/guardians to attend. Choose a convenient time to ensure attendance.  Organize appropriate Girl Scout materials for parents/guardians packets:  Annual Consent Form (required for all girls)  Health History Form (required for all girls)  Parent/Guardian Trip/Event Permission Form Review purpose (required for all girls)  Troop phone/email list if you have the information in advance.  Troop meeting schedule with your contact information (if these are already set).  Ways Adults Can Help Form  Finalize the meeting agenda.

Sample Agenda for Girl Scout Parent/Guardian Meeting

Welcome/Introductions  Introduce yourself and any other Girl Scout adults present.  Ask parents/guardians to introduce themselves and their potential Girl Scout.  Explain to parents/guardians the process of becoming a leader:  You completed an application and background check  You will participate in required training courses  Explain th . The troop will do activities based on what the girls choose.  Explain the Girl Scout Mission and how the Girl Scout Leadership Experience engages girls in discovering self, connecting with others, and taking action, to make the world a better place.

Registration  Each girl must be registered in order to participate in Girl Scouts.  Give instructions on how parents/guardians can register both girls and themselves through the Online Membership Registration System.  Encourage all parents/guardians to register as members  Complete the Volunteer Application Process, so they can fully participate in their Girl Scout experience.  Explain that every registered Girl Scout and adult member in the Girl Scout Movement is automatically covered under the basic Mutual of Omaha Insurance upon payment of the $15 membership dues. The entire premium cost for this protection is borne by GSUSA. All membership dues collected are sent to GSUSA; no portion of the dues remains with the council.  fee offers, made a strategic decision to implement a council service fee for girls only.  Therefore, the total cost for a girl to be a Girl Scout is $30 for the membership year.  Adults will only have to pay a $15 fee that goes directly to GSUSA.  Share that financial assistance is available for the membership dues if needed.

Annual Consent Form , Health History Form, and Permission Form  Have each adult complete the Annual Consent Form for their girl.  This form gives permission for medical treatment, transportation, publicity, troop meetings, money-earning activities, and product sale activites.  This form must be completed and returned to you by the first meeting.  Have each adult complete the Health History Form for their girl.  This allows the girl to be treated if anything should happen. It also lets you know if they have any allergies or other special considerations.

Phone List and Meeting Dates  Ask the adults to review the phone/email list to ensure their information is correct.  This list is for Girl Scout purposes only and should not be given to anyone outside of the troop or group.  Review the meeting schedule and ask if there are conflicts that would prevent a girl from attending regularly scheduled meetings. Address any concerns as needed.

Parent/Guardian Support  Ask adults to look at the Ways Adults Can Help Form. Let them know that troop leaders and parents/guardians will need to work together to support the troop.  Ask for help in transporting girls on trips, bringing snacks, sharing special talents with the troop, or by attending troop meetings. Let them know the troop cannot meet unless you have the appropriate number of adults in attendance (refer to Volunteer Essentials for ratios).  Note: If transporting girls, adults must complete the Volunteer Application Process which includes a background screening (refer to Volunteer Essentials).

Troop/Program Information  The troop activities may come from the National Program Portfolio (Leadership Journeys and the Girl Guides to Girl Scouting),Skill-builder badges,  Girls will discuss ideas and make their plans.  Ideas from families are also welcome  Inform parents/guardians that while it is not mandatory for girls to have an individual copy of Scouting handbook or a specific girl Journey book, they are valuable resources for both girls and their parents/guardians.  Purchase your guide/journey books prior to the meeting so that you can show parents /guardians the benefits of them.  While uniforms are not mandatory, they are strongly encouraged, especially for younger girls. The official Girl Scout insignia is the Girl Scout pin.  However, Girl Scouts at each level have one uniform element (tunic, sash, or vest) for the display of official pins and awards which will be required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.  these printed to distribute to parents.  Bring a sample uniform if possible.  Let adults know that troop activities are supported through troop dues, product sales, and money-earning activities. Explain what troop dues are. Determine your troop/group dues. Each troop must decide what amount is best for them

meeting or once a month).  Troop dues may range from 50 cents per meeting up to $25 per year (level-appropriate).  See Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 9, Financing Your Girl Scout Program for additional information  Will the group have snacks? If so, develop a snack schedule for girls to take turns bringing in.

Closing  Thank parents/guardians for coming. Collect all the forms. Ask if there are any questions.

Keep your parents informed, involved, and feeling good about Girl Scouting. Recognition: It is important to give thanks to those Girl Scout adult volunteers who are active in the troop, Girl Scout community, or council levels. This recognition can be a thank-you note, a picture of the troop, a certificate of appreciation - the possibilities are limitless. These expressions of appreciation and gratitude strengthen the Girl Scout program. Check with your local service team for other recognition suggestions.

Note: For additional information, refer to Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 8, Especially for Troop/Group Volunteers.

Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need Girl Scout groups are large enough to provide a cooperative learning environment and small enough to allow for development of individual girls. The following group sizes are recommended:  Girl Scout Daisies: 5 12 girls  Girl Scout Cadettes: 5 25 girls  Girl Scout Brownies: 10 20 girls  Girl Scout Seniors: 5 30 girls  Girl Scout Juniors: 10 25 girls  Girl Scout Ambassadors: 5 30 girls Whatever the activity, from camping to cookie sales, adult supervision is required regardless of the grade level of the girls. The table below has been developed to show the minimum number of adults needed to supervise a specific number of girls. (Councils may also establish maximums due to size or cost restrictions.)

These adult-to-girl supervision ratios were devised to ensure the safety and health of all girls taking part in the activity. 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

Group Meetings Events, Travel, and Camping Two unrelated Plus one additional Two unrelated Plus one additional adults (at least one adult for each adults (at least one adult for each of whom is female) additional number of of whom is female) additional number of for this number of this many girls: for this number of this many girls: girls: girls: Girl Scout Daisies 12 6 6 4 (K grade 1) Girl Scout Brownies 20 8 12 6 (grades 2 3) Girl Scout Juniors 25 10 16 8 (grades 4 5) Girl Scout Cadettes 25 12 20 10 (grades 6 8) Girl Scout Seniors 30 15 24 12 (grades 9 10) Girl Scout Ambassadors 30 15 24 12 (grades 11 12)

Here are some examples on utilizing this chart: I whom are unrelated (in other words, you and someone who is not your sister, spouse, parent, or child), and at least one of whom is female. This is determined as follows: For up to 12 Daisies you need two adults, and one more adult for each six additional girls. Since you have 17 girls, you need three adults (2+1). If, however, you have 17 Cadettes attending a group meeting, you need only two unrelated adults, at least one of which is female since the chart shows that two adults can manage up to 25 Cadettes.

The adult-to-girl ratio in troops/groups that have multiple program levels needs to be based on the youngest program level present in that group.

WAYS ADULTS CAN HELP Each troop needs the help of adults to provide a quality Girl Scout experience. Get involved and make a difference in the lives of girls!

Address: (Include street address, city, state, & zip)

Home Phone: Work Phone:

Email: Cell Phone:

(s):

I would like to (please check all areas of interest):

HELP THE TROOP:

 Help at one or more meetings  Help with the fall product sale  Help with the cookie sale  Help troop with money- earning  Help manage troop budget  Do telephoning activities  Drive on trips/outings  Provide a meeting place  Purchase supplies  Provide a place for outdoor  Provide or coordinate snacks  Help for a hike, cookout, or trip activities for meetings  Provide space for storage/  Be a first aider (or be willing to  Be a camping adult (or be equipment take training) willing to take training)  Other

TEACH THE GIRLS:

 Songs  Crafts  Sewing  Sports  First Aid  Music  Camping Skills  Nature  Cooking  Drama  Math  Science  Games  Gardening  Dance  Fitness  Computer  Animals  Photography  Nutrition  My Hobby :  My Career  My Culture Other ______

SPONSOR: I belong to an organization/agency that might be interested in sponsoring a troop or event.

Potential Sponsor Name:

Street Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: Email:

Planning Your Troop Meetings SECTION THREE

What Does a Girl Scout Year Look Like? Most troops meet during the school year August through May. Your troop can meet year round, or January through June, or take a break during the spring whatever works for your troop. Keep these important dates in mind while you are planning:  October 1 September 30 Beginning and end of the Girl Scout membership year. Register before September 30 for the upcoming membership year.  October 31 , or

 February 22 World Thinking Day. Celebrate by learning more about your sisters in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world.  March 12 Girl Scout Birthday. Celebrate by inviting new girls to your troop to share the fun of Girl Scouting.  April 22- Leader Appreciation Day (part of Volunteer Appreciation Week). Celebrate knowing that we (and your girls) appreciate all you do!

How to Plan Your Troop Year

Start with your meeting dates. 1 Work with your troop leadership team to establish the dates for your first month or two of meetings, or a regular schedule for the year. Be sure to note school and religious holidays, and any personal conflicts you might already be aware of.

Ask the girls. Take time in the business portion of your meeting to find out what 2 activities the girls are interested in. Offer suggestions to complement Girl Led the journey you are taking. Listen during group activities to find out what Let girls offer their suggestions and the girls enjoy most. Invite older girls to share their own ideas and have a say in activities they want to include in their year. decide as a group on trips and service projects.

