Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

2014-2015

Leader 101 Cholla Neighborhood

WELCOME

You’ve agreed to take on a Girl Scout Troop! Congratulations and thank you. The

development of strong, skilled girls is worth your time and effort, and you will develop a

closeness with your own daughter(s) as you guide your troop over the years. This may well

be one of the most rewarding adventures of your life!

The most important thing is to remember that you are not alone. The parents in your troop

want to develop that closeness with their daughters too, so give them the chance by having

them help. There are lots of things to do with a troop so use this resource and then no one

person is burdened.

This Manual is meant to be a guide. We hope to provide you with a local, ever evolving,

resource that will answer some of your questions. Also, the GSUSA (National Girl Scout

organization) and the GSACPC (Girl Scout Arizona Cactus Pine Council) have a huge amount

of information on their web sites. We hope to get you to resources easily and right away so

you don’t feel so overwhelmed. The GSUSA and Council materials are very helpful and

thorough so be sure to access them as you progress.

Thank You,

The Cholla Neighborhood Girl Scouts Service team

MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Make new friends

But keep the old.

One is Silver

But the other’s Gold.

A circle’s round

It has no end.

That’s how long

I want to be your friend.

A fire burns bright,

it warms the heart.

We've been friends,

from the very start.

You have one hand,

I have the other.

Put them together,

We have each other.

Silver is precious,

Gold is too.

I am precious,

and so are you.

You help me,

and I'll help you

and together

we will see it through.

The sky is blue,

The Earth is green,

I can help

to keep it clean.

Across the land,

Across the sea,

Friends forever

We will always be.

GIRL SCOUT PROMISE

On my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And, to live by the Girl Scout Law.

GIRL SCOUT LAW

I 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

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Table of Contents

I. TERMINOLOGY ................................................................................................................................ 1

II. GIRL SCOUT STRUCTURE ......................................................................................................... 8

III. CHOLLA NEIGHBORHOOD ....................................................................................................... 9

IV. YOUR TROOP .............................................................................................................................. 11

A. Establish a Troop ........................................................................................................................ 11

B. Choose a meeting place .............................................................................................................. 11

C. Choose a meeting time ............................................................................................................... 11

D. Choose a frequency .................................................................................................................... 11

E. Examples ....................................................................................................................................... 12

F. Go through Getting Started training ..................................................................................... 12

G. More Training .............................................................................................................................. 12

V. FIRST STEPS .................................................................................................................................. 13

VI. UNIFORMS .................................................................................................................................. 15

VII. BOOKS, BADGES & PATCHES ................................................................................................ 16

VIII. MONEY EARNING PROJECTS ........................................................................................... 17

IX. TRADITIONS AND CEREMONIES ....................................................................................... 18

A. Investiture / Pinning .................................................................................................................. 18

B. Rededication................................................................................................................................. 20

C. Bridging ......................................................................................................................................... 21

D. Flag ................................................................................................................................................. 22

E. Friendship Circle ......................................................................................................................... 22

F. SWAPS .......................................................................................................................................... 22

X. TRAVEL ............................................................................................................................................. 23

A. Traveling with girls ..................................................................................................................... 23

B. Travel progression checklist .................................................................................................... 24

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C. Seeking council permission ....................................................................................................... 24

D. Involving chaperones .................................................................................................................. 24

E. Transporting girls ....................................................................................................................... 25

F. Staying safe during the trip .................................................................................................... 25

XI. CAMPING...................................................................................................................................... 27

A. Progressive Camping ................................................................................................................... 27

B. Troop Camp Certification .......................................................................................................... 27

C. First Aid ........................................................................................................................................ 27

D. Permission (Also see Sec. X, Travel) ...................................................................................... 27

E. Locations ....................................................................................................................................... 27

XII. SAFETY ..................................................................................................................................... 29

A. Manual ............................................................................................................................................ 29

B. Safety Checkpoints .................................................................................................................... 29

C. First Aid/CPR ............................................................................................................................... 29

D. Troop Camp Certification .......................................................................................................... 29

XIII. RECOGNITIONS .................................................................................................................... 30

A. Girl Recognitions ......................................................................................................................... 30

B. Adult Recognitions ...................................................................................................................... 30

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I. TERMINOLOGY

01 - Leader- A member of the leadership team generally responsible for

coordinating the troop and its members. The individual roles within a troop are

determined by the troop’s leadership team, but only the 01 can register girls and

enroll the troop in council activities.

02 – Co-Leader - A member of the leadership team. The individual

responsibilities are determined within the leadership team. The co-leaders are

equal in leadership to the leader, they have the same strength of voice and

decision, implementation and attendance in the troop. These are registered

volunteers taking an active role in the troop.

03 - Troop Committee Member/Signer - Refers to troop volunteers that have

a voice, but choose not to take a leadership role. Signers are on the troop bank

account but not leading the troop. However, they can travel with the troop, lead

a badge or activity from time to time, etc. Two unrelated troop 01 or 02’s need

to be present at all meetings and activities whenever the troop assembles.

11 – Service Team Member - Please check out the Service Team portion of the

Neighborhood website to see who is currently serving in these roles.

19 – Delegate – Volunteers that go to the annual Council Meeting to be the

representatives and voice for decisions within the council on behalf of our

Neighborhood. (See also, Annual Meeting).

Annual Meeting - A meeting held by the council once a year where program is

discussed, council wide networking is available, guest speakers present, a financial

report is given and delegates vote on any items the council presents. (See Council

and Delegate)

Badges - These are a patch that goes on the front of the uniform (vest/sash).

Each badge has a specific placement uniform to all Girl Scouts in the council.

Badges are always EARNED which differs them from Fun Patches. Each badge

has a specific set of requirements that can be found in either the Girl Guide or a

supplement to the Girl Guide. (See Girl Guide) Badges are not earned until ALL

requirements have been accomplished. Not to be confused with fun patches (see

Fun Patch).

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Cookie Mom/Dad - The cookie volunteer in your troop in charge of all things

cookie.

Cookie Club - An online option for Girl Scouts and their parent geared to help

girls sell more cookies.

Cookie Manager - Neighborhood Volunteer to Coordinate everything leading up

to, during and wrapping up cookie season. Please check out the Service Team

portion of the Neighborhood website to see who is currently serving in this role.

Cookie Season - The time when Girl Scouts, whether in troops or as IGM’s, focus

on the sale of Girl Scout Cookies. Generally January-March.

Council - The geographical area that troops and neighborhoods reside in. The

Council is a large area, and ours is the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, covering most

of Arizona and the entire Navajo Nation.

