Volunteer Essentials August 2018 Supersedes all previous versions. These procedures apply to all volunteers with responsibility for girls and participants at official Girl Scout activities. It is very important that these steps are followed consistently in any emergency situation. 1. Always have someone in the group as the designee to call 911. 2. Remain calm. 3. Give priority attention to providing all possible care for the injured. 4. Secure emergency medical services and law enforcement as appropriate. 5. Report the emergency immediately by calling GSSWT (210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247) at any time, 24 hours a day. By pressing 1, the automated phone system will forward the call directly ) cell phone. 6. In the event of a fatality or serious accident, always notify law enforcement. Do not leave the scene of the accident until law enforcement arrives. If you must leave, retain a responsible person at the scene. Ensure that the victim and the surroundings are not disturbed until law enforcement has assumed authority. 7. MAKE NO STATEMENTS TO THE MEDIA. Refer all media inquiries (newspaper, radio, members of the department are available, take a message and inform them that someone will return their call. Do not discuss the incident, place any blame or accept liability. 8. Record all relevant conversations concerning the emergency. 9. Submit completed form(s) to Customer Care at [email protected] to be directed to the Crisis Team Lead within 72 hours of the incident. Required forms will be provided by the council when necessary. NOTE: Information specific to Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas (GSSWT) will be found in fully shaded boxes (like this one) throughout this publication, as well as in the appendices. Becoming familiar with GSSWT and GSUSA guidelines will help ensure the safety of all girls and volunteers. 811 N Coker Loop, San Antonio, Texas 78216; 210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247/Fax 210-349-2666 Registered Girl Scouts, volunteers and community members are welcome to use the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center. Meeting room reservations and group overnight accommodations are made on a first come, first-served basis. For reservations email the Property Department at [email protected]. Detailed information about the Girl Scout Shop can be found on page 13 and Resource Center on page 15. Directions: From HWY 281 N (driving north), exit Nakoma Dr., stay on access road, continue straight through Nakoma light, turn right onto Arion Pkwy., (just after Northside Ford), turn left onto W. Coker Loop, turn right onto N. Coker Loop. From HWY 281 S (driving south), exit Nakoma Dr., stay on access road, turn left to cross over the highway, turn left onto the access road going north, stay on the access road, turn right onto Arion Pkwy., (just after Northside Ford), turn left onto W. Coker Loop, turn right onto N. Coker Loop. VIA Bus Line (648) available North bus stop #92766; South bus stop #92767 Office Hours: (June 1 August 31): Monday-Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 2nd Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed Sunday Note: Resource Center is CLOSED on Wednesdays. Extended Hours for Resource Center, Shop and Customer Care (September 1‒May 31): Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 2nd Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Sunday Note: Resource Center is CLOSED on Wednesdays. (formerly Coronado-Escobar Elementary School, Edgewood ISD) 5622 W. César E. Chávez Blvd. (formerly known as W. Durango), San Antonio, Texas 78237; 210-349-2404 ext. 400/1-800-580-7247/Fax 210-349-2666 General Facility Hours (September 1‒May 31): Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed Sunday Summer Hours (June 1‒August 31): Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday *Please call West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center Resource Center for Family Engagement and Volunteer Support hours 210-349-2404 ext. 400 *See page 13 for shop hours. Directions: From HWY IH 10, exit Culebra Rd., take the 1st right onto Culebra Rd., continue to follow Culebra Rd., turn slight left onto Culebra Rd., turn left onto N. General McMullen Dr., turn right onto W. Commerce St., turn left onto S. San Joaquin Ave., take the 2nd right onto W. César E. Chávez Blvd./Durango St. From HWY 90 from the south, exit SW 36th St., turn right onto SW 36th St., turn right onto Old US- 90 W., (Enrique Barrera Parkway) turn slight right onto W. César E. Chávez Blvd./Durango St. From US 281 N., take US 281 S., exit toward IH 10/US 87/Houston/El Paso, take IH 35 S. exit toward Laredo then exit 155C toward W. Houston St./Commerce St., turn right onto W. Commerce St. and continue onto Old US 90 W., (Enrique Barrera Parkway), turn left onto S. San Joaquin Ave., and take the 2nd right onto W. César E. Chávez Blvd./Durango St., destination will be on the left. VIA BUS Line (76) available North bus stop #77813; South bus stop #77819. 