Learning by Doing Balance your activities. Make sure activities have a hands- 3 Include a variety of activities to support the Girl Scout Leadership on component. Let girls put their Experience: Attend a service unit event, take on a community service discoveries into practice! project, explore the world outdoors, visit a local business, etc.

Cooperative Learning Keep it simple. Make sure activities meet the needs of the group and give girls 4 ty that comes up. Focus on having fun the opportunity to plan as a team. with your Girl Scout journey, and look forward to adding something new or different next year!

What Is a Typical Troop Meeting? In a typical 90-

Pre- Closing meeting Cleanup Opening

Business

Activity

Before the meeting  Use the Troop Meeting Planner if necessary to help you get organized Girl Led  Make sure all participating adults understand their role Let girls offer their suggestions and have a say in activities they want  Send reminders to girls/adults if needed to include in their year.  Gather necessary supplies

During the meeting: Learning by Doing  Have fun with the girls Make sure activities have a hands- on component. Let girls put their  Encourage the girls to do things for themselves discoveries into practice!  Remember to save time for reflection and a closing ceremony

Cooperative Learning After the meeting: Make sure activities meet the  Thank parents/guardians and other adult helpers needs of the group and give girls  Take a moment to reflect with your adult troop team. What worked? the opportunity to plan as a team.  What would you do differently next time?  Follow up with girls/parents to remind them of decisions made and information for next meeting

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. Many volunteers find it helpful to think of meetings as having six parts, as outlined above, but feel free to structure the meeting in a way that makes sense for you and the girls. More detailed information on holding troop meetings can be found in Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 8.

Troop Meeting Planner

Date What are we going to do? Journey sessions or Skill-Building Badge:

Pre-Meeting Supplies: Activity

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

Opening Supplies:

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

Business Announcements:  Attendance  Dues  Treasury Balance Decisions to make:

Activity Supplies:

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

Clean-Up Supplies:

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

Closing Supplies:

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

Follow-up Reminders to send for next meeting:

TROOP/GROUP ATTENDANCE RECORD

Troop/Group number: Year:

Names Month/ Day 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 Total registered

Total not registered

Total visitors

Total attendance

This record, or a copy of it, should be forwarded as the leadership of the troop/group changes. At the end of the each month, draw a vertical line to delineate between months.

What Is an Investiture?

An Investiture is:  A welcome to Girl Scouting, in which members are invested into the Girl Scout Movement, meaning that they understand and accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law.  A tradition in Girl Scouting, in which members make the Girl Scout Promise and receive their membership pins.  A ceremony in which members celebrate becoming a Girl Scout. Girls work together with adults to plan the ceremony, invite their families, and share their excitement about Girl Scouting.

When should we invest girls?  When a girl is new to Girl Scouting  When they can make the Girl Scout Promise  When they understand (as much as possible for her age) and agree to live by the Girl Scout Law  When girls have helped to plan their ceremony

Do we have an investiture every year?  Girls are invested only once, but they can celebrate their commitment to Girl Scouting with a rededication ceremony in subsequent years  Girls can renew their promise as they grow into an increased understanding of the Girl Scout Promise and Law  When new girls join an existing troop, the girls may plan a combined Investiture/Rededication ceremony

What pins are girls given? Girl Led Girls should receive the appropriate membership pin for their program level: Let girls offer their suggestions and  the Girl Scout Daisy Pin, have a say in activities they want to include in their year.  the Girl Scout Brownie Pin, or  the Contemporary or Traditional Girl Scout Membership Pin. Learning by Doing Girls may also receive the World Trefoil Pin, which shows that Girl Scouts in Make sure activities have a hands- on component. Let girls put their the USA are part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. discoveries into practice!  Some troops prefer to award the World Trefoil Pin at a ceremony in honor of World Thinking Day in February to show their understanding of their world-wide sisterhood but girls are entitled to wear the Cooperative Learning World Trefoil Pin as soon as they become members of GSUSA. Make sure activities meet the needs of the group and give girls the opportunity to plan as a team.

What Happens at the End of the Year?

Congratulations, and thank you for your hard work! Many troops or groups reduce their activities once school is out for the summer. Since spring is such a busy time, here is a checklist to help you remember all the necessary things to do at the end of the troop year.

 Host a bridging activity and inform the girls about the next level in Girl Scouting.  Guide parents/guardians to renew their and their membership online through the online portal.  Renew during early Bird Registration to qualify for incentives.  Encourage parents/guardians to make a contribution to the Annual Giving Fund when they renew.

  Recognize the individuals and organizations that helped the troop during the year. Check out the volunteer recognitions available at gsofct.org/pages/VolunteerRecognitions.php.

 Pick up the badges, patches, pins, and membership stars for your awards ceremony. Remember to order early especially if you have a large troop.

 Talk with the girls and their parents /guardians about day camps in your area or one of the resident camps.

 Complete the Troop/Group Year-End Financial Report (available in the Resource and Forms Library). Give the financial report and a copy of your most recent bank statement to your Service Unit Treasurer by August 15.

 If you are reflecting a surplus in your treasury to roll over to next year, have you discussed with the girls a goal for these funds?   If the account year-end balance is more than the allotted $10 per girl, note details for use on the financial report (see Volunteer Essentials, Managing Group Finances).  Troops cannot participate in non-council sponsored money-earning activities of any kind if they have not submitted their year-end financial reports from the previous year(s).

 Ask parents/guardians what roles they might consider undertaking to help lead the troop next year.

 Discuss with the girls whether to plan at least one get together over the summer. Lots more to do during the summer time without school and sports conflicts.

 Identify girls who are either bridging to a different level or not returning to the troop.  Share these names with your Service Unit Registrar, Service Unit Recruiter, and/or Service Unit Manager. Could they be invited to participate as individuals or join another troop?

 If troop leadership is changing or if the troop is disbanding, please follow the steps on the Troop/Group Disbanding Notice Form (available in the Resource and Forms Library).

 When you make it to the end of this list, celebrate your efforts for a job well done!

Girl Scout Program SECTION FOUR

Girl Scout Leadership Journeys Girl Scout Leadership Journeys are programs that help girls explore a theme through a sequence of fun and challenging experiences. Journeys also help girls develop leadership skills, explore their interests, try new things, meet different people, and make the world a better place. There are three journey series available for all grade levels:  Change It!  Love It!  Tell It! More information can be found at girlscouts.org/program/journeys/.

Each grade level has a which is the official handbook for all Girl Scouts. The guide includes three sections: Grade Level Handbook, Requirements for Grade Level Badges, and My Girl Scouts, a section for girls to document their experiences that includes pages to scrapbook, draw, journal, or save special moments. This is a great resource to share with parents!

Badges Girl Scouts earn badges that demonstrate a proficiency in a progression of skill-building activities. Generally these activities connect to a specific subject matter (for example, first aid or animal habitats); some even complement Journey activities!. Skill-building areas include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Healthy Living and Creativity, Outdoor Awareness and Environmental Stewardship, Financial Education, Global Citizenship, and Girl Scout Sisterhood. While most program grade levels (Brownies through Ambassadors) earn badges, Girl Scout Daisies earn petals and leaves. Each petal correlates to a line from the Girl Scout Law and the leaves focus on Financial Literacy.

What Do Daisies Do, What Do Brownies Do, etc. Girls work hard to earn better place. Now you can view by grade level every badge, pin, or other insignia available to Girl Scouts. girlscouts.org/en/our-program/uniforms/insignia-list.html

Safety Activity Checkpoint Pages When preparing for any activity with girls, always begin by reviewing the Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints written about that particular activity. Safety Activity Checkpoints can be found on the council website under the grey Volunteer tab.

Uniforms

Girl Scouts wear uniforms in ceremonies when officially representing Girl Scouts, and when they want to show their Girl Scout pride. We know girls get excited about acquiring patches, badges, and insignia for their uniforms, and this is definitely one of the most memorable pieces of Girl Scouts for alumnae. Here are some basic tips:  Sashes are worn from the right shoulder to the left hip.  The insignia tab is worn on the left chest over the heart.  All unofficial awards go on the back of the uniform, including cookie, camp, and fun patches.  For formal events, sashes, vests, and tunics are worn with white shirts and khaki pants or skirts.  If you run out of space on the front of your uniform, you may place badges and awards on the back.

Our Girl Scout shop staff is awesome, and they understand how confusing finding all of the parts of a uniform can be! One of their tips for new Girl Scouts is to purchase a starter kit, which range from $65 to $75 (plus tax), depending on which kit you choose.

Questions about uniforms?

Stop by one of our retail shops or contact our shop staff at 800-922-2770 and they will be able to answer any of your questions! You can also find

uniform on our website.