Council Shop - A GS store run by the Council where you can purchase all of your

GS needs. This is where you can get fun patches, badges, manuals, books,

uniforms, t-shirts, gifts and more. This is in downtown Phoenix at 3806 North 3rd

Street, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85012, 602-452-7137, or online at

http://shop.girlscoutsaz.org/store/

Ebudde - Online website used to implement the cookie program. This website is

used on a national, council, neighborhood and troop level. This is where you order

initial cookies, where you can find amounts due, cookies your troop is responsible

for, a cookie calendar, communications, booth information and sign-up, and just

about everything else cookie. The Neighborhood Cookie Manager and the Cookie

Team run it, and they are who you would go to for all things Cookie.

Encampment - An annual neighborhood-wide campout planned by the Girls and

facilitated by the Service Team. Any planned encampment will be outlined for all

who desire to attend within specified ages for the encampment. Girls must have

completed their progressive camping to the appropriate level in order to attend.

Event Coordinator - Volunteer in charge of overseeing the planning and

implementation of neighborhood events. Please check out the Service Team

portion of the Neighborhood website to see who is currently serving in this role.

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Fall Product Manager - Volunteer in charge of all things Fall Product. She is

your Go-To gal for all questions and implementation for Fall Product Season.

Please check out the Service Team portion of the Neighborhood website to see

who is currently serving in this role.

Fall Product - The first of 2 fundraisers for troops during the year. This usually

takes place in September. This is a more lucrative fundraiser per item than

cookies, but not as well known. This fundraiser is highly encouraged. :-)

Finance Consultant - Neighborhood volunteer to whom you will turn in yearly

financials, and can assist with their preparation, if needed. Please check out the

Service Team portion of the Neighborhood website to see who is currently

serving in this role. Contact your MSE regarding information on bank accounts.

Financials - A yearly, mandatory financial report of your troop turned in to the

Neighborhood Finance Consultant and kept on file. Retain all receipts and a ledger

to make this process easier. This is due by May 31st to Council EACH year, so it

is due to the Neighborhood Finance Consultant at the April Leader Meeting so

there is time to review for accuracy prior to submission to Council. The

Neighborhood Finance Consultant has a copy of the form or it can be found in the

forms section at www.girlscoutsaz.org. If you need help understanding or filling

out financials, please contact the Neighborhood Finance Consultant to walk you

through it.

Fun Patch - Fun patches are patches that signify an activity, but have no earning

requirement other than participation. Fun patches ALWAYS go on the back of

the uniform and have no specific placement other than on the back. Do not

confuse with Badges. (See Badges)

Girl Guide Book (Manual) - A binder-style Book that can be purchased through

the council shop or online. There is a separate Girl Guide for each level (Daisy

through Senior Girl Scout). The Girl Guide is a plethora of information, including

traditions, badges, awards, guidelines, history and so much more. These are very

handy, and each troop should have at least one copy to make a smooth program.

This can be purchased by the leaders, by the girls, or with troop funds. Council

suggests each girl have their own, but if not financially possible or practical, there

should be one available within the troop for reference. Additional badge sets can

be purchased to add to the Manual. These are associated with the three

Journeys per level.

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Girl Scout Law - A law that should be memorized and recited at all meetings. All

Girl Scout programming is geared to instill these values into Scouts and prepare

them to be leaders.

Girl Scout Promise - A memorized promise that girls recite to live the law. Should

be recited at all meetings.

GORP - Good Ol’ Fashioned Raisins and Peanuts (aka trail mix). This is a fun, old

term referring to trail mix. It does not have to include Raisins or Nuts, and is fun

to make for an activity at a meeting.

IGM - Independent Girl Member. Also called Juliette’s and named in honor of

the GS founder, Juliette Gordon Low. An IGM is a registered Girl Scout that is

not affiliated with any troop. They have different rules in certain areas to follow

(think financial) but for the most part, are Scouts without a troop.

Investiture - A ceremony in which a Girl Scout dedicates their life to living the

Girl Scout Law and Promise. Once a girl has completed an Investiture Ceremony,

they should annually complete a Rededication Ceremony dedicated to the same

values.

Journey - The GS curriculum. There are 3 core areas and a version for each

level. There are specific requirements and lessons for each level and each

journey. The council offers training and supplemental activities. If you need help,

contact a member of the Service Team. Journey leader books and girl workbooks

can be purchased at the council shop. Our Neighborhood Librarian also has

Journey leader and girl books if you would like to check them out to see which

one your troop would prefer. Girl Scouts that would like to earn their Bronze,

Silver and Gold Awards must complete a Journey as the first step. (See the

Manual for additional information). Additionally, Badge Kits can be purchased to

increase involvement in the three core areas

Juliette – See IGM, and may also refer to Juliette Gordon Lowe the founder of

Girl Scouts.

Leader Meetings - Recommended meetings for ALL leaders and co-leaders. Each

troop should be represented by a minimum of one registered adult from their

troop. This is a place to have fun, ask questions, receive information, meet and

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network with other leaders and reinvent your troops program. Cholla

Neighborhood holds monthly meetings. See the website for a schedule.

Member Levels - The age/grade-specific group a girl fits into. Levels are:

Daisy (K-1st Grade)

Brownie (2nd-3rd Grade)

Junior (4th-5th Grade)

Cadette (6th-8th Grade)

Senior (9th-10th Grade)

Ambassador (11th-12th Grade)

IGM (all grade levels)

Adult Member (Post Graduation or 18 and over) All registered adults are

Adult Members

Lifetime Member (18 and over) An adult member who has paid the fee for

lifetime membership and does not have to pay any member registration

fees again.

MSE - Member Service Executive, this person is a Council employee that is an

advocate, a go-between and a voice for all people in her designated area.

Neighborhood - A specified group/area of troops. We reside in the Cholla

Neighborhood (655), which covers part of Chandler. See also, Service Unit.

Neighborhood Facilitator/Manager - Volunteer in charge of managing and

facilitating the Neighborhood. This is the person that you go to if you need

guidance not appropriate for the mentors. This person also oversees all Service

Team and leader meeting functions. Facilitator works in conjunction with MSE to

help leaders have the most effective and smooth process possible. Any volunteer

that steps into the manager position is available to all leaders and co-leaders as

a sounding board, a friend and advocate. Please check out the Service Team

portion of the Neighborhood website to see who is currently serving in this role.

Nut-E – The online application used by leaders and troop product managers to

order and track Fall Product Sales period.

