troop startup guide - girl scouts of the usa · we’re glad you’re here. this guide is intended...

TROOPSTARTUPGUIDEQuick-reference guide for new troop leaders.

3

Welcome! We’re excited you’ve decided to become a Girl Scout Troop Leader!

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Girl Scouting, and we thank you for your commitment as a Girl Scouts of Western Ohio volunteer. You are making a lasting difference in many girls lives—one meeting, one event, one day at a time! We’re glad you’re here.

This guide is intended to help you get started with your new Girl Scout troop. Read on for great tips, resources, and information to help you on your journey.

Service UnitGirl Scouts of Western Ohio is divided into geographic areas called service units. Your service unit consists of girls and adults from your neighborhood and surrounding schools. It’s led by volunteers who support local leaders like you in executing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Service units ensure messages and activities of the service unit reflect the Girl Scout Mission and council goals, volunteers are engaged in developing plans that meet their needs and interests, and volunteers receive ongoing coaching and education that equips them to be successful in their role. Service units organize local meetings to help support volunteers. Below is important information for your support network.

Service Unit #: Time:

Service Unit Name: Location:

Service Team

The council includes both volunteer and professional staff who provide support to service units and volunteers. A service team is a group of administrative volunteer staff appointed by regional staff and the service unit chair to support the delivery of services in the service unit.

Volunteer/Staff Support

Name Email Phone

Local Volunteer Support

GSWO StaffCommunity

Development Manager

We are here for you!Contact our Customer Care Team by phone at 1.888.350.5090 or email at [email protected]. Regional service centers are open 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, with extended evening hours until 7 p.m. on Wednesday.








Service Team


Volunteer/Staff Support Name Email Phone


GSWO StaffCommunity Engagement

Manager

We are here for you!Contact our Customer Care Team by phone at 888.350.5090 or email at [email protected]. Regional service

centers are open 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, with extended evening hours until 7 p.m on Wednesday.








Service TeamThe council includes both volunteer and professional staff who provide support to service units and volunteers. A service team is a group of administrative volunteer staff appointed by regional staff and the service unit chair to support the delivery of services in the service unit.




Manager

We are here for you!Contact our Customer Care Team by phone at 1.888.350.5090 or email [email protected]. Regional service centers are open 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, with extended evening hours until 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Welcome! We’re excited you’ve decided to become a Girl Scout Troop Leader!Volunteers are the heart of Girl Scouting, and we thank you for your commitment as a Girl Scouts of Western Ohio volunteer. You are making a lasting difference in many girls lives—one meeting, one event, one day at a time! We’re glad you’re here.


Service Unit



Service Team





Manager

We are here for you!Contact our Customer Care Team by phone at 1.888.350.5090 or email [email protected]. Regional service centers are open 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, with extended evening hours until 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is divided into geographic areas called service units. Your service unit consists of girls and adults from your neighborhood and surrounding schools. It’s led by volunteers who support local leaders like you in executing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.


WELCOME

Council Code: 240

Troop #:

Service Unit#:

Service Unit Name:

Social Media:

Local Support Meetings

Day:

Time:

Location:

4

Getting StartedSupport Network Getting Started Brand Architecture Girl Scout Program Introduction The Girl Scout Experience Volunteer Resources Volunteer Toolkit Volunteer Toolkit Tips The Girl Scout Troop Meeting The Girl Scout Traditions Product Program

Troop SupportTroop Committee: An Essential Guide Top Advantages to Creating a Committee Building Troop Committee Support Troop Leader Communication Troop Communication Troop Meetings Troop Safety Girl Scout Year at a Glance Inclusion in Girl Scouts Resources Forms and Documents

Parent/Caregiver SupportParent/Caregiver Meeting Sample Agenda Meeting Building a Team Support Family Participation DNA of a G.I.R.L.

Troop FinanceTroop Finances and Record Keeping Welcome Email Samples Banking Procedures (PNC) Banking Procedures (Fifth Third) Banking Procedures (Tax Forms) Banking Procedures (Tax Exemption) Banking Procedures (Financial Report) Finances-An Essential Guide Where the Money Comes From Top Troop Expenses Average Troop Dues Record Keeping Troop Financial Management

Learning OpportunitiesVolunteer Learning Progression Volunteer Learning Tracker Volunteer Learning Opportunity Calendar 2019-2020 Webinar Schedule

FormsUniform Price Guide (Daisy) Uniform Price Guide (Brownie) Uniform Price Guide (Junior) Uniform Price Guide (Cadette) Uniform Price Guide (Senior) Uniform Price Guide (Ambassador) Uniform Price Guide (Volunteer) Request for Troop Start-Up Funds Membership Registration Summary Girl Membership Adult Membership Release Form - Minor Release Form - Adult Permission Slip Adult Health / Release Form Girl Health / Release Form Incident Accident Report

Table of Contents

Building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Scout PromiseOn my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Girl Scout LawI will do my best to be

honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous 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.

29

30

32

33

34

54

55

56

57

62

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

77

3

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

14

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

26

27

27

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

5

SERVICE CENTERS

1 Toledo

2 Lima

3 Dayton

4 Cincinnati

CAMPS

A Camp Butterworth

B Camp Libbey

C Camp Rolling Hills

D Camp Stonybrook

E Camp Whip Poor Will

F Camp Woodhaven

G Little House - Greenville

H Little House - Toledo

Council Goals

• Girls will understand themselves and their values, and use their knowledge and skills to explore the world.

• Girls will care about, inspire, and team with others locally and globally.

• Girls will act to make the world a better place.

Getting Started

michiganIn

dia

na

kentucky

1

B

F 2

C

3

D

EA

4

G

H

HancockPutnam

Paulding

WoodHenry

Defiance

OttawaLucasFulton

Williams

Van Wert

Allen

Hardin

MercerAuglaize

Logan

Shelby

Darke

Miami

Champaign

Clark

PrebleM ontgomeryGreene

ClintonWarrenButler

Brown

Clermont

HamiltonDearborn

Ohio

Preble Montgomery

6

Prep

arin

g ev

ery

girl

to

pra

ctic

e a

lifet

ime

of

lead

ersh

ip.

To b

uild

gir

ls o

f co

ura

ge,

con

fid

ence

, an

d c

har

acte

r, w

ho

m

ake

the

wo

rld

a b

ette

r p

lace

.

GS

LEA

DER

SH

IP E

XPE

RIE

NC

E

Entr

epre

neu

rsh

ipO

utd

oo

rsLi

fe S

kills

STE

M

Gir

l Led

Co

op

erat

ive

Lear

nin

gLe

arn

ing

By

Do

ing

Ch

alle

nge

see

kin

g, h

ealt

hy r

elat

ion

ship

s, c

om

mu

nit

y p

rob

lem

so

lvin

g, s

tro

ng

sen

se o

f se

lf, a

nd

po

siti

ve v

alu

es,

as r

efle

cted

in t

he

Gir

l Sco

ut

Pro

mis

e an

d L

aw.

Wh

o W

e A

re

Wh

at W

e D

o Why

We

Do

It

How

We

Do

It

Pilla

rs

Prog

ram

Pro

cess

es

Co

re B

enef

its

Five

Out

com

es

05-

48

45-

01

gsw

o.or

g8

88.

350.

509

0

Bra

nd

Arc

hit

ect

ure

Bra

nd

Arc

hit

ect

ure

Gir

l Sco

uts

is a

mov

emen

t, a

nd

ou

r b

ran

d

arch

itec

ture

is t

he f

oun

dat

ion

fo

r h

ow w

e co

mm

un

icat

e th

e G

irl S

cou

t ex

per

ien

ce.

7

Girl Scout Program Introduction

How the Girl Scout Program WorksIt’s not just what girls do, but how you engage them that creates a high quality experience. In Girl Scouting, girls enjoy activities based on the three keys to leadership and build on three processes that make Girl Scouting unique from other activities.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is designed in progression, with girls learning, growing and taking on more responsibility and leadership within their troop and individual experience as they develop skills using the three program processes while progressing through the Girl Scout levels.

Three Program ProcessesGIRL-LED: Girls play an active role in decision-making, goal-setting and leading their Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Here are some examples:• Start with Daisies by repeating activities you hear girls say they enjoy

• Move through the progression by providing choices for Brownies to vote upon

• Allow Juniors to lead an activity, session or plan an element of an event

• Cadettes can lead the troop in badge work and plan projects, events, troop camp-outs, etc.

• Give Seniors and Ambassadors complete control of their troop year, meeting plans and goals

COOPERATIVE LEARNING: Girls work together toward shared goals and learn from one another in an atmosphere of respect and collaboration that encourages the sharing of skills, knowledge and learning.• Provide opportunities for girls to complete tasks or projects that require girls to work together

• Expose girls to others with views and opinions different than their own

• Encourage girls to utilize individual talents to contribute to a group tasks

LEARNING-BY-DOING: Also known as experiential learning, is a hands-on learning process that engages girls in a cycle of action and reflection that results in deeper understanding of concepts and mastery of practical skills.• Get girls out of their seats and involved in the task at hand

• Allow girls to present and lead hands-on activities to the troop

• Ask debriefing questions that encourage girls to think about what they like, don’t like, what they have learned and what they will do with that information during and after an activity

THREE KEYS TO LEADERSHIPThrough community exploration and

the Girl Scout Journeys, girls:

Discover: their interests & values

Connect: with others in their community and identify needs

Take Action: to improve their communities and beyond

8

Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) Find digital resources, tools, and meetings plans, including badge earning requirements, some of which is exclusive to the VTK such as the STEM and Outdoor Journeys. Also, complete and access registration information for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio program events.

Girl Scout Leadership Journeys

Girl Scout Leadership Journeys is a program resource that helps girls discover, connect, and take action while focusing on a chosen topic to earn their leadership awards within that subject area.

Journey Adult Guide: A step by step guide for the adult leading girls in gaining the tools and resources to take action after exploring and identifying needs in their community.

Journey Girl Guide: An optional interactive resource for girls to enhance their Journey. Girls will find thought provoking, real life stories and activities that tie into their Journey.

The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting

Find Girl Scout history and traditions, award earning opportunities, and step by step badge earning requirements to the seven legacy badges; build your badge book with additional badge inserts. Girl Scout Daisies focus on the Girl Scout Promise and Law and Girl Scout Brownies through Girl Scout Ambassadors focus on skill building.

Safety Activity CheckpointsFrom archery, to hayrides, to skateboarding, we have a convenient checklist for you to follow to make sure girls have fun and stay safe at the same time. Safety Activity Checkpoints are lists of all the things for you to review (and check off) when preparing for an activity with the girls in your troop. The full listing of safety activity checkpoints is found on the council website and in the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK).

The Girl Scout ExperienceA typical troop year is made up of a blend of experiences and opportunities as the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is different for every troop and every girl, based on the needs and interests of the girls. Key elements of a troop year include:

National Program PortfolioThe GSLE uses the National Program Portfolio which has two components—the Girl Scout Leadership Journeys and The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. Journeys are designed to help girls develop as leaders, and use the Three Keys to Leadership to build confidence. The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting follows the same process, and is used to help girls gather new skills in a variety of categories. These program resources are consistently available to all Girl Scouts, across the country.

Earning Badges, Journeys and leadership awards

Exploring through troop trips and special events

Taking action in the community

Participating in the world’s largest girl-led business, the Cookie Sale! Plus, the Fall Product Sale.

Discovering outdoor and camp experiences

Incorporating celebrations and Girl Scout traditions

Badge v.s .

Patch

BADGES and awards are earned by completing the requirements in the National Portfolio resources. These are placed on the FRONT of the uniform.

PATCHES are given to girls for attending events or activities. These are placed on the BACK of the uniform.

9

Volunteer ResourcesVolunteer EssentialsVolunteer Essentials is just that—an essential guide to all things volunteering. Think of it as your Girl Scouts encyclopedia. All the legal, procedure, and policy guidelines are outlined here for you in one handy document.

Visit gswo.org

• Click on Volunteers in the top menu bar. • Then click on Online Support for Volunteers.• You will see Volunteer Essentials under Volunteer Resources.

Program Adventure GuideThe Program Adventure Guide is a listing of council and community sponsored activities across the council. Want to go camping? Learn ballet? Explore caves? Want to learn super cool skills like knot tying, sewing, and woodworking? Get ready for a year full of adventure and fun with Girl Scouts!

Visit gswo.org

• Click on Activities in the top menu bar• Then scroll down and you will see a PDF version of this resource. You

can also search Activity list and the Activity Calendar in the left menu to find exciting events for girls!

Girl Scout Service Centers and ResourcesWe welcome you to connect with staff support and resources at any of the local service centers across our council. When you're ready to purchase uniforms, badges, and Awards, or other fun Girl Scout items, visit one of our council shops or order online at GIRLSCOUTSHOP.COM/WESTERN-OHIO-COUNCIL. Our shop staff are wonderful and can help find everything you need. We also have lots of super fun shirts, bags, scarves, and other gift items for the Girl Scout in your life. And if we don’t have what you’re looking for, we can order it. One of their tips for new Girl Scouts is to purchase a starter kit. Check out the Girl Scout shop for prices.

CINCINNATI Service Center & Shop

4930 Cornell RoadCincinnati, OH 45242

DAYTON Service Center & Shop

450 Shoup Mill Rd.Dayton, OH 45415

LIMA Service Center & Shop

1870 W. Robb Ave.Lima, OH 45805

TOLEDO Service Center & Shop2244 Collingwood Blvd.

Toledo, OH 43620

Shop Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (October 2019 – June 2020, first Saturday of the month only).

Have questions or need assistance? Contact Customer Care 888.350.5090 or email [email protected]

G.I.R.L. Resource Centers

We’ve updated our G.I.R.L. Resource Centers across the council with common items that troops can borrow to enrich their Girl Scout experience! A library of books, guides, kits, flags and more for troops to checkout for a ceremony, troop meeting or other activities is found at each Girl Scout Center. Find a full list of items available and the online checkout form from the “G.I.R.L. Resource Centers” section on the website under the “Volunteer” tab.

Interested in reserving a room at one our Girl Scout Centers or council properties?

We are committed to ensuring troops and service units have easy access to meeting spaces, including council property, so troops and service units may use council camps and service centers for regular meetings, for up to 3 hours at no charge. Visit the “Council Properties” section under the “About” tab on the website for details.

10

The Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a comprehensive digital tool accessible on your computer, smartphone or tablet. It is the primary support resource for troop leaders who work with troops in grades K–5. For volunteers, this resource will replace the hard copy adult leader’s guide for Journeys and the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. Girls will still use their books to enhance their experience and serve as a memento of their fun experiences.

Volunteer Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions

1. What will I find in the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK)?

Five tabs make managing your troop easier:

MY TROOP Plan and organize your troop year.

View and manage your troop roster. Create a calendar by selecting the track that best fits your troop's need whether that's a custom option, a badge track or a Journey track. Each meeting on your calendar contains resources to help you organize your plans, from material lists, step-by-step meeting guides, communication tools and more.

YEAR PLAN Communicate with your troop.

Send individual email or group emails to all parents/caregivers and all adult troop members, including registered troop assistants and co-leaders. Use the pre-populated email template in each meeting or use the option in the My Troop tab to share upcoming information and update families on girls' achievements.

Find resources for Troop Leader and Girl Scout families.

The Resource tab is full of resources to provide troop leaders key documents, guidance and additional tools to help provide girls a successful Girl Scout Leadership Experience through any point in their Girl Scout path. The VTK is a great tool for families to view the troop calendar and find resources to help them support their girl in their Girl Scout experience.

RESOURCES The VTK is home to exclusive program content.

The VTK is a unique tool and is the only place you can find the STEM and Outdoor Journey meeting guides for all Girl Scout levels.

ORGANIZATION

RESOURCES

COMMUNICATION

Resources• Use GSUSA's tutorial videos accessible in the VTK for quick tips.• Visit our council website, gswo.org or additional VTK learning

opportunities and guidance.• Follow the GSWO Volunteer Support Facebook group for regular

updates. If you have questions, contact our Customer Care team at 888.350.5090.

• Follow the GSWOblog for more information, tips and tricks.

