Highest Awards Proposal: Q&A From February 19, 2026, Webinar
Girl Scouts Highest Awards Solicitation of Contributions submitted by Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
This document answers delegate questions that were raised on the Delegate Webinar on February 19, 2026. The answers are based on the proposal as currently written and have been agreed by the proposal resource team, which includes subject matter experts from GSUSA, members of the Girl Scouts if Eastern Pennsylvania delegation, and members of the National Board.
We rely on Robert’s Rules of Order to determine how and when proposals can be amended. Our Parliamentarian, Sarah Merkle, will provide training and answer council questions on specific amendments after the second round of delegate proposal webinars. More details on the timeline and process are included at the end of this document.
Will the National Board remain neutral on this matter, or do they anticipate taking a position at a later date after further consideration?
The National Board has taken a neutral position on this proposal
If this was adopted as is, would Councils have the ability to set restrictions that limit the donation solicitation for certain awards (e.g. only allow Gold and Silver, but not allow Bronze)?
No. If adopted, councils would be required to allow Girl Scouts – regardless of award level – to solicit philanthropic donations or in-kind goods for their Bronze, Silver and Gold Award projects.
Will councils be able to decide their own rules on how to manage requests if the proposal passes?
Yes, if this proposal passes, each council will have the same ability to set their own policies and procedures on managing requests as they do now.
This is to create a voluntary option to fundraise, right? Not an expectation?
Correct. The proposal would not make fundraising a requirement. If the proposal passes, Girl Scouts would be allowed to request donations of cash and in-kind goods from organizations to support their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award projects, subject to council policies and procedures. However, troops and girls would not be required to fundraise and could use troop funds to support their Highest Awards projects as they do today.
The National Board said councils had shared concerns about the staff time that would be spent reviewing requests as a result of this proposal. Can you share more detail on what this burden would be?
Councils would need to establish a procedure for reviewing and approving fundraising requests. This proposal does not change councils’ ability to set their own policies and procedures regarding fundraising requests. The amount of time required to approve and process requests will depend
upon each council’s own policies and procedures, including time spent reviewing fundraising applications and processing the tax receipt that the donor receives.
Have we heard from girls that they want this option? Would it address a real barrier to access?
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania heard strongly from girl members of their council that they would like the option to fundraise for their Bronze and Silver awards.
There is no national data that suggests either a demand for this change or that the lack of ability to fundraise prohibits Girl Scouts from earning the Bronze or Silver Awards.
Is it realistic to think that younger girls would be able to fundraise?
Similar to the Girl Scout cookie program, this proposal would allow girls of all ages to develop skills in money management, budgeting, goal-setting, and how to make the pitch with appropriate support from a caring adult.
Will
this change impact cookie sales?
We do not have current data that forecasts what impact the proposal, if passed, would have on the cookie and fall product program sales National data does indicate that the two most common ways that Girl Scouts generate income to fund their Gold Award projects are monetary donations and cookie program proceeds. This proposal is beneficial to girls who do not have access to troop funds to support their Highest Awards projects.
How will GSUSA ensure girls and families are aware of this opportunity and any councilspecific rules? How will we promote this opportunity to communities?
If this proposal is approved, we anticipate updating our Bronze and Silver Award customizable guide templates to include a section for both money-earning and solicitation guidelines and actively promoting council adoption these updated guides should be posted on each council’s Highest Award webpages and made available during all Highest Award-related learning sessions, ensuring all members have access to the current guidance.
Can
this proposal be amended?
Yes, once the proposal is presented at the National Council Session and placed on the floor for debate, any delegate may propose an amendment in keeping with the standing rules that have been adopted. The National Council may consider any amendment that is within the scope of notice given for the 58th National Council Session. “Scope of notice” is a parliamentary procedure principle that prohibits a group from doing more at a meeting than it said ahead of time it was going to do.
NCS parliamentarian, Sarah E. Merkle, will offer on-demand and live training sessions as well as office hours to help delegates understand parliamentary procedure, including how to make amendments and evaluate whether a potential amendment is within the scope of notice.
The on-demand training will be available on the delegate website, and delegates may choose to attend one or both of the parliamentary procedure live webinars offered on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET and Thursday, May 7, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET. Sarah will hold office hours, beginning after the June proposal webinar to support delegates as they develop potential amendments to the proposal.