EACH KIT CONTAINS:  A Girl Scout sash, vest, or tunic  American flag patch, Council ID set, membership pin, insignia tab, World Trefoil Pin, and troop number patches.   One Journey book  FREE bonus tote bag

How Do I Know

At Girl Scouts, guided by supportive adults and peers, girls develop their leadership potential through age-appropriate activities that enable them to discover their values, skills, and the world around them; connect with others in a multicultural environment; and take action to make a difference in their world. These activities are designed to be hands-on-processes that create high-quality experiences conducive to learning. Discover

When girls participate in Girl Scouts, they benefit in five important ways: Connect

 Strong Sense of Self Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities  Positive Values Girls act ethically, honestly, and responsibly, and Take show concern for others.  Challenge Seeking Girls take appropriate risks, try things even if Action they might fail, and learn from mistakes.  Healthy Relationships Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts constructively.  Community Problem Solving Girls desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify

When girls exhibit these attitudes and skills, they become responsible, productive, caring, and engaged citizens. When you see girls showing the outcomes above, you know that Girl Scouts is making a difference. Share these with your troop parents/guardians so they can see the difference, too!

GIRL SCOUT DAISY TRACKING SHEET

Girl’s Name Troop/Group # Girl Scout Daisy Awards: Mark the date that the award was earned in the Date Completed box and the date the award was given to the girl in the Date Received box. This information is a tool to help keep record of each girl’s achievements. A copy of this tracking sheet should be sent with any girl who is moving or transferring to another troop/group. This form is not intended to be displayed or shared with troop/group members, and does not need to be turned in to GSOFCT.

Girl Scout Daisy Awards Date Received Girl Scout Daisy Pin World Trefoil Pin Membership Star

Award Date Completed Date Received Girl Scout Promise Center: Daisy Blue (Amazing Daisy) Light Blue Learning Petal for honest and fair (Lupe) Yellow Learning Petal for friendly and helpful (Sunny) Spring Green Learning Petal for considerate and caring (Zinni) Red Learning Petal for courageous and strong (Tula) Orange Learning Petal for responsible for what I say and do (Mari) Purple Learning Petal for respect myself and others (Gloria) Magenta Learning Petal for respect authority (Gerri) Green Learning Petal for use resources wisely (Clover) Rose Learning Petal for make the world a better place (Rosie) Violet Learning Petal for be a sister to every Girl Scout (Vi) My Promise My Faith Requirements and Dates Completed Date Received Year One 1 2 3 4 5 Year Two 1 2 3 4 5 Financial Literacy Leaves Date Completed Date Received Money Counts Making Choices Cookie Business Leaves Date Completed Date Received Count It Up Talk It Up

Journey: Welcome to the Daisy Garden Date Completed Date Received Watering Can Golden Honey Bee Amazing Daisy

Journey: Between Earth and Sky Date Completed Date Received Clover Blue Bucket Firefly

Journey: 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! Date Completed Date Received Red Robin Bird Bath Tula the Tulip

Journey Summit Award Date Completed Date Received Highest Girl Scout Daisy Award: Given when all 3 Journeys have been

completed

Daisy Safety Award Date Completed Date Received Understand what to do if you get lost Find out what to do if a friend is choking Learn how to “stop, drop , and roll"

Bridge to Girl Scout Brownie Award Date Completed Date Received Step 1: Pass It On! Share your talents and skills by teaching younger

girls something you learned to do as a Daisy Step 2: Look Ahead! Find out what Girl Scout Brownies do Step 3: Plan a bridging ceremony

Badge Tracking Sheets for all six levels of Girl Scouting can be found in the Resource and Forms Library under Troop/Group Management, Additional Resources ( gsofct.org/membership/form-library.php). These Badge Tracking Sheets can be used by leaders and advisors to best record the awards, badges, and insignia each girl has completed and when she has received them. If a girl moves, she can take her Badge Tracking Sheet with her to her new troop so they know what she has completed and earned.

...Product Sales Program and The Girl Scout Leadership Experience

Girl Scout Product Sales Programs are an integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience built around developing financial literacy. In fact, the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the leading entrepreneurial program for girls. No university has produced as many businesswomen as the Girl Scout Cookie Program has. Girls that participate in the Girl Scout Cookie and QSP Programs not only earn money for their troop so they can discover, connect, and take action, they also learn skills that will help them grow into leaders in their own lives, leaders in business, and leaders in the world. There are five identified leadership skills developed by participating in Girl Scout Product Sale Programs:

Goal Setting Decision Making Money Management People Skills Business Ethics

Troop Leaders: Encourage the girls in your troop to build courage, confidence, and character by participating in the Girl Scout Cookie and QSP Programs!

As a Girl Scout leader, your primary responsibilities for Girl Scout Product Sales Programs are to:  Recruit a Troop Product Sales Manager.

suggested that you first see if another adult with the troop would be willing to take on this role. The Service Unit Product Sales Manager will train your Troop Product Sales Manager.  Communicate with parents/guardians and encourage their involvement.  Guide girls in budgeting, planning, and goal setting.  Allow the Troop Product Sales Manager time at a troop meeting to conduct training with girls and parents, emphasizing the importance of safety.

Girl Scout Daisies should begin acquiring the skills of money-earning by participating in council-sponsored product sales (i.e. the cookie and QSP programs). They are only allowed to participate in money-earning activities to this extent and they cannot collect money in any other way except group dues or parental contributions. The money that they raise from the product sales programs should prove to be more than enough to cover the activities for which they are ready.

What do I do once I have a volunteer? When someone volunteers as the Troop Product Sales Manager, give their name, address, and phone number to your Service Unit Product Sales Manager. Please make sure that your volunteer is a currently registered member of Girl Scouts who has successfully completed the Volunteer Application Process which includes a background screening (gsofct.org/volunteer/volunteer.php). If you have any questions, contact [email protected].

Financing for the Troop SECTION Leader guidance is fundamental in successful troop/group money management. The Troop/Group FIVE Leader is responsible for ensuring that the troop/group operates within GSUSA and GSOFCT program guidelines. Girls should be involved in troop finances including planning the budget, estimating costs of activities and materials and management of the troop funds/bank account, when age-appropriate. The girls should always make decisions together on how to spend their funds.

Establishing a Troop Bank Account

Planning and budgeting the finances of the troop is an ongoing process that requires input from the girls, leaders, and parents/guardians. For the most part, troop budgets are built on dues and monies from the annual product sales programs and troop money-earning activities.

Because troop/group funds are owned collectively by the girls, proper handling and accounting of the funds is imperative. All troop funds must be placed in a bank account. The following will help you establish a troop bank account:  Girl Scouts of Connecticut recommends establishing an account with Webster Did you know: Bank. The council has a working relationship with Webster Bank that provides an opportunity for council-wide account maintenance.  Each troop must annually submit a Troop/Group  outs of Connecticut Troop # Year-End Financial Report with the address of the primary troop leader or her/his by August 15. designee.  The corporate nonprofit identification number, #06-0662134, must be used on  The Year-End Financial each account. Report asks you to  GSOFCT will provide a letter of introduction and a copy of the Corporate Resolution document all income and for all new accounts. See your Service Unit Treasurer , Service Unit Manager, or expenses for your Girl Membership Manager for assistance. Scout year.  There must be two authorized signers, none of whom are related to each other nor reside in the same household, on all troop accounts. These signers shall be:  At any time, parents/guardians may o The Service Unit Treasurer or Service Unit Manager and one approved ask to see the troop adult from the troop or finances. o In the absence of the Service Unit Treasurer or Service Unit Manager, two approved adults from the troop.  Girls can learn to keep  All volunteers who handle money must be currently registered members and have track of the troop finances successfully completed the Volunteer Application Process and Background and make decisions on Screening prior to opening the bank account. how the money should be spent.  Select one approved adult to manage troop funds.  All troops are authorized to have checks and one debit card.  Troop funds are the  Keep good financial records including receipts of all expenditures. Reconcile bank property of the troop and accounts monthly. should be used for troop activities only.

Please refer to Remember: Volunteer Essentials, Keep your bank Managing Group Finances informed of section, for additional changes to information on troop finance names and guidelines. addresses!

33 Ins and Outs of Managing the Troop Funds

Managing your troop bank account and finances is like managing your own personal checking account. Your troop will have income (from dues, money-earning activities, and product sales programs) and expenses (program fees, supplies, food, and event costs). The best way to keep track of this is through your troop bank account. Document the income and expenses as

Income (Ins) Expenses (Outs) As money comes into the troop/group, Record your expenses in a similar be sure to do the following: way as your income:  Deposit all troop funds into the troop bank account  within 1-3 days. Place receipts in envelope. checkbook. Be sure to write a description of the  Document the income envelope. the checkbook ledger. Be sure to write a description of the  Label all receipts from any expenses. For example, if the date of the deposit. you bought markers for the troop to use during  Keep all bank receipts and any other income receipts camping and have a receipt for with troop financial records.

 When bank statements are received, check the  When bank statements are received, check the statement against your documented income on the statement against the expenses recorded in the checkbook ledger and the receipts in the envelope. checkbook and the receipts in the envelope.

 All  Organizing for Success  The following tips will help you successfully complete the troop finance report:  Get organized from the start. Have a file/envelope for expenses and one for income. (See examples below.)  Review the Troop/Group Tear-End Financial Report Form at the beginning of the Girl Scout troop year.

