Troop Volunteer Orientation Guide 2012-2013

www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org • 877-312-4764

Troop Volunteer Orientation Guide

2012–2013

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Welcome!Thank you so much for volunteering your time to sup-port a Girl Scout troop. You have taken on a significant responsibility—but also an amazing opportunity to see girls learn and grow together. This year will be filled with inspiring moments as you watch girls try new things, meet goals, and challenge themselves to step outside their comfort zones.

With 90% of our girl members being in Girl Scout troops, and all of those girls depending on volunteers to mentor and guide them, we want to make sure that you have the resources and support that you need. We hope that this booklet, along with your Volunteer Resources CD and Volunteer 411 publication, will help you feel better prepared for your new role as a troop volunteer!

To Do List for new leaders Fill out and return Voluteer Application with 3 references. Take the Girl Scouts 101 Training at http://training. girlscouts.org. •Choose“GS101” •Password:aboutGS101 Talk to other parents to see who else might be interested in helping with the troop. After background check is cleared: Set date for New Leader Orientation with your staff membership marketing specialist or volunteer service unit orientation trainer. Planaparentinformationmeeting(eitherafter school or early evening.) If you have 2 leaders and 3 girls, you are ready to go! Your membership specialist will give you your troop number and any other information you will need to get started.Openatroopbankaccount(seepage14).Remember that when setting up your bank account, you need 3 unrelated, background cleared, registered adults. The forms you need are on the Leadership Essentials CD or on the GSMH web site. ExploretheVolunteerPortalontheGSMHsite: www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org/volunteers •Username:gsmhleader •Password:Beetle22B(through 9/30/12) or CadettesCarry3Cards (after 10/1/12)

Check out your Leadership Essentials CD; it includes forms, safety activity checkpoints, and lots of helpful volunteer information. Sign up to receive the council e-blasts, including volun- teer newsletters, at www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org. Make sure you are getting your emails from your service unit. If you are not, ask your staff membership speci- alist to put you in contact with your service unit contact person. Plantoattendyourserviceunitmeetings;itwillkeep you better connected to Girl Scout news, information, and events.Registerforanyadditionaltrainingsthatyouneed,such as basic outdoor skills, troop camping, or first aid: •Within6monthsofappointment: Orientation LeadershipEssentials(onlineorin-person) CPR/First-Aid/AED* *Because emergencies require prompt action and quick judgment, Girl Scouts recommend that at least one adult volunteer be first-aid/CPR certified.

•AdditionalTrainingasneeded: BasicOutdoorSkills(requiredforone-day outings, backyard or cabin camping at a council program center) BasicTroopCamping(requiredforcampingat anestablishedcampsite;pre-requisite:BasicOut door Skills and sufficient time to practice skills.)

Important ContactsMembership Marketing SpecialistName:Phone:877-312-4764xEmail: @girlscoutsmoheartland.orgLeadership & Learning Specialist–GSLEName:Phone:877-312-4764xEmail: @girlscoutsmoheartland.orgProduct Program SpecialistName:Phone:877-312-4764xEmail: @girlscoutsmoheartland.orgService Team ManagerName:Phone: Email: Retail Shop 877-312-4764x

Service Unit #: Troop #:

Service Unit Meeting Day:

Time:

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Leadership OutcomesSince its inception, Girl Scouts has always been an organization that empowers girls to become leaders and provides them with a safe, productive environment in which to develop their leadership skills. There is one constant at the core of every program, badge activity, service project, and decision made in Girl Scouts: girls.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience encourages girls to engage in the processofleadership.Bycom-bining fun and friendship with activities and projects designed to meet specific developmental outcomes, Girl Scouting remains the best leadership development opportunity available to girls today. The outcomes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience are designed to work together to help girls become capable, well-round-ed, lifelong leaders.

How can you help?Two easy guidelines that adults can use when planning their time with girls are to:

• UsetheNationalProgramPortfolio(seep.4-5)• Implement the Girl Scout processes in all activi-

tiesanddecisions(seebelow)

Taking these steps will help ensure that girls are benefit-ting from the outcomes of Girl Scouting.

