Information for Interested Leaders, New Leaders and Continuing Leaders
Service Unit 440 Leader Guide -
The Girl Scout Service Unit 440 Leadership Team is thrilled that you have become or are considering becoming an Adult Volunteer Girl Scout Leader, Co-leader or Parent Volunteer in the Issaquah Sammamish Plateau area Service Unit! Being a Girl Scout Volunteer is an exciting opportunity for both you and the girls!!!!!
The Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide along with this web site will guide New Leaders through the first phases of your new adventure with special emphasis on administration not covered in the Getting Started Council training. For Continuing Leaders, there may be some helpful information!
Once your troop is established, there are many resources in the Service Unit, (e.g. New Leader Roundup, Leader meetings, Mentors, Service Unit Web Site, and Facebook Group), Girl Scout Western Washington training workshops and resources, and general resources on the web to help make troops successful!!! You are not alone and will do great!
Let's get started!
The Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide along with this web site will guide New Leaders through the first phases of your new adventure with special emphasis on administration not covered in the Getting Started Council training. For Continuing Leaders, there may be some helpful information!
Once your troop is established, there are many resources in the Service Unit, (e.g. New Leader Roundup, Leader meetings, Mentors, Service Unit Web Site, and Facebook Group), Girl Scout Western Washington training workshops and resources, and general resources on the web to help make troops successful!!! You are not alone and will do great!
Let's get started!
Girl Scouts?
The Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide - Chapter 1 covers this topic in detail with a summary below.
Girl Scouts is a leadership development program for girls; girls learn leadership skills by "doing" while you (the Leader) facilitate using the "Discover, Connect and Take Action" philosophy.
A new troop requires a minimum of 2 adults* plus 5 girls (3 girls Cadette through Ambassador). Adults Volunteers must pass a background check and complete Getting Started Training before working with a troop. Both the Girl Scouts Western Washington Volunteer Page web page and Service Unit 440 Leader Guide describe specific requirements and process for Starting a Troop.
Troops can start at any time of the year and Girls/Adults can join at any time of the year at any age. Our service unit has created troops at the Daisy through Ambassador Levels at all times of the year.
Girl Scout levels are based on school grades:
Daisy: K - 1st Grade
Brownie: Grades 2 - 3
Junior: Grades 4 - 5
Cadette: Grades 6 - 8
Senior: Grades 9 - 10
Ambassador: Grades 11 - 12
* Adults must be unrelated and one must be female. Please look up the required ratio of adult to girls for your actual numbers attending meetings and events in the Girl Scout Volunteer Guide and Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Girl Scouts is a leadership development program for girls; girls learn leadership skills by "doing" while you (the Leader) facilitate using the "Discover, Connect and Take Action" philosophy.
A new troop requires a minimum of 2 adults* plus 5 girls (3 girls Cadette through Ambassador). Adults Volunteers must pass a background check and complete Getting Started Training before working with a troop. Both the Girl Scouts Western Washington Volunteer Page web page and Service Unit 440 Leader Guide describe specific requirements and process for Starting a Troop.
Troops can start at any time of the year and Girls/Adults can join at any time of the year at any age. Our service unit has created troops at the Daisy through Ambassador Levels at all times of the year.
Girl Scout levels are based on school grades:
Daisy: K - 1st Grade
Brownie: Grades 2 - 3
Junior: Grades 4 - 5
Cadette: Grades 6 - 8
Senior: Grades 9 - 10
Ambassador: Grades 11 - 12
* Adults must be unrelated and one must be female. Please look up the required ratio of adult to girls for your actual numbers attending meetings and events in the Girl Scout Volunteer Guide and Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Where do I fit into Girl Scouts and how am I supported?
Girl Scout Organization (International to Local)
The Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide Chapter 1 covers this topic with a summary below.
Girl Scouts has multiple levels (see figure to the right) starting at the Service Unit (SU) (bottom of the figure at the right) which is a local group of volunteers through an international non-profit organization called WAGGGS (top of the figure on the right); for definitions of the various levels please reference the Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide.
As a Troop Leader your direct support is at the local Service Unit (SU) level. A SU provides various resources including an informational monthly Leader Meeting typically the first Tuesday of each month during the school year, sponsors and communicates local girl-run events, field trips, and badge workshops, and provides various training/resources for new and experienced leaders.
SU monthly meetings are a great way to network with others in the Girl Scouting Community, contribute to your own ongoing learning, come up with solutions for your troop and gain support when you need it!
The SU is operated by volunteers, managed by a volunteer Service Unit Manager (SUM) (Heidi Matthews for SU 440) with assistance from the volunteer SU Leadership Team (SU 440 Leadership Team Contact List), and supported by the Girl Scouts of Western Washington Council staff.
Easy peazy - you are always supported!
