NEW
Girl Scout Pathways to Leadership
2008-2010
Multi-year Transition
and
other Girl Scout Program Updates
³Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and Girl Scouts of Citrus Council (GSCC) would like to share some exciting news with you. In an effort to continue to build the worldıs best model of leadership for girls, GSUSA is undergoing a very positive transformation and we want to make sure you are included in the loop every step of the way. The new program is called Leadership Program Model and will allow us to:
· Build a leadership experience that ties activities to outcomes
Check the GSCC website for updates on Pathways to Leadership as they become available from GSUSA.
Download the New GS Leadership Experience 20 page document prepared by Joni Brennan in Pennsylvania, which outlines the GSUSA changes starting in the fall of 2008.
Information about the Core Business Strategy, transforming Girl Scouts for the 21st century, and the new Leadership Experience FAQ may be found on the GSUSA website.
The following articles are provided as a guide for the upcoming transitional period beginning in the fall of 2008 as GSUSA continues to update and improve the program for our girls (month of update shown in parenthesis).
·
GSUSA Program Timeline
(January 2008)
·
Leadership Experience For
Girls (January 2008)
·
Program Strategy Update
(December 2007)
·
Brand Strategy Update (December
2007)
·
Volunteerism Strategy
Update (December 2007)
·
Culture (December 2007)
·
Girl Scouts Single-Entry
System (SES) (December 2007)
·
Renewing the Girl Scout
Program: The Development Journey (Nov 2007)
·
Creating the World's Best
Leadership Development Program (Nov 2007)
·
The Program Advisory
Team: The Next Step (Nov 2007)
·
Girl Scouts: A Tradition
of Innovation (Nov 2007)
·
Looking to the Future to
Honor the Past (Nov 2007)
·
Program Development Over
the Years (Nov 2007)
·
Realignment Over the
Years (Nov 2007)
·
Meeting the Needs of
Girls (Nov 2007)
·
Local Efforts Wanted for
National Journeys (Oct 2007)
·
Beyond 2008 (Oct 2007)
·
Leadership Journeys: The
New Direction for Program Resources and Awards (Sept 07)
·
Coming in Fall 2008:
Leadership Launch Journeys (Sept 07)
·
Existing Resources and
Awards (Sept 07)
·
The Multi-year Transition
Period (Sept 07)
·
The New Membership Grade
Levels (Sept 07)
·
The Model, Pathways, and
Journeys - Understanding the New Lingo on the Road to Leadership (Sept 07)
·
Girl Scout Uniforms (Sept
07)
·
Awards in the New
Leadership Model (Sept 07)
·
Highest Awards in Girl
Scouts (Sept 07)
·
Preparing Adults For
Leadership (Sept 07)
·
Challenges and
Suggestions for Program Levels (Sept 07)
·
Example Program
Progressions During Transition Period (Sept 07)
GSUSA Program Timeline (January 2008)
Leadership Experience For Girls (January 2008)
Our Strategic Priority
To build the best leadership experience that defines activities and outcomes, is differentiated by age-level, promotes consistency, and offers flexible pathways for participation for all girls 5-17.
What do girls really do in Girl Scouts? How does participating in Girl Scouts benefit girls? How exactly do girls build courage, character, and confidence and make the world a better place? How can busy girls stay involved?
Chances are good that right now, depending on who you ask, you'll hear different answers to these important questions.
Our Challenge
We know that for Girl Scouts to become even more successful and powerful in the years ahead, we must deliver an updated and consistent experience that engages all girls, encouraging them to discover their best selves and use leadership skills to take action and make a difference in their world. Therefore, we need to:
a.. Reach new and growing demographic markets
b.. Tie enjoyable activities and experiences to our desired impact on girls' lives (our outcomes)
c.. Incorporate community and global service, action, and global citizenship
d.. Combine up-to-date language, mediums and practices with Girl Scouts' longstanding traditions
Promise and Law
The Girl Scout Promise and Law remain at the heart of the Girl Scout experience, and their values are fully integrated into the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
What Leadership Means
Girl Scouts of the USA has a unique philosophy of leadership that is based on "making the world a better place." That's what it's all about-just as it says in the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Through Girl Scouting, girls become leaders by:
The leadership experience will be clearly differentiated for girls in elementary, middle, and high school in a way that gives girls something new to aspire toward as they grow older.
Pathways for Participation
Girls and their families are busier than ever these days, so our goal is to provide both long- and short-term avenues of participation at all grade levels.
