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Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Volunteer Guide to Girl Scouting

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7/17/2019 Volunteers Guide to Girl Scouting

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/volunteers-guide-to-girl-scouting 1/28

 

V o l u n t e e r ’ s G u i d e t o G i r l S c o u t i n g | 1  © C o p y r i g h t 2 0 1 3  

Volunteer’s

Guide toGirl

Scouting

2014-2015

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Table of Contents

How Do I Get Started? 3

How Will My Troop Volunteers and I Share Leadership? 5

How Do I Register My Troop? 7

What Is the Annual Fund? 8

What Does a Girl Scout Year Look Like? 9

What Is a Typical Troop Meeting? 11

How Do I Prepare For a Day Trip? 13

How Do I Handle Troop Finances? 15

What Is an Investiture? 17

What Happens at the End of the Year? 19

What Is a Parent Meeting? 20

Parent Meeting Resources 21

2013

The Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try:To serve God* and my countryTo help people at all timesAnd to live by the Girl Scout Law

The Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to beHonest and fair,Friendly and helpful,Considerate and caring,Courageous and strong,And responsible for what I say and do,

And toRespect myself and others,Respect authorityUse resources wisely,Make the world a better place,

And be a sister to every Girl Scout.

*Girl Scouts of the USA makes no attempt to define or interpret the word “God” in the Girl Scout Promise. It looks to individual members toestablish for themselves the nature of their spiritual beliefs. When making the Girl Scout Promise, individuals may substitute wording appropriateto their own s iritual beliefs for the word “God.”

For the most accurate and complete information

about Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta policies and

procedures, refer to Volunteer Essentials ,

available on www.gsgatl.org.

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Girl Led

• Remember why we exist - to buildgirls of courage, confidence, andcharacter who make the world abetter place.

Learning by Doing

• Give yourself - and your girls - time togrow as a group. Learn as you gothrough your first year.

Cooperative Learning

• You are not in this alone! Reach out toother volunteers for advice, look forother training options, get new ideasfrom your SUD.

How Do I Get Started?

As a volunteer, your most important role is to be excited about everything this opportunity affords you: a

chance to partner with girls and an invitation to play a critical role in their lives.

Complete your volunteer applicationGo to www.gsgatl.org/Volunteer-Application to submit your volunteer application online. All troop

volunteers are required to undergo a background check; be sure to follow the link at the end of the

volunteer application to request this screening. You’ll receive an email confirmation when your

background check has been cleared.

Become a member of the Girl Scout movement

Experience the benefits of belonging to the largest girl-serving organization in the nation. Purchase

your membership online at www.joingirlscoutsatl.com 

Sign up for training

The following classes make up our Core Curriculum for Troop Leaders and Assistant Leaders. They

will prepare you to share the Girl Scout Leadership Experience with your girls; you can sign up for all

of them when you register as a member.

•  GS101 – online video course (45 min)

•  Mandated Reporters: How to Recognize andReport Child Abuse – online, self-directed (45 min)

 

GSGATL102 – Girl Scouts of Greater AtlantaOrientation webinar (1 hr)

•  GSGATL103 – New Leader Training (3 hours)

•  GSGATL104 – Money Management – online/homestudy course (30 min)

Meet your local support team

Your local service unit will reach out to you once your

application is approved to guide you through the rest of the

process. They will help you connect with experienced leaders, stay involved and stay organized.

Get Started with your Troop

It’s time to take action and get started with your girls! Schedule an introductory meeting with your

troop parents, and let them know how they can support you and your girls on your leadership

 journey. From your very first troop meeting, you’ll be helping girls discover who they are and connect with

each other, and before you know it, they will be taking action to make the world a better place!

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My Information

My Service Unit Director:

Phone:

Email:

Meeting place and time:

My Service Unit:

Website/Social Media:

My Membership Specialist 

Phone:

Email 

My Troop Leadership Team: 

Phone:

Email: 

□  Application Submitted Date:

□  Background check cleared Date:

□  EBiz account created

Username: ________________________

ID number: ________________________

Date:

Password: ________________________________

□  Accepted volunteer position (email)

Volunteer Portal login:

Username: gsgatlvn\_________________

Date:

Password: ________________________________

□  Met with service unit director (SUD) Date:

□  Met with troop leadership team Date

□  Completed Training (enroll through eBiz)

□  Girl Scouting 101

□  Mandated Reporters 

□  GSGATL102 – Orientation

□  GSGATL103 – New Leader Training

□  GSGATL104 – Money Management

Date:

Date:

Date:

Date:

Date:

□  Met with troop parents Date:

□  First Troop Meeting Date:

Volunteer Helpline:

770 702 941 1 helpline@g sg a tl.org

M embership R eg istration assistance:

7 7 0 7 0 2 9 6 5 0 e b iz @ g s g a t l . o rg

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Girl Led

• Keep focused on what is best for thegirls, even if that means tryingsomething new or different.

