Troop Finances

How do girls become financially empowered women?

The Girl Scout experience is in part about teaching girls important life skills. One of these skills is managing expenditures. With troop leadership guidance, girls will learn key money skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Part of that management is having a plan or a budget. Another part is keeping records of receipts. Receipts are especially important for documenting any use of a debit card.

The girls should be included in the process of establishing goals and budgets. By keeping appropriate records, following the budget and preparing regular reports, managing the bank account will be easier and the girls will learn proper financial management.

Tips for involving girls & families in managing troop finances:

» There is no individual accounting of troop money, which means that every girl in the troop participates equally in all troop activities even if some girls sold more cookies than others did.

» Troop activities are powered by proceeds earned through Council-sponsored product program activities (such as the Girl Scout Entrepreneurial Program), Council approved money-earning activities and any dues your troop may charge.

» The co-leader/troop treasurer should give a regular accounting of how much money the troop has in its account and how much was spent or added.

To help prepare girls to make these important financial decisions, check out the Financial Literacy badges for all age levels. Contact customercare@gssgc.org to receive a list of all the Financial Literacy Badges.

New this Year!

Starting in October, Troop Co-Leaders will be able to access and use the Troop Finance Tab through the Volunteer Toolkit year-round! This will give troops the opportunity to utilize the Finance Tab as a tool for better and easier tracking of troop funds, throughout the membership year.