Why is Girl Scouts focusing on leadership?
Girl Scouts has always been about leadership, so this is not a new focus but a more deliberate one. Even at the youngest ages of Girl Scouting, girls can gain leadership skills they will carry with them throughout their lives. The Girl Scout focus on leadership shows girls that they are leaders right now in their everyday lives, and they will continue to be leaders as they get older. We believe that when women are leaders in our world, positive results are achieved-and our world needs more positive results.
1.. How is leadership taught to girls? In the new Girl Scout Leadership experience, activities are organized around three pillars-discover, connect, and take action-which translate into knowing yourself, reaching out to others, and taking action to contribute to society in sustainable ways, making a difference in the world. This means that in every Girl Scout program delivered to girls of each age group, there will be a Discover, Connect and Take Action component. These three pillars and the focus on leadership development will start to build a consistent experience for girls across the country.
2.. What Is a "leadership journey" and how will it change program materials and awards? Girl Scout Leadership journeys are coordinated, thematic series of activities grouped around one theme that is delivered over a set period of time with the intention of being a complete leadership experience module. Each journey is tied to some of Girl Scouts' 15 national outcomes for girls, as defined in the Girl Scout Leadership Model. These outcomes are integral to the "Discover-Connect-Take Action" philosophy of leadership. For the launch of the leadership experience in fall 2008, GSUSA is creating one leadership journey for each level, accompanied by awards and facilitator guides. These initial journeys invite girls to explore a specific leadership theme for their level. Subsequent journeys will layer on more multi-disciplinary content, like science and technology, healthy living, and the outdoors, adding to the variety.
Program Strategy Update (December 2007)
³Build the world's best model of leadership development, differentiated by age, for girls from Kindergarten through High School²
More About Leadership Program Resources, Awards, and Pathways
Work is underway to create the first wave of program resources, awards, and facilitator guides that will bring our new leadership experience to life for girls.
Fun, Coordinated and Serial: GSUSA will develop a coordinated series of fun, modular resources and corresponding awards for girls at each level based on the Discover, Connect and Take Action leadership outcomes and indicators.
Thematic Journeys: Each journey will be designed around an age appropriate "guiding theme" and engage girls in exploring a variety of interests. The first segments will provide a "leadership launch" for girls. Girls at each level will explore a specific leadership theme, earning small awards along the way and the leadership award for the level at the end of the journey.
· Field testing of the "leadership launch" occurred with girls and volunteers in summer 2007, and will continue through spring 2008. Corresponding "facilitator guides" will make it easy for volunteers to coach girls at each level by applying the girl-driven, learning by doing and cooperative learning processes.
· The new leadership awards will provide a springboard to the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold awards at the relevant levels.
· Over time, we expect to develop many fun and multi-interest thematic strands for each level, accompanied by facilitator guides for volunteers.
· This serial and modular approach has a number of advantages for Girl Scouting:
· Responds to learning needs by shifting our paradigm from a myriad of "single topic" badges to exploration of varied topics tied to a larger, overarching guiding theme.
· Engages girls in fun and purposeful seeking and exploring related to a thematic issue that is larger than any one activity along the way-the journey is the reward.
· Enables GSUSA to update program experiences for girls in a timely way. For example, nationally, we could replicate a journey created locally by girls to reflect current interests.
Toward Nationally Consistent Membership Pathways
Each program segment will be designed for use within a troop year or as a national, short-term pathway, promoting:
· Consistent and high quality experience for all girls
· Participation by busy girls and families
· Collaboration opportunities with schools and other community groups
Girl Scouts can continue to enjoy participating through membership in a troop of girls progressing through the years together.
Given the busy lives of girls and volunteers, Girl Scouts can also choose to participate via serial, shorter-term experiences (e.g. 8 - 12 sessions).
We will gain national consistency and quality when girls in troops and in short-term pathways use the same high-quality Leadership Development Program.
Summarizing the Paradigm Shifts
What about the uniforms?
Girl Scouts will balance our tradition of unity with practicality to meet the needs of today's girls and their families.
· Girls at each age level will have one official uniform item (e.g. tunic, vest or sash) for the display of official pins and awards. Girls will wear this item with their own white shirts and khaki pants or skirts when they participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.
· Teen girls will also have the option of wearing a scarf connecting us to our global sisterhood, WAGGGS.
· The adult uniform will be the membership pins worn with a scarf for women and a tie for men coordinated with navy blue business attire.
· Girl Scouts of the USA will continue to evolve and offer a range of appealing casual uniform wear for girls and adults.
