To begin this online training,
please click on the top tab "Slide
Show," then "From Beginning."
Training is self paced and you must click to go through
each slide.
The information in this training may be reviewed as
many times as needed. The survey at the end needs to
be completed once and only if you are taking this to
satisfy the training requirement.
Est. October 2015
I.
Introduction
II.
To Begin This Course
I.
II.
III.
GSMISTS Volunteer Start-up Packet
Volunteer Essentials
Safety Activity Checkpoints
GSUSA
III.
IV.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
I.
GSMISTS
I.
II.
Lending Library/Resources
Inclusiveness
The Service Unit
Essential Functions
Service Unit Director (SUD)
Rallyhood
II.
III.
IX.
Troop Pathway
I.
I.
Pre-troop Start-up
First Parent/Guardian Meeting
Girl & Adult Membership Forms and Summary
Troop Beginnings
Tagalongs
Helpful Tips from the Start
Girl Led, Learning by Doing, Cooperative Learning
Troop
Planning Your Troop Year
Getting Organized (sample 90 minute Troop meeting
Paperwork Chart
Kaper Chart
Meeting Planner
End of Girl Scout Year Events
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
X.
Girl Information
I.
II.
III.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Health History Forms
Grade Level – Girl Leadership Progression
Uniforms
Adult Information
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Sharing Leadership
Communication
Cooperation
Discussion Starters
Support
Girl/Adult Ratios
Parent & Family Talent Survey Sample
Finance
I.
Troop Bank Account
Troop Finances
Troop Dues
Financial Assistance
Troop Product Sales
Discover, Connect, Take Action
Money Earning Basics
Safety & Resources
I.
Safety Activity Checkpoints
Girl Scout Troop/Group Activity & Trip Planning
Emergency Procedures
Web Links for Additional Resources
Other Resources
Wrap –up
Survey
Welcome to Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore (GSMISTS)!
Prior to taking this course, you should have:
 Submitted a Volunteer Application , including a Criminal Background Check
 Received your preapproval letter from GSMISTS
 Filled out and paid the $15 fee for a current Registration in GSUSA
 Taken Girl Scouting 101 (GS101) online
You also need to:
 Connect with your Service Unit Director (SUD) for leader meeting information
 Read the Volunteer Position Description (Be sure and also read “Your Responsibilities” in Chapter 1 of Volunteer Essentials)
If all of the above steps have not been completed and/or you need more information, please contact
GSMISTS at 1.844.GSMISTS (1.844.476.4787) or your local Service Center:
Grand Rapids Service Center
3275 Walker Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
616.784.3341
Muskegon Service Center
1201 E. River Road
Muskegon, MI 49445
231.744.4774
Traverse City Service Center
1820 Oak Hollow Drive
Traverse City, MI 49686
231.947.7354
This online version of Troop Management should take
you about 1 ½ hours to complete and is required
within 60 days of signing up to volunteer with Girl
Scouts.
If at any time you feel you would prefer it, an inclass session is always available.
We hope you enjoy learning about your new volunteer
role!
Have available
during this training:
⦿
⦿
To Begin This Course
Download, print out or purchase
notebook with all information from
Council and have available during this
course:
Volunteer Essentials
(booklet of information on subjects that
affect GSMISTS volunteers)
Safety Activity Checkpoints
(safety guidelines for Girl Scout activities)
Girls are the Center of the Girl Scout
Program
These levels will be
discussed from
outer to inner
circles during
this training

Information regarding GSUSA was introduced to you
when you took the online Girl Scouting 101 (GS101)
training prior to this class.