Girl Scout Pathways (participation options)With so many different activities, commitments, and distractions available to youth today, Girl Scouting has evolved to serve the changing needs of girls. There are six program pathways in which girls may participate. Wheth-er they choose one or all pathways - girls will still have a positive and meaningful leadership experience.

• Travel: trips around town or around the world.

• Troop: regular meet-ings and shared experiences.

• Events: one-time activities in any topic girls want!

• Camp: by day or over-night.

• Virtual: online activities in a secure setting. • Series: interests explored over a few weeks.

For more information about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, please visit www.girlscouts.org/gsle or www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org.

DISCOVER themselves and their values, and use their knowledge and skills to explore the world.

CONNECT with others, locally and globally, in a changing and diverse world.

TAKE ACTION to make the world a better place.

1. Girls develop a strong sense of self. 2. Girls develop positive values.3. Girls gain practical life skills.4.Girlsseekchallengesintheworld.5.Girlsdevelopcriticalthinking.

1. Girls develop healthy relationships.2. Girls promote cooperation and team-building.3. Girls can resolve conflicts.4.Girlsadvancediversityinamulti-culturalworld.5.Girlsfeelconnectedtotheircommunities,locally&globally.

1. Girls can identify community needs.2. Girls are resourceful problem-solvers.3.Girlsadvocateforthemselvesandothers,locally&globally.4.Girlseducateandinspireotherstoact.5.Girlsfeelempoweredtomakeadifferenceintheworld.

}GIRL-LED:Girls choose and direct their own activities.

LEARNING-BY-DOING:Girls engage in hands-on activities.

COOPERATIVE LEARNING:Girls work together as a team.

WHAT GIRLS DO (GirlScoutkeys)

HOW THEY DO IT(GirlScoutprocesses)

HOW THEY BENEFIT(short-term,intermediate,andlong-termoutcomes)

LONG-TERM OUTCOME: Girls lead with courage, confidence, and character, to make the world a better place.

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What Girls Do in Girl ScoutsThe Core: Leadership JourneysJourneys are the core piece of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Through journeys, girls learn the three keys to leadership: discover, connect and take action. Each journey has awards that girls may earn - the only awards in Girl Scoutingthatspecificallyengagegirlsinthecompleteexperienceofdiscovering,connectingandtakingaction.Unlikeskill-building badges, which recognize specific talents or tasks, the journey awards represent a deep and longer-term exploration of a topic. There are three themes to choose from at each Girl Scout age level – It’s Your World—Change It!, It’s your Planet—Love It!, and It’s Your Story—Tell It!

Journeys are designed to be flexible and can be customized to a group’s interests. Each journey has a suggested numberofsessionsitwilltaketocomplete,butthesessionsdonothavetobedoneconsecutively(unlessthatishowthegirlswanttodoit,ofcourse!).Moreinformationaboutjourneysisonpages6–7.

Choose a Journey...

...earn the awards!

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Skill-Building and Traditions: The Girl’s Guide to Girl ScoutingEach Girl Scout age level has its own Girl’s Guide,whichcontainsbothahandbookandbadgerequirements.Thisiswhere girls will find skill-building badges ranging from traditional Girl Scout topics like cooking, first aid and nature and more contemporary topics like financial literacy and cookie business. Additional skill building badge sets (pictured above) are available to complement each of the three journeys. The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting is cleverly designed as a three-ring binder so girls can insert these badge sets and other materials as they become available.

Earn More Badges—Add the Badge Sets

Use all of this with The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting!

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Journeys 101It’s Your Journey-Customize It!The Girl Scout journeys are books - but they are not textbooks or step-by-step books; they are guidebooks to lead-ership development opportunities. Journeys were designed to be customizable, flexible, and tailored to a group’s interest. Girls and adults can determine together the format for their journey: how many sessions, what they’d like thejourneytobe,andwhatfieldtrips,experts,and“sidetrips”theywouldliketoaddtomakethejourneyaspersonal,intriguing, and educational as possible. That’s far from boring; that’s a girl-led, girl-centered leadership experience!