As of fall 2008, Girl Scouts at each program level will need one required uniform item (tunic, vest, and sash) for display of official pins and awards at ceremonies, and when officially representing the Girl Scout Movement. Girls can show their pride in belonging to Girl Scouts of the USA by continuing to wear the currently available clothing items!
Also, girls and volunteers can continue to use all of the currently available program resources-books, awards and Web sections. For suggestions on using the existing resources to focus on the Girl Scout Leadership Development Model, refer to the "tips" in the winter issue of LEADER magazine.
Brand Strategy Update (December 2007)
³Transform the Girl Scout image with a compelling, contemporary brand²
National Brand Strategy in Development
We have begun working with Lowe Worldwide, our new brand partner, and are currently in the data gathering stage of a year-long strategy development timeline. Once the positioning has been developed, we will have a better idea of the scope of deliverables, priorities and anticipated expenses for delivery and distribution.
While this strategy is in development, we will maintain our present course of relevant imagery and progressive language illustrating leadership in action. You should continue to update your photos and designs to reflect today's youth and position the organization as relevant and contemporary, with a deep understanding of and strong appreciation for our 95-year heritage.
As we continue our work with Lowe, we envision our corporate tagline, Where Girls Grow Strong, slowly being phased out. While there is no need to replace current materials and incur additional expenses, we recommend that the creation and production of future materials take this fact into consideration.
We already have existing taglines that you can use when creating marketing and advertising materials for targeted audiences. The following taglines are approved and recommended for usage with the following audiences:
- Volunteers: Change a Life. It's Forever.
- Teens: It's a Girl's Life. Lead it.
- Brownies and their parents: I Am Your Future.
The Single Entry System
Although some councils are already implementing some of the steps in this process, it is GSUSA's goal to have every volunteer go through all the steps-ensuring a consistent, nationwide experience for all volunteers.
1. Staff welcomes and provides volunteer with Girl Scout material to review.
2. Volunteer information is given to Volunteer Administrator.
3. Volunteer Administrator interviews volunteer.
4. Volunteer application is processed and background screening completed.
5. Volunteer is notified of the council's decisions.
Steps 1-5 Should Take No Longer Than 10 Days
6. Volunteer takes Girl Scout Online Orientation.
7. Volunteer assigned a Coach/Mentor & welcomed to the Service Unit/Neighborhood.
8. Volunteer completes training for her/his role.
9. Volunteer Unit/Coach/Mentor checks-in with new volunteer on an ongoing basis.
10. Volunteer recognized for her/his efforts.
Key Messages From The Pilot Councils
"Stay focused on providing the best Girl Scout experience for the girls while you create the support structures and process to ensure high-quality selection, screening, placement, development, and recognition of volunteers."
"Be sure that the council receives volunteers' input, involvement, and buy-in throughout the process."
"Focus on customer service for your volunteers to ensure they have a rewarding experience."
"Don't be afraid to take risks. This allows you to keep trying new ways to do things until you find what works."
"Be patient! Create a long-term strategy that is flexible and allows you time to develop, implement, and evaluate both short-term and long-term outcomes."
Single Entry System Pilot Councils:
Girl Scouts of Citrus Council
Girl Scouts of Conestoga Council
Girl Scout Council of the Congaree Area
Girl Scouts, Connecticut Trails Council
Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis
Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council
Girl Scouts of Kennebec Council
Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit
Girl Scouts-Michigan Waterways Council
Girl Scout Council of Northwest Georgia
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
The following councils-already working on adapting the Volunteer Development System before the RFP process-were invited to share their experiences adapting the Volunteer Development System:
Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council
Girl Scouts of Carolina Low Country
Girl Scouts of Shawnee Council
Girl Scouts-Trillium Council
Volunteerism Strategy Update (December 2007)
³Develop a nimble, state-of-the-art model of volunteerism²
Closing the Gap:
Highlights of the Single Entry System Pilot
In response to the strategy's charge that Girl Scouts create a nimble, state-of-the-art volunteer system, 11 councils received grants to pilot both the Single Entry System and one of three new Volunteer Development Models during the 2005/2006 membership year. In reviewing the piloting councils' successes and challenges, one key fact arose: Regardless of which Volunteer Development Model was used, all the councils agreed that the Single Entry System was valuable.
The Single Entry System-used by a majority of volunteer-based organizations-is similar to the process used by HR departments for filling staff positions. Regardless of how volunteers are recruited, they are all connected with the same process and person at the council offices-a Volunteer Administrator-allowing the tracking of applicants from screening through placement.
