Troop Start-Up Workbook
Need-to-Know Numbers and Names
Customer Care can help with any question!
Phone: 888-747-6945
Email: info@gsnwgl.org
Hours:*
Monday–Friday 8:30–5:00 CST Summer Hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day):* closed Fridays at Noon
*Hours are subject to change. Please visit gsnwgl.org for our most up-to-date hours.
Support staff and volunteers want to see you succeed and have fun!
My Membership Engagement staff contact is:
Membership Engagement staff are local and on the ground, ready to assist you with inviting youth to join Girl Scouts, local activity planning, and troop management advice.
Service Area Manager or Community Organizer Volunteers:
Service Area Product Program Manager Volunteers:
Other names and roles:
MyGS username is:
My troop number is:
MyGS password is:
My service area is:
Single grade level or multi-level troop:
Daisies (grades K–1) Cadettes (grades 6–8)
Brownies (grades 2–3) Seniors (grades 9–10)
Troop names and contact info:
Troop Leader:
Assistant Troop Leader:
Troop Treasurer:
Troop Helper:
Troop Fall Product Manager:
Troop Cookie Manager:
Juniors (grades 4–5) Ambassadors (grades 11–12)
When are the shops open?
See our website for shop locations and hours, which may change with the season and special sales events.
Shop online anytime! girlscoutshop.com/GSNWGL
Let’s Get Started
Get out a pencil and start writing!
This workbook walks you through the six steps of starting a troop and provides you the advice you need to get the troop up and running quickly. Council staff will review the workbook with you to discuss your questions, ideas, and plans, and give lots of guidance. We want you to feel prepared and confident for a great start!
Review the Basics
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience Page 6 Troop Leader Responsibilities Page 7
The Six Steps to Start a Troop
Step #1 Invite the kids Pages 8–9
Step #2 Invite the adults Pages 10–13
Step #3 Set the troop meeting schedule Pages 14–15
Step #4 Open the troop bank account Pages 16–22
Step #5 Register members Page 23
Step #6 Host a parent/caregiver meeting Pages 24–25 Next Steps
Prepare for a Great Start Page 26 Friendship Circle Page 26
What We Do
Variety of Girl Scout Activities
Discover Connect Take Action
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
How We Do It
Who Does It What Girl Scouts Get
Three Girl Scout Processes
Girl-Led Learn by Doing
Cooperative Learning
Supportive Adults
Volunteers Families
Staff & Helpers
Leadership Outcomes
Strong Sense of Self Positive Values
Challenge Seeking Healthy Relationships
Community Problem Solving
Achieve Our Mission
Girl Scouts lead with courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place.
Troop Leader Responsibilities
The most important thing you’ll do as a volunteer is simply show the girls you care about them. Troop volunteers can work together to navigate the responsibilities below.
Stay in touch with council staff and service area volunteers. Read and respond to email and phone calls and read council newsletters.
Engage with parents/ caregivers.
Reach out regularly. Share schedules and troop finances. Tell stories about what Girl Scouts did during troop meetings. Invite parents to help with specific tasks often, to keep them engaged and connected. Ask caregivers for tips and guidance on how to best support their Girl Scout.
Prepare
for Girl Scout safety.
Refer to Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity
Checkpoints when making plans. Keep health history forms and permission forms with you during outings.
Manage troop finances.
You can find financial advice on our website. Update your ACH form as needed with two registered, approved volunteers as signers. Document income and expenses for the troop finance report, due May 31 each year.
Guide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Model the Girl Scout Law to help children learn Girl Scout values. Follow the program materials to help them Discover, Connect, and Take Action. Use the three Girl Scout Processes to guide troop activities. See more on page 6
Girl-Led: Girl Scouts at every age take an active role in deciding the what, where, when, why, and how of what they do.
Learn by Doing: Girl Scouts engage in hands-on learning through an ongoing cycle of action and reflection.
Cooperative Learning: Girl Scouts share knowledge and skills, and learn to work together on goals that can only be accomplished with the help of others.