If you have any questions regarding GSUSA, please
refer back to the GS101 online training or go to their
website at www.girlscouts.org.
Council:
Distributes and promotes
programming from GSUSA
Provides programming for girls
and troops
Provides training, resources
and adult development for older
girls and volunteers
Council Service Centers, located in Muskegon, Grand Rapids,
and Traverse City, have many resources available to troop
leaders, service units, and event planners.
Types of resources you may find at our centers include:
Flags and
flag stands
Books (scouting &
non-scouting
resources)
Music (CDs &
cassettes with camp
& traditional
Girl Scout songs)
Uniforms (many
historical pieces for
displays & special
events)
Program
materials
Various items, ie.
magnifying glasses,
sewing equipment &
GPS equipment
The complete list of resources is too extensive to list here, but please visit
your local Service Center to discover all they have to offer!
~Each Service Center handles rental and checkout of their items differently.
~Deposits may be required of certain items, refundable upon return of the items.
How do Diversity and Pluralism impact
Girl Scouting?
Diversity is the state of being different or diverse. When
used to describe people and population groups,
diversity encompasses a variety of factors.
Pluralism is a system that includes individuals from
groups differing in basic background experiences and
cultures. Pluralism allows for the development of a
common tradition while preserving the right of each
group to maintain its cultural heritage. It implies
mutual respect.
Each ingredient represents a
dimension of diversity or
pluralism with the dressing
The United States has been characterized by the
representing
Girl Scouts.
metaphor “melting pot.” Today the term “salad
bowl” has replaced the old metaphor to describe
the United States as ‘many cultures coming
together to create something that combines our
individual qualities and preserves our cultural
identities.’ Click on the salad bowl to see how
this comes together.
The dressing binds the salad
together without any of the
individual characteristics
being lost!
Religion
Economic
Status
Language
G
e
n
d
e
r
Age
Marital
Status
Education Traditions
Council is divided into geographic areas called Service Units* (there are 65 of these in the
GSMISTS area)
Essential Functions of a Service Unit
Offer monthly volunteer meetings to keep leaders of area troops informed of the
latest information at both the Service Unit and Council levels regarding:




troops
events
activities
training
Volunteers also receive ongoing networking, mentoring, coaching and education
through the Service Unit to equip you to be successful in your new role
What is a Service Unit Director (SUD)?
This is a volunteer who has assumed the key administrative responsibility of Girl
Scouting within the Service Unit. Their major focus is to maintain, develop and/or
increase girl and adult membership in their community and ensure that girls and
Girl Scout volunteers receive the services they need to effectively deliver the Girl
Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE).
*Contact your Council staff for individual Service Unit information
Rallyhood is GSMISTS
main form of
communication with
volunteers.
To keep informed
and current, please
watch your email for
our invitation to join
Pre-Troop
Start-up
Helpful
Tips
Troop
Pathway

Troop
Beginnings
Parent/
Guardian
Meeting
Registration
Process
Preview of
upcoming slides
•Adults (at least 2 approved,
unrelated adults—1 must be
female)
•Girls (at least 5)
Registration
1
•Sets the tone of open
communication between troop
and family.
•Hold this at least 2 weeks
prior to your first Troop
meeting
•Plan girl activities away from
adult portion of meeting
Parent/Guardian
Meeting (refer to Ch.
3 Volunteer Essentials)
4
• Meeting location – troops meet at
various sites such as schools,
churches, local community ctrs..Ϫ
• Date(s)
• Time– try to stay as consistent as
possible in order for parents to be
able to plan around; ie. 2nd & 4th
Tuesday from 3:30-5 pm
Meetings (refer to
Ch. 3 Volunteer
Essentials)
2
•Previously watched GS101
online
•Find Troop/Group Number
Request under ‘Forms’ on
www.gsmists.org
•Issued when requirements are
met (see form for details)
Troop Number
3
• Meeting Agenda ideas detailed
on next slide
•Network with other
volunteers
•Keep informed of the latest
information
•Service Unit:
•Meeting Date(s), Times,
Location:
•Mentor:
Parent/
Guardian
Meeting (cont.)
Attend your
local Service
Unit meeting
4
Ϫif
cont.
5
you are interested in your home being the meeting place, MUST fill out
“Permission to Meet in Home” found on Forms page at www.gsmists.org
Welcome & Introductions
Parent Participation
 Introduce leaders
 What is your girl scout experience (or are you
learning with the girls)
 Tell your goals and expectations for the troop
 ALL adults introduce themselves
 Circulate sign-in sheet to obtain contact
information
 Troop dues
 Books/Uniforms
 Be sure parents understand these are not
required, but encouraged
 Discuss where these can be purchased
 Volunteering with the troop (give specific examples
of what you need help with)
Health & Safety Standards
Handouts to include:










Discuss girl/adult ratios for meetings and trips
Supervision and driving guidelines
How information will be conveyed to parents
Newsletter
Phone
Email
Communication responsibilities from parents
Parent call if girl not attending
Timely return of permission slips
Prompt picking up of girls from meetings
Thank everyone for coming!
 Leader contact information
 Upcoming troop meeting information
 Membership Registration form and fee (yearly) for
both girls and approved adults
 Volunteer Application/Criminal Background Check
 Any adult who wishes to help with the troop in any
way must turn one in (one time event)
 Forms to be returned at first troop meeting
 Health History
 Parent Interest Survey
All items listed on this page will be discussed during the
rest of this online training or you may contact your
Membership Staff if you would like more clarification
Girl & Adult Membership Forms
 Print out these forms from www.gsmists.org or obtain from your local Service Center.
 Only currently registered members are covered by Girl Scout activity insurance
through GSUSA.
Membership Registration Summary Form
 Used when registering more than one person (girl or adult)
 Service Unit number – if not known, use area, county or city
 Account for money at the bottom – complete carefully
 GSMISTS accepts cash, checks and credit cards.
Let the fun begin! Your first meeting is the beginning of
an adventure that you and your girls plan together!
Tag-a-longs:
These are children who are not members of the troop that are sometimes brought
along to troop meetings, events and/or trips. Please consider the following before allowing tag-a-longs:
The troop meeting
is a special time for
Will someone be
girls and having
available to
tag-a-longs present
supervise the tagcan detract from
a-longs?
the quality of this
experience
Will the
supervision of taga-longs be able to
be kept separate
from troop
activities?
Are girl/adult
ratios applied?
(information later
in presentation)
Tag-a-longs are
NOT covered by
Will the presence
Girl Scout activity
of tag-a-longs take
insurance.
away from the
Optional insurance
quality of the
is available for tagprogram for the
a-longs if dedicated
participating girls?
supervision is
provided
Troop meetings usually have several components that should
be planned in advance (see upcoming “Helpful Tips” slide).
1)
Be sure to incorporate the Girl Scout processes (see sidebar) into all troop
decisions/activities/planning
1)
Leaders learning alongside the girls is part of the fun of Girl Scouts
Girl Led
2)
Keep parents/guardians informed
3)
Determine troop dues (further discussed in upcoming Finance section)
•Teaching girls to make
decisions results in
developing leadership skills
as they get older
4)
Establish troop rules and consequences
Learning By Doing
1)
Create a safe space for girls (See more about this in VE Ch. 3 )
2)
Learn to communicate effectively with girls of any age; utilize the LUTE technique in VE Ch. 3
3)
Create a group agreement with the girls which could include the consequences – the GS Law is a
good starting point if ideas are needed
•Were girls able to choose
what activities, etc they do?
•Is everyone given a turn to
participate?
5)
Determine supplies in advance – ask parents to look around their
homes and donate extra supplies they may have, i.e. glue, crayons,
scissors, paper, pens, etc.
6)
Keep track of earned recognitions (Journeys, badges, patches, etc.)
7)
Utilize a kaper (chore) chart (sample in upcoming Troop section)
8)
Find more ideas and resources at the end of this online training
Cooperative Learning
•Use the buddy system to
stay safe and promote
teamwork
Calendar
Sample
Troop
Meeting
End of
Year