PAG/Program-At-A-Glance - Complete list of council run and sponsored

activities with registration information. Found at

http://www.girlscoutsaz.org/program-at-a-glance

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Recruitment Facilitator/Site Coordinator - Neighborhood volunteer/team that

places all new girls looking for a troop. This is the person/team that you would go

to if you would like to enlarge your troop. Please check out the Service Team

portion of the Neighborhood website to see who is currently serving in this role.

Rededication – see Investiture. It’s the same ceremony only with a girl or adult

that has already been through Investiture and they re-dedicate themselves to

keeping the Promise and the Law.

Registrar - Volunteer in charge of helping troops new and returning to register.

This is the person that you would go to with help and questions regarding

registration, as well as getting the proper paperwork. Please check out the

Service Team portion of the Neighborhood website to see who is currently

serving in this role.

Safety Checkpoints and Guidelines - If there is an activity, there are guidelines.

This can be downloaded from online. Please know all safety requirements for all

activities you participate in, including ratios of girls to adults, men/girl

interactions, certifications, authorizations and safety knowhow.

Service Unit- A large grouping of troops designated by the Council. Each Service

Unit has a specific name, number and MSE. Ours is the Cholla Neighborhood.

Two neighboring units also in Chandler are the Purple Sage and Ocotillo

Neighborhoods.

Situpons - An item that girls can make to sit on when sitting on the ground to

keep themselves clean.

SWAPS - Special Whachamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere. SWAPS

are a fun GS tradition dating back to the earliest GS days. These are items that

the scouts make and then hand out to new friends to pin on to a bag, hat or item

to show that they matter. They are fun to make and fun to get. When making

SWAPS, try to think of something, small, lightweight and signifying your group or

activity. For ideas, you can Google “SWAPS” or talk to an experienced leader.

Tagalongs - Non-registered people that Tag Along on activities. The cookie was

named for this term, not the other way around. Lol. Tagalongs are not allowed at

activities covered by our GS insurance unless specifically dictated on an activity

by activity basis. Tagalongs most often take the form of siblings and unregistered

adults.

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TCC1/TCC2 - Troop Camp Certification Level 1 and 2 (separate certifications).

These are required trainings provided through the council if you plan to

participate in any outdoor activities, camping, outdoor cooking, knife skills and

much more. If you do not have it, make sure at least one registered adult in your

troop gets it! If you do not know if it is required for an activity, please ask your

Service Team. There’s even a TCC 3 if you’re up for it!

Thinking Day - A worldwide WAGGGS (World Assoc. of Girl Guides and Girl

Scouts) celebration where girls from all over the world have large, local

gatherings to focus on the world we live in. This is a fun and eye-opening

experience for girls of every age. This occurs in or near February of each year.

Usually Cholla Neighborhood and our Council hold separate events to celebrate

World Thinking Day.

Troop Trip Form - A required form for all activities that are more than 250

miles away from your meeting place, any campout (even a backyard one), or any

overnight activity. Troop Trip Forms can be downloaded from the forms section

of www.girlscoutsaz.org or obtained from the MSE. It be filled out completely

and turned into the MSE 6 weeks prior to the activity.

WAGGGS - Worldwide Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of

America are affiliated with this global girl program. Not all girl programs are part

of WAGGGS. The ribbon on your uniform has a pin signifying your affiliation with

WAGGGS. See http://usa.wagggsworld.org/en/home for more information.

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II. GIRL SCOUT STRUCTURE

a. The girl

b. Your troop

c. Cholla Neighborhood (also called a Service Area)

i. Approximately 9 schools located in Chandler

ii. Approximately 500 girls

iii. See section III for additional information

d. Girl Scout Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)

i. MSE – Rebecca Smith Rebecca.smith@girlscoutsaz.org

1. Is our first contact with Council if we have questions or needs.

2. Attends most (if not all) of our monthly Leader Meetings

ii. Council Store – 3806 North 3rd Street, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ

85012; 602-452-7137; 800-352-6133; shop@girlscoutsaz.org; not a

valid URL Open Tuesday through Saturday but check the website to

make sure because of odd closures:

http://shop.girlscoutsaz.org/store/ not a valid URL

iii. Council Offices: 119 East Coronado Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85004;

602-452-7000

1. Council help e-mail addresses:

a. General – council@girlscoutsaz.org

b. Web Support – tekcom@girlscoutsaz.org

c. Registration Help – follow this link and fill out the

online form

e. Girl Scouts of the USA

i. Website is: www.girlscouts.org

f. World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, also called WAGGGS

i. Website is: www.wagggs.org

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III. CHOLLA NEIGHBORHOOD GIRL SCOUTS

A. The best support for leaders comes from the leaders and volunteers in our

Cholla Neighborhood (a/k/a Service Unit) and from our MSE (Member

Services Executive)

B. Monthly meetings for all leaders, co-leaders and anyone interested (like

parents, volunteers, etc.)

C. Website: www.chollags.org

D. Service Team serves as a bridge between Council and the neighborhood

troops with Members that assist with any help you may need including, but

not limited to:

i. Registration

ii. New Troops

iii. Fall Product Sale

iv. Cookie Sale

v. Craft Ideas (at the meeting)

vi. Training

vii. Troop Events

E. Great resource for local events for your troop, for example:

i. G.E.A.R. day at ASU

ii. Lock-in with the Phoenix Mercury

F. Opportunities to serve other than with your troop (there are patches

available for many of these events)

i. Thin Mint Sprint

ii. Susan G Komen 4-day Walk

iii. Inchworm of Service

iv. Girls Love Mail

v. Adopt-A-Park

vi. Birthday Boxes

vii. Crafts & Games with Residents

viii. Operation Stocking Stuffer

ix. Food Drives

x. Free Rice

xi. Feed My Starving Children

xii. Packages from Home

G. Plans the following annual events (not limited to this list):

i. Back to School Pool Party

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ii. Leader Investiture

iii. Fall Encampment

iv. Chandler Parade of Lights

v. International Thinking Day

vi. Leader/Daughter Events – (i.e. Bowling, etc.)

vii. Happy Birthday Juliette (for Daisies and Brownies

H. Size

i. 500 girls

ii. Approx. 12 schools

1. Elementary

a. Basha

b. Conley

c. CTA – Independence

d. Fulton

e. Hancock

f. Jacobson

g. Risen Savior

h. Tarwater

i. Tri-City Christian Academy

2. Junior High

a. Bogle

3. High School

a. Hamilton

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IV. YOUR TROOP

A. Establish a Troop

You need a minimum of the following:

i. 1 Leader (01)

ii. 1 Co-Leader (02)

iii. 5 girls

iv. Other than the above, you’re going to want parent involvement. The

parents (meaning grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, etc.) can

participate as:

1. Additional Co-Leader (02)

2. Troop Fall Product Manager or helper (03)

3. Financial Coordinator (manages trips to the bank, writes

checks, etc.) (03)

4. Cookie Sale Manager or helper (03)

5. Meeting helper (03)

6. Camping Leader (03)

7. And whatever it is your troop needs.

B. Choose a meeting place

i. Try the school - most Chandler schools will allow you to meet on

campus for free (or near free) as long as you are off the premises by

4:30pm. If your school turns you down, try another one nearby as

they may have space available. If you need to meet at night,

churches are commonly available as long as someone in the group is a

member. You can even meet in your home or the home of one of the

troop members.

ii. Contact our Service Unit Recruiter for additional resources

C. Choose a meeting time

iii. If at a school, try right after school (there’s no charge if you meet

right after school)

iv. If most parents work, try an evening meeting after dinner

v. If weekdays are too hard or full, try weekends

vi. Pick a day that works for the most

1. You will never be able to please everyone

2. Consider trying one day and then review at mid- or end- of

year for a possible change.

D. Choose a frequency

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i. The frequency should match the interest level of the girls, the

leader’s and co-leaders’ schedules

E. Examples

i. Daisy – 1 day every other week for about 1 hour.

ii. Brownie/Junior – 1 day every other week for 1 ½ hours

iii. Cadette/Senior/Ambassador – Twice a month for 1 ½ to 2 hours or

once a month for 3-4 hours– be flexible this is when their social,

school, and other extra-curricular activities begin to really grow

F. Go through Getting Started training

This is a requirement and you will find it really helpful. Cholla Neighborhood

offers this training frequently in groups both large and small, and

individually, as needed. Please contact the Welcome Specialist on the

Service Unit Team. Also, check online for Getting Started

G. More Training

Take the opportunity to peruse the Council website and look for training

opportunities. If you attend in person, you’ll meet other leaders and be able

to develop a network. If you just want the info, there’s lots of training

available as webinars or online training.

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V. FIRST STEPS

A. Agree to be a troop leader – it’s not as hard or time consuming as you might

think! You will not regret it, we promise!

B. Find at least 5 girls interested in forming a troop

C. Find a parent willing to serve as co-leader

D. Get everyone registered! The fee is $15 per person. It is recommended

that you have at least one parent per girl register as well. This fee covers

the person for the membership year (Sept. 1 through August 31) and

provides secondary insurance for them while they are participating in any

Girl Scout (troop, neighborhood, council) event or activity. The individual’s

insurance is always primary.

E. Get your background checks completed.

F. Open your bank account

i. All accounts are with Wells Fargo

ii. Work with the Registrar to get this done.

iii. You’ll need 3 troop signers

1. You

2. Co-Leader

3. Registered volunteer in your troop, the Neighborhood Finance

Consultant or Registrar can be your third signer – see the

Cholla website for contact links)

G. Have a Parents Meeting and discuss the following:

i. Meeting place

ii. Meeting day

iii. Meeting time

iv. Meeting frequency

v. Dues – for first year troops, you can ask for a small initial dues

payment – this can be weekly, monthly, by school quarter or semester,

etc.) The girls can also earn their dues by selling Fall Product and GS

Cookies.

vi. Uniforms – decide which one and how they will be purchased.

vii. Your expectations of the parents. Consider a Parent Agreement for

them to sign with your expectations.

viii. Get volunteers for all of your positions – remind parents that this is

not a “drop off” organization – unless that is what you want, but you’ll

end up with all the work

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ix. Decide the best method of contact – phone calls, emails, troop

website, etc. You can get a free website at www.weebly.com, and

many other places. Make sure it’s your parents that are accessing it

and not the girls – there are age-based restrictions for internet

access related to Girl Scouts

H. Schedule your first troop meeting

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VI. UNIFORMS

A. The GS Store has the uniform.

B. Parents can also order them online or find most pieces at Sports Chalet,

2650 East Germann Rd., Chandler, AZ 85249, 480-899-9881

C. At the GS Store link you can find a chart by age level that shows the

placement of the required uniform items

D. Uniforms are a vest or sash

E. Required items on a uniform are:

i. US Flag

ii. Council emblem

iii. Troop Numbers

iv. Ribbon Tab

v. WAGGGS Pin

vi. GS, Daisy or Brownie Pin (depending on level)

F. Badges and Patches

i. Badges go on the front – these are the ones they earn

ii. Patches for fun activities go on the back

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VII. BOOKS, BADGES & PATCHES

A. Manuals - There is a manual for each age level called The Girls Guide to Girl

Scouting – these run about $17 each. The girls can each purchase their own

if they want to use it as a keepsake, they can share the book, or you can

purchase one for the troop. It is recommended that at least the troop have

a manual. It’s a great tool for teaching and reference. Many of the age

specific activities are listed only in this manual though they may be

referenced elsewhere.

B. Badge Kits – these are a set of five additional badges that the girls can earn

associated with each Journey. They are different from the Legacy Badges

contained in the Manual. If you are interested in doing these, they work well

into the Journey as little side activities to supplement the Journey process

and can stand alone as Badges to earn outside of the Journey.

C. Journeys – There are three Journeys for each age level. This is how the girls

progress through scouting and earn other awards. There is training online at

the www.girlscoutsaz.org website under Volunteer Learning Center, some are

available as webinars and online as well as classroom training.

D. Badges & Patches

i. Badges are earned when a requisite number of requirements are

completed. These go on the FRONT of the vest, sash or apron.

ii. Patches, also called “fun patches”, are given for participation in fun

activities and events the troop attends. They are included in most Girl

Scout organized events and leaders can purchase them for any special

troop event or activity and sometimes the event provides a patch. Fun

Patches go on the back of the vest. (Receiving the patch – most leaders

require attendance by the girl to receive the patch, but it’s up to you.)

Girls can also add patches to the back when they travel with their

family like to museums, national parks, etc.

iii. For placement, think MULLET – business up front, party in the back!

iv. Places to buy bulk orders of patches

1. Girl Scout Store (also check other councils and the National

website)

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VIII. MONEY EARNING PROJECTS

A. As a reminder, the money earned by Girl Scouts belongs to the troop and not

to each girl individually.