Step #1 Invite the Kids
Whether you’re taking on leadership of an existing troop or starting a brand new one, making personal invitations to join your troop is vital to the success of the group and reaching the ideal troop size of 12–15 Girl Scouts. Even though you’re just getting started as a troop leader, you can still be a great advocate for Girl Scouts!
Share out a flyer or invitation. Our staff can help you—just ask!
Who is in my family network? Who are the parents and kids I already know who can help me get the word out?
Who are the school staff and support professionals who will help support my new troop? Let your teachers, counselors, after-school coordinators, secretary or principal know you are welcoming new members.
How can I distribute my invitation to all the grade(s) my troop will serve? Ask teachers to pass along your flyers or send a message to the classroom email list.
Which social media options should I use? Post information on your personal social media page, school or community parent pages.
When can I host an information table? Set up a booth at school events or in the pick-up area. Our staff will provide materials.
How can the kids get involved? Plan an event with them—and then ask them to invite their friends.
Which school communications can I use to reach more parents? What connections do I have to help me? Share with parent-teacher organizations, school newsletters, social media pages and more. As a parent or community member, you may have access to communication channels that council staff do not.
Invite the Kids Worksheet
Use this worksheet to list who you could invite and their response to your invitation.
Date I shared the Girl Scout invitation Family's level of interest in Girl Scouting
� No Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No
Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No
Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
� No Thanks
� Tell Me More
� Count Me In
Troop Tips:
1. Share the troop number with families so they can register online directly to your troop. Tell them to search for “Troop 1234” for example.
2. Be clear about which grades the troop will include. For example, is it a Brownie troop just for second graders, or second AND third graders?
3. If your troop will have more than one Girl Scout grade level, like Daisies plus Brownies, we call it a multi-level troop.
Step #2 Invite the Adults
Invite other parents, caregivers, and your friends to join you in building the troop! At a minimum, the troop needs two unrelated adult volunteers, one of whom is female, to get started. All involved adults must be at least 18 years old and need to register as a member of Girl Scouts and complete a background check prior to working with youth. One-time visitors are exempt from this but should always be supervised by a registered volunteer and never left alone with the Girl Scouts. Share the Standard Safety Guidelines (in the Safety Activity Checkpoints) with all troop volunteers to set the expectation of adult behavior around youth members and emphasize that safety is of primary importance in Girl Scouts.
Troop Roles
Troop Leader
Lead the way! Troop Leaders are memory makers; they lead and guide a group of girls through Girl Scouting. They take the girls’ interests, abilities, and opinions into consideration when planning out their fun. As girls get older, Troop Leaders guide more than lead, but continue to help them grow, learn, and do amazing things!
Troop Cookie Manager
Coordinate the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program at the troop level. Set up cookie booths, manage inventory and money, and witness as girls turn into #CookieBosses-setting goals, making sales, and earning rewards!
Assistant Troop Leader
You’ve got the troop leader’s back! Work alongside the troop leader and making memories with the girls, mentoring them as they make new friends, try new things, and explore the world.
Fall Product Manager
Coordinate the annual Fall Product Program at the troop level. Manage the program and money, and then watch the girls light up when they reach their goals, learn something new, and squish the stuffed animal they didn’t buy, but earned!
Troop Treasurer
Got a knack for numbers? A passion for all things accounting? This role works with girls and the troop leader to keep troop finances in order. Troop treasurers work alongside the troop leader to prepare the annual troop finance report.
Troop Helper
Want to work with girls? These volunteers play a big role in making the troop run smoothly. They’re an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands that allow the troop to safely explore the world around them.
What can additional volunteers do? A lot!
It will help you to delegate tasks to other parents and caregivers. Most of them are looking for a specific task and a way to get involved that works for them.
• Secure the meeting location
• Chaperone/drive youth to field trips, outings, or special events
• Find an adult to talk to the Girl Scouts about the badge skill they are working on
• Shop for badges or troop supplies
• Manage some of the troop records (attendance, permission slips, finances)
• Send snacks to troop meetings
• Send updates to families with pictures and announcements of troop activity
• Lead a meeting, or a portion of a meeting
Choose a Volunteer Leadership Model
• Assist with the Fall Product Program and the Cookie Program
• Step in for you when you are ill, have a sick child, or a conflicting work commitment
• Plan a party for special days or bridging ceremonies
Which leadership model will work best for you and the families joining the troop? Consider how many other volunteers step forward to help and the level of commitment they are willing to make.