Learning by Doing

• Don't try to figure it all out in advanceBe flexible enough to change things uas you go if need be.

Cooperative Learning

• Share each other's strengths andweaknesses. Have confidence in youtroop volunteers and yourself!

How Will My Troop Volunteers and I Share Leadership?

Your service unit team may introduce you to other adults who will help you get your troop started. With

good communication and a little planning, you and your troop leadership team will deliver and model the

Girl Scout Leadership Experience to your troop!

Communicate

•  Keep the lines of communication open between you and your volunteers. Don’t make

assumptions – be clear about who is doing what.

•  Don’t forget to communicate troop updates and information with your troop parents.

Cooperate

•  Split responsibilities: who will attend SU meetings? Who will keep up with forms/paperwork? Who

will send updates to parents? Who will coordinate meeting activities?

•  Remember the Girl Scout Law – behonest a nd fair

,considerate and caring

 when dividing troop

responsibilities.

Delegate

•  Encourage parent participation. Ask a parent to serve as Troop Treasurer; Day Trip Coordinator;

Supplies Manager; First Aiders; Camping Adviser. See How Can Parents Help?  on page 23.

•  Use your resources wisely: who has local contacts to assist your troop with a meeting place, day

trip, or special guest?

Discussion Starters

What sort of things should troop volunteers discuss before meeting

with parents for the first time?

•  When will the troop meet?

How often?

Where?

•  Who will manage official council records (registration, bank

information, finances)?

•  How will you communicate regularly with parents?

•  What are your expectations for parent participation and

financial support? (including troop dues, books/uniform

purchases, and chaperoning)

•  In case of emergency or last-minute changes, who will be the primary contact?

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How Many Volunteers Do I Need?

Girl Scout groups work best when they are large enough to provide a cooperative learning environment,

and small enough to allow for development of individual girls. In an effort to make troops fun for girls,

easier for leaders, and still meet the goals set by Girl Scouts of the USA, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta has

established a minimum troop size for starting new troops.

Program Level Minimum for new troop 

Girl Scout Daisies (grades k-1)  8

Girl Scout Brownies (grades 2-3)  10

Girl Scout Juniors (grades 4-5)  10

Girl Scout Cadettes (grades 6-8)  5

Girl Scout Seniors (grades 9-10)  5

Girl Scout Ambassadors (grades 11-12)  5

The table below shows the minimum number of adults needed to supervise a specific number of girls.

These 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.

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How Do I Register My Troop?

Use this checklist if you are starting a brand new troop to help you take care of the paperwork.

□ 

Receive Troop Number

Your troop number will be given by the council to the volunteer who has agreed to take the ‘01’leadership position. If you have not received a troop number within seven days of your applicationapproval, contact your Service Unit Director.

□ 

Hold a Parent Meeting

Use the Parent Meeting Resources beginning on page 21 to help you plan an initial meeting with yourtroop parents.

□ 

Collect Registration Forms

Collect Girl and Adult Registration Forms for each member of the troop, including leaders and parentswishing to support the troop. If financial assistance is required, be sure to fill out the shaded sectionon the right-hand side of the form. Parents volunteering with the troop must register as members.

□ 

Ask Parents to Volunteer

Parents who will assist the troop on an ongoing basis – either working directly with girls or handlingtroop funds – must become approved volunteers and registered members. This includes:

•  Drivers/Chaperones •  Treasurers

•  Meeting assistants •  Cookie Managers

Due to the personal information requested on the volunteer application/background check, parentsmay want to submit their own directly to the council at www.gsgatl.org/volunteer-application. 

□ 

Collect Fees

Use the form on page 25 to assist you in collecting the correct amount. Make checks payable to thetroop.

□ 

Open a Troop Bank Account

Complete GSGATL104 Money Management training, then ask your Service Unit Director for a TroopBank Authorization form to open a bank account for your troop. Refer to Volunteer Essentials,Managing Group Finances, for more information about opening a troop account. Deposit all fundsreceived from parents into your new account.

□  Submit Forms/Fees to Your Service Unit

Use the Membership Registration Summary as a cover sheet for your membership registration forms.Use the chart on page 27 to help you keep track of the fees you have collected.

•  Submit membership forms, membership dues, Annual Fund donations (with the namesof the contributing families), and service unit dues to your service unit registrar

•  Keep health history forms and contact information for your troop records

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What Is the Annual Fund?

The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Annual Fund offers a way for parents, family members and friends of

Girl Scouts to contribute directly to our council’s efforts to serve girls and support volunteers in our area.