Financial Organization Ideas

Organizing with an envelopes   Put all bank receipts and any other income receipts in this envelope.   Put all expense receipts in this envelop.  Follow the steps in the chart above for documenting.

OR Organizing with folders  Label the tab with a month of the year.   Follow the steps above for documenting.

34 Planning the Troop Budget

Near the beginning of each membership year, troops/groups should develop a budget for the upcoming membership year. Even though it is a challenge to determine income for the new year, troops/groups can use the previous membership year as a guide to developing a budget.

Girls Scout groups are funded by a share of money earned through council-sponsored product sale activities (Girl Scout QSP and cookie programs), group money-earning activities (council-approved, of course), and any dues your group may charge. (This is in addition to the annual membership dues that go directly to the national organization.)

Troop/group funds are not the property of one individual. Usage of Girl Scout funds are for Girl Scout-related purposes and should be decided by the group with a majority rule. All funds collected or received are to be deposited into the appropriate account. Troop/group accounts are not to be co-

So, what kind of expenses can be expected for the troop? Every troop budget will be different, depending on the girls and the activities in which they decide to participate. The following are some possible expenses that should be considered when planning your troop budget:  Craft/activity supplies-Get creative. Hold an arts and crafts scavenger hunt. Give each girl a list of items needed: scissors, glue, felt, paper, markers, etc. Have the girls bring as many of these items that they can find at home to the next meeting.  Snacks-Have a snack sign-up sheet with meeting dates listed and ask every parent to sign up to bring snacks for a meeting.  Program Participation-Check out the GSOFCT Program Resource Guide at gsofct.org/membership/form-library.php to see what programs are offered and the costs.  Field Trips-There are tons of FREE places to take the girls: the fire station, police station, library, etc. Your service unit team probably has some great ideas for field trips in your area.  Badges/Patches/Pins-Badges and patches cost on average $1-$2 each. Some are slightly higher.  Service Projects-Try to get supplies donated for any troop community service projects.  Annual Membership Dues Girls can choose to supplement earned funds in an effort to minimize the cost to the parents/guardians.  Ceremonies/Parties-Look at the calendar with the girls and decide what special occasions your troop wants to celebrate.

One of your opportunities as a volunteer is to facilitate girl-led financial planning, which may include the following steps for girls:

1. Set financial goals. 2. Create a budget. 3. Determine how much the group needs to earn. 4. Make a plan. 5. Write it out.

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.

Volunteer Essentials Chapter 9, Financing Your Girl Scout Program.

35 GIRL SCOUTS OF CONNECTICUT gsofct.org 1-800-922-2770

Troop/Group Budget Forecast Worksheet As part of the annual planning process, the girls and their Troop/Group Leaders should work together to create a budget for the year. This worksheet is a tool troop/groups may use to help plan their year. It is not required to be forwarded to Girl Scouts of Connecticut. Troop/Group# ______Date ______Membership Year: October 1, _____ - September 30, _____ INCOME: Surplus Income From Last Year (if any) $ Dues Anticipated $ Fall Product Sale (QSP) Anticipated Profit: Magazines $______Candy/Nuts $______$ Cookie Sale Anticipated Profit: $ **Money-Earning Activity Anticipated Profit(List Below): $ $ Other Anticipated Income (List Below): $ $ *TOTAL - ANTICIPATED INCOME: $ EXPENSES: National Membership Dues $ Council Service Fee $ Troop Equipment (New, Replacement of Permanent Items, etc.) $ Materials and Supplies (Expendables, Forms, Craft Supplies, etc.) $ Campouts and Cookouts (Site Fees, Food, Program Fees, etc.) $ Trips (Transportation, Site Fees, Food, Admissions, etc.) $ Recognitions (Pins, Patches, Awards, etc.) $ Service Unit Events (List Below): $ $ $ Service Projects (List Below): $ $ **Cost of Money-Earning Activities (List Below): $ $ Other Expenses (i.e. Food, Postage, Ceremonies, Thank- - List Below): $ $ *TOTAL - ANTICIPATED EXPENSES: $ *Anticipated totals for Income and Expenses must equal. ** Submit MEA form to SUM for approval prior to scheduling the activity.

STATEMENT SAVINGS ACCOUNT CERIFICATE OF DEPOSITS: Savings To Date $ Savings Anticipated For This Year $ Total Anticipated Savings $ Total Savings Expected By (Date)______$

36 SECTION SIX Getting Organized is Easier Than You Think!

Need help getting organized? These pages are intended to give you a rough outline for organizing your Girl Scout materials. Under each section heading is a list of materials you can file in this section. Feel free to develop and use your own system, too! Grab a binder, some divi

Section 1: Troop Information Hint:  Calendar Samples of forms Keep a calendar that runs with your troop year. Make sure all your meetings can be found in and field trips are listed on the calendar. You may even use your calendar to keep track of which registered adults are helping with meetings and who is the Resource and responsible for bringing snacks. Forms Library at gsofct.org  Attendance Sheet Make sure to keep attendance at every meeting. This way, you will always know who is present at your meeting.  Troop Dues Record Keep a record of troop dues. Dues should be decided by the girls and are usually $0.50 cents per meeting up to $25 per year. Some troops collect a flat fee at the beginning of the year; others allow girls to contribute weekly.  Badge Tracking Sheets These Badge Tracking Sheets can be used by leaders and advisors to best record the awards, badges, and insignia each girl has completed and when she has received them.

Section 2: Girl Information

 Troop Roster or Girl Registration Forms Keep a copy of your troop roster available on the Online Membership Registration System, or paper copies of registrations for all girls and adults registered in your troop. File forms alphabetically for quick access to girl contact information.  Health History and Permission Forms

allergies, asthma, or other medical conditions. A new form does not need to be completed every year; however, parents/guardians should review it annually and sign acknowledging no changes. A new form needs to be completed

the:  Annual Consent Form  Annual Pick-up Authorization Form  Over-the-Counter Medication Parent/Guardian Authorization Form (if applicable)  Including Girls with Food Allergies Checklist

 Phone tree or email distribution list Make a phone tree for your troop or distribute an email contact list so parents/guardians can be notified quickly if there is an emergency or a sudden change of plans.

Section 3: Adult Information  Adult Registration Information Keep information for all your registered adults on hand. Leaders (01), assistant leaders (02), and troop committee members/helpers (03) must be registered and complete the volunteer application process. This includes any adult that will:  Work directly with, supervise, or have the ultimate responsibility for girls  Accompany girls on an overnight activity as part of the adult-to-girl supervision ratios  Drive girls for Girl Scout activities  Handle monies (to include troop/group treasury and product sales)

37  Ways Adults Can Help Form Have parents/guardians complete this form at your parent/guardian meeting when you start each year. Let them share their talents.

 Troop Trip Driver Policy Going on a trip? All drivers must be approved, currently registered troop committee members (03). This means that they must have successfully completed the Volunteer Application Process and background screening prior to transporting girls other than their own girls. Make sure to keep a copy of all Troop/Group Driver Annual forms in your records. For more information about transporting girls safely, see Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 7, Travel Ready. For safety reasons:  Ensure a Troop/Group Driver Annual Form has been completed for each approved and currently registered driver.  GSOFCT recommends that all approved drivers be at least 21 years of age.  Girls never drive girls.

 Certifications You may have parents/guardians in your troop that possess certifications that will be helpful during troop activities. Licensed nurses, doctors, EMTs, dentists, or adults currently certified in Adult/Child First Aid and CPR/AED are among those that can serve as the troop first aider.  To be considered a certified first aider with Girl Scouts of Connecticut, the adult volunteer must hold current certifications in First Aid and CPR/ AED for both children and adults.  Your troop First Aider must also be a currently registered approved adult. Recruit adult volunteers to assist with your troop/group activities from helping out at a meeting to assisting with the product sales programs and beyond. Encourage adults to take the trainings required to explore opportunities beyond your regular meeting site. Certification in archery, canoeing, or troop camping may prove helpful with other troop activities. Keep copies of their certifications on file in your troop information.  It is recommended that the troop/group leadership not be the only trained adults working with the girls.  Your troop outdoor trained volunteer must also be a currently registered approved adult.

Section 4: Trips/Events  Troop Trip Request Forms Any activity away from the troop/group meeting place or anytime a troop/group meets at a day, time, and/or location different from their regular meeting shall be considered a trip. Before all trips, you and the girls will need to obtain council permission. All GSUSA, GSOFCT, and Safety Activity Checkpoint procedures MUST be followed. Troop/Group Trip Applications do not need to be completed for council-sponsored program events that required pre-registration or when holding a booth sale. Forms should be submitted to your Service Unit Manager at least 1 week in advance of your trip. Note: Depending on the type of trip request, your deadline for submission may vary. See Troop/Group Trip Application and/or Guidelines for specific deadlines. Remember to keep a copy for your troop records.  Troop/Group Trip Application and Guidelines  High Adventure Trip Application and Guidelines.

 Program Registration Forms A copy of the receipt of registration should be kept for troop records when registering for council-sponsored programs or any other programs that are not council sponsored.