Traditional Troop Model
Two unrelated adults lead a troop. Other caregivers volunteer to help as needed.
Cooperative Troop Model
One adult serves as the primary contact with the council, but caregivers divide responsibility by interest and/or skill set. Caregivers rotate the responsibility of leading meetings and organizing activities.
Adult-to-Youth Ratio Chart
Two unrelated volunteers (at least one of whom is female) for every:
One additional volunteer for each additional:
Two unrelated volunteers (at least one of whom is female) for every: One additional volunteer for each additional:
Parent Helper List
Most parents want to help in some small way. Use these pages to help you brainstorm lots of ways that parents/ caregivers can help the troop and stay engaged. * Requires an adult membership and background check to ensure the safety of all members and the troop’s resources.
*Troop Leader:
*Assistant Troop Leader:
*Troop Treasurer:
*Troop Helpers: volunteers who are present at most meetings and those who help as overnight chaperones, drivers, or product program helpers should all be registered members with a background check
Outdoor Education volunteer: an adult who has completed the council course in outdoor education, which includes campfire and campfire cooking safety training. This training is required before building outdoor fires and going on camping trips.
*Troop Cookie Manager:
*Troop Fall Product Manager:
First Aider: an adult with a current certification in Adult & Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED, who is required for most Girl Scout activity, as listed in the Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Other suggestions for parent help include the following or create your own!
Coordinate transportation:
Communicate with parents/caregivers:
Coordinate snacks:
Plan parties or ceremonies:
Shop for supplies:
Take pictures:
Off-site babysitting: (assist volunteers with their children who are not in the troop)
Parent Helper List
Use this page to brainstorm for people, organizations, and community locations with skills or resources to share in the four foundational program areas. They could help the troop when you're working on badges and other earned awards.
Who has OUTDOOR skills and hobbies?
Who has STEM skills and hobbies?
Who has ENTREPRENEURSHIP skills and hobbies?
Who has LIFE SKILLS and hobbies?
Step #3 Set the Troop Meeting Schedule
Where should my troop meet?
Troops meet in public locations—a local school, a place of worship, the library, or Girl Scout properties with available space. Choose a low-cost/no-cost option. Ensure the space is safe, secure, and clean. Consider the mobility needs of members and caregivers who require barrier-free access to the space. Some meeting places may require a signed contract. Girl Scout volunteers should NOT sign contracts in the name of Girl Scouts, unless explicit written permission is received from council staff. If the location you choose requires a certificate of liability insurance, contact Customer Care to make the request.
Likely locations are:
When should my troop meet?
Every Girl Scout troop is different, but most troops meet twice a month. Some troops meet right after school and others meet in the evening or on a weekend. Other troops host one meeting and one field trip each month. Some troops meet virtually! Build a schedule that matches their age level and activity level. Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador grade levels usually set their own schedule to work around their busy extracurricular schedules.
Meeting day and time:
How long should my troop meet?
The Volunteer Toolkit has suggested 60-minute plans for Daisies and 90-minute meeting plans for Brownies and Juniors. Other factors that might influence your decision include the travel time to and from the meeting, the ages of the children, available locations, and the selected activity.
Meeting length will probably be:
Update the troop meeting details with your council.
When the schedule is set, it’s time to complete the Troop Information Update survey at gsnwgl.org.
All done. Date:
Connect with your local Girl Scout staff member for advice and to review the meeting details. When the schedule is set, it’s time to update the Troop Search Catalog, also known as the Participation Catalog. The best way to submit the details is the Troop Information Update link in the Volunteer Collective (Leader Basics/Six Steps to Start/Step 3: Set the Meeting Schedule).
What should I include in a typical Girl Scout year?
