Appendix: For Troop Volunteers
Girls and adults participating in troops can meet once a week, once a month, or twice a month for
several months—how often is up to you and the girls. Troops can meet just about anywhere, as long as
the location is safe, easily accessible to girls and adults, and within a reasonable commute (“reasonable”
based on input from parent/guardian). In each meeting, girls participate in fun activities that engage
them in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE).
Troops provide a flexible way for girls to meet. Some ideas include:
● Fourteen Girl Scout Brownies who meet twice a month from November through March at a local
community center
● Twelve girls who are homeschooled and meet weekly at the local library as a Girl Scout Cadette
troop
● Girls who meet together once a we ek at their juvenile detention center to participate in Girl Scout
activities
● Twelve Cadettes who meet once per month for six months and work on a community project
Forming a Troop Committee
You’ll want to involve other adults in the troop - there’s no need to go it alone or depend on too few
adults! Many hands make light work, and the role is more fun when it’s shared. Think about the people
you know whom you admire, who can connect with girls, who are dependable and responsible, and who
realistically have time to spend volunteering. Remember that these adults will need to register as Girl
Scout members, complete the volunteer approval process which includes submitting required
clearances, take required training sessions, and review written resources. Consider business associates,
neighbors, former classmates, friends, and so on. If you have trouble finding reliable, quality volunteers
to assist, talk to your GSWPA staff. A link to the letter and checklist is in the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie,
and Junior Leadership Journeys to assist you in expanding your troop’s adult network.
Remember: Be sure every volunteer reviews and follows the 12 Girl Scout Safety Guidelines, available
both in the Quick-Start Guide to this handbook and in the “Safety-Wise” chapter.
Your troop committee members might help by:
● Filling in for you
● Arranging meeting places
● Locating adults with expertise on a topic of special interest to girls
● Assisting with trips and chaperoning
● Managing troop records
A troop committee may be made up of general members or may include specific positions, such as:
● Cookie Manager: A volunteer who would manage all aspects of Girl Scout cookie activities
● Transportation Coordinator: The volunteer you’d look to whenever you need to transport girls
for any reason; this person would have volunteers available to drive and chaperone
● Record Keeper: A treasurer/secretary rolled into one person—someone to keep track of the
money and keep the books