Council 101 Getting to know your local Girl Council

888.747.6945 | [email protected] | gsnwgl.org 1 Welcome to GSNWGL! You’re now a Girl Scout volunteer! We’re so glad to have you! Welcome to Girl Scouts, a ground-breaking national organization and the premier leadership development program for girls. Locally, you’re connected with Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) council, serving girls in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Here’s an introduction to how we serve girls and volunteers in our council.

Here’s what's inside.

▶ Girl Experience: the ways girls participate in Girl Scouts at GSNWGL ▶ Volunteer Engagement: discover troop and community roles, peer recognitions, training, and events to support your troop ▶ Volunteer Guidelines: get familiar with (and agree to abide by) our policies, procedures, Code of Conduct, and Safety Guidelines ▶ Member-Driven Governance: review our mission, vision, organizational structure and governance structure ▶ Be Our Guest: take a tour of the property assets available to members ▶ Funding Our Fun: peek at product sales and community support

We want to stay in touch!

Our Customer Care team is available right away to assist with all of your inquiries! Contact them at [email protected] or 888.747.6945

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Council news and resources are here: National news and resources are here: gsnwgl.org girlscouts.org 2 Girl Experiences

Troops "Juliettes" Most Girl Scouts gather in groups called Troops and (Individually Registered Members) each troop has an identifying number. The most If a girl is not part of a troop, she is a "Juliette," a common troop structure is a group of girls from the nickname for individually registered members (IGM). same school, in the same grade, who typically meet Juliettes participate in all Girl Scout activities, events twice a month. Troops with girls in various grades are and camps. They work on earned awards with their known as multi-level troops. caregivers and staff members’ guidance. Some Juliettes join e-troops, a virtual troop experience with Some troops are assembled with a focus on a certain girls from across the Council. Did you know? Juliette area, for example Robotics or Hiking, and are typically Gordon Low was the founder of Girl Scouts! organized for older Girl Scouts.

Activities and Events Camp Badge-earning and challenge-seeking programs Rooted in adventure, Girl Scout camp plants memories are organized by Council staff to connect girls to of resiliency, capability, and friendship that stay with community experts and their resources. Closer to girls at home, in the classroom, and wherever life home, Service Area volunteers host service projects takes them. Girls can sign up individually or with and team-building social events to keep Girl Scouts their friends to attend Day Camp, Resident Camp, or visible in the community. Girls attend these large Wilderness Camp. They can also try Troop Camp group events with their troop and their Troop Leaders with their Troop Leaders and the girls in their troop. or as individuals with their caregiver. Review all our camp options.

Reaching Out Reaching Out breaks down barriers to participation and brings the benefits of Girl Scouts to girls outside of a traditional troop setting through after-school programs and partnerships with other youth-serving organizations, and also treatment facilities and juvenile detention centers. Reaching Out staff work closely with these partners to adjust Girl Scout curriculum and content to meet the needs of the girls they are serving at each individual site with positive, skill and character-building programs. 3 Volunteer Engagement Girl Scouts prove that “many hands make light work” and we have no problem recruiting our best friends and family members to help us create amazing experiences for girls! Here’s a sneak peek at the various ways volunteers join together to get this important -and fun- job done. Get the details at Ways to Volunteer.