 Permission Forms

 Parent/Guardian Trip/Event Permission Form  Annual Consent Form

38  Additional Insurance Every registered Girl Scout and registered adult member in the Girl Scout Movement is automatically covered under the basic Mutual of Omaha Insurance plan upon registration. This insurance provides up to a specific maximum for medical expenses incurred as a result of an accident while a member is participating in an approved supervised Girl Scout activity,

Additional Activity Insurance is required when ANY person girl, sibling, adult, or anyone who is not currently registered as a Girl Scout member, will participate in a meeting, on a trip, or other Girl Scout gathering. Insurance coverage is also required for troop/group taking extended trips of three nights or more. See Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 5 for more information.  Mutual of Omaha Enrollment Form Plan 2  Forward the enrollment form along with payment to your Membership Manager for approval and submission two weeks prior to the event/trip. There is a minimum premium of $5.00 per enrollment form.  Mutual of Omaha Enrollment Forms may not be sent directly to the insurance company. Those sent directly to Mutual of Omaha will be returned unprocessed and therefore delay obtaining additional insurance coverage.

 GSOFCT Crisis Card Although you hope the worst never happens, you must observe council procedures for handling accidents or injuries. 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 and telephone numbers on hand of council staff, parents/guardians, and emergency services such as the police, fire department, or hospital emergency technicians.  GSOFCT Crisis Cards can be found on our website, gsofct.org ,under the Resource and Forms Library.  Accident /Injury and Incident Report Forms You can never be too careful! Keep several blank copies of the below forms should a safety situation arise during your outing.  Accident/Injury Report Form  Incident Report Forms

Communicate with the GSOFCT Accident/Injury Report Form: This form is to be used to report: Membership Support  Any accident/injury occurring at a Girl Scouts of Connecticut Department within 24 hours of event/activity/meeting/campout/field trip/etc. any accident, injury, or incident.  Any non-injury incident that occurs which may result in future problems or other future repercussions for the people involved at Girl Scouts of Connecticut. Documentation of any accident, Incident Report Form: This form is to be used to report: injury, or incident  A serious argument (may or may not escalate into a verbal or physical threat) needs to be submitted to the  A physical altercation Girl Scout Service Center in  Hartford within 24 hours if A non-injury incident of any sort where police are summoned possible.  Possible or threatened legal proceedings  Possible or threatened adverse report(s) to the media Council staff is prepared and eager to assist you.

Section 5: Finance  Envelope for receipts Punch holes in one side of an envelope and use it to collect your receipts.  Bank Statements Troops must reconcile their bank accounts monthly to monitor account activities and avoid any incurred fees.  If you are going paperless, set-up a reminder to ensure for monthly reconciliation.

 Troop Budget Worksheet and Troop/Group Year-End Financial Report By August 15, troops/groups are required to submit the Troop/Group Year-End Financial Report, accompanied by a copy of their most recent bank statement to the Service Unit Treasurer. All troops must complete this form regardless of their year-end balance. If the account year-end balance is more than the allotted $10 per girl carry over, note details on report.  Troop/Group Year-End Financial Form - is in a writable format!  Troop/Group Budget Forecast Worksheet can help keep your finances in check.

39 Safety First! SECTION SEVEN The safety and well-being of girl and adult members is our highest priority.

safety policies and procedures in place, where to look, or whom to ask for more information when necessary. Safety Safety and policies can feel scary and overwhelming, so know that if Steps

questions or concerns about safety or responsibilities, give us a call. Zoe is a leader for a Girl Scout Brownie troop that meets every other week at her Listed below are some of the main resources where safety policies are listed: meeting, the girls were working on their Fair Play badge. Volunteer Essentials: Volunteer Essentials provides all the information While the girls were untangling themselves you need to be a successful Girl Scout volunteer (and we mean ALL from a human knot, Zoe heard a shout from document, so we encourage you to skim through one of the girls in the troop, Lynnie. Zoe ran and become familiar with the different sections.) This guide is filled with closer to see what happened and Lynnie had information about Girl Scouting such as traditions, responsibilities, and tripped while moving and landed on her arm. awards. You will also find information specific to volunteering with While Lynnie is starting to cry, Zoe is thinking Girl Scouts of Connecticut such as tools, resources, and policies. about what to do.What should she do next?

Being Safety-Wise: Being Safety-Wise (a subsection of Volunteer Essentials), outlines your responsibilities for keeping girls safe. Being Safety-Wise out! includes checklists and resources required for Girl Scout activities. 1. Tend to the girl. Provide any necessary or immediate first aid.. Safety Activity Checkpoints: These include activity-specific safety 2. If needed, call 911. guidelines including camping, land sports, water sports, cookie program, etc. 3. For the most accurate and complete information about GSOFCT policies inform them of what happened. and procedures, refer to Volunteer Essentials, available on the GSOFCT website. 4. Fill out the Accident/Injury Report form.

General Safety Guidelines  Keep caregivers informed! Communicate regularly about troop meetings and activities. Ensure permission slips are reviewed for all girls prior to attending activities/events.  Girls are never alone! Girls should always use the buddy system and be accompanied by two approved adults at all times.  Adults are never alone with girls! At least one troop leader and either another troop leader or a troop assistant should be present any time girls are together.  Be prepared! Have a first aid kit, non-emergency number of local law enforcement, and charged cell phone on hand, just in case you need it.  Know your surroundings! This goes for both the regular meeting place and when venturing out with the troop and applies to both people and places. Assess any risks that might be present and take appropriate action. See Volunteer Essentials for more information.  Follow all safety policies and procedures as outlined in Volunteer Essentials! Contact your Service Unit Manager or Membership Manager with any questions you may have.

40 Inspiring Open Communications

As a troop leader, it will be your responsibility to build and maintain strong lines of communication with your families. And never fear:, GSOFCT is here to help! We have a ton of resources to help you do this, and we're just a phone call away if you want more support. Here are a few notes to get you started.

There are many ways that you can communicate with your families. Many leaders utilize email and closed, private groups on Facebook to communicate with their families. Some co-leaders even create a troop email account that can be used for communication to families. It is a phone call or a text message reminder. Discuss the most convenient methods of communication for you at your family meeting and take into consideration what works for your families.

Of course, you do not want to overwhelm your families with too much information. But do remember that transparency is important in building community with families so they feel more included in your troop. Your families probably do not need to know every single detail of what happened during your troop meeting (like which girls chose apples instead of bananas), but they will want to know about the bigger things that happened during the meeting (like how your troop will be participating in the cookie sale or if their girl fell and scraped her knee.) Miscommunication or lack of communication can lead to confusion or conflict. If you have questions or concerns about your troop, remember that your Service Unit Manager and Membership Manager are there to help you figure it out!

aMAZE Journey for Girl Scout Cadettes, tells someone what you need

Here are some examples of statements:   Now look at statements:  

Managing Conflict You may encounter a time when you need to have an uncomfortable conversation with a family or another volunteer. First, it is important to remember your role as a Girl Scout. You should be honest and fair, considerate and caring, responsible for what you say and do, and show respect to yourself and others. When you need to facilitate this conversation, approach it from an objective place. Many times, conflict stems from miscommunication. Try not to place blame or judge the person you are speaking with. Finally, demonstrate active listening. This does not necessarily mean that you need to parrot everything that you hear back to the person, but it does mean responding to the other person in a way that shows that you are present and listening to what they are saying.

41 Inclusivity

Girl Scouts of Connecticut 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 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.

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 inform you of a disability. Approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population has a disability 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 ties 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 respond in kind, creating an atmosphere that enriches everyone.

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.  wait until your offer is accepted before you begin to help. Listen closely to any instructions the person may have.  air is invading her space and should be avoided at all times.  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.

42 Appendix

Other things

43 Helpful Tips to Get You Started

1. Keep parents/guardians in the loop It will be helpful for you to keep your parents/guardians informed and up-to-date on news and information about the troop. Keeping parents/guardians updated helps them feel like they are participants in their s activities, and may increase the likelihood of getting them to help with the troop. There are several ways to do this: email, phone, newsletter, website and/or Facebook. -savvy, you can easily use online tools and technology to help you manage information. Some troop communication tools are:  Closed Facebook Group: www.facebook.com  Rallyhood: www.rallyhood.com  Box: www.box.com (document sharing)  Dropbox: www.dropbox.com (document sharing)

slips, and more!

2. How to determine troop dues There is no set amount or magical number for troop dues. Each troop must decide what is best based on the needs of the $0.50 cents per meeting or $25 per year (level appropriate). Some questions to consider when setting troop dues are:  What is a reasonable amount for parents/guardians or girls to give each meeting?  Would you prefer parents/guardians pay a small one-time dues fee at the beginning of the year and then supplement with product sales?  How much do you need based on the activities your troop wants to do?  All troop activities and materials should be paid from troop funds. Troop leaders are not expected to support the troop with their own funds.

3. O You may find that your troop is earning so many recognitions and that you are having a hard time keeping track of which ones they have already earned. In this situation, it is helpful to set up a tracking system to help you stay organized. Badge Tracking Sheets are available for all six levels of Girl Scouting in the Resource and Forms Library under Troop/Group Management, Additional Resources at: gsofct.org/membership/form-library.php.

