Welcome Packet

e m o c l e W e To th

e h t f o l i c n u o C t u o c S l a Girl t i p a C s ’ n o i t Na

You are a volunteer for Girl Scouts, where girls grow strong.

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Welcome to Girl Scouting!

We are a fun organization with a serious mission.

“Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”

Thank You for Volunteering!

You have made a great decision to become a volunteer and we are so happy to have you join us. Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent organization that focuses solely on girls. Girl Scouts allows girls to build character and skills for success in the real world.

With committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, such as leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

WHAT WE OFFER: To Adults:

To Girls:

Girl Scouting offers you the opportunity to:

Girl Scouting offers:

• • • • •

Make a difference in the lives of girls and young women.

Develop strong friendships.

Challenge yourself and develop your leadership skills.

Experience new activities.

Connect with your community.

• • • • • •

Fun, friendships and adventures.

Caring and understanding.

New activity choices.

Encouragement to be the best they can be.

Development of leadership and decision making skills.

Connections with their community.

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PRINCIPLES OF GIRL SCOUTING

THE PROMISE On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. THE LAW I will do my best to be: • honest and fair, • friendly and helpful, • considerate and caring, • courageous and strong, and • responsible for what I say and do, and to • respect myself and others, • respect authority, • use resources wisely, • make the world a better place, and • be a sister to every Girl Scout.

PROGRAM GOALS FOR GIRLS Develop to her full individual potential.

Relate to others with increasing understanding, skill and respect.

Develop values to guide her actions and to provide the foundation for sound decision-making.

Contribute to the improvement of society through the use of her abilities, leadership skills and working in cooperation with others.

THE GIRL SCOUT SLOGAN "Do a good turn daily" THE GIRL SCOUT MOTTO " Be prepared"

BECOME: Celebrate yourself today and become your best self in the future.

BELONG: Be part of a group where you have fun, relate to others with respect, and develop lasting relationships.

BELIEVE: Develop your ideas and voice what's important to you.

BUILD: Take action on what you care about and make a difference.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEADER/ADVISOR’S ROLE WELCOME PRINCIPLES OF GIRL SCOUTING YOU HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO BE A TROOP LEADER/ADVISOR POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR TROOP LEADER/CO-LEADER

2 3 5 6

RESOURCES WHO CAN HELP YOU WITH THE TROOP? WHO CAN YOU CALL WITH QUESTIONS? GSCNC PUBLICATION RESOURCES

8 10 12

WORKING WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS ORGANIZING A MEETING SAMPLE AGENDA RESOURCE SURVEY

14 15 16

TROOP MEETINGS PLANNING TROOP MEETINGS YOUR PLANNING RESOURCES AND TOOLS GIRL OWNERSHIP KAPER CHARTS TROOP CALENDAR HOW TO TEACH

17 18 19 20 21 22

MEETING IDEAS DAISY MEETING IDEAS BROWNIE MEETING IDEAS JUNIOR MEETING IDEAS

24 27 30

APPENDIX MEETING PLANNER ACTIVITY DIRECTIONS GLOSSARY OF TERMS WHAT IS NEXT?

33 34 35 37

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YOU HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO BE A TROOP LEADER/ADVISOR. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

ROLE: Work in partnership with girls to provide and develop well-rounded opportunities that are age-appropriate, fun, and in line with the basic Girl Scout philosophy.

Leadership Role The skills you use to lead a group of Girl Scouts, you already use every day at home.

Plan A troop has a calendar or an Events Chart on which the girls jot down special days, camping, cookout, etc.

Budget A troop determines the amount of money needed to meet expenses each month, so they budget and plan troop activities. This includes money-earning activities.

Organize Time Expectations Weekly Hours Meeting Prep - 1.5 to 2 Meetings - 1.5 to 2 Monthly Hours SU Meeting - 2 Paperwork - 1 to 2 Updates & Communications - 2 Training Hours Basic Leadership – 3.5 Program Level - 3 Others, depending on plans.

As Desired Field Trips Camping Council Events Association Meetings Community Events

A troop has enough girls so that they might practice decision-making within the troop government appropriate for their age and development.

In a troop, girls are assigned duties or responsibilities for troop activities through the Kaper Chart. This helps to share the work and the fun.

Manage A troop leader/advisor has many responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is to help empower the girls and other adults by delegating some of the tasks, which will help a troop leader manage her/his time better.

Develop Program The troop leader/advisor provides the girls with possible program ideas, additional resources, and lots of freedom to use their imaginations! You help make the girls' dreams become realities.

Motivate The troop leader/advisor motivates the girls by encouraging individual participation, recognizing accomplishments and introducing the girls to the next level of opportunities.

