Frequently Asked Questions
On August 27, 2006, the National Board of Directors approved the jurisdictional realignment of Girl Scout councils. This action by the National Board supports the creation of high-performance councils, one of the primary goals of the Core Business Strategy. The result will be much needed improvements and enhancements in the delivery of program services to girls.
1. Why is the Girl Scouts realigning councils?
We are reorganizing councils to create the infrastructure necessary to prepare for the future of the Movement. This realignment will result in the optimal impact on leadership development for the largest number of girls and significantly increase the number of volunteers participating in Girl Scouting. We will be making two key changes over the next few years: First, we are revitalizing the Girl Scout program age levels, redefining what leadership means for girls, and updating some activity options. Second, we are offering more meaningful experiences and flexible time commitment options for volunteers. We are making these changes nationwide to ensure that Girl Scouting is a full and consistent experience.
2. Why has the Girl Scouts decided to change now?
Girl Scouts of the USA has recently adopted a business strategy to build more strength throughout the Girl Scout Movement. As part of this initiative, councils throughout the country are realigning their boundaries to make the most effective use of our resources and to offer even more program opportunities to even more girls. Here in the San Joaquin Valley of California, we will be combining our strengths with our neighbors in Fresno, Kings, Kern, Madera and Tulare Counties to form a new high-performance Girl Scout council. In this realignment we will offer some of the same programs girls have always enjoyed, and add even more exciting and rewarding opportunities. We are delighted to share this news with you, and we welcome your continued support.
Possible questions from parents
3. How will my daughter's Girl Scout troop be affected?
Your daughter will remain in the same troop she is in with her current troop leaders. Or as always, may choose to join a new troop in October 2008. Her current troop number may change, as there may be duplication of troop numbers. Probably an additional number will be added to the beginning or end of some troops (e.g., Troop 501 becomes 1501 or 5011).
The most exciting immediate news is that our new council will be pooling volunteer and staff resources. This change will enable us to increase the number of program events offered and the locations we can offer them in, and it will afford all girls the chance to meet more Girl Scouts.
4. How will this affect which camps and properties my daughter attends?
The best news is that we will be able to offer more events, in more locations, and will be able to provide new offerings that give girls the opportunity to meet more friends.
The realigning councils each manage properties that are available for troop camping and many other activities throughout the year. Each camp has a number of unique features, and we anticipate that troops will now have the opportunity to enjoy a greater variety of camping experiences. Because our first priority will be the smooth transition of members and operations, all properties will be reviewed at a later time to determine the most appropriate use of resources. Factors such as the conditions of the facilities, finances, location, and program options are used to make property decisions.
5. Where will meetings and trainings be held?
The practice of conducting trainings at various locations throughout the council jurisdiction will continue. New opportunites in different locations, online workshops and services, and more, will be enhanced.
In preparation for the realignment, our Girl Scout councils have been meeting to determine the best practices we currently have and to think even more broadly to create the optimal services and programs for our new council. Every aspect of service to girl and adult members is being examined and discussed. All input from girls, volunteers, and staff is being considered. Decisions will be made in the best interest of all concerned. The new council will depend on the valued contributions of adult volunteers.
6. Where do we now go to purchase Girl Scout items?
Until the councils are combined and realignment is complete in fall 2008, the current Girl Scout Shop locations will remain the same. Many decisions are in the planning stages, and the good news is we anticipated that there will be multiple revitalized Girl Scout Shops throughout the jurisdiction. Of course, for added convenience, there is always the option of shopping at the GSUSA online store at shop.girlscouts.org.
7. How will the Girl Scout cookie sales change?
The Girl Scout Cookie Program will remain the premier Business and Economic Literacy Program for girls. All Girl Scouts who want to; will be able to take part. For right now, since June 1 is the time of the year that we finalize plans with our baker and since our realignment is taking place after June 2008, our new council will move into the sale for 2009 with extended baker contracts, which means that we will manage one cookie sale using both bakers for that year. In 2010, our next cookie season, we will have one baker. The good news is all girls who want to, can continue to participate in the premier Business and Economic Literacy Program for girls.