Membership Dues Q&A Delegate Webinar Feb 19, 2026
Membership Dues and Procedures for Registration Proposal submitted by Girl Scouts Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
This document answers delegate questions that were raised on the Delegate Webinar on February 19, 2026. The answers are based on the proposal as currently written and have been agreed by the proposal resource team, which includes subject matter experts from GSUSA, members of the Girl Scouts Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana delegation, and members of the National Board.
We rely on Robert’s Rules of Order to determine how and when proposals can be amended. Our Parliamentarian, Sarah Merkle, will provide training and answer council questions on specific amendments after the second round of delegate proposal webinars. More details on the timeline and process are included at the end of this document.
Does this proposal mean that there is an upcoming membership dues increase?
No. There are no active discussions about a membership dues increase.
Can the National Board increase dues without delegate input?
No. Before the Board raises dues, they must ask for input from councils and National Council delegates, per the GSUSA Constitution and Blue Book policies. The National Board takes any consideration of membership dues increases very seriously and keeps girl/family affordability at the center of the conversation.
When will the board next increase dues?
There are no active discussions about a membership dues increase. The National Board is committed to reviewing membership dues on a regular basis to ensure the sustainability of the Movement and that our pricing matches the cost of programming and serving our members. This is an important part of the National Board’s role.
What are the current limits on the board’s ability to increase dues?
Currently, the Board cannot raise membership dues more than a total of 25% in any one triennium (a triennium begins the day following a regular session of the NCS and continues through the closing of NCS three years later) unless the National Council approves it. The 25% limit was set and approved in 2020 based on a thoughtful and purposeful recommendation to make sure any increase stays reasonable. The National Board can choose to raise dues by less than 25% or not raise them at all in a triennium. The 25% is a limit, not a requirement.
Does this proposal make a Special NCS more likely?
If the National Board’s ability to increase membership dues is reduced, the likelihood of additional Special Sessions increases. The National Council can vote on a membership dues increase at a regular or special session.
Do increased membership dues decrease membership?
We continue to collect and review data to best understand any impacts of the most recent membership dues increase on member recruitment and retention, but this data won’t be available until the increase is fully implemented in FY27. As part of the evaluation leading up to and informing the dues increase at the $65 level, we projected a slight membership decline as this new pricing was phased in. Based on our review of previous membership dues increases from $10 to $12, to $15 and then $25, there is no data to indicate an impact to membership.
How do increased membership dues benefit the Movement/councils/girls?
In preparation for the 57th Special National Council Session, GSUSA shared an overview of improvements that could be made if membership dues increased to $65. This year, with the increase to $45, GSUSA was able to invest in programs that continue to uplift the Movement and bring us closer to Vision 2030. From the Girl Scout Experience Box – which remained at no cost for new Daisy troops and is now available at no cost to Brownies – to implementing our new brand positioning and so much more, GSUSA remains steadfast in its commitment to investing in the Girl Scout experience.
Looking ahead to the 2026-2027 membership year when girl membership dues reach $65, GSUSA is supporting councils with staff training on new community engagement resources to better serve families, as well as new school-based partnerships to make participating in Girl Scouting easier. The National Program Portfolio is being modernized to meet the needs of girls and families today, and GSUSA is providing councils with more fundraising tools and resources to support the year ahead.
How can we ensure that Girl Scouting remains affordable for girls?
GSUSA and the National Board are committed to ensuring Girl Scouts is accessible for all girls. Through the Revolutionize Engagement pillar of Vision 2030, we are working across the Movement to strengthen our donor pipeline and expand support for girl scholarships, including coordinated efforts with councils to engage individuals, foundations, corporations and other institutions.
We also recognize the important financial aid councils provide to members and understand that future dues increases could affect the number of girls and families requesting assistance. The National Board has already taken several steps to address these potential impacts.
For example, the National Board created a $5 million financial assistance fund to help offset costs and meet possible increased needs following the recent dues increase
Additionally, when girl membership dues reach $65, two support structures will be in place: councils will receive 25% from each girl membership and can apply for additional funding from the $5 million Board-designated fund to support membership dues financial assistance. The 25% will continue through at least 2030, when it will be reviewed again by the National Board. The possible continuation of the $5 million fund for financial assistance will also be reviewed by the National Board as we better understand the needs, and work together with councils on future fundraising collaborations and potential partnerships.
Why do dues need to increase? Why can’t they always stay the same?