The Annual Fund helps to support essential council services like:

•  Volunteer Background Checks

•  Council Leadership Program Development

•  Maintenance for Camp Facilities and Equestrian Programs

•  Regional Meeting and Training Facilities

•  Scholarships for Gold Awardees

•  Financial Assistance for girls and adult volunteers

Annual Fund contributions are fully tax-deductible, and are the only financial contributions parents make

directly to the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. Parents, volunteers, and friends are asked to make a

financial contribution each year to support the council’s work here in the greater Atlanta area. Girl

Scouting helps girls do extraordinary things. Your support of the Annual Fund is essential to our ability to

deliver a life-changing program for our girls. It not only changes their world -- but the whole world.

How does my troop contribute to the Annual Fund?

Troop leaders are asked to give parents the opportunity to make a contribution every year when they

renew their daughter’s registration. Troop leaders can:

•  Invite parents to learn about the ways they can partner with Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta

•  Show  them how investing in girls makes a difference in the world:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIIESi-GEFI 

•  S h a r e

 your story – why you believe in and support Girl Scouting for your family

•  Distribute

 donation forms to your parents (available on page)

•  A sk

 parents to make a contribution

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Girl Led• Let girls offer their suggestions

and have a say in activities they

want to include in their year.

Learning by Doing• Make sure activities have a hands-

on component. Let girls put theirdiscoveries into practice!

Cooperative Learning• Make sure activities meet the

needs of the group and give girlsthe opportunity to plan as a team

What Does a Girl Scout Year Look Like?

Most troops meet during the school year – August through May. Your troop can meet year round, or

January through June, or take a break during the spring – whatever works for your girls. Keep these

important dates in mind while you are planning!

• 

October 1 – September 30 – beginning and end of the Girl Scout membership year.Register before September 30 for the upcoming membership year.

•  October 31 – Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday. Celebrate with a “birthday party” where thetroop receives the gifts, or play one of Juliette Gordon Low’s favorite games.

•  February 22 – World Thinking Day. Celebrate by learning more about your sisters in theWorld Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world.

•  March 12 – Girl Scout Birthday. Celebrate by inviting new girls to your troop to share thefun of Girl Scouting.

•  April 22- Leader Appreciation Day (part of Volunteer Appreciation Week). Celebrateknowing that we (and your girls!) appreciate all you do!

How to Plan Your Troop Year

Start with your meeting dates.

Work with your troop leadership team to establish the dates for your first month or two of meetings,

or a regular schedule for the year. Be sure to note school and religious holidays, and any personal

conflicts you might already be aware of.

Ask your girls.

Take time in the business portion of your meeting to findout what activities your girls are interested in. Offer

suggestions to complement the Journey you are taking; listen

during group activities to find out what your girls enjoy most.

Invite older girls to share their own ideas and decide as a group

on trips and service projects.

Balance your activities.

Include a variety of activities to support the Girl Scout

Leadership Experience: attend a service unit event, take on

a community service project, explore the world outdoors, visit a local business.

Keep it simple.

Don’t try to fit in every opportunity that comes up. Focus on having fun with your Girl Scout

Journey, and look forward to adding something new or different next year!

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Troop Year Planning Calendar

Use this sample calendar to start your planning for the year. Insert your troop and service unit meeting

dates, and pencil in some events or day trips you want to plan with the troop.

August September October

Back to School Treats and Keeps Sale begins Treats and Keeps Sale ends

31 – Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday

November December January

Treats and Keeps deliveries Cookie Program Begins

February March April

Cookie Booth Sales

22- World Thinking Day

12 – Girl Scout Birthday

Cookie Program Ends

22 – Leader Appreciation Day

May June July

Last Day of School Girl Scout Resident Camp and Day Camp

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Girl Led• Do girls have a say in choosing

what activities, songs, or gamesthey do?

Learning by Doing• Does everyone get a turn?•

What will they take home toshare with their family?

Cooperative Learning• What can they work on as a

team?

Pre-meeting

Opening

Business

Activity

Cleanup

Closing

What Is a Typical Troop Meeting?

In a typical 90-minute meeting…

Before the meeting

•  Use the Troop Meeting Planner on page 12 if necessary to help you get organized

•  Make sure all participating adults understand their role

•  Send reminders to girls/adults if needed

•  Gather necessary supplies

During the meeting:

•  Have fun with your girls

•  Encourage the girls to do things for themselves

•  Remember to save time for reflection and aclosing ceremony

After the meeting:

• 

Thank parents and other adult helpers

•  Take a moment to reflect with your adult troopteam. What worked? What would you dodifferently next time?

