Welcome Packet

Welcome To the

Girl Scout Council of the

Nation’s Capital

You are a volunteer for Girl Scouts, where girls grow strong.

GSCNC/AVD/October 2007

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Welcome to Girl Scouting!

We are a fun organization with a serious mission. “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character,

who make the world a better place.”

Thank You for Volunteering! You have made a great decision to become a volunteer and we are so happy to have you join us. Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent organization that focuses solely on girls. Girl Scouts allows girls to build character and skills for success in the real world. With committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, such as leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

WHAT WE OFFER:

To Adults: Girl Scouting offers you the opportunity to:

• Make a difference in the lives of girls and young women.

• Develop strong friendships. • Challenge yourself and develop your

leadership skills. • Experience new activities. • Connect with your community.

To Girls: Girl Scouting offers:

• Fun, friendships and adventures. • Caring and understanding. • New activity choices. • Encouragement to be the best they can

be. • Development of leadership and decision

making skills. • Connections with their community.


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BECOME: Celebrate yourself today and become your best self in the future. BELONG: Be part of a group where you have fun, relate to others with respect, and develop lasting relationships. BELIEVE: Develop your ideas and voice what's important to you. BUILD: Take action on what you care about and make a difference.

PRINCIPLES OF GIRL SCOUTING

THE PROMISE On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. THE LAW I will do my best to be:

• honest and fair, • friendly and helpful, • considerate and caring, • courageous and strong, and • responsible for what I say and

do, and to

• respect myself and others, • respect authority, • use resources wisely, • make the world a better place,

and • be a sister to every Girl Scout.

PROGRAM GOALS FOR GIRLS

Develop to her full individual potential.

Relate to others with increasing understanding, skill and respect.

Develop values to guide her actions and to provide the foundation for sound decision-making.

Contribute to the improvement of society through the use of her abilities, leadership skills and working in cooperation with others.

THE GIRL SCOUT SLOGAN "Do a good turn daily"

THE GIRL SCOUT MOTTO

" Be prepared"

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEADER/ADVISOR’S ROLE WELCOME 2PRINCIPLES OF GIRL SCOUTING 3YOU HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO BE A TROOP LEADER/ADVISOR 5POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR TROOP LEADER/CO-LEADER 6 RESOURCES WHO CAN HELP YOU WITH THE TROOP? 8WHO CAN YOU CALL WITH QUESTIONS? 10GSCNC PUBLICATION RESOURCES 12 WORKING WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS ORGANIZING A MEETING 14SAMPLE AGENDA 15RESOURCE SURVEY 16 TROOP MEETINGS PLANNING TROOP MEETINGS 17YOUR PLANNING RESOURCES AND TOOLS 18GIRL OWNERSHIP 19KAPER CHARTS 20TROOP CALENDAR 21HOW TO TEACH 22 MEETING IDEAS DAISY MEETING IDEAS 24BROWNIE MEETING IDEAS 27JUNIOR MEETING IDEAS 30 APPENDIX MEETING PLANNER 33ACTIVITY DIRECTIONS 34GLOSSARY OF TERMS 35WHAT IS NEXT? 37


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YOU HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO BE A TROOP LEADER/ADVISOR. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

ROLE: Work in partnership with girls to provide and develop well-rounded opportunities that are age-appropriate, fun, and in line with the basic Girl Scout philosophy.

Time Expectations

Weekly Hours

Meeting Prep - 1.5 to 2 Meetings - 1.5 to 2

Monthly Hours SU Meeting - 2

Paperwork - 1 to 2 Updates & Communications - 2

Training Hours

Basic Leadership – 3.5 Program Level - 3

Others, depending on plans.

As Desired Field Trips Camping

Council Events Association Meetings Community Events

Leadership Role The skills you use to lead a group of Girl Scouts, you

already use every day at home.

Plan A troop has a calendar or an Events Chart on which the

girls jot down special days, camping, cookout, etc.

Budget A troop determines the amount of money needed to

meet expenses each month, so they budget and plan troop activities. This includes money-earning activities.

Organize

A troop has enough girls so that they might practice decision-making within the troop government appropriate for their age and development.

In a troop, girls are assigned duties or responsibilities for troop activities through the Kaper Chart. This helps to

share the work and the fun.

Manage A troop leader/advisor has many responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is to help empower the girls and

other adults by delegating some of the tasks, which will help a troop leader manage her/his time better.

Develop Program The troop leader/advisor provides the girls with possible program ideas, additional resources, and lots of freedom

to use their imaginations! You help make the girls' dreams become realities.

Motivate

The troop leader/advisor motivates the girls by encouraging individual participation, recognizing

accomplishments and introducing the girls to the next level of opportunities.