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GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR TROOP LEADER/CO-LEADER ROLE:

•

Work in partnership with girls to develop and provide well-rounded opportunities that are age-appropriate, fun, and in line with the basic Girl Scout philosophy

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Ensure timely registration of all girls and adults in the troop/group 2. Assure maximum safety standards as a part of all activities 3. Accept all girls in troop/group as assigned by organizer 4. Recruit adult volunteers to support troop programs 5. Meet with the group on an agreed-upon, regular basis 6. Help girls take increasing responsibility for the affairs of the troop/group 7. Encourage flexibility in the troop program to meet all individual girl needs 8. Maintain troop/group records, manage troop funds responsibly, and keep parents informed of troop programs 9. Responsible for troop/group representation at monthly service unit meetings 10. Provide all girls with necessary information and applications regarding all GSCNC and GSUSA opportunities 11. Encourage troop/group participation in association meetings and activities 12. Actively support and assure troop/group participation in SHARE and all GSCNC fund development campaigns.

GSCNC/AVD/October 2007

7 QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Register as an adult member of Girl Scouts of the USA 2. Accept and adhere to the purpose and principles of Girl Scouting 3. Show a willingness to work with diverse groups with varying life styles and cultures in a positive manner 4. Recognize, understand, accept, interpret, and support all council goals, policies, and objectives including the Human Relations Policy Statement 5. Complete required training 6. Owes no outstanding debt to the council 7. Complete the Volunteer Personnel Application process 8. Have a knowledge of up-to-date Girl Scout program and community resources 9. Maintain patience, warmth, and strong human relations skills 10. Have a genuine liking for and an interest in girls and the time to devote to them 11. Demonstrate planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

METHOD OF SELECTION: •

Selected and appointed by the service unit manager or field director

ACCOUNTABILITY: •

Accountable to the service unit manager, field director, and area manager

TERM OF POSITION: •

Appointed annually

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WHO CAN HELP YOU WITH THE TROOP? Adult support can come from 3 major places, parents within your troop, your service unit team and GSCNC staff.

Troop Committee Build a committee from the parents and other interested adults within your troop, consisting of:

Don’t try to juggle it all alone.

Delegate!

Assistant Troop Leader/ Advisor First Aider Camp Qualified Person Cookie Sale Manager Calendar Sales Manger Money Manager SHARE Leader QSP Leader Resource Volunteers Drivers Accompanying Adults Contact Person

Assistant Troop Leader/Advisor: is encouraged to take 101 and program level training. This can be one person or this position can be filled by several people. Two unrelated adults must be present at all Girl Scout functions. See Standard 13 in Safety-Wise for the recommended adult/ girl ratio for your meetings and trips.

First Aider: There are activities where a trained troop first aider is required. Consult Activity Guidelines in Green Pages and Basic Safety Guidelines in Safety-Wise for determining when one should be present and what first aid qualifications are recognized by GSUSA.

Camp Qualified Person: A trained adult is required for overnight camping trips. For details on course 200 Cookout/Campout go to register.gscnc.org or consult The Big Book of Training.

Cookie Sale Manager: Trained by the service unit cookie manager to manage the cookie sale in your troop.

SHARE Leader: Trained by GSCNC Fund Development Department. This position begins in the fall.

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QSP & Calendar Leaders: Trained by GSCNC Product Sales Department. This sale is in the spring.

Money Manager: Assists girls in planning their budget and record keeping.

Resource People: Those who can help you and the girls in any area they are skilled. Use the Parent/ Guardian Resource Survey on pg.

16 of this document to help fill your troop committee.

Drivers: do not need to attend GSCNC training, but Safety-Wise guidelines found on pg. 53 – 58 and Program Standard 25 on pg. 73 must be used.

• Provide driver with a Driver's Packet of information, which includes permission slips, map, emergency procedures, directions to the site, and contact person. This packet is given to the event leader upon arrival at the site.

• Driver notifies the contact person if there is a problem in route.

• In the event of an accident, the driver should follow the emergency procedures in the Green Pages 2005.

• Check local areas for car seat regulations.

Accompanying Adults: Do not need to attend GSCNC training, but the following guidelines must be used.

• Know GSCNC emergency procedures, especially in regard to health and safety.

• Know GSCNC standards regarding alcohol, smoking, drugs and firearms.

• Know their responsibilities to the girls and other adults, and pertinent roles and responsibilities of the other adults.

• Provide the first aider with a health history form.

• Activity or trip will be more enjoyable if adults are briefed and assigned a responsibility.

Contact Person: Does not need to attend GSCNC training, but the following guidelines must be used.

• Must be an adult who will be reachable during activity.

• Handles all contacts between troop and families. Notifies parents of emergencies, delays, or major changes so that the troop leader only has to take time to make one phone call.

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WHO CAN YOU CALL WITH QUESTIONS?

Service Unit Team Troop Mentor Troop Organizer Registrar Money Manager SU Manager SU Manager: Can explain taking a troop trip.

Can help if you can't reach the troop organizer/mentor.

Can help you get forms.

Can explain an association meeting.

Can clarify your goals.

Can clarify/interpret service unit team roles.

Troop Organizer: Assigns girls to your troop.

Can help, if you have too many girls.

Can help, if you have too few girls.

Can suggest a meeting place.

Can help you with a parent problem.

Registrar: Can help you register your troop.

Provides registration materials.