•  Follow up with girls/parents to remind them ofdecisions made and information for nextmeeting

Pre-Meeting: while girls are arriving

Opening: official start of meeting

Business: announcements, treasurer's report, decision-making/voting

Activity: What girls are discovering today, how they areconnecting to each other and taking action in their community

Cleanup: Check your kaper chart

Closing: official end of the meeting

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

Pre-MeetingActivity

Supplies:

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

OpeningCeremony

Supplies:

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

Business

□  attendance□  dues□  treasurybalance: $______

Announcements:

Decisions to make:

Activity Supplies:

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

Cleanup Supplies:

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

Closing Supplies:

Girl Leader:

Adult Helper:

Follow-up Reminders to send for next meeting:

Troop Meeting Planner

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Girl Led• Does the trip support a Journey,

Petal or Badge the girls havechosen?

Learning by Doing• What activities are planned when

you arrive?

Cooperative Learning• Use the buddy system to stay

safe and promote teamwork.

How Do I Prepare For a Day Trip?

Refer to Volunteer Essentials, Trips, Travel and Events for more information about traveling safely with

your girls.

Let girls lead.

Guide girls in activities and trips that are age-appropriate

and affordable, but be sure to give them the opportunity to

share their voice. Ask the girls: what do you want to learn about

the ocean at the aquarium? What can we do to be helpful at the

park? What do you want to ask the firemen about being brave?

Stay Safe.

Check your Safety Activity Checkpoints on www.gsgatl.org 

(under For Volunteers > Safety Activity Checkpoints) to see

if your trip will require extra help (such as a lifeguard) or extra

insurance (for an overnight trip). Be sure you have appropriate

transportation arranged. Make sure your girls are ready for this

trip: do they know the buddy system? Are they nervous or excited

about going?

Make sure the troop can pay for it.

It’s fine to ask parents for a contribution, but cost should never be an obstacle for your girls. Your

troop treasury (and your trip budget) should be able to accommodate girls (and chaperones) who

might need a little extra financial assistance.

Line up parent volunteers.

Check Volunteer Essentials to see how many adults you should bring on your trip – more adult

chaperones are required for day trips than for regular troop meetings. Remember that all parent

drivers and chaperones must be approved volunteers and registered members.

Make time to reflect.

Don’t let the trip end when you get back into the car to go home. Ask the girls to think about their

experience – what was your favorite part? What did you learn that you didn’t know before? If we

could go again, what would you do next time? Reflection is an important tool for girls to connect their

experience to their values.

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Day Trip Planner

See the Trip Planning Matrix in Volunteer Essentials for more information about overnight trips, high-risk

activities and cruises or international travel. Note that some activities may require additional training.

What’s a High-Risk Activity?•  Archery •  Climbing walls •  Skiing

•  Backpacking •  Activities with horses •  Swimming

•  Boating •  Rafting •  Tubing

•  Challenge or adventurecourses

•  Riflery/gun safety

Before you go checklist…

□ 

Safety Activity Checkpoint for activity has been reviewed for age/program level

□ 

Is council approval required? Date approved:

□ 

Is extra insurance required? Date paid:

□ 

Is extra training required for volunteers? Date taken:

□ 

Contact person/phone at trip site:

□ 

Troop emergency contact (an adult volunteer not in attendance on the trip)

Name:

Phone:

□ 

First aider in attendance?

□ 

First Aid kit on hand?

□ 

Health forms for all girls/adults?□

 

Correct girl/adult ratio in attendance?

□ 

Drivers and chaperones..

□  Are approved volunteers?

□  Are registered members?

□ 

Are listed on Driver’s Log?

□ 

Are aware of emergency plans?

□ 

Have reviewed the Checklist for Drivers in Volunteer Essentials?

□ 

Girls…□  Have turned in a signed permission slip?

□ 

Are dressed appropriately?

□ 

Understand their responsibility for safety? (use the buddy system, use appropriate behavior,know what to do if they become separated from the group)

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Girl Led• Do girls choose a troop treasurer

or take turns serving?

Learning by Doing• Do girls contribute to record-

keeping?

Cooperative Learning• Do girls work together to set and

meet their financial goals?

How Do I Handle Troop Finances?

Recruit an Adult Troop Treasurer

Invite a parent to serve in this important role to help girls

manage their finances. They should be willing to work withGirl Treasurers to ensure that the girls are learning how to keep

financial records and understand what their treasury is for.

Adult Troop Treasurers must be approved volunteers and

registered members of the Girl Scout movement.

Open a Troop Bank Account

Use the Troop Bank Account Authorization form

(available from your Service Unit Director or Membership

Specialist) to open an account at a local bank. (Your serviceunit volunteers may be able to suggest a bank that offers free checking!) Two adult signatures are

required on Girl Scout Troop bank accounts – both adults must be approved volunteers and registered

members.