Girl Scouts has multiple levels (see figure to the right) starting at the Service Unit (SU) (bottom of the figure at the right) which is a local group of volunteers through an international non-profit organization called WAGGGS (top of the figure on the right); for definitions of the various levels please reference the Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide.
As a Troop Leader your direct support is at the local Service Unit (SU) level. A SU provides various resources including an informational monthly Leader Meeting typically the first Tuesday of each month during the school year, sponsors and communicates local girl-run events, field trips, and badge workshops, and provides various training/resources for new and experienced leaders.
SU monthly meetings are a great way to network with others in the Girl Scouting Community, contribute to your own ongoing learning, come up with solutions for your troop and gain support when you need it!
The SU is operated by volunteers, managed by a volunteer Service Unit Manager (SUM) (Heidi Matthews for SU 440) with assistance from the volunteer SU Leadership Team (SU 440 Leadership Team Contact List), and supported by the Girl Scouts of Western Washington Council staff.
Easy peazy - you are always supported!
Do I have to do this alone?
YOU ARE NEVER ALONE!
In fact, Girl Scout Western Washington requires a minimum of two (unrelated) adult leaders and encourages enlistment of parental support in troop administration and at meetings. The Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 touches Girl Scout Troop Parental Support. Additional Parental Support Ideas are on this site!
In fact, Girl Scout Western Washington requires a minimum of two (unrelated) adult leaders and encourages enlistment of parental support in troop administration and at meetings. The Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 touches Girl Scout Troop Parental Support. Additional Parental Support Ideas are on this site!
How do I start a new troop?
Chapter 3 Troop Administration Overview of the Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide has a comprehensive checklist of activities to start a new troop in SU 440 and Chapter 4 Registration and Membership contains an overview of the process/forms for new troops. Alternatively, visit the Girl Scout Western Washington Volunteer web page for information on troop registration in Western Washington especially if your troop is not located in SU 440. A summary of the process to start a new troop in Service Unit 440 (Issaquah School District part of the Sammamish Plateau) is below.
Registration is the process of requesting to be a member of Girl Scouts and paying an annual membership fee. Girls and Adults register by submitting a Girl or Adult Membership Form (or register online) along with the annual registration fee. (Note: Membership year is October 1st through September 31st regardless of when you join. Registration fee starting in 2013-2014 academic year is $15/year.)
Adult Leaders additionally submit a Volunteer Application (typically on-line) and authorize a background check. Upon completion of the background check, applicants are contacted to complete a screening and schedule the Getting Started training. If you initiated the troop process through SU440, the SU will help you register for a local Getting Started class.
Upon completion of the background check, screening and Getting Started Training, a troop can be formed. A troop number and registered girls are assigned to your troop.
NOTE: SU440 holds a Annual Girl Scout Round Up night, typically in mid-October, to facilitate New Leader and Troop registration, provide basic training for New Leaders, and assign a Service Unit Mentor (an experienced leader) to all New Leaders. New Leaders also receive an assortment of basic supplies, e.g. markers, scissors, etc. typically donated from a local day camp.
Registration is the process of requesting to be a member of Girl Scouts and paying an annual membership fee. Girls and Adults register by submitting a Girl or Adult Membership Form (or register online) along with the annual registration fee. (Note: Membership year is October 1st through September 31st regardless of when you join. Registration fee starting in 2013-2014 academic year is $15/year.)
Adult Leaders additionally submit a Volunteer Application (typically on-line) and authorize a background check. Upon completion of the background check, applicants are contacted to complete a screening and schedule the Getting Started training. If you initiated the troop process through SU440, the SU will help you register for a local Getting Started class.
Upon completion of the background check, screening and Getting Started Training, a troop can be formed. A troop number and registered girls are assigned to your troop.
NOTE: SU440 holds a Annual Girl Scout Round Up night, typically in mid-October, to facilitate New Leader and Troop registration, provide basic training for New Leaders, and assign a Service Unit Mentor (an experienced leader) to all New Leaders. New Leaders also receive an assortment of basic supplies, e.g. markers, scissors, etc. typically donated from a local day camp.
How are troop finances managed?
Chapter 5 of the Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide has detailed Bank/Finance information with a summary below.
How does a troop afford fun events like field trips, camping and travel?
The answer is simple... using a combination of girl dues, special fees, cookies sales and other "money earning" revenue. Through goal setting and budgeting, troop leaders help girls plan to fund most of their troop expenses so that Girl Scouting remains affordable for each girl and her family. For families who might otherwise be unable to afford fees, financial assistance is available to help cover some costs - for information visit Girl Scout Western Washington Financial Assistance.
All Troops are required to maintain a Troop Bank Account at either Key Bank or Bank of America (opened through the Council only, not at the bank directly) and must provide an annual financial report to the Council at the end of the school year. Note, only Troops with an established Girl Scout approved bank account are authorized to participate in annual Girl Scout Cookie Sales.
