Leadership Institute Cohort 2023 Brochure

Cohort 2023

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What

is

Leadership Institute?

The Leadership Institute is Girl Scouts of Greater New York’s capstone leadership program, which provides a unique and essential opportunity for NYC-based youth in grades 6-12 to build their confidence as leaders and shape their views about their own potential.

The program is designed to foster a generation of Girl Scouts who take action and drive systemic change in their communities and the world. Participants will gain opportunities to power up their leadership skills and connect with successful women role models, attend subject-specific seminars and academic transition workshops, work on peer committees, participate in internships, attend and moderate panels, have opportunities to earn scholarships, and more!

The Leadership Institute is a fully funded Girl Scouts of Greater New York signature program, provided at no-cost to accepted applicants. This program is designed to be accessible to all Girl Scouts. Resources for Girl Scouts with disabilities will be provided and accommodations or adaptations will be made upon request.

Goals of the Leadership Institute

In this program, participants will:

• Learn to navigate transition as they prepare to enter high school, college, and the workforce.

• Develop leadership skills like public speaking, conflict resolution, negotiation, and problem solving,

• Gain interest, exposure, and practice in exciting professions,

• Meet leaders in their fields of interest,

• Feel encouraged to deepen their knowledge in the subject areas of Business & Entrepreneurship, STEM, Advocacy, and the Environment,

• Put their new skills to use planning and implementing a capstone project designed to make the world a better place,

• Explore what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean, and get inspired to become powerful agents of change, well-equipped to take action in the real world,

• Build knowledge and confidence as leaders who actively drive systemic change.

Who can apply?

No previous Girl Scouts membership required. The Leadership Institute is open to 6th- 12th grade students who reside in the five boroughs of New York.

Upon acceptance, all Leadership Institute participants will be required to purchase an active Girl Scout membership for $25 if they do not already have one. Financial aid is available.

Girl Scouts can participate in the program each year until they graduate High School.

History

Launched in 2013, the Leadership Institute supports Girl Scouts in building the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to become leaders. Participants learn to shape their views on leadership and their own potential in order to become powerful agents of change.

The program welcomed 250 Girl Scouts in its first 5 years before re-launching in 2019 with a new structure. The Leadership Institute now provides an intensive, yearlong experience focused on 21st-century leadership skills. In addition, Girl Scouts can choose a specific focus area to gain deeper, subjectspecific knowledge.

Program Highlights

There is so much in store for our Cohort 2023 Girl Scouts!

This year the Leadership Institute will be returning in a hybrid model. Virtual, recorded, and in-person programming will be available so participants can enjoy a flexible schedule while continuing to get the most out of the program.

A number of great program models will return this year, including workplace visits and our G.I.R.L.’s Guide to Taking Action Seminars – in-person workshops through which participants deepen their knowledge in chosen focus areas and develop a capstone project.

In conjunction with our seminars, we are excited to have our Advocacy track return.

The Leadership Institute will continue to employ a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion throughout the program.

Finally, Girl Scouts will be encouraged to take the lead by joining a Peer Committee and practicing their facilitation skills.

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G.I.R.L.’s Guide to

Cadette (6th-8th grade)

Senior (9th-10th grade)

Ambassador (11th-12th grade) *Bus transportation will not be provided this year. Participants can request a round-trip MetroCard as needed.

Choose Your Track!

There are three tracks available for Girl Scouts to choose from:

Business & Entrepreneurship

Cadette Level (6th-8th)

Senior Level (9th-10th)

Ambassador Level (11th- 12th Grade)

The Business & Entrepreneurship track will teach Girl Scouts how to think like an entrepreneur! From taking initiative to seizing the right opportunity, Girl Scouts will gain skills that will help them stand out on any academic or professional path. Each participant will identify an issue in their own community and develop solutions through building their own business.

Advocacy

Cadette Level (6th-8th Grade)

In partnership with YVote and Citizen’s Committee for Children of New York.

Connect your passions and beliefs with how you can make a difference at the ballot box and through NYC community boards. Analyze issues you care deeply about by becoming a change maker at the intersection of individual activism, collective action, and electoral politics.

Senior Level (9th-10th Grade)

STEM for Social Good

Cadette Level (6th-8th)

Senior Level (9th-10th)

Ambassador Level (11th- 12th Grade)

In partnership with Mouse Design League

Mouse Design League is an in-depth digital design program that leads students through every step of the app design process. Girl Scouts will work together in teams to find an original idea for an app that addresses a social need using the Human-Centered Design process. They will learn professional skills in UX/UI design, graphic design, computational thinking, and entrepreneurship. No prior experience is necessary - just creativity and an interest in using technology to create meaningful change in the world!