Keep Receipts and Bank Statements

It’s important to model good financial stewardship for your girls. File receipts in a coupon book, or

have your girls help you make one. Save your bank statements in a folder or binder, and share them

with your girl treasurers. Let them see how their balance changes with the dues they contribute, the

results of product sales, and the cost of their activities.

Help Girls Account for Their Money

Make sure your troop has a Girl Treasurer who works with your Adult Treasurer to keep up with

income and expenses. Daisies might rotate their treasurer every meeting, while Juniors or Cadettes

might elect a Troop Treasurer to serve for several months or more.

Prepare Troop Finance Reports Twice a Year

Frequent finance reports are a great way to show girls their progress toward a financial goal, and an

important tool to communicate with troop parents. Girl and Adult Treasurers together can present afinance report at the beginning and end of each year. Your final finance report for the year should be

turned in to your local service unit by June 15.

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Daisies• Collect Dues at meeting• Present treasury balance

to troop

Brownies• Collect and count dues• Present treasury balance

Juniors• Collect and count dues• Use a ledger to add dues

and subtract expenses• Present treasury balance

Cadettes• Collect dues• With adult help, prepare

deposit slips• With adult help, balance

bank statements• Present balance

Seniors• Collect dues• With adult help, maintain

checkbook register• With adult help, balance

bank statements

Ambassadors• Collect dues• With adult help, main

checkbook register• With adult help, bala

bank statements

How Much Does Girl Scouting Cost?

*Costs vary by council, the following information is a guideline for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.

Use this chart to help your troop families understand the costs associated with Girl Scouting.

No girl should be denied membership in a troop due to i nability to pay any or all of these fees.

Item Cost Goes to Due

Membership† $15 per person GSUSA Annually

Service Unit Dues $3-$5 per girl*Local

service unitAnnually

Annual Fund

donation

$50 per girl** GSGATL Annually

Troop Dues

Determined by troop

(No more than $2 per meeting; seeVolunteer Essentials, p. 105)

Troop

Treasury Determined by troop

Uniforms and

books†

VariesBadge and

SashVaries

Troop Start-up Fee

No more than 25 per girl

(determined by troop; see

Volunteer Essentials, p. 105)

Troop

Treasury

One-time fee, only when

starting a new troop

†Financial assistance available*Check with your Service Unit Director for the amount in your area**Suggested amount – make the contribution that best fits your family’s resources

Girl Progression – Troop Finances

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Girl Led•Do girls take part in planning

the ceremony?

Learning by Doing•Does each girl have a role to

play during the ceremony?

Cooperative Learning•Do girls work together in

planning and celebrating?

What Is an Investiture?

•  A w elcome  to Girl Scouting, in which members are invested into the Girl Scout Movement,meaning that they understand and accept the Girl Scout Law.

• 

Atradition

 in Girl Scouting, in which members make the Girl Scout Promise and receivetheir membership pins.

•  A ceremony in which members celebrate becoming a Girl Scout. Girls work together withadults to plan the ceremony, invite their families, and share their excitement about GirlScouting.

When should we invest girls?

•  When a girl is new to Girl Scouting

•  When they can make the Girl Scout Promise

•  When they understand (as much as possible for her age) and agree to live by the Girl

Scout Law•  When girls have helped to plan their ceremony

Do we have an investiture every year?

•  Girls are invested only once, but they can celebrate their commitment to Girl Scoutingwith a rededication ceremony in subsequent years

•  Girls can renew their promise as they grow into an increased understand of the Girl ScoutPromise and Law

•  When new girls join an existing troop, the girls may plan a combinedInvestiture/Rededication ceremony

What pins are girls given?

Girls should receive the appropriate membership pin for their

program level: the Girl Scout Daisy Pin, the Girl Scout Brownie

Pin, or the Contemporary or Traditional Girl Scout Membership

Pin. Girls may also receive the World Trefoil Pin, which shows

that Girl Scouts in the USA are part of the World Association of

Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. (Some troops prefer to award the

World Trefoil Pin at a ceremony in honor of World Thinking Day

in February, to show their understanding of their world

sisterhood – but girls are entitled to wear the World Trefoil Pin

as soon as they become members of GSUSA.)

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Ceremony Planner

We are planning a ceremony

Girl Planners:

Adult Planners:

We are having this ceremony to:

□ 

Welcome new girls to Girl Scouting

□ 

Renew our Girl Scout promise

□ 

Present awards we have earned

□ 

Bridge to the next level

□ 

Celebrate

We will open the ceremony with:

□  A song

□ 

A play or skit

□ 

Poems we find or write

□ 

Our own thoughts or the thoughts ofothers

□  A flag ceremony

□ 

Other:

We will close the ceremony with:

□  A song

□ 

A friendship circle

□ 

Poems we find or write

□ 

Our own thoughts or the thoughts ofothers

□  A flag ceremony

□ 

Other:

For the main part of the ceremony, we will:

Date of ceremony: Start time: End time:

We will invite:

□ 

Families □ 

Schoolprincipal

□ 

Teachers □ 

Religiousleaders

□ 

Communityleaders

Things we need for our ceremony (and people or places that might have them):

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What Happens at the End of the Year?