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GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL

VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR TROOP LEADER/CO-LEADER

ROLE: • Work in partnership with girls to develop and provide well-rounded

opportunities that are age-appropriate, fun, and in line with the basic Girl Scout philosophy

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ensure timely registration of all girls and adults in the troop/group

2. Assure maximum safety standards as a part of all activities

3. Accept all girls in troop/group as assigned by organizer

4. Recruit adult volunteers to support troop programs

5. Meet with the group on an agreed-upon, regular basis

6. Help girls take increasing responsibility for the affairs of the

troop/group

7. Encourage flexibility in the troop program to meet all individual girl needs

8. Maintain troop/group records, manage troop funds

responsibly, and keep parents informed of troop programs

9. Responsible for troop/group representation at monthly service unit meetings

10. Provide all girls with necessary information and

applications regarding all GSCNC and GSUSA opportunities

11. Encourage troop/group participation in association

meetings and activities

12. Actively support and assure troop/group participation in SHARE and all GSCNC fund development campaigns.


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QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Register as an adult member of Girl Scouts of the USA

2. Accept and adhere to the purpose and principles of Girl

Scouting

3. Show a willingness to work with diverse groups with varying life styles and cultures in a positive manner

4. Recognize, understand, accept, interpret, and support all

council goals, policies, and objectives including the Human Relations Policy Statement

5. Complete required training

6. Owes no outstanding debt to the council

7. Complete the Volunteer Personnel Application process

8. Have a knowledge of up-to-date Girl Scout program and

community resources

9. Maintain patience, warmth, and strong human relations skills

10. Have a genuine liking for and an interest in girls and the

time to devote to them

11. Demonstrate planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

METHOD OF SELECTION:

• Selected and appointed by the service unit manager or field director ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Accountable to the service unit manager, field director, and area manager

TERM OF POSITION:

• Appointed annually


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Troop Committee Build a committee from the parents and other interested adults within

your troop, consisting of:

Assistant Troop Leader/ Advisor First Aider

Camp Qualified Person Cookie Sale Manager

Calendar Sales Manger Money Manager SHARE Leader

QSP Leader Resource Volunteers

Drivers Accompanying Adults

Contact Person

WHO CAN HELP YOU WITH THE TROOP?

Adult support can come from 3 major places, parents within your troop, your service unit team and GSCNC staff.

Assistant Troop Leader/Advisor: is encouraged to take 101 and program level training. This can be one person or this position can be filled by several people. Two unrelated adults must be present at all Girl Scout functions. See Standard 13 in Safety-Wise for the recommended adult/ girl ratio for your meetings and trips. First Aider: There are activities where a trained troop first aider is required. Consult Activity Guidelines in Green Pages and Basic Safety Guidelines in Safety-Wise for determining when one should be present and what first aid qualifications are recognized by GSUSA.

Camp Qualified Person: A trained adult is required for overnight camping trips. For details on course 200 Cookout/Campout go to register.gscnc.org or consult The Big Book of Training. Cookie Sale Manager: Trained by the service unit cookie manager to manage the cookie sale in your troop. SHARE Leader: Trained by GSCNC Fund Development Department. This position begins in the fall.

Don’t try to juggle it all

alone. Delegate!


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QSP & Calendar Leaders: Trained by GSCNC Product Sales Department. This sale is in the spring. Money Manager: Assists girls in planning their budget and record keeping. Resource People: Those who can help you and the girls in any area they are skilled. Use the Parent/ Guardian Resource Survey on pg. 16 of this document to help fill your troop committee. Drivers: do not need to attend GSCNC training, but Safety-Wise guidelines found on pg. 53 – 58 and Program Standard 25 on pg. 73 must be used. • Provide driver with a Driver's Packet of information, which includes permission slips, map, emergency procedures, directions to the site, and contact person. This packet is given to the event leader upon arrival at the site. • Driver notifies the contact person if there is a problem in route. • In the event of an accident, the driver should follow the emergency procedures in the Green Pages 2005. • Check local areas for car seat regulations.

Accompanying Adults: Do not need to attend GSCNC training, but the following guidelines must be used. • Know GSCNC emergency procedures, especially in regard to health and safety. • Know GSCNC standards regarding alcohol, smoking, drugs and firearms. • Know their responsibilities to the girls and other adults, and pertinent roles and responsibilities of the other adults. • Provide the first aider with a health history form. • Activity or trip will be more enjoyable if adults are briefed and assigned a responsibility. Contact Person: Does not need to attend GSCNC training, but the following guidelines must be used. • Must be an adult who will be reachable during activity. • Handles all contacts between troop and families. Notifies parents of emergencies, delays, or major changes so that the troop leader only has to take time to make one phone call.


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WHO CAN YOU CALL WITH QUESTIONS?

SU Manager: Can explain taking a troop trip. Can help if you can't reach the troop

organizer/mentor. Can help you get forms. Can explain an association meeting. Can clarify your goals. Can clarify/interpret service unit team

roles. Troop Organizer: Assigns girls to your troop. Can help, if you have too many girls. Can help, if you have too few girls. Can suggest a meeting place. Can help you with a parent problem.