B. There are certain requirements if your troop would like to undertake a money

earning project.

i. First, you must already be participating in the Council Fall Product OR

Cookie Sales.

ii. Second, you must complete the following forms located in the Council

Forms Library:

2. Application for Money Earning Project (MS-24) and

3. Budget for Events & Money Earning Projects (PS-05).

iii. These forms should be turned into the Neighborhood Finance

Consultant at least twelve weeks prior to the money earning project.

iv. Once you have approval to conduct the project and it is complete, you

need to document the results on the bottom of the MS-24 form and

return it to the Neighborhood Finance Consultant.

C. Money earning projects should not compete with Council product sales.

Additionally, troops are not allowed to sell other company’s products. Here

are some examples of money earning projects:

i. Garage sale

ii. Troop events (badge workshops, SWAP workshops, etc.)

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IX. TRADITIONS AND CEREMONIES

A. Investiture / Pinning

Investiture and Pinning are done when a new troop is started for all new Girl

Scouts. It is also done when a girl new to scouting is added to a troop. The

examples provided under sections a. and b. of this chapter can be used for

pinning, investiture and re-investiture and can be modified to suit your troop.

Have girls do more than one part if needed, or share parts if you have lots of

girls. Have leaders and parents take parts if this is what your troop wants.

This ceremony can be a simple or as complex as you choose. NOTE: It is a

tradition to pin the Girl Scout Pin on upside down until the girl does a good

deed.

Building the Girl Scout Pin (Traditional Pin) These are just ideas, searching

the web can help you locate many, many more.

As each girl says her part, lighting a candle can be symbolic of the three parts

of the Promise and the ten parts of the Law.

Girl 1: Our pin is symbolic of our fundamental beliefs. Beliefs which have not

changed since our beginning, although methods change with the times. Beliefs

which help each girl attain the highest development of which she is capable.

This pin is in the shape of a trefoil, meaning three-fold, and reminds us of the

three parts of the Girl Scout Promise.

All: “On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country...”

Girl 2: We learn to find God in nature, to recognize spiritual values as more

important than material ones, to seek the beautiful, and to see God in other

people. Girl Scouts learn devotion to and seek pride in their country.

All: “On my honor, I will try: to help people at all times...”

Girl 3: In her consideration for others, a Girl Scout learns to give generous,

selfless service. She comes to realize that service to others is an expression

of dedication to people.

All: “On my honor, I will try: to live by the Girl Scout Law.”

Girl 4: The Girl Scout Law is a guide for daily living - stated simply enough for

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a young girl to apply to her own life, profound enough to serve as a measuring

post for adults. Think about the people you admire; what makes you admire

them? Friendliness, dependability, enthusiasm to serve. These are the

qualities that the Girl Scout Law helps us attain.

Girl 5: Tying together all parts of the Promise and serving as its foundation is

the fact that we pledge on our honor to try. When we are discouraged, when

we have made mistakes, our Promise reminds us that the best we can do is to

keep on trying with a sincere effort. We do more than believe in our Promise,

we try to live by it. Our pin is symbolic of our Promise, and we are here to

explain the parts of our pin tonight.

Girl 6: The eagle is a bird of great endurance and strength. It is used on the

Great Seal of the United States to represent power and strength. We wear

it on our pin because we are chartered by the Congress of the United States.

Girl 7: The Shield represents protection. In the design of the Great Shield of

the United States, it rests only on the eagle to show that we are a self-

sufficient government. One of our aims in Girl Scouting is to become self-

reliant citizens.

Girl 8: In the right talon of the eagle is an olive branch representing peace.

To show that we are a peace loving nation, the eagle’s head faces the olive

branch. Girl Scouting is similarly a peace- time movement.

Girl 9: However, the arrows show preparedness to fight for our ideals. As Girl

Scouts, we prepare ourselves to cope with every situation and emergency.

Girl 10: On the scroll are the words “E Pluribus Unum,” meaning ‘one from

many.’ There are many states but one nation. In the United States we have

three million in Girl Scouting. Each one is an individual personality, each one

has her own place, but we are working in one organization toward one goal

according to the ideals that we have in common.

Girl 11: The G.S. on the pin stands for Girl Scout. It means many different

things to many different people. All of us have to decide what it means to us

– new friends we have made, things we have learned, understandings about

people we have gained, experiences we could have not have had except as a

Girl Scout. The list is almost as endless as the number of people in the

organization.

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Girl 12: There is a destiny that makes us sisters. None goes her way alone. All

that we send into the lives of others Comes back into our own life.

Girl 13: Three candles lighted here represent the three parts of the Girl

Scout Promise. Ten candles lighted here represent the ten parts of the Girl

Scout Law. All rise and join us in singing “Girl Scouts Together” (or other

appropriate song, if you like.)

B. Rededication

This ceremony is done each year to remind the girls that about the Promise

and Law, what they hope to achieve together, etc. Here’s a sample of a Candle

Lighting Ceremony:

Scene: A table, with 13-candle board/log on it; flanked by American and

GSUSA flag.

1st Speaker: "Tonight we are here in to invest those who have joined Girl

Scouts for the first time this year. We are also here to rededicate each

member, new and old, to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. You should all

understand that these are the ideals by which Girls Scouts try to live, and

through which we, as leaders, help girls to gain worthy citizenship." [a large

candle is lit, house lights are dimmed].

2nd Speaker: "Before you, you see a golden flame The flame symbolizes a Girl

Scout's honor, which must never be dimmed. When a Girl Scout makes a

promise, she is placing her honor, the brightest thing in her life, before her

fellow Girl Scouts, her leaders, her parents, and her friends. Girls should

understand that giving the Girl Scout Promise on one's honor is a serious thing.

"

3rd Speaker: "From this golden flame we light the flame of duty to God and

country. "[light first small candle and say:]

ON MY HONOR I WILL TRY: to serve God and my country

4th Speaker: "We light the flame of duty to people." [light second small

candle and say:]

ON MY HONOR I WILL TRY: to help people at all times

5th Speaker: "We light the flame of duty to self." [light third small candle

and say;]

ON MY HONOR I WILL TRY: to live by the Girl Scout Law

6th Speaker: "We now bring to light the flames of the Girl Scout Law, which

make bright and clear the trail that leads from girlhood to womanhood. Let us

all stand and repeat together the Girl Scout Law."

Pause until all stand; then each of the 10 remaining candles is lit one at a time as the ten parts of the law are said.

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7th Speaker: "These burning candles represent the points of the law and

promise and how they brighten the life of the Girl Scout who observes them.

When through practice they become a part of our daily lives, they also

brighten the lives of all whom we come in contact."