Volunteer Recognition We all need a pat on the back! In your Girl Scout journey, you may meet a volunteer who goes above and beyond expectations. Maybe you’ll nominate and recognize the Girl Scout volunteers who support your troop, your region and your Council. (And maybe someone will nominate you one day!) Review our Adult Awards descriptions, the nomination forms, and the prestigious award pins for the adult uniform. Each spring, we celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of volunteers and girls at regional Girl Scouts of Distinction recognition events. Troop Roles • Troop Leaders and Volunteer Training and Support Assistant Troop Leaders We’ve got lots of volunteer resources for this Girl Scout journey. Your volunteer • Troop Fall Product onboarding includes personal coaching, online learning, and a searchable website to Manager and Troop find what you need when you need it. Cookie Manager • Troop Treasurer Start your volunteer journey with online training courses you can complete from home. • Troop Helper Log into gsLearn from the MyGS tab on our website menu. Other brief training courses cover troop management tools, how to earn badges and awards, ensuring girl safety, Service Area Roles troop financial management, and more. Special certifications available include First Aider training for CPR/First Aid/AED skills, • Service Area Manager for campfire and outdoor cooking safety, Cookie Program training and Service Area Team for managing inventory and recognitions, and Highest Awards training for coaching girls Members to earn the most prestigious awards in Girl . • Service Area Fall Product Manager and Service Area Cookie Manager Event Support • Outdoor Champions, Enjoy special events organized and designed specifically for Girl Scouts. Take advantage Trainers, Travel Advisors, of these opportunities and leave the work to us! Registration due dates for large events Community and School are usually two weeks ahead of the event. Always review the cancellation policies and Organizers, and Event dates. Girls should be accompanied by adult chaperones. A few designated events are Volunteers open to siblings and families. ▶ Member Perks Troops can take advantage of discounted admission or tickets with Elected Leadership Member Perks. Find the full list on the Activities page. and Committee ▶ On Your Own Local businesses, non-profits, clubs, and experts are ready to host Volunteers an activity for your troop and share their expertise. Review the list of On Your Own partners to organize troop field trips. • Regional Delegates and National Delegates ▶ Council-hosted events Large-scale events bring amazing badge-earning • Board Members opportunities and experiences to girls. Registration and fees are collected via our • Committee Members Council website. Many events are hosted on business or education sites to introduce girls to their community-at-large. Search for events by grade level, region, or topic from the Activities List and add them to your troop calendar of events. 4 Volunteer Guidelines On the Same Team – On the Same Page.

We call it the Girl Scout Movement – the power of generations of people who support our mission with the desire to help girls everywhere. We maintain that the strength of the Girl Scout Movement rests in the voluntary leadership of its adult members. Girls have amazing Girl Scout opportunities because of energized volunteers like you. Together, Girl Scout volunteers agree to abide by:

The Girl Scout The Girl Scout Our Council code Our Council policies Promise and Law Safety Guidelines of conduct and procedures

Phew - what else do volunteers agree to do? How about laugh and be a good friend to girls in your community? Part of the fun of volunteering with Girl Scouts is growing and learning right along with the girls! We are so proud of our volunteers that help girls grow, learn, and lead. We All Belong Together: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Girl Scouts is for every girl, and that’s why we embrace girls of all abilities and backgrounds with a specific and positive philosophy of inclusion that benefits everyone. Each girl and adult member - without regard to socioeconomic status, race, physical or cognitive ability, ethnicity, primary langauge, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity - is an equal and valued member of the group, and groups reflect the diversity of the community.

We believe inclusion is an approach and an attitude, rather than a set of guidelines. Inclusion is about belonging, and all members being offered the same opportunities with respect, dignity, and celebration of their unique strengths. It’s about being a sister to every Girl Scout! You’re accepting and inclusive when you:

• Welcome every girl and focus on building community • Emphasize cooperation instead of competition • Provide a safe and socially comfortable environment for girls • Teach respect for, understanding of, and dignity toward all girls and their families • Actively reach out to girls and families who are traditionally excluded or marginalized • Foster a sense of belonging to community as a respected and valued peer • Honor the intrinsic value of each person’s life

Want to know more? Refer to Volunteer Essentials, Troop Management. If you have questions about accommodating an individual girl, please reach out to [email protected] or 888.747.6945. 5

Speak Up, Speak Out

As a Girl Scout volunteer, you’ll help families get to know Girl Scouts. You won’t feel like a Girl Scout expert at first – and you don’t need to be! If you get questions you don’t know how to answer, direct people to our Customer Care team (888.747.6945 or [email protected]) or to the About page of our website, where visitors read about our work, follow links to learn more, or contact us directly.

Advocacy In Girl Scouts, we want empowered girls to speak up and speak out when they see how to make the world a better place. Issues-based advocacy opportunities are everywhere in our program materials. Just watch and see what determined girls can do! Share your troop's adventures, service projects, and just-for-fun activities (with a picture, please!) at gsnw.gl/shareyoursuccess. Your stories will both inspire other troops and help staff continue to advocate for girls and Girl Scouting in our council.

Getting press. We love it when community news outlets recognize the good work that Girl Scouts do locally, but we don't expect our volunteers to interact with the media. Contact Customer Care and we can help with media coverage, coaching and guidance. If fact, if a controversy or crisis arises, we'd rather handle it for you.

