How to Be a Girl Scout Leader

If you would like to volunteer to be a Girl Scout leader, you will need to make an appointment with a membership specialist in your county. Tell them you have an interest in being a leader or maybe a co-leader. Take the following steps to register yourself and lead the troop.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Pick up a "Volunteer Application" and return the form. Then, an interview will be scheduled after checking your references. A one hour meeting called "New Leader's Orientation" will be set up to help you start up your own troop. You will need to sign the "Volunteer Agreement" and also a "Conflict of Interest" at this time of orientation. Next, a three hour course called "Basic Leader Training" will give information on the Girl Scout program. A requirement for every troop is a certified person in CPR and First Aid. They must be at every meeting, each trip taken, and any event the troop participates in, so the Girl Scout Council offers a CPR course several times during the year.
2. Register the girls by giving a parent blank forms of registration in the absence of pre-registration forms. In the event that you are taking over a troop from another leader you will already have some funds, materials, supplies and a troop number. If you have to start a new troop, a troop number will be given to you by your membership specialist. Hold a registration night to recruit girls for your troop. This can be held in a public building, such as a church, school, library or community center. Report to the council at what time and where the meetings are going to be held. An insurance certificate from the council is given to owners of the building where you have your meetings.
3. Plan your meetings, and begin to work with your girls. Consider the age level of the girls when planning your first meetings. Make sure all the girls are registered, as well as at least five registered adults who transport the girls, otherwise they will not be covered on Girl Scout insurance. Soon after you start your new troop, have a parent/girl joint meeting to involve the parents and inform them of activities that are planned for the meetings.
4. Recruit helpers for every Girl Scout meeting. Parents can fill out "Ways Adults Can Help" forms. Help will be needed at all troop meetings. A good idea is to recruit a committee of interested adults in the community, guardians or parents. Have them fill out and register on the "Volunteer Application" form as adult members. At each meeting, you should have two non-related helpers.
5. Establish a checking account for the financial needs of your troop. You can get financial help by referring to the Leader's Resource Guide, Safety Wise or the Volunteer Guide. Keep work records and attendance records for each girl, making it easier to access the information in the event they transfer to another troop.
6. Attend monthly service-unit meetings for leaders in your own geographical area. If you are unable to attend, then you should send a representative for the troop. You are given information and news on local, national and council events at these meetings. If you have questions, there are staff members available to help with your first year as a Girl Scout leader. Have fun and stay calm, and by the time next year is here, you will be more confident and having even more fun!