The benefits of the Single Entry System include:
· A stronger volunteer development process-more precise identification of skills, appropriate placement and relevant training.
· Greater efficiency-it took only 10-14 days to place a volunteer! This enhanced both the field staff's recruiting efforts and the council's credibility with the community at large.
· Increased security-a centralized, secure database of volunteer information ensured confidentiality and improved risk management.
· Enhanced communication and relationships between council volunteers and staff.
To successfully implement the Single Entry System, councils had to assess their current Volunteer Development Systems and review their state law requirements. They also had to plan for changes to their:
· Budgets-additional funds were needed for:
o technical needs, including database development and Web site creation/content development
o background checks
o ongoing staff and volunteer training
· Staffing Structures-create a Volunteer Administrator position, and redefine other staff responsibilities; develop new volunteer policies, positions, and procedures.
· Communication Systems-develop strategies and tools that promote the Single Entry System and provide consistent communication to allay the concerns of both current/potential volunteers and staff.
Culture (December 2007)
· Girl-Centered - We exist for girls. Girls are the center of everything we do.
· Inclusive - We build and maintain an environment in which diversity is represented and valued.
· Innovative - We value and cultivate a well-reasoned, risk-taking environment that encourages innovation at all levels of the Movement.
· Aligned - We are interdependent and we build integrated processes, systems and structures in alignment with our mission, promise and law, guiding principles and shared goals.
· Accountable - We accept personal responsibility for acting in accordance with the highest standards embodied in our mission, promise and law, and guiding principles. We create the environment for girls to achieve their highest potential.
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Girl Scouts Single-Entry System (SES) (December 2007)
1. What is the Single-Entry System (SES)? The Single-Entry System (SES) is part Girl Scouting's Core Business Strategy to develop a nimble, state-of-the-art model of volunteerism that connects with the wide variety of volunteers committed to the Girl Scout Mission. The SES gives councils the ability to recruit and retain adult volunteers who can deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls-both within and beyond the troop setting. It's the standard that is used in the majority of volunteer organizations- throughout the country and globally. It was also successfully piloted by 11 Girl Scout councils last year.
2. What's new about the SES? Having a single, centralized point of entry for volunteers; conducting background checks; and implementing all 10 steps of the SES consistently throughout all 109 councils make the SES unique and new for Girl Scout councils.
3. How does the SES relate to the Volunteer Development System? The SES replaces the current Volunteer Development System. The goal is to ensure that all 109 councils are consistently implementing all 10 steps of the SES.
4. What are the steps in implementing the SES in our council? The first step is to conduct an assessment of your council's jurisdiction, current volunteer systems and structures, and identify any gaps. A National Operational Volunteer (NOV) in collaboration with a GSUSA consultant will work with your council to complete the assessments. The second step is to create a volunteer-led team, consisting of staff and volunteers, to review these assessments and create a plan for Implementing the SES. The third step is to participate in training/learning. Print materials will be coordinated to coincide with each training/learning opportunity.
5. How long does the SES process take to implement? The 11 pilot councils strongly recommend that councils take at least two years to implement the SES. They found that spending the first year on planning and preparation ensured success when they applied the SES the second year.
6. What is the timeline for rolling out the SES? Starting in Membership Year 2008 (fall 2007) the Non-realigning Councils and the Early Adopter Councils will begin to implement the SES. It will be phased into the remaining councils as part of their realignment process through 2010.
7. Why implement background screening? Screening everyone protects the girls as well as the Girl Scout Movement, and should be part of your council's risk management policy.
8. What is the cost of conducting so many screenings? This will differ from state to state, as every state (and in some cases every city) has different requirements. GSUSA has partnered with Intellicorp~ to provide a discounted cost for basic and limited screenings. Should your state require a more thorough check-or if Intellicorp"" has limited access to information within your state-costs may be higher.
9. Who incurs the cost of background screening? This differs according to each council's available resources. Some councils are picking up the entire cost, some are splitting the cost with their potential, volunteers, and some are asking their potential volunteers to pay the entire cost. Your council should set its policy based on both its financial status and its state law's requirements.
10. How often should background screenings be conducted by the council? The more frequently you do them, the better. The pilot councils said that every three years was manageable. However, the HR and Volunteer policy-making committees of your council's board should establish the frequency as part of its risk management policy.