Money Manager: Helps you obtain existing or new troop checking accounts Troop Mentor: Listen to your concerns.

Offers suggestions.

Can introduce you to other leaders with whom you can share ideas.

Can offer resources suggestions.

Can help you with new ideas.

Can suggest best places to work on the Try-Its or Badges.

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WHEN YOUR SERVICE UNIT DOESN’T HAVE THE ANSWER.

(202) 237-1670 Refer to the Who Does What at GSCNC? Listed under contact us at www.gscnc.org. register.gscnc.org www.studio2b.org • • • • • • • • • •

GSCNC Support Your Field Director Ext: ___ Training Ext: 240 Camping Ext: 253 Information Ext: 297 Online Ext: 228 www.girlscouts.org Program Ext: jfg.girlscouts.org270 Product Sales Ext: 255 PR Ext: 206 Share Ext. 207 Shop Ext: 246

Field Director: You can call if you do not have a service unit manager.

Can clarify and interpret service unit team roles.

Can help with unsolved problems in the service unit.

Contact GSUSA at www.girlscouts.org jfg.girlscouts.org

Your Notes:

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GSCNC PUBLICATION RESOURCES

Resource B A Basic Information S Basic I Information C Basic I Information N Basic Information F Basic O Information R Basic M Information A Basic T Information Basic I Information O Basic N Information Teen Advisors Teen Advisors

A D Additional D Information I T Additional I Information O Additional N Information A Additional L Information I

Additional N Information

F O

Safety-Wise

Service Information Online Unit Center Gscnc.org

Other Field Director (1 ) Shop (additional)

Green Pages Insurance Claim Form & Brochure Capital Notes

Field Director

Mosaic/More Volunteer Basics Big Book of Program 2005 Leader CD-ROM Welcome Packet Program Level Training Handouts Kaleidoscope

Training Class

TTG GSCNC Campsite Directory GSCNC NonCouncil Campsite Directory Leader Digest GSCNC Annual Report Uniforms, Insignia and Recognitions Handbook Adult Recognition Handbook SHARE Packet

Online at gsusa.org only

Annual Giving Specialist

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WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?

Topic Adult-in charge

Resource Green Pages pg. 7

Campsite Reservations

Green Pages pg. 15

Checking Accounts

Green Pages pg. 18

Drivers

Money-earning Guidelines

Resource Green Pages pg. 6 &7 Welcome Packet pg.17 Green Pages pg. 19

Safety-Wise pg. 52, 53 & 58

Notification Forms

Green Pages pg. 7, 57-60

Financial Assistance

Green Pages pg. 23 & 24

Permission Slips

Green Pages pg. 25 & 51

First Aider

Green Pages pg. 6 Safety-Wise Green Pages Chapter 8 www.gscnc.org

Program Options

Green Pages pg. 4 Program Level Training Green Pages pg. 25

Forms

Four Program Goals

Green Pages pg. 4 Program Level

Girl Ownership

Welcome Packet pg. 19 Program Level Training Girl Scout Green Pages Promise and Law Inside cover All Training Health History/Medical Release Form

Green Pages pg. 8 & 47

Kaper Charts

Welcome Packet pg. 20 Program Level Training Safety-Wise Standard 13

Male Volunteers (Men In Green)

Topic Meeting and Activity Planning

Standards and Guidelines Troop Activity/Camping Eligibility Form

Green Pages pg. 7, 49

Troop Event Packets

Green Pages pg. 8 101 Training

Troop Government

Welcome Packet pg. 18 Program Level Training Troop Welcome Packet Management and pg. 18, 21 Calendar Program Level Training Uniforms and Safety-Wise Pins Standard 11

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ORGANIZING A PAREN/GUARDIAN MEETING 1.

Have the meeting in a public place. If possible, have it where the troop meetings will be held.

2.

Send letters, e-mails or phone parents/guardians to personally invite them to the meeting. Let each family know the importance of having some representative attending, or meeting with you at another time, before their daughter attends her first troop meeting.

3.

Work with your troop organizer, troop mentor and/or service unit manager. (If you prefer, ask a member of your Service Unit team to help you set up and run your first parents'/guardians' meeting.)

4.

Ways to Involve Families: Before the meeting, work with your co-leader to decide on what help you will want from families.

5.

For your own peace of mind, outline everything you want to accomplish at the meeting. See sample agenda on the next page.

Parents’/Guardians’ Promise On my honor, I will try to share my daughter's new Girl Scout interests and show appreciation for her efforts to live up to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. I will try to give her opportunities to practice her new skills at home, to attend the troop meetings to which I am invited, and to support Girl Scouting by working for and contributing to activities and funds that make Girl Scouting possible in our community.

6.

It is best if you can take care of things that require money at this meeting. It helps with your bookkeeping.

• Register girls and adults including troop leaders and troop committee.

• Ask parents for their expectation on troop funds. Tell them you will confirm this after planning activities with the girls.

• Introduce SHARE and distribute SHARE envelopes.

7.

Assemble a Girl Scout Packet for each family.

