Volunteer Essentials

Did you ever wish that all the answers to the most common questions about Girl Scouting could be found in one place? Volunteer Essentials is your guidebook to the world of Girl Scouting! Here it is:

• the whats: programs, badges, meetings, awards, cookies and more;
• the whys: council policies, how they work, when to use them; and
• the hows: taking trips, understanding your girls, and getting the most out of your leadership role.

Download the full Volunteer Essentials Document (not including forms – click here for forms)

Download the Volunteer Essentials Document by Section

• Quick Start Guide
  Includes:
  • We Are Girl Scouts
  • Who Can Join Girl Scouts - and How?
  • Girl Scouts' Organizational Structure
  • Getting Started with the National Leadership Program through Journeys
  • Planning in a Girl-Led Environment
  • Meeting with Girls for the First Time
  • Using Safety Activity Checkpoints
  • Understanding How Many Volunteers You Need
  • Following the Girl Scouts Safety Guidelines
• Chapter 1: Sharing Your Gifts
  Includes:
  • Understanding Your Role as a Volunteer
    • Your Responsibilities
    • Your Support Team
  • Taking Advantage of Learning Opportunities
  • Knowing How Much You're Appreciated
• Chapter 2: Girl Scouting as a National Experience
  Includes:
  • Journeys!
    • It's Your World - Change It!
    • It's Your Planet - Love It!
    • It's Your Story - Tell It!
  • The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting
    • Inside a Girl's Guide
    • Anatomy of a Badge
  • Emblems and Patches
  • Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards
  • Other Initiatives and Opportunities
  • Girl Scout Traditions: Pass it On!
    • Girl Scout Calendar
    • Time-Honored Ceremonies
    • Signs, Songs, Handshake, and More!
• Chapter 3: Engaging Girls at All Grade Levels
  Includes:
  • Arranging a Time and Space for Girl-Led Meetings
  • Understanding Healthy Development in Girls
  • Creating a Safe Space for Girls
    • Recognizing and Supporting Each Girl
    • Promoting Fairness
    • Building Trust
    • Managing Conflict
    • Inspiring Open Communication
    • Working with Parents and Guardians
  • Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance and Inclusion
• Chapter 4: Safety
  Includes:
  • Knowing Your Responsibilities
    • Responsibilities of the Volunteer: Girl Scout Safety Guidelines
    • Responsibilities of Parents and Guardians
    • Responsibilities of Girls
  • Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need
  • Transporting Girls
  • Hosting a Girl-Led Event
  • Approaching Activities
    • Health Histories (Authorization and Medical Information)
    • Girl Scout Activity Insurance
  • Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act
  • Providing Emergency Care
    • First-Aid/CPR
    • Procedure for Accidents
• Chapter 5: Managing Group Finances
  Includes:
  • Establishing an Account
  • Money-Earning Basics
    • Helping Girls Reach Their Financial Goals
    • Reviewing Financial and Sales Abilities by Grade Level
  • Understanding the Girl Scout Cookie Program
    • Financial Literacy and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
    • Determining Who Can Participate
    • Knowing Where Proceeds Go
    • Using Online Resources to Market Cookies and Other Products
    • Safely Selling Girl Scout Cookies and Other Products
  • Additional Group Money-Earning
  • Collaborating with Sponsors and Other Organizations
• Appendix: For Troop Volunteers
  Includes:
  • Forming a Troop Committee
  • Holding Troop Meetings
    • Reviewing the Six Elements of a Troop Meeting
    • Letting Girls Lead
  • Looking at a Sample Troop Year
  • Reengaging Girls
• Appendix: For Travel Volunteers
  Includes:
  • Traveling with Girls
    • Traveling Using Journeys and The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting in Their Travels
    • Seeking Council Premission
    • Involving Chaperones
    • Letting Girls Lead
    • Staying Safe During the Trip
  • Reengaging Girls
• Appendix: Volunteer Policies