Inflation and other outside pressures mean it costs more to bring Girl Scouting to communities. If we want Girl Scouting to be available for generations to come, the Board needs flexibility to make changes to dues when needed. This allows us to keep improving and investing in our programs and handle rising costs. Part of good governance is regularly revisiting our pricing to ensure it aligns with the value of the programs and the cost to serve.
How do our membership dues compare to other organizations?
At the $65 level, our membership dues are comparable to – and in many cases lower than – those of similar youth-serving organizations.
Does this proposal put restrictions on council service fees?
No. The Blue Book says “Girl Scout councils may charge an annual council service fee for girl members, not to exceed the amount charged by GSUSA for annual membership dues.” The proposal does not change this.
How is the demand for financial assistance provided by councils impacted by this proposal?
Councils determine what financial assistance they provide to members and how they raise the funds to provide that financial assistance. This can vary significantly from council to council.
Can this proposal be amended?
Yes, once the proposal is presented at the National Council Session and placed on the floor for debate, any delegate may propose an amendment in keeping with the standing rules that have been adopted. The National Council may consider any amendment that is within the scope of notice given for the 58th National Council Session. “Scope of notice” is a parliamentary procedure
principle that prohibits a group from doing more at a meeting than it said ahead of time it was going to do.
NCS parliamentarian, Sarah E. Merkle, will offer on-demand and live training sessions as well as office hours to help delegates understand parliamentary procedure, including how to make amendments and evaluate whether a potential amendment is within the scope of notice.
The on-demand training will soon be available on the delegate website, and delegates may choose to attend one or both of the parliamentary procedure live webinars offered on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET and Thursday, May 7, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET. Sarah will hold office hours, beginning after the June proposal webinar to support delegates as they develop potential amendments to the proposal.
Preservation of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience Relating to the Entrepreneurship Program (submitted by Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland)
This document answers delegate questions that were raised on the Delegate Webinar on February 19, 2026. The answers are based on the proposal as currently written and have been agreed by the proposal resource team, which includes subject matter experts from GSUSA, members of the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland delegation, and members of the National Board.
We rely on Robert’s Rules of Order to determine how and when proposals can be amended. Our Parliamentarian, Sarah Merkle, will provide training and answer council questions on specific amendments after the second round of delegate proposal webinars. More details on the timeline and process are included at the end of this document.
Q&A
Is it possible to restrict food and beverage licensed products to outside of cookie season?
No Based on our experiences with retailers, imposing seasonal restrictions would significantly limit their willingness to partner with GSUSA Retailers have explained that they prioritize brands that can remain on shelves year-round. If we required products to be sold only outside of cookie season, they would likely choose to carry other brands without those limitations instead.
Please share the research that shows licensing supports the Girl Scout brand and increases cookie sales.
GSUSA posted this video to share recent market research on the Girl Scout Delegate Website. The discussion of the research begins at the 6:00 minute mark.
The research is also available on the delegate website.
What are the main findings of the market research?
The results of our most recent research confirm previous studies, people who buy Girl Scout licensed products are more likely to buy Girl Scout cookies, and in fact, larger quantities of cookies. People who buy licensed products are also more likely to engage with Girl Scouts through enrollment, volunteering, or donating.
How do councils learn about licensing partnerships?
Product launches are announced to council staff prior to launch through weekly emails from GSUSA. These announcements provide staff with information and FAQs on each licensed product.
How much revenue does GSUSA earn from its licensing partnerships? How much revenue is earned from licensing food and beverage versus other product categories?
National Licensing royalties made up 4% of GSUSA’s total revenue in fiscal year 2025, contributing $4.9 million that GSUSA was able to reinvest in our Movement through program innovation, national marketing, technology and infrastructure. The amount of royalties from food and beverage products contributes ~95% of total licensing royalties. Delegates are encouraged to watch the 2026 State of the Movement briefing video (Passcode: rpVC27*p) posted on the Girl Scout Delegate website for additional information about GSUSA’s finances.
How does licensing revenue directly support girls and councils?
Funds raised from GSUSA’s licensing program play a vital role in strengthening and sustaining the Girl Scout Movement. This revenue allows GSUSA to continually evolve, improve programming, expand messaging through national marketing campaigns, maintain strong, reliable technology and internal systems and more. Licensing revenue is a critical component of GSUSA’s national budget, helping ensure the long-term financial health of the entire Girl Scout Movement that benefits millions of current and future Girl Scouts across the country.