Volunteer Toolkit

Volunteer ToolkitThe Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a great companion to the other resources in your Girl Scout library. Free, online access means you can manage your troop calendar, find resources, meeting guides and additional information the moment you become a troop leader!

Volunteer Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions

MY TROOP

FINANCES

RESOURCES

MEETING PLAN

YEAR PLAN

EXCLUSIVECONTENT

Volunteer Toolkit HighlightsWhat will I find in the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) and how does it make managing the troop easier?

MyGSAll Girl Scouts of Western Ohio members have a MyGS account, which is made up of three components.

• Member Profile–Here you’ll find multiple functions. Access your personal information and membership status. Register for GSWO program events and access confirmation packets for these events.

• Troop leaders have access to the troop member roster and can renew the troop’s membership.

• Volunteer Toolkit (VTK)-This comprehensive digital tool allows you to create and manage your troop calendar/ meetings and access resources to guide you through your troop year.

• gsLearn–This is your Girl Scout learning portal where you will access required training and additional learning opportunities to get you started on the path to a successful Girl Scout experience.

11

Volunteer Toolkit Tips

As your awesome digital tool, the VTK will help you manage your time and your troop. You can use it to renew troop members, communicate with caregivers, plan your year, track attendance and badges earned, and submit your troop’s finances. Consider it your digital assistant! Girl Scouts of the USA maintains this resource and will continue to update content and features to better meet the needs of our busy Girl Scout volunteers.

Using Google Chrome or Safari as your browser, go to our council website: gswo.org.

Click on “My GS” (in yellow letters on the right).

Click on “Volunteer Toolkit”.

Enter your username (The username is the email we have on file for you). If you have several email addresses

and are not sure which one was used, please call customer care.

When you login (use the same password as you Member Profile account) you will several tabs, My Troop,

Explore, Meeting Plan, Resources, and Finances.

Click on the My Troop tab to review your troop’s roster, update contact information, or send an email to the

addresses of caregivers in your troop.

Click on the Year Plan tab and click on Specify Dates and Locations (in green under tab) to create a calendar

of future meetings and meeting locations. You can choose to not meet on certain holidays, assign meeting

locations, and update this information as the year progresses by adding activities or meeting dates. To find

badges and meeting options to add to your Year Plan, click on "Add Badge/Journey." You can use the search

option or use the filters to select the new meetings.

The Explore tab allows you and your girls to select a track that best fits the needs and interests of your troop.

Each track contains a pre-selected group of Girl Scout badges or Journeys or your troop can choose the “Build

Your Own” option to build a customized plan, selecting from all of the available badge and Journey meetings in

the VTK. Once selected, you can add additional meetings and troop activities.

Once you’ve chosen a year plan, you can click on the Meeting Plan tab to access meeting plans, materials and

communications. Click on the arrow on the right of each meeting header to advance to future meeting plans.

Find a variety of resources for troops and families from GSUSA and GSWO in the Resource tab. You’ll find safety

information, traditions, pertinent documents and more to guide you through your Girl Scout year.

Use the Finance tab to track of your troop’s income and expenses and submit the troop’s annual finance report.

First, you must be a currently registered member of Girl Scouts and have chosen a leader role in your troop. If you meet these criteria, follow the steps below

to set up access to the VTK:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Questions? Please feel free to contact Customer Care at 888.350.5090 or [email protected]

12

Each Girl Scout meeting provides an opportunity to explore new worlds and learn new skills. The Volunteer Toolkit provides editable year plans so you can customize your year and the activities in each meeting with your girls. The key is flexibility based on the needs and interests of the girls. You may have a meeting that consists of one activity and then your next meeting may have three activities. The Volunteer Toolkit has the Girl Scout Journeys and the Girl Scout Badges built right into it for troops in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The meetings inside each year plan are based on research, tradition, and knowledge of what works with girls. This model is meant to create a natural flow for the meetings and provide a “balanced diet” of fun, learning, responsibility, and accomplishment. If you use a basic agenda, the girls will feel comfortable because of the predictability of what will be included in each meeting. That predictability puts them at ease as they attempt new activities. The constantly changing nature of the activities and your response to their interests will prevent the girls from becoming bored.

Start-up Activity (5-10 minutes) • This is a time to greet all of the girls and their family members before the meeting officially begins. Have an easy,

self-directed activity ready to engage girls’ attention. Before the opening ceremony, be sure to take attendance. Opening Ceremony (10-15 minutes) • Open your meeting the same way at every meeting to provide comfort and familiarity for the girls. The opening allows

girls to know the meeting has officially started and to focus and prepare for the rest of the meeting. Many troops start by reciting the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Tip: Making an agenda on a piece of poster board can help the girls know what to expect. As the girls progress, they can be in charge of preparing the agenda.

Business Meeting (10–15 minutes)• This is a time for announcements, collecting dues, planning future meeting activities, kaper assignments (chore chart),

voting, and other troop business. This section of the meeting is very important for the girls to learn how to lead, influence others and communicate feelings and opinions. Little by little, allow the girls to take more responsibility for the business of the troop. *Depending on how much you have to discuss, this section can also be a part of your ending.*

Activities (30-45 minutes) • During this section of the Girl Scout meeting, girls get a chance to build skills, try new things, explore their interests

and work cooperatively with others. As the girls progress, you will begin to get insight into their interests. Make sure that you always ask for their ideas and input. You will also pick up good ideas from other leaders when you attend the regular service unit meetings.

Snack & Clean Up (10–15 minutes)• After girls finish their snack, have them clean up: pick up trash, push in chairs, sweep the floor, put away supplies,

etc. Then ask them to come back to the circle or their chairs for the next activity.

Closing Ceremony (5–10 minutes)• This is a time to emphasize the accomplishments of the meeting, remind the girls what is coming up, focus on personal

goals, help girls feel part of a tradition, and end on a calm and positive note. Many troops like to close the meeting with a traditional Friendship Circle, where the girls stand close together and hold hands with their arms crossed right over left.

What do I need for my Troop Meeting?

Meeting Plan from VTK

Supplies Listed in Meeting Plan

Promise and Law Poster

Girl and Adult Registrations

Snacks, if needed

Roster/Health Info Release Forms

Songs and Game Ideas

First Aid Kit

The Girl Scout Troop Meeting

13

Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, understood how special words and signs helped girls feel they are members of a group. Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all around the world share special signs like a handshake, a squeeze, a motto and a slogan. These special signs overcome barriers of language and culture as they remind us of the values that we live by.

The Girl Scout SignThe Girl Scout sign is made when reciting the Girl Scout Promise. The sign is formed with the right hand, by using the thumb to hold down the little finger, leaving the three middle fingers extended to represent the three parts of the Promise.

The Girl Scout HandshakeAnother form of greeting between Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is the Girl Scout handshake. Girls raise their right hand in the Girl Scout sign and shake using their left hand (denoting friendliness and loyalty).

The Girl Scout MottoThe Girl Scout motto is "Be prepared." Girl Scouts of yesteryears learned skills for fun but also to cope with emergencies of their times. Today, the motto reminds girls to be prepared to help others in need in their community and around the world.

The Friendship CircleThe Friendship Circle is often formed at the beginning and end of meetings and activities as a beginning or closing ceremony; it can be used for discussions, instructions, announcements, and debriefing.

The Friendship SqueezeTo end meetings and activities with the friendship squeeze, everyone gathers in the friendship circle, and each girl crosses her right arm over her left and holds hands with the person on each side. Once everyone is silent, the leader or a girl starts the friendship squeeze by squeezing the hand of the person next to her. One by one, each girl passes on the squeeze until it travels around the full circle. Some troops also tie in Girl Scout out, by raising their hands above their heads and slowly loosening and letting go of the hands of the persons next to them as they turn around and say “Girl Scout Out."

Girl Scout Uniforms Girl Scouts at each level have one recommended element (Tunic, Sash or Vest) for the display of official pins and awards which should be worn when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement. For all girls, the unifying look includes wearing a choice of a tunic, vest, sash for displaying official pins and awards, combined with their own solid white shirts, khaki pants or skirts and a scarf. Girl Scouts at the Daisy and Brownie levels will continue to have a full uniform ensemble available. For adult members the unifying look of the uniform is a Girl Scout official scarf or tie for men, worn with the official membership pins, combined with their own navy blue business attire.

The Girl Scout SloganThe Girl Scout slogan is “Do a good turn daily.” In the early days of Girl Scouting, girls tied a knot in their neckerchiefs. They could not untie the knot until a good deed was accomplished. Today, the slogan is a reminder of the many ways girls can contribute to the lives of others.

Kaper ChartsA "kaper chart" is a Girl Scout tradition for dividing up troop responsibilities among the girls. Each job is called a Kaper and the chart that shows which girls complete a particular job is called a Kaper Chart. Using a kaper system right from the start helps build leadership and ownership in troop activities an assists with group behavior management. Some examples of kapers include, attendance, promise leader, activity helper, snack helper, and friendship squeeze leader.

Quiet SignThe Quiet Sign is a way to silence a crowd without shouting at anyone. The sign is made by holding up the right hand with all five fingers extended. It refers to the original Fifth Law of Girl Scouting: A Girl Scout is courteous.

Girl Scout Traditions

A Girl Scout always leaves a place better than she found it.

14

Product Program

Girls learn the 5 skills through participating in our Fall Product Program and our Cookie Program, but we also know that as a girl progresses through her entrepreneurship experience, those skills are developed in various ways. We certainly recognize not every girl aspires to be an entrepreneur, but the Fall Product Program and the Cookie Program can help girls develop valuable skills which will benefits her in the future, no matter what career path she chooses!

The Fall Product Program and the Cookie Program also give your troop an opportunity to earn money to enjoy new and exciting opportunities and provide sustainable troop finances for each Girl Scout year!

Fall Product ProgramEveryone knows we sell cookies in the winter, but did you know we also sell goodies in the fall? Our fall product program gives troops a chance to earn startup money without having to wait until cookie sale time in the winter. Your troop can use the funds they earn to enjoy new and exciting opportunities right away! Troops made on average last year $100 in troop funds from the Fall Product Program.

The Fall Product Program gives girls the opportunity to sell candy, nuts, and magazines to people they know personally to raise proceeds that help fund their next adventure. Girls can sell in person to their friends or family or ask through the M2 secure online program.

The Fall Product Program begins in October and products are delivered in November.

Product Program

Cookie ProgramWhen your girls sell Girl Scout Cookies, they’re doing more than helping their customers stock up on delicious treats (and having lots of fun). They’re doing it with a goal in mind—a goal to power new, unique, and amazing ex-periences for themselves and their troop all year long! Troops made on average $995 in troop funds from the 2019 Cookie Program.

Your troop has three ways that you can participate in the world’s largest, iconic, girl-led program. The girls can sell to people they know through the Cookie Order Card, online with Digital cookie (a safe way to invite family near and far to purchase cookies) and direct sales/booth sales (door to door and booths at retailers.)

The Cookie Program begins in January and goes through March.

Increase your troop’s support by engaging another adult troop volunteer in overseeing the troop’s fall product or cookie programs as a Troop Assistant Cookie Manager

or Fall Product Manager.

15

Chapter Checklist

Getting Started Ǉ Understand the Girl Scout Leadership Experience Ǉ Know important Girl Scout Traditions Ǉ Log on to Volunteer Tool Kit (VTK) and to view meeting resources Ǉ Visit your local Girl Scout center to explore the shop and Resource Center Ǉ Understand the Troop Meeting Structure Ǉ Attend a Service Unit Meeting Ǉ Explore Girl Scout Program Adventure Guide Ǉ Utilize Volunteer Essentials

Notes:

16

Tro

op

Su

pp

ort

TR

OO

P C

OM

MIT

TE

EA

N E

SS

ENTI

AL

GU

IDE

• Pl

an m

eeti

ngs

• H

elp

gir

ls h

ave

fun

wit

h a

pu

rpos

e•

Kee

p p

eop

le s

afe

• M

anag

e tr

oop

bu

sin

ess

Dri

ver/

Ch

ap

eron

e

Coo

kie

Ma

na

ger

• D

rive

to

fiel

d t

rip

s•

Kee

p g

irls

focu

sed

on

fu

n, l

earn

ing,

an

d

safe

ty d

uri

ng

trip

s an

d

othe

r ac

tivi

ties

.

• H

elp

the

tro

op h

ave

a gr

eat

cook

ie s

ale

• M

anag

e tr

oop

coo

kie

fun

ds

• G

athe

r p

erm

issi

on fo

rms

• H

elp

gir

ls s

et a

nd

ac

hiev

e go

als

Ad

dit

ion

al

Rol

e�

• Tr

oop

Tre

asu

rer

• Tr

oop

Cam

p F

irst

-Aid

er•

Com

mu

nic

atio

ns

Liai

son

• S

nac

k C

oord

inat

or•

Dis

trib

uto

r of

sal

e m

ater

ials

• S

up

plie

s D

onor

Ad

ult

su

pp

ort

is

vit

al t

o th

e ex

per

ien

ce g

irls

hav

e in

the

tr

oop

set

tin

g. T

he le

ader

ship

str

uct

ure

an

d d

istr

ibu

tion

of

du

ties

will

dep

end

on

tro

op s

ize

and

can

be

cust

omiz

ed

bas

ed o

n t

he s

kills

, in

tere

sts,

an

d a

vaila

bili

ty o

f ad

ult

s to

b

est

mee

t th

eir

nee

ds

and

the

nee

ds

of t

heir

gir

ls.W

ha

t is

a T

roo

p

Co

mm

itte

e?

The

term

Tro

op C

omm

itte

e is

use

d t

o d

escr

ibe

the

adu

lt le

ader

ship

tea

m fo

r a

Gir

l Sco

ut

troo

p.

Tro

op L

ead

ers

(2)

TR

OO

P C

OM

MIT

TE

EA

N E

SS

ENTI

AL

GU

IDE

• Pl

an m

eeti

ngs

• H

elp

gir

ls h

ave

fun

wit

h a

pu

rpos

e•

Kee

p p

eop

le s

afe

• M

anag

e tr

oop

bu

sin

ess

Dri

ver/

Ch

ap

eron

e

Coo

kie

Ma

na

ger

• D

rive

to

fiel

d t

rip

s•

Kee

p g

irls

focu

sed

on

fu

n, l

earn

ing,

an

d

safe

ty d

uri

ng

trip

s an

d

othe

r ac

tivi

ties

.

• H

elp

the

tro

op h

ave

a gr

eat

cook

ie s

ale

• M

anag

e tr

oop

coo

kie

fun

ds

• G

athe

r p

erm

issi

on fo

rms

• H

elp

gir

ls s

et a

nd

ac

hiev

e go

als

Ad

dit

ion

al

Rol

e�

• Tr

oop

Tre

asu

rer

• Tr

oop

Cam

p F

irst

-Aid

er•

Com

mu

nic

atio

ns

Liai

son

• S

nac

k C

oord

inat

or•

Dis

trib

uto

r of

sal

e m

ater

ials

• S

up

plie

s D

onor

Ad

ult

su

pp

ort

is

vit

al t

o th

e ex

per

ien

ce g

irls

hav

e in

the

tr

oop

set

tin

g. T

he le

ader

ship

str

uct

ure

an

d d

istr

ibu

tion

of

du

ties

will

dep

end

on

tro

op s

ize

and

can

be

cust

omiz

ed

bas

ed o

n t

he s

kills

, in

tere

sts,

an

d a

vaila

bili

ty o

f ad

ult

s to

b

est

mee

t th

eir

nee

ds

and

the

nee

ds

of t

heir

gir

ls.W

ha

t is

a T

roo

p

Co

mm

itte

e?

The

term

Tro

op C

omm

itte

e is

use

d t

o d

escr

ibe

the

adu

lt le

ader

ship

tea

m fo

r a

Gir

l Sco

ut

troo

p.