11. Can councils still conduct reference checks? Absolutely! Many councils have expressed the need to continue to do reference checks, as these checks capture behavioral information that
Background screening may miss. That's why GSUSA is in the process of developing a set of reference-based questions-based on the volunteer-competencies-for councils to use as part or the support maternal for the SES.
12... How will GSUSA assist councils in supporting the data managementfunction? GSUSA's Information and Technology (IT) department is working to see how the Council Enterprise System (SES) can support the needs of councils implementing the SES. Currently, the SES is being field-tested. Councils will be updated about the progress as soon as information becomes available.
13. How much does the SES cost? Costs will vary per council depending on what other implications there are for identifying and employing staff and technology expenses (databases, etc.). Determining the costs and identifying revenues to support them are part of the planning and preparation work that is done in the first year of implementation.
14. What type of help will GSUSA give councils as they implement the SES? Lots! GSUSA provides: Consultative services, Volunteer development system assessments, and Training/learning
Key elements to any program development process are drafting, testing, refining and getting lots of input. If we think of the Girl Scout program experience as the "product" we offer girls and their families, we can appreciate the time, dedication and collaborative process we have all been part of for the past 18 months. We have each contributed to revitalizing and renewing the Girl Scout program by adding fresh, compelling and contemporary touches to ensure we remain relevant to today's and tomorrow's girls.
Creating the World's Best Leadership Development Program (Nov 2007)
In 2005, the Program Model and Pathways Gap Team - comprised of HQ staff, national board members and the councils of Central Maryland, Glowing Embers, Great Rivers and Pines of Georgia - created the initial framework for the Girl Scout program model.
The Girl Scout Convention/50th National Council Session was the first opportunity for us to discuss, share ideas, and make initial decisions about the program model. During this forum, thousands gave input through strategy cafes and some 1,800 council delegates endorsed the new Girl Scout mission statement and the general framework of the model.
Since then, additional and extensive input has been collected from all Girl Scout stakeholders, including councils, members, non-members, and the academic community. Much of that input focused on four distinct areas:
a.. The best way to organize age groups to maximize girl's leadership skills and social opportunities.
b.. The most appropriate age-level names that can help inspire our girls and define the Girl Scouting experience.
c.. The products, clothing and online activities that will excite girls and encourage them to join or remain Girl Scouts.
d.. The challenges and success with the STUDIO 2B approach.
The
Program Advisory Team: The Next Step (Nov
2007)
The Program Advisory Team, comprised of HQ staff and the councils of Maumee Valley, Kentuckiana, Freedom Valley, San Antonio Area, Santa Clara County, Manitou, and Congaree, brought the gap team's work to fruition. In early July, the team met with a group of cross-departmental GSUSA staff members and Strategy Consultant Willie Pietersen to review the input gathered on age groupings, age names, products and STUDIO 2B, and offer guidance on the overall program recommendations that will ultimately be shared with the Girl Scout National Board of Directors.
The advisory team also reviewed and sharpened the language used to describe the leadership experience. As the program "emerged" - or materialized - we referred to it as the Emerging Girl Scout Program Model. Today, we officially refer to it as the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program, which clearly defines our impact and the leadership development aspect of the Girl Scout experience.
Subtle refinements are also being made to the cycles of our leadership development experience. During the advisory team meeting, the group looked at a variety of leadership models and language. Willie Pietersen helped the team take what they had learned from the focus groups and the youth development communities about the needs of girls and put them in the context of leadership development theories and practices, highlighting, for example, the emotional intelligence work of Daniel Goleman. Leadership development involves 1) a person becoming their personal best and having solid values, 2) having social skills to interact, care about and team with others, and 3) using personal strengths and social skills to make a difference.
Based on this review, we are considering clarifying the language that describes the activity cycles in the Girl Scout leadership experience. One of the variations under consideration is "Discover-Connect-Take Action" - an adjustment that more clearly explains the second cycle social interactions of leadership development, where girls form relationships with peers and mentors and share their ideas.
"As with any product development process, the Girl Scout program will continue to be refined as we gather input on each phase of its development. Each one of us has had the opportunity to be part of that process, and it's in the spirit of that collaboration that we must trust the product refinements that will ultimately allow us to offer the best experience for girls," said Eileen Doyle, Vice President of Program Development, GSUSA.
The product development process will continue, and input from everyone in the Girl Scout community remains essential as GSUSA continues to learn from the field. HQ staff, councils and girl and adult members are strongly encouraged to share their thoughts on the most successful badges, awards, and activities that have been developed locally, and favorite selections from existing Girl Scout books. Feedback should be e-mailed to programideas@girlscouts.org by December 15.