Troop
Meeting
Planner
Paperwork
Kaper
Chart
Preview
of upcoming slides
Forms noted, but not located, in this training can be found at www.gsmists.org as
some are updated every year
Ϫ
SEPTEMBER
Fall sale begins
30 – End of G.S.
Membership year
JANUARY
Cookie sales begin
MAY
Cookie sales end
OCTOBER
01 – Beginning of G.S.
Membership year
31 – Juliette Gordon Low’s
Birthday
NOVEMBER
Fall sale ends
FEBRUARY
22 – World Thinking Day
MARCH
12 – Girl Scout Birthday
JUNE
Day Camp
Resident Camp
DECEMBER
JULY
APRIL
22 – Leader Appreciation
Day
AUGUST
Day Camp
Resident Camp
ϪMost
troops meet during the school year – Sept to early June. Your troop can
choose to meet the same or any other way that works for you. We just ask you to
keep the important dates above in mind when planning your year.
•10 minutes
Check your
kaper chart!
•Please
remember that
Girl Scouts
should leave a
place cleaner
than they found
it!
Closing
•45 minutes
•Include a
variety of
activities to
support the
Girl Scout
Leadership
Experience
(GSLE)
•Utilize Girl
Scout
traditions
•Attend Service
Unit events
•Perform
community
service projects
•Explore the
world outdoors
•Visit a local
business
Clean-up
•20 minutes
Announcements
•Treasurer’s
report
•Decisionmaking
•Take time to
find out what
activities the
girls are
interested in
•Could
incorporate
snack time
here
(remember to
be aware of any
food allergies)
*Activity
•5 minutes
Official start of
meeting
•Recite Pledge
of Allegiance,
along with Girl
Scout Promise
and Law
Business
•Suggestions:
•simple craft
•Drawing or
coloring
•games
•songs
Opening
Pre-Meeting
•5 minutes
Simple activity
for while girls
are arriving
•5 minutes
•Official end of
meeting
•Be sure to
officially end
with the
Friendship
Circle!
•MOSTLY:
•Focus on
having FUN!
*more ideas can be found in your Journey level Girls Guide to Girl
Scouting and Adult Guide
ϪDaisy, Brownie & Junior first four meeting samples can be found on
the forms page at www.gsmists.org
Paperwork
Responsible Person
Resource
When/How Often
Leader or Co-Leader
Service Unit,
Council Service Centers
or eBiz
Yearly
Note: Early bird registration may be offered
in June for returning troops!
Leader maintains sealed forms to be
viewed only when absolutely necessary
Forms on website: www.gsmists.org
Yearly
(forms should be reviewed and updated by
parents periodically and before any
overnight trips)
Volunteer Application and Criminal
Background Check
Each individual completes their own
paperwork
One time only
Basic Troop Records
(dues records, finance records, awards
earned, etc)
Permission to Participate in GSMISTS
Product Sale Programs -parent permission
(also order forms, etc)
Leader, Co-leader, or girls (as part of
kapers or rotated duties)
Forms on website: www.gsmists.org
Council Service Centers
Service Units
Forms on website: www.gsmists.org
Some found in Girl’s Guide
to Girl Scouting
Product Sale Training or
Service Unit Sales Manager
Annual Troop/Finance Report
(Ultimate responsibility lies with 01 Troop
Leader)
Troop Treasurer
(can be Leader, co-leader or registered
troop committee member approved for
this position)
Forms on website: www.gsmists.org
Spring of each year
Submit to Council Service Centers (your
Service Unit may request a copy)
Troop Trip Folders
Trip Coordinator
(often Leader or Co-leader)
Maintain assembled folders and
update prior to each trip
Each trip
Permission Slips for Trips and Activities
Trip Coordinator
(often Leader or Co-Leader)
Forms on website: www.gsmists.org
See specific guidelines under “Travel”
section of this online training
Trip Approval Form
Trip Coordinator
(often Leader or Co-Leader)
Forms on website: www.gsmists.org
4 weeks prior to trip
Submit to mvp@gsmists.org
Or fill out online form
See specific guidelines under “Travel” section
of this online training
Registering Girls and Adults
Girl Health Histories
Leader or Co-leader
Ongoing
Annually when sales take place (product sale
training offered through the Service Unit)
A "Kaper Chart" is a Girl Scout tradition for dividing up troop responsibilities. Girl Scouts divide the jobs that
need to be done and share the work. Each job is called a Kaper and the chart that shows which girls do a
particular job is called a Kaper Chart. Every girl needs to have a turn performing all the different duties. Using a
Kaper system right from the start will help with the long-term behavior management of a troop.
How you decide on Kaper’s and design of the chart is really up to you and your troop members.
Sample Kaper Chart for a troop meeting:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Sophia
Opening
Closing
Clean-up
Activity
Olivia
Snack
Opening
Closing
Clean-up
Ava
Business
Snack
Opening
Closing
Zoe
Activity
Business
Snack
Opening
Mia
Clean-up
Activity
Business
Snack
Kaylyn
Closing
Clean-up
Activity
Business
TIME
MIN
ACTIVITY
WHO
MATERIALS
NOTES
PRE-MEETING
OPENING
BUSINESS
ACTIVITY
CLEAN-UP
CLOSING
See a more advanced Meeting Planner
version under Forms at www.gsmists.org
Host a bridging activity and inform the girls about
the next level in Girl Scouting
Guide parents to renew their daughter’s
(and their own) membership
Plan an end of year court of awards ceremony
to recognize achievements and invite families
Pick up badges, patches, pins and membership stars
that have not been awarded yet so the girls have them
to start the next year with.
Talk with girls and parents about day camps in your area
and also resident camps
Return Troop Finance Report and 12 months of bank
statements to your local Service Center by June 1.
Is there a surplus in your troop account?
Discuss a goal for these funds with your girls.
Ask parents what roles they might consider
undertaking to help lead the troop next year
Discuss with the girls whether to plan a
get together over the summer
When you make it to the end of the list,
congratulate yourself for a job well done!
Health
History
Other useful
Forms
can be found
at www.
gsmists.org
Girl
Leadership
Progression
Girl
Information