Tro

op L

ead

ers

(2)

• H

elp

the

tro

op h

ave

a gr

eat

fall

sale

and

/or

cook

ie s

ale

• M

anag

e tr

oop

fal

l sal

e an

d/o

r co

okie

sal

e fu

nd

s

TR

OO

P C

OM

MIT

TE

EA

N E

SS

ENTI

AL

GU

IDE

• Pl

an m

eeti

ngs

• H

elp

gir

ls h

ave

fun

wit

h a

pu

rpos

e•

Kee

p p

eop

le s

afe

• M

anag

e tr

oop

bu

sin

ess

Dri

ver/

Ch

ap

eron

e

Coo

kie

Ma

na

ger

• D

rive

to

fiel

d t

rip

s•

Kee

p g

irls

focu

sed

on

fu

n, l

earn

ing,

an

d

safe

ty d

uri

ng

trip

s an

d

othe

r ac

tivi

ties

.

• H

elp

the

tro

op h

ave

a gr

eat

cook

ie s

ale

• M

anag

e tr

oop

coo

kie

fun

ds

• G

athe

r p

erm

issi

on fo

rms

• H

elp

gir

ls s

et a

nd

ac

hiev

e go

als

Ad

dit

ion

al

Rol

e�

• Tr

oop

Tre

asu

rer

• Tr

oop

Cam

p F

irst

-Aid

er•

Com

mu

nic

atio

ns

Liai

son

• S

nac

k C

oord

inat

or•

Dis

trib

uto

r of

sal

e m

ater

ials

• S

up

plie

s D

onor

Ad

ult

su

pp

ort

is

vit

al t

o th

e ex

per

ien

ce g

irls

hav

e in

the

tr

oop

set

tin

g. T

he le

ader

ship

str

uct

ure

an

d d

istr

ibu

tion

of

du

ties

will

dep

end

on

tro

op s

ize

and

can

be

cust

omiz

ed

bas

ed o

n t

he s

kills

, in

tere

sts,

an

d a

vaila

bili

ty o

f ad

ult

s to

b

est

mee

t th

eir

nee

ds

and

the

nee

ds

of t

heir

gir

ls.W

ha

t is

a T

roo

p

Co

mm

itte

e?

The

term

Tro

op C

omm

itte

e is

use

d t

o d

escr

ibe

the

adu

lt le

ader

ship

tea

m fo

r a

Gir

l Sco

ut

troo

p.

Tro

op L

ead

ers

(2)

TR

OO

P C

OM

MIT

TE

EA

N E

SS

ENTI

AL

GU

IDE

• Pl

an m

eeti

ngs

• H

elp

gir

ls h

ave

fun

wit

h a

pu

rpos

e•

Kee

p p

eop

le s

afe

• M

anag

e tr

oop

bu

sin

ess

Dri

ver/

Ch

ap

eron

e

Coo

kie

Ma

na

ger

• D

rive

to

fiel

d t

rip

s•

Kee

p g

irls

focu

sed

on

fu

n, l

earn

ing,

an

d

safe

ty d

uri

ng

trip

s an

d

othe

r ac

tivi

ties

.

• H

elp

the

tro

op h

ave

a gr

eat

cook

ie s

ale

• M

anag

e tr

oop

coo

kie

fun

ds

• G

athe

r p

erm

issi

on fo

rms

• H

elp

gir

ls s

et a

nd

ac

hiev

e go

als

Ad

dit

ion

al

Rol

e�

• Tr

oop

Tre

asu

rer

• Tr

oop

Cam

p F

irst

-Aid

er•

Com

mu

nic

atio

ns

Liai

son

• S

nac

k C

oord

inat

or•

Dis

trib

uto

r of

sal

e m

ater

ials

• S

up

plie

s D

onor

Ad

ult

su

pp

ort

is

vit

al t

o th

e ex

per

ien

ce g

irls

hav

e in

the

tr

oop

set

tin

g. T

he le

ader

ship

str

uct

ure

an

d d

istr

ibu

tion

of

du

ties

will

dep

end

on

tro

op s

ize

and

can

be

cust

omiz

ed

bas

ed o

n t

he s

kills

, in

tere

sts,

an

d a

vaila

bili

ty o

f ad

ult

s to

b

est

mee

t th

eir

nee

ds

and

the

nee

ds

of t

heir

gir

ls.W

ha

t is

a T

roo

p

Co

mm

itte

e?

The

term

Tro

op C

omm

itte

e is

use

d t

o d

escr

ibe

the

adu

lt le

ader

ship

tea

m fo

r a

Gir

l Sco

ut

troo

p.

Tro

op L

ead

ers

(2)

• Tr

oop

Tre

asur

er•

Troo

p F

irst

-Aid

er•

Com

mun

icat

ions

Lia

ison

• S

nac

k C

oord

inat

or•

Dis

trib

utor

of

sale

mat

eria

ls•

Sup

plie

s D

onor

• C

amp

tra

ined

ad

ult

Fall

Sa

le o

rC

ook

ie M

an

age

r

16

17

TR

OO

P C

OM

MIT

TE

EA

N E

SS

ENTI

AL

GU

IDE

• Pl

an m

eeti

ngs

• H

elp

gir

ls h

ave

fun

wit

h a

pu

rpos

e•

Kee

p p

eop

le s

afe

• M

anag

e tr

oop

bu

sin

ess

Dri

ver/

Ch

ap

eron

e

Coo

kie

Ma

na

ger

• D

rive

to

fiel

d t

rip

s•

Kee

p g

irls

focu

sed

on

fu

n, l

earn

ing,

an

d

safe

ty d

uri

ng

trip

s an

d

othe

r ac

tivi

ties

.

• H

elp

the

tro

op h

ave

a gr

eat

cook

ie s

ale

• M

anag

e tr

oop

coo

kie

fun

ds

• G

athe

r p

erm

issi

on fo

rms

• H

elp

gir

ls s

et a

nd

ac

hiev

e go

als

Ad

dit

ion

al

Rol

e�

• Tr

oop

Tre

asu

rer

• Tr

oop

Cam

p F

irst

-Aid

er•

Com

mu

nic

atio

ns

Liai

son

• S

nac

k C

oord

inat

or•

Dis

trib

uto

r of

sal

e m

ater

ials

• S

up

plie

s D

onor

Ad

ult

su

pp

ort

is

vit

al t

o th

e ex

per

ien

ce g

irls

hav

e in

the

tr

oop

set

tin

g. T

he le

ader

ship

str

uct

ure

an

d d

istr

ibu

tion

of

du

ties

will

dep

end

on

tro

op s

ize

and

can

be

cust

omiz

ed

bas

ed o

n t

he s

kills

, in

tere

sts,

an

d a

vaila

bili

ty o

f ad

ult

s to

b

est

mee

t th

eir

nee

ds

and

the

nee

ds

of t

heir

gir

ls.W

ha

t is

a T

roo

p

Co

mm

itte

e?

The

term

Tro

op C

omm

itte

e is

use

d t

o d

escr

ibe

the

adu

lt le

ader

ship

tea

m fo

r a

Gir

l Sco

ut

troo

p.

Tro

op L

ead

ers

(2)

Wor

kin

g as

a t

eam

to

pla

n

acti

viti

es b

uild

s go

od a

du

lt

rela

tion

ship

s

Wor

kin

g as

a t

eam

to

pla

n

acti

viti

es b

uild

s go

od a

du

lt

rela

tion

ship

s

Ad

ult

s d

evel

op r

elat

ion

ship

s w

ith

othe

r gi

rls

and

get

to

know

the

ir g

irl’s

fri

end

s

ADVA

NTAG

ES

TO O

RG

AN

IZIN

G A

TR

OO

P

CO

MM

ITTE

E10TO

P10

BU

SY

adu

lts

can

plu

g in

to

spec

ific

are

as t

hey

are

go

od

at

or

enjo

y w

ith

less

ti

me

com

mit

men

t9NINE

A s

tro

ng

fou

nd

atio

n

of

div

erse

ad

ult

s h

elp

s gi

rls

grow

7SEVEN

Ad

ult

s d

evel

op

fr

ien

dsh

ips

& b

uild

ski

lls

alo

ngs

ide

the

girl

s6SI

XM

any

han

ds

mak

e lig

ht

wo

rk

5FIVE

4FOUR

2TWO

Imp

rove

s sa

fety

an

d w

ell

bei

ng

of

girl

an

d

adu

lt m

emb

ers

1ONE

Allo

ws

adu

lts

to g

ive

bac

k to

th

eir

CM

MU

NIT

Y

A g

irl g

ets

spec

ial

tim

e w

ith

her

ad

ult

Ensu

res

sust

aina

bilit

y of

the

tro

op!3THREE

EVER

Y

NEED

S A

8EIGHT

GR

OW

S

GIR

L S

CO

UT

FAM

ILIE

S!

TEN

Tro

op

Su

pp

ort

TR

OO

P C

OM

MIT

TE

EA

N E

SS

ENTI

AL

GU

IDE

• Pl

an m

eeti

ngs

• H

elp

gir

ls h

ave

fun

wit

h a

pu

rpos

e•

Kee

p p

eop

le s

afe

• M

anag

e tr

oop

bu

sin

ess

Dri

ver/

Ch

ap

eron

e

Coo

kie

Ma

na

ger

• D

rive

to

fiel

d t

rip

s•

Kee

p g

irls

focu

sed

on

fu

n, l

earn

ing,

an

d

safe

ty d

uri

ng

trip

s an

d

othe

r ac

tivi

ties

.

• H

elp

the

tro

op h

ave

a gr

eat

cook

ie s

ale

• M

anag

e tr

oop

coo

kie

fun

ds

• G

athe

r p

erm

issi

on fo

rms

• H

elp

gir

ls s

et a

nd

ac

hiev

e go

als

Ad

dit

ion

al

Rol

e�

• Tr

oop

Tre

asu

rer

• Tr

oop

Cam

p F

irst

-Aid

er•

Com

mu

nic

atio

ns

Liai

son

• S

nac

k C

oord

inat

or•

Dis

trib

uto

r of

sal

e m

ater

ials

• S

up

plie

s D

onor

Ad

ult

su

pp

ort

is

vit

al t

o th

e ex

per

ien

ce g

irls

hav

e in

the

tr

oop

set

tin

g. T

he le

ader

ship

str

uct

ure

an

d d

istr

ibu

tion

of

du

ties

will

dep

end

on

tro

op s

ize

and

can

be

cust

omiz

ed

bas

ed o

n t

he s

kills

, in

tere

sts,

an

d a

vaila

bili

ty o

f ad

ult

s to

b

est

mee

t th

eir

nee

ds

and

the

nee

ds

of t

heir

gir

ls.W

ha

t is

a T

roo

p

Co

mm

itte

e?

The

term

Tro

op C

omm

itte

e is

use

d t

o d

escr

ibe

the

adu

lt le

ader

ship

tea

m fo

r a

Gir

l Sco

ut

troo

p.

Tro

op L

ead

ers

(2)

17

Tro

op

Su

pp

ort

The

WH

OTh

e H

OW

⏵Fa

cilit

ate

an a

nn

ual

car

egiv

er m

eeti

ng!

• S

hare

sp

ecif

ic o

pp

ortu

nit

ies

for

adu

lt v

olu

nte

ers.

• Pe

rson

ally

ask

par

ents

to

help

wit

h sp

ecif

ic t

asks

.•

Off

er s

ign

-up

she

ets

that

hav

e ro

les

and

co

mm

itm

ents

cle

arly

sta

ted

.

⏵C

all a

du

lts

regu

larl

y to

ask

how

the

y an

d t

he r

est

of

thei

r fa

mily

are

doi

ng.

⏵S

end

tro

op u

pd

ates

per

iod

ical

ly s

o ad

ult

s kn

ow w

hat

is

goin

g on

in t

heir

gir

l's t

roop

.

⏵A

sk fa

mili

es w

hat

is im

por

tan

t to

the

m a

nd

inco

rpor

ate

thos

e in

tere

sts

into

tro

op a

ctiv

itie

s.

⏵A

sk q

ues

tion

s to

fin

d o

ut

mor

e ab

out

wha

t p

eop

le li

ke

to d

o.

⏵Es

tab

lish

good

com

mu

nic

aito

n a

nd

rel

atio

nsh

ips

wit

h ad

ult

s ab

out

exp

ecta

tion

s an

d g

oin

gs o

n.

⏵JU

ST

AS

K!!!

Pote

nti

al

Tro

op

Co

mm

itte

e m

emb

ers

are

the

adu

lts

girl

s b

rin

g w

ith

th

em!

All

hav

e gi

fts

to s

ha

re a

nd

ti

me

to g

ive!

Pare

nts

, gr

and

par

ents

, au

nts

, an

d u

ncl

es,

Gir

l Sco

ut

Alu

mn

ae,

and

co

mm

un

ity

mem

ber

s...

Fam

ilie

� Lo

ok

Di�

ere

nt!

Esta

blis

h co

nn

ecti

ons

wit

h al

l inv

olve

d!

BU

ILD

ING

TR

OO

P C

OM

MIT

TEE

SU

PPO

RT

18

The

WH

OTh

e H

OW

⏵Fa

cilit

ate

an a

nn

ual

car

egiv

er m

eeti

ng!

• S

hare

sp

ecif

ic o

pp

ortu

nit

ies

for

adu

lt v

olu

nte

ers.

• Pe

rson

ally

ask

par

ents

to

help

wit

h sp

ecif

ic t

asks

.•

Off

er s

ign

-up

she

ets

that

hav

e ro

les

and

co

mm

itm

ents

cle

arly

sta

ted

.

⏵C

all a

du

lts

regu

larl

y to

ask

how

the

y an

d t

he r

est

of

thei

r fa

mily

are

doi

ng.

⏵S

end

tro

op u

pd

ates

per

iod

ical

ly s

o ad

ult

s kn

ow w

hat

is

goin

g on

in t

heir

gir

l's t

roop

.

⏵A

sk fa

mili

es w

hat

is im

por

tan

t to

the

m a

nd

inco

rpor

ate

thos

e in

tere

sts

into

tro

op a

ctiv

itie

s.

⏵A

sk q

ues

tion

s to

fin

d o

ut

mor

e ab

out

wha

t p

eop

le li

ke

to d

o.

⏵Es

tab

lish

good

com

mu

nic

aito

n a

nd

rel

atio

nsh

ips

wit

h ad

ult

s ab

out

exp

ecta

tion

s an

d g

oin

gs o

n.

⏵JU

ST

AS

K!!!

Pote

nti

al

Tro

op

Co

mm

itte

e m

emb

ers

are

the

adu

lts

girl

s b

rin

g w

ith

th

em!

All

hav

e gi

fts

to s

ha

re a

nd

ti

me

to g

ive!

Pare

nts

, gr

and

par

ents

, au

nts

, an

d u

ncl

es,

Gir

l Sco

ut

Alu

mn

ae,

and

co

mm

un

ity

mem

ber

s...

Fam

ilie

� Lo

ok

Di�

ere

nt!

Esta

blis

h co

nn

ecti

ons

wit

h al

l inv

olve

d!

BU

ILD

ING

TR

OO

P C

OM

MIT

TEE

SU

PPO

RT

19

Troop Leader CommunicationCommunication between troop leaders and troop volunteers is vital to the success of the troop. Having open lines of communication, working together and making sure roles are assigned will help the troop operate smoothly throughout the year. Remember, teamwork can be difficult at times but the end result of your hard work makes Girl Scouts an excellent experience for the girls!

BEFORE YOUR FIRST MEETINGCommunication with co-leaders and troops assistants:

• Meet up to chat and get to know each other. Share individual strengths, hobbies, education, skills, interests, and work schedules.

• Attend troop start up training together.

• Review the Volunteer Toolkit together- make sure you both have access and decide who will edit or update which parts.

TROOP EXPECTATIONS/MANAGEMENTSetting troop expectations:

• Decide on the day, time, frequency and meeting location of troop meetings. Create a tentative year calendar of troop meetings and scheduled activities, taking into consideration events the service unit has already planned. Pencil in as much information as possible, including service-unit and council events.

• Discuss expectations for group and individual behavior management so it is consistent and positive behavior reinforcement is utilized. It is often helpful if leaders swap responsibility for each other’s daughter while at Girl Scouts.

• The troop should also establish troop rules through discussion with the girls during a troop meeting.

• Learn and agree how to handle conflict appropriately and consistently, while modeling the Girl Scout Promise and law.

