Creating the kind of environment in which girls are unafraid to try new things and to be who they want to be starts with you! Your interests and life experiences make you the perfect person to be a new kind of partner for girls, someone who creates a safe environment where they can work together and each girl feels free to work toward her highest aspirations.

By meeting your girls where they are, you’ll help them develop the leadership skills they’ll use now and as they grow.

Volunteering with Girl Scouts toggle arrow

Your most important role as a Girl Scout volunteer is to be excited about everything this opportunity affords you: a chance to help girls succeed, play a critical role in their lives, and watch them blossom! In this section, you’ll learn all about your role and responsibilities as a Girl Scout volunteer.

Volunteering with Girl Scouts (pdf)

Becoming a Volunteer toggle arrow

Volunteering for Girl Scouts will be one of the most satisfying and gratifying things you will ever do. For information on the steps you’ll want to follow to become a volunteer and the different roles that you’ll want to consider, go to: Becoming a Volunteer (pdf)

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Girl Scouts of Northern California is governed by the policies of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) as stated in the Blue Book of Basic Documents. The Volunteer Policy has been adopted by GSNorCal’s Board of Directors. The goal of the Girl Scouts of Northern California is to provide beneficial and safe program for girls.

Volunteer Policy (PDF)

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GSUSA and GSNorCal have launched The Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) which is a comprehensive digital tool accessible on your computer, smartphone and/or tablet that is the primary support resource for troop leaders. This valuable resource is designed to save you time so you can manage your troop year with the girls and have more time to do the things that you imagined when you volunteered: changing girls’ lives through amazing experiences!

Through the Volunteer Toolkit, troop leaders can: 

Plan the troop’s calendar year and meeting schedule. 
Email parents/caregivers with one click. 
View the troop roster, renew girls’ membership, and update girls' contact information. 
View meeting plans for Journeys and badges, including suggested tracks for multi-level groups (K–5 and 6–12). 
Customize meeting agendas to fit your unique troop. 
Explore individual meeting plans that show a breakdown of every step, including a list of materials needed, editable time allotments for each activity within a meeting, and printable meeting aids. 
Record girls’ attendance at meetings and their badge and Journey achievements. 
Add council or custom events to the troop’s calendar. 
Submit troop’s finance reports (depending on the council’s process). 
Easily locate both national and local council resources, such as Safety Activity Checkpoints.

Parents and caregivers can:  

View the troop’s meeting schedule and individual meeting plans to stay up to date on the badges and Journeys they are working on. 
Renew their memberships, and update their contact information. 
View their Girl Scout’s attendance and achievements. 
See upcoming events the troop is planning or attending. 
Easily locate both national and local council resources, such as the Family Hub. 
View the troop’s finance report (depending on the council’s process).

For an indepth breakdown of the Volunteer Toolkit, go to: Volunteer Toolkit (PDF)

Volunteer Learning Opportunities toggle arrow

Girl Scouts strives to provide you with the necessary information to successfully manage your group of girls, and to let you know how and where you can get additional information on certain topics when you want to learn more. Volunteer Learning is offered in a variety of ways, to best meet your unique learning styles: written resources, face-to-face learning, interactive online learning—and additional methods are being developed and tested all the time!

Volunteer Learning Opportunities (PDF)

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GSNorCal Events
GSNorCal provides hundreds of events throughout Northern California each year, many of which contain an Adult Training Component. Take a look through GSNorCal's Events Calendar to discover endless opportunities for fun, learning, and adventure. We have something for everyone; troops, individual girls, and yes, adults too! www.gsnorcal.org/forms

Participate in a series, a one-time event, or explore our travel opportunities. For info, visit the Event Calendar on our website: https://events.gsnorcal.org/

Other Support

In addition to the online and in-person courses and learning events, GSNorCal also offers the following support for volunteers:

Electronic Resources: The GSNorCal website has specific publications, tools, templates, ideas, and other resources designed specifically for each volunteer role. www.gsnorcal.org/forms
Online Training: GSNorCal offers online training to support your role with your Girl Scout troop or service unit. Access the portal by logging into MyGS.
GSNorCal Staff: Member Services/Customer Care and Volunteer Support Team are available to help you. 800-447-4475 Ext 0 info@gsnorcal.org
Local Service Unit Meetings: Taking part in ongoing training and attending service unit meetings are basic responsibilities of a Girl Scout Leader. Service unit meetings throughout the council offer ongoing mini-courses, and are considered an important part of a volunteer’s development. You’ll also have networking opportunities which will put you in touch with your service unit team and many experienced volunteers who are eager to share ideas, advice, help and support, and a chance to discuss timely topics that will help you become more effective in the way you work with your troop. Contact 800-447-4475 Ext. 0 info@gsnorcal.org to connect with your service unit.
Social Media & Troop Leader/Service Unit Newsletters: These newsletters are monthly electronic newsletter that contains many event and training reminders, along with ongoing announcements regarding new resources, procedures, and program ideas. Subscribe Here!