Trainings*
Uniforms
Registration
(see Troop
Pathway)
Preview of
upcoming slides
*See eBiz, Rallyhood or Council staff to learn more about these
Both girl and troop adult forms need to be on hand at all troop functions
Must have forms available during field trips and Service Unit events attended
as a troop
Individual histories should be made available for council and service unit
events
Troop leader collects and holds in sealed envelope and should only be viewed
by others when absolutely necessary.
Confidentiality is KEY: Never share or discuss information contained on
the Health History forms!
Grade Level – Girl Leadership Progression
Leadership/Guidance that girls need
Limit
choices
2-3 at a
time
Provide
more
choices,
have girls
make
suggestions
Girls
suggest
choices,
and help
plan with
guidance
Girls make
choices, plan
and carry
out with
limited
involvement
Girls are truly self led, adults
help only as needed
Leadership/Guidance that girls perform
DAISY
BROWNIE
JUNIOR
CADETTE
SENIOR
AMBASSADOR
When girls are representing the organization in public, it is important for them to be in
uniform. Examples might be: walking in a parade or participating in a flag ceremony.
Ϫ
A uniform should consist of a vest or sash (for Daisy Girl Scouts a vest or tunic),
a white shirt and khaki pants or skirt.
Any official uniform pieces such as skirts, skorts, shorts, pants or jumpers are also acceptable..
Being in uniform is how we are recognized as an organization.
Encourage your girls and parents to take pride in their uniform!
Look on the Forms page at www.gsmists.org for examples of how to determine where all the
patches, awards and pins go on a uniform for each of the levels.
Ϫ
A uniform is not required to
participate in Girl Scouts.
Sharing
Leadership
Girl/
Adult
Ratios
Trainings*
Adult
Information