• Agenda for the meeting (See sample agenda next page.)

• Get-acquainted activity • Girl Scout Registration Form • Medical History Form/Authorization for Emergency Medical Care • Financial Assistance Request Form 200 • Parent/Guardian Resource Survey • A list of those authorized to pick up the girl

8.

Plan on providing simple, inexpensive refreshments.

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PARENT/GUARDIAN MEETING SAMPLE AGENDA

1. Introductions: Everyone should tell something about himself or herself or pair people up as they come in and ask them to find out about each other, then share with the group.

2. What is Girl Scouting? (Consider making posters to visually display information.) See Green Pages.

• History, purpose ands goals.

• Name, location and size of council.

• Area covered by your service unit.

• Training troop leaders have taken or will be taking.

• Meetings leaders will be attending.

3. Troop Leaders’ Roles in the Troop.

• Advisor to help girls mange their troop.

4. Other Adult Roles in the Troop: • Explain position responsibilities so parents know what they are volunteering to do and possible time commitment.

Remember that neighbors or extended family may also be interested in becoming involved.

• Remind parents that they will be doing these particular jobs so their daughter can have the best troop experience possible.

5. Requirements for Girl and Adult Membership: • Complete forms and pay the GSUSA annual registration fee.

6. Uniforms: Desirable, but not required; wearing pin is "in uniform".

7. Forms and Finances: • Go through each form in packet to be sure it is completely filled out. This saves phone calls later.

• Collect any monies necessary.

•

Give a receipt if paid in cash.

8. How Troop is Financed: • Dues: How they will be collected.

• Calendar and cookie sales.

• Money earning activities.

9. Troop Activities: • Many ideas will come from program-level handbook.

• Let girls discuss ideas, then make plans.

• Be sure to welcome suggestions from families.

• Will the troop have a snack? If so, organize girls to take turns bringing it.

• Approximate date of investiture/ rededication.

10. Date and Place of First Meeting: • Where and when troop will meet.

• Start and finish times.

• Importance of punctuality: dropping off/ picking girls up on time.

11. Role of Families: • Support girls with necessary permission slips, dues, books, equipment, etc.

• Contact the leader with questions or concerns.

• Show interest in daughter's activities.

• Let girls try new skills at home.

• Encourage regular attendance.

• Share a skill or hobby.

• Help with transportation for outings.

• Care for troop leader's children while she/he takes training or attends necessary meetings.

• Help at troop meetings.

• Serve on the troop committee.

12. Closing: You may want to Parents’/Guardians’ Promise.

close

GSCNC/AVD/October 2007

with

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PARENT/GUARDIAN RESOURCE SURVEY Each job counts . . . it depends on how much time you can give and what suits you.

Please check your interests below: 1. ___ I will take training and be part of the troop leadership team.

2. ___ I will help at troop meetings when needed.

3. ___ I will be a strong supporter for the troop leaders by: ___ Providing babysitting for the leaders during meeting time. ___ Being the camp-qualified adult. ___ Being a first aider. ___ Providing transportation when needed. ___ Being the money manager. ___ Managing the troop paperwork. ___ Making telephone calls/e-mails. ___ Helping with shopping and errands. ___ Helping with arts and crafts. ___ Being a program consultant. (see #5 below) ___ Being a calendar, cookie, or QSP (magazine renewal program) manager. (for Brownies and above) 4. ___ I will to support the service unit team (adults representing the area troops) as a: ___ Troop representative when the leaders cannot attend monthly meetings ___ SHARE Leader ___ Cookie Manager ___ Registrar ___ Troop Organizer ___ Public Relations 5. _____ I have interests in the following: ____ Sewing ____ Cooking ____ Music ____ Dramatics ____ Sports ____ Games ____ Computers ____ Dance ____ Science ____ Nature

____ Arts & Crafts ____ First Aid ____ Hiking ____ Camping ____ History

____ Travel ____ Other: _______________ _______________ _______________

Please list any first aid certification you may have and its expiration. Also list if you are an RN, MD, or Paramedic. _______ _____________________________________________________ Parent's/Guardian's Name: ______________________ Girl's Name: _____________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________ GSCNC/AVD/October 2007

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PLANNING TROOP MEETINGS Before You Meet With Girls: • Receive your appointment letter from your service unit manager.

• Review the Safety-Wise requirements for meeting site and complete the Site Safety Checklist from Green Pages.

Six Parts of a Meeting

Activities Clean-up

Time will vary for each meeting, but use this as a guide.

Closing Business

Opening

Start-up

Meeting Components: 1. Start-up: Something simple that permits socializing as girls arrive. Often it needs to be self-paced or led by girls because you are busy at this point.

2. Opening: Promise and Law or flag ceremony, simple song, poem or game.

3. Business: Let girls handle as much as their experience allows. Make it brief at first!

4. Activity: Major part of meeting--have fun, work on earning proficiency awards, learn songs, games, do service projects or other activities of their choosing from the handbooks.