Troop leaders work with Girl Scouts to select the year’s activities—it’s a girl-led experience so every troop is different. Follow the Super Troop outline for a well-rounded year of activity. Use the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) to get an idea of how long it takes to earn a badge, and what a troop can reasonably achieve in a year.
Badge or activity ideas for this year:
Troop Tip: Girl Scouts is designed to be girl-led, so don’t plan out every detail of the year before your first meeting! Talk to the troop early on and give them some choices of activities, field trips, and badges.
Where can I find council activities, camp sessions, and local service area events to add to the troop calendar?
Enjoy attending an event that someone else planned! Visit our events list at gsnwgl.org to choose council-organized activities like badge-earning workshops, camp sessions, and special events. Use the advanced search option to filter events by grade level, location, category, or keyword. New events are added throughout the year, so check back often. Another event resource is the list of Field Trip & Travel Partners. Discover local organizations willing to host Girl Scout field trips for your troop. Find a host to help complete a step in earning a badge, or to plan a just-for-fun outing. Stay in touch with local staff and volunteers to learn about nearby service area events.
Wow! I looked at the Events list and I think these look fun!
How will I stay in touch with parents and caregivers?
Keep everyone in the loop! Make sure parents/caregivers know when and where your activities will be and how they can help. Keep your back-and-forth communication in one place, as much as possible, so everyone knows where to find Girl Scout messages, forms, dates, etc.
My first choices for communication are (examples: email, private Facebook group, phone tree, my favorite social media app, etc.):
Troop Tip: Ask about communication methods in the Parent/Caregiver meeting. Does everyone use Facebook or Instagram? Or is email preferred, etc.
Step #4 Open the Troop Bank Account
Prepare for two account owners/signers.
Date completed:
We all want to know your troop’s hard-earned money is in safe hands. Typically, one bank account owner is the Troop Leader and the other is the Troop Cookie Manager, the Assistant Troop Leader, or the Troop Treasurer. Identify another trusted adult to have joint access to the account.
• Are they registered Girl Scout members with a role in your troop?
• Have they completed a background check?
• Are they related to you? If so, stop! The two signers cannot be related, married, or partnered.
Account owners/signers will probably be:
Choose a bank.
Date completed:
What’s a convenient bank or credit union for you and your co-leaders to use? Council staff will also make recommendations of banks that work well with Girl Scouts. Search for no-fee banking. Many banks will waive fees if you sign up for online banking and discontinue paper statements.
Banks I could use include:
Before you open an account, know this: troop accounts are nonprofit (not personal or business) accounts jointly owned by your troop and GSNWGL. Therefore:
• An IRS W9 form is not required to open the account.
• Do NOT put your social security number on the account. However, some banks may ask for your social security number for identification purposes.
• It’s helpful to bring all account owners/signers to the bank when you open the account. And everyone should bring a valid photo ID.
Dates we can all meet at the bank:
Open an account and document it properly.
Date completed:
• Give the banker the Federal ID number and contact info (below), and the corporate resolution document (in this workbook).
• Your account must be titled like this: Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes – Troop ####
• Use your home address for the mailing address and your email for the email contact for the account, so that monthly statements and other bank communication go directly to you—not the Girl Scout office.
• Get a debit card.
• Decide if you want to purchase checks. Keep the information on your checks short and simple; do NOT include your name, address, or the council’s address. Here’s an example:
Line 1: Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes Line 2: Troop ####
• Ask the banker for an account verification letter (see example in this workbook) to confirm the account title, account type, account number, routing number, and the account owners/signers on the account. Request it be faxed to the council’s finance department (see contact info).
Bring this workbook with you to the bank; it contains the information you need to open a troop or service area bank account:
• Corporate resolution
• Bank letter verification example
• Council Federal ID: 39-1016314
• Council’s controlling account owner: Colleen Bennett, Chief Financial Officer
• Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes ATTN: Finance/ACH 4693 N. Lynndale Drive Appleton, WI 54913 Fax: 920.734.1304
Complete the council’s ACH authorization form and mail or fax it (do not email) to GSNWGL.
Date completed:
For our non-profit tax status and audit needs, you must submit your troop bank account information to keep on file at the council office.
ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. It’s an electronic network for financial transactions. The council can use ACH to pull money from your troop account for product sales or payment for a property rental. It is also used for deposits to refund your troop or to pay for financial assistance that is requested. The council will rarely send you a check, to save you a trip to the bank!
IMPORTANT! Whenever the account information changes (for example, when volunteers are added or removed as signers, or if you move the account to a different bank), you must submit an updated ACH authorization form with a voided check or account verification letter from the bank (see example in this workbook). Email is not a secure way to send account data due to potential internet security risks, so send it via fax or stamped mail.
Download the troop finance log and set up a receipt storage file.
Date completed:
Use the Troop Finance Log template right away to start recording all troop income and expenses. Find it on our website. Aim to update the log monthly when your bank statement is posted. It makes submitting the required year-end troop finance report faster and easier. Safely store all paper and electronic receipts.
Troop Tip: Avoid using cash, if possible, and keep all receipts when you do. Use debit cards. Make deposits promptly.
Monitor the troop account balance often.
Date completed: ongoing
When Girl Scouts dream big, they earn big money. Be aware of the possibility of theft or misuse of funds, which is the troop’s responsibility. Be transparent; share the Troop Finance Log with families at least twice a year; council recommends December (after Fall Product) and May (after Cookie Program).
Notes and questions
Talk to Families About Finances
We want to help every family participate in Girl Scouts! Caregivers and volunteers may contact Customer Care at 888.747.6945 or info@gsnwgl.org with questions about financial assistance in four areas.
Membership
One of the first questions families ask is “how much does it cost to be a Girl Scout?” Because we are a volunteer-driven organization, and thanks to amazing volunteers like you, our annual membership fees are reasonable. Youth membership is $30 and adult membership is $25.
Financial aid is available for membership fees. Caregivers may request financial aid at the time of membership registration.
Events & Camp
We all learn by doing. Get your Girl Scouts out of their normal routine and challenge their abilities with hands-on, expert-led events, day camps, sleepaway camps, or wilderness trips. They can sign up individually or with friends.
Financial assistance is available for a variety of council-hosted program events and camps. Caregivers may request financial aid at the time of registration.
Uniforms
Uniforms are a fun and important way for the girls to feel part of something special, just like a sports team or music ensemble uniform. Badges and patches on a Girl Scout uniform demonstrate what girls have learned and experienced in Girl Scouts! Suggested uniform pieces cost approximately $40–60 per child.
Financial aid is available for uniforms and includes a Girl Scout sash (tunic for Daisies), American flag patch, and the GSNWGL council ID patch. Troop Leaders submit a form on behalf of families.
Troop Dues
Most new troops either ask for donations of basic materials or they collect troop dues to purchase them. Dues in our council typically range from $5-$25 per child.
Financial aid for troop dues is available to new members only. Troop Leaders submit a form on behalf of families. Moving forward, plan for Fall Product Program and Cookie Program profits to cover future troop expenses of badges, patches, program event fees, and supplies.
Here’s a sample of an ACH authorization form. Find it on our council website.
ACH Aut horization Form
Please submit a completed copy of this form with a bank verification letter or voided check to: GSNWGL, Attn: ACH/Finance, 4693 North Lynndale Drive, Appleton, WI 54913, or FAX to 920.734.1304. Questions? Contact the GSNWGL finance department at 888.747.6945. IMPORTANT: DO NOT EMAIL ACH Authorization Forms or bank account information due to potential internet security risks. If forms are emailed, the council is not responsible for fraud.
TROOP #: SERVICE AREA NAME and #:
BANK INFORMATION:
Name of Bank/Financial Institution:
Name of Bank Account: (as it appears on check or bank statement)
Bank City:
Routing Number:
Bank State:
Bank Zip:
Account Number:
Account Type: ☐ Checking ☐ Savings
Bank Phone:
☐ I have included a verification letter from my bank/financial institution on their letterhead (see example), or a voided check, to verify the account number listed above (Deposit slips are not acceptable.)
