Visit the new council's Web site!
Girl Scouts of the USA Board Actions
Girl Scouts of the USA’s National
Board of Directors endorsed momentous decisions on August 26, 2006 that
will guide the future of the Girl Scout Movement.
For nearly two years, the Movement has been undergoing a thorough
internal review process, evaluating its business strategy and the way
it provides Girl Scouting to girls. Many of the exciting changes
you’ll read about here were a direct result of that work. The
decisions focus on the organization’s desired impact on the
lives of girls and the structure that gives the capacity to have this
impact.
Decisions of GSUSA’s National Board of Directors:
New Nationwide Map of Council Jurisdictions
The National Board approved a new Girl Scout council map that features
109 Girl Scout councils, which will create the infrastructure with
which the organization will have the greatest impact on
girls’ lives nationwide.
In our region, Indiana Lakeland Council will join with three other Girl
Scout councils to form one, new, high-capacity council for the Indiana
North area. The other councils that will join with us include: Singing
Sands, Limberlost and Tribal Trails.
The process of consolidating will begin October 2007 with a training of
council CEOs and board presidents. This new configuration will result
in a strengthened Girl Scout presence in this region.
This new configuration will produce a strengthened Girl Scout presence
in Northern Indiana. Check out the merged councils' new Web site.
Program Model Endorsement
The National Board endorsed a Girl Scout Leadership Development
Program, which will develop girls’ leadership skills by
engaging them in activity cycles based on the values of the Girl Scout
Promise and Law and the vision expressed in the Girl Scout Mission
Statement: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and
character who make the world a better place. This leadership philosophy
enables us as one national Movement to speak consistently about the
impact of Girl Scouting on girls’ lives.
Amendment of Membership Standards
To meet the social and developmental needs of girls, it became
necessary to differentiate groups by grade level, thereby requiring a
realignment of membership age groups and the addition of a new
identifying name. As a result, three actions regarding the membership
standards were approved:
- The membership grade levels have been realigned to better meet the social and developmental needs of girls.
- A new age-identifying name has been added, resulting in six age-differentiated levels. The name “Ambassador” to identify Girl Scouts in the 11th and 12th grades consistently rose to the top in all research with girls, and reflects young women’s leadership roles in our global world.
- The words “Girl Scout” will be emphasized at the beginning of each identifying name, highlighting the one consistent Girl Scout leadership experience and strengthening the Girl Scout brand.
| Grades | Names |
| K-1 | Girl Scout Daisy |
| 2-3 | Girl Scout Brownie |
| 4-5 | Girl Scout Junior |
| 6-8 | Girl Scout Cadette |
| 9-10 | Girl Scout Senior |
| 11-12 | Girl Scout Ambassador |
Girl Scout Uniform
Most uniform conversations centered on how we as a Movement balance our traditions of unity with economic practicality for families. In practice, most girls today are choosing to use a tunic/vest/sash with their own clothing and this is reflected in uniform sales trends. At the same time, it is important to maintain Girl Scout tradition, and create a dress code that will identify Girl Scouts as a leadership organization. As a result, the National Board approved the following:
- Girl Scouts at each level will have one official uniform item (e.g. tunic, vest, sash) for the display of official pins and awards.
- Following an official dress code, girls will use their own solid white shirts and khaki pants or skirts with an official uniform item that will unite girls as Girl Scouts.
- The adult uniforms will be a scarf worn with the membership pins for women and a tie for men. The scarf/ tie and membership pins will be worn with navy blue business attire of choice.
- Girl Scouts at the Daisy and Brownie levels will continue to have a full uniform ensemble available.
- Girl Scouts in high school will also have an optional scarf, uniting them in the international WAGGGS tradition.
- GSUSA will continue to offer a range of appealing casual wear for girls and adults.
Transitioning
Leadership Development Program changes will be phased in beginning in
October 2008. The organization is committed to supporting volunteers so
that you fully understand the leadership experience – and the
exciting opportunities that exist for you and girls. As part of our
journey ahead, the national organization is committed to:
- Providing tools and support to councils, to educate volunteers on the strengths of the new plans for age differentiation.
- Providing clear transition guidance to councils and tips for volunteers during the two year prep period.
- Providing girls with a two year transition period, which enables them to carry out plans and projects they have begun in the current system.
- Ensuring time to fully educate adults about the program curricula.
Locally and nationally we continue to rely on your feedback
as we move forward into the next phase of this process. Please share
with GSUSA samples of badges, awards and activities that have been
developed locally and are embraced by girls, as well as your favorite
sections from existing Girl Scout materials. The national organization
also wants to hear what your favorite activities for girls of all ages
are related to leadership, community service and action.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to continuing
on this exciting journey with you.