5. Clean-up: The responsibility of everyone-- use a kaper chart to divide responsibilities.

6. Closing: Formal end of the meeting--retire the flags, a friendship circle or quiet song.

Guides to Quality Program

• • •

Use Girl Ownership. Involve girls in the planning of activities to the fullest extent that is developmentally appropriate.

Make it active. Find a way for all girls to participate in all segments of the troop meeting.

Include service, learning and fun.

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YOUR PLANNING RESOURCES AND TOOLS

Planning meetings is not as difficult as you might think. There are many resources to turn to for help, including members of your service unit team, other troop leaders, parents and of course the girls.

Just a Few Resource Suggestions: Start-up • Leader Guides • Handbooks • Try-it, Badge and IP Books • Games for Girl Scouts • Games and Ice Breakers (www.gscnc.org) Openings and Closings • Handbooks • Brownie Girl Scout Songbook • Ceremonies in Girls Scouts • www.gscnc.org

Activities • Leader Guides • Handbooks • Try-it, Badge and IP Books • Games for Girl Scouts • Brownie Girl Scout Songbook • Ceremonies in Girls Scouts • Contemporary Issues • Issues for Girls • Studio 2B • Big Book of Program • Leader’s Disc • Online Leader Resources (www.gscnc.org) • Out and About (www.gscnc.org) • Library book

Tool Suggestions for Troop Management and the Business: • Troop government • Girl Ownership (pg. ) • Kaper charts (pg. ) • Troop calendar (pg. ) Troop Government by Level: Daisy Girl Scout Daisy Circle Brownie Girl Scout Brownie Ring Junior Girl Scout Patrol System Executive Board Town Meeting Teen Girl Scout Patrol System Executive Board Town Meeting Your level handbooks will have more information on each level's type of government. You will also learn more at your program level training.

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GIRL OWNERSHIP What can Girls do?

Using Steps to Girl Ownership • • • • • •

Start slow.

Use based on experience rather than age.

Learn with the girls.

Step 4 is the ideal to aim for.

Many factors will affect movement up and down the steps.

The important thing is to aim high and accept the girls where they are.

Step 4: Girls develop their own activities. Adults advise, if asked.

Step 3: Girls utilize their interests and ideas to create activities. Adults take their lead from the girls.

Step 2: Girls and adults utilize the girl’s interests and ideas in creating activities.

Step 1: Girls are encourage to express their interests and ideas. Adults can add some ideas of their own.

Steps to Girl Ownership

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KAPER CHARTS HOW TO MAKE A KAPER CHART: 1. Write down the jobs to be done and a brief description of what each job includes.

2. Plan how to divide the work: individual, buddies, group or troop.

3. Combine some jobs if necessary, keeping an equal amount of work in each if possible.

4. Have girls make a chart, which shows the group, who does what, and when.

Be Creative.

Make it Fun. Daisy: Write the kaper on flowerpots on your poster board.

Have the girls make daisies from paper, cardstock or fun foam. Glue the daisy to a popsicle stick with the girls’ names on them. Move sticks to and from slits in the tops made in the top of the pots.

Brownie: Girls can make paper dolls of themselves to put in and out of paper sleeping bags with the Kapers on them.

Juniors: Kaper charts do not have to always be made of paper. Girls can design covers to jewel boxes with the kaper on each of them.

They can decorate a CD from old CDs to move in and out of the jewel boxes. Mount the jewel boxes to cardboard if desired or carry in CD case.

Kaper Wheel: Join two different size circles together with a brass fastener. Place jobs along the other circle and the girl’s names on the inner circle. Turn wheel for each meeting, shown at right.

Sample Kaper Charts are shown in the Daisy and Brownie Leader Guides.

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TROOP CALENDAR When plans are put in writing, everyone knows what is happening. Meetings go more smoothly and things get done. A calendar lets everyone look ahead to the full troop year. Remember to be flexible. Girls can change their minds. Consider the following for your calendar: GSUSA & GSCNC dates: Registration - September SHARE – September, October Juliette Low's Birthday- Oct. 31 Cookie Orders– January Thinking Day- Feb. 22 Juliette Low World Friendship Fund Cookie Delivery & Booth Sales March Girl Scout Birthday - Mar. 12 Girl Scout Week - March (week in which 12th date appears) QSP - April GSCNC Annual Meeting -April Leader Appreciation Day - Apr 22

Troop, Service Unit, Association dates: Service Unit Meetings Association Meetings- spring & fall Holidays Fly-up, Bridging Court of Awards SU Events and Encampments Troop dates: Field Trips (nature, library, etc.)

Other Troop Plans

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1. Gather everyone into game formation and make sure everyone can see you.

2. Explain or show the game, then let them try it.

3. If the game is complicated, show one part and have them practice it immediately.

4. Let the girls enjoy the game-- correct as necessary to clarify rules of action.

Be enthusiastic.

5. Let the girls carry on the game as soon as they understand it. Help only as needed.

6. Do not over-play any game. Leave girls with the desire to play the game again in the future.

7. In competitive games, discuss and demonstrate what it means to be a good sport.

8. For singing games: • Demonstrate the singing game to the group.

• Sing and demonstrate action-- use one line at a time and have the girls repeat it.