SIGNER INFORMATION:
Primary Name on Account:
Address:
Day Phone:
Email Address: City:
Evening Phone:
State: Zip:
List the signers on the account. A minimum of two signers are required. They must be registered Girl Scout members with a completed background check. Signers cannot be related, married, or partnered.
1.
2.
Initials:
SAMPLE
I authorize Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) to initiate credit and/or debit entries to the account(s) listed above.
I understand that no personal purchases may be made using the troop account or troop funds.
I understand that theft or intentional misuse of funds may result in criminal charges being filed.
I authorize GSNWGL and any investigation firms it may employ to request and review information from the bank/financial institution including, but not limited to, names of account signers, statements/transaction ledgers, and other information to verify the appropriate use of troop/service area funds.
I will notify the council of any changes to this information by submitting an updated ACH Authorization Form
I understand this authorization will remain in full force and effect until an authorized signer has submitted in writing the wish to revoke this authorization.
By signing, I agree to the terms outlined above:
Signature:
Date:
I
Here’s a sample of a bank/financial institution verification letter. Ensure the bank includes all nine pieces of information on their letterhead.
Please mail monthly bank statements to the troop leader's home address, not the council office. Thank you.
Please mail monthly bank statements to the troop leader’s home address, not the council office. Thank you.
Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Inc. Corporate Resolution Regarding Financial Arrangements of Corporate Subunits
Step #5 Register Members
Our online registration system offers the fastest and most convenient way for girls and adult volunteers to join a troop. Once you have your troop number, share it with interested parents/caregivers and they can register directly to the troop after they create an account in MyGS.
Families do this:
• Visit www.gsnwgl.org, and scroll down to click on Join.
• Create an account in MyGS and add a membership to the cart.
• Select Find Troops, to search troops by zip code or troop number.
• Accept the Girl Scout Law and Promise.
• Check out and pay the membership fee.
• Receive a welcome email with next steps.
• Check out the Parent/Caregiver view of the Volunteer Toolkit.
• Search for more events, camps, and opportunities for their Girl Scout.
• Financial aid is available for any child experiencing a financial barrier to joining. Caregivers can select financial aid on the confirm member details screen.
Troop leaders see and do this:
• Complete the Troop Information Update with the troop meeting schedule and details, so caregivers can find the information online.
• Watch for email notifications that new members have been added to your troop (check your junk mail) and contact the family to introduce yourself and share the next troop meeting date, time, and location.
• Check the troop roster often in MyGS.
• Welcome the new members and caregivers at the next troop meeting.
Council staff support the troop like this:
• Provide customer service to parents and volunteers with questions.
• Assist troop leaders to update the online troop search catalog.
• Match, screen, and place adults into volunteer roles.
• Promote Girl Scouts in your area and assist you in inviting members to join!
Notes
Step #6 Host a Parent/ Caregiver Meeting
Now you’re ready to pull it all together in the Parent/Caregiver Meeting. Caregiver and volunteer surveys show us that troops who hold parent meetings every year have a higher level of satisfaction with their Girl Scout experience. Follow this agenda to ensure the most relevant information is communicated clearly. Add your own unique style to the meeting and share your excitement for Girl Scouts! For more information and planning tools, check out the “Intro Meeting” plan in the Volunteer Toolkit. You’re going to be great!