Our brand. Girl Scouts is a powerful and recognizable brand that people know and trust. Help keep it strong by following the Brand Style Guide for Volunteers for guidance on writing style, fonts, logo, colors, and more. This is a handy guide if your troop or service area plans to create event materials. 6

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes Code of Conduct Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) agrees to treat volunteers with respect and dignity and to provide learning opportunities and support for the volunteer position.

Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try: to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl .

Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, ourageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

As a GSNWGL volunteer I will uphold the following expectations of my volunteer role. 1. Personally model the Girl Scout Promise and Law in all capacities with girls, caregivers, other volunteers, council staff, and other community members with whom I interact in my Girl Scout role.

2. Take the required trainings and comply with GSNWGL policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.

3. Use the three Girl Scout Processes of the Girl Scout program to foster an environment that is girl-led, cooperative, and involves learning by doing.

4. Responsibly manage Girl Scout funds in support of Girl Scout activity, maintain accurate financial records, and file finance reports with the Council.

5. Honor the public trust in Girl Scouts and contribute to the Girl Scout Movement by holding in mind the best interests of the organization, its mission, and the girls it serves.

As a GSNWGL volunteer I will uphold the following principles of interpersonal communication. 1. Behave in a manner that exemplifies the ideals of the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

2. Ensure that all written and verbal communications do not contain profanity or condescending remarks (including telephone, email, text, social media, etc.).

3. Refrain from inappropriate displays of anger, aggression, or berating of individuals.

4. Maintain truthfulness in all communications including owning my opinions and respecting that they may differ from others and/or Council policy.

I understand that if I do not comply with the above standards or if I otherwise act in a way that negatively impacts the image or goals of GSNWGL, I may be released from my volunteer role. 7

Girl Scout Safety Guidelines

Every adult in Girl Scouting is responsible for the physical and emotional safety of girls, and we demonstrate that by agreeing to follow these standards at all times. 1. Follow the Safety Activity Checkpoints - Instructions for staying safe while participating in activities are detailed in the Safety Activity Checkpoints. Read the checkpoints, follow them, and share them with other volunteers, parents, and girls (as grade-level appropriate) before engaging in activities with girls. 2. Arrange for proper adult supervision of girls - Your group must have at least two unrelated, approved adult volunteers present at all times, plus additional adult volunteers as necessary, depending on the size of the group and the ages and abilities of girls. Adult volunteers must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority defined by the state, if it is older than 18) and must be screened by your council before volunteering. One lead volunteer in every group must be female. 3. Get parent/guardian permission - When an activity takes place that is outside the normal time and place, advise each parent/guardian of the details of the activity and obtain permission for girls to participate. 4. Report abuse - Sexual advances, improper touching, and sexual activity of any kind with girl members are forbidden. Physical, verbal, and emotional abuse of girls is also forbidden. Follow your council’s guidelines for reporting concerns about abuse or neglect that may be occurring inside or outside of Girl Scouting. 5. Be prepared for emergencies - Work with girls and other adults to establish and practice procedures for emergencies related to weather, fire, lost girls/adults, and site security. Always keep handy a well-stocked first-aid kit, girl health histories, and contact information for girls’ families 6. Travel safely - When transporting girls to planned Girl Scout field trips and other activities that are outside the normal time and place, every driver must be an approved adult volunteer and have a good driving record, a valid license, and a registered/insured vehicle. Insist that everyone is in a legal seat and wears her seat belt at all times and adhere to state laws regarding booster seats and requirements for children in rear seats. 7. Ensure safe overnight outings - Prepare girls to be away from home by involving them in planning, so they know what to expect. Avoid having men sleep in the same space as girls and women. During family or parent-daughter overnights, one family unit may sleep in the same sleeping quarters in program areas. When parents are staffing events, daughters should remain in quarters with other girls rather than in staff areas. 8. Role-model the right behavior - Never use illegal drugs. Don’t consume alcohol, smoke, or use foul language in the presence of girls. Do not carry ammunition or firearms in the presence of girls unless given special permission by your council for group marksmanship activities. 9. Create an emotionally safe space - Adults are responsible for making Girl Scouting a place where girls are as safe emotionally as they are physically. Protect the emotional safety of girls by creating a team agreement and coaching girls to honor it. Agreements typically encourage behaviors like respecting a diversity of feelings and opinions; resolving conflicts constructively; and avoiding physical and verbal bullying, clique behavior, and discrimination. 10. Ensure that no girl is treated differently - Girl Scouts welcome all members, regardless of race, ethnicity, background, disability, family structure, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status. When scheduling, helping plan, and carrying out activities, carefully consider the needs of all girls involved, including school schedules, family needs, financial constraints, religious holidays, and the accessibility of appropriate transportation and meeting places. 11. Promote online safety - Instruct girls never to put their full names or contact information online, engage in virtual conversation with strangers, or arrange in-person meetings with online contacts. On group Web sites, publish girls’ first names only and never divulge their contact information. Teach girls the Girl Scout Online Safety Pledge and have them commit to it. 12. Keep girls safe during money-earning - Girl Scout cookies and other council-sponsored product sales are an integral part of the program. During Girl Scout product sales, you are responsible for the safety of girls, money, and products. In addition, a wide variety of organizations, causes, and fundraisers may appeal to Girl Scouts to be their labor force. When representing Girl Scouts, girls cannot participate in money-earning activities that represent partisan politics or that are not Girl Scout–approved product sales and efforts. 8 Member-driven Governance We’re very passionate about what we do – and we can’t do it without you and all Girl Scout volunteers who join us in the greater Girl Scout Movement. Here’s how we get organized.

