The Girl Scouts of the USA teach young girls leadership skills, outdoor safety and give back to the community.Usually, this involves meeting once or twice a month to complete activities.If you have a daughter in the 5 to 17 age range and you would like to start your own troop, register online and recruit volunteers to begin impacting the lives of young girls today.
Step 1: You can create an account on MyGS.org.
You can make an account on the Girl Scout website.If you want to create an account with your full name and email address, you need to search for Girl Scouts.You don't need to create a new account if you already have one.Each Girl Scouts website has the same information and resources.
Step 2: When you sign up, choose the troop leader volunteer role.
When you make an account, you will be asked to choose which role you would like to take on.Pick the troop leader volunteer option if you want to start your own troop.At least 1 of the adult leaders in the troop must be female.
Step 3: You can request a troop number.
You will be given the option to lead an existing troop or start a new one if you request a troop number.Most Girl Scouts areas have an online option to request one.To request a troop number, you may have to call a recruitment manager.Instructions on how to request one can be found in your MyGS account.
Step 4: You can complete a background check online.
Anyone who wants to volunteer with the Girl Scouts has to pass a background check.After choosing the role of troop leader, you will be taken to an online form to fill out and submit as your background check.The background check can take up to 2 days to process.
Step 5: Adult membership dues are paid by you.
$25 is the annual adult membership fee.You will have to pay this before you can start your troop.You can pay using your MyGS account.
Step 6: You can choose which age group you want to lead.
Consider what age group your daughter is in and what experience you have in leading them.Younger groups will probably not need a lot of depth activities.The troop age groups that you can choose from are Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior.
Step 7: You can take the trainings online.
Girl Scouts 101, a New Leader Orientation, and a training for your specific troop level are required for you to be a Troop Leader.All of the trainings can be found through your MyGS account.
Step 8: Girl Scouts customer care can help you submit a bank account request.
You need a troop bank account to hold the money you raise from selling cookies.You can set up your bank account with your troop details.A physical copy of the bank account request form may be required.Follow the instructions in your MyGS account.
Step 9: 5 to 12 girls are needed for your troop.
The minimum number of girls in a troop is 5.If you want to get girls from your child's school or church group, try recruiting your friends' daughters who are around the same age.Girls in your troop's age group are important.
Step 10: You can spread the word about your troop through social media.
To get the word out, create a specific account for your troop.You should post pictures of your trips, projects, and fundraisers to draw attention to your troop and attract more members.
Step 11: The troop members should spread the word.
You probably have at least 1 or 2 girls in your troop that can help you get the word out about it.Your child can tell her friends at school about it, or she can post on her social media accounts.It is possible to make physical copies of flyers for your child.
Step 12: One adult should be selected to lead your troop.
To help run your troop, Girl Scouts requires you to have 1 more adult volunteer that you aren't related to.You can ask the parents of girls in your troop or the teacher at your child's school.The person will need to pay their adult membership fee and complete a background check online.They can start the process by selecting the volunteer role on their MyGS account.
Step 13: Two weeks before the first GS meeting, hold a parent/guardian meeting.
Before your first meeting, you need to talk to the parents of the girls in your troop.Talk to them about what their children will be doing in your troop and collect their permission slips, safety forms and annual membership dues that are required.The annual permission form and girl health history form must be filled out by each parent.Links to those forms can be found in your MyGS account.Talk to the parents about where to buy uniforms for their daughters.The uniforms for your age group can be found at www.girlscouts.org/en/where-to-place.
Step 14: There should be a troop meeting place and time.
You should figure out a time that works for your schedule and the girls you want to lead.On a weekday, this is a time after school.You can find a place where you can meet other people.It's important to set a time that you can stick to for multiple meetings.
Step 15: Get to know the girls at your first meeting.
A first meeting can be nerve-racking, but you can use it to understand who you will be leading.Ask the girls why they joined Girl Scouts, what they would like to do as a Girl Scout, and explain the values of the organization to them.It may be helpful for younger girls to have activities like decorating a nametag or making a picture of themselves.
Step 16: troop meetings can be held once or twice a month.
Depending on the activities you have planned, a Girl Scout troop will meet a few times a month.The meeting time should be convenient for most of the girls in your troop.
Step 17: The girls in your troop want to do some things.
You should have a good idea of what your girls want after your first meeting.If they are outdoorsy, you might be able to do a group hike.You can find volunteer opportunities in your community if they value raising money.