4. Establish troop guidelines/behavior agreements

actions. Use the Girl Scout Law as a guideline for behavior standards. Work with the troop to come up with a Troop Agreement of behavior.

5. Use a kaper chart to participate in the running of the troop meeting is an important step to a successful troop. You can find many examples of kaper charts online.

6. Find start-up supplies some suggestions on how to acquire supplies for your troop: Parents/Guardians: Ask them to donate items they have around the house. Businesses: Ask them to donate office supplies. Hospitals: -aid kit.

Birthday Party: Juliette Gordon Low's birthday is October 31. Ask girls to donate needed

44 Girl Scout Year At a Glance Girl Scout Year at a Glance This sample Year at a Glance shows ideas for trips, traditions, and activities to include when customizing your troop calendar. Each troop is different since the plans, activities, money earning, and more should be planned by the girls!

Fall (September November) Winter (December February)  Caregiver meeting with an investiture/rededication  Continue regular troop meetings implementing the girl-led ceremony. This is a great way to share Girl Scout traditions experience. with parents and other caregivers and get them engaged  Participate in Girl Scout World Thinking Day on February 22. as a volunteer. Girls honor our sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts by taking  Regular troop meetings weekly, bimonthly, or monthly time to give thanks for their international friendships and (depending on girl schedules), that focus on plans for the remember that GSUSA is a part of a global community. Visit year such as: girlscouts.org/world thinking day.  Choose a Journey to use and badges the girls would  Participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. like to earn.  Identify trips to make their Journey and badge work Here are a few key things: come to life.  Each troop must have an approved, trained, and  Implement a service project based on their new skills. registered Troop Cookie Manager  Register to attend community and council-sponsored  Order Taking: Early January Girl Scout events  Cookie delivery: Early March  Refer to for badge  Booth sales: March information or individual books for information on  Share the summer camp experience with the girls! There are Journeys. lots of ways that girls experience the fun of camp including:  Participating in the QSP program is a great way to earn day and resident camp (girls attend alone or with a buddy), startup funds for your troop and build valuable skills. or other one day opportunities. For more info visit: gsofct.org/pages/SummerCamp2.php in January.

Spring (March May) Summer (June August)  Continue with regular troop meetings  Submit your Troop Financial Report prior to by July 1.  Girl Scout Week-Celebrated each March starting with  Take a break! Many troops take the summer off, but that Girl Scout Sunday and ending with Girl Scout Sabbath on a Saturday. It always includes the Girl Scout school to go on trips. As girls get older, summer is often the birthday (when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered perfect time for them to participate in short-term Girl Scout the first troop) on March 12. opportunities.  Girl Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sabbath-Provides  Get connected again in July August so girls can work troop an opportunity to attend a place of worship and be meetings into their busy schedules. recognized as Girl Scouts. Ask your service unit for  Attend Camp! Girls can attend summer camp on their own, or more information. with a friend!  Court of Awards Ceremony-Celebrate awards with a girl-designed ceremony. (Some leaders prefer to give awards as the girls earn them.) Ending the troop year with a gathering is a great way to reengage parents and

 Service Unit Camporees Join other troops in your service unit for some fun in the outdoors. Camporees are typically held on GSOFCT properties allowing girls to experience the many resources our camps provide. See your service unit for more information.  Early Bird Registration-Late spring is a great time to register for the coming year. There are often incentives associated with early registration.

45 Key Resources On Our Website

Learn more about theses important pieces on our website!

Forms + Documents gsofct.org/membership/form-library.php

GSOFCT Newsletters gsofct.org/pages/Newsletters.php

gsofct.org/pages/LeadersToolbox.php Tools to assist you in working with girls! Easy access links for:  National Program Portfolio resources  Leader2Leader webinars  Quick Guide to Forms  And much, much more!

Safety Activity Checkpoints Make sure everyone stays safe on your next troop outing or activity! Be sure to review these Safety Activity Checkpoints for activities including water and land sports, camping, and more.gsofct.org/pages/SafetyActivityCheckpoints.php

Volunteer Essentials The GSUSA publication, Volunteer Essentials, is your guide to volunteering with Girl Scouts. This national handbook which has been customized for Girl Scouts of Connecticut will guide you through everything you need to know as a Girl Scout Volunteer. From taking trips and staying safe, to managing finances and program materials, your questions are answered! gsofct.org/pages/VolunteerEssentials.php

Program and Training Registration Area Register for Girl Scout sponsored programs, events, and trainings. gsofct.org/iMIS_public/

Online Membership Registration Information on how the GSOFCT Online Membership Registration Portal works, and where you enter your troop and/or individual girl and adult annual membership registrations.gsofct.org/pages/OnlineRegistration.php

Council Sponsored Events: There is always a new or unique experience waiting for you at Girl Scouts! We offer programs on everything from changing a tire to pulling an oar. We also offer trips to fun places (like spas and zoos) and plenty of training for leaders who want to polish up their skills or learn new ones. Check out the exciting events we offer..gsofct.org/participate/activities-calendar.php

Product Sales: Through product sales - cookies and QSP - Girl Scouts practice life skills like goal setting, money management, and teamwork,and they have fun! Our customers get a great product and get to support girls in their community. gsofct.org/pages/ProductSalesMainpage.php

GSOFCT Shop shop.gsofct.org/store/

Certificate of Insurance Request (COI): A Certificate of Liability Insurance (COI) needs to be on file with GSOFCT for all meeting sites our membership will be using throughout the year. Certificates for site usage are valid through December 31 of the year issued. A review of current COIs is done annually and if the venue will be used again for the upcoming year, a new COI will be automatically forwarded to each individual site. To verify that a certain COI is on file, please contact your Membership Manager. Once a COI is on file, other troops/groups are able to utilize that venue without requesting a new certificate. If you have further questions, please contact the Risk Management Department at [email protected].

46 GSOFCT Volunteer Policies & Procedures

Approved by the GSOFCT Board of Directors 10/1/07

INTRODUCTION: Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Inc. (GSOFCT), maintains that the strength of the Girl Scout Movement rests in the volunteer leadership of its adult members. It is through its volunteer leadership that the Movement serves its girls. To ensure the satisfaction of its volunteers and to best use their talents, it is essential that the following policies and procedures be -laws and the following current Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. (GSUSA) publications: Blue Book of Basic Documents, Safety Activity Checkpoints GSOFCT upholds all GSUSA policies and has adopted the following policies and procedures of its own.

DEFINITIONS A POLICY is an established course of action that must be followed. Policies provide consistency of action, give direction, and minimize the need for risk management. These policies do not create a contract, express or implied, with any volunteer and may be changed at any time at the discretion of the council. In addition, volunteers are not employees of the council and are not covered by any of its pay, benefit plans, or practices. Specifically, volunteers are not paid or provided benefits for their volunteer services.

A PROCEDURE describes the course of action to carry out a policy.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

I. RECRUITMENT: Each volunteer is provided with an overview of the Girl Scout purpose and organization, local council information, and the support systems available to help her/him in her/his role. The volunteer position description provides specific responsibilities and schedules, cites expectations, and, in conjunction with performance goals, forms the basis for assessment of volunteer performance.

GSOFCT strives to include volunteers who strengthen the council through two distinct types of service. A. GOVERNANCE VOLUNTEERS: These include members of the Board of Directors, Board Nominating and Development Committee, and Delegates. B. OPERATIONAL VOLUNTEERS: Service Team members, Leaders, Co-Leaders, Program Volunteers, Episodic Volunteers, etc., are those involved in ca developed within the framework of the corporate goals as adopted by the Board of Directors. These volunteers are ultimately accountable to the Chief Executive Officer.

II. INCLUSION: In recognition of its responsibility to its volunteers and girls and in keeping with GSUSA equal opportunity policies, GSOFCT expressly prohibits any form of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, socioeconomic status, learning disability, physical or mental disability, ancestry, genetic information, and any other protected class status. To ensure full equality of opportunity in all operations and activities of the organization, affirmative action policies and procedures shall be utilized in the recruitment, selection, training, placement, and recognition of volunteers. GSOFCT is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and outreach in the recruitment, selection, placement, development, and recognition of volunteers in all communities within its jurisdiction.

III. MEMBERSHIP: All volunteers and girls participating in GSOFCT shall meet GSUSA membership standards and be a currently registered member of GSUSA and Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Inc. She/he shall agree to abide by the policies, principles, practices, and standards of GSOFCT and GSUSA.

IV. REGISTRATION: All adult volunteers participating in the Girl Scout Movement shall be registered members of GSUSA.

V. VOLUNTEER SYSTEMS: A. SELECTION: Policy: Every adult volunteer is selected on the basis of qualifications for membership, ability to perform the volunteer position, and the willingness and availability to participate in training for the position. Procedure: All adult volunteer members must submit a completed application, furnish two (2) references, and have a satisfactory background check according to the requirements of their position.

B. TRAINING: Once a volunteer has successfully completed the application process, she/he must participate in orientation and training as required by the position. The level of orientation will correspond to the level of participation. For example, those who are serving as Leaders take full orientation, while those who are less involved will have a less intensive level of orientation.