• All adults face some time-constraints, keep communication open and work together to problem solve.

• Remember, Girl Scouts is flexible.

• Identify your group’s leadership roles (i.e. who will be a coordinator and how will you communicate-See dividing responsibilities).

Communicate with parents and caregivers:• Introduce yourselves by email or phone and invite each family to the parent/caregiver meeting. It’s important for

families to understand your expectations and be involved in supporting the troop.

• Find troop member contact details on the MY Troop Tab of the Volunteer Toolkit.

• Utilize the troop committee resource for the “Building a Team of Support” form.

• Delegate tasks to the troop committee (parent helpers = troop assistants, troop fall sale or cookie sale managers).

• Plan evaluation meetings to assess progress, successes, and challenges. Remember to celebrate successes often-Girl Scouting should be fun for adults, too!

TROOP LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES Dividing Responsibilities

Key roles to keep in mind as you start your troop. Some of these tasks can be delegated the troop committee to help build parent support:

• How will you communicate with parents/caregivers? Email, text, social media group, etc.

• Who will handle the troop money?

• How will you work with your own daughters if they are in the troop?

• Who will handle paper work? (Registrations, health forms, permission slips, etc.)

• Who will lead meetings?

• Can someone share a special skill?

• Other support: purchasing supplies, snack, setting up outings, etc.

20

Troop CommunicationThere are many ways to communicate with your troop to provide the best experience possible for girls and adults, keeping families informed and the troop supported. Below are a few ideas for successful communication. Determine the best communication methods with your troop’s families.

Key items to include in communications: • Troop meeting information, updates, and/or changes

• Volunteer opportunities/troop support needed

• Upcoming events and activities

• Reminders

• Sharing troop experiences (make sure you have a photo release for photos)

COMMUNICATION POINTS Email:• Email is a convenient way to communicate. You can send out short or detailed messages. Some troops even put

together a troop newsletter to share. Remember, the Volunteer Toolkit can be used to send out mass emails to the troop.

Facebook:• Many parents/caregivers are on Facebook and using groups on Facebook is a great way to share updates on

your troop happenings! Make sure the group is set up as a private/closed group.

Texting or Texting Apps:• Texting or Text Apps can be used for short messages, reminders, text alerts and more!

Parent/Caregiver Meetings:• Parent/caregiver meetings can be scheduled any time throughout the year. Consider planning parent/caregiver

meetings at the end of the girls' meetings. For example, this can be 10-15 minutes at the end of every meeting or at the end of the first meeting of the month or as needed.

Family Events:• Family events are a great way to connect! Have the girls plan at least one event a year, such as a presentation,

play or ceremony or host a family picnic or other activity.

Phone Calls:• Phone calls help make personal connections while sharing troop information and foster conversation and

clarification. This is also a good time to make a personal and specific ask for support.

Communication is an integral part of building a strong troop committee to ensure the troop is supported by caring adults working together for the benefit of the girls. Make sure to regularly share the needs of the troop and be specific when asking adults to help. Troop volunteers must complete

member registration and background check and any necessary training.

Please keep in mind not everyone is technological savvy and some may not regularly check technology methods. That's why face-to-face meetings

and phone calls are also beneficial.

21

As a troop leadership team, work together to determine meeting day, time and location. Consider the girls in your troop: Do they all attend the same school? What is the most central or convenient location for all? What is the best time of day for the meeting for both girls, co-leaders, and parent support? The meeting place needs to provide a safe, clean, and secure environment that allows for the participation of all girls. Consider meeting rooms at schools, houses of worship, libraries, community buildings, childcare facilities, and local businesses. For teens, rotating meetings at coffee houses, bookstores, and other places girls enjoy spending time is an option. Below are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a location.

Troop Meetings

Safety: Safe, secure, clean, properly heated and cooled, free from hazards with all exits clearly marked

Cost: Free to use

Availability: Average troop meetings range between 1-2 hours, twice a month, some troops choose to meet weekly

Facilities: Sanitary and accessible restrooms

Accessible: Accommodate girls with disabilities and their caregivers

Don’t forget to update troop meeting information in MYGS, Member Profile under the Troop tab once you confirm your meeting details or call Customer Care at 888.350.5090.

Meeting Location Name Address Phone

Make a list of possible locations. Then call to check on availability and confirm the meetings. Local volunteers in your service unit can help provide suggestions if needed.

Meeting Location Meeting Day/Time

Certificate of InsuranceWhen reserving troop meeting space, volunteers may be asked to provide a certificate of insurance to verify Girl Scout liability insurance coverage. Most schools already have these on file; check with the council to confirm. You may submit the Request for Certificate of Insurance online on the council website at gswo.org/insurancerequest. Certificates will be sent directly to the location within two weeks.

22

The safety and well-being of girl and adult members is our highest priority. As a volunteer, it is imperative to know and understand the safety policies and procedures in place, where to look, or who to ask for more information when necessary. Listed below are some of the main resources where safety policies are listed.

Volunteer Essentials: A guide to all the policies and procedures including safety. A print copy is provided to every troop each year.

Safety Activity Checkpoints: Activity specific safety guidelines for activities including camping, participating in a parade, and even the fall product program participation. These guidelines are available online or through the VTK.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio website: Check out gswo.org for General Safety Guidelines

Troop Safety

• Keep caregivers informed! Communicate regularly about troop meetings and activities. Use permission slips anytime the troop is doing anything out of the ordinary.

• 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.

Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need (Ratio)Girl Scouts girl/adult ratios show the minimum number of adults needed to supervise a specific number of girls. These supervision ratios were devised to ensure the safety and health of girls—for example, if one adult has to respond to an emergency, a second adult is always on hand for the rest of the girls. Adults are registered and approved volunteers.

Group Meetings Events, Travel, and Camping

Two unrelated adults (at least one of whom is female) for this number of girls:

Plus one additional adult for each additional number of this many girls:

Two unrelated adults (at least one of whom is female) for this number of girls:

Plus one additional adult for each additional number of this many girls:

Girl Scout Daisies(K–grade 1)

12 6 6 4

Girl Scout Brownies(grades 2–3)

20 8 12 6

Girl Scout Juniors(grades 4–5)

25 10 16 8

Girl Scout Cadettes(grades 6–8)

25 12 20 10

Girl Scout Seniors(grades 9–10)

30 15 24 12

Girl Scout Ambassadors(grades 11–12)

30 15 24 12

Here are some examples on utilizing the chart: If you’re meeting with 17 Daisies, you’ll need three adults, at least two of 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 whom is

female, since the chart shows that two adults can manage up to 25 Cadettes. In addition to the girl/adult ratios, please remember that adult volunteers must be at least 18 years old, or the age of majority defined by your state if it is older than 18.

23

Girl Scout Year at a Glance

Below are key dates and Girl Scout traditions to note as you plan your Girl Scout year. Keep in mind each troop is different since the troop activities should be planned by the girls! The role of the troop leadership team is to make sure girls have the chance to safely become goal-getters, risk-takers, innovators and leaders along side their sister Girl Scouts.

Fall• Fall Product Sale is a great way to earn startup funds for your troop and build valuable skills by selling nuts and magazines

to friends and family.

• Invite a Friend to Girl Scouts. Have a party, where the girls can invite their friends. Girl Scouts is all about doing things with other girls. Girls that invite a friend to be a Girl Scout, she will have earn an awesome patch. Go online to complete invite a friend form, http://www.gswo.org/en/about-girl-scouts/join/Invite-a-Friend.html

• Celebrate the birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, October 31.

Winter• Participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. It’s a great way to earn money and develop financial skills. Here are a few

key things. Each troop must have an approved and registered troop cookie manager

• Register for Summer Camp! There are lots of ways that girls experience the fun of camp including: day and resident camp (girls attend alone or with a buddy), Troop Adventure Camp (girls attend with their troop), or other one day opportunities. For more info, visit gswo.org/camp in January.

• Participate in Girl Scout World Thinking Day on February 22 and honor our sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts by taking time to give thanks for their international friendships and remember that GSUSA is a part of a global community. Visit girlscouts.org/worldthinkingday.

Spring• Girl Scout Week—Celebrated each March, starting with Girl Scout

Sunday and ending with Girl Scout Sabbath on a Saturday. It always includes the Girl Scout birthday (when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the first troop) on March 12.

• Girl Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sabbath—Provides an opportunity to attend a place of worship and be recognized as Girl Scouts. Ask your service unit Girl Scout Leadership chair for more information.

• 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 share the girls’ successes. Other names for these ceremonies are bridging or fly up ceremonies.

• Renewal—Late spring is a great time register for the coming year. There are often incentives associated with early registration.

Summer• Submit your Troop Financial Report by June 30.

• Enjoy the Summer! Many troops take the summer off, but that doesn’t mean you have to! Take advantage of the time off of school to go on trips. As girls get older, summer is often the perfect time for them to participate in short-term Girl Scout opportunities.

• Get connected again in July–August so girls can work troop meetings into their busy schedules.

• Attend Camp! Girls can attend summer camp as a troop, on their own, or with a friend!

• Start thinking about how your will engage your girls next year? Are their schedules getting busier? How will the troop team make sure girls still have room for Girl Scouting?

24

What is my role as a Girl Scout leader to be inclusive?

1. Create an environment that values and respects diversity.

2. Model respectful ways to interact with all people. Girls learn by watching how adults interact with girls and other adults.

3. Facilitate positive, healthy relationships by helping girls form friendships in their troop with many different girls.

4. Make sure all girls have the opportunity to fully engage in activities, and have access to opportunities and information. This may mean helping girls overcome barriers to participation, adjusting activities, or even changing how you communicate.

5. A girl’s comfort and well-being should be prioritized above everything else. Before setting goals about badges, cookies, and trips, set goals about how you will work to foster a feeling of safety, support and fun for all girls.

Inclusion in Girl ScoutsGirl Scouts is an inclusive organization. We respect, value and embrace the differences of all of our members and the community around us. The role of adult leaders in Girl Scouts is to create an environment where girls feel safe and welcome. That feeling of safety and welcome can be different for each girl. Creating a safe environment isn’t something you do once but it has to be a continuous process of learning, listening, and engaging with girls and their families to understand what girls need.

What is diversity? We are all made up of different characteristics; some you see and some you don’t. There are differences influenced by biology like sexual orientation, personality, gender, physical abilities, learning/thinking style, race, and age.

Then there are cultural/personal differences like education, ethnicity, language, nationality, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, parental status, marital status, appearance, and more.

Diversity happens when you bring together people who have many different combinations of biological and cultural differences.

Inclusion in Girl ScoutsGirl Scouts is an inclusive organization. We respect, value and embrace the differences of all of our members and the community around us. The role of adult leaders in Girl Scouts is to create an environment where girls feel safe and welcome. That feeling of safety and welcome can be different for each girl. Creating a safe environment isn't something you do once but it has to be a continuous process of learning, listening, and engaging with girls and their families to understand what girls need.

What is Diversity?We are all made up of different characteristics; some you see and some you don't. There are difference's influenced by biology like sexual orientation, personality, gender, physical abilities, learning/thinking style, race, and age.

Then there are cultural/personal differences like education, ethnicity, language, nationality, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, parental status, marital status, appearance, and more.

Diversity happens when you bring together people who have many different combinations of biological

and cultural differences.

1. Create an environment that values and respects diversity.

2. Model respectful ways to interact with all people. Girls learn by watching how adults interact with girls and other adults.

3. Facilitate positive, healthy relationships by helping girls form friendships in their troop with many different girls.

4. Make sure all girls have the opportunity to fully engage in activities, and have access to opportunities and information. This may mean helping girls overcome barriers to participation, adjusting activities, or even changing how you communicate.

5. A girl's comfort and well-being should be prioritized above everything else. Before setting goals about badges, cookies, and trips, set goals about how you will work to foster a feeling of safety, support and fun for all girls.

What is my role as a GirlScout leader to be inclusive?

25

I want to be inclusive.How do I make sure it happens in our troop?

Sometimes inclusion takes extra work but remember, our mission is to build

girls of courage, confidence, and character, to make the world a better place.

By spending extra time on inclusion, you are not only building future leaders

by including all girls, but you are showing girls how to be leaders.

05-4852-01/2017

6 Be mindful of the differences that you can and can’t see.

7 Be mindful of language. Don’t make generalized statements about groups or types of people and don’t refer to a person based on a particular characteristic like race, ability, education, socio-economic status or religion.

8 Be mindful that your “normal” isn’t everyone’s normal and be open to making adjustments to plans and activities.

9 Pay attention to special holidays and cultural traditions that may conflict with troop plans or limit a girls participation.

10 Ask for help if you need it. Parents are often great resources and Girl Scout staff can help connect you to the resources or support you need. We are lucky to live in a diverse country and that means we aren’t going to know and understand all differences. You will grow and learn along side the girls by welcoming a diverse group of girls into your troop.

1 Foster a belief in your troop that everyone benefits from having a diverse group of girls, by helping the girls find commonalities and differences they appreciate. Team projects and games can help girls appreciate the strengths of their sister Girl Scouts.

2 Get to know the girls and their families. Many troop leaders already know a few of the parents in their troop when they get started. It can be easy to stay in your comfort zone and only bond with the people you already know. Getting to know a girl’s family can make a girl feel special and help you learn more about that girl and how to help her succeed.

3 Remember that all families are different and keep that in mind when planning family events. Girls may have really engaged aunts or grandparents that should be included in important ceremonies and occasions.

4 Advocate for girls. Sometimes a girl may need a little extra attention and support in order to get the same experience as other girls in the troop. Sometimes inclusion takes flexibility, creativity and advanced planning.

5 Be mindful of your own bias and assumptions about other people. Everyone has bias and makes assumptions about others based on their own experiences. The key is to challenge your bias and assumptions. Don’t assume everyone has the same background or experiences.

I want to be inclusive.How do I make sure it happens in our troop?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Sometimes inclusion takes extra work but remember, our mission is to build girls courage, confidence, and character, to make the world a better place. By spending

extra time on inclusion, you are not only building future leaders by including all girls, but you are showing girls how to be leaders.

Inclusion of Girls

26

Resources Description Where to Find

VolunteerEssentials

Volunteer Toolkit

Girl ScoutLeadership

Journeys

The Girl's Guides to Girl Scouting

Program AdventureGuide

Safety ActivityCheckpoints

GSWO Blog

GSWO ServiceUnit Facebook

Group/Shutterfly

GSWO VolunteerFacebook Group

Girl Scouts of the USA Website

Primary resource for all volunteers. It provides information about our council, the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, council policies, volunteer personnel policies,

financial procedures, volunteer staff structure, service unit structure, emergency procedures and much more.

The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a comprehensive digital tool accessible on your computer, smartphone and/or tablet through the My GS tab on our website.

Please see Volunteer Toolkit reference page for more information.

A program resource that helps girls explore a theme through a sequence of fun and challenging experiences. Journeys help girls to develop leadership skills,

explore their interests, try new things, meet different people and make the world a better place. Seven Journey series are available in print or through the VTK for

all grade levels; newly developed Journeys are only available in the VTK.

Grade level guides that include: Handbook, Badge Requirements and My Girl Scouts, a section for girls to document their experiences that includes pages to

scrapbook, draw, journal or save special moments. GSUSA developed new badges only available in the VTK.

Publication outlining a variety of council and community sponsored programs available to girls. It also includes guidelines and reservation procedures for use of

council properties and copies of council forms used by troop leaders.

When preparing for any activity with girls, always begin by reviewing the Safety Activity Checkpoints written about that particular activity. Safety Activity

Checkpoints can be found on the council website.

This is a great way to get new ideas for troop activities, read success stories, and get new resources. This blog is designed to help leaders bring the Girl Scout

Leadership Experience to life in their troop!

Many Service Units have established their own Facebook/Shutterfly pages. This is a great place to find out about Service Unit meetings and different events/activities

or information put on/out from your Service Unit.

This is a closed group and must request to join. This is a great place to get fast answers and feedback from both staff and other volunteers!

The national Girl Scouts website provides information about Girl Scout programs, including the Girl Scout Journeys and other helpful resources addressing issues

that girls and volunteers face in today’s world.