19459 Ranch Rd Hwy 187 N (2 miles south of Utopia), Utopia, 78884 Camp Office: 830-966-3526 (during summer resident camp only) Ranger: 830-966-3521 Quick Reference Guide 1 Chapter 3: Engaging Girls at All Grade Levels 53 We Are Girl Scouts 2 Who Can Join Girl Scouts and How? 7 Arranging a Time and Space for Girl-Led Meetings 53 Adding New Girls to your Troop 7 Understanding Healthy Development in Girls 54 ture 8 Creating a Safe Space for Girls 59 Getting Started with the National Leadership Program Recognizing and Supporting Each Girl 59 through Journeys 17 Promoting Fairness 59 Planning in a Girl-Led Environment 18 Building Trust 60 Managing Conflict 60 Meeting with Girls for the First Time 20 Inspiring Open Communication 60 Using Safety Activity Checkpoints 21 Working with Parents and Guardians 64 Understanding How Many Volunteers You Need 23 Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance and Inclusion 68 Following the Girl Scouts Safety Guidelines 25 Chapter 4: Safety-Wise 70 Chapter 1: Sharing Your Unique Gifts 28 Knowing Your Responsibilities 70 Understanding Your Role as a Girl Scout Volunteer 28 Responsibilities of the Volunteer 70 Your Responsibilities 28 Responsibilities of Parents and Guardians 73 Your Volunteer Support Team 30 Responsibilities of Girls 73 Taking Advantage of Learning Opportunities 30 Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need 74 38 Transporting Girls 75 Checklist for Drivers 76 Chapter 2: Girl Scouting as a National Approaching Activities 82 Experience 39 Health Histories (Including Examinations and Immunizations) 83 What Girl Scouting Does for Girls 39 Fun with Purpose 40 Girl Scout Activity Insurance 85 The National Program Portfolio 45 Experts 88 National Leadership Journeys 45 Providing Emergency Care 90 Procedure for Emergencies 90 Proficiency Badges 47 First-Aid/CPR 91 Emblems and Patches 47 Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards 48 Chapter 5: Managing Group Finances 97 Other Initiatives and Opportunities 49 Establishing an Account 97 Girl Scout Traditions and Celebrations 49 Group Money-Earning Basics 106 Girl Scout Calendar 49 Standards for Money-Earning & Solicitation by Group 108 Time-Honored Ceremonies 50 Collaborating with Sponsors and Other Organizations 110 Signs, Songs, Handshake and More! 51 Helping Girls Reach Their Financial Goals 111 1 Reviewing Financial and Product Program Letting Girls Lead 136 Abilities by Grade Level 111 Looking at a Sample Troop Year 138 Chapter 6: Girl Scout Product Program 114 Appendix B: For Travel Volunteers 139 Traveling with Girls 139 Understanding the Girl Scout Cookie Program 114 Y 114 Seeking Council Permission 141 Knowing Where Proceeds Go 115 Using Journey GSSWT Product Programs Position Statements 116 ACH Procedures 116 Scouting in Their Travels 142 GSSWT Cookie Program 117 Involving Chaperones 143 How the cookie crumbles 117 Letting Girls Lead 144 Product Program Group/Girl Proceeds & Staying Safe During the Trip 146 Recognitions 117 Cookie Credits 118 Appendix C: GSSWT Volunteer Management Safely Selling Girl Scout Cookies & Other Products 119 Using Online Resources to Market Cookies Policies & Procedures 151 and Other Products 121 Section I: Volunteer Management 151 GSSWT Fall Product Program 122 Section II: Membership Responsibilities & Benefits 157 Section III: Legal Issues 161 Section IV: Volunteer Conflict Resolution & Mediation 167 Chapter 7: Camping 124 Section V: Other GSSWT Policies & Procedures 169 GSUSA Objectives of Camping 124 Types of Camp Experiences 124 Appendix D: Governance 175 GSSWT Camping Standards 125 Health Examinations GSSWT Standards 125 Purpose 175 Camping 126 Volunteer Leadership Council 175 Group Camping 126 Community Camping 126 Appendix E: Volunteer Systems 176 General Information about GSSWT Camp 127 What is Volunteer Systems 176 Camping Health and Safety Procedures at Camp La Jita 127 Troop Renewal 177 Camping First Aid Requirements 128 CEI FAQs 178 Camping at Council-Owned Sites and Troop Opportunity Catalog FAQs 179 Non-Council-Owned Sites 129 Camp La Jita 130 Glossary 182 Appendix A: For Troop Volunteers 133 Index 188 Forming a Troop Committee 133 Holding Troop Meetings 134 Welcome to the great adventure that is Girl Scouting! Thanks to volunteers and mentors like you, generations of girls have learned to be leaders in their own lives and in the world. his Quick Reference Guide to Volunteer Essentials is designed to give you just what you need to know now as you plan your first troop meeting. The rest of Volunteer Essentials is a reference for you to use as needed.