Volunteering for the Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council

Troop Leadership

By becoming a leader, you become a mentor and role model for girls. You will receive specialized training before you become a leader, and will receive ongoing support and education from the Girl Scouts of Washington Rock and your community. Your Girl Scout education is progressive so that you may further develop skills, prepare for positions requiring increased responsibility, increase your skills for the job market and be able to increase personal awareness and growth.

You can start at any level from girls in kindergarten to girls in High School. You don't have to be a mom, or a relative of a girl to be a leader. The only requirement is that you are 18 or older and that you register as a member of the Girl Scouts. Follow the steps below to help you become a great Girl Scout Leader.

Steps to becoming a troop leader

If you are volunteering to lead a new troop in your community:

• Call the Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council at (908) 232-3236 and let the receptionist know that you are interested in volunteering to be a leader in your community. We call them Service Units.
• Our receptionist will connect you to a staff member, called a Membership Specialist, who is responsible for member services in your community. The Membership Specialist may help you directly or refer you to a volunteer in your neighborhood.
• Before you can meet with a group of girls, you have to fill out an application and get two references from non-family members. You also have to register with the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), and meet with a volunteer for a training we call "Introduction to Girl Scouting".
• We will help you sign up for a training date to start learning all about Girl Scouts. The training will fill you in on the paperwork that needs to be done to get started, but will also give you many ideas on projects to do with the girls.

Congratulations! You can now start meeting with your troop.

Advice to new leaders

If you are an experienced leader and have advice you would like to share with a new leader (or someone thinking about becoming a leader) please email edurner@gswrc.com.

The top 10 things to remember as a new leader:

1. The Girl Scout Promise and Law is the heart of the Girl Scout Movement.
2. Program standards and guidelines put into action help girls grow strong.
3. Safety-Wise is your best overall resource, followed by your Leader's Guide and the staff at GSWRC.
4. Training will make you a better leader.
5. There is a formal and informal network of people who can help you. Just ask them for help.
6. Lead, don't push. Facilitate, don't do it all.
7. Work in partnership with girls to plan and make decisions.
8. Be a friend.
9. Be a role model.
10. Have FUN.