Registrar: Can help you register your troop. Provides registration materials.

Money Manager: Helps you obtain existing or new

troop checking accounts Troop Mentor: Listen to your concerns. Offers suggestions. Can introduce you to other leaders

with whom you can share ideas. Can offer resources suggestions. Can help you with new ideas. Can suggest best places to work on

the Try-Its or Badges.

Service Unit Team

Troop Mentor Troop Organizer

Registrar Money Manager

SU Manager


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WHEN YOUR SERVICE UNIT DOESN’T HAVE THE ANSWER.

(202) 237-1670 Refer to the Who Does What at GSCNC? Listed under contact us at

www.gscnc.org. register.gscnc.org www.studio2b.org

www.girlscouts.org jfg.girlscouts.org Your Notes:

GSCNC Support • Your Field Director Ext: ___ • Training Ext: 240 • Camping Ext: 253 • Information Ext: 297 • Online Ext: 228 • Program Ext: 270 • Product Sales Ext: 255 • PR Ext: 206 • Share Ext. 207 • Shop Ext: 246

Field Director: You can call if you do not have a

service unit manager. Can clarify and interpret service

unit team roles. Can help with unsolved problems

in the service unit.

Contact GSUSA at www.girlscouts.org

jfg.girlscouts.org


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GSCNC PUBLICATION RESOURCES

Resource Service Unit

Information Center

Online Gscnc.org

Other

Safety-Wise Field Director (1 ) Shop (additional)

Basic Information

Green Pages

Basic Information

Insurance Claim Form &

Brochure

Field Director

Basic Information

Capital Notes

Basic Information

Mosaic/More

Basic Information

Volunteer Basics

Basic Information

Big Book of Program

Basic Information

2005 Leader CD-ROM

Basic Information

Welcome Packet

Basic Information

Program Level Training

Handouts

Training Class

Teen Advisors

Kaleidoscope

Teen Advisors

TTG

GSCNC Campsite Directory

Additional Information

GSCNC Non-Council

Campsite Directory


Leader Digest


GSCNC Annual Report


Uniforms, Insignia and Recognitions

Handbook

Online at gsusa.org only


Adult Recognition Handbook

SHARE Packet Annual Giving

Specialist

B A S I C I N F O R M A T I O N

A D D I T I O N A L I N F O


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WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?

Topic Resource Topic Resource

Adult-in charge Green Pages pg. 7

Campsite Reservations

Green Pages pg. 15

Checking Accounts

Green Pages pg. 18

Drivers Safety-Wise pg. 52, 53 & 58

Financial Assistance

Green Pages pg. 23 & 24

First Aider Green Pages pg. 6

Safety-Wise Forms Green Pages

Chapter 8 www.gscnc.org

Four Program Goals

Green Pages pg. 4

Program Level

Girl Ownership Welcome Packet pg. 19


Girl Scout Promise and Law

Green Pages Inside cover All Training

Health History/Medical Release Form

Green Pages pg. 8 & 47

Kaper Charts Welcome Packet pg. 20


Male Volunteers (Men In Green)

Safety-Wise Standard 13

Meeting and Activity Planning

Green Pages pg. 6 &7

Welcome Packet pg.17

Money-earning Guidelines

Green Pages pg. 19

Notification Forms

Green Pages pg. 7, 57-60

Permission Slips Green Pages pg. 25 & 51

Program Options Green Pages pg. 4


Standards and Guidelines

Green Pages pg. 25

Troop Activity/Camping Eligibility Form

Green Pages pg. 7, 49

Troop Event Packets

Green Pages pg. 8

101 Training

Troop Government

Welcome Packet pg. 18


Troop Management and

Calendar

Welcome Packet pg. 18, 21


Uniforms and Pins

Safety-Wise Standard 11


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Parents’/Guardians’ Promise On my honor, I will try to share my daughter's new Girl Scout interests and show appreciation for her efforts to live up to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. I will try to give her opportunities to practiceher new skills at home, to attend the troopmeetings to which I am invited, and tosupport Girl Scouting by working for andcontributing to activities and funds that makeGirl Scouting possible in our community.

ORGANIZING A PAREN/GUARDIAN MEETING

1. Have the meeting in a public place. If possible, have it where the troop meetings will be

held. 2. Send letters, e-mails or phone parents/guardians to personally invite them to the

meeting. Let each family know the importance of having some representative attending, or meeting with you at another time, before their daughter attends her first troop meeting.

3. Work with your troop organizer, troop mentor and/or service unit manager. (If you

prefer, ask a member of your Service Unit team to help you set up and run your first parents'/guardians' meeting.)

4. Ways to Involve Families: Before the

meeting, work with your co-leader to decide on what help you will want from families.

