How to Remove a Leader From Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts of the USA provides high-quality youth activities for girls.

While the Girl Scouts strives to maintain high-quality leadership, situations can develop where a Girl Scout troop leader needs to be removed from the position. This can occur when a current troop leader becomes ill and incapable of fulfilling the role or when the troop leader broke the rules and regulations of the Girl Scouts organization. The removal of a Girl Scout troop leader is a serious event, both for the troop leader and for the organization.

Instructions

1. Make a list of the reasons you feel the Girl Scouts organization should remove the troop leader from her position. Include specific events, such as times, date and a list of the events you personally listed. Include other events, which you heard about but did not see personally, and include the name and phone number of the person who told you this information. Note any victims of the events you describe, such as a list of girls who were present during the inappropriate activity you described in your list.

2. Call your local police if the events in your list are particularly disturbing or obviously criminal. If your child has been the victim of a serious offense, remove her from the Girl Scouts organization while the offending troop leader remains with the organization. The Girl Scouts organization works hard to ensure they have top-quality volunteers, and they will move quickly to remove the problem and protect your daughter.

3. Draft a professional letter. Explain each event from your list, including the time and date and a list of the girls who witnessed the event. Keep the letter professional, listing the facts of the events as you witnessed them or the quotes you heard from others. Make it clear, in your letter, you are requesting the removal of the current Girl Scouts troop leader and asking the Girl Scouts organization to investigate your claims. Include your contact information; phone number, cell phone number, email address and home address.

4. Send your letter to the Girl Scouts of the USA organization by postal mail, email or both. Expect a response to a mailed letter within a few weeks after mailing your letter. Expect a response to your email within a few days of sending it. Call the Girl Scouts of the USA at 1-800-478-7248 or 1-212-852-8000 for an immediate response or to discuss the progress of your letter. Make yourself available to the Girl Scouts organization when they call you to discuss your letter, and answer any questions they have.

Tips & Warnings

• Girl Scouts of the USA handles troop leader dismissal internally, but they rely on you to inform them of any problems.

References

• Girl Scouts of the USA: Contact Us
• Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital: Volunteer's Essentials