There are three journey series for girls. Girls who choose the It’s Your World-Change It! journey follow in the foot-steps of our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, to become advocates to make positive change in their world. Through It’s Your Planet-Love It!, girls learn ways in which they can be good stewards for our environment and use resources wisely. And in It’s Your Story-Tell It!, girls are able to express their own amazing story in creative ways. Guidance for Adults TheGirlScoutjourneyserieshavehelpful“HowTo”guidesforvolunteerstouseforeachagelevel;theyevenincludesample program sessions! However, as with all things in Girl Scouts, the experience should be customized to suit the needs and wants of the girls! When girls choose their journey, find out what that series theme means to them. Are thereguestpresentersthey’dliketoinvitetoatroopmeeting?Perhapsthereisfieldtripgirlscouldorganizethatwillhelp them learn more about the topic of the journey. Most importantly, make sure it’s fun for the girls!

A Peek Inside…

Girl Scout Daisy Journeys Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden Learn the Girl Scout Law with new flower friends.

Between the Earth and SkyHow can we help protect and save our planet?

5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! What can caring for others teach us about ourselves?

Girl Scout Brownie Journeys Brownie QuestDiscover the three keys to being a good leader.

WOW! Wonders of WaterWhat does water do for us? What can we do for it?

A World of Girls What clues are hidden in stories - including yours?

As Girl Scout Daisies are welcomed into the Daisy Flower Garden, they can plant their own flower or even an entire garden! Girls can choose the flower part of the law that means the most to them

and plant that flower or draw a poster to have for their very own.

AsBrowniesareexploringtheWonders of Water, perhaps they can go on a field trip to a local dam or levy and learn about how our communities harness the power of water. Invite a local expert on water to meet your troop at a local creek and explore all the life living in the water.

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Girl Scout Senior Journeys GIRLtopia Envisionamoreperfectworld&makeitareality!

Sow What? Food: what’s really good for people and the planet?

Mission: Sisterhood!What good is in store when you expand your networks and friendships?

Girl Scout Junior Journeys Agent of ChangeUnleashyourpowerandhelpmakeadifference. Get Moving! What is energy - and how can we use ours wisely?

aMUSEWhat roles can you play? What’s possible for you?

Girl Scout Cadette Journeys aMaze: The Twists & Turns of Getting Along Standstrongagainstbullies,cliques&negativity.

Breathe! Focusyoursenses.Howcanwehelp“cleartheair”?

MEdia How can you shape media - and make it better?

Girl Scout Ambassador JourneysYour Voice, Your World: The Power of Advocacy“Whyisn’tsomeonedoingsomethingaboutthat?”It’syour turn to be that someone.

JusticeWhat’s the big picture? How do we decide what’s re-ally“fair”forourplanetandourselves?

Bliss: Live It! Give It! Dream big - now and later... What will your legacy be?

Girl Scout Seniors working through Sow What can work with local master garden-ers to plant and harvest a garden. All produce can be donated to a local food pantry to provide fresh, local food to families in need.

Ambassadors learning about the power of advocacy in Your Voice Your World can meet with lobbyists who work directly in our government to influence change. Work with your girls to determine what issues matter most to them and contact local non-profits to learn how they work in local, state and federal governance to impact policy.

BreakoutthevideocameraandhelpGirlScoutCadetteswriteand direct a video celebrat-ing their accomplishments throughout their Girl Scout year as they explore MEdia. Share the video with young-er girls to show them all they have to look forward to.

Juniors who are learning to be Agents of Change talk about the powerof“one”andthepowerof“team.”Engageyour girls in team games thatrequirethemtoallwork together. Sign up your group for a team-building event/challenge course at GSMH!

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History and TraditionsA Brief History of Girl Scouts GirlScoutsoftheUSAbeganonMarch12,1912whenJuliette“Daisy”GordonLoworganizedthefirstGirlScouttroopmeetingof18girlsinSavannah,Geor-gia.FreshfrommeetingLordRobertBaden-Powell,founderoftheBoyScoutMovement,inEngland,Lowpouredherselfintorealizingherdreamof“some-thingforallthegirls.”Hervisionwasthatgirlswouldbe brought out of sheltered home environments to serve their communities, experience the outdoors, andhaveopportunitiestodevelop“self-relianceandresourcefulness.”Withinmonthsofthatfirstmeetingin 1912, members were hiking through the woods in their knee-length blue uniforms, playing basketball on a curtained-off court, and going on camping trips.