You’ve made it to the end of the year! Congratulations! And thank you for your hard work! Many troops or

groups reduce their activities once school is out for the summer. Since spring is such a busy time, here is

a checklist to help you remember all the necessary things to do at the end of the troop year.

□ 

Host a bridging activity and inform the girls about the next level in Girl Scouting.

□ 

Guide parents to renew their daughter’s and their membership online through the online portal.

□ 

Renew prior to June 30 to qualify for incentives.

□ 

Encourage parents to make a contribution to the Annual Fund when they renew.

□  Plan an end of the year court of awards ceremony with families invited to recognize the girls’achievements.

□ 

Recognize the individuals and organizations that helped the troop during the year. Check outthe council recognitions page on the website (under For Volunteers > VolunteerRecognitions)

□ 

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

□ 

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

□ 

Complete the Troop Finance Report (available on www.gsgatl.org under Forms), ensuring balancesmatch the bank statements. Give the Finance Report and a copy of the corresponding bankstatement to your Service Unit Director by June 15.

□ 

If you are reflecting a surplus in your treasury to roll over to next year, have you discussed with thegirls a goal for these funds?

□  Troop funds can be used to pay for membership dues for the girls and the troop’s adultleadership.

□ 

If you do have a surplus of $100 or more, submit a program plan along with your final troopfinance report (see Volunteer Essentials, Managing Group Finances).

□ 

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

□ 

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

□ 

Identify girls who are either bridging to a different level or not returning to the troop.

□  Share these names with your membership specialist or service unit troop organizer. Couldthey be invited to participate as individuals, join an interest group like Gamma Gamma Sigmaor join another troop?

□ 

If troop leadership is changing or if the troop is disbanding, please follow steps on the Transition inLeadership form (available on www.gsgatl.org under Forms in the Membership category).

□ 

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

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What Is a Parent Meeting?

A parent meeting is your opportunity to share the excitement with your troop parents, give them the

information they need to join, and encourage them to get involved. The resources beginning on page 19

will help you plan and carry out your parent meeting, and your service unit team will help you with any

questions you may have.

An effective parent meeting will answer the following questions for new and prospective Girl Scout

parents:

Who?

Offer a brief introduction of yourself and your troop leadership team. Remember they will be leaving their

daughters in your care on a regular basis. What would you want to know about your daughter’s troop

leaders?

What?

What is Girl Scouting? What does Discover, Connect, and Take Action mean? How do girls earn badges?

Encourage your parents to view the Girl Scouting 101 video session available at www.gsgatl.org/training. 

Where/When?

Let the parents know the nuts and bolts of troop meetings – when and where, how often, and what are the

expectations for the parents. What tasks do you need help with? What troop roles can they take on to

help?

How Much?

It’s hard to put a price tag on the benefits of Girl Scouting, but there are a few fees necessary to get girls

started. Remember that cost should never be a barrier to Girl Scouting – financial assistance is available

for key items.

Why?

Let your parents know why you’ve decided to volunteer – what Girl Scouting means to you. When you

share your excitement with them, they will catch your enthusiasm!

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Parent Meeting Resources

S a m p l e P a r en t M e e ti n g A g e n d a page 22 – use this as a reminder for what to cover in the meeting and a

tool to help you keep on track.

How C a n P arents Help?

 page 23 – you can use this form to find out what skills and interests your troop

parents can share with your girls

Troop Committee Position Descriptions

 page 24 – this sheet describes the different roles your parents

can take on to help the troop. Encourage everyone to sign up for one.

R eg istration Fees a nd D ues page 25– use this worksheet to make it easy for parents to write one check

for troop fees.

C heck list for P arents  page 26– If any parents are not prepared to turn everything in at your meeting,

highlight the outstanding items on this sheet and give it to them as a reminder.

Checklist for Troop Leaders page 27 – use this form for yourself to keep track of which families have

completed the necessary items

W ha t Is the Annual Fund?

 page 8– share this information with your parents to answer their questions

about the Annual Fund and encourage their participation

Look for the following additional resources at www.gsgatl.org (under For Volunteers > New Leader

Resources)

•  Health History Form   – keep this form on file with your troop records. You (or your FirstAider) should have a copy of this form for each member of the troop (girls and adults)who is in attendance at meetings or day trips.

•  Getting Started W ith the Girl Scout Lea dership Experience – share this flyer with yourparents as you describe the Girl Scout program to them.