5. For your own peace of mind, outline

everything you want to accomplish at the meeting. See sample agenda on the next page.

6. It is best if you can take care of things

that require money at this meeting. It helps with your bookkeeping.

• Register girls and adults including troop leaders and troop committee.

• Ask parents for their expectation on troop funds. Tell them you will confirm this after planning activities with the girls.

• Introduce SHARE and distribute SHARE envelopes.

7. Assemble a Girl Scout Packet for each family. • Agenda for the meeting (See sample agenda next page.) • Get-acquainted activity • Girl Scout Registration Form • Medical History Form/Authorization for Emergency Medical Care • Financial Assistance Request Form 200 • Parent/Guardian Resource Survey • A list of those authorized to pick up the girl

8. Plan on providing simple, inexpensive refreshments.


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PARENT/GUARDIAN MEETING SAMPLE AGENDA

1. Introductions: Everyone should tell something about himself or herself or pair people up as they come in and ask them to find out about each other, then share with the group. 2. What is Girl Scouting? (Consider making posters to visually display information.) See Green Pages. • History, purpose ands goals. • Name, location and size of council. • Area covered by your service unit. • Training troop leaders have taken or will

be taking. • Meetings leaders will be attending. 3. Troop Leaders’ Roles in the Troop. • Advisor to help girls mange their troop. 4. Other Adult Roles in the Troop: • Explain position responsibilities so

parents know what they are volunteering to do and possible time commitment. Remember that neighbors or extended family may also be interested in becoming involved.

• Remind parents that they will be doing these particular jobs so their daughter can have the best troop experience possible.

5. Requirements for Girl and Adult

Membership: • Complete forms and pay the GSUSA

annual registration fee. 6. Uniforms: Desirable, but not required; wearing pin is "in uniform". 7. Forms and Finances: • Go through each form in packet to be

sure it is completely filled out. This saves phone calls later.

• Collect any monies necessary.

• Give a receipt if paid in cash. 8. How Troop is Financed: • Dues: How they will be collected. • Calendar and cookie sales. • Money earning activities. 9. Troop Activities: • Many ideas will come from program-level

handbook. • Let girls discuss ideas, then make plans. • Be sure to welcome suggestions from

families. • Will the troop have a snack? If so,

organize girls to take turns bringing it. • Approximate date of investiture/

rededication. 10. Date and Place of First Meeting: • Where and when troop will meet. • Start and finish times. • Importance of punctuality: dropping off/

picking girls up on time.

11. Role of Families: • Support girls with necessary permission

slips, dues, books, equipment, etc. • Contact the leader with questions or

concerns. • Show interest in daughter's activities. • Let girls try new skills at home. • Encourage regular attendance. • Share a skill or hobby. • Help with transportation for outings. • Care for troop leader's children while

she/he takes training or attends necessary meetings.

• Help at troop meetings. • Serve on the troop committee. 12. Closing: You may want to close with Parents’/Guardians’ Promise.


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PARENT/GUARDIAN RESOURCE SURVEY

Each job counts . . . it depends on how much time you can give and what suits you. Please check your interests below: 1. ___ I will take training and be part of the troop leadership team. 2. ___ I will help at troop meetings when needed. 3. ___ I will be a strong supporter for the troop leaders by:

___ Providing babysitting for the leaders during meeting time. ___ Being the camp-qualified adult. ___ Being a first aider. ___ Providing transportation when needed. ___ Being the money manager. ___ Managing the troop paperwork. ___ Making telephone calls/e-mails. ___ Helping with shopping and errands. ___ Helping with arts and crafts. ___ Being a program consultant. (see #5 below) ___ Being a calendar, cookie, or QSP (magazine renewal program) manager. (for Brownies and above)

4. ___ I will to support the service unit team (adults representing the area troops) as a: ___ Troop representative when the leaders cannot attend monthly meetings ___ SHARE Leader ___ Cookie Manager ___ Registrar ___ Troop Organizer ___ Public Relations

5. _____ I have interests in the following: ____ Cooking ____ Dramatics ____ Games ____ Dance ____ Nature

____ Sewing ____ Music ____ Sports ____ Computers ____ Science

____ Arts & Crafts ____ First Aid ____ Hiking ____ Camping ____ History

____ Travel ____ Other: _____________________________________________

Please list any first aid certification you may have and its expiration. Also list if you are an RN, MD, or Paramedic. _______ _____________________________________________________ Parent's/Guardian's Name: ______________________ Girl's Name: _____________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________


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PLANNING TROOP MEETINGS

Before You Meet With Girls: • Receive your appointment letter from your service unit manager. • Review the Safety-Wise requirements for meeting site and complete the Site

Safety Checklist from Green Pages.