Possible questions from reporters, donors, and the public
8. Why is the Girl Scouts restructuring?
The council realignment will strengthen our organization's infrastructure and resources at all levels of the organization including fundraising, public relations, property, staffing, and volunteer support. There is already a high level of cooperation between our councils because we draw upon many of the same resources. This realignment will help us develop our resources more effectively and decrease duplicating efforts.
On a national level, change is perhaps the oldest tradition in Girl Scouts. Ever since Juliette Gordon Low returned from England in 1912 and changed "Girl Guides" to "Girl Scouts" in response to the preference of American girls, those in the Girl Scout Movement have prided themselves on their ability to make periodic adjustments to meet the needs of girls.
A renewed focus on leadership nationwide will ensure that Girl Scouting maintains the values that have been at our core for 95 years, while being a relevant experience to girls today.
9. What can girls and their parents expect as a result of the changes?
Girls have asked for unique experiences that reflect their current needs and interests. Parents can expect Girl Scouting to utilize a new approach that is girl-led and girl-driven. This approach will offer girls a unique leadership development opportunity that will provide skills they need for a lifetime of personal and civic achievement. Girls can expect new and exciting activities at each new age level,
10. Is the restructuring due to a lack of funding?
While the Girl Scouts need to increase funding as do all nonprofits, our realignment is about joining all our local resources to create a premium, revitalized council from which to serve Girl Scouts in our area. Our realignment and restructuring, and our updated Program model, will make it easier for potential donors to see just how relevant and critical Girl Scouting is to today's girls.
11. Are the Girl Scouts restructuring due to a lack of girls joining and/or a lack of volunteers?
Girl Scouting is restructuring to create high-capacity councils in every region, including ours. Similar to other youth serving organizations, we too want to serve as many girls as possible and have them served by the best volunteers possible. The Girl Scouts are confident that as we move into our 97th year of serving communities with a premier leadership development program for girls, our revitalized structure and program will allow us to welcome more girls, and enable our current and new volunteers to create a more impactful and flexible experience.
12. What would an incentive be for a person to consider volunteering with the Girl Scouts?
People who are looking for new places to volunteer should look to the new volunteer systems and the enhanced Girl Scout program. As new support materials are created, the Girl Scout organization will improve the volunteer experience by making it easier to join, offering more flexible volunteer timetables and roles suited to their abilities and interests. Girl Scouts will also provide user-friendly resources so that adults and girls have a fun and impact-driven Girl Scout experience.
13. Have the Girl Scouts considered joining forces with other youth groups like the Boy Scouts or Girls Clubs, or United Way?
No. Girl Scouts is celebrating nearly 97 years of success next year, and our efforts are focused on revitalizing the Girl Scout Movement to serve even more girls, in the classic, relevant and unique experience that is the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program.
14. Which of the councils coming together is in the best shape now, and which is in the worst shape? Which council benefits the most from the new structure?
All of the councils that are joining together here have key strengths that our new council will rely on, and challenges, like all organizations, which can result in new opportunities and improvements for councils. Some of us currently have perhaps more state-of-the-art properties for girls, some of us have perhaps more reach in underserved populations, some of us have perhaps have more donors. The Girl Scouts here in the San Joaquin Valley are realigning to offer premium services to all girls in our area.
15. How will this affect staffing in councils?
When our Girl Scout councils combine and are able to maximize our efficiencies, we are likely to need as many, if not more staff, to serve our girls. Future growth will necessitate a strong group of staff and volunteers to continue providing the quality Girl Scout Leadership Development program for girls.
16. Will the Girl Scouts offer outplacement services should staff lose jobs?
Girl Scout council staff is being offered a number of key services from their councils to ensure smooth job transitioning, including skill-building workshops, outplacement services, and early retirement packages support in their part of helping to create the new council operations.
17. How is the new council name going to be decided?
Our national office has given us three common sense guidelines that our planning team will consider. They are that we:
- Start with the name Girl Scouts, for easy identification
- Include a regional reference, for easy identification
- Utilize a name that is new to the realigning offices, for a fresh start
- Elsewhere on this website, we plan to add a place where you can register your vote for our new name