NEW Troop Leader Blueprint
Troop Leaders make the Girl Scout Leadership Experience happen for
our Girl Scouts, and this year has added challenge and anxiety as
volunteers work to keep girls and families engaged. To help you stay
focused on your girls, we’re simplifying everything else with the Troop Leader
Blueprint!
Intended to work as a home-base for
volunteers and troop leaders during this unique Girl Scout year, the
Troop Leader Blueprint is filled with tips and resources for safe
in-person and virtual meetings, as well as badges, Journeys, and
activities for every grade level. Best of all, everything has been
adapted for today’s constantly changing world to help you and your
troop thrive. It’s what you need to be the support your girls need, no
matter where or how your troop meets this year.The new layout works
great on your computer or phone and is simple to navigate so girls can
get hands-on in planning their troop year. Choose between list,
calendar, and day view, and filter activities by grade, location,
price, audience, program theme, length of program, location, and more!
Plus, the improved search function makes finding a new experience or
event easier than ever before. Dive in and give the new Events
Calendar a spin!
Pro-Tip—We know that kicking off this year has been challenging, so we’ve also updated the GS@Home page to help parents and families explore on their own! It’s a Girl Scout’s one-stop shop for all the sisterhood, supportive adults, and special experience still available this year at Girl Scouts.
Fall Resources to Support your Girl Scout Experience
Step up as a leader and become a delegate, support sloth
conservation with the Fall Take Action Program, and break the ice in
your virtual troop meetings. No matter what you choose, you’re well on
your way to a great Girl Scout year:
Service Unit Delegate Nominations
Do you have exceptional leadership skills and bright ideas? Nominate yourself to be a Service Unit Delegate! Open to adult volunteers and girls 14 and older, service unit delegates are the main link between our members and GSNorCal’s Board of Directors, helping guide our strategy in the year to come. Nominate yourself for the position starting tomorrow through November 30!
Fall Program Online Shop Locator
Looking for a way to buy fall product (thin mint almonds anyone?) online? Snag your snacks, grab your holiday gifts, and support your local Girl Scouts by using our Fall Program Online Shop Locator! Just fill out the form to receive a link to the shop of a Girl Scout in your area and start shopping before the program ends on November 22!
Virtual Meeting Icebreakers
If you’re running your troop meetings virtually, online icebreakers allow your girls to digitally connect with each other in fun, sometime silly and sometimes meaningful, ways. Whether your girls are Daisies or teens, are meeting for the first time or are already BFFs, a well-placed, well-planned online icebreaker game can go a long way on the virtual landscape.
Volunteer Support Opportunities
- Daisy & Brownie Virtual Troop Series: Need help leading your troop virtually? Join us for a two week session and observe as we lead your Daisies and Brownies on a journey of sisterhood.
- New Leader Great Start Series: Register for Part 1 (October 15, 7 PM) and Part 2 (October 29, 7 PM) to set your troop up for success in the virtual/ hybrid world.
Reminders and Announcements
Adventure indoors with future Girl Scouts! GSNorCal is
hosting free introductory indoor camping adventures for K-5 girls new
to Girl Scouts on November 4 and November 11. Invite girls in your
community to learn more about what it means to be a Girl Scout! Girls
who join before November 15 will get a $10 coupon to the Girl Scout
Shop and free shipping.
We have extended the Invite a
Friend campaign until November 15. If you invite a friend to start
a troop, you will both receive a $50 coupon to spend at the Girl Scout
shop! And every girl added to the new troop by January 31, 2021 will
receive a special patch.
It’s not too late to qualify
for the Grow Your Troop patch! Fill out the Grow Your Troop
online form by November 30, 2020, and add at least one new girl
and adult volunteer space, then add at least one new girl and adult
volunteer to your troop by January 31, 2021 and don't forget your
troop will need to be active and meeting virtually this year.
Earn the Outdoor Art badge! The badge, requirements, and
materials for the projects to earn them are all available in these
perfectly curated GSNorCal kits. They have
everything needed for your Daisy, Brownie, Cadette, Junior, or entire
troop to earn their Outdoor Art Badge. All you need is the great
outdoors and some inspiration!
Brainstorming ways to
give back this month? November is the perfect time for a
community service project! We’ve collected some community
service project ideas you can join in on.
Does your employer offer “Dollars for Doers"? Many
companies encourage their employees to volunteer in the communities
where they live and work—in turn, the employer will offer matching
dollars for the hours. Inquire with your Human Resources department
about your program, or check out this list of companies that offer this kind of
financial support!
Looking for previous issues of
Volunteer View? Check them out on our GSNorCal
Publications page.