Six Parts of a Meeting

Start-upBusiness

Activities

Closing

Clean-up

Opening

Meeting Components: 1. Start-up: Something simple that permits socializing as girls arrive. Often it needs

to be self-paced or led by girls because you are busy at this point. 2. Opening: Promise and Law or flag ceremony, simple song, poem or game. 3. Business: Let girls handle as much as their experience allows. Make it brief at

first! 4. Activity: Major part of meeting--have fun, work on earning proficiency awards,

learn songs, games, do service projects or other activities of their choosing from the handbooks.

5. Clean-up: The responsibility of everyone-- use a kaper chart to divide responsibilities.

6. Closing: Formal end of the meeting--retire the flags, a friendship circle or quiet song.

Guides to Quality Program • Use Girl Ownership. Involve girls in the planning of activities to the fullest extent

that is developmentally appropriate. • Make it active. Find a way for all girls to participate in all segments of the troop

meeting. • Include service, learning and fun.

Time will vary for each meeting, but

use this as a guide.


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YOUR PLANNING RESOURCES AND TOOLS

Planning meetings is not as difficult as you might think. There are many resources to turn to for help, including members of your service unit team, other troop leaders, parents and of course the girls. Just a Few Resource Suggestions:Start-up • Leader Guides • Handbooks • Try-it, Badge and IP Books • Games for Girl Scouts • Games and Ice Breakers

(www.gscnc.org) Openings and Closings • Handbooks • Brownie Girl Scout Songbook • Ceremonies in Girls Scouts • www.gscnc.org

Activities • Leader Guides • Handbooks • Try-it, Badge and IP Books • Games for Girl Scouts • Brownie Girl Scout Songbook • Ceremonies in Girls Scouts • Contemporary Issues • Issues for Girls • Studio 2B • Big Book of Program • Leader’s Disc • Online Leader Resources

(www.gscnc.org) • Out and About (www.gscnc.org) • Library book

Tool Suggestions for Troop Management and the Business: • Troop government • Girl Ownership (pg. ) • Kaper charts (pg. ) • Troop calendar (pg. ) Troop Government by Level: Daisy Girl Scout Daisy Circle Brownie Girl Scout Brownie Ring Junior Girl Scout Patrol System Executive Board Town Meeting Teen Girl Scout Patrol System Executive Board Town Meeting

Your level handbooks will have more information on each level's type of government. You will also learn more at your program level training.


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GIRL OWNERSHIP What can Girls do?

Step 1: Girls are encourage to express their interests and ideas. Adults can add some ideas of their own.

Step 2: Girls and adults utilize the girl’s interests and ideas in creating activities.

Step 3: Girls utilize their interests and ideas to create activities. Adults take their lead from the girls.

Step 4: Girls de-velop their own activities. Adults advise, if asked.

Steps to Girl Ownership

Using Steps to Girl Ownership

• Start slow. • Use based on experience rather

than age. • Learn with the girls. • Step 4 is the ideal to aim for. • Many factors will affect movement

up and down the steps. • The important thing is to aim high

and accept the girls where they are.


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KAPER CHARTS

Be Creative. Make it Fun.

Daisy: Write the kaper on flowerpots on your poster board. Have the girls make daisies from paper, cardstock or fun foam. Glue the daisy to a popsicle stick with the girls’ names on them. Move sticks to and from slits in the tops made in the top of the pots. Brownie: Girls can make paper dolls of themselves to put in and out of paper sleeping bags with the Kapers on them. Juniors: Kaper charts do not have to always be made of paper. Girls can design covers to jewel boxes with the kaper on each of them. They can decorate a CD from old CDs to move in and out of the jewel boxes. Mount the jewel boxes to cardboard if desired or carry in CD case. Kaper Wheel: Join two different size circles together with a brass fastener. Place jobs along the other circle and the girl’s names on the inner circle. Turn wheel for each meeting, shown at right.

HOW TO MAKE A KAPER CHART: 1. Write down the jobs to be done and a brief description of what each job includes. 2. Plan how to divide the work: individual, buddies, group or troop. 3. Combine some jobs if necessary, keeping an equal amount of work in each if possible. 4. Have girls make a chart, which shows the group, who does what, and when.

Sample Kaper Charts are shown in the Daisy and Brownie Leader Guides.

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TROOP CALENDAR

When plans are put in writing, everyone knows what is happening. Meetings go more smoothly and things get done. A calendar lets everyone look ahead to the full troop year. Remember to be flexible. Girls can change their minds. Consider the following for your calendar: GSUSA & GSCNC dates:

Registration - September SHARE – September, October Juliette Low's Birthday- Oct. 31 Cookie Orders– January Thinking Day- Feb. 22 Juliette Low World Friendship

Fund Cookie Delivery & Booth Sales -

March Girl Scout Birthday - Mar. 12 Girl Scout Week - March (week in

which 12th date appears) QSP - April GSCNC Annual Meeting -April Leader Appreciation Day - Apr 22

Troop, Service Unit, Association dates:

Service Unit Meetings Association Meetings- spring & fall Holidays Fly-up, Bridging Court of Awards SU Events and Encampments

Troop dates:

Field Trips (nature, library, etc.) Other Troop Plans

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1. Gather everyone into game formation and make sure everyone can see you. 2. Explain or show the game, then let them try it. 3. If the game is complicated, show one part and have them practice it

immediately. 4. Let the girls enjoy the game-- correct as necessary to clarify rules of action.