8th Speaker: "We can too easily forget that the Girl Scout Promise is a

serious pledge. We must guard against repeating the Promise and the Law in a

parrot-like manner, as though the words were meaningless. "

[Ceremony continues with house lights turned on. Each member present (who wishes to) is invited to say a few words about what being a Girl Scouting has meant to her.] [Song, such as "On My Honor", is sung, if you choose.] 9th Speaker: "Sisters, we are fortunate to be members of the greatest

organization of women and girls: the World Association of Girls Scouts and

Girl Guides. It is a privilege to wear the emblems of Girl Scouting. The whole

world admires and respects us."

[Participants stand while leader gives a rededication or investiture, etc to each one] Closing: "With our ceremony ended, we now put out these candles. But we do

so with the certain knowledge that we carry the flame of Girl Scouting

eternally with us, in our hearts."

Both of the ceremonies above were borrowed from the Green Oaks Council

website. They have a page with tons of ceremonies.

C. Bridging

When a Girl Scout is leaving one level and moving up to another level, she is

offered the opportunity to bridge up to the next level. This is not a

requirement but it is a chance for girls and their families to share in the joys

of moving forward with Girl Scouts. Our Cholla Neighborhood plans an annual

Bridging Ceremony that all eligible troops are invited to participate. There

are requirements for participation in bridging whether you choose to do the

neighborhood ceremony or one of your own. These are found in the manual

for the level you are leaving but generally they include:

i. Attend a meeting with a troop at the level you will be advancing to;

ii. Host a meeting for girls younger than you – even Daisies can do this by

inviting pre-school girls or visiting with a daycare center to talk about

Daisies, how much fun they have, and even share an activity they enjoy

doing in Daisies;

iii. Help prepare for and plan the Bridging Ceremony.

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iv. When attending the Neighborhood Bridging, the following

requirements are needed:

4. Troop to participate in the Committee meetings – including girls,

etc.

5. Participate in the event to make it successful

6. Everyone stays for the entire event

7. Clean-up is everyone’s responsibility

D. Flag

i. See the Girl Scout website for the most current version of the official

ceremony and preparation ideas and instructions.

E. Friendship Circle

Everyone stands in a circle side by side. Right arms are crossed over left and

hands are grasped. The person assigned begins by using their right hand to

squeeze the hand of the person to their left, then that person squeezes the

hand of the person to their left, and so on until the squeeze makes its way

back to the starting person. Then, everyone – while still holding hands – turns

to their right at the same time until everyone is facing outward. There are

more complicated versions, but this is easiest for the young girls to

understand.

F. SWAPS

Special Whachamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere. SWAPS are a

fun GS tradition dating back to the earliest GS days. These are items that

the Girl Scouts make and then hand out at activities and event involving

other Girl Scouts to new friends to pin on to a bag, hat or item to show

that they matter. They are fun to make and fun to get. When making

SWAPS, try to think of something, small, lightweight and signifying your

group or activity. For ideas, you can google “SWAPS” or talk to an

experienced leader.

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X. TRAVEL

A. Traveling with girls

i. Short trips to points of interest in the neighborhood (Daisies and

older): A walk to the nearby garden or a short ride by car or public

transportation to the firehouse or courthouse is a great first step for

Daisies.

ii. Day trip (Brownies and older): An all-day visit to a point of historical

or natural interest (bringing their own lunch) or a day-long trip to a

nearby city (stopping at a restaurant for a meal)- younger girls can

select locations and do much of the trip planning.

iii. Overnight trips (Brownies and older): One (or possibly two) nights away

to a state or national park, historic city, or nearby city for sightseeing,

staying in a hotel, motel, or campground. These short trips are just long

enough to whet their appetites, but not so long as to generate

homesickness.

iv. Extended overnight trips (Juniors and older): Three or four nights

camping or staying in a hotel, motel, or hostel within the girls’ home

region (for example, New England, the Upper Midwest, the Southeast,

the Pacific Northwest, and so on). Planning a trip to a large museum-

and many offer unique opportunities for girls to actually spend the

night on museum grounds- makes for an exciting experience for girls.

v. National trips (Cadettes and older): Travel anywhere in the country,

often lasting a week or more. Try to steer clear of trips girls might

take with their families and consider those that offer some

educational component- this often means no Disney and no cruises, but

can incorporate some incredible cities, historic sites, and museums

around the country.

vi. International trips (Cadettes and older): Travel around the world,

often requiring one or two years of preparation; when girls show an

interest in traveling abroad, contact your council to get permission to

plan the trip and download the Global Travel Toolkit. Visiting one of the

four World Centers is a great place to start, but also consider traveling

with worldwide service organizations. Recently, girls have traveled to

rural Costa Rica to volunteer at an elementary school, to Mexico to

volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and to India to witness the

devastation of poverty in urban slums.

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B. Travel progression checklist

i. If your troop is thinking about travel, consider first whether the girls

are mature enough to handle the trip. In determining a group’s

readiness for travel, assess the group’s:

1. Ability to be away from their parents and their home

2. Ability to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and situations

3. Ability to make decisions well and easily

4. Previous cross-cultural experiences

5. Ability to get along with each other and handle challenges

6. Ability to work well as a team

7. Skills and interests

8. Language skills (where applicable)

C. Seeking council permission

i. Before most trips, you and the girls will need to obtain council

permission, although your council may not require this information for

trips of one day with no overnight stay.

ii. The General Permission Slip (MS-28) which is on the reverse side of

the Girl Health History Form is used for all general types of activities,

excluding those with more risk or are sensitive in nature.

iii. Use the Specific Event Permission Slip (MS-41b) when:

1. Activities are high risk

2. Activities are more than 250 miles away from the regular

meeting place (one way)

3. Activities involve a sensitive topic

iv. Council approval is required for any overnight event. Submit a troop

trip application (MS-50a) to your MSE

D. Involving chaperones

i. To determine how many volunteer chaperones the girls will need with

them on the trip, see the adult-to-girl ratios. As you look for

chaperones, be sure to look for ones who are committed to:

1. Being a positive role model

2. Respecting all girls and adults, equally, with no preferential

treatment

3. Creating a safe space for girls

4. Prioritizing the safety of all girls

5. Supporting and reinforcing a group agreement

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6. Handling pressure and stress by modeling flexibility and a sense

of humor

7. Creating an experience for and with girls

8. Getting fit (appropriate to the troop)

9. Please note that all chaperones must have completed their

volunteer application and background check, and must be a

registered member

10. It is also important to have the person read the Chaperone

Guidelines sign a Chaperone Agreement so that s/he knows what

is permitted and what is expected during the activity

E. Transporting girls

i. For planned Girl Scout field trips and other activities- outside the

normal time and place- in which a group will be transported in private

vehicles:

1. Every driver must be a registered and approved adult volunteer,

have a good driving record, a valid license, and a

registered/insured vehicle

2. Due to liability insurance reasons, drivers in GSACPC must be 21

years old

3. If a group is traveling in one vehicle, there must be at least two

unrelated, approved adult volunteers in the vehicle, one of whom

is female, and the girl-volunteer ratios in Volunteer Essentials

must be followed.