OnMarch16,1950,GirlScoutsoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica was given a Congressional Charter. Today, morethan50millionAmericanwomenhavepartici-pated in Girl Scouts, as part of a worldwide scouting familyofmorethan10millionpeoplein145countries.

Girl Scout HolidaysOctober 31: Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday (Founder’s Day)CelebratethebirthofGirlScoutsoftheUSAfounderJu-liette Low with a birthday party or one of these activities:• ReadaboutJuliette’slife(lookonlineorintheGirl

Scout journeys or The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting).• Donate to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund. • Go online and learn about The Juliette Gordon

LowBirthplaceinSavannah,Georgia.

February 22: World Thinking Day GirlScoutsoftheUSAispartoftheWorldAssociationofGirlGuidesandGirlScouts(WAGGGS),whichspans145countries. World Thinking Day celebrates the sisterhood between Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the globe. Every year, a global action theme unites WAGGGS membersinservice;for2013,itis“Togetherwecansavechildren’slivesandeverymother’slifeisprecious.”AllGirl Scouts are encouraged to celebrate world cultures and give service on World Thinking Day. Ideas include:

• Invitesomeonefromanothercountry(looktocollege or high school exchange students as re-sources) or someone who has traveled abroad to

a meeting or event to learn about other cultures.• Hold a dinner or party with food, decorations, cos-

tumes, and activities from WAGGGS countries.• Learn songs or games from WAGGGS countries. • Giveserviceinthe“wecansavetheplanet”theme.• Make paper chains in which each link represents a

country, a wish for the future, or a girl. • Visit www.worldthinkingday.org for more ideas.

March 10–16, 2013: Girl Scout WeekAlwaysincludingMarch12(GirlScoutBirthday),GirlScout Week begins with Girl Scout Sunday and ends with Girl Scout Sabbath.

Girl Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sabbath give girls an opportunity to attend their place of worship and be recognized as Girl Scouts. Girls may want to perform a service such as greeting, ushering, or doing a flag cer-emony. This day can also be a time when girls explore other faiths if they wish - or just enjoy nature together!

March 12 is Girl Scout Birthday, marking the day in 1912 that our founder held the first meeting for Girl Scouts in theUnitedStates..

April 22: Girl Scout Leader’s DayGirl Scout Leader’s Day honors all the volunteers who work as leaders and mentors in partnership with girls. Girls, their families, and communities should find a spe-cial way to thank their adult Girl Scout volunteers.

The 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.

The Girl Scout LawI will do my best to behonest and fair,friendly and helpful,considerate and caring,courageous and strong, andresponsible for what I say and do,and torespect myself and others,respect authority,use resources wisely,make the world a better place, andbe a sister to every Girl Scout.

Girl Scout WaysBridgingThe act of moving up from one Girl Scout level to the next. Girlsusuallycrossabridgeatthisceremony(moreinfor-mation in the Volunteer 411) to symbolize the transition.

Buddy SystemAsafetypracticethatallowstwogirlsofequalabilitytomove about and keep track of each other.

Court of AwardsA ceremony that can be held at any time during the year at which badges, recognitions, and awards are presented.

Friendship CircleA group stands and clasps hands, right arm crossed overleft.Symbolizesequalityandanunbrokenchainoffriendship for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides worldwide.

Friendship SqueezeAhandsqueezethatissentaroundaFriendshipCircle.Girls often put one foot forward after receiving the squeezeandpassingitonsoeveryonecanseeittravel.

Girl Scout HandshakeA way to greet other Girl Scouts or Girl Guides. Shake with the left hand, because it is closer to the heart, and give the Girl Scout Sign with the right.

Girl Scout Promise & LawTheGirlScoutPromiseisapledgemadebyeachmem-ber, both girls and adults, to live up to the ideals of Girl Scouting. Members live the 10 parts of the Girl Scout LawtofulfilltheGirlScoutPromise.

Girl Scout SignMade by holding up the three middle fingers - each standingforonepartoftheGirlScoutPromise-oftherighthand.UsewhenmakingtheGirlScoutPromise.

InvestitureCeremony at which a girl first becomes a Girl Scout bymakingtheGirlScoutPromiseandreceivingamembership pin. For more information, check out the Volunteer 411.