C. PLACEMENT: Every attempt will be made to place volunteers in positions that meet both their needs and the needs of GSOFCT. In instances where this is not possible, the needs of GSOFCT will take precedence over the needs of the individual.

D. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: Volunteers will have the opportunity to confer with the person to whom she/he is accountable concerning her/his annual performance review.

E. REAPPOINTMENT: Prior to comple position or rotation to a different position. Reappointment takes place only after completion of a satisfactory performance review and mutual acceptance of position accountabilities, expectations, and adherence to GSOFCT and GSUSA policies and standards.

F. RECOGNITIONS: Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Inc.'s, formal recognition system shall be consistent with GSUSA policies and standards.

G. TERMINATION: Any volunteer may resign her/his position at any time, but the council expects that resignations will be with reasonable notification to the council. GSOFCT may terminate the services of a volunteer at any time and for any reason, such as these listed below.  Restructuring of volunteer positions  The elimination of the volunteer position in which a person serves  The inability or failure to complete the requirements for the position  Misappropriation of funds  The inability or failure to perform the agreed-upon responsibilities to the satisfaction of GSOFCT  The refusal to support the Mission and values of the organization and the council goals  Membership in an organization whose goals are not compatible with those of GSUSA  Failure to comply with council or GSUSA policies  Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information on the volunteer application  Inappropriate behavior including, but not limited to, physical violence, abuse, stalking, threatening, menacing, lying, harassment, falsification of documents, and carrying firearms at a Girl Scout activity  Failure to pass successive background checks An adult volunteer who is terminated from her/his adult position may continue her/his membership with GSUSA unless it is determined that she/he is not able to meet the membership requirement related to accepting the principles and beliefs of the Movement or to supporting the Mission and values of the organization. When this is the case, her/his Girl Scout membership will not be renewed.

Procedure: The volunteer and her/his manager will confer both in person and in writing as to reasons for the termination. A third party should be present during this process. At this time, the volunteer will be given the opportunity to withdraw voluntarily from the position by submitting a written resignation within five (5) working days. If termination is not voluntary, the volunteer will be fully informed, in writing, regarding the reasons for the termination by the person to whom she/he is accountable. Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion should be followed by a written summary, one copy of which is given to the volunteer and one to be retained by the council. Absolute confidentiality must be observed at all times to protect the rights of the volunteer.

H, CONFLICT RESOLUTION: GSOFCT has established a system for resolving conflicts that arise when a volunteer believes that policies and/or procedures related to her/his position are not being administered properly as applied to her/him. Philosophy: Phase I: Many conflicts can be prevented and/or resolved by volunteer managers who understand the Volunteer Management System of GSOFCT and who are sensitive to human relations. Likewise, many conflicts can be avoided when volunteers are re and role accountability for decision-making responsibilities. most, if not all, conflicts will be resolved informally. The goal is to eliminate the cause for the conflict. Phase II: When a volunteer and her/his immediate manager are unable to resolve a conflict through informal efforts, the isted below. Every volunteer may expect a welcome reception and a fair resolution of the conflict without fear of jeopardizing her/his volunteer status. The initiation of the conflict resolution procedure, however, will not restrict the GSOFCT from taking appropriate action to safeguard the health and safety of the girls. Procedure: Step 1: The volunteer requests a conference with her/his manager to take place within ten (10) working days of the date the written complaint was filed. The volunteer cites the policy or procedure that has allegedly been misapplied, misinterpreted, or violated. If the manager is the issue, proceed to the next level. If the manager is not a staff member of GSOFCT, the appropriate staff member must be informed of the complaint and the date of the conference meeting. The staff member informs the Chief Executive Officer, or her/his designee, of the complaint and conference date. Step 2: If the volunteer is not satisfied with the disposition, the council staff member or, if approp supervisor, will meet with the volunteer within ten (10) working days. After the initial review of the issues, the volunteer can expect a response within ten (10) working days. Step 3: In the event that the complaint is not resolved in Step 2, the staff member prepares a written report on the complaint, including recommendations for her/his supervisor, and sends a copy to the Chief Executive Officer. Step 4: The Chief Executive Officer will make the final decision as to the resolution of the complaint and see that this decision is implemented.

VI. HARASSMENT/SEXUAL HARASSMENT: GSOFCT is committed to maintaining an environment free of harassment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. The council will not tolerate harassment, including sexual harassment as defined in this policy, of volunteers, employees, or members, by anyone, including any volunteer, employee, vendor, member, client, or customer, whether on the Girl Scout premises, at assignments outside, or at sponsored social or membership functions. Harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of her/his race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, socioeconomic status, learning disability, physical or mental disability, ancestry, genetic information, or any other protected class status that has the eating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome or unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other physical, verbal, or visual conduct based on sex when (1) submission to the conduct is an explicit or implicit term or condition of the r, or (3) the conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. The offender or the victim of harassment may either be a man or a woman, and harassment can occur involving persons of the same or opposite sex. Examples of sexual harassment include unwanted sexual advances; explicit sexual propositions; demands for sexual favors in exchange for favorable treatment or continued employment; repeated sexual innuendos, suggestive comments, sexually oriented kidding, teasing, or practical jokes; jokes about gender-specific traits; foul or obscene body language or gestures; display of foul or obscene printed or visual material (including, but not limited to, email); and physical contact, such as touching, patting, pinching, or brushing against another's body. If any volunteer believes that she/he is being harassed, the volunteer should clearly and promptly notify the offender that the behavior is unwelcome. If for any reason a volunteer does not feel comfortable confronting the offender or if a confrontation does not successfully end the harassment, the volunteer should contact the council immediately.

All complaints of harassment will be taken seriously and will be promptly and thoroughly investigated. To the fullest extent practical and appropriate under the circumstances, GSOFCT will treat complaints and the terms of their resolution as personal and confidential. Corrective action will be implemented if an investigation confirms that harassment has occurred. If either party directly involved in a harassment investigation is dissatisfied with the outcome or resolution, that individual should submit a written request to council to have the decision reconsidered. This policy also prohibits harassment and sexual harassment by any volunteer against any employee or member.

VII. CHILD ABUSE: GSOFCT supports and maintains environments that are free of child abuse and neglect. Child abuse or neglect is any act or failure to act resulting in imminent risk of serious harm, death, actual serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or under the age of 18. The council will follow up and report, if applicable, any unlawful act as stated in the State of Connecticut General Statutes. Sexual abuse is defined as employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or any simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct; or rape and, in cases of caretaker or inter-familial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children. Sexual abuse may also include sexual touching and bodily contact, exhibitionism, voyeurism, and/or involvement of children in pornographic material. GSOFCT will refuse appointment or reappointment, and dismiss or exclude from volunteer status, any volunteer who in the judgment of the council poses a risk of injury to a minor, is believed to have abused or neglected any child under the age of 18, or has been convicted of any crimes against children. Individuals who are listed on any sex offender list in any state or upon instructions from a government or legal authority will be refused membership or participation in any Girl Scout activities.

Procedure: In order to protect confidentiality, in cases of reported, suspected, or confided abuse/neglect the volunteer should contact the Chief Executive Officer or her/his designee. If none of the above can be reached, the volunteer may call the Connecticut Department of Children and Families Care Line: 1-800-842-2288. Such a report should include the names and addresses of the children and her/his parents, guardians, or other person having responsibility for her/his care and all evidence forming the basis of such belief. A person who in good faith makes his report is immune from civil or criminal liability per state statue.

VIII. SMOKING/ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE: Volunteers are prohibited from smoking in the presence of girls and/or during any Girl Scout activity. No person shall possess, use, sell, distribute, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or use lawful drugs in an unauthorized manner, on GSOFCT property, during any Girl Scout activity, or at any time if it would adversely affect the reputation of the Girl Scouts. Any violation of this policy will result in the removal of the volunteer from the council property, and associated costs and/or transportation fees will be the responsibility of the volunteer. No refund of fees will be given. In addition, the volunteer will be removed from her/his volunteer position. Alcohol may be consumed at adult council-wide functions or events only with the permission of the Chief Executive Officer.

IX. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Each volunteer has an obligation to conduct herself/himself in a manner that does not present an actual or perceived conflict of interest or that has the potential for one. An actual, perceived, or potential conflict of interest occurs when a volunteer, because of her/his position with Girl Scouts, makes or influences a decision that may result in a personal gain for the volunteer olunteer by blood or marriage, or who is in a similar relationship. A friend is any social acquaintance or individual with whom the volunteer has a social relationship. If a volunteer is involved in any activity for Girl Scouts that presents an actual, perceived, or potential conflict of interest (e.g., if the volunteer has any influence on transactions involving purchases, contracts, or leases), full disclosure in writing to the Chief Executive Officer is mandatory as soon as possible, to establish safeguards and to protect all parties involved. A Board Member shall not, while serving as a member of the council Board of Directors, serve in a council operational volunteer position that would require formal GSUSA or council-developed or sanctioned training.