Let's remember that it is our collective passion for Girl Scouting, and our collaborative approach to the product development process, that will help us to evolve and remain relevant for generations of girls to come.
Girl Scouts: A Tradition of Innovation (Nov 2007)
Everyone close to the Girl Scouting is proud of the Girl Scout Movement's rich history, personified by founder Juliette Gordon Low's personal boldness, courage and innovation. Since the 1920s, when girls learned about journalism, economics and mechanics, to today's Girl Scout programs in science, technology, engineering and math, for 94 years this diverse, mission-driven Movement has always encouraged girls to aspire farther than society told them was possible or appropriate.
Girl Scouts' traditions are powerful - yet most powerful of all is the tradition of being ready, willing and able to change. To serve girls best, Girl Scouting honors the past and creates the future.
Looking to the Future to Honor the Past (Nov 2007)
As we implement our new Core Business Strategy, everyone in the Movement has been asked to honor the past while also keeping our eyes on the road ahead. It seems like a daunting dual challenge. But really it is the same treasured Girl Scout tradition: always adapt to meet the needs of each new generation of girls. Innovation is how we stay contemporary, compelling and relevant. We innovate to keep attracting new girls who will honor our first century by building our second.
Girl Scouting has transformed many times in the past. We have embraced change and innovation ever since 51-year-old Juliette Low - in what some would call her golden years - started this Movement in 1912, when American women did not even have the right to vote. In a time when girls were expected to stay in the background, Juliette called on "brave, hardy girls" to take the lead in serving their country. For Juliette, change and innovation was normal Girl Scouting.
An example of this tradition-and-change is the Brownie Girl Scout uniform. First introduced in 1927, it has been completely modified and/or updated in 1936, 1941, 1956, 1961, 1973, 1986 and 1993.
Age groups in Girl Scouting also have changed to stay in sync with evolving culture and tastes. Each change - whether in uniforms, badges, program, or structure to deliver activities - has supported our constant commitment to understand girls and serve them best.
Program Development Over the Years (Nov 2007)
Girl Scouting, longer than any other girl-only organization, has remained a foremost authority on issues affecting girls because we stay in a state of constant learning about what girls want and need. We never stop studying girls and asking girls about their own interests and concerns and styles. The generation of 1920s girls might barely understand the generation of 2006 girls, but we in Girl Scouting have understood them all, in each step of their growth, for nearly 100 years. And we continue cutting-edge research to stay current on what girls need now and what they will need in the future.
So as we Girl Scouts honor our traditions, we are always ready to adapt or adjust. For example, in the past there have been several changes in Girl Scout age groupings and group names. In 1938, Girl Scouts reorganized into three age levels - Brownie, Intermediate and Senior Girl Scouts - to help girls better understand themselves and the world. In 1963, the program expanded to four age levels: Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior. In age-appropriate activities at these levels, Girl Scouts cared for their environment, faced challenges of drug abuse and urban dangers, embraced diversity and civil rights, and reached out to welcome underserved populations. Then in 1984, after 10 years of study, Daisy Girl Scouts were added to bring 5-year-old girls into our Movement.
These age-level adjustments have responded to America's social, economic and demographic changes over the past century. As America's cultural landscape continues to change, we stay a step ahead by understanding how to serve girls better than any other organization.
Realignment Over the Years (Nov 2007)
Meanwhile, program hasn't been the only Girl Scout structure affected by America's changes. Our council structure also has undergone massive alteration. From 1940 to 1960, under the Green Umbrella initiative, a Girl Scout Development Committee studied ways to merge 1,400 Girl Scout councils and many lone troops into a system of regional councils. Councils met in 1957 to implement a national consolidation plan, but in those days of no Internet or high-speed telecommunications, the change to 400 regional councils took more than a decade to complete.
In the early 1980s, under Frances Hesselbein's stewardship, further consolidation was needed to respond to changing demographics and declining membership. In conjunction with changes to the Girl Scout program in the late 1970s, this realignment reduced the number of councils to just over 300, and positioned Girl Scouting for significant growth.
Now it is time to serve girls better than ever, by realigning Girl Scouting into a high-capacity network of just over 100 powerful councils.
Meeting the Needs of Girls (Nov 2007)
Yet through these big changes, important things have stayed constant in Girl Scouting. The basic national structure has remained intact for 80 years: a national organization of strong leadership and a network of local councils, delivering age-appropriate program through troops and outreach. This constructive, positive setting where girls build courage, confidence and character is the constant essence of Girl Scouting. As the Girl Scout Annual Report for 1925 said, it addresses "the needs of women in this bewildering new world."