4. If a group is traveling in more than one vehicle, each vehicle

must have at least two unrelated, approved adult volunteers, one

of whom is female, and the girl-volunteer ratios in Volunteer

Essentials must be followed. Care should be taken so that a

single car (with a single adult driver) is not separated from the

group for an extended length of time.

F. Staying safe during the trip

i. Be sure to discuss the following items with the girls and their parents

before you leave on any trip (you may also want to put this information

in writing and have the girls sign it):

1. Who her buddy is- and how the buddy system works (this is

learned in TCC 1 and 2)

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2. What to do if she is separated from the group, whether by

accident of because of a crime

3. What to do if she loses something significant: money, passport,

luggage

4. What to do in the event of a crime

5. How to report a crime

6. What to do if emergency help is needed

7. How to perform basic first-aid procedures

8. How to deal with a large crowd (if applicable)

9. What behaviors you expect- and what consequences exist for

not living up to those behaviors

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XI. CAMPING

A. Progressive Camping

There are steps to being prepared for camping. The basics are as follows:

i. Indoor overnight – basically a one-night sleep over at a leader’s house.

Remember to use Safety Checkpoint precautions.

ii. Back yard campout – use tents, etc. just like camping in the

wilderness but it’s in someone’s backyard.

iii. Wilderness camping – 1 night first, then try 2.

This allows the girls to become ready to leave their parents and stay away

overnight. The worst thing is to get to some really great campground in say

Prescott and find out that you have 2 girls that can’t be away from their

parents overnight. You can either (1) cancel the trip and take them home, or

(2) have 2 sets of parents drive up to your campsite to pick them up in the

middle of the night.

B. Troop Camp Certification

i. At least 1 leader needs to be Troop Camp Certified to Level 2 before

you can take your kiddo’s camping outdoors to work on Progressive

Camping (except for the sleepover step – unless they will be cooking

outdoors).

ii. It is recommended that at least 1 other registered adult be certified

to at least Level 1.

C. First Aid

i. When camping, you need to have a First Aid Certified registered

adult that is different from the person who should have the TCC

Certification required for the event.

ii. So, 1 person TCC Certified and camping “Leader” and 1 person for

First Aid.

iii. It is recommended that all leaders be First Aid Certified which

includes CPR. Check the Council website for classes.

D. Permission (Also see Sec. X, Travel)

i. Use the permission to travel form for everything except the

sleepover. The form is on the www.chollags.org website.

E. Locations

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i. You can camp at any campground or any location where you have

permission from the property owner so long as you have taken all of

your Girl Scouts through Progressive Camping (see above)

ii. Try the County and State Park Systems for locations as well.

iii. GSACP Council Sites are:

1. Camp Shadow Rim Ranch, Payson (pond and archery)

2. Camp Maripai, Prescott (horses except for Winter)

3. Camp Willow Springs, Prescott (challenge courses)

4. Camp Sombrero, Phoenix (currently undergoing fabulous

renovations)

5. Camp Stephens, Kingman (very rustic)

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XII. SAFETY

A. Manual

i. You will be provided with safety and training at the Getting Started

training.

ii. The basic Checkpoint provides the adult-to-girl ratios needed for

safety based on the age of your Girl Scouts and the activity. (see

Section B, below)

B. Safety Checkpoints

i. At the Council website there are multiple checkpoint forms for every

specific type of activity in which you will engage your girls. They

contain detailed information about what you need to do before, during

and after to assure the safety of the girls

C. First Aid/CPR

i. Every troop needs at least 1 registered adult that is Certified in

First Aid and CPR

ii. The class must be Girl Scout approved (see the Council website for

locations or check with your MSE)

iii. Follow this link to the Council First Aid/CPR page for additional

information and training opportunities

iv. Watch your Council emails for opportunities to obtain your

certification for First Aid and CPR

D. Troop Camp Certification

i. If you plan on taking your Girl Scouts camping, then at least one

member of your troop leadership team needs to be Troop Camp

Certified.

1. Level I – indoor or cabin sleeping, cooking, dining and activities

2. Level II – outdoor sleeping, cooking, dining and activities

ii. The training is offered by Council throughout the year

1. TCC Level I can be done as an online course with a test

2. TCC Level II can be done in the valley and takes all day

3. TCC Levels I & II can be done in a weekend program done at

one of the Camps

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XIII. RECOGNITIONS

A. Girl Recognitions

In addition to the badges and patches, the girls have the opportunity to earn

additional awards and recognitions

i. Bronze Award – the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn.

Information is in the Junior Manual

ii. Silver Award – the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can earn.

Information is in the Cadette Manual

iii. Gold Award – the highest award a Senior/Ambassador Girl Scout can

earn. Information is in both the Senior and Ambassador Manuals

iv. Summit – each level from Junior through Ambassador has a Summit

Award (see the appropriate level Manual for more details) which is

obtained when the Girl Scout earns all of the Journeys before

completing that level.

v. My Promise, My Faith – is an annual faith-based award presented to

the Girl Scout generally by her religious leader or at the annual

celebration sponsored by the GSACP Council. Additional information

can be found in the age-level Manual and here.

vi. Other awards include:

1. Service to Girl Scouting

2. Torch Award

3. And more… See the Girl’s Manual for additional awards

B. Adult Recognitions

i. Girl Scout leaders and volunteers put in many, many hours in support

of the girls in their troop, in our neighborhood and Girl Scouts, in

general. Our Neighborhood puts on an annual event to thank our

leaders, co-leaders, and other volunteers. Recognitions are also given

at the Council and national level

ii. Annual recognition forms are due to the Council and National

Recognitions Coordinator in February every year. Local awards are

due in April.

iii. The awards are as follows:

1. Appreciation Pin – Council Level

2. Honor Pin – Council Level

3. Thanks Badge – National Level

4. Thanks Badge II – National Level

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5. Neighborhood Volunteer of Excellence – Neighborhood Level

6. Pearl Award

iv. Check out the Cholla website to see our recognition recipients and

access the forms.

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XIV. FINANCIAL HELP

A. Opening the Bank Account

B. Recruit a Financially Responsible Parent

i. This is critical unless you want to spend some of your spare time doing

the troop accounting. You are responsible for it and must turn in the

paperwork, but sometimes the listing of transactions is best left to

someone else you trust. See Section V – First Steps.