•  B a d g e a n d S a s h S h o p p in g L i st – your parents may find this list useful to shop for theirown supplies. Check off the items you are asking parents to purchase.

•  Annual Fund D ona tion Form  – distribute this to your parents to encourage them toshow their support to our council.

• 

Financial Assistance Form – use this form if any families in your troop request financialassistance for membership dues. Turn it into your service unit with the completedMembership Registration Form

•  M embership R eg istration Form  (girl and adult) – use this form for any parents or girlswho are unable to register online or who are requesting financial assistance.

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Girl Led

• Plan for a parent or volunteer to do anicebreraker activity with the girls whilethe parents talk business.

Learning by Doing

• Put yourself in your troop parents'shoes: what would I want to knowabout my daughter's troop and troopleader?

Cooperative Learning• Ask a member of your service unit

team to help you with any items youare unsure of.

Sample Parent Meeting Agenda

A typical parent meeting lasts 45 minutes to one hour. You may want to request parents attend without

their daughters, or plan for a volunteer to offer an activity to engage the girls while their parents learn all

about their new troop.

Welcome/Introductions (5 min)

•  Introduce yourself and any other Girl Scout adults present.

•  Invite parents to introduce themselves.

Girl Scout Leadership Experience (5-10 min)

•  Explain the Girl Scout Mission (building girls of courage, confidence, and character whomake the world a better place) and the three keys to leadership (Discover, Connect andTake Action).

• 

Explain how the troop leaders will engage girls in activities that are Girl Led, where girls willlearn by doing and learn cooperatively.

•  Encourage parents to view Girl Scouting 101 (at www.gslearning.org/girlscouting101/) sothey understand everything your troop has to offer.

Nuts and Bolts (15-20 min)

•  Provide dates and times (or a fixed schedule) for at least the first few meetings.

•  Have parents complete the health history form for their daughters (find it atwww.gsgatl.org on the Forms page).

•  Be sure parents understand how to register their daughters ($15 membership fee).

•  Review and discuss other associated costs: troopdues or start-up fee, SU dues, and Annual Fundcontribution (as agreed upon by troop leadershipin advance). See Registration Fees and Dues onpage 25. 

•  Review supplies for girls: uniform, Journey books,Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting.

Parent Support (15-20 min)

•  Ask parents to review/update their contactinformation

•  Invite parents to contribute their skills and time toenhance the troop experience. Distribute the“How Can Parents Help?” sheet on page 23 orprovide a sign-up sheet with specificresponsibilities

•  Remind parents that the troop cannot meet without the required number of adults in

attendance. Direct parents to the volunteer application at www.gsgatl.org. 

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How Can Parents Help?

More adult involvement creates a more exciting Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Get involved, and

make a difference in the lives of girls!

Adult’s Name

Girl’s Name

Phone

Email

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

HELP THE TROOP□ 

Help at one or moremeetings

□ 

Help with troopfundraising

□ 

Provide childcare□

 

Help for a hike, cookout, ortrip

□ 

Provide space for storage,equipment

□ 

ManageChocolates/Magazine sale

□ 

Help manage the troopbudget

□ 

Drive on trips and outings□

 

Provide a place foroutdoor activities

□ 

Be a first aider (or bewilling to become one)

□ 

Help with the cookie sale□ 

Communicate with troopmembers & parents

□  Provide a meeting place□ 

Provide occasional snacksfor meetings

□  Be a camping adult (or bewilling to become one)

□  Other ________________________________________________________________________________

TEACH THE GIRLS

Healthy Living STEM Financial Literacy Environment Leadership

□ 

Cooking□

 

Nutrition□  Sports□ 

Fitness□

 

First Aid

□ 

Math□

 

Robotics□  Science□ 

Computers

□ 

Goal-setting□

 

Budgeting□  Entrepreneurship□ 

Banking

□ 

Nature□

 

Animals□  Gardening□ 

Photography□  Camping skills

□ 

My career□

 

My culture□  My hobby□ 

Teamwork

□  Other ________________________________________________________________________________

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

event. Let’s talk! Best time to reach me:

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Girl Led

• The troop volunteer's primary role isalways to support and guide girls inmaking smart decisions and changingthe world for the better.

Learning by Doing

• Let parent volunteers take ownershipof their role. Encourage them tobelong to the troop with theirdaughters.

Cooperative Learning

• Let parent volunteers know that yourcouncil and service unit can supportthem in their roles as well.

Troop Committee Position Descriptions

Use these suggestions as a starting point to ask your parents for help – or create your own!

T r o o p C o ok i e M a n a g e r: Works with the troop leaders and girls to manage the Cookie program for the

troop. This position is most active between January and March. The Troop Cookie Manager must be an

approved volunteer and registered member. Specialized training is required.