GSUSA recognizes that some girls, volunteers, and councils may want to continue their practice of creating their own Girl Scout leadership experiences based on the new national leadership outcomes and the girl-led, cooperative, and learning by doing processes. Once national Girl Scout Pathways are defined, councils may also want to create leadership experiences to fit those pathways.
As the Leadership Launch Journeys begin in 2008, the Girl Scout community will be welcome to suggest high-quality local projects for consideration as future national journeys.
GSUSA has a special
interest in replicating excellent leadership experience efforts that further
integrate important topics such as healthy living, science, math, technology,
the outdoors, and the environment.
A series of leadership journeys, accompanied by new resources and new awards, is being created for each Girl Scout grade level. Each journey engages girls in exploring a theme through a series of linked experiences that, together, form a whole greater than any one journey activity. Each journey is tied to national ³Discover, Connect and Take Action² leadership outcomes.
The journey concept grew out of an approach many councils already use informally as they weave activities and events around existing Girl Scout resources and awards to better suit their membersı needs and interests. The concept also builds on the rich tradition of linked Girl Scouting efforts like ³program trails.²
While engaged in the new Girl Scout journeys, girls and volunteers are encouraged to add on outings, celebrations, in-depth explorations or anything else that meets their interests, time, and resources.
The first journeys planned for fall 2008 are referred to as Leadership Launch Journeys because they kick-off the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience and serve as a ³launch pad² for future experiences in Girl Scouting.
Each launch journey presents a central theme that ties to the three keys of leadership (Discover, Connect, and Take Action) and places special emphasis on choosing and implementing related "Take Action" projects. These journeys deepen girlsı understanding of what it means to be a leader at each progressive level of Girl Scouts.
The launch journeys are made up of 5-8 sessions (total sessions vary by level) and are intended for local customization. Journeys can be done in a variety of Girl Scout Pathways, including stand-alone, short-term experiences.
A print resource for each level will bring the journey to life for girls and incorporate important elements of Girl Scout history and tradition. Girls will earn official awards to display on their vests or sashes during each journey. The content and awards of the launch journeys will be detailed in November.
GSUSA
is mindful of the need to be cost-conscious with all new product offerings.
Councils will preview the launch journeys in spring 2008 and can begin using
them in fall 2008.
Throughout the multiyear transition period, no girls will lose out on experiences, projects, or awards they have already started. Girls at every level can continue to use all available existing materials as new resources are developed and phased in. Adults are invited to use their best judgment to assist girls in choosing projects that are appropriate for their grade level. Existing program resources will continue to serve as supplements to the new materials through 2-10
The Girl Scout community is hard at work addressing our Core Business Strategyıs call for a major transformation centered on building the world's best leadership experience that ties activities to outcomes, provides differentiation for girls from kindergarten through high school, and offers flexible pathways for today's diverse and busy girls and volunteers.
With input from girls, the Girl Scout community, and youth development experts, a team of national and council staff spent 2005 determining key elements and outcomes for the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This model was finalized in 2006 and then slated, by the National Board of Directors, for first-stage implementation in fall 2008.
The transition has been set up as a multiyear process so that councils can balance national action plans with local needs, making choices as needed to reach the Movementıs goal of providing girls with a unified Girl Scout experience by fall 2010. Girl Scouts of the USA wants to reassure councils and members that the transition period extends through 2010. Fall 2008 marks the beginning of the transition to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. GSUSA is providing guidance on managing membership and program over the next several years with specific attention to:
- New Membership Grade Levels
- Changes to Registration Forms
- New Program Resources and Awards
- Existing Resources and Awards
- Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards
- National Outcome Strategies
- Preparing Adults for Change
- Girl Scout Pathways
- Uniforms
Girls say it is important to be with other girls their age and, currently, they get bored by too much repetition. As one 13-year-old Girl Scout wrote, "It makes us more comfortable to be with the same age group as ourselves." Girls identify with social groups based on grades.