Juliette Gordon Low (aka “Daisy”)FounderofGirlScoutsoftheUSA.(Seepage8).

Kaper ChartA grid system, wheel, or table showing the tasks as-signed to each girl or group of girls; useful for meetings, campouts and other times when the troop is together.

GSLETheGirlScoutLeadershipExperience(seepage3).

Local Girl Scout Terms Cookie CupboardOpenduringtheGirlScoutCookieProgram,volunteerscome here to pick up additional cookies for girls to sell.

LLS (Leadership & Learning Specialist) Primarystaffcontactforvolunteers’questionsaboutthe Girl Scout program.

GSMHAbbreviationfor“GirlScoutsoftheMissouriHeartland.”

RegionThree geographic areas within GSMH- southwest (Springfield/Joplinareas,KS,OK),central(JeffersonCityarea),andsoutheast(Dexter/CapeGirardeauareas).

Service Team MemberAdultvolunteerswhosupportaserviceunit(seebelow),usually headed by a volunteer Service Team Manager.

Service Unit Geographic area - usually by county - of Girl Scout troops and members.

Service Unit MeetingInformation and networking opportunity for volunteers, usually held monthly.

Volunteer ConnectionsSemi-monthly newsletter e-mailed to volunteers.

Learn the Lingo

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Quiet SignToletgirlsknowitistimetobequiet,aleaderraisesherhand and keeps it up as each person sees it, stops talk-ingandraisesherownhanduntileveryoneisquiet.

RededicationA formal ceremony at which a girl or adult, who has been previouslyinvested,renewsherGirlScoutPromise.

Sit-UponA cushion often made by Girl Scouts to use when the ground is damp, or to keep their clothes clean.

SWAPs“SpecialWhatchamacallitsAffectionatelyPinnedSome-where”or“ShareWithaPal”softenmadeandtradedbetween Girl Scouts at events. Generally follow the event theme or representing the maker’s interests.

TagalongA non-registered child attending a Girl Scout event; generally not permitted at GSMH programevents.

Girl lScout Insignia

Girl Scout Daisy Uniforms 1.InsigniaTab(Yellow)2.WorldTrefoilPin3.MembershipPin4.DaisyPromiseCenter&LearningPetals5.DaisyJourneyAwards6.CookieSaleActivityPin7.TroopNumbers8.AmericanFlagPatch9. Girl Scout Council Identification Set

1.InsigniaTab(Green)2.WorldTrefoilPin3.MembershipPin4.BronzeAwardPin5.MembershipNumeralGuard6A-D.SignoftheRainbow,Sun,Star, and World7.CookieSaleActivityPin8.JuniorJourneyAwards9.JuniorBadges10.JuniorLeadershipPin11.BrownieWings

12. Junior Aide Award13.BridgetoJuniorGirlScouts14.SafetyAwardPin15-17.MembershipStarsandDiscs(oneforeachyearofmem-bership; color coded for age level)18.Iron-OnTroopNumerals19. Troop Crest20. Girl Scout Council ID Set21.AmericanFlagPatch22.PatrolLeader’sCord

1.InsigniaTab(Brown)2.WorldTrefoilPin3.MembershipPin 4.CookieSaleActivityPin5.BrownieJourneyAwards6.Badges7.BridgetoBrownieAward

8.SafetyAwardPin9-11. Membership Stars and Discs (oneforeachyearofmem-bership; color coded for age level)12. Troop Numbers13. Girl Scout Council ID Set14.AmericanFlagPatch

Girl Scout Junior Uniforms

Girl Scout Brownie Uniforms

1. InsigniaTab(Green)2.WorldTrefoilPin3.AdultPositionPin4.MembershipPin5.MembershipNumeralGuard6.CampusGirlScoutGuard7.GirlScoutGoldAward8.BridgetoAdultGSAward

9.YearsofServicePin10.OutstandingVolunteerAwdPin11. Outstanding Leader Award12.PersonalizedIDPin13.LifetimeMembershipPin14-17.AdultRecognitions(Appre-ciationPin,HonorPin,ThanksBadge,ThanksBadgeII;seep.10)

Adult Membership Insignia

Girl Scouts recognizes membership and achievement with various uniform insignia. For girls, basic membership identificationisauniformpiece(sash,vast,ortunic)withamembershippin,councilID,andtroopnumberdisplayed.Additional insignia may be added as funds permit, and award patches and pins are added as they are earned.