T r o o p T re a t s a n d K e e p s M a n a g e r: Works with the troop leaders and girls to manage the Treats and

Keeps program for the troop. This position is most active between August and November. The Troop

Treats and Keeps Manager must be an approved volunteer and registered member. Specialized training is

required.

Troop Trip C oordinator: Plans events and day trips beyond the regular troop meeting and coordinates

transportation for girls to events and trips away from the troop meeting. The Troop Trip Coordinator

must be an approved volunteer and registered member.

Troop D river/ C haperone: Provides transportation and accompanies girls on trips and events away from

the troop meeting. Troop Drivers and Chaperones must be approved volunteers and registered

members, sign the Troop Driver Log, have a current driver's license, insurance, and a car that operates

safely with seat belts for every girl.

First Aider: Any chaperone accompanying the troop who has CPR/first-aid certification approved by Girl

Scouts of Greater Atlanta. First Aiders must be approved volunteers and registered members.

Troop Treasurer

: Works with troop leaders and girls to keep an accounting of troop income and

spending, prepare annual finance reports, and may be one of two

required signatures on the troop bank account. The Troop

Treasurer must be an approved volunteer and registered

member. Specialized training is required.

Troop Annual Fund C hair

: Works with the troop leaders and

troop parents to support the council's Annual Fund campaign,

and encourages and collects Annual Fund donations. The Troop

Annual Fund Chair must be an approved volunteer and registered

member. Specialized training is offered.

T r o o p C a m p e r

: Works with girls and troop leaders to provide

outdoor learning experiences for girls. The Troop Camper must be

an approved volunteer and registered member. Specialized training is required.

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Registration Fees and Dues

Item Cost per girl  Cost per parent

Membership

$15 membership fee goes to GSUSA for program developmentand insurance.

$15 $15

Service Unit Dues

Like most Service Units, our Service Unit requests a small

amount per girl to help support Service Unit activities.

$____________ n/a

Annual Fund donation

$50 donation to Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta’s Annual Fund

to help support Girl Scouting locally. Annual Fund donations

are tax-deductible.

Every family that contributes $50 will receive a patch for their

daughter!

$50 n/a

It costs about 325 a year to support each girl who

participates in Girl Scouts and we rely on family giving to

help bring Girl Scouting to Atlanta. Your donation supports

background checks on volunteers, ongoing volunteer

training, maintenance of GSGATL’s five camp properties,

the equestrian program, materials and scholarships for

Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awardees, and local programming,

such as the STEM Expo and Robotics Program. This is a

small amount compared to the cost of many other

extracurricular activities – and your contribution to Girl

Scouts is an investment in something close to home and

your heart: your girl.

Total – payable to troop ______________ _____________ ___________

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Checklist for Parents

Troop leaders: Highlight the items you need your parents’ help with.

Troop parents

: Return this form with completed information to the troop leader by .

□ 

Register myself as an adult member (required for troop volunteers) (form attached)

□ 

Register my daughter as a girl member (form attached)

□ 

Submit an adult volunteer application (required for troop volunteers and chaperones). Be sure tocomplete the background check request at the end of the form.

www.gsgatl.org/Volunteer-Application 

□  Forward confirmation of background check approval to:

Date:

□ 

Turn in Health History form for all members (girl and adult) (attached)

□ 

Make a donation to Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta’s Annual Fund (attached)□

 

Turn in payments:

□  Service unit dues

□ 

Troop dues

□ 

Troop startup fee

□ 

Purchase uniform/books by

□ 

Watch Girl Scouting 101

For help with volunteer applications or training: 770.702.9411   [email protected]   

For help with membership registra tion: 770.702.9650   [email protected]   

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Checklist for Troop Leaders

Use this to keep track of which families have turned in the necessary items.

Name (use separate line for girls andparents) Phone Email

Registrationcomplete

SUDues

AnnualFund

Troop

dues/

startupfees

Healthform

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V l ’ G i d G i l S i

•Girls develop a strong sense of self•Girls develop positive values•Girls gain practical life skills•Girls seek challenges in the world•Girls develop critical thinking skills

Discover

•Girls develop healthy relationships•Girls promote cooperation and team building•Girls can resolve conflicts•Girls advance diversity in a multicultural world

•Girls feel connected to their communities, locallyand globally

Connect

•Girls can identify community needs•Girls are resourceful problem solvers•Girls advocate for themselves and

others, locally and globally•Girls educate and inspire others to act•

Girls feel empowered to make adifference in the world

Take

Action

How Do I Know We’re Making a Difference?

Girl Scouts has identified fifteen outcomes – behaviors and attitudes you can look for in your girls that

show you how they are growing in courage, confidence, and character. When you see girls showing the

outcomes below, you know that Girl Scouts is making a difference. Share these with your troop parents so

they can see the difference too!