Note, the Troop Treasurer position is a wonderful opportunity for a busy parent to support the troop. Parent commitment requires minimal time and can be completed at the parents' leisure, e.g. balance the account monthly, reimburse expenses, deposit dues, etc.
How does a troop afford fun events like field trips, camping and travel?
The answer is simple... using a combination of girl dues, special fees, cookies sales and other "money earning" revenue. Through goal setting and budgeting, troop leaders help girls plan to fund most of their troop expenses so that Girl Scouting remains affordable for each girl and her family. For families who might otherwise be unable to afford fees, financial assistance is available to help cover some costs - for information visit Girl Scout Western Washington Financial Assistance.
All Troops are required to maintain a Troop Bank Account at either Key Bank or Bank of America (opened through the Council only, not at the bank directly) and must provide an annual financial report to the Council at the end of the school year. Note, only Troops with an established Girl Scout approved bank account are authorized to participate in annual Girl Scout Cookie Sales.
Note, the Troop Treasurer position is a wonderful opportunity for a busy parent to support the troop. Parent commitment requires minimal time and can be completed at the parents' leisure, e.g. balance the account monthly, reimburse expenses, deposit dues, etc.
What can my troop do? What can a Girl Do?
Are you thinking "Golly Ghee...what did I get myself into? Leading a troop? What am I going to with all these girls??? Have I lost my mind!?! "
NO WORRIES - Your local Council and Service Unit have many ideas and support just for you!!!!
The Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide Chapter 2 Troop Administration Overview has information about running Troop Meetings and Chapter 6 Troop Activities and Events presents information on various activities for a troop. The Getting Started training has additional information on meetings, leader responsibilities and girl progression (girl responsibilities) . A summary of the information is below along with links for additional information on each topic.
Troop Activities, Events, Community Service and Earned Awards
GSWW Calendar (Search for Council Events)
Go Guide (Calendar of Events in PDF Format)
eBiz (GSWW Event Registration and Troop Management Site
Fundraising
Uniforms
Miscellaneous Resources
Girl Scout Jargon (Crossword Puzzle) and Answers
NO WORRIES - Your local Council and Service Unit have many ideas and support just for you!!!!
The Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide Chapter 2 Troop Administration Overview has information about running Troop Meetings and Chapter 6 Troop Activities and Events presents information on various activities for a troop. The Getting Started training has additional information on meetings, leader responsibilities and girl progression (girl responsibilities) . A summary of the information is below along with links for additional information on each topic.
Troop Activities, Events, Community Service and Earned Awards
- Meeting Information
- Journeys, Badges and Awards
- Ceremonies &Traditions
- Community Service/Take Action Projects
- Community Service Partnership for SU440 - City of Sammamish OR YWCA Family Village
- Programs and Events
GSWW Calendar (Search for Council Events)
Go Guide (Calendar of Events in PDF Format)
eBiz (GSWW Event Registration and Troop Management Site
- Camping for Troops and Individual Girls
- Off the Beaten Path - Activities
- Off the Beaten Path - Travel
Fundraising
- Council Product Sales - Cookie Sales
- Council Product Sales - Fall Product (SU440 is not participating in Fall Sales)
- Troop Money Earning Projects - Money Earning Activities
Uniforms
- As of October 2008, an official item (i.e. tunic, vest or sash) is required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent The Girl Scout Movement. For Girl Scout Juniors and older, this item is worn with a white shirt and khaki pants. For Daisy and Brownies, there are specific uniforms. Visit the Girl Scouts USA Uniform web site for uniform information.
Miscellaneous Resources
- Service Unit 440 Resource Library
- GSWW King County Regional Office Equipment Depot and Library (contact-Regional Office Coordinator on the web page)
- Kaper Charts Information
Girl Scout Jargon (Crossword Puzzle) and Answers
How do we know the girls are safe?
Chapter 7 of the Service Unit 440 Leaders Guide has detailed information about Health and Safety with a summary is below.
Girl safety is paramount!
Please make sure you review Chapter 6 of the Service Unit 440 Leader Guide for information on health and safety; much of this chapter will direct you back to the Girl Scouts web site. Topics include:
There are many forms and obligations to ensure the safety of the girls; however, it is all worth it as you enjoy your troop meetings and specific events!
Girl safety is paramount!
Please make sure you review Chapter 6 of the Service Unit 440 Leader Guide for information on health and safety; much of this chapter will direct you back to the Girl Scouts web site. Topics include:
- Health and Safety (including girl/adult ratios)
- Suspected Abuse
- Handling Emergencies
- Procedures for Accidents
- Incident Reports
- Permission and Travel Forms
- Transportation Requirements
There are many forms and obligations to ensure the safety of the girls; however, it is all worth it as you enjoy your troop meetings and specific events!
Frequently Asked Questions
Under Development!