Be enthusiastic. 5. Let the girls carry on the game as soon as they understand it. Help only as

needed. 6. Do not over-play any game. Leave girls with the desire to play the game

again in the future. 7. In competitive games, discuss and demonstrate what it means to be a good

sport. 8. For singing games:

• Demonstrate the singing game to the group. • Sing and demonstrate action-- use one line at a time and have the girls

repeat it. • Repeat the singing game quietly until the girls are sure of the game. • Continue, letting them carry on but stopping before they tire of it.

HOW TO TEACH SONGS

1. Get the group's attention and begin with a familiar song that everyone can

sing. Sing the song briefly. 2. Introduce the new song. 3. Sing the new song through. 4. Next, sing one line at a time, asking the group to listen first and then to echo

softly. 5. Then, still softly until they are sure of the melody, have the girls sing the

whole song through with you. If it's a long song, teach one stanza at a time. 6. Repeat once or twice. 7. Pitch songs for children a little higher than is comfortable for you, unless you

have a naturally high voice. Singing too loudly can spoil their light voices. 8. Use a play song or "round" when the crowd is tired. For the final song, choose

one that everyone likes to sing so that an effective ending will be made.

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WORKING WITH ARTS AND CRAFTS

Crafts can meet many needs within Girl Scouting, but not every craft is suitable for every troop. To determine if a craft project is appropriate for your girls, answer the following questions. Does this craft:

• Teach a new skill or advance a previously learned skill? • Help the girls to work together? • Help each girl put something of herself into it? • Have the possibility of progression in it? • Add beauty, utility or other value to the raw materials? • Free girls from dependence on money? • Help the girls to learn to see and feel? • Have the proper challenge for age and abilities? • Fit the time and place of the meeting? • Give service? • Relate to the Promise and Law? • Relate to the four program goals? • Show something the girls can make and use themselves?

If you answered yes to a majority of these questions, you've found a craft to consider. Look in the Book Now be sure to check Safety-Wise for guidance on how to conduct it safely. Of course, not every craft will fit all of the above points, but you may be able to adapt it so it does.

MEETING IDEAS

The following pages have started the meeting planning process for you. Refer to suggested resources to develop supply lists and to determine prep needed. A blank worksheet is provided for your troop’s planning. For additional beginning meetings ideas, go to troop leaders ideas on www.gscnc.org.

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Meeting 1

Activity Description

Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to

Bring Prep/Number of Adults Needed

Award /Link

Pre-meeting /Start-up

Design Daisy shaped

Name Tags

Ratio Only

Opening

Teach Girl Scout SignAnd Promise

Daisy Leader Guide

pg. 20

Business

Tootsie Roll Name Game

www.gscnc.org Leader Ideas, Seasonal Ideas, Fall

Activity 1

Me in Paper

Daisy Leader Guide

pg. 10

Activity 2 or Snack

Clean-up

Closing Friendship Circle

and Squeeze Daisy Leader Guide pg. 41

DAISY MEETING IDEAS

25

Meeting 2




Award /Link


Promise Hand


Ratio Only

Opening

Promise

Girl Scout Sign

Daisy Leader Guide

pg. 20

Business

Daisy Picking


Activity 1

Shaving Cream Pictures using

“the First Daisy” and “I am a

Daisy Girl Scout”

Welcome Packet pg. 34,

Daisy Leader Guide

pg. 24, Daisy

Activity Book pg. 3

Activity 2 or Snack

.

Clean-up

Closing

Sing “Meeting Tune”

Daisy Leader Guide

pg. 50

DAISY MEETING IDEAS

26

Meeting 3




Award /Link


Honest and FairApple Basket

Daisy Leader Guide

pg. 22

Ratio Only

Honest and Fair Petal

2

Opening

Promise and Law

Daisy Leader Guide

pg. 20

Business

Share meeting plans for the

next few weeks with girls from

results of Daisy Picking.

Activity 1

Friendship Prints


Activity 2 or Snack

Daisy Girls Scouts have

friends.

Daisy Activity Book

pg. 8 &9

Clean-up

Closing

Ask the girls to pick between the

song they learned or the

friendship squeeze.

DAISY MEETING IDEAS

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Meeting 1


Supplies/Cost/ Girls Need to Bring

Prep/Number of Adults Needed

Award /Link


Smile Pocket Name Tags


Ratio Only

Opening

Teach Girl Scout Sign,

Quiet Sign, Handshake

And Promise

Brownie Handbookpg. 12, 18 & 19

Girl Scout Ways2

Business

Brownie Ring

Girls establish rules for troop.