• Repeat the singing game quietly until the girls are sure of the game.

• Continue, letting them carry on but stopping before they tire of it.

HOW TO TEACH SONGS 1. Get the group's attention and begin with a familiar song that everyone can sing. Sing the song briefly.

2. Introduce the new song.

3. Sing the new song through.

4. Next, sing one line at a time, asking the group to listen first and then to echo softly.

5. Then, still softly until they are sure of the melody, have the girls sing the whole song through with you. If it's a long song, teach one stanza at a time.

6. Repeat once or twice.

7. Pitch songs for children a little higher than is comfortable for you, unless you have a naturally high voice. Singing too loudly can spoil their light voices.

8. Use a play song or "round" when the crowd is tired. For the final song, choose one that everyone likes to sing so that an effective ending will be made.

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WORKING WITH ARTS AND CRAFTS Crafts can meet many needs within Girl Scouting, but not every craft is suitable for every troop. To determine if a craft project is appropriate for your girls, answer the following questions. Does this craft: • Teach a new skill or advance a previously learned skill?

• Help the girls to work together?

• Help each girl put something of herself into it?

• Have the possibility of progression in it?

• Add beauty, utility or other value to the raw materials?

• Free girls from dependence on money?

• Help the girls to learn to see and feel?

• Have the proper challenge for age and abilities?

• Fit the time and place of the meeting?

• Give service?

• Relate to the Promise and Law? • Relate to the four program goals?

• Show something the girls can make and use themselves?

If you answered yes to a majority of these questions, you've found a craft to consider.

Look in the Book Now be sure to check Safety-Wise for guidance on how to conduct it safely. Of course, not every craft will fit all of the above points, but you may be able to adapt it so it does.

MEETING IDEAS

The following pages have started the meeting planning process for you. Refer to suggested resources to develop supply lists and to determine prep needed. A blank worksheet is provided for your troop’s planning. For additional beginning meetings ideas, go to troop leaders ideas on www.gscnc.org.

DAISY MEETING IDEAS

Meeting 1

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Activity Description

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Bring

Ratio Only

Design Daisy shaped Name Tags

Teach Girl Scout Sign And Promise

Daisy Leader Guide pg. 20

Opening Tootsie Roll Name Game Business

www.gscnc.org Leader Ideas, Seasonal Ideas, Fall

Me in Paper

Daisy Leader Guide pg. 10

Friendship Circle and Squeeze

Daisy Leader Guide pg. 41

Activity 1

Activity 2 or Snack

Clean-up

Closing

Prep/Number of Adults Needed

24

Award /Link

DAISY MEETING IDEAS

Meeting 2

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Activity Description

Promise Hand

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Bring

Welcome Packet pg. 34

Promise Girl Scout Sign

Daisy Leader Guide pg. 20

Daisy Picking

Welcome Packet pg. 34

Opening

Business Shaving Cream Pictures using “the First Daisy” and “I am a Daisy Girl Scout” Activity 1

Welcome Packet pg. 34, Daisy Leader Guide pg. 24, Daisy Activity Book pg. 3

.

Activity 2 or Snack Clean-up Sing “Meeting Tune” Closing

Daisy Leader Guide pg. 50

Prep/Number of Adults Needed Ratio Only

25

Award /Link

DAISY MEETING IDEAS

Meeting 3

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Activity Description

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Bring

Honest and Fair Apple Basket

Daisy Leader Guide pg. 22

Promise and Law

Daisy Leader Guide pg. 20

Opening

Business

Share meeting plans for the next few weeks with girls from results of Daisy Picking.

Friendship Prints

Welcome Packet pg. 34

Daisy Girls Scouts have friends.

Daisy Activity Book pg. 8 &9

Activity 1

Activity 2 or Snack Clean-up

Closing

Ask the girls to pick between the song they learned or the friendship squeeze.

26

Prep/Number of Adults Needed

Award /Link

Ratio Only

Honest and Fair Petal 2

BROWNIE MEETING IDEAS

Meeting 1

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Opening

Activity Description Smile Pocket Name Tags

Supplies/Cost/ Prep/Number of Girls Need to Bring Adults Needed

Welcome Packet pg. 34

Teach Girl Scout Sign, Brownie Handbook Quiet Sign, pg. 12, 18 & 19 Handshake And Promise

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Award /Link

Ratio Only

Girl Scout Ways 2

Brownie Ring Business

Girls establish rules for troop.