New Troop Leader Checklist toggle arrow

Check out this handy 5 step table on getting your new troop started.

New Troop Leader Checklist (PDF)

Knowing How Much You're Appreciated toggle arrow

Adult Recognition in GSNorCal

Visit the council website at www.gsnorcal.org/en/for-volunteers/recognition-and-awards.html or visit the GSNorCal Recognition Pinterest Board for ideas on how to recognize your volunteers, find the nomination forms for national, council, or service unit awards for adults, and more info. Do you have a special volunteer who deserves recognition? Download the National and Council Adult Recognitions Packet or the Service Unit Adult Recognitions Packet from the council website: www.gsnorcal.org/forms

Volunteer Appreciation Month

Volunteer Appreciation Month - The month of April is set aside especially for you. Girl Scouts pay tribute to the volunteers who help girls make the world a better place.

The month centers on the long-standing National Girl Scout Leaders' Day (April 22). In addition, Girl Scouts also celebrates Volunteers Make a Difference Week, in conjunction with Make a Difference Day, which takes place during the weekend in autumn that we set our clocks back.

Recognizing the Volunteers Who Help You

See our website www.gsnorcal.org/en/for-volunteers/recognition-and-awards.html for some ideas to recognize the people who help you.

Managing Conflict toggle arrow

Conflicts and disagreements are an inevitable part of life, but if handled constructively, they show girls that they can overcome their differences, exercise diplomacy, and improve their communication and relationships. Respecting others and being a sister to every Girl Scout means that shouting, verbal abuse, or physical confrontations are never warranted and cannot be tolerated in the Girl Scout environment.

When a conflict arises between girls or a girl and a volunteer, get those involved to sit down together and talk calmly and in a nonjudgmental manner. (Each party may need some time—a few days or a week—to calm down before being able to do this.) Talking in this way might feel uncomfortable and difficult now, but it lays the groundwork for working well together in the future. Whatever you do, do not spread your complaint around to others—that won’t help the situation and causes only embarrassment and anger.

If a conflict persists, reach out to your volunteer support manager. They will try to help you find a resolution to your issue. info@gsnorcal.org

When Sensitive Topics Come Up toggle arrow

It’s an amazing feeling when your girls put their trust in you—and when they do, they may come to you with some of the issues they face, such as bullying, peer pressure, dating, athletic and academic performance, and more. Some of these issues may be considered sensitive by families, and they may have opinions or input about how, and whether, Girl Scouts should cover these topics with their girl.

Parents/guardians make all decisions regarding their girl’s participation in Girl Scout program that may be of a sensitive nature. As a volunteer leader, you must get written parental permission for any locally planned program offering that could be considered sensitive. Included on the permission form should be the topic of the activity, any specific content that might create controversy, and any action steps the girls will take when the activity is complete. Be sure to have a form for each girl, and keep the forms on hand in case a problem arises. For activities not sponsored by Girl Scouts, find out in advance (from organizers or other volunteers who may be familiar with the content) what will be presented, and follow GSNorcal’s guidelines for obtaining written permission.

For more details on sensitive topics: When Sensitive Topics Come Up (PDF)

AB506 Policy toggle arrow

Effective January 1, 2022, California State Assembly Bill 506 Youth Service Organizations: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, states a volunteer who volunteers directly with youth are required by law to take child abuse and neglect mandatory reporter training. In addition, volunteers will also be required to have a cleared background check on file which includes fingerprinting.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions: AB506: Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Frequently Asked Questions

Whistleblower Policy and Hotline toggle arrow

Our roles, as stewards of the Girl Scouts mission, demand that we—all Board and Committee members, volunteers, and employees (henceforth to be called in this policy “volunteers and employees”)—uphold the public trust and act in an ethical manner. These ethical values include integrity, openness, honesty, accountability, fairness, respect, and responsibility.

Girl Scouts of Northern California (GSNorCal) has established a Code of Conduct which requires the highest business standards and personal behavior in all matters regarding the Council, including finance, governance, fundraising, mission operations, legal matters, equal opportunity and employment. We are committed to maintaining a positive, ethical environment for all members, volunteers, parents/caregivers, community partners, employees and supporters.

This Whistleblower Policy works in addition to and in support of GSNorCal’s Code of Conduct, Volunteer Policy, unlawful harassment and discrimination policies, “open door policy” and/or any other grievance procedure, risk and safety policy, anti-child abuse policy, and any applicable state and federal laws governing whistleblowing applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations. Volunteers and employees are expected to comply with all applicable policies and the law.