Activity 1

Mr. Bear

Brownie Handbookpg. 131

Activity 2 or Snack

Hawks and Hens

Brownie Try-it Book

pg.161

Playing AroundThe World

4

Clean-up

Closing

Sing Brownie Smile Song

Brownie Handbookpg. 15

BROWNIE MEETING IDEAS

28

Meeting 2




Award /Link


Kaper Marker

See Welcome Packet pg. 20 pg. for ideas

Ratio Only

Opening

Promise

Simple Flag Ceremony

www.gscnc.org Leader Ideas

Business

Make a Kaper Chart


Activity 1

Make Sit-Upon

Brownie Try-it Book

pg. 15

Girl Scout Ways4

Activity 2 or Snack

Jan-Ken-Pon

Brownie Try-it Book

pg. 161

Playing Around the World

5

Clean-up

Closing

Friendship Circle

And Squeeze

Brownie Handbook

pg. 19

Girl Scout Ways2


29

Meeting 3




Award /Link


Kim’s game

Brownie Try-it Book

pg. 160

Ratio Only

Playing Around the World

1

Opening

Promise and Law

Brownie Handbook

pg. 13

Business

In a Brownie Circle, girls

make a list of activities they want to try.

Activity 1

Talk about what an Investiture

and Rededication Ceremony is.

Get ideas from the girls on

what they want this ceremony

to be like.

www.gscnc.org Leader Ideas

Activity 2 or Snack

Write a poem about the Girl Scout Law.

Decorate the paper.

Brownie Try-it Book

pg. 15

Girl Scout Ways1

Clean-up

Closing

Review ceremony details and

expectations.


30

Meeting 1




Award /Link


Promise Clips: Paint sticks


Ratio Only

Opening

Teach or review:Girl Scout Sign

Promise Law

Junior Handbookpg. 6

Girl Scouts in the USA (4)

Business

Teach or reviewthe Quiet Sign.

Girls should establish rules for the troop.


Activity 1

Active Annie Name Game

Welcome Packetpg. 34

Activity 2 or Snack

Promise Clip



Clean-up

Closing

Friendship Circle



JUNIOR MEETING IDEAS

31

Meeting 2




Award /Link


Personal Kaper Chart Marker

See Welcome Packet pg. 20

for ideas.

Ratio Only

Opening

Promise

Simple Flag Ceremonies

Leader Ideas on www.gscnc.org

Business

Girls research and decide

which form of government they wish to use and

how they will pick leaders.


Activity 1

Deed Catcher



Activity 2 or Snack

Design Kaper Chart


Clean-up

Closing

Sing a song.


32

Meeting 3




Award /Link


Girls start invitations for up-

coming Investiture/

Rededication Ceremony.

Paper pens

Ratio Only

Opening

Review Girl Scout in

the USA (4)

Badge Book

Business

Divide into patrols (if

needed). Vote or pick leaders.

Patrols make lists of things

they want to do this year.

Plan ceremony.

Junior Handbook

pg. 25

Junior HandbookPg. 13


Activity 1

Make invitations using stencils.

Badge book pg. 165

Prints & Graphics4 or 7

Activity 2 or Snack

Make decorations

using stamps.

Badge book pg. 165

Prints & Graphics2

Clean-up

Closing

Review ceremony date,

time and expectations.

Meeting 4: The ceremony as the girls planned it. Meeting 5: Begin to incorporate ideas the girls have for the troop, asking them to plan, prepare and lead whenever possible.


33




Award /Link


Opening

Business

Activity 1

Activity 2 or Snack

Clean-up

Closing

MEETING PLANNER

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ACTIVITY DIRECTIONS

Active Annie Name Game: Girls should sit in a circle. The first girl gives her name and one word that describes her that starts with the same letter as her first name. The next girl does the same then repeats the first girl’s name and descriptions and so on, until the last person has to remember every one. Daisy Picking: Give each girl 2 pieces of paper with her name on them. Place 6 to 10 pictures of possible activities for the troop in the center of the Daisy Circle. Ask each girl to tape her 2 pieces of papers on two different activities that she would like to do. Take the pictures home for planning future meetings. Be sure to include at least one thing that each girl picked. Promise Clip: You will need: 1 large craft stick, 5 mini clothespins, a magnet, and 5 strips of paper per girl. You also need acrylic paints, paintbrushes, newspaper, water, gel pens and tacky glue. Girls paint craft sticks and set them aside to dry. Write one line of the promise on each strip of paper as written on page 7 in the Junior Handbook. Girls should turn the paper over and write what that line means to them on the back. Glue the mini clothespins down the center of the craft stick. Each clothespin opening should face the opposite

direction as the one before it. Glue the magnet on the back. Clip the paper strips in the clothespins and place in a place to help them remember to keep the promise. Promise Hand: Girls trace and cut out their hand from paper, cardstock or fun foam. Decorate the hand and nails. Glue the Girl Scout Promise to the palm. Fold fingers to make the Girl Scout Sign.