Health
History
(see Girl
Information)
Volunteer
Application/
Criminal
Background
Check*
Talent
Survey
Registration
(see Troop
Pathway)
Preview of
upcoming slides
*See Council staff to learn more about these
Communication
•Keep the lines of communication open between leaders and volunteers. Don’t make
assumptions; be clear about who is doing what
•Be sure to communicate troop updates and information with your troop parents
Cooperation
•Split responsibilities: who will attend Service Unit meetings? Who will handle
forms/paperwork? Who and how will you send updates and communicate regularly
with parents? Who will coordinate meeting activities?
•Remember the Girl Scout Law: be honest and fair, considerate and caring when
dividing troop responsibilities
Discussion
Starters
•What should troop volunteers discuss PRIOR to meeting with parents for the first time?
•When will the troop meet? How often? Where?
•Who will manage official Council records? (registration, finances, etc.)
•What are expectations for parent participation and financial support? (include troop
dues, books, uniform purchases, chaperoning, etc.)
•In case of emergency or last minute changes, who will be the primary contact?
Support
•Encourage parent participation. Ask parents to serve as: Troop Treasurer, Day Trip
Coordinator, Supplies Manager, First Aider, Camping Advisor, etc.
•Use your resources wisely; who has local contacts to assist your troop with a meeting
place, day trip or special guest?
Group Meetings
Two unrelated adults (at
least one of whom is
female) for this number
of girls:
Girl Scout Daisies
(grades K–1)
Girl Scout Brownies
(grades 2–3)
Girl Scout Juniors
(grades 4–5)
Girl Scout Cadettes
(grades 6–8)
Girl Scout Seniors
(grades 9–10)
Girl Scout
Ambassadors
(grades 11–12)
Activities, Travel, and Camping
Plus one additional
adult for up to this
additional number of
girls:
Two unrelated adults (at
least one of whom is
female) for this number
of girls:
Plus one additional
adult for up to this
additional number of
girls:
12
6
6
4
20
8
12
6
25
10
16
8
25
12
20
10
30
15
24
12
30
15
24
12
Reminder: adult volunteers must be at least 18 years of age
Ϫ
Refer to Volunteer Essentials Quick Start Guide
for examples on how to utilize this chart
Troop: ___________________
Date: __________________
Welcome to Girl Scouts! Girl Scouting is for parents as well as girls. We have a fine group of families that have
indicated willingness to help according to their abilities. We invite you to add your talents and interests so the best
possible programs can be developed for your daughter(s)! Although your help may not be on a full-time basis,
whatever you do to help will be appreciated! What are some ways in which you might be able to assist the troop?
Please answer the following as completely as possible:
↠My hobbies are: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
↠I can teach these general activities (please circle choices):
Games
Nature
Sports
Music/Songs
Crafts
Outdoor Activities
Drawing/Art
Dramatics/Skits
Cooking
Sewing
Carpentry
Bookkeeping
Typing
Electronics
Other:
Other:
↠My job, business or profession that would be of interest to Girl Scouts _____________________________________________
↠I am willing to help my girl and the troop as a: ________________________________________________________________________
↠I have a vehicle that could be used for transportation: ________________________________________________________________
↠My scouting experience: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________ Phone #: _______________________________ Email: ___________________________________
Your cooperation and any help you could provide are appreciated!
^There is also a form on the www.gsmists.org page called “Ways Families Can Help”
that helps you ask for this information in a different way.
Bank
Account
Request
Money
Earning
Basics
Troop
Finances

Finance
Product
Sales
Troop
Dues
Financial
Assistance
Preview of
upcoming slides
Make sure you read Volunteer Essentials Chapter 5 very carefully regarding all
Bank Account rules for complete information.
Step
1
All troops are required to have their own bank account
• Contact your Membership staff to let them know which bank you would like to set up your troop account at (see next slide
for choices)
Step
2
Membership will provide a letter to the bank authorizing you to set up an account under the
GSMISTS name and tax identification number/EIN.
• When setting up the account, there must be a minimum of 2 unrelated troop volunteer signatures and one Service
Team member on the signature card
Step
3
The following format should be used when opening your troop account:
• 1st line: Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Troop #_____
• 2nd line: Troop leader‘s name
• 3rd line: Troop leader’s street address
• 4th line: Troop leader’s city, state and zip code
• Troop checks can have only the first line listed on the check as leaders/treasurers may change over the years
Keep good track of receipts and spending from the troop account each year
• ALL troops MUST submit an Annual Troop Financial Report each year by June 1
• The leader with the 01 position code will have ultimate responsibility for the Troop Finance management, even if
they have another volunteer take on this task
Step
4
Each troop supports
its activities through:
Who pays for Girl
Scouting
Troop budget
Troop Dues
Troop Funds
•Troop dues, fall product sales and cookie sales.
•Girls cannot be discriminated against based on their family’s ability to pay or their
level of participation in product sale programs.
•The family of the girl usually pays for:
•Yearly registration dues, troop dues, uniform & insignia, transportation.
•The troop treasury usually pays for:
•Program materials, supplies & equipment for basic troop operation (record books, troop flag,
songbooks, etc.); required trainings for troop adults; pins, patches & recognitions awarded by troop;
expenses related to outings, campouts & trips. The troop may vote to set aside funds to pay for the
registration of girls for the next year.
•Built on dues and proceeds from the annual Girl Scout product programs, should
cover most of the normal expenses.
•Estimating costs and talking with girls helps them build valuable money management
skills!
•Together, the girls and adult leaders decide if the troop will collect dues and, if so,
how much they will be.
•It is unwise to accumulate large amounts of troop money for future activities.
•Girls should receive the best program that the troop can afford each year.
Ϫ
Please read through VE Chapter 5
for complete information