Note: Participation patches (“fun patches”) are not official insignia; they should be worn on the back of uniforms only.

Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassadors Uniformandinsigniadiagramsmaybefoundatwww.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/where_to_place.

Girl Scout AdultsFor adults, Girl Scout membership is identified by a membership pin. The formal adult uniform is navy blue business attirewithanofficialGirlScoutscarfforwomen(tieformen).Thisisnotrequiredfortrooporserviceunitmeetings,events,oractivities;infact,thereisrarelyanoccasionwhentheformaluniformwouldberequiredofadultvolunteers.

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Troop Administration: TravelTravel - whether it be around town or around the world - can be one of the most enriching and educational Girl Scout pathways. Of course, there are program standards and procedures that you should follow to ensure that the experience is safe, fun, and rewarding for all.

For All Trips (including in-town field trips) Make sure that you receive a signed parent/guardian permission slip for each girl before departure. In addi-tion, keep the following vehicle guidelines in mind:

• GirlScoutsoftheUSArecommends2adultspercar.• TheremustbeleastoneadultwithcurrentCPR/

First Aid registration traveling with the group.• Each vehicle should have a First Aid kit.

For Day Trips of 50+ Miles & Simple OvernightsA troop travel application must be submitted to your volunteerserviceteammanagerforapproval(prefer-ably4weeksinadvance).Ifthereisnoserviceteammanager available, or if the service team manager is a participant in the trip, the application should be submit-ted to a GSMH leadership and learning specialist.

For Trips 100+ Miles Outside Council Jurisdic-tion, 3+ Nights, or International A troop travel application must be submitted for approval by both your volunteer service team manager and a staff leadershipandlearningspecialist.Pleasecompletethetrooptravelapplicationatleast4weeksinadvancefordomestic trips; 12 weeks for international trips.

Additionalaccident&sicknessinsurancecoveragemustbe purchased through Mutual of Omaha for trips lasting 3ormorenights.PleasecontacttheGSMHHR/benefitscoordinator for more information.

General Travel GuidelinesComplete travel guidelines are included in Chapter4of Volunteer Essentials, given to you on CD. The troop travel application also includes important information for longer trips.

Field Trip Check ListAt Least 4-6 Weeks Before Trip

□ With girl input, establish purpose of trip. □ Discuss finances with girls and families. □ Reviewtrooptravelprocedures&safety

activity checkpoints. □ Ifrequired,submittroopapplication. □ If needed, purchase Mutual of Omaha non-

member insurance or additional accident and sicknesscoveragethroughHR/benefitscoor-dinator.Call877-312-4764.

3-4 Weeks Before Trip □ Have girls practice any new skills that will be used. □ Secure adult participants with proper training. □ Inform parents of upcoming trip/event; distrib-

ute permission slips and instructions. □ Secure transportation. □ Identify emergency contacts for trip. □ Inventoryfirst-aidkits(1percar).

Day of Trip □ Make sure that:

Leader has □ A permission slip for each girl. □ A health history form for each girl. □ Emergency contact information for each driver.

First-Aider has □ Troop/group first-aid kit. □ Girls’ medications in original containers with

directions, including over-the-counter. □ Medications.

The emergency contact person has □ Copies of permission slips. □ Tripitinerarywithcontactinformation(notjust

cell phones!).

Each driver/car has □ A seat belt/car seat for each girl in car. □ A trip itinerary and map. □ A first-aid kit. □ Siterules(preferablywritten)toreviewwithgirls.

□ GOANDHAVEFUN!

After Trip □ Evaluate the trip with your girls to help them

learn from their experience.

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A Note on Insurance

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone...You have signed up to be a volunteer troop leader or co-leader, but that doesn’t mean that you have to do it all! In addition to GSMH staff and your fellow volunteers, you should be able to count on the parents in your troop to offer you support. Some of the ways in which parents to contribute include:

•IndividualBadgeActivities•ServiceProjects•Crafts•Songs•ProductPrograms(fallandwinter)•Record-Keeping•PhoneTrees•Transportation/Drivin•FirstAid(licensedmedicalprofessionalorRed Cross Certified).•Camping(trainingandchaperoning)•Baby-sittingyourotherchildrensoyoucan attend meetings.•Attendingmonthlyserviceunitmeetings.

