Ask Membership: Is There a Volunteer Recruitment Program?

Dear Membership,

My troop LOVES the Girls Guiding Girls to Girl Scouts (4G’s) recruitment program! They are so good at getting other girls to join Girl Scouts that we have had to form a new Girl Scout troop for our program level. While forming the new troop I recruited new Girl Scout leaders. Is there any type of 4G’s program for adults? –Love Bringing Girls and Adults to Girl Scouts

Dear Love Bringing Girls and Adults to Girl Scouts,
Thank you to you and your girls for helping to bring the Girl Scout program to more girls! The Membership Department recognizes that many leaders are recruiting new leaders so we created a program similar to 4G’s just for you. The Legacy Leaders Leading a Legacy (4L’s) is a way to reward registered adult Girl Scout volunteers who recruit at least one adult who is not currently registered as a Girl Scout for 2013-2014 membership year.

The 4L’s perks for the recruiter include the following:

• Free t-shirt for the recruiter (one per recruiter).

• The proud feeling of sharing Girl Scouting with other girls in your community.

• Entry into a drawing for a special prize.

The 4L’s form must be filled out  and the newly recruited volunteer must register using the 4L’s registration form by December 15, 2013 in order to participate in the program.  Additional forms can be found online and/or obtained from your Membership Development Manager. Please contact your MDM with any questions. -Membership

Ask Membership: What Are The Rules for Fund Raising?

Dear Membership,
I am a leader of a new troop and I am trying to get a handle on the rules for fund raising. I keep hearing about blackout dates and money earning applications but I have no idea what any of those are. Can you help shine a light on troop fund raising?-Needs Money for Patches

Dear Needs Money for Patches,
Helping girls earn and manage money is an integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Your Girl Scout troop is responsible for planning and financing its own activities, with your guidance. This puts girls in charge, giving them opportunity (with your oversight) to cooperatively set goals, manage a budget, spend responsibly, maintain records, learn social skills, and develop good marketing, entrepreneurial, math, and financial skills. Troops need to fill out a Money-Earning Application (available on the website, www.gsofsi.org, and on the following page) and turn into their Service Unit Director or Membership Development Manager to obtain approval for money earning activities. Here are important items to remember:

• Participation in the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program is a prerequisite for approval of money-earning projects, financial assistance and/or camperships unless the troop was formed after it was over.
• Girl Scouts forbids use of games of chance, the direct solicitation of cash, and product-demonstrations parties.
• No money-earning events can take place during the United Way campaign during September and October. 
• Troops and Service Units may not solicit business, community groups or individuals for financial support. Gifts-in-kind may be solicited from local businesses.
• The troop must have the previous year’s troop financial report on file.  
• Participation in the Fall Nut, Candy and Magazine (NCM) Product Program is a great way to kickstart funds.

If you have questions, please contact your Membership Development Manager.-Membership

Ask Membership: What If the Troop is Full and More Girls Want to Join?

Dear Membership,

I am a leader of a troop of 25 girls. I hate turning girls away because I believe that every girl should have the opportunity  to participate in Girl Scouting. While I have the parent help to be able to take on more girls I know that there are some  troops that do not and are not able to do so. What happens to the girl if a troop is full? - Girl Scouting for Everyone

Dear Girl Scouting for Everyone,

While we understand that a troop can only take on as many girls as they can manage, we do not want to see a girl turned away from Girl Scouting. In the case that a troop is full, the leader needs to inform the parent that we have other options  available and direct the parent to either the Troop Organizer Consultant (TOC), Service Unit Registrar and/or the Membership Development Manager (MDM). The leader should also contact the TOC, Service Unit Registrar and/or the MDM to give them the information for the girl. From there the TOC, Service Unit Registrar and/or the MDM will help the girl and her family explore other membership options. You are right, every girl should have the opportunity to participate in Girl Scouting! If volunteers and staff work together, we can make sure it happens. - Membership