Research also found that girls learn best and have the most fun when they are with the right developmental/social grouping. The new grade levels, approved by the National Board, address the charge of intentionally creating differentiated Girl Scout experiences that mirror girls' developmental needs:
- Girl Scout Daisy, Grades K-1
- Girl Scout Brownie, Grades 2-3
- Girl Scout Junior, Grades 4-5
- Girl Scout Cadette, Grades 6-8
- Girl Scout Senior, Grades 9-10
- Girl Scout Ambassador, Grades 11-12
The Model, Pathways, and Journeys - Understanding the New
Lingo on the Road to Leadership (Sept 07)
The Leadership Model - The leadership model provides the design for what girls do in Girl Scouting. It illustrates how adult support strengthens girls' experiences and drives and displays all the elements that must be in place to create a positive impact on girls' lives.
Girl Scout Pathways - A pathway is the way girls and volunteers join Girl Scouting. They can choose from several pathways, including an ongoing troop, destinations, a short-term opportunity, a day or resident camp, a special-interest topic or event, or a virtual (online) connection.
Leadership Journeys - Journeys represent the experiences Girl Scouts engage in to achieve leadership outcomes. For each Girl Scout grade level, GSUSA is creating a series of leadership journeys accompanied by new resources and new awards.
Girl Scout uniforms and awards unite Girl Scouts around the world as a sisterhood of leaders. In the tradition of updating these important symbols of belonging periodically, the National Board of Directors approved a new policy, provided below, for implementation, beginning in fall 2008. Based on this policy, girls at each level will have one official uniform item (e.g. tunic, vest, sash) so that they can proudly display the pins and badges they earn. Girls will wear their vests and sashes with their own white shirts and khaki pants, making it easier for more girls than ever before to show their pride as Girl Scouts!
Required Elements:
- Girl Scouts at each level will have one official uniform item (e.g., tunic, vest, sash) for the display of official pins and awards. This uniform item will be required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.
- The official dress code will unite girls as Girl Scouts. Girl Scout Juniors and older program age groups will wear solid white shirts and khaki pants or skirts with their official uniform item, which will be required when they participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement. Brownies and Daisies may still wear full uniform ensembles.
- 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.
Available elements:
- 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 a scarf, uniting them in the WAGGGS tradition.
- Girl Scouts of the USA will continue to develop and offer a range of appealing casual wear for girls and adults.
While Girl Scouting undergoes this major transformation, girls might find themselves with ³last yearıs² tunic/vest/sash and ³this yearıs² new award items.
With so much change and transition under way, Girl Scouts of the USA invites councils to assure membership that all new awards will come with placement guidelines. Some specific examples of what uniforms and awards might look like during transition include:
- Girl Scout Daisies might earn and place petals on their tunics as kindergartners in 2007-2008 and go on to earn and add the new awards, which can have a special place on that same tunic, as first-graders in 2008- 2009.
- Girls who are fifth-grade Juniors in 2007-2008 might wear their vests into sixth-grade Cadettes in 2008-2009, completing their Bronze Awards and/or choosing to try out the premier Cadette Leadership Journey.
The above are just two examples of what our transition to the new Girl Scout Leadership Experience might mean for girls. Many more ³What If² situations are sure to arise. Keep moving toward having every Girl Scout engaged in the new Leadership Experience by fall 2010. By then, girls will be able to proudly and uniformly use the vests/sashes and awards designated to show that they belong to a sisterhood of leaders.
The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards remain the culminating leadership awards, and are an opportunity for girls to put the "Discover, Connect, Take Action" leadership philosophy in motion. Based on the resolution adopted by the National Council in 1990, GSUSA recognizes "in perpetuity the designation Girl Scout Gold Award as the highest award to be earned as a girl member." GSUSA suggests that girls are eligible to complete their Girl Scout Gold Award any time between 10th and 12th grade, as Girl Scout Seniors or Ambassadors.
GSUSA will update the requirements for the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards for release in 2009, and will provide a transition period for girls to meet the updated requirements.
GSUSA is now seeking input on both the grade-level standards and requirements for these highest awards. The ultimate goal is to lift up these awards as pinnacles of the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Working together with councils, we will increase the prestige of these awards and honor as never before the girls who demonstrate their leadership while earning them. E-mail suggestions to programideas@girlscouts.org.
Girl Scout volunteers have long asked for more concrete and specific guidance on "what to do" with girls. Recognizing that busy adults need "ready-to-go" materials, Girl Scouts of the USA is creating detailed facilitator guides to accompany each Leadership Launch Journey.
These resources will guide volunteers through the journey with girls, and will make girl-led, cooperative, and hands-on learning techniques easier than ever before to implement. Additionally, the facilitator guides will show volunteers how journey experiences are tied to achieving the national leadership outcomes. Together, the new materials for girls and adults will bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to life.