Located in New Troop Start-up binder or search at

www.gswo.org

gswo.org- Select MY GS tab at top of page

VTK, council shop or G.I.R.L Resource Centers

VTK , council shop, or G.I.R.L Resource Centers

gswo.org/activities

gswo.org/safety

gswoblog.org

Ask your SU Volunteer or Community Development

Manager

Facebook- Search GSWO Volunteer Support

gsusa.org

Resources

Below is a reference list of primary resources to support the troop.

27

Form Name Purpose Who Completes/ Uses the Form

Adult and Girl Membership Form

While registering on-line is the preferred method, we do have membership paper registrations for both girls and adults.

Caregiver, troop leader, troop assistant

Volunteer Learning Completion Record

An official record that troop leaders can use to keep track of their volunteer learning. It is the troop leaders’ responsibility to maintain records of volunteer

learning for their troop.

Troop leaders and troop assistants

Health Information and Release Form

(Girl and Adult)

An updated record of health status (for example, allergies, chronic illnesses, and injuries) and authorization. Forms are completed and given to the troop leader for

troop records.

Girl's caregiver or adult completes the form and submits it to the troop

leaders

Photo Release form - Minor and Adult

Allows Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, or collaborating organizations the ability to use, distribute, publish, exhibit, digitize, broadcast,

display, modify, etc. the use of name, picture, voice or likeliness

A caregiver for each girl in the troop

Request for Certificate of Insurance

A form used to request a Certificate of Insurance be issued to a venue hosting Girl Scouts, noting the level of liability insurance Girl Scouts of Western Ohio holds. This

certificate is frequently requested by troop meeting places.

The troop leader requests the certificate on

our website

Family ParticipationWays Adults Can Help

Every troop needs both leaders and other volunteers to ensure success. This form can be used to recruit adults (beyond leaders) to support troop activities.

Caregivers/any volunteer interested in helping the

troop.

Permission SlipWhen participating in activities beyond the troop meeting, caregiver permission

is required. This form allows leaders to communicate to caregivers the key information about the activity and receive permission for participation.

Troop leader or assistant provides to caregivers who

complete and return it prior to trip or activity.

Incident/Accident Report

Online form completed in the event of an incident, accident, or emergency. Please follow emergency procedures found in Volunteer Essentials.

Troop leader or assistant completes the form within

24 hours of the incident/accident.

Troop Leader email for Account Opening

Procedures

"Official Welcome email from the council noting approved volunteer status and used to open the troop bank account. (This cannot be found on the forms page,

it will be emailed directly to you.)"

Sent by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio to all

approved troop leaders and troop assistants.

Request for Troop Start-up Funds

Start-up funds are provided to Girl Scout troops to ensure all troops have the funds needed to initiate delivery of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Fund

distribution is based on specific financial need and the troop's compliance with registration, application, and troop financial guidelines. To be eligible, all troops

must be new during the current year, have financial need, open a troop checking account, and submit the form to the council.

Troop leaders

GSWO Finance InfoComplete the GSWO Finance Info form online to inform the council of the troop

bank account information.

Troop leaders and troop assistants who are bank

account signers.

Tax Exempt/Tax ID Form

The Tax Exempt/Tax ID Form is a certificate that will exempt the troop from paying state sales tax when purchasing supplies. Must be presented

at the time of purchase.

For Tax Exempt/Tax ID:; used by retailer and

volunteer making the purchase

Troop Meeting InfoEnsure the troop details are up to date (including meeting location, day, time and

troop grades and open spots) so the troop is accurately displayed in the troop opportunity catalog. gswo.org/troopmeetinginfo.

Troop leaders

The following table lists primary forms that new troops will use to get started and have a successful troop year. Samples of these forms can be found in the Forms section of this guide as well as at gswo.org/formsanddocs.

Forms and Documents

28

Chapter Checklist

Troop Support Ǉ Meet with Troop Committee to get acquainted, share ideas and plans for getting the year started Ǉ Determine Meeting Time and Location- Update Troop Information gswo.org/troopmeetinginfo Ǉ Incorporate plans for special Girl Scout occasions if applicable

ǈ Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday ǈ World Thinking Day ǈ Girl Scout Week

Notes:

29

Parent/Caregiver MeetingThe Caregiver/Parent MeetingHaving a caregiver meeting is paramount to your success in leading the troop. It is a great opportunity to ask parents and other caregivers for their support throughout the troop year. All caregivers are encouraged to play an active role with their girl’s troop! If they will be working directly with girls, they need to register in a volunteer role with the troop.

Meeting Overview:

• Welcome to the troop

• Share/Determine meeting day, time and location

• Identify how to communicate

• Discuss troop dues, troop funds and money earning plans

• Ask for supply donation

• Recruit volunteers to help with troop activities, including fall product/cookie sale programs, manage troop finances, drivers/chaperone's

• Complete registration and paperwork (Health Information and Release Form)

• Discuss expectations

Material List:

• Contact list for interested girls

• Troop Contact list from the Volunteer Toolkit

• Sample meeting agenda (next page)

• Pens and markers

• Paper for writing

• Health Information and Release Forms - 1 per girl or adult troop committee member

• List of meeting dates (if known)

• Troop Committee Form - 1 per family

• Family Participation- Ways Adults Can Help form- 1 per adult

• Online Registration link (for girl registration: GSWO.org/join or for adult registration: GSWO.org/volunteer) or go to MYGS to add additional family members

• Girl and Adult Paper Membership forms (for those who do not have internet/online access)

• DNA of a Girl Scout Handout & Coloring Sheet (front and back) - 1 per girl

• Welcome to the Girl Scout Family (provided by the recruiter or regional office) - 1 per family

• Uniforms price list (forms section)

The Volunteer Toolkit makes caregiver communication easier than ever! The MY TROOP tab in the toolkit will have all of the contact information for the caregivers and you can email them right from there!

Caregivers also have a view that allows them to see troop meeting dates, plans, and council activities and resources. Check out the parent meeting in the VTK for additional resources.

MYGS Accounts: Registered family members are listed under one “household” account in MYGS. If caregivers haven’t set up

their account yet, they should click on MYGS, hit forgot password, and enter the email address they provided when registering as their username. They will receive an email from Member Community to confirm their

account login details. Once logged in, they can view their household registration information under the MY FAMILY tab and register additional family members.

30

Sample agenda for Caregiver/Parent Meeting (45-60 Min.)As Families ArriveHave caregiver/parent complete the health information and release form for their girl

Share: Please complete the health and release form as:

• This allows your girl to be treated if anything should happen during a Girl Scout activity.

• It alerts us to allergies or other health concerns to keep in consideration as we plan our Girl Scout year.

• These forms must be completed before the first troop meeting and will be kept with the leaders.

Welcome and Introductions• Introduce yourselves and any other troop adults present. Share troop leader contact information.

• Have participants introduce themselves and share if they have any Girl Scout experience/backgrounds.

Share:

• Welcome to troop # . It is our role as troop leaders’ to guide the girls through their Girl Scout experience. Girl Scouts engages girls in discovering self, connecting with others, and taking action to make the world a better place.

Troop Information - Meeting Details and Communication• Share troop meetings details. In most cases, troops meet twice a month for one to two hours. If the troop leaders

have determined the dates and times already, communicate this with families.

• Decide on troop communication methods

Share:

• First of all, we want to share troop meeting details with you. (share, day, time, location and frequency of meetings. (Optional: If meeting dates and times have not been determined by leadership, find out what works best for families.)

• Next, we want to ensure you are connected to your girl’s experience and determine the best ways to communicate with you. We will decide on one to two communication methods as a group.

• What is the best way to communicate: text, facebook page, newsletter, parent meetings, email?

Troop Finance and Cost

• Establish troop dues.

• Girls have opportunities to increase skills and earn troop funds through Fall Product Sales and Cookie Sales.

• The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting is not mandatory, however it is a valuable resource for both girls and their caregivers.

• Share cost of Girl Scout Uniform and Membership pins, decide if, when and how they will be purchased.

Share:

• Troop activities are supported through troop dues and money earning activities and includes the fall product sale and cookie sale programs.

• In addition, we would like to establish troop dues to get us started. We were thinking $ per meeting, does this sound reasonable to everyone? (Average troop dues are $1-5 per meeting) Please let us know if you are unable to pay troop dues; no girl will be turned away. Another opportunity to contribute to the troop is to donate start up supplies, like markers, scissors, glue, paper, crayons, etc. You can bring items in to any of our upcoming meetings.

• We will open a troop bank account with two approved volunteers on the account. Troop funds are used to benefit the entire troop; not individual girls. Any parent/caregiver can ask to see the account information at any time.

• In addition, uniforms are also optional. The official Girl Scout insignia is the Girl Scout pin, which most troops provide to girls. We can either have parents purchase uniforms or wait until there are funds for the uniform. What is everyone’s thoughts on uniforms?

31

Caregiver Involvement

• Review the Troop Committee Form and ask families complete the Family Participation- Ways Adults Can Help form

• Completion of member registration and background check (no cost) is required for adults to help the troop

• Encourage adults to register as Troop Fall Sale or Troop Cookie Sale Manager (also requires registration and background check)

• 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.

Share:

• Even with a troop leadership team in place, caregivers are important for the success of our troop. I would like to invite each of you to take an active role in the troop.

• Please complete the form Family Participation - Ways Adults Can Help. There are several ways caregivers can help from bringing snacks or supplies, to leading or assisting with a meeting, to driving on field trips and more!

• We’ll also need support with the Fall Sale and the Cookie Sale and hope you consider volunteering as either a troop fall sale or cookie sale manager. A troop fall sale or cookie manager will support the troop by managing participation and ensures the troop follows proper policies and procedures related to the sale. Training and support is provided.

• Please note: all adults helping with the troop need to be registered members. Most troop volunteers register as troop assistants. Upon registering as a volunteer, you will be emailed a link to complete a background check, no cost.

Caregiver Expectations

• Learn Caregiver/Parent expectations of the troop

• Discover what’s important to achieve in Girl Scouts

Share:

• It is important to us as the troop leaders to know what your expectations of the troop are.

• In front of you we have a coloring sheet. The Girl Scout program is girl-led, meaning the girls make decisions on what they do as a troop. There are many activities in Girl Scouts, ranging from earning badges, to leadership Journeys, to field trips, to community service, and so much more. Please help your girl circle the items at the bottom of the coloring sheet (on page 30) or write out what she wants to do with Girl Scouts. Have her pick three things. (Troops with older girls can have a group discussion and omit the coloring activity.)

Give the parents and girls a few minutes to complete the activity. Meanwhile, hang up 2 large sheets of paper with titled: “What my girl hopes to do” and

“What I hope my girl learns.”

Then Ask:

• What are some things your girl hopes to do with Girl Scouts? (Write responses down on the sheet of paper that says, “What my girl hopes to do.”)

• Through our troop activities, we hope that your daughter develops many skills and this sheet lists many things we hope your girl experiences through Girl Scouts. What are the skills that are most important to you that your hope your daughter achieves through Girl Scouts? (Write these down these items on the sheet paper that says, “What I hope my girl learns.”)

• Thanks, We can’t promise we will get to everything, but this will help us as we plan our troop activities with the girls. Your girl is welcome to take this picture home to finish coloring.

ClosingThank caregivers for coming and remind them of the troop meeting date. Collect the Health Information and Release form and Family Participation - Ways Adults Can Help form. Ask if there are any questions.

Sample agenda for Caregiver/Parent Meeting (45-60 Min.)

32

Building a Support Team—A Troop Committee

Share the fun of guiding girls on the Girl Scout adventure! Troop committee members may include parents, caregivers,

adult family members, Girl Scout alumnae, or community members.

View volunteer opportunities, apply, and register at gswo.org/volunteer. Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is committed to providing a safe and quality program for girls in the community. Girl Scouts of Western Ohio has resources and a system of support to help adult volunteers select and register in the most appropriate role.

Select most appropriate role (see list below).Complete the registration based on the Girl Scout membership year, runs October 1-September 30.Successful completion of criminal background check.Commitment to Girl Scout Promise and Law and agreement to follow volunteer policies and proceduresCompletion of the Welcome Video and any necessary training.

Troop LeadersHelp girls have fun with a purpose. Using the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), the troop leader encourages girls to Discover themselves, Connect with others, and Take Action to make the world a better place. Guided by supportive adults and peers, Girl Scouts engage in age-appropriate activities that are girl-led, cooperative, and hands-on. All troops must have two appointed troop leaders to begin meeting.

Troop AssistantsSupport troop leaders in guiding girls to engage in age-appropriate activities that are girl-led, cooperative and hands-on. Provide support to the troop through planning and implementing badges and other program activities, managing finances/product sale participation and/or driving/chaperoning field trips. Consider the following specific troop assistants roles.

Treasurer: Support troop by managing the troop's finances and be a signer on the troop bank account.

Driver:Support troop by helping plan, prepare, and travel for troop trips. Support ranges from guiding girls at planning meetings to simply being a driver and chaperon.

Camping:Complete outdoor training to learn skills to help girls plan and experience day or overnight camp, including fire building, cooking, and outdoor activities.

First-Aider:Maintain adult and pediatric CPR and basic First Aid certification through a qualifying agency and be available to attend troop trips. Provide First Aid or CPR as needed.

Troop Assistant - Cookie ManagerSupport troop by managing participation in the Cookie Program. Learn the ins and outs of managing the Cookie Programincluding important dates, parent communication, inventory management, safety, and more. Ensure troop follows proper policies and procedures related to the sale. Training and support provided.

Troop Assistant - Fall Product ManagerSupport troop by managing participation in the Fall Product Program. Learn the ins and outs of managing the Fall Sale Program including important dates, parent communication, inventory management, safety, and more. Ensure troop follows proper policies and procedures related to the sale. Training and support provided.

Other Ways The Family Can Get Involved

Donate supplies, share a hobby, take part in events, organize/store supplies, bring snacks to meeting. At any troop meeting or activity (including troop trips), at least one troop leader must be in attendance at all times and be accompanied by at least one other appointed troop volunteer (either an appointed troop leader or troop assistant). No adult, regardless of appointed leadership position, should ever be alone with the girls. Troops should have at least two troop leaders and many troop assis-tants as they would like. Refer to Volunteer Essentials for more on the minimum girl/adult ratio for your troop, which is based on size and grade level.

33

Family Participation - 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!

Please complete this form and return it to the troop leaders.

⃝

Phone call Text Email Facebook Message Text Notification App

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

Help the Troop

At one or more meetings

With troop money earning

Lead a hike

Provide space for storage, equipment

Donate supplies

Help with the fall product sale

Manage the troop budget

Drive on trips and outings

A Skill I Can Share With the Girls

Adult's Name:

Girl's Name: Grade:

Address:

Home Phone: Work Phone:

E-Mail: Cell Phone:

Provide a place for outdoor activities

Be a first aider (or be willing to take training)

Help with the cookie sale

Send communications/reminders

Provide a meeting place

Provide occasional snacks for meetings

Be a camping adult (or be willing to take training)

Other:

Sewing

Nature

Games

Animals

My Culture

Sports

Cooking

Gardening

Photography

First Aid

Drama

Dance

Nutrition

Crafts

Camping Skills

Science

Computer

My Career

Songs

Music

Math

Fitness

My Hobby

Other:

34

DNA of a G.I.R.L.

DNA of a G.I.R.L.She’s a go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader!

HELLOMy name isLeader

Sets goals andsticks to them

Works hard tobring positive

change tothe world

Seeks new adventures and experiences

Speaks up forherself and others

Takes pride inher abilities

and successes

Builds teamspirit and bringspeople together

Takes actionon issues dearto her heart

Handles conflictwith compassionand clearcommunication

Falls down andgets back up

Runs forleadership

positions

Sees newsolutions to

old problemsListens toopinions andfeelings differentfrom her own

Has an imagination that knows no limits

She's a Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader!