Each troop handles dues differently; there is no set amount or formula that works best (range
is usually $15-$40/year)

Dues can be paid weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually – do what is best for troop dynamics

Determine with girls (as appropriate) what dues will cover for the year

Develop a budget along with girls and distribute to parents

Dues belong to the troop as a whole, not individual girls

Dues can be used for such things as: First Aid/CPR for a leader; to subsidize costs of field trips
and activities; help pay for membership fees, Early Bird registrations, uniforms and program
materials. Older girl troops can save money from year to year for travel opportunities. For
leader, co-leader and active adults, it can pay for registrations

Use girl-led processes and utilize troop dynamics to determine the best way to handle money
No girl should be unable to participate in
Girl Scouts for financial reasons.
Financial Assistance is available for:
Membership - Financial Assistance for Membership Form
Ϫ
Events
& Activities - Financial Assistance for Activities Form
Uniforms
and Program Materials - Financial Assistance for
Participation Form
Ϫ
Girls who request Financial Assistance MUST have had
the opportunity to participate in both product sales for
the year. Find under Forms on www.gsmists.org
All girls who intend to sell Girl Scout
product MUST be registered prior to the
start of the sale.
Discover
•A strong sense of self as they
gain confidence in their
abilities and accomplishments
Each troop needs to name a product sale
coordinator; i.e. leader, co-leader, registered/
approved troop volunteer.
Connect
•When they build positive
relationship with teammates
and customers
Take Action
Sales training is provided to the product sale
coordinator at the Service Unit level.
•Product sales gives girls the
financial means to consider a
variety of projects during the
year
Product Sales is the PRIMARY funding sources for troops. The
opportunity to participate in these sales MUST be offered to the girls
and their parents.
Ϫ
Please see Chapter 5 in Volunteer Essentials for further clarification
• You must submit a “Money Earning Application” form
AND receive written approval from Council prior to
starting ANY money earning projects
Ϫ
• Money earning projects cannot be conducted during
Council product sale times
• Money earning projects are based on troop level and
time of year
Ϫ
found at www.gsmists.org
Safety
Activity
Checkpoints
Required
Survey
Safety &
Resources