Full Whistleblower Policy for Girl Scouts of Northern California (PDF)

Anonymous Whistleblower Hotline

If anyone wants to report a serious concern related to the Council and is not sure who to report to or who wants to report anonymously, that person may use a confidential third party automated telephone and email service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

Email: TellGirlScoutsNorCal@getintouch.com
Telephone: 1-877-767-7781

Suggested information to include when reporting a concern:

What concern or wrongdoing is being reported?
When did it occur?
Specific location where it occurred?
How the individual(s) committed the alleged wrongdoing?
Why the informant believes the activity to be improper?
What documentation or evidence exists to corroborate the allegations?
Other witnesses (if any) to the alleged wrongdoing.

Engaging Families

You want your Girl Scouts to have fun, be inspired, take risks, and learn about themselves and the world—that’s why you’re a Girl Scout troop leader or troop volunteer! Parents and caregivers want the same thing for their girls but getting families to pitch in and play an active role in the troop while also enhancing the experience for their own girl and themselves can be tricky for many volunteers. It doesn’t have to be this way!

Kick the Year Off Right by Engaging Parents and Caregivers toggle arrow

Parents and caregivers will feel most connected to the troop when you are proactive in engaging them early on. Express your desire for them to play an active role in troop life, and how that can contribute to the connection, joy, and sense of pride the Girl Scouts feel. At the same time, recognize that not all families have the same capacity to be involved for various reasons (don’t take it personally!). Be open with parents about your hopes for their involvement and listen to what can work for them.

What is a Parent and Caregiver Meeting?

It’s the first meeting you have to start each troop year—whether you are a new or returning troop, it’s valuable for all troops.

Why Hold a Meeting?
After hosting your first Girl Meeting, continue Kicking off each year with a parent and caregiver meeting to set the troop up for success. Sharing what the Girl Scouts would like to get accomplished this year, outlining clear expectations, building a team, and engaging parents in the Girl Scout experience is a great way to start off on the right foot. When parents are involved, leaders have support, the troop has a plan, and everyone benefit! 

The meeting helps:

· Families understand what Girl Scouting can do for their child.

· Families and leaders identify ways they’ll work as a team to support the troop.

· Families and leaders agree about what the troop pays for and what families pay for individually.

· You fill key troop positions—you never know which parent will make an awesome assistant leader or troop cookie manager.

· Families know how the troop will communicate things like upcoming events or schedule changes.

· Families learn about uniforms, books, and other important basics.

For even more tips on working with troop families, check out Girl Scouts’ Tips for Troop Leaders hub.

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Make the Ask(s). The main reason people don’t take action is because they were never asked to in the first place. One out of three Girl Scout parents say no one had communicated expectations around involvement with their child’s troop—this is troubling! Parents may have many talents, but they’re certainly not mind readers. Ask for what you need. If you’re nervous about getting turned down, don’t be. Sure, a few parents might be unable to offer assistance, but the helpers you do get will be worth their weight in gold. And just because someone wasn’t available a month or two ago doesn’t mean they won’t be free to help now. Loop back, follow up, and ask again!

Make Sense of “Why.” Explain that not only does the whole troop benefit with extra help from parents and other caregivers, but also that many Girl Scouts feel a special sense of pride in seeing their own family member take a leadership role. Getting involved can strengthen the caregiver/child bond and is a meaningful way to show them that they are a priority in their adults’ lives.

Find out What People Want to Do. Start with asking what people enjoy doing and what they are good at. Does someone love coordinating events, making flyers, etc., or managing money? Does someone love using social media and could help promote the cookie program? Get a sense of the desires in the room that will energize people. Then talk about time commitment because it will really depend on what they are doing. It's easier to make time for something you find fun.

Make it Quick and Easy. Continue the conversation by asking how much time each week they might be able to dedicate to the troop, then go from there. For instance, if a troop caregiver has 15 minutes each week to spare, they could organize and manage the calendar for troop snacks and carpools. If a grandparent has one to two hours, they could assist with leading the troop through a specific badge on a topic they’re already comfortable with. Be time conscious and consider the commitment.

Make Family Part of the Formula. While Girl Scout programming is always focused on the Girl Scouts, it’s important and helpful to open a few events to their families throughout the year. Inviting the whole crew to celebrate their accomplishments in Girl Scouting—whether at a holiday open house, a bridging ceremony, or a fun “reverse meeting” where Girl Scouts take the role of leaders and guide the adults, including caregivers, through an activity—will help parents and caregivers better understand the value of Girl Scouts and they’ll be more likely to invest their time and talents to the troop.

That said, there’s no need to wait for a special event to engage families in their Girl Scout’s life. Keep communication lines open throughout the year—whether it’s through your troop’s social media page, personal emails, or in-person chats—to keep parents in the loop on what the troop is doing and learning during each meeting. The first meeting is a great time to ask how they prefer to receive updates!

Encourage them to let their Girl Scouts “be the experts” at home, explaining or teaching the new skills they’ve learned.

© Copyright 2009–2022 Girl Scouts of the United States of America.  All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts’ Volunteer Essentials guide (“Material”) is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.

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