Shaving Cream Pictures: Cover the table with shaving cream. Read or tell the girls a story. Stop throughout your story and ask girls to draw a selected item in the story. Erase and move on to the next part of the story and drawing. The table will be very clean after clean up. Smile Pocket Name Tags: Girls trace and cut out a front and back pocket from paper, cardstock or fun foam. Glue pocket pieces together along edges only.

Decorate and print names on them large and clear. Girls trace and cut out a circle from yellow paper, cardstock or fun foam that will fit in their pocket. Draw a happy face on the circle and place in pocket. Safety pin the pocket to the girl’s shirt.

35

GLOSSARY OF GIRL SCOUT TERMS

Calendar Sales – a fall product sale that features pictures of girls from our council. Girl Record – a form on which you record all the girls’ activities, badges, service, and recognitions…. anything she does in Girl Scouting. This record will travel with her as she moves from level to level. If a girl moves away, keep a copy and send the record with her. It is essential you keep this record. The information will be very important to her, for a variety of purposes (college applications for example), as she grows older. Girl Scout Cookies – The cookie sale starts in January and runs through booth sales in March. Training for your troop cookie manager is in the late fall. Girl Scout Week – celebrated each year during the week in which March 12th, the birthday of Girl Scouting, occurs. Health History/Medical Release Form – necessary for every girl registered in your troop each year. Honor Troop – This is an optional program designed to promote well-rounded troops. You’ll find an Honor Troop Application in Green Pages. Juliette Low’s Birthday – The founder of Girl Scouts is honored on her birthday, Oct 31st. Kaper Chart - A chart used to involve everyone fairly in the jobs/chores of the troop as well as the fun activities such as leading a song or game. Leader Appreciation Day – celebrated each year on April 22. Leadership Development Pin – you can earn this “Owl Pin”, and the Leaves that go with it, by taking training. You’ll be training as a requirement anyway, so why not apply for this pin? There is an application form in Green Pages. Submit forms to your service unit. MOSAIC/ MORE – this is a publication which lists programs your troop may apply to attend. There are a variety of programs available; most have some kind of fee per participant; programs are for girl scouts and their troop leaders. You apply for the program(s) after discussing with your troop which one(s) they’d like to attend. You will be notified if you’ve been placed in a program or on a waiting list. Directions and an application form are in MOSAIC.

36

Packing – the materials you receive every month at the SU meeting. Permission Slip – necessary for any activity that takes place away from the meeting place and also for discussing sensitive issues at a meeting. QSP – a springtime fundraiser – magazine sale. (Proceeds go to our camps) Roundtables –a discussion group comprised of same level troop leaders with their troop mentors. This may be done at the service unit level so troop leaders can have an opportunity to ask questions, trade ideas, and problem solve. SHARE – Share Her Annual Real Expenses: this is GSCNC’s annual giving fund. Troop leaders should be sure to include this topic on the agenda for the parents’ meeting. Ideally, get a parent to volunteer to be your troop SHARE leader. Your SHARE leader will attend a presentation on SHARE and then give a presentation at your parent meeting and hand out materials for this very important program. Smores – A special Girl Scout Treat made with graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. Thinking Day - February 22nd, the birthdays of both Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, celebrated as the day in which Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world think of each other and exchange greetings. Training Card – You will be issued one at the 101 Basic Leadership training. We also use a lot of abbreviations such as SU – service unit and SUM for service unit manager. When you hear a term you don’t know, ask a service unit team member.

37

WHAT IS NEXT?

101 Basic Leadership Training

TIME FRAME 3 1/2 HOURS

Desired Outcomes: At the end of this training session the new Girl Scout troop leader will have the information needed for troop/group management, will be able to assist girls in planning and carrying out safe, successful and fun activities, and be familiar with the referenced resources. Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Relate the four Program Goals for girls to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. • Explain the roles and responsibilities of Girl Scout troop leaders and

supporting adults. • Use GSUSA and GSCNC health and safety standards when planning

activities and events with girls. • Name the levels of Girl Scouting. • Explain how to use Girl Ownership in all troop activities. • List reasons why kaper charts and troop calendars are an integral part of

troop planning and activities. • Fill out Council Approval and other GSCNC forms through hands-on practice. • Assemble a Troop Event Packet through hands-on practice. • Explain how diversity is an important goal of Girl Scouting. • Explain how the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital is financed. • Explain how money management guidelines are used in troop budgeting. • Request girl and adult program grants and troop/group membership financial

assistance when appropriate. • Use progression in beginning outdoor activities.

You need to bring: Welcome Packet Safety-Wise Green Pages 2005

38

39

Designate Girl Scouts

Documents

Welcome Packet