X. CONTRACTS: All contracts must be authorized and signed by the Chief Executive Officer or her/his designee.

XI. COMMUNITY SERVICE: Any court-mandated community service projects must have prior approval by the appropriate council staff.

XII. ANIMALS: No persons shall bring any animal onto any GSOFCT property or to any Girl Scout activity without the written permission of the Chief Executive Officer or her/his designee. Exceptions will be made for animals needed to assist persons with disabilities.

XIII. WEAPONS: Possession or use of firearms by adults or girls at any Girl Scout activity is prohibited.

XIV. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: All monies raised or earned, and other assets received in the name and for the benefit of Girl Scouting must be authorized by GSOFCT or GSUSA and used for the purposes of Girl Scouting. Such monies and other assets become the property of, and are administered by, GSUSA or GSOFCT. Such assets are not the property of individuals, geographic units, or communities within a Girl Scout council. Those assuming stewardship of any Girl Scout monies within the jurisdiction of GSOFCT are accountable to GSOFCT. Volunteers are responsible for complying with all finance and money-earning policies and practices, as defined in Volunteer Essentials, including but not limited to the following:

-earning activities Money-earning projects may not be held during the United Way campaign or council-wide fundraisers. Adults who owe a debt to the council that is past due will be removed from all volunteer positions. A debt is defined as a check written for insufficient funds, unpaid product sales funds to the council or the Troop, or non-payment of money owed to the organization for products or services. Past due debts (unpaid/misappropriation of funds) more than 30 days after notification will be processed for collection. Individuals will be responsible for all fees associated with the collection of the debt and may be subject to other legal action. Volunteers who repay a past due debt will not be reappointed to any position that includes leadership or money-handling responsibilities. All financial information is confidential. It is against council policy to disclose any financial or personal information garnered

Glossary of Girl Scout Terms

What did she just say? What are they talking about? You might find yourself thinking that when you go to your first service unit meeting, or when talking with another Girl Scout to ask what it means. Sometimes long-time Girl Scouts forget that not

Annual Meeting: The yearly delegate meeting a local Girl Scout council holds to elect its board of directors and conduct other business essential to Girl Scouting in its geographic area.

Badges: Awards earned by Girl Scouts indicating increasing knowledge and skill in a particular subject.

Birthplace: The Savannah, Georgia, birthplace and childhood home of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the USA. The Birthplace is now a historic house museum and Girl Scout troop program facility.

Bridging Activities: Activities preparing members for the next Girl Scout grade-level. The bridging activities frequently involve completing an activity done by girls in the upcoming grade-level. After the troop/group has had a taste of what lies ahead for them in Girl Scouts, it holds a ceremony to mark the transition from one grade level to the next.

Bridging Ceremony: next.

Council Delegate: Any registered Girl Scout 14 years of age or over can be elected as a voting member of a local Girl Scout council. Each service unit elects delegates to represent them at the council's Annual Meeting. Delegates serve as the primary communication link between area Girl Scout members, community networks, and GSOFC elect board members, Board Development Committee members, and national council delegates; and service unit is determined by the number of girls registered to that service unit on September 30th of the prior membership year.

Court of Awards: A ceremony where girls receive awards for their achievements.

Community Service A project done FOR the community and addresses an immediate short-term need in the community, Project: such as volunteering.

Earned Awards: Insignia from Girl Scout grade-level books. Earned by completing requirements or by demonstrating an understanding of a concept. Included in this category are such awards as Girl Scout grade-level badges, Journey awards, the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

Emblems: GSUSA, council, troop, membership, and identification insignia.

First-Aider: An approved adult who has taken Girl Scout-approved First-Aid/CPR/AED training from a nationally recognized organization.

Fly-up Ceremony: The event at which a Girl Scout Brownie receives her Brownie Wings and becomes a Girl Scout Junior.

The birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts, October 31. SECTION 7 Friendship Circle: Formed by Girl Scouts standing in a circle, crossing their right arm over their left, and clasping hands. The circle represents the unbroken chain of friendship among Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world.

Friendship Squeeze: A hand squeeze that travels around a friendship circle from one person to another after someone starts it.

Fun Patches: Supplementary insignia received by girls for simply participating in an event or activity. Girls wear fun patches on the back of their Girl Scout uniform.

Girl Scout Birthday: The official birthday of Girl Scouting is March 12, 1912, when the first meeting was held in Savannah, GA. It is celebrated every year during Girl Scout Week.

Girl Scout Council: One of Girl Scouts of the USA's local affiliates, with authority over Girl Scouting in a specific section of the country. Currently, there are over 100 Girl Scout Councils in the USA. Your council is Girl Scouts of Connecticut.

Girl Scout A formal way of greeting other Girl Scouts and Girl Guides. You shake hands with the left hand and Handshake: 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.

Girl Scout A day of appreciation for adult volunteers in Girl Scouting held on April 22 every year. Leader's Day:

GSLE: The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is the Girl Scout program. The GSLE includes the three Keys to Leadership: Discover, Connect, and Take Action.

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 Sabbath/ The Saturday/Sunday in Girl Scout Week. A time for members to be recognized in their place of worship Sunday: or to recognize the place of worship as a sponsor of a troop/group. Also an appropriate time for religious recognitions to be awarded to Girl Scouts exploring their own faith.

Girl Scout Sign: Made by raising three fingers of the right hand. This sign stands for the three parts of the Promise and is used when reciting the Girl Scout Promise.

Girl Scout Week: The week containing March 12, the Girl Scout birthday, the anniversary of the first Girl Scout troop meeting in the United States in 1912. This observance is celebrated each year, starting with the Sunday on or preceding the 12th.

G.S.U.S.A.: Abbreviation for the national Girl Scout corporation, Girl Scout of the United States of America, chartered by the U.S. Congress and incorporated in the District of Columbia.

Girl Scouts' Own: Girl-planned inspirational ceremonies held in the troop/group or at camp. It is an opportunity for girls to express their feelings about Girl Scouting or a topic of their choosing, such as friendship, being courageous and strong, or nature. Girl Scouts' Own is not a religious service.

Grade-Levels: The grade-levels in Girl Scouting are: Girl Scout Daisy, grades K-1 Girl Scout Brownie, grades 2-3 Girl Scout Junior, grades 4-5 Girl Scout Cadette, grades 6-8 Girl Scout Senior, grades 9-10 Girl Scout Ambassador, grades 11-12

Higher Awards: Bronze, Silver, and Gold the highest awards a Junior (Bronze), Cadette (Silver), and Senior/Ambassador (Gold) can earn by completing a specific Take Action project. 53

Insignia: The umbrella term for U.S. Girl Scout-earned grade-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 accepts the Girl Scout Promise and Law and receives their membership pin.

Juliette Gordon Low: The founder of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States. Also known as Daisy.

Juliette Low World A Girl Scouts of the USA-operated fund that supports educational programs, service projects, training, Friendship Fund: and international travel to foster friendship among girls from the 144 countries of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Kaper Chart: A grid system, wheel, table, or other creative system showing the job or chore assigned to each girl or group of girls for any given project, meeting,, or activity. Useful for meetings, camp-outs, and special events. Patrol: Small group of girls who plan and carry out activities within the troop/larger group.

Patrol System: A form of troop government composed of patrols and a Court of Honor. Girl Scout Junior troops often use the patrol system.

Petals: Awards earned by Girl Scout Daisies. Each petal is a different color and represents one of the 10 parts of the Girl Scout Law. To earn a petal, a girl shows her troop leader she understands the corresponding part of the Law.

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.

Rededication A reaffirmation of a Girl Scout member's belief in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Ceremony:

Religious 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.

Safety Activity Girl Scout program standards and guidelines that provide for the health and safety of all girls. Checkpoints:

Sit-upon: A lightweight pad or mat used when sitting on the floor or ground. Sit-Upons are often handmade by the girls.

SWAPS: Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere. Tokens exchanged at special Girl Scout/Girl Guide events that signify friendship. Ideally these are inexpensive handmade items that are accepted by the receiver as a token of friendship.

: A favorite campfire treat consisting of toasted marshmallows and chocolate bars sandwiched between graham crackers.

Take Action A project done WITH the community, addresses the root cause of a community issue, and has a project: long-term impact.

Trefoil: "Trefoil" means three leaves. Each leaf in the traditional or stylized Girl Scout trefoil stands for a part of the Girl Scout Promise.

Volunteer A publication outlining Girl Scout processes, safety guidelines, volunteer responsibilities, and much Essentials: more. Think of Volunteer Essentials as your encyclopedia to Girl Scout volunteering. 54

World Association of An association of Girl Scout and Girl Guide national organizations around the world. WAGGGS serves Girl Guides and Girl approximately eight million Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in 144 countries. Through Girl Scouts of the Scouts (WAGGGS): membership in WAGGGS, each girl and adult registered as a Girl Scout in the United States becomes part of the Girl Guide/Girl Scout world movement. The World Association's mission is to enable girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.

World Thinking Day: February 22, the birthday of both Lady Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide, and her husband, Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Boy Scouts. First celebrated in 1927, the day was renamed at the 1999 Girl Guide/Girl Scout World Conference. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world use the day to think of each other, exchange greetings, and learn about other countries.