Mr. Bear

Brownie Handbook pg. 131

Activity 1

Hawks and Hens Activity 2 or Snack

Brownie Try-it Book pg.161

Clean-up Sing Brownie Smile Song Closing

Brownie Handbook pg. 15

Playing Around The World 4

BROWNIE MEETING IDEAS

Meeting 2

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Activity Description

Kaper Marker

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Bring See Welcome Packet pg. 20 pg. for ideas

Promise Simple Flag Ceremony

www.gscnc.org Leader Ideas

Make a Kaper Chart

Welcome Packet pg. 20

Prep/Number of Adults Needed

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Award /Link

Ratio Only

Opening

Business

Brownie Try-it Book pg. 15

Girl Scout Ways 4

Jan-Ken-Pon

Brownie Try-it Book pg. 161

Playing Around the World 5

Friendship Circle And Squeeze

Brownie Handbook pg. 19

Girl Scout Ways 2

Make Sit-Upon Activity 1

Activity 2 or Snack Clean-up

Closing

BROWNIE MEETING IDEAS

Meeting 3

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Activity Description

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Bring

Kim’s game

Brownie Try-it Book pg. 160

Promise and Law

Brownie Handbook pg. 13

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Prep/Number of Adults Needed

Award /Link

Ratio Only

Playing Around the World 1

Opening

Business

Activity 1

Activity 2 or Snack

In a Brownie Circle, girls make a list of activities they want to try.

Talk about what an Investiture and Rededication Ceremony is.

Get ideas from the girls on what they want www.gscnc.org Leader Ideas this ceremony to be like.

Write a poem about the Girl Scout Law. Decorate the paper.

Clean-up

Closing

Review ceremony details and expectations.

Brownie Try-it Book pg. 15

Girl Scout Ways 1

JUNIOR MEETING IDEAS

Meeting 1

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Activity Description

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Bring

Promise Clips: Paint sticks

Welcome Packet pg. 34

Opening

Teach or review: Junior Handbook Girl Scout Sign pg. 6 Promise Law

Business

Teach or review the Quiet Sign.

Girls should establish rules for the troop.

30

Prep/Number of Adults Needed

Award /Link

Ratio Only

Girl Scouts in the USA (4)

Girl Scouts in the USA (4)

Active Annie Name Game

Welcome Packet pg. 34

Promise Clip

Welcome Packet pg. 34

Friendship Circle

Junior Handbook pg. 9

Activity 1

Activity 2 or Snack

Girl Scouts in the USA (1)

Clean-up

Closing

Girl Scouts in the USA (4)

Meeting 2

Pre-meeting /Start-up

JUNIOR MEETING IDEAS

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Activity Description

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Bring

Award /Link

Personal Kaper Chart Marker

See Welcome Packet pg. 20 for ideas.

Promise Simple Flag Ceremonies

Leader Ideas on www.gscnc.org

Prep/Number of Adults Needed Ratio Only

Opening

Business

Girls research and decide which form of government they Junior Handbook wish to use and pg. 25 how they will pick leaders.

Deed Catcher

Junior Handbook pg. 7

Activity 1

Activity 2 or Snack

Design Kaper Welcome Packet Chart pg. 20

Clean-up

Sing a song.

Closing

Girl Scouts in the USA (1)

JUNIOR MEETING IDEAS

Meeting 3

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Opening

Activity Description Girls start invitations for upcoming Investiture/ Rededication Ceremony.

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Bring

Paper pens

Award /Link

Ratio Only

Review Girl Badge Book Scout in the USA (4) Divide into patrols (if Junior Handbook needed). Vote or pg. 25 pick leaders.

Patrols make lists of things they want to do this year.

Business

Prep/Number of Adults Needed

32

Girl Scouts in the USA (3)

Junior Handbook Plan ceremony.

Pg. 13 Make invitations Badge book using stencils. pg. 165

Prints & Graphics 4 or 7

Activity 1 Activity 2 or Snack

Make decorations using stamps.

Badge book pg. 165

Prints & Graphics 2

Clean-up Review ceremony date, time and expectations.

Closing Meeting 4: The ceremony as the girls planned it.

Meeting 5: Begin to incorporate ideas the girls have for the troop, asking them to plan, prepare and lead whenever possible.

MEETING PLANNER

Activity Description

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Opening

Business

Activity 1

Activity 2 or Snack

Clean-up

Closing

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Prep/Number of Bring Adults Needed

33

Award /Link

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ACTIVITY DIRECTIONS

Active Annie Name Game: Girls should sit in a circle. The first girl gives her name and one word that describes her that starts with the same letter as her first name. The next girl does the same then repeats the first girl’s name and descriptions and so on, until the last person has to remember every one.

Daisy Picking: Give each girl 2 pieces of paper with her name on them. Place 6 to 10 pictures of possible activities for the troop in the center of the Daisy Circle. Ask each girl to tape her 2 pieces of papers on two different activities that she would like to do. Take the pictures home for planning future meetings. Be sure to include at least one thing that each girl picked.

Promise Clip: You will need: 1 large craft stick, 5 mini clothespins, a magnet, and 5 strips of paper per girl. You also need acrylic paints, paintbrushes, newspaper, water, gel pens and tacky glue. Girls paint craft sticks and set them aside to dry. Write one line of the promise on each strip of paper as written on page 7 in the Junior Handbook. Girls should turn the paper over and write what that line means to them on the back. Glue the mini clothespins down the center of the craft stick. Each clothespin opening should face the opposite

direction as the one before it. Glue the magnet on the back. Clip the paper strips in the clothespins and place in a place to help them remember to keep the promise.