Agenda
Meeting Length: 60-90 minutes
Welcome and Introductions (10 mins)
• Leader introductions (share why you volunteer your time with Girl Scouts) and go over dates/times/frequency and locations of upcoming meetings
• Have caregivers introduce themselves and share expectations for this year of Girl Scouting
Discover the Girl Scout Difference (15-20 mins)
• Explain our mission as well as the Girl Scout Promise and Law
• Discuss how our girl-led, hands-on, collaborative program helps girls take risks, dream bigger, and gain important skills—all while having fun and making friends
• Share overview of your Year Plan—including which badges, journeys, special trips, and outdoor adventures the troop may participate in
Family as Part of the Formula (10 mins)
• Explain how you’ll be engaging parents in their girls’ Girl Scout lives by keeping them in the loop on what the girls are doing and learning during each meeting
• Encourage them to let their daughters “be the expert” at home, explaining or teaching a new skill she’s learned to the rest of the family-the Family Tip Sheet will help them do it
• Let them know there will be special events throughout the year for families to share with their girl and celebrate all they’re achieving with the troop
Get Them Hooked on Helping (10 mins)
• Using the Make Her Experience Memorable guide from the Volunteer Tool Kit, point out that spending just a little time to help can make a big impact
• Secure adults to help with organizing and managing the calendar for troop snacks, the carpool schedule, and the troop phone tree or social media page-all activities that can take as little as 15 minutes per week
• Encourage caregivers to consider other leadership opportunities listed-emphasize they’re not just welcome to lend a hand, they’re wanted
Money Matters (10 mins)
• Outline costs to parents and caregivers (sash or vest and other supplies needed for the year)
• Explain dues expectations, and how they’ll be used to support the troop
• If participating in the Girl Scout Cookie or the Fall Product Program, explain how money raised benefits the troop, and briefly go over the five critical skills girls will develop in the process
Wrap It Up (10-15 mins)
• Make sure everyone has your phone and email, knows the troop number, and has all the information about the next troop meeting (date, time, location and any supplies the girls will need to bring).
• Determine the primary communication method the troop will use (text, email, phone, social media, other).
• Collect forms then leave time for questions, concerns, and simply to get to know people better
• Friendship Circle, with girls. (You may choose to have the parent meeting occur at the same time as the girls’ troop meeting, to maximize everyone’s time. If you do this, it is helpful to have the two meetings in different rooms, especially for Daisy troops! Come together for the closing Friendship Circle.)
After the Meeting (all year)
Follow up with a thank you, then keep the conversation going all year via email, in-person chats, and/or social media, whatever way you have decided to consistently communicate with families. Updating caregivers on troop activities helps them feel more invested and gives them a chance to build on their girl’s experience at home.
Planning notes
Prepare for a Great Start
Starting a troop is an exciting flurry of activity—and maybe it’s a little daunting when everything is brand new. If plans change, or new questions arise, reach out! Our goal is to help you feel confident and courageous so you can share this amazing Girl Scout experience with as many girls as possible. We’ve got your back. We’re ready to coach you every step of the way and when everything is in place, we’ll confirm you’re ready to go!
Complete your new leader orientation training
Log into gsLearn. Take the new leader orientation courses listed in the welcome letter you received by email. Review the Troop Leader Go-To Guide.
Attend a coaching meeting
Sign up for a live, virtual meeting to review the things to consider when starting your troop. See demonstrations of the digital tools available to troop leaders and get notice of upcoming trainings for new leaders.
Get confirmation that you’re ready to start!
Together, we’ll finalize the troop meeting schedule, get the troop info posted in the troop search catalog, and help you plan invitations for girls and adults for the first troop meeting.
Connect to your local Girl Scout scene
You’ll get specific advice for your hometown or county, plus contact info for other volunteers in your community, dates for upcoming service area meetings, invitations to service area events for girls, and the contact info for local families who want to join your troop.
Friendship Circle
Close your first troop meeting with a popular Girl Scout tradition
Invite girls and caregivers to form a circle, cross arms right over left, and then join hands. If needed, use the quiet sign to get everyone settled.
You say
• Think of a silent wish that you would like to pass along.
• Once you get the wish and the squeeze passed to you, you’ll use your right hand to squeeze the hand of the friend next to you. Watch the squeeze travel all around the circle.
• The last person to have her hand squeezed will say, “Goodbye, Girl Scouts.”
• Ready to start?
Ask a Girl Scout to start the Friendship Squeeze. After the squeeze has gone all the way around the circle, they say, “Goodbye, Girl Scouts!”
You say
• Now everyone raise your joined hands and twist clockwise out of the circle so that everyone is untwisted and facing away from the circle. Move to gather up your things and head home!
• Remember to keep your Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law where you can see them and practice at home.
• The next meeting is (provide the details).
• See you next time, Girl Scouts!
Girl Scout Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
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.
*Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.
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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