Pleasenotethatanyadult,evenatroopparent,whoregularly interacts with children other than their own will need to complete a volunteer application and back-ground check. This includes any parents who will be transporting or driving other girls, camping, or having access to girls’ or families’ personal information. At least tworegisteredtroopvolunteers(moredependingonsafety ratios) must be present with the girls at all times.

Request for Certificate of Liability InsuranceMany times the locations where troops and serviceunitsmeetorholdactivitieswillrequirea certificate of insurance before agreeing to let them use their facility. If your meeting or event location needs proof of insurance, please completeaRequestforCertificateofLiabilityInsuranceform(availableonyourVolunteer Essentials CD and our website).

Forms should be submitted to the GSMH hu-man resources department at least two weeks beforethefacilityisneeded.Oncerequested,a copy of our certificate of liability insurance will be faxed, emailed or mailed directly to the site that needs it.

Girl Scout Activity Accident Insurance and Optional Plans and ClaimsRegisteredGirlScoutsarecoveredbyasec-ondary accident insurance while participating in approved Girl Scout activities. Sometimes, a troop or service unit must take out extended insurance for members or non-members. Some instances in which troops or service units should purchase this low-cost insurance include:

• non-members attending a Girl Scout event (Plan2)

• registered members participating in an event or activity lasting more than two consecutivenights(Plan2);membersand non-members accident and sick-ness for events lasting longer than two consecutive nights

• members and non-members accident and sickness for international travel

Detailed information about this additional insurance and when and how to obtain it is available on your Volunteer Essentials CD and our website. Questions may be directed to the GSMHHR/benefitscoordinator.

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Understanding How ManyVoluteers You Need

Girl Scout adult-to-girl ratios show the minimum number of adults needed to supervise a specific number ofgirls.(Theremayalsobemaximumsduetosizeorcostrestrictions.)Thesesupervisionratiosweredevisedtoensure the safety and health of girls—for example, if one adult has to respond to an emergency, a secondadult is always on hand for the rest of the girls. It may take you a minute to get used to the layout of this chart,but once you start to use it, you’ll find the chart extremely helpful.

Here are some examples:Ifyou’remeetingwith17Daisies,you’llneedthreeunrelatedadults(inotherwords,notyoursister,spouse,parent,orchild),atleastoneofwhomisfemale.(Let’stakeasecondtofollowthechart:youneedtwoadultsfor12Daisiesandonemoreadultforuptosixmoregirls.Youhave17,soyouneedthreeadults.)If,however,youhave17Cadettesattendingagroupmeeting,youneedonlytwounrelatedadults,atleastoneofwhichisfemale(because,onthechart,twoadultscanmanageupto25Cadettes).Inadditiontotheadult-to-girlratios,pleaserememberthatadultvolunteersmustbeatleast18yearsoldorattheageofmajoritydefinedbythestate,ifitisolderthan18.

* For more information about safety, please refer to the Safety Activity Checkpoints on your Volunteer Resources CD.

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Troop Administration: FinancesMost troops find that they earn enough funds in these programs to sustain themselves for the year. However, troops may choose to conduct other money-earning projectstosupporttheiractivitiesandserviceefforts.*

BecauseGirlScoutsoftheMissouriHeartland,Inc.istheholderofanon-profit501(c)(3)status,allmoney-earning projects must be pre-approved by our resource developmentdepartment.Pre-requisitesinclude:

• PresentingtheFamilyPartnershipCampaign;• ParticipationintheGirlScoutCookieProgram

within the last year (unless troop is new);• No outstanding bills due to council; • Permissionfromeachgirl’sparent/guardian.

All proposed projects must also: • Comply with state and local laws regulating sales

by minors, food handling, etc.;• Beage-appropriate;• Adhere to all applicable Girl Scout Safety Activity

Checkpoints and Girl Scout and council policies.