Web
Resources
Trip
Planning
Emergency
Procedures
Preview of
upcoming slides
Read:
 Introduction to Safety Activity Checkpoints thoroughly
 Chapter 4: Safety-Wise in Volunteer Essentials (especially read Responsibilities of
the Volunteer: Girl Scout Safety Guidelines
Refer to individual checkpoints when performing any activity with girls as each provide more detail.
Each Safety Activity Checkpoint provides, at a minimum, the following information:
If a First Aider is needed
Where to do this activity
How to include girls with disabilities
Where or how to find the basic and specialized equipment needed
How to prepare the group for this activity in advance
What specific steps to follow on the day of the activity
If a Safety Activity Checkpoint does not exist for your activity, please check with Council before making plans. Be sure
and plan early!
If it is a council sponsored event, we will manage the Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Type of Trip/Activity
Required Forms/Approval
Other Items Needed
Activity during regular
troop/group meeting time at
the usual site.
(Moving to a different area of
the same site such as the
playground or gym)
No form required.
Leave a note on the door for
parents telling them where you
are, when you will return and
how to find you.
First Aid Kit
Girl/Adult Health History Forms
Girl/Adult ratio for meetings
Short Day Trip
(within 60 miles of meeting place
and lasting less than 6 hours.
This includes walking a short
distance away from regular
meeting site – such as a park
two blocks away)
Signed Parent Permission Slip
Notification and verbal approval
of the Service Unit Director
Check Safety Activity
Checkpoints
First Aider
First Aid Kit
Girl/Adult Health History Forms
Girl/Adult ratio for travel
Long Day Trip
(more than 60 miles of
meeting place OR lasting
more than 6 hours)
Signed Parent Permission Slip
Approved Activity/Trip
Application
Check Safety Activity
Checkpoints
First Aider
First Aid Kit
Girl/Adult Health History Forms
Girl/Adult ratio for travel
Ϫ
Forms can be found at www.gsmists.org
Also see: Scouts About Home Study – a self-guided
study for leading Girl Scout trips
Girl Scout Troop/Group Activity & Trip Planning
(continued)
Type of Trip/Activity
Required Forms/Approval
Other Items Needed
High Adventure Activity
(such as swimming, water park,
horseback riding, skiing, or
boating – regardless of distance
or time)
Signed Parent Permission Slip
Approved Activity/Trip
Application
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints
First Aider
First Aid Kit
Girl/Adult Health History Forms
Girl/Adult ratio for activity
Lifeguard or other special instructor,
if applicable
Simple Overnight
Trips/Activities or Troop/Group
Camping of 2 nights or less
Signed Parent Permission Slip
Approved Activity/Trip
Application
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints
First Aider
First Aid Kit
Girl/Adult Health History Forms
Girl/Adult ratio for travel
Lifeguard or other special instructor,
if applicable
Additional Adult training
(such as Camping training)
Extended Overnight Trips
(3 nights or more)
Signed Parent Permission Slip
Approved Activity/Trip
Application
Extended Trip Insurance
(3+ nights)
Troop Camp License
(5+ nights)
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints
First Aider
First Aid Kit
Girl/Adult Health History Forms
Girl/Adult ratio for travel
Lifeguard or other special instructor,
if applicable
Additional Adult training
(such as Camping training)
International Travel
Contact your Pathways Manager
INSURANCE
All registered members of GSUSA are covered by basic accident
insurance
This is a limited financial coverage for medical expenses of
accidents occurring during approved Girl Scout activities
MINOR ACCIDENTS
Call parents/guardians to inform them and arrange to pick up
their daughter for treatment, if necessary
Notify appropriate GSMISTS Council staff within 24 hours
Fill out and turn in Accident/Incident Report form*
The GSUSA coverage is secondary to a registered member’s
primary coverage and only covers planned, supervised Girl
Scout activities that also follow all Safety Activity Checkpoints
ACCIDENTS REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE
Take immediate steps to handle the injuries
Notify parent/guardian
Notify appropriate GSMISTS Council staff within 24 hours
Fill out and turn in Accident/Incident Report form*
Complete Mutual of Omaha claims form*
Obtain documentation of medical treatment to attach to claim
form. Submit completed form with documentation to a
GSMISTS Council within 48 hours. Submit any follow-up bills
as soon as they are received
SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OR EMERGENCIES
Take steps to handle injuries, protect the health and safety of all
participants and cooperate fully with public safety officials
Call the GSMISTS emergency phone at: 616.204.1456
Speak to GSMISTS staff as soon as possible so they can assist you
Do not make any statements to the news media or bystanders
Refer them to the GSMISTS staff
Do not make or sign any statements or accident reports except to
a police officer or authorized medical personnel
Refer all questions to the GSMISTS staff member
Fill out and turn in the Accident/Incident Report form*
*Emergency forms Troop Leaders should always have on hand
are: Emergency Card; Accident/Incident Report; Mutual of
Omaha Claim form found at www.gsmists.org
www.gsmists.org
(council website for our most up-to-date forms, information and calendars
www.girlscouts.org
(national website)
http://gsuniv.org/volunteers
(Girl Scout University resources & webinars)
www.wagggsworld.org
www.worldthinkingday.org
www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/maps.asp
(interactive Journey planning tool)
www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org
Look for the next valuable training in your quest for Girl Scout program ideas:
PB&J (Proficiency Badges & Journeys).
The following sites contain information that can be used with your troop or group. They
are NOT official sites. Please be careful to screen all the materials for appropriateness and
note that some of the information may be dated.
www.scoutingweb.com
www.scoutsongs.com
www.macscouter.com
www.ultimatecampresource.com
Congratulations
on getting
started with
your exciting
Girl Scout
journey.
You will make a
profound
difference in the
lives of the girls
you serve!
Survey is a
MUST to receive
credit for taking
this course.
Click here
to begin