As you may have already heard, on August 27, 2006, the National Board of Directors approved the jurisdictional realignment of Girl Scout councils. This action by the National Board supports the creation of high-performance councils, one of the primary goals of the Core Business Strategy. This process of change will not cause a discontinuation or reduction of services to girls. It will result in improvements and enhancements in the delivery of program services to girls.
Contents
1) Why is the Girl Scout Organization realigning councils?
2) Why is the Girl Scout Organization restructuring?
3) How will my daughter’s Girl Scout troop be affected?
4) How will this affect which camps and properties my daughter attends?
5) Where will meetings and trainings be held?
6) Where do we now go to purchase Girl Scout items?
7) What can girls and their parents expect as a result of the changes?
8) Is the restructuring due to a lack of funding?
9) Are the Girl Scouts restructuring due to a lack of girls joining and/or a lack of volunteers?
10) What would an incentive be for a person to consider volunteering with the Girl Scouts?
11) How will this affect staffing in councils?
12) How is the new council name going to be decided?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the Girl Scout Oranization realigning councils?
This realignment is designed to impact leadership development for girls and significantly increase the number of volunteers participating in Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts of the USA has recently adopted a business strategy to build more strength throughout the Girl Scout Movement. As part of this initiative, councils throughout the country are realigning their boundaries to make the most effective use of resources, to offer more program opportunities to even more girls, and to create the infrastructure necessary to prepare for the future of the Movement.
GSUSA will be making two key changes over the next few years: First, they are revitalizing the Girl Scout program age levels, redefining what leadership means for girls, and updating some activity options. Second, they are offering more impactful experiences and flexible time commitment options for volunteers. They are making these changes nationwide to ensure that Girl Scouting is a full and consistent experience.
Here in Guiding Star Girl Scout Council, we will be combining our strengths with our neighbors in Goldenrod, Great Plains, Homestead and Prairie Hills to form a new high-performance Girl Scout council. The council realignment will strengthen our organization’s infrastructure and resources at all levels of the organization including fundraising, public relations, property, staffing, and volunteer support. There is already a high level of cooperation between our councils because we draw upon many of the same resources. This realignment will help us develop our resources more effectively and decrease duplicating efforts. This realignment process will begin in April 2007.
back to top
2. Why is the Girl Scout Organization restructuring?
On a national level, change is perhaps the oldest tradition in Girl Scouts. Ever since Juliette Gordon Low returned from England in 1912 and changed “Guide” to “Scout” in response to the preference of American girls, those in the Girl Scout Movement have prided themselves on their ability to make periodic adjustments to meet the needs of girls.
A renewed focus on leadership nationwide will ensure that Girl Scouting maintains the values that have been at our core for 95 years, while being a relevant experience to girls today.
back to top
3. How will my daughter’s Girl Scout troop be affected?
Your daughter will remain in the same troop she is in, or as always, may choose to join a new troop at the end of the membership year.
The current troop number may change, as there may be duplication of troop numbers. In this case, an additional number will be added to some troops (e.g., Troop 501 becomes 1501).
The most exciting immediate news is that our new council will be pooling volunteer and staff resources. This change will enable us to increase the number of program events offered and the locations we can offer them in, and it will afford all girls the chance to meet more Girl Scouts.
back to top
4. How will this affect which camps and properties my daughter attends?
The best news is that we will be able to offer more events, in more locations, and will be able to provide new offerings that give girls the opportunity to meet more friends.
The realigning councils manage properties that are available for troop camping and many other activities throughout the year. Each camp has a number of unique features, and we anticipate that troops will now have the opportunity to enjoy a greater variety of camping experiences. Because our first priority will be the smooth transition of members and operations, all properties will be reviewed at a later time to determine the most appropriate use of resources. Factors such as the conditions of the facilities, finances, location, and program options are used to make property decisions.
back to top
5. Where will meetings and trainings be held?
The practice of conducting trainings at various locations throughout the council jurisdiction will continue. New opportunites in different locations, online workshops and services, and more, will be enhanced.
In preparation for the realignment, our Girl Scout councils have been meeting to determine the best practices we currently have and to think even more broadly to create the optimal services and programs for our new council. Every aspect of service to girl and adult members is being examined and discussed. All input from girls, volunteers, and staff is being considered. Decisions will be made in the best interest of all concerned. The new council will depend on the valued contributions of adult volunteers.
back to top
6. Where do we now go to purchase Girl Scout items?
Until the councils are combined and realignment is complete, the current Girl Scout Shop locations will remain the same. Many decisions are in the planning stages, and the good news is we anticipate that there will be multiple revitalized Girl Scout Shops throughout the jurisdiction.
back to top
7. What can girls and their parents expect as a result of the changes?
Girls have asked for unique experiences that reflect their current needs and interests. Parents can expect Girl Scouting to utilize a new approach that is girl-led and girl-driven. This approach will offer girls a unique leadership development opportunity that will provide skills they need for a lifetime of personal and civic achievement. Girls can expect new and exciting activities at each new age level.
back to top
8. Is the restructuring due to a lack of funding?
While the Girl Scouts need to increase funding as do all nonprofits, all five Nebraska councils are in sound financial condition. Our realignment is about joining all our local resources to create a premium, revitalized council from which to serve Girl Scouts in Nebraska.
back to top
9. Are the Girl Scouts restructuring due to a lack of girls joining and/or a lack of volunteers?
Girl Scouting is restructuring to create high-capacity councils in every region, including ours. Similar to other youth serving organizations, we too want to serve as many girls and have them served by the best volunteers possible. The Girl Scouts are confident that as we move into our 95th year of serving communities with a premier leadership development program for girls, our revitalized structure and program will allow us to welcome more girls, and enable our current and new volunteers to create a more impactful and flexible experience. Would you like to become a volunteer?
back to top
10. What would an incentive be for a person to consider volunteering with the Girl Scouts?
People who are looking for new places to volunteer should look to the new volunteer systems and the enhanced Girl Scout program. As new support materials are created, the Girl Scout organization will improve the volunteer experience by making it easier to join, offering more flexible volunteer timetables and roles suited to their abilities and interests. Girl Scouts will also provide user-friendly resources so that adults and girls have a fun and impact-driven Girl Scout experience.
back to top
11. How will this affect staffing in councils?
When our Girl Scout councils combine and are able to maximize our efficiencies, we are likely to need as many, if not more staff, to serve our girls. Future growth will necessitate a strong group of staff and volunteers to continue providing the quality Girl Scout Leadership Development program for girls.
back to top
12. How is the new council name going to be decided?
Our national office has given us three common sense guidelines that our planning team will consider. They are that we:
- 1. Start with the name Girl Scouts, for easy identification
- 2. Include a regional reference, for easy identification
- 3. Utilize a name that is new to the realigning offices, for a fresh start