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

Our Council Vision We empower girls to be confident leaders and changemakers through programming and experiences designed to nurture the qualities of leadership, innovation, compassion, and ambition in a girl-led, girl-only environment.

Our Organizational Structure

▶ Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Volunteers are the heart A national organization supporting the work of more than of our organization! 100 councils across the U.S. for more than 100 years. Headquartered in New York, New York.

▶ Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes Council (GSNWGL) Independent 501(c)3 nonprofit chartered by GSUSA operating under the direction of a local board of directors that oversees all service areas and troops within its territory. Our council covers 58 counties in northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and serves over 15,000 girls with the help of nearly 5,000 volunteers – who, like Troops you, want the best for their girls.

▶ Service Areas Service Areas A community or regional area, managed by volunteers, which supports the day-to-day work of troops within a defined geographic GSNWGL area. The work of service areas includes event planning, volunteer networking, troop collaboration, and raising the profile of Girl Scouts GSUSA in their communities.

▶ Troops Volunteer-supervised groups of girls who participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. 9

Our Governance Structure

Keweenaw

Lake Superior Houghton

Baraga Ontonagon Luce Camp Nesbit Marquette Chippewa Douglas Bayfield Gogebic Sidnaw, MI Marquette Alger Schoolcraft Mackinac Ashland Iron Iron 1 Delta Hayward Villas Camp PowLow Dickinson Washburn Gwinn, MI Burnett Sawyer Florence Serving girls across northern 2 Oneida Price Rhinelander Wisconsin and the Upper Forest Menominee Rice Lake Rusk Marinette Peninsula of Michigan Barron Camp Birch Trails Polk Lincoln Irma, WI Taylor Langlade 4 33 Merrill 4 Camp Nawakwa Camp Cuesta Service Centers and St. Croix Chippewa Cornell, WI Bailey’s Harbor, WI Camp/Program Facilities Dunn Camp Del O’Claire Oconto Schofield Wausau, WI Sturgeon Bay Pierce Eau Claire Clark Door Service Center with Menominee Marathon Shawano Pepin Eau Claire a Retail Shop Stevens Point Green Bay Kewaunee Wood Portage Waupaca Outagamie Lake Michigan Tomah Brown Northeast Governance/ Buffalo Jackson Appleton Camp Winnecomac Operational Region Trempealeau Camp Sacajawea Kaukauna, WI Wisconsin Rapids, WI Winnebago Oshkosh Calumet 2 Central Governance/ Adams Manitowac La Crosse Monroe 5 Green 5 Operational Region La Crosse Marquette Sheboygan Juneau Lake Fond du Lac Fond du Lac Sheboygan 3 West Governance/ Vernon Columbia Operational Region Sauk Dodge Washington Richland Ozaukee Crawford 4 Green Bay Governance/ Madison Milwaukee Dane Jefferson Waukesha Operational Region Iowa Milwaukee