35

DNA of a G.I.R.L.

helping other people • building and making • getting outdoorsearning badges • going on trips • making new friends

Her imaginationknow no limits

Always seekingnew adventuresand experiences

Listens to opinions and feelings different from her own

Takes action on issues dearto her heart

Handles conflictwith compassionand clearcommunication

Falls down and gets back up

Sets goals and sticks to them

Works hard tobring positive

change to the world

Sees new solutions to

old problems

Speaks up for herself and others

Takes pride inher abilities

and successes

Builds teamspirit and bringspeople together

Runs for leadership

positions

DNA of a G.I.R.L. She’s a go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader!She's a Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader!

Being a G.I.R.L. includes:

36

Parent/Caregiver Support Ǉ Before your first troop meeting, schedule and hold a Parent/Caregiver Meeting

ǈ Meet the girls and their families ǈ Decide on communications methods ǈ Engage the adults in troop committee positions ǈ Discuss collecting troop dues and managing troop funds ǈ Complete necessary forms, such as health info, photo release

Ǉ Share details of the troop meeting schedule

Notes:

Chapter Checklist

37

Troop Finances and Record KeepingManaging Troop FundsManaging troop funds includes, being a signer on the troop checking account, deciding with the girls how to spend the troop money, managing or helping a troop’s participation in the Fall Product Program or Cookie Program, handling troop money in anyway. Troop leaders and troop assistants are responsible for the proper accounting and management of troop funds. Should mismanagement be reported, a troop financial audit may occur and the adults responsible for troop leadership may be held accountable for any lost or stolen funds and overdraft fees. Following the policies in this chapter will prevent mismanagement and ensure a successful troop experience.

Who Should Manage Troop Funds• Troop leaders and troop assistants: Only registered and approved volunteers (unrelated and not in the same

household) in these two roles can handle or manage troop funds and at least one of the volunteers needs to be a troop leader.

• Girls: Involve the girls as much as their grade level and skills/abilities allow. After all, it’s their money!

All Girl Scout troops are required to have a troop checking account.

Opening Your Troop Checking AccountNew troops are required to establish the troop checking account within 30 days of receiving the Welcome Letter. This will allow troops to be prepared when there is money to deposit from troop dues, product sales or troop money-earning activities. Girl Scouts of Western Ohio’s standard requires all troops to open their checking account at one of Western Ohio’s identified banking institutions: PNC or Fifth Third Bank (exceptions include the following counties: Hardin, Mercer, Ottawa, Ohio (Indiana), Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert. If you are in one of these counties and need help identifying a Girl Scout friendly bank, please contact your community development manager).

BenefitsBenefits of banking with PNC and Fifth Third include: free checking, no minimum opening deposit requirement, free debit cards, electronic monthly statements, starter checks, and ATM usage. Our partnership allows us to manage financial resources more efficiently and does not require volunteers to have a third signer on the account.

When to Open the Troop Checking Account:• Within 30 days of the first troop meeting

. Two Girl Scout approved troop leaders . Minimum number of girls registered

• Before any troop money is received, earned, or spent

• Prior to receiving Girl Scout Cookie or Fall Product selling materials

Who Should Open the Troop Checking Account?Girl Scout troop checking accounts are required to have at least two approved volunteer signers, one troop leader and another approved volunteer (who are unrelated and not in the same household) on the account.

Online Training(https://www.gswo.org/en/for-volunteers/online-support-for-volunteers/required-courses.html)All troop signers:

• Should complete Troop Financial Management learning available online

• Troop leaders are encouraged to watch a short video on opening a troop checking account

38

SPECIAL NOTE: While we require that the account be set up at PNC or Fifth Third Bank, it is not required that you order your checks through them. There may be instances where a

volunteer may have access to order checks at a preferable cost.

What to Bring to the Bank:Signers should coordinate their schedules and all go to the bank together. Included in this packet are documents needed to open the PNC or Fifth Third Checking Account.

• All signers must bring:

• A copy of their Girl Scouts of Western Ohio welcome email (see sample attached)

• Two forms of identification—such as a Driver’s License (or current government-issued ID that includes a photo, signature, document number, and expiration date) and a credit or debit card, passport, or state non-driver’s license.

• Social security number

• Provide bank with Troop Checking Account Packet forms attached or online (gswo.org/formsanddocs).

• Troop Bank Account Request

• Preferred Bank Letter

• Tax Exempt Certificate (appropriate to state)

Troop Checking Account Information:• Be sure to open a non-profit account. This will ensure the troop avoids monthly fees (if a Business Account your troop will acquire

monthly fees).

• The statement must be sent to a signer's home residence or email. One signer must receive bank statements or have access to online banking while another holds checkbook/debit card.

Next Steps After You Open the Troop Checking Account:• Complete GSWO Finance Information form online at gswo.org/formsanddocs.

• Information needed on the form is the names of the two signers, service unit #, Troop #, bank name, bank routing # and back account #.

• Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your service unit chair or community development manager.

Troop Leader Sample Email

Girl Scout Troop Leader Welcome Letter

Name: (First Name), (Last Name)Position: Troop LeaderTroop Number: Troop Number

Please keep a copy of this email for your records!

Thank you for becoming a volunteer!Are you ready to take your first steps on a fantastic journey? As a Girl Scout troop leader, you’ll have unlimited fun and adventure while impacting the lives of girls, contributing to your communityand learning new things about yourself.

Lets get started!

1. Check out the Volunteer Toolkit: This digital platform is filled with troop management tools and resources to help make your job easier. Spend less time planning and more time having fun!

2. Be sure you complete your Volunteer Learning too! Two key trainings for your success are:

A. Girl Scouting 101B. New Troop Start Up (the primary delivery method is a one-on-one with paid staff recruiters)

Additionally there are role specific learning opportunities that will help make sure your troop gets started on the right foot.

3. Set up your troop’s checking account.You will need to open your troop checking account within the first 30 days of receiving this email. Download the Troop Checking Account Procedures packet so you’ll have everything you need to open your troop checking account with your second signer.

4. Find something fun to do right away!You can find a searchable list of upcoming events, an event calendar, and our annual Program Events Guide at gswo.org/events. This is your one stop shop for all things fun and adventure in Girl Scouts! Programs offered by both Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and its surrounding communities are listed in this exciting guide.

5. Join our Facebook Group:The GSWO Volunteer Support Group is a place for volunteers to receive real-time support from council staff and other volunteers. Exchange information, ask questions, and share ideas with your sister Girl Scouts!

Have questions? Call the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Customer Care Hotline: 1.888.350.5090. In the coming weeks you will be contacted by other volunteers in your area to get connected with our Girl Scout community.

[email protected]

Girl Scout Troop Leader Welcome Letter

Name: (First Name), (Last Name)Position: Troop AssistantTroop Number: Troop Number

Please keep a copy of this email for your records!

Thank you for becoming a volunteer!As a troop assistant you provide vital support to the troop leader(s) in their responsibilities of guiding girls on a fantastic journey. As a Girl Scout troop assistant you’ll have unlimited fun and adventure while impacting the lives of girls, contributing to your community, and learning new things about yourself.

Lets get started!

1. Check out the Volunteer Toolkit: This digital platform is filled with troop management tools and resources to help make your job easier. Spend less time planning and more time having fun!

2. Be sure you complete your Volunteer Learning too! Two key trainings for your success are:

A. Girl Scouting 101B. New Troop Start Up (the primary delivery method is a one-on-one with paid staff recruiters) C. Depending on your role, troop assistants may need to review and follow the Transporting Girls resource or the Troop Financial Management Resource.

3. Set up your troop’s checking account.You will need to open your troop checking account within the first 30 days of receiving this email. Download the Troop Checking Account Procedures packet so you’ll have everything you need to open your troop checking account with your second signer.

4. Find something fun to do right away!You can find a searchable list of upcoming events, an event calendar, and our annual Program Events Guide at gswo.org/events. This is your one stop shop for all things fun and adventure in Girl Scouts! Programs offered by both Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and its surrounding communities are listed in this exciting guide.

5. Join our Facebook Group:The GSWO Volunteer Support Group is a place for volunteers to receive real-time support from council staff and other volunteers. Exchange information, ask questions, and share ideas with your sister Girl Scouts!

Have questions? Call the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Customer Care Hotline: 1.888.350.5090. In the coming weeks you will be contacted by other volunteers in your area to get connected with our Girl Scout community.

[email protected]

Troop Assistant Sample Email

Welcome Email Sample

39

Girl Scouts of Western OhioTroop Leader4930 Cornell RoadCincinnati, Ohio 45242

Troop Leader:

In an effort to simplify the account opening process of your Troop Account, I detailed below instructions you can provide to the PNC representative at any branch location.

Account Opening Procedures - Girl Scouts of Western Ohio• Must have account authorization forms from Girl Scouts of Western Ohio with their Tax ID Number or

approval email from Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.

• State of Ohio Website – 1/1/08 – Document 200734601474

• Open a Non-Profit Checking account – under new profile:A. Account Details (subject to change):

1 No minimum opening deposit required2 No monthly maintenance fee3 Transaction Fee:

• First 150 transactions per month are included

• $0.50 per transaction for additional transactions

• 4. Overdraft Fees: $36.00 per item

• 5. Monthly Statement:

• Electronic Statement available Online

• Paper statement with Check Safekeeping included

• Paper statement with images of checks available for $3.00

• B. Debit Card: 1 Provided with account opening

• C. Checks:1 Starter kit will be provided2 Check printing charges vary depending on style

• ADDRESS: Please make sure the mailing address reflects the Troop Leaders home address – not Girl Scouts of Western Ohio’s corporate address.

• Online Banking:A. Not offered at this time

Please feel free to contact me, at 513.563.0395 or 513.956.5410, if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Johnda L. KeufferVice President/Branch Manager

Banking Procedures

40

Girl Scouts of Western OhioTroop Leader4930 Cornell RoadCincinnati, Ohio 45242

Troop Leader:

In an effort to simplify the account opening process of your Troop Account, I detailed below instructions you can provide to the PNC representative at any branch location.

Account Opening Procedures - Girl Scouts of Western Ohio• Must have account authorization forms from Girl Scouts of Western Ohio with their Tax ID Number

• All other required documentation is on file at Findlay Northview 419.424.8560

• Open a Business Standard Checking account for Non-Profit 501(c)(3)A. Account Details (subject to change):

1 Standard pricing applies, with the exception of the minimum balance requirements; see the Rules and Regulation Booklet for details.

• No Minimum opening deposit required

- Minimal funding ($50) for account will be required within 4 weeks of opening account.

• No monthly Maintenance fee based on your Non-Profit eligibilityB. Monthly Statement

• Electronic Statement available online (upon request)

• Debit CardA. Provided with account opening

• ChecksA. Starter Checks providedB. 25% off first check orderC. Check printing charges vary depending on style

• Other Account BenefitsA. ATM usage available – 1 free non-Fifth Third ATM transaction monthlyB. Internet Banking options

1 Accounts AlertsC. Mobile Banking available

Please feel free to contact me at the branch at 419.424.8560 or my direct line at 419.581.4935 or viaemail at [email protected] if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Sincerely,Nora L AltenburgPersonal BankerFifth Third Findlay Northview

Banking Procedures

41

Banking Procedures

42

Banking Procedures

43

Troop Finance Report

48

Record Keeping

One critical task for each troop, is to keep excellent records and establish a clear accounting system for all money earned and spent. As a troop leader or troop assistant, you’re in charge of making sure money is spent wisely, excellent records are kept (keeping copies of all receipts in a binder or folder), and all income and expenses are tracked. (Income Examples: Dues, troop proceed from Product Sales Program. Expense Examples: earned recognitions, troop meeting activities, field trips, events, and troop trips.) For older girls, your job is to oversee their work, as they learn to keep impeccable records.• All troop money earned and received needs to be appropriately secured and should be deposited into the

troop account within three days of receipt and should never be held in a personal checking account.• Anytime the troop spends or receives money, a receipt should be provided and kept on record.• It is critical that all authorized signers are in communication with the other before spending funds in the

account to cover the amount of the transaction before writing a check or making a purchase with a debit card. This will safeguard against overdrawn accounts and bouncing checks.

• Take into consideration delays in posting transactions to the account in the banking system.• All troop expenses should be paid for with a troop check or the troop debit card.• Blank checks should never be pre-signed and debit cards should never be used by anyone other than the

person they are issued to and only for troop expenses.• Cash withdrawals should only be made if absolutely necessary—i.e. cookie booth change, tips for taxi or

hotel services. Anything paid or purchased with cash must be documented with receipt. • Volunteers who have paid out of pocket for troop expenses cannot reimburse themselves. Reimbursement

may only come from the other signer on the account when a receipt is provided showing the expense.• Funds acquired for money-earning projects must be reported and accounted for by the troop, while

following all Council policies and procedures.

• It is required to keep records (receipts, bank statements and finance reports) a minimum of two years.• Council has the right to audit troop accounts and request statements and proof of receipts should misuse/

mismanagement of funds be suspected or occur. Please know that Girl Scouts of Western Ohio will make a decision based on the best outcome for the girls and this can take up to 4 weeks. This may result in the responsible volunteers being determined ineligible to serve as a volunteer.

Earning Troop FundsHelping girls decide what they want to do and coaching them as they earn and manage money to pursue their goals is an integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). Your Girl Scout troop/group plans and finances its own activities, with your guidance. At the same time, the girls learn many valuable skills that serve them throughout their lives.

Girl Scout groups are funded by a share of money earned through Council-sponsored product sale program (such as the Girl Scout Cookie Program), Council approved group money-earning activities (and any fees (dues) your group may charge. (This is in addition to the $25 annual membership dues that go to the national organization.)

Money earned by the girls are for the benefit of all girls in the troop and should be spent in the year the funds are earned unless the troop has a long-range plan for spending the funds. It is important to note that the funds belong to the troop as a whole. Per IRS guidelines for charitable organizations, troops are prohibited from keeping individual girl accounts. All funds expended should benefit all girls in the troop.Girl Scout Troops are funded by money earned or collected in:

1. Product Sales Program- Cookie Program and Fall Product Sale2. Troop/Group Money-earning Activities3. Troop Dues4. Collaborating with Sponsors and other Organizations

Note: Troops should consistently share troop financial information with parents and girls and Council may request to see financial records at any time.

49

Making Decisions about Managing Money with Girls in the TroopTeaching girls about money management and empowering them to make good financial decisions is part of troop financial management. Since girls are choosing their own Girl Scout journey, they can also make decisions on the resources that support their Girl Scout adventure. Consider the following as you guide them in the best management of their troop funds:

• What is the grade level of the troop and how much understanding do they have of money and bank accounts? (Girl Scout Daisies will have adults handle their troop finances; Girl Scout Brownies understand that things cost money and will begin to have an understanding of what is needed to achieve their goals.)

• What are the goals of the troop?

• What are the girls learning by the way that the troop funds are managed? What do they need to learn?

• What if girls join the troop or leave the troop, how will the funds be managed?

• If a girl leaves Girl Scouts, the funds remain property of the troop.

• If a girl transfers to another troop, a portion of the funds may follow her at the discretion of the troop.

Consider the questions above to help determine the best way to manage the troop funds. Below are two common troop money management techniques utilizing a troop checking account.

1 The Common Pot: (This technique is used mostly with younger troops, however will work with all grade levels.) The Common Pot technique is when all earned money goes into the troop’s “common pot” and the funds will be drawn from equally for all girls. This is often how a new troop begins in their money management and then progresses to a more complicated management system.

2 Tracked Money with a Common Pot: This is used by troops that are planning more complicated, expensive activities like a trip to Savannah, attending Troop Adventure Camp or if girls have individual goals as well as troop goals. This technique allows for a percentage of the money earned going into the troop “common pot” for troop activities and an additional percentage to be tracked for each girl to individually save for a long-term troop activity or a council sponsored activity. The troop as one body still makes decisions about how the money should be spent. The money, even when tracked for individual girls, is never the property of an individual girl.

Money-Earning Basics:Groups earn money for their troop in two distinct ways:

1 Product Sales Program—Girls can participate in two Council-sponsored product sale programs each year: the Girl Scout Cookie Program and the Fall Product Program. All girl members, including Girl Scout Daisies and Ju-liettes (individually registered members), are eligible to participate in Council sponsored product-sales programs with volunteer supervision. Please remember: volunteers and Girl Scout Council staff don’t sell cookies and other products—girls do.

