Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) adopted an updated mission statement at the National Council Session in 2005: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. 

To fulfill this mission and our commitment to girls, GSUSA is renewing the Girl Scout experience by making it compelling, relevant, and impact-driven for 21st-century girls. Thousands of members around the country have contributed ideas and perspectives, culminating in decisions by the National Board of Directors in August 2006.

Girl Scouts of the USA will phase in some exciting program changes beginning fall of 2008. With changes, come questions! Here are answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1.      What is the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program?

The leadership model is the new design for what girls do in Girl Scouting and how adult support can strengthen their experience. It is the road map for determining what a girl will learn and how she will be impacted. The model defines and displays all the elements that must be in place to positively impact girls’ lives. The Girl Scout Leadership Development Program, then, is the model in action.

2.      How will the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program impact girls’ lives?

Through the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program girls will discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world, and take action to solve problems and improve their communities. Girls have told us that these opportunities matter very much to girls—both in their daily lives and as they prepare for their futures. And, with our unique focus on a By Girls, for girls approach and cooperative and experiential learning, girls will continue to have fun, friendship, and exciting adventures.

3.      How will the changes impact a volunteer’s experience?

Over the next several years, GSUSA will strive to improve the volunteer experience by:

• Making it easier for busy volunteers to join, stay involved, and serve in flexible ways
• Providing user-friendly new materials, resources, and training that make it easier for volunteers to deliver a fun and impact-driven Girl Scout experience
• Helping volunteers to better see (and show others) the difference they are making in girls’ lives

4.  What is the Girl Scout approach to leadership?

The Girl Scout approach to leadership is based on the three pillars—Discover, Connect, and Take Action.

Discover

As a Girl Scout discovers her world, she:

·          Develops a strong sense of self

·          Gains practical and healthy life skills

·          Strengthens her values                                

Connect       

 As a Girl Scout connects with others in a global community, she:

·          Forms caring relationships

·          Promotes cooperation and team building

·          Embraces diversity  

Take Action   

As a Girl Scout takes action in the world, she:     

·          Feels empowered to make a difference

·          Identifies and solves problems she cares about

·          Advocates for herself and others

The Girl Scout leadership development pillars represent cycles of activities that engage girls in practicing leadership skills, based on the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Girl Scouting will redefine with girls and the nation what it means to be a leader.

5. Why is Girl Scouts of the USA changing now?

Since 1912, Girl Scouting has risen to the challenge of meeting the unique needs of each generation of girls. Girls today are asking for compelling, relevant, and impact driven experiences. This change is part of the next-steps in the Core Business Strategy as expected since 2004.  Imagine the power of the Girl Scout Movement speaking in one consistent national voice about what we do: leadership development for girls!

6. What about the Girl Scout history and traditions?

“The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.”

                                 – Juliette Gordon Low

Change is perhaps the oldest tradition in Girl Scouting. Ever since Juliette Gordon Low returned from England in 1912 and changed “Guide” to “Scout” in response to the preference of American girls, those in the Girl Scout Movement have prided themselves on their ability to make timely adjustments to fulfill the evolving concerns of modern girls. Girl Scouts has a long history of updating clothing, awards, age groupings, and so on to meet the needs of girls. While continuing to maintain the values that have been at our core for 95 years, this renewal allows Girl Scouts to remain relevant.

7. How will we still know we’re Girl Scouts?

The values of the Girl Scout Movement, as expressed in the Girl Scout Promise and Law, remain the cornerstone of the Girl Scout experience.  In fact, the renewed Girl Scout leadership development experience places increased emphasis on teaching girls to live out the commitments expressed in the Promise and Law. The leadership development program will do this through Discover, Connect, and Take Action activities.

Outwardly, the revitalized program also retains many of our important Girl Scout symbols.  Girls will continue the practice of earning official awards to display proudly on a tunic, vest, or sash, culminating with the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.  Additionally, Girl Scouts will remain united by a national dress code.

8. Who had input into the changes and decisions?

Thousands of girls and adults from across the Girl Scout Movement have been part of an open and honest dialogue for the last 18 months. Following our tradition of participation, members responded to questions and contributed ideas through forums such as a specially-designed email address; strategy cafés held at the 2005 National Council Session in Atlanta; focus groups with volunteers and girls within and outside of Girl Scouts; online surveys; and work sessions held at Girl Scout councils. A panel of experts in the youth development field also weighed in and gave their seal of approval to the new Girl Scout leadership model. 

The information gathered through all of these sources was reviewed and summarized by teams of Girl Scout councils and national staff members.  The National Board of Directors made the final decisions in August, 2006.

9. How will the national focus on leadership incorporate girls’ varied interests?                            

Leadership skill-building can be incorporated into everything a Girl Scout already enjoys—from rock climbing to collaborating on a puppet show to volunteering at a soup kitchen.

10. What if I like things the way they are?

So much remains the same! Continue celebrating everything that girls love about Girl Scouting—troops, camping, the Promise and Law, badges, uniforms, a By Girls, for Girls approach, and much more. In fact, when girls strive to live out the Girl Scout Promise and Law, they’re already on their way to becoming confident, courageous leaders.  As Girl Scouts of the USA continues to honor the traditions that have always made Girl Scouting such a positive experience, join the national effort to move forward and make that experience even better.

11. When will the changes become effective?

Not right away. The most important thing we can do right now is to continue using all current available resources—the web sections, awards, books, and clothing. Changes will begin to be phased in October 2008, and girls and volunteers will have time to transition.

12. How will this affect what girls are doing now?

It won’t. Girls in all age groups will continue enjoying the experience they are already engaged in, earning awards and badges as they exist right now. Materials will continue to be available in the  council shop and online. When the transition timeframe is put into place, girls will have time to complete projects or awards they have already begun at their current age levels, using existing materials.

13. What about the four program goals?

The values underlying the four program goals are integrated into the new Girl Scout Leadership Development Program and its activity cycles of Discover, Connect, and Take Action. The four program goals, however did not tie to a compelling end result for girls. The Girl Scout leadership model clearly defines the impact of Girl Scouting on girls’ lives: leadership!

14. What about the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards?

Don’t worry! The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards remain vital awards in Girl Scouting, and they are great awards to teach girls how to Discover, Connect, and Take Action as leaders. The Girl Scout Gold Award will remain the highest award. Over the next few years, as the new program materials are developed, the awards will be updated based on the leadership model.

15. Will patches, badges, and charms still exist?

Yes! They will remain important symbols of achievement in Girl Scouting.  We will also add other fun items as girls say they want them.

16.  How can we help?

Thanks for asking! Here’s how:  

• Talk it up! Share your enthusiasm about the changes we’re making to better serve girls
• Find ways to emphasize leadership using existing Girl Scout materials
• Encourage girls to select existing Girl Scout activities, books, and awards that give them the opportunity to discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world, and take action to solve problems and improve their communities
• Stay tuned for tips throughout the year with suggestions for using the existing materials to carry out the renewed leadership development approach

Still have questions?  Please contact Kellee Echeverria, Program Services Manager at 513-489-1025 or 1-800-537-6241 or email kecheverria@grgsc.org