Grant Racine 5 Appleton Governance/ Racine La Fayette Green Rock Walworth Kenosha Operational Region

400 miles East to West Some volunteers step up into delegate roles, representing their Service Areas or regions 300 miles North to South to provide valuable insight to staff and Board members. Follow our progress in our annual 58 Counties Report to the Community and review our current list of Board members from the 5 Governance Regions About Us page of our website. 5 Operational Regions

▶ Regional delegates – They serve a two-year term, represent each of our five governance regions, and attend four meetings each year. Regional delegates provide area representation to the council and influence the direction of local Girl Scouting by maintaining contact with and gathering input from members of the Service Areas and the community, in order to provide the board of directors with policy related information.

▶ Board Committees/Task Groups – They share their expertise in areas like investing, property management, advocacy, policy and other committees. They meet on an as-needed schedule to provide the board of directors with a variety of support initiatives and information used in decision making.

▶ National delegates – They serve a three-year term, represent our Council when they travel to attend the National Convention, engage in data gathering before and reporting after the Convention. National delegates gather feedback from service area meetings and regional meetings about proposals to be discussed at the national session and share information learned with GSNWGL through service area meetings and regional meetings upon return. They attend 6-8 meetings each year.

▶ Board – They serve a two-year term, advocate for Girl Scouts in their communities and help open doors for new and existing partnerships. Board members share their leadership, financial management, and entrepreneurial skills to help us deliver the Girl Scout mission to girls. They attend at least four board meetings a year and serve on at least one board committee. 10 Be Our Guest Locations and Facilities at GSNWGL

Our Council, Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL), operates several service centers, shops, and multiple camps.

Please visit! Check out the operating hours of shops and service centers, find links to camp photos, maps, amenities and more from our Locations & Facilities page. Troops may make reservations six months in advance using Doubleknot, our online reservation system. Choose your comfort and adventure level: temperature-controlled service center rooms, camp lodges with indoor plumbing and mattresses, platform tent units, yurts, and field spaces for tent camping are all available. Other amenities vary by location and include campfire rings, campfire cooking kits, archery, geocaching, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming spaces.

Can’t make the drive to one of our shops? Our online shop is always open! You’ll find uniform pieces and earned award insignia for both girls and adults, but also casual and cozy Girl Scout branded items from sweatshirts to tote bags to cute accessories that girls love. Select gifts for adults or girls, including toys, craft sets, science kits, outdoor tools, and books – lots of things that drive girls’ interests in our four foundational areas of Life Skills, STEM, Entrepreneurship and Outdoors. Funding Our Fun Girl Action Our Council hosts two product program opportunities for girls to earn funds for their selected activities. The Fall Product sale combines educational activities with selling magazine subscriptions, nuts and candy. Every spring, the Girl Scout cookie program ensures girls are earning while they’re learning entrepreneurial skills! gsnwgl.org/cookies Troops decide how to spend the proceeds, from troop travel goals to community service project supplies. After participating in both product program opportunities, troops may request permission to pursue other money-earning opportunities, following specific guidelines.

Community Action We want to make Girl Scouts available to all girls! Our Council strives to secure the financial future of our program with multiple funding sources, both small and large. Through donations, program grants or service partnerships, we're constantly advocating for girls. You’ll see us out in the neighborhood sharing our success stories and raising awareness of our goals at community and networking events. Join us whenever you can!

Giving Opportunities Our most popular giving program comes from the girls themselves! Family Partnership provides financial assistance for annual girl memberships. Learn about the Juliette Gordon Low Society, the Promise Circle, In Honor of a Girl Scout, Giving Tuesday, and other ways the generous friends of Girl Scouts support the Girl Scout Movement, including individual planned giving and corporate giving opportunities. Does your employer provide matching gifts for volunteer service hours? Contact [email protected] We hope this introduction to how we serve girls and volunteers in our Council helped you get to know us!

We’re proud of our legacy of ongoing partnerships with schools, businesses, families, partner non-profits, and our current and alumni staff and volunteers. We have a saying, “Once a Girl Scout, Always a Girl Scout.”

What’s next? Log in to gsLearn, our online learning platform, to complete the volunteer orientation courses: Discover & Connect, Take Action, Council 101, and Six Steps to Start.

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888.747.6945 | [email protected] | gsnwgl.org