• A troop’s primary money-earning activity should be the Girl Scout Cookie Program (however it is not a requirement).

2 Troop/Group Money-earning—Activities organized by the group (not by the Council) that are planned and carried out by girls (in partnership with adults) and that earn money for the group.

• Any troop/ group money-earning projects cannot take place during Council-sponsored product programs (Fall Product Sales and Cookie Program).

• Troop money-earning projects need written approval from the Council before a group money-earning activity. Submit the Troop/Group Money-earning Project form (gswo.org/formsanddocs) to the Community Development Manager.

Troop Financial Management

The best way to earn money for your group is to start with Girl Scout Cookie Program and Fall Product Sale, from there, your group may decide to earn additional funds on its own. It's great for girls to have opportunities, like the Girl Scout Cookie

Program, to earn funds that help them fulfill their goals as part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. As a volunteer, try to help girls balance the money-earning they do with opportunities to enjoy other activities that have less emphasis on earning and spending money. Take Action projects, for example, may not always require girls to spend a lot of money!

50

Girls’ participation in both council-sponsored product sale activities and troop money-earning projects is based upon the following:

• Voluntary participation

• Parent/caregiver permission to participate

• An understanding of (and ability to explain clearly to others) why the money is needed

• An understanding that money-earning should not exceed what the group needs to support its activities

• Observance of local ordinances related to involvement of children in money-earning activities, as well as health and safety laws

• Vigilance in protecting the personal safety of each girl (see Chapter 4, Safety-Wise for guidance)

• Arrangements for safeguarding the money

Money Earning Guidelines:There are a few specific guidelines—some required by the Internal Revenue Service—that ensure that sales are conducted with legal and financial integrity. To that end, consider the following reminders and cautions:

• All rewards earned by girls through the product-sale activities must support Girl Scout program experiences (such as camp, travel, and program events, but not scholarships or financial credits toward outside organizations).• Rewards are based on sale ranges set by Councils and may not be based on a dollar-per-dollar

calculation.• Girls cannot participate in games of chance, the direct solicitation of cash (including walk-a-thons), and

product demonstration parties.• Any activity which could be considered a game of chance (raffles, contests, bingo, etc.) must be approved

by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and be conducted in compliance with all local and state laws.• Girl Scout Blue Book policy forbids girls from the direct solicitation of cash. Girls can collect partial

payment towards the purchase of a package of Girl Scout Cookies and Girl Scout Fall Product Program products through participation in Council approved product sale donation programs e.g. Operation Cookie. https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gsusa/forms-and-documents/about-girl-scouts/facts/GSUSA_BlueBook_Feb%202019-E.pdf

• Girl Scouts forbids the use of the Girl Scout trademark to increase revenue for another business (for exam-ple: In home product parties). Any business using the Girl Scout trademark must seek authorization from GSUSA.

• Troop/Group Money-earning activities need to be suited to the age and abilities of the girls and consistent with the principles of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

• Money earned is for Girl Scout activities and is not to be retained by individuals. Girls can, however, be awarded incentives and/or may earn credits from their Girl Scout product sales. Funds acquired through group money-earning projects must be reported and accounted for by the group, while following Council procedures.

• Decisions about how money will be earned and spent should be made by the girls in the troop and commu-nicated in writing to parents.

• No account may be set up in a girl’s name that is replenished through troop funding efforts or donations. No matter what accounting method is used, money earned by girls in Girl Scouting is the property of the troop.

• Money donated to the troop may not personally benefit one member of the troop.

For ideas about additional money-earning, review the Finances section in Volunteer Essentials or brainstorm ideas with your Service Unit or Community Development manager.


51


Troop DuesTroop dues are an option for costs of snacks, supplies, and other materials used by the girls at regular meetings and at girl activities. Troop dues are meant to supplement cookie and fall product sale activities. NO girl shall be denied membership in a troop, or have her participation restricted based on her lack of ability to pay troop dues. When setting the amount of troop dues, the fees should be decided on by all members and consideration given to the income levels of all of the girls in the group.

Collaborating with Sponsors and other OrganizationsSponsors help Girl Scout Councils ensure that all girls in the community have an opportunity to participate in Girl Scouts. Community organizations, businesses, religious organizations, and individuals may be sponsors and may provide Girl Scout meeting places, volunteer their time, provide activity materials, or loan equipment. The Council or your troop or service unit may already have relationships with certain organizations, or may know of some reasons not to collaborate with certain organizations. Volunteers must obtain permission before seeking financial support from a sponsor. If your group or service unit has a sponsor, the sponsor’s contribution can be recognized by sending thank-you cards composed by the girls, inviting the sponsor to a meeting or court of awards, or working together on a service project. The contribution should also be reflected in the troop’s financial records and report.

When collaborating with any other organization, follow these guidelines:

• Do not participate in fund raising for other organizations: Girl Scouts are not allowed to solicit money on behalf of another organization. This includes participating in a walkathon or telethon while in uniform. You and your group can, however, support another organization through Take Action projects or by making a donation from your group’s account. Girl Scouts as individuals are able to participate in whatever events they choose, as long as they're not wearing anything that officially identifies them as "Girl Scouts."

• Do not participate in political fundraisers: When in an official Girl Scout capacity or in any way identifying yourselves as Girl Scouts, your group may not participate (directly or indirectly) in any political campaign or work on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for public office. Letter-writing campaigns are not allowed, nor is participating in a political rally, circulating a petition, or carrying a political banner.

• Be respectful when collaborating with religious organizations: Girl Scout groups must respect the opinions and practices of religious partners, but no girl should be required to take part in any religious observance or practice of the sponsoring group.

• Avoid selling or endorsing commercial products: A “commercial product” is any product sold in a retail establishment or by direct sales (home parties, demonstrations etc.). Since 1939, girls and volunteers have not been allowed to endorse, provide a testimonial for, or resell products made by another company.

Donations & GrantsAs a not-for-profit organization, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio must follow all IRS guidelines for a 501c3 organization. All Girl Scout groups (troops) and service units are an extension of the council, including the council IRS not-for-profit status. Therefore, all group and service unit finances are considered assets of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. In order to ensure compliance with IRS and audit guidelines, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio has the specific policies regarding donations and grants from individuals and organizations to Girl Scouts groups or service units. Please refer to Volunteer Essentials for more information.

52

Annual ReportingAll Girl Scout troops are required to submit information regarding the troop’s finances annually as part of the appointment and reappointment process. All troops including new troops must complete a final Troop Financial Report and submit a copy of their bank statement by June 30 each year. The Troop Financial Report form can be accessed, completed and submitted online at the Council website using the VTK Finance Tab. A paper form can be submitted to GSWO at [email protected]. The paper form is found at gswo.org/formsanddocs.

Having a Troop Financial Report on file that includes names of two registered and approved volunteer signers is required for:

• Reappointment of the troop leaders• Approval of troop trip forms• Participation in the Girl Scout Product Program• Access to financial assistance

In addition, all financial transfers to troops/groups or service units, including refunds, financial assistance and cookie proceeds will be made electronically, using the bank account information on the GSWO Finance Information Form.

NEW TROOPS

• New troops are required to submit a GSWO Finance Information Form within 30 days of opening a checking account.

• Troop Financial Reports should include all financial information up to the date of your last bank statement.

RETURNING TROOPS

• At the beginning of each Girl Scout year troop leaders are responsible for making sure their account is up to date and the GSWO Finance Information Form is completed with that information.

• The Troop Financial Report should begin on the date your previous report ended and include information up to the date of you last bank statement.


GSWO Finance Information must be completed:

• Within 30 days of opening a new checking account.

• Annually when submitting the Troop Financial Report

• When there are changes to the troop account, i.e. new signers

Annual Troop Financial Report is due:

• By June 30 of each year • Within 30 days of disbanding a troop

The Volunteer Toolkit is the primary resource to submit the troop finance report via the Finance tab. The GSWO Finance Information form is accessible under the forms section on the website, gswo.org/forms, or under the Resources tab in the

Volunteer Toolkit. A PDF version of the troop finance report is also available under forms on the website.

53

Chapter Checklist

Troop Finance Ǉ Decide on the troop signers (at least one troop leader and another troop leader or troop assistant) Ǉ Open Troop Checking Account at preferred bank (watch short video for more info) Ǉ Complete GSWO Finance Info form Ǉ Watch Financial Management Training Ǉ Know opportunities for troop funding: product programs, troop money earning, troop dues, collaboration with

sponsors/organizations

Notes:

54

Learning Progression

55

Volunteer Learning Tracker

(Online, Home study, Classroom)

Certifying Agency: Expiration Date:

DriverPlease review the driver policy in Volunteer Essentials Expiration Date:

Insurance Company: License #:

Method of Completion Date In-Person/Online Date

gsLearn-Successful Leader Learning Series

Troop Start Up

Grade Level Guidance:

Daisy Brownie Junior

Cadette Senior/Ambassador

Troop Meeting Tips and Tricks


Product Sales

Troop Fall Manager Training

Troop Cookie Manager Training

Cookie Webinars

Cookie Basics for troop leaders

Troop Trips and Overnight Planning

Lodge Camp Training

Troop Camp Training

Volunteer Toolkit

Intro videos Go Digital Webinar

Service Team Position Training

Position:

First Aid/CPRNote: Keep a copy of proof of certification provided by the certifying agency.

Course

Learning Record for:

GS Journeys

Other

56

Volunteer Learning Opportunity Calendar

57

2019-2020 Webinar Schedule

58

2019-2020 Webinar Schedule

59

Chapter Checklist

Learning Opportunities Ǉ Check the webinar schedule to participate in applicable webinars Ǉ Ensure troop has a CPR and First Aid certified volunteer Ǉ Complete specific Grade Level Training Ǉ Register in the activities tab in Volunteer Tool for Volunteer Enrichments Ǉ Complete gsLearn Successful Leader Learning Series Ǉ Participate in Product Sales Training

ǈ Fall Product ǈ Cooke Rookie

Notes:

60

FormsU

NIF

OR

M P

RIC

E G

UID

E

Jou

rney

Bo

ok

$ 7.

00

G

irl's

Gu

ide

$ 19

.50

D

aisy

Pet

al S

et

$ 8

.50

Jo

urn

ey A

war

d B

adge

s $

6.0

0

Leav

es &

Bad

ges

$ 3.

00

M

y P

rom

ise,

My

Fait

h

$ 4

.00

S

afet

y A

war

d

$ 4

.00

S

um

mit

Aw

ard

$

3.50

Ves

t $

18.5

0

Tun

ic

$ 16

.50

Po

lo

$ 15

.00

S

carf

$

12.0

0

Insi

gnia

Tab

$

3.0

0

US

A F

lag

$ 2.

25

Co

un

cil I

D S

et

$ 5.

50

Tro

op

Nu

mb

ers

$ 1.

75

Dai

sy M

emb

ersh

ip P

in

$ 2.

00

W

orl

d T

refo

il Pi

n

$ 2.

50

Sta

r $

1.50

D

isc

(24

pk)

$

2.0

0

Dis

c (e

ach

) $

0.0

9

Bri

dgi

ng

Aw

ard

Bad

ge

$ 2.

50

Gir

l Sco

ut

Dai

sy

GS

US

A/G

SM

Sep

tem

ber

26, 2

017

$ 0

.10

$ 2

.50

$ 2

.50

$ 1

.75

$ 2

.50

Pri

ce

s a

re s

ub

jec

t to

ch

an

ge

.

61

FormsU

NIF

OR

M P

RIC

E G

UID

E

Jou

rney

Bo

ok

$ 7.

00

G

irl's

Gu

ide

$ 19

.50

B

adge

Act

ivit

y S

et

$ 4

.00

Jo

urn

ey A

war

d B

adge

s $

6.0

0

Bad

ges

$ 3.

00

M

y P

rom

ise,

My

Fait

h

$ 4

.00

S

afet

y A

war

d

$ 4

.00

S

um

mit

Aw

ard

$

3.50

Ves

t $

19.5

0

Sas

h

$ 7.

00

Po

lo

$ 15

.00

S

carf

$

12.0

0

Insi

gnia

Tab

$

3.0

0

US

A F

lag

$ 2.

25

Co

un

cil I

D S

et

$ 5.

50

Tro

op

Nu

mb

ers

$ 1.

75

Tro

op

Cre

st

$ 2.

00

B

r M

emb

ersh

ip P

in

$ 2.

00

W

orl

d T

refo

il Pi

n

$ 2.

50

Sta

r $

1.50

D

isc

(24

pk)

$

2.0

0

Dis

c (e

ach

) $

0.0

9

Bri

dgi

ng

Aw

ard

Bad

ge

$ 2.

50

Bri

dgi

ng

Win

gs

$ 1.

00

Gir

l Sco

ut

Bro

wn

ie

GS

US

A/G

SM

Sep

tem

ber

26, 2

017

$ 0

.10

* Pr

ices

are

su

bje

ct t

o ch

an

ge

$ 1.

75

$ 3

.25

$ 2

.50

$ 2

.50

$ 1.

75$

2.5

0

62

FormsU

NIF

OR

M P

RIC

E G

UID

E

Jou

rney

Bo

ok

$

7.0

0

Gir

l's G

uid

e

$ 19

.50

B

adge

Act

ivit

y S

et

$

4.0

0

Jou

rney

Aw

ard

Bad

ges

$

6.0

0

Bad

ges

$

3.0

0

My

Pro

mis

e, M

y Fa

ith

$ 4

.00

S

afet

y A

war

d

$

4.0

0

Su

mm

it A

war

d

$

3.50

Ves

t

$ 20

.50

S

ash

$ 8

.00

Po

lo

$

15.0

0

Sca

rf

$

12.0

0

In

sign

ia T

ab

$

3.0

0

US

A F

lag

$

2.25

C

ou

nci

l ID

Set

$ 5.

50

Tro

op

Nu

mb

ers

$

1.75

Tr

oo

p C

rest

$ 2.

00

M

emb

ersh

ip P

in

$

2.50

W

orl

d T

refo

il Pi

n

$

2.50

N

um

eral

Gu

ard

$ 3.

50

Sta

r

$ 1.

50

Dis

c (2

4p

k)

$

2.0

0

Dis

c (e

ach

)

$ 0

.09

B

rid

gin

g A

war

d B

adge

$ 2.

50

Gir

l Sco

ut

Jun

ior

GS

US

A/G

SM

Sep

tem

ber

26, 2

017

* Pr

ices

are

su

bje

ct t

o ch

an

ge

$ 0

.10

$ 3.

25$

2.5

0

$ 2

.50

$ 1.

75

$ 3.

00

63

FormsU

NIF

OR

M P

RIC

E G

UID

E

Jou

rney

Bo

ok

$7.0

0

Gir

l's G

uid

e $1

9.5

0

Bad

ge A

ctiv

ity

Set

$4

.00

Jou

rney

Aw

ard

Bad

ges

$6.0

0

LIA

Aw

ard

Bad

ge

$3.0

0

Bad

ges

$3.0

0

My

Pro

mis

e, M

y Fa

ith

$4

.00

Saf

ety

Aw

ard

$4

.00

Su

mm

it A

war

d

$3.5

0

Co

mm

un

ity

Ser

vice

Bar

$4

.00

Lead

ersh

ip A

war

d

$5.0

0

Ser

vice

to

Gir

l Sco

uti

ng

$4.0

0

CP

A P

in

$5.0

0

Ves

t $2

6.0

0

Sas

h

$9.0

0

Po

lo

$15.

00

Sca

rf

$12

.00

Insi

gnia

Tab

$3

.00

US

A F

lag

$2.2

5

Co

un

cil I

D S

et

$5.5

0

Tro

op

Nu

mb

ers

$1.7

5

Tro

op

Cre

st

$2.0

0

Mem

ber

ship

Pin

$2

.50

Wo

rld

Tre

foil

Pin

$2

.50

Nu

mer

al G

uar

d

$3.5

0

Sta

r $1

.50

Dis

c (2

4p

k)

$2.0

0

Dis

c (e

ach

) $0

.09

Bri

dgi

ng

Aw

ard

Bad

ge

$2.5

0

Gir

l Sco

ut

Cad

ette

GS

US

A/G

SM

Sep

tem

ber

26, 2

017

*

Pric

es a

re s

ub

ject

to

cha

ng

e$0

.10

$3.0

0

$2.5

0

$1.