How does licensing support GSUSA’s strategy?
Licensing supports our Movement strategy across all three pillars of Vision 2030. Here are three examples:
• Revolutionize Engagement: Every time a licensed product is seen, it acts as free marketing for our Movement. Potential members who are not familiar with Girl Scouts may consider joining.
• Amplify Impact: Our licensed products receive widespread press and social media coverage, which also helps highlight our organization to new and existing audiences.
• Secure Tomorrow: Because licensing generates predictable, recurring revenue that we can depend on year after year, the program allows us to responsibly plan and invest in the future.
How do licensing and trademarks work?
Girl Scouts of the USA has the responsibility of protecting everything that makes up the Girl Scout identity as a part of our Congressional Charter This includes all trademarks, service marks, symbols, and other elements of our brand. We also have many federal trademark and copyright registrations that give us even more protection. Because of these rights, no one can use Girl Scout trademarks, cookie names, or any other Girl Scout materials unless GSUSA gives permission.
Is it true that this proposal may make it harder to protect Girl Scout trademarks?
Yes. The proposed restrictions to our licensing program weaken our Movement’s ability to stop others from profiting from our invaluable Girl Scout name, including Cookie trademarks. GSUSA conducts year round monitoring and when the Girl Scout name or cookie brands are used without permission, GSUSA sends cease-and-desist letters, requests websites to take their posts down,
and takes other legal action, as needed. GSUSA frequently hears concerns from Girl Scouts about products that look like Girl Scout cookies, and GSUSA actively combats these copycats yearround.
At the same time, by working with trusted companies to make new products with real Girl Scout Cookie flavors, the Girl Scout brand grows beyond cookies, making it easier to combat against infringements. By remaining active in multiple product categories, including food and beverage, GSUSA preserves the strength and enforceability of its trademarks, beyond cookies. If we were to end our licensing in the food and beverage market, it would reduce the reach and strength of our trademarks, making them harder and more costly to defend over time. To effectively protect GSUSA marks from exploitation by other companies, GSUSA must retain the freedom to use and license them.
If Girl Scouts does not put our name on other products, other companies can step in and sell their own knock-off versions. The consumers still get their treats, but the revenue goes into the pockets of other corporations instead of supporting the Girl Scouts.
Would this proposal apply to existing contracts?
Yes, if passed, the proposal would apply immediately to all existing food and beverage licensing contracts. Current products will continue to remain on shelves until the contracts run out if the proposal passes. GSUSA would not be able to immediately pull these products if this proposal passes.
How council proposals like this one get placed on the NCS Agenda?
Under the GSUSA Constitution, the National Board has the responsibility for the NCS agenda. Councils have an important role in influencing the agenda by submitting and/or supporting discussion of topics and proposals. This proposal was submitted by Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland and 25 additional councils supported placing it on the agenda, reaching the 15% council support threshold requiring the Board to place the proposal on the NCS agenda.
How would this proposal prevent GSUSA from licensing the cookie and fall product programs?
The proposal limits GSUSA from licensing its cookie names to anyone. Given that GSUSA licenses our cookie names to our two bakers, it is likely that the proposal could be interpreted to prevent us from doing so. If that happens, our bakers cannot make or sell Girl Scout Cookies or fall product items to councils, which puts both programs at risk. This risk exists because the proposal is broad and revising complex and technical legal language during the National Council Session adds further risk.
Can this proposal be amended?
Yes, once the proposal is presented at the National Council Session and placed on the floor for debate, any delegate may propose an amendment in keeping with the standing rules that have been adopted. The National Council may consider any amendment that is within the scope of notice given for the 58th National Council Session. “Scope of notice” is a parliamentary procedure principle that prohibits a group from doing more at a meeting than it said ahead of time it was going to do.
NCS parliamentarian, Sarah E. Merkle, will offer on-demand and live training sessions as well as office hours to help delegates understand parliamentary procedure, including how to make amendments and evaluate whether a potential amendment is within the scope of notice.
The on-demand training will soon be available on the delegate website, and delegates may choose to attend one or both of the parliamentary procedure live webinars offered on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET and Thursday, May 7, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET. Sarah will hold office hours, beginning after the June proposal webinar to support delegates as they develop potential amendments to the proposal.