Money-earningprojectscannottakeplaceduringUnitedWayBlackoutperiods(usuallySeptember-October)orcouncil product sale programs. Complete guidelines and theTroopMoney-EarningProjectApplicationareavail-able on your Volunteer Essentials CD and our website.*Note: Girl Scouts may not raise funds on behalf of other orga-nizations, though they may choose to contribute troop funds to service projects and initiatives of their choice.

1/3 Rule of Thumbfrom Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, New Leader Training

Troop income earned through troop dues collection, product program, and money-earning activities should help your girls and their families to have a positive Girl Scout experience. A good rule of thumb to follow is a 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 rule. Families and girls should be learning to bud-get in a responsible and sustainable way. That means each troop should be working to minimize extra costs to themselves and to families at all times.

• 1/3 to help cover costs of badges, registrations for the following year, and uniform pieces. All girls should have an opportunity to have a member-ship paid in full or part by their troop, even if they decide not to join the troop the following year.

• 1/3 covers field trips, meeting supplies, and ceremonies…that’s right, only 1/3. Girls should be learning to use their resources wisely and learning the value of saving up for big trips and ideas.

• 1/3forunexpectedexpenses(likeafamilywho needs financial assistance, or an amazing opportunity that suddenly comes up), and larger expenses(liketravelandtakeactionprojects).

Troop BankingAll troops/groups should open a bank account using the council’s tax ID number. The account name must includethetroop/group’s5-digittroopnumberandthesignature card must include three unrelated registered members. (Only one is required for withdrawals.) Instruc-tions for opening a troop account are included in New Leader Orientation.

Financial Reports A troop financial report is due on July 1 of each year. The form is on your Volunteer Essentials CD and our website.

Financial AssistanceTo help ensure that everyone interested may participate in Girl Scouts, financial assistance is available for:

• Nationalmembershipdues(girlsandadults)• Handbooksanduniforms(forgirls)• Programs,GirlScoutdestinations, and camp for girls• Volunteer trainings for adults

Financial assistance is reserved for those who demon-strate need; it is not a substitute for troop funds.

Financial Assistance Applications Complete guidelines and application forms are available on your Volunteer Essentials CD and our website. For girl applicants, the troop leader and parent should discuss the individual needs of the girl before completing the application. Each applicant must submit a separate ap-plication; troop applications are not accepted.

Troop Money-Earning ProjectsThe Girl Scout program is intended to be a self-sufficient one. We hope that girls learn and demonstrate finan-cial responsibility and independence by participating in money-earning activities, budgeting responsibly, and continually evaluating their financial needs as a group.

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland has two major money-earning programs for girls annually - a fall product programandtheGirlScoutCookieProgram.

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Notes

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Quick ContactsFor concerns/questions about… Call 877-312-4764 toll-free to contact: BankAccounts(TrooporServiceUnit) YourMembershipMarketingSpecialistCampUse/Reservations Property/RiskManager([email protected])Camp-SummerCamp Leadership&LearningSpecialist—OutdoorProgramCookies(GirlScoutCookieProgram) ProductProgramSpecialist([email protected])Donations Chief Development Officer EmploymentwithGirlScouts DirectorofHumanResources([email protected])Flyers(guidelines) Marketing/BrandManagerInsurance(event/activity) HR/BenefitsCoordinatorMembership/Joining Your Membership Marketing Specialist Money-EarningProjects ChiefDevelopmentOfficerPhotos(submissions) Marketing/BrandManagerPrograms—Events,Series,orTravel Leadership&LearningSpecialist([email protected])ProgramRegistrations(followuptosubmission) CustomerDataCoordinatorProperty/MaintenanceIssues Property/RiskManager([email protected])ServiceUnitMeetings YourServiceTeamManager(Volunteer)Shops RetailManager([email protected])Training/TrainingRegistrations Leadership&LearningSpecialist—Volunteerism ([email protected])TrainingsonRequest Leadership&LearningSpecialist—VolunteerismWebsite PR/DigitalMediaManager

On 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.

The Girl Scout Promise

I will do my best to behonest and fair,friendly and helpful,considerate and caring,courageous and strong, andresponsible for what I say and do,and torespect myself and others,respect authority,use resources wisely,make the world a better place, andbe a sister to every Girl Scout.

The Girl Scout Law

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

The Girl Scout Mission