75

$3.2

5

$2.5

0

64

FormsU

NIF

OR

M P

RIC

E G

UID

E

Jou

rney

Bo

ok

$7

.00

Gir

l's G

uid

e

$19

.50

Bad

ge A

ctiv

ity

Set

$4.0

0

Jou

rney

Aw

ard

Bad

ges

$3

.00

Jou

rney

Aw

ard

Pin

$9.0

0

Bad

ges

$3

.00

*

* N

ew M

ade

in t

he

US

A B

adge

s

$3.0

0

My

Pro

mis

e, M

y Fa

ith

$4.0

0

Saf

ety

Aw

ard

$4.0

0

Su

mm

it A

war

d

$3

.50

Co

mm

un

ity

Ser

vice

Bar

$4.0

0

Lead

ersh

ip A

war

d

$5

.00

Ser

vice

to

Gir

l Sco

uti

ng

$4

.00

LIT

Pin

$5.0

0

V

est

$2

6.0

0

Sas

h

$9

.00

Po

lo

$1

5.0

0

Sca

rf

$1

2.0

0

Insi

gnia

Tab

$3.0

0

US

A F

lag

$2

.25

Co

un

cil I

D S

et

$5

.50

Tro

op

Nu

mb

ers

$1

.75

Tro

op

Cre

st

$2

.00

Mem

ber

ship

Pin

$2.5

0

Wo

rld

Tre

foil

Pin

$2.5

0

Nu

mer

al G

uar

d

$3

.50

Sta

r

$1.5

0

Dis

c (2

4p

k)

$2

.00

Dis

c (e

ach

)

$0.0

9

Bri

dgi

ng

Aw

ard

Bad

ge

$2

.50

Gir

l Sco

ut

Sen

ior

GS

US

A/G

SM

Sep

tem

ber

26, 2

017

* Pr

ices

are

su

bje

ct t

o ch

an

ge

$0

.10

CIT

Pin

VIT

Pin

$5.0

0

$3.2

5

$2.5

0

$2.5

0

$1.

75

$3.0

0

65

FormsU

NIF

OR

M P

RIC

E G

UID

E

Jou

rney

Bo

ok

$7.0

0

Gir

l's G

uid

e $1

9.5

0

Jou

rney

Aw

ard

Bad

ges

$3.0

0

Jou

rney

Aw

ard

Pin

$9

.00

Bad

ges

$3.0

0 *

* N

ew M

ade

in t

he

US

A B

adge

s $3

.00

My

Pro

mis

e, M

y Fa

ith

$4

.00

Saf

ety

Aw

ard

$4

.00

Su

mm

it A

war

d

$3.5

0

Co

mm

un

ity

Ser

vice

Bar

$4

.00

Lead

ersh

ip A

war

d

$5.0

0

Ser

vice

to

Gir

l Sco

uti

ng

$4.0

0

CIT

2 P

in

$5.0

0

VIT

Pin

$5

.00

Ves

t $2

6.0

0

Sas

h

$9.0

0

Po

lo

$15.

00

Sca

rf

$12

.00

Insi

gnia

Tab

$3

.00

US

A F

lag

$2.2

5

Co

un

cil I

D S

et

$5.5

0

Tro

op

Nu

mb

ers

$1.7

5

Tro

op

Cre

st

$2.0

0

Mem

ber

ship

Pin

$2

.50

Wo

rld

Tre

foil

Pin

$2

.50

Nu

mer

al G

uar

d

$3.5

0

Sta

r $1

.50

Dis

c (2

4p

k)

$2.0

0

Dis

c (e

ach

) $0

.09

Bri

dgi

ng

Aw

ard

Bad

ge

$2.5

0

GS

US

A/G

SM

Sep

tem

ber

26, 2

017

Gir

l Sco

ut

Am

bas

sad

or

* Pr

ices

are

su

bje

ct to

ch

an

ge

$0

.10

$2.5

0

$3.2

5

$1.

75

$2.5

0

$3.0

0

66

Forms

Jou

rney

Gu

ide

Set

$

11.2

5 G

irl's

Gu

ide

$ 19

.50

US

A F

lag

$

2.2

5

Life

tim

e M

emb

ersh

ip P

in

$ 28

.00

Vo

lun

teer

Pin

$

5.0

0

Ad

ult

Insi

gnia

Tab

$

3.0

0

Wo

rld

Tre

foil

Pin

$

2.50

Ad

ult

Po

siti

on

Pin

$

5.0

0

Mem

ber

ship

Pin

$

2.50

Nu

mer

al G

uar

d

$ 3.

50

GS

US

A/G

SM

Sep

tem

ber

26, 2

017

Gir

l Sco

ut

Vo

lun

teer

* Pr

ices

are

su

bje

ct t

o ch

an

ge

UN

IFO

RM

PR

ICE

GU

IDE

$ 2.

50

$ 3.

25

Ves

t

$ 3

0.0

0

67

Request for Troop Start-Up Funds

68

Membership Registration Summary

Form completed by: (check one) � Volunteer � Staff

Name: First Last

( ) Phone Number E-Mail

Program Duration (Check one):

� 8–12 months � 4–7 months � 1–3 months � 1–4 weeks � 6 days or less

Program Frequency (Check one):

� Daily � Weekly � Every other week � Monthly � 1–3 times annually

Check the level that best describes the majority of girl registrants in the group:

� Grade K–1 (Daisy) � Grades 6–8 (Cadette) � Multi-Grade

� Grades 2–3 (Brownie) � Grades 9–10 (Senior)

� Grades 4–5 (Junior) � Grades 11–12 (Ambassador)

Annual / Extended Year Registrations:

# of Girls Annual: (x $25 each)=

# of Girls Extended: (x $35 each)=

# of Adults: (x $25 each)=

# of Adults Extended: (x $35 each)=

Membership fees in Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) are not refundable or transferable.

Total Amount of Fees: $

Donations Received: $

Other: $

Total Amount Attached: $

Count the number of times each payment is used, and total the amount of each payment type attached:

PAYMENT COUNT TOTAL AMOUNT PAYMENT COUNT TOTAL AMOUNT

Cash: # $ Check(s): # $

Amex: # $ Discover: # $

Visa: # $ MasterCard: # $

Financial Aid # $

Other: Specify # $

Membership Registration Summary Membership year through 9/30/2020

GIRL SCOUT MISSION Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

COUNCIL USE ONLYSummary/Receipt #:

Batch Date:

/ /

Batch #:

Program Name:

Start Date:

Location:

Account Code:

Release of Funds:

Please complete this form and attach completed member registration forms and payment for the total amount of fees. Please be sure to note additional payments or contributions in the space provided and return to your local council representative.

GRP/TRP SU/TEAM AREA AREA COUNCIL CODE

GR

AD

E LE

VEL

SR

EGIS

TRAT

ION

FEE

SC

OM

PLE

TED

BY

PR

OG

RA

MPA

YM

ENT

SU

MM

AR

Y

Lifetime Registrations:

# of Lifetime Membership*: (x $400 each)=

# of Young Alumnae**: (x $200 each)=

* An adult 18 years or older who is not a former girl member or a former girl member who is 30 years or older.

** Must be a former girl memberbetween 18 to 29 years old.

Total Amount of Fees: $

Donations Received: $

Other: $

Total Amount Attached: $

69

Girl Membership

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

❑ ❑ ❑

70

Adult Membership

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

❑ ❑ ❑

71

Release Form - Minors

Photo Release For Minors

Date(s):

Photographer/Producer:

Assignment:

Location:

Activity:

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, I hereby consent and agree to the following:

1. I hereby grant to Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, and others working for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio or on its behalf, and each of its respective licensees, successors and assigns (each a “releasee”), the irrevocable, royalty-free, perpetual, unlimited right and permission to use, distribute, publish, exhibit, digitize, broadcast, display, modify, create derivative works of, reproduce or otherwise exploit my name, picture, likeness and voice (including any video footage of the same) (collectively, “media”), or to refrain from so doing, anywhere in the world, by any persons or entities deemed appropriate by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, for any purpose (except defamatory) including, without limitation, any use for educational, advertising, non-commercial or commercial purposes in any manner or media whatsoever (whether known or hereafter devised) including, without limitation, on the internet, in print campaigns, in-store and via television. I agree that I have no interest or ownership in any of the media.

2. I shall have no right of approval, no claim to compensation and no claim (including, without limitation, claims based upon invasion of privacy, defamation or right of publicity) arising out of any use, alteration, blurring, illusionary effect or use in any composite form of my name, picture, likeness and voice. I agree that nothing in this release will create any obligation on Girl Scouts of Western Ohio to make any use of the media or the rights granted in this release. I hereby release and hold harmless releasees from any claim for injury, compensation or negligence resulting or arising from any activities authorized by this release and any use of the media by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.

Name of Minor (please print): Age: Birthdate:

Address: City: State: Zip:

Daytime Phone Number: ( ) Additional Phone (optional): ( )

Release for minors (those under the age of eighteen): I, the undersigned, being a caregiver of the minor, hereby consent to the foregoing conditions and warrant that I have the authority to give such consent.

Name of Caregiver (please print):

Signature of Caregiver (Required): Date: Relationship:

Caregiver Email Address*: @ (*will not be used for any other purposes or distributed to third parties)

Region: Troop#: Service Unit:

Please return the completed and signed release to your regional Girl Scout Center.

05-9000-01/2019

72

Release Form - Adult

Photo Release For Adults

Date(s):

Photographer/Producer:

Assignment:

Location:

Activity:

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, I hereby consent and agree to the following:

1. I acknowledge that I am eighteen (18) years of age or older. I hereby grant to Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, and others working for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio or on its behalf, and each of its respective licensees, successors and assigns (each a “releasee”), the irrevocable, royalty-free, perpetual, unlimited right and permission to use, distribute, publish, exhibit, digitize, broadcast, display, modify, create derivative works of, reproduce or otherwise exploit my name, picture, likeness and voice (including any video footage of the same) (collectively, “media”), or to refrain from so doing, anywhere in the world, by any persons or entities deemed appropriate by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, for any purpose (except defamatory) including, without limitation, any use for educational, advertising, non-commercial or commercial purposes in any manner or media whatsoever (whether known or hereafter devised) including, without limitation, on the internet, in print campaigns, in-store and via television. I agree that I have no interest or ownership in any of the media.

2. I shall have no right of approval, no claim to compensation and no claim (including, without limitation, claims based upon invasion of privacy, defamation or right of publicity) arising out of any use, alteration, blurring, illusionary effect or use in any composite form of my name, picture, likeness and voice. I agree that nothing in this release will create any obligation on Girl Scouts of Western Ohio to make any use of the media or the rights granted in this release. I hereby release and hold harmless releasees from any claim for injury, compensation or negligence resulting or arising from any activities authorized by this release and any use of the media by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.

Signature:

Name (please print):

Address: City: State: Zip:

Daytime Phone Number: ( ) Additional Phone (optional): ( )

Email Address*: @ (*will not be used for any other purposes or distributed to third parties)

Region: Troop#: Service Unit:

Please return the completed and signed release to your regional Girl Scout Center.

05-9001-01/2019

73

Permission Slip

Permission Slip

Must be completed anytime your troop goes anywhere away from their usual meeting place.

Return the bottom portion of this form to Leader by (date):

Troop #: is planning a:

Date(s): Time:

Location: Phone:

Mode of Transportation:

Place of Departure: Time:

Place of Return: Time:

Adults Accompanying the Leader:

Name: Phone:

Name: Phone:

Each Girl Will Need:

Expenses $: Equipment:

Contact In Case Of Emergency:

Name: Phone:

1001331-004

My daughter, (name):

Has my permission to attend:

She is in good physical health and does not have any serious illness or has not recently had an operation. Her updated health form is in the leader’s possession or is being returned with this form with information updated (as needed) and signed on the back. During the activity, I may be reached at:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Cell Phone: Home Phone: Work Phone:

If I cannot be reached in the event of an emergency, the following person is authorized to act on my behalf:

Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Cell Phone: Home Phone: Work Phone:

I understand that my child will not be released to any person other than the above named or myself. I understand that, for my daughter’s protection, all persons will be asked for identification. Persons named above should be prepared to provide identification to the satisfaction of the leaders in charge (i.e. current driver’s license with photo identification).

Print Caregiver’s Name Signature of Caregiver Date

1/17

74

Adult Health and Release Form

Adult Medical History

Name Phone

Address City State Zip

Physician’s Name Phone

Physician’s Address City State Zip

Dentist’s Name Phone

Insurance Company Contract #

Through (Employer) Insured Name

Emergency Contacts:

Name Relationship to Participant


Home Phone Work Phone Cell Phone

Name Relationship to Participant


Home Phone Work Phone Cell Phone

Medications: Current Medication(s), dosage(s) and frequency

Allergies: Check all that apply. Specify what reaction to look for and first aid/treatment your physician recommends.

Penicillin

Other Medicines

Food Allergies Bee/Wasp/Insect Stings

Plants (Poison ivy, etc.)

Asthma

Hay Fever

Other

Other Health Conditions: Check all that apply.

□ Diabetes □ Hearing Impairment □ Bedwetting

□ Convulsions/Seizures □ Visual Impairment □ Constipation

□ Heart Defect/Disease □ Emotional Behavior/Disturbance □ Menstrual Cramps

□ Rheumatic Fever □ Sleep Disturbance □ Nosebleeds

□ Sickle Cell Trait/Disease □ Ear Infections □ Motion Sickness

□ High Blood Pressure □ Urinary Infections □ Fainting

□ Bleeding/Blotting Disorders □ Musculoskeletal Disorders □ High Blood Pressure

□ Urinary Infections □ Bleeding/Blotting Disorders □ Fainting

□ Other:

75

Girl Health and Release Form

76

Girl Health and Release Form

77

07/18

INCIDENT/ACCIDENT REPORT

SUBMIT TO THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER ACCIDENT—THIS IS NOT A CLAIM

Name of injured person: Age: Sex: F M Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: Work Phone:

Girl Scouts Troop/Group#: Girl Scout Volunteer Non-Girl Scout

Paid Staff Member: Position: Name of caregiver if minor: Address: City: State: Zip:

Part I: Incident/Accident Information

Date of incident/accident: Time of incident/accident: hour a.m. p.m. Incident/Accident location: City: State: Zip: Description of incident/accident: (Describe the sequence of events that directly caused the incident/accident. Attach additional pages, if required.)

Injury/Illness Location and Site:

Right Left Body Part (please specify): Did the incident/accident occur during a Girl Scout sponsored activity? Yes No Did the incident/accident occur while party was traveling to or from a Girl Scout activity? Yes No

Was the injured party participating in an activity at the time of injury? Yes No If so, what activity? Was any equipment involved in incident/accident? Yes No If so, what kind?

Part II: Witnesses

Name: Address: Phone:



(continued on next page)

Incident / Accident Report

78

Incident / Accident Report Part III: Treatment Summary

If treatment was given by first aider, doctor or emergency medical facility, describe below: Where: By whom: Date: Treatment given/diagnosis: If hospitalized, name of hospital:

Date: Treatment given/diagnosis:

Part IV: If Vehicle(s) Involved, Complete the Following

Driver of Vehicle Used for Girl Scout Activity:


Driver’s License #: State of:

Vehicle Registration #: License Plate #:

Vehicle Insured Through:

Driver of Second Vehicle:


Driver’s License #: State of:

Vehicle Registration #: License Plate #:

Vehicle Insured Through:

Police Report Made By: Was Citation Issued?

Part V: Person Completing This Report Name: Phone:

Signature: Date:

PLEASE MAKE A COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS AND SUBMIT COMPLETED FORM TO THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES WITHIN 24 HOURS OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT

1001275-006/2018

Girl Scout Staff Member Reviewing This Report:

Name: Position:

Region: Toledo/North Lima/Central Dayton/Central Cincinnati/North

Follow-Up Contact Report:

Signature: Date:

Cincinnati/South

July 2019