Girl Scouts who are passionate about taking action and raising their voices on issues they care about will practice the skills they need to advocate for themselves and others. More information coming soon!

Ambassador Level (11th-12th Grade)

In partnership with Dare to Run.

Girl Scouts will learn what it takes to run for public office at the local, state, and national level. They will explore the foundations of running a campaign through topics such as branding, messaging, public speaking, fundraising, public policy, and advocacy.

The Presenter Series is a new program component of the Leadership Institute, designed to provide Girl Scouts with an exciting introduction to their chosen track! Girl Scouts will participate in a virtual workshop, panel, or discussion that will provide them with a comprehensive overview of their specific subject area. The Presenter Series will be a motivational tool that helps Girl Scouts get inspired to learn more and make the changes they want to see in their communities!

“The Leadership Institute gave me a sense of community. I was helping to host an event and after, some of us stuck around and we just talked. I felt like I belonged to something.”

–SENIOR GIRL SCOUT

Leadership in Action

Girl Scouts will have the chance to sharpen their leadership and communication skills by joining a Peer Leader Committee!

Each committee will take the lead on brainstorming, designing, and facilitating monthly events and activities that will benefit their sister Girl Scouts.

Participants must apply to be accepted onto a Peer Leader Committee.

2023 committees include:

Community Conversations Committee

For Grades 9-12

Create an event that provides a brave and supportive space to engage in conversation with peers on topics that are important to YOU.

Together, we can shed light on new ways of thinking and seeing the world, and brainstorm ways to be agents of change.

Academic Transition Workshops

Girl Scouts will attend grade-specific workshops, seminars, and activities focused on middle school success, transitioning to high school, or transitioning to college. Topics include socio-emotional learning and academic preparedness.

Girl Scouts in 11th or 12th grade will also have the opportunity to earn college credits by applying for programs hosted by partner schools. More information to come!

Academic Transition Committee

For Grades 9-12

Design an event to help your peers prepare for their next phase of life. For example, you may host a panel discussion to answer questions like, what is high school like? Or how do I prepare for college?

The event will provide engaging and fun opportunities to learn from experienced Girl Scouts.

Middle School Committee For Grades 6-8

Collaborate with the Community Conversations and Academic Transition Committees to create fun and engaging ice breakers and activities for their events.

Special Committee – Final Celebration Committee!

Collaborate with Girl Scouts of Greater New York staff to create and lead a special event celebrating Cohort 2023’s accomplishments!

NEW for 2023!

All Committee members will be eligible for a Leadership Scholarship!

Career Readiness

Through the Leadership Institute, Girl Scouts will have access to mentoring opportunities and workplace visits to help expose them to business operations as they learn about the personal journeys and professional experiences of female leaders in the workplace.

Please note, availability may be limited. Dates for workplace visits TBA. All efforts will be made to schedule them during the NYC Public School Winter and Spring Breaks.

Highest Awards Support

The

The Silver and Gold Awards give Girl Scouts the chance to make a difference in their communities by addressing issues they care about.

The Leadership Institute will cover the costs of Journeys for participating Girl Scouts working towards their Highest Award and will provide $200 grants for up to 10 participants working towards their Gold Award with an approved proposal. For

Application & Selection Process

This program is for you if you:

• are currently enrolled in 6th-12th grade

• have a deep and genuine interest in becoming a better leader, equipped to make lasting change in your community

• live in one of the 5 boroughs of NYC

• were previously in the program and were active participants

• are able to make a significant time commitment to the program

• are looking for a new leadership challenge

• are interested in collaborating with your peers

• are available for a commitment, running from October - June

• are ready to actively participate in events, workshops, seminars, and other opportunities

How to Apply

Deadline: Sunday, October 2, 2022

Acceptance into the Leadership Institute is based on an online digital application that includes short responses and a thoughtful essay.

Cohort 2023 will be accepting 200 participants this year!

There is no application fee.

Selection Process

Once applications have been closed, you will receive a confirmation email from a Girl Scouts of Greater New York staff member confirming that your submission has been received. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your submission may not have gone through. In this case, contact Raziyah Eure at reure@girlscoutsnyc.org.

Accepted applicants will be notified by email if they have been invited to join the Leadership Institute by Friday, October 14, 2022.

If you are new to Girl Scouts or you do not have an up-to-date membership, you will have to pay a $25 Girl Scout Membership Fee for the 2022-23 Girl Scouting year upon acceptance into the program. Financial aid is available.

“The most meaningful experience was getting to work with girls who were just as motivated as me to make change.”

–CADETTE

“When we discussed diversity, as a young Black girl, it made me feel like everybody cared to discuss it.”