Activating the Friends & Family Support Network
Customize these materials to activate your Friends and Family Support Network.
Friends & Family Meeting – Sample Invite Letter
Dear Friends & Families:
Welcome to Girl Scouts! We are happy to have your girl join us on this exciting journey!
Together we will help girls meet new friends, make community connections, visit fun places, and
learn new skills.
We are having an initial meeting for parents, guardians and any other important adults in the
lives of the girls in our troop. We invite you to attend this Friends & Family Network meeting on
__________ at________. Please attend this meeting with your girl. While we are meeting, the
girls will have a separate meeting to play games, get to know each other and begin their Girl
Scout experience.
Our agenda will include:
 Introduction to Girl Scouts
 Membership registration and other essential/required paperwork ,
 Discussion on troop dues and other possible expenses (uniforms, books, etc)
 Meeting time and location
 Expectations of girl participation and what you can expect from us
 Communication plan
 Your questions
Volunteer with us and make your girl’s experience even more meaningful. Girl Scouts in our
town is organized by volunteers, and that is no different with our troop. We know we can’t do
everything on our own, so please consider ways that you can help us out; we are happy to work
with your interests and around your schedules. At the meeting, we will have a list of some
specific ways that you can get involved. If you are not able to make the meeting, we will be in
touch with you to see how you might be able to help us out. The more diverse our team, the
better the experience is for the girls.
One immediate way you can help our new troop is to consider donating an item from our wish
list. Items don’t have to be new; Girl Scouts use resources wisely! See what you might have
around the house that you no longer use. Donations are voluntary and we appreciate any gift.
Please bring your donations to the meeting with you or to the girls’ first meeting.
Crayons
Items for First Aid Kit
Markers
Construction Paper
Tape
Stickers
Scissor
Glue
Thank you for coming together with us and helping create exciting opportunities for our girls!
We look forward to meeting you.
Regards,
Volunteer Team (List names)
4/18/13 Final ED
Friends & Family Meeting Sample Agenda
It is a best practice to hold a meeting with the Friends & Family Network prior to your first official
meeting with the girls. This meeting is a chance for you to get to know the families of the girls in
your troop and, just as important, for the families to get to know you. Before the meeting, be
sure you know where and when you will hold the troop meetings and the various needs you
have (e.g., volunteer help, arts & craft supplies, calendar of events, etc.). Below, and on the
following page, find a Sample Agenda and Contact Sheet that can be customized for your use.
Sample Agenda
Welcome & Introduction
Who we are
Our roles with and hopes for the girls
The Troop Experience
Meeting days/times
Meeting location
Activities and Events
Importance of family support
How you can help
Volunteers needed
Survey
Expectations
Keeping Girls Safe
Adult Membership
CORI
Trainings
Money Matters
Dues
Uniforms
Program books
Supplies
4/18/13 Final ED
Troop #
Contact Information Sheet
Date of First Meeting
Regular Troop Meetings held on
Time
Location (address, phone #)
Troop Volunteer Team
Name
Phone
Email

We appreciate timely arrivals and departures.

In the event of snow or bad weather, we will follow school closings. Girls will not meet on
holidays and school breaks.

To ensure the health of all girls, please do not bring your girl to meetings and events if she is
sick or within 24 hours of an illness/fever. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.
4/18/13 Final ED