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Volunteer Resources

Your one-stop-shop for the most commonly used forms and key volunteer resources.

Update your MyGS Password: If you have not logged in since our systems were updated in December, 2020, you will need to reset your MyGS password by clicking the yellow Login button and requesting a password reset. Need help? Email us at customercare@gsema.org.

Getting Started as a Troop

A troop is a group of girls and adult mentors that meets regularly to share Girl Scout experiences.

Are you a new troop leader? We’ve got you covered. Check out the New Leader’s Guide to Success, a resource designed especially for you! Page 15 has a handy Getting Started Checklist for your first to-do items.

Share with your troop families! The Girl Scout Family Connection guide, available in English and Spanish, is your families' go-to, easy-to-use guide for getting the most out of this year in Girl Scouts.

Questions? We’re here for you! Contact Customer Care at customercare@gsema.org or 844-306-4736.

COVID-19 Troop Guidelines

Last updated 6/1/2021

As of June 1, GSEMA troops and groups may participate in overnights, both outdoors (camping) and public indoors, by following GSEMA Safety Activity Checkpoints, and masks are not required for outdoor activities.

See our guidelines for in-person Girl Scout gatherings for additional details.

Print this letter-sized COVID-19 poster to remind Girl Scouts how to stay safe during a troop meeting or outdoor activity.

Meeting on Private Property
We understand that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on Girl Scouts' ability to gather in public spaces. GSEMA’s Meeting Place Policy, as detailed in Volunteer Policies and Procedures, allows exceptions for Girl Scouts to meet on private property on a limited basis. Review and complete the online application to request permission for Girl Scouts to meet outdoors on private property on a limited basis. As a reminder, use of backyard equipment (e.g., pools, trampolines, ziplines) is not allowed without additional council approval. Please review the Safety Activity Checkpoints and submit a Girl Scout Activity Form for high-risk activities.

*Governing bodies' guidance includes, but is not limited to:

GSUSA “Re-opening phases” guidelines
GSEMA Safety Activity Checkpoints, including Coronavirus Safety in Girl Scouts on page 6.
The Mass.gov guide to reopening guidelines, especially the restrictions in the Four-Phase approach.
CDC COVID Guidelines (specifically those guidelines for Child Care, Schools, and Youth Programs and Cleaning and Disinfecting paying close attention to Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting, considering how to properly clean your porous/non-porous supplies and maintaining safe behavioral practices as outlined by the CDC.)
WHO Guidance

If you have any questions about these guidelines affect your troop activities, please email customercare@gsema.org

Navigating the World of Virtual Girl Scouting

Are you thinking about having your troop meet virtually this fall? Check out our Quick Start Guide for tips from GSEMA staff and other troop leaders who’ve had success running virtual meetings.

Ready to get started? You can use your preferred technology platform to run your virtual meeting, or request use of a GSEMA Zoom room for meetings longer than 40 minutes. No matter what you use, make sure you follow these basic safety guidelines.

Review the Safety Activity Checkpoint for virtual meetings before hosting online gatherings with girls.
Volunteer-to-girl safety ratios should always be followed. At least two approved volunteers should act as co-hosts within the meeting, so they can take turns presenting and doing technical support (such as monitoring the chat or helping girls troubleshoot their technology).
Meeting links, IDs, and passwords should only be shared with registered meeting attendees.
The waiting room is enabled for all meetings. Participants must wait for a host to begin a meeting.
Participants should sign in with their first name and last initial only.
All attendees are muted when entering the meeting, and video is off by default.
Private chat is disabled. No links or files may be shared in the public meeting chat.

Looking for ideas on what to do during virtual meetings? Check out the next section below, Planning Troop Meetings!

Planning Troop Meetings

Sample year plans. Check out our sample year plans below for an overview of ways to combine GSEMA programs, national Girl Scout events, and troop-only activities for a fun Girl Scout experience, whether you're meeting in person or virtually!

Daisy Year Plan
Brownie Year Plan
Junior Year Plan
Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Year Plan

Need more resources? Use the Troop Leader Blueprint to help keep your troop going strong with specially adapted badges, Journeys, and activities for virtual and safe in-person meetings, as well as current COVID-19 guidelines and resources. We’re here to support you as you help your troop thrive!