C. Tracking Your Income and Expenditures

D. Annual Reporting

i. Annual Financial Reports are due to Council each year by May 31st. This

means that they are to be turned into the Neighborhood Finance

Consultant at the April Leader Meeting to allow sufficient time for

review before they are submitted to Council.

ii. You may use forms MS-23 for the report and MS-32 for the detailed

record, or any other forms that contain similar information. Detailed

instructions can be found at www.chollags.org, Leader Info,

Forms. You can find an excel version of the forms in a file named

Troop Management. Below are a few tips, and please contact the

Neighborhood Financial Consultant with any questions or concerns.

1. You must start with last year's balance, and at the point in time

you left off last year.

2. New troops will start with a zero balance, and the month they

first took in money.

3. Be sure to include your Juliette Low Friendship fund as an in/out

for same amount if you attended International Festival and

made a cash donation.

4. Try to deposit all your cookie money in March since you should

be reporting all cookie net income on your report.

5. Fall product and Cookie income should be netted! For example,

if your troop sold 100 boxes of cookies, you would report $75

on your cookie line, not $400 of income and $325 of expense.

6. Ending balance should match your March bank statement. If

you have outstanding checks and want to show those expenses

on your report, you need to provide a listing to reconcile your

bank balance to your report balance.

E. Event Reporting

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i. If you are going to host an event for Cholla Neighborhood, you need

to complete the following forms and turn them in to our MSE:

1. Budget Planning

2. Flyer Checklist

3. Reimbursement Form

ii. For reimbursement, please turn in receipts to the Neighborhood

Financial Consultant

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XV. HELPFUL HINTS

A. The Bucket or tote – purchase (or use one from your stash) a plastic storage

tub with a well-fitting lid. Mark this for Girl Scouts and place it on your

front porch. Use this for placing items that parents need to pick up or drop

off. This keeps your doorbell from being rung at 6 am on Sunday morning!

The only absolute rule is NO MONEY in the bucket. Many of our Service

Team people use the buckets for Fall Product, Cookies, event registrations,

etc. and they are quite handy.

B. Even if you are in the process of forming and registering your troop, you can

likely attend neighborhood events. Ask the specific event coordinator.

C. Remember that when Girl Scouts earn money through Cookie and Fall

Product Sales, and through troop money earning events, that money belongs

to the troop. Girls are rewarded for their efforts through the receipt of

incentives and through attendance at whatever activity they are earning

money for. It is important to keep up with payments from parents as they

are financially responsible for any product they take and sell.

D. When giving the petals to new Daisies, have parents purchase the petal

packs for each girl and give the packet to the Troop Leader. Put the girl’s

name on the packet and give out a petal as it is earned. Don’t give the

parents the packet as we want to ensure only what is earned is reflected on

the Daisy vest/apron.

E. If one of your girls loses a petal, visit the Council Shop. They may be able to

replace it for free.

F. There are tons of cute little crafts at www.makingfriends.com. These go up

through Junior-aged girls. They have cute SWAPS kits too.

G. Another good site is www.orientaltrading.com. They usually sell them in 12

kits/pkg.

H. SAS Fabrics at 1700 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe has some awesome crafts and

are really affordable!

I. Solicit donations for anything and everything you need for your troop. See

if retailers will give you a discount when you buy troop supplies, ask for gift

cards from the grocery store, ask the local bakery if you can have their

leftover cookies tonight for tomorrow’s meeting, etc.

J. The Council or Neighborhood organizes events and it is often okay for your

troop to attend without you. You can either specify that each girl must

attend with a parent, or coordinate with registered and background-checked

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parents to take the troop. Share the Program At a Glance that you will

receive via email from the GSACP Council with your families so they can

decide to attend events without you if they choose.

K. Parade of Lights is chaos with kindergarteners. Parade of Lights is

recommended for all troops. It is definitely up to you, your co-leaders, and

your parents to decide when your girls are ready for this. Some leaders have

found that 1st year Daisies have difficulty, but others have had no issue.

Watch your girls and see how they do. See Safety Checkpoints for girl/adult

ratio.

L. Get your girls’ parents involved from the beginning. Teach them that they

are an essential part of the troop, and that you are not a babysitter.

M. Do not let fundraising discourage your girls or their parents. While it is

important for girls to sell cookies to raise money, some families may decide

not to participate and that is okay. No one should opt out of Girl Scouts

because they feel pressure to sell. However, what is not earned with cookie

sales will need to be made up with parent funding, or a decision to avoid

cost-prohibitive activities. Set clear selling goals and deadlines so parents

know what to expect.

N. Council has a FaceBook forum for leaders only: GSACPC Leaders. Post your

questions there for quick responses from other leaders. Cholla has one too!

O. Many leaders forget what it was like to be new and not know the acronyms,

events, people, etc. Asking questions and letting them know what you need is

the only way you will learn.

P. Do not be discouraged by other’s experiences in the past. For example, if

another parent tells you that there’s no way your school will let you meet

there, ask the school anyway. Things may have changed; you may try the

same thing with a different result.

Q. If you do not like the way something is being done in the Neighborhood or

Council, offer to help. Most activities are performed by volunteers that are

doing the best they can, and would appreciate your initiative.

R. Intel employees that volunteer more than 20 hours/year with your troop can

submit their hours to the Intel Foundation for a donation to your troop.

Intel will pay $10 per hour of service by an employee or retiree.

S. Several local businesses offer tours or Girl Scout activities. Check out the

list of known opportunities at http://www.chollags.org/leader-info.html.

Email ChollaGS@Gmail.com to add things you’ve found too!

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T. Daisies can be harder for volunteers than other levels. As the girls progress

to Brownies and beyond, they will take responsibility for their troop

meetings and activities. If you can make it through Daisies, you can do

anything.

U. Your Service Team wants you to join! We want new people, new opinions, new

ideas and your help with whatever you can do, even if you do not feel

comfortable taking a formal position. This is a great way to learn more

about Girl Scouts as an organization, develop relationships with other

leaders, and shape the way the Girl Scouting experience is delivered to our

area.

V. Attendance at Leader Meetings is highly encouraged. The Service Team

endeavors to have topics of relevance so that you can have monthly mini-

training opportunities and, best of all, other Leaders and volunteers to talk

to. Our MSE is always in attendance. If you ever have a topic you would like

to discuss at a Leader Meeting let anyone on the Service Team know. (see,

www.chollags.org).