Promise Hand: Girls trace and cut out their hand from paper, cardstock or fun foam. Decorate the hand and nails.

Glue the Girl Scout Promise to the palm. Fold fingers to make the Girl Scout Sign.

Shaving Cream Pictures: Cover the table with shaving cream. Read or tell the girls a story. Stop throughout your story and ask girls to draw a selected item in the story. Erase and move on to the next part of the story and drawing. The table will be very clean after clean up.

Smile Pocket Name Tags: Girls trace and cut out a front and back pocket from paper, cardstock or fun foam. Glue pocket pieces together along edges only.

Decorate and print names on them large and clear. Girls trace and cut out a circle from yellow paper, cardstock or fun foam that will fit in their pocket.

Draw a happy face on the circle and place in pocket. Safety pin the pocket to the girl’s shirt.

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GLOSSARY OF GIRL SCOUT TERMS

Calendar Sales – a fall product sale that features pictures of girls from our council.

Girl Record – a form on which you record all the girls’ activities, badges, service, and recognitions…. anything she does in Girl Scouting. This record will travel with her as she moves from level to level. If a girl moves away, keep a copy and send the record with her. It is essential you keep this record. The information will be very important to her, for a variety of purposes (college applications for example), as she grows older.

Girl Scout Cookies – The cookie sale starts in January and runs through booth sales in March. Training for your troop cookie manager is in the late fall.

Girl Scout Week – celebrated each year during the week in which March 12th, the birthday of Girl Scouting, occurs.

Health History/Medical Release Form – necessary for every girl registered in your troop each year.

Honor Troop – This is an optional program designed to promote well-rounded troops. You’ll find an Honor Troop Application in Green Pages.

Juliette Low’s Birthday – The founder of Girl Scouts is honored on her birthday, Oct 31st.

Kaper Chart - A chart used to involve everyone fairly in the jobs/chores of the troop as well as the fun activities such as leading a song or game.

Leader Appreciation Day – celebrated each year on April 22.

Leadership Development Pin – you can earn this “Owl Pin”, and the Leaves that go with it, by taking training. You’ll be training as a requirement anyway, so why not apply for this pin? There is an application form in Green Pages. Submit forms to your service unit.

MOSAIC/ MORE – this is a publication which lists programs your troop may apply to attend. There are a variety of programs available; most have some kind of fee per participant; programs are for girl scouts and their troop leaders. You apply for the program(s) after discussing with your troop which one(s) they’d like to attend. You will be notified if you’ve been placed in a program or on a waiting list. Directions and an application form are in MOSAIC.

36 Packing – the materials you receive every month at the SU meeting.

Permission Slip – necessary for any activity that takes place away from the meeting place and also for discussing sensitive issues at a meeting.

QSP – a springtime fundraiser – magazine sale. (Proceeds go to our camps) Roundtables –a discussion group comprised of same level troop leaders with their troop mentors. This may be done at the service unit level so troop leaders can have an opportunity to ask questions, trade ideas, and problem solve.

SHARE – Share Her Annual Real Expenses: this is GSCNC’s annual giving fund.

Troop leaders should be sure to include this topic on the agenda for the parents’ meeting. Ideally, get a parent to volunteer to be your troop SHARE leader. Your SHARE leader will attend a presentation on SHARE and then give a presentation at your parent meeting and hand out materials for this very important program.

Smores – A special Girl Scout Treat made with graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate.

Thinking Day - February 22nd, the birthdays of both Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, celebrated as the day in which Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world think of each other and exchange greetings.

Training Card – You will be issued one at the 101 Basic Leadership training.

We also use a lot of abbreviations such as SU – service unit and SUM for service unit manager. When you hear a term you don’t know, ask a service unit team member.

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WHAT IS NEXT? 101 Basic Leadership Training TIME FRAME 3 1/2 HOURS Desired Outcomes: At the end of this training session the new Girl Scout troop leader will have the information needed for troop/group management, will be able to assist girls in planning and carrying out safe, successful and fun activities, and be familiar with the referenced resources.

Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: • Relate the four Program Goals for girls to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. • Explain the roles and responsibilities of Girl Scout troop leaders and supporting adults.

• Use GSUSA and GSCNC health and safety standards when planning activities and events with girls.

• Name the levels of Girl Scouting.

• Explain how to use Girl Ownership in all troop activities.

• List reasons why kaper charts and troop calendars are an integral part of troop planning and activities.

• Fill out Council Approval and other GSCNC forms through hands-on practice.

• Assemble a Troop Event Packet through hands-on practice.

• Explain how diversity is an important goal of Girl Scouting.

• Explain how the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital is financed.

• Explain how money management guidelines are used in troop budgeting.

• Request girl and adult program grants and troop/group membership financial assistance when appropriate.

• Use progression in beginning outdoor activities.

You need to bring: Welcome Packet Safety-Wise Green Pages 2005

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39

Designate

Girl Scouts