Start building your custom year plan today! You can use the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) to create your troop’s custom year plan, communicate with troop families, and make running a troop easier than ever. Log in now to get started, and check out our user guide for technical help.

Take 5 Podcast

Take 5 is a video and audio podcast series about all things Girl Scouts! Join your host, Lori, for a visit with GSEMA staff and volunteers at her virtual kitchen table to learn about Girl Scout programs, history, traditions, and current hot topics. Begun during the COVID-19 pandemic, this growing library is a testament to Girl Scout resilience and community building.

Video series available via gsLearn

Audio podcast available via Spotify, iTunes, and Google Podcasts

Annual Troop Checklists

Use our quick and easy Annual Troop Checklists below to help you remember important annual tasks for successfully wrapping up and beginning each troop year!

Spring Wrap-up

Complete these steps by June 30 each troop year.

Renew yourself and your Girl Scouts during our Early Bird Renewal season to earn thank-you incentives!
Submit your Annual Troop Financial Report.
Celebrate your Girl Scouts and all that you have accomplished together as a troop this year with an end-of-year party or awards ceremony. Check with your local service unit to see if there’s a town-wide celebration.
If your troop is bridging to the next level, check out the Girl Scout Bridging Guide for celebration ideas and awards to earn.

Fall Back-to-Troop Checklist

Consult this checlist when your troop is getting ready for the next troop year in September-October.

Renew yourself and your troop, if you haven’t already; confirm volunteer-to-girl safety ratios; and ensure that volunteer background checks are up to date in My GS.
Read the “Back to Troop” September edition of Troop Scoop, an email newsletter from your Volunteer Support Specialist, which includes important fall updates and announcements.
Complete your annual Online Volunteer Agreement.
Welcome new Girl Scouts to your troop by updating your troop's listing in the Opportunity Catalog.
Confirm your troop's meeting location and, if needed, complete the annual Meeting on Private Property Application.
Questions? Check Volunteer Essentials, your encyclopedia to Girl Scout volunteering, or Volunteer Policies and Procedures.

Training for Volunteers

GSEMA’s online learning platform, gsLearn (accessed via single sign-on through your My GS login), is continually updated with new volunteer trainings, documents, resources, videos, and more! Whether you’re a new or returning leader, a service unit team member, or a friends and family network volunteer, there’s something here for you.

First year as a leader? You should begin your learning with the Troop Pathway Orientation, the Essentials course for your program level (Daisy, Brownie, Junior, or Cadette), and Financing the Fun. After that, there are lots of courses to explore as your leadership adventure continues.

Second year and beyond? After completing your first year learning courses, you can explore opportunities for returning leaders like Step-Up trainings for bridging leaders (Daisy–Junior), Stress Management courses for every Girl Scout level, Overnight Orientation, Outdoor Basics, and so much more!

First Aid/CPR Trainings. Due to COVID-19 precautions, We are not currently offering First Aid/CPR trainings. For more details, including reciprocity requirements and related COVID-19 updates, please see the GSEMA Volunteer Safety Trainings section on our safety page.

Need help? Contact Customer Care at customercare@gsema.org.

Fall Product and Cookie Programs

Resources are available online for Fall Product and Cookie Program sellers and volunteers, including training videos, live webinars, forms, guides, and more.

Beyond Troop Meetings

Attend GSEMA programs, explore community events within your service unit, or plan your own troop day, overnight, or extended travel trips! For more information, see GSEMA Guidelines for Planning Troop Activities.

Monthly Emails to Volunteers

Troop Scoop (July 2021)
Troop Scoop (June 2021)
Troop Scoop (May 2021)
Troop Scoop (April 2021)
Troop Scoop (March 2021)
Troop Scoop (February 2021)
Troop Scoop (January 2021)
Troop Scoop (December 2020)
Troop Scoop (November 2020)
Troop Scoop (October 2020)

Need help? Contact Customer Care at customercare@gsema.org or 844-306-4736.

Your time to shine? Now! Join Today and Save.

Your time to shine? Now! Volunteer Today and Save.