Use this checklist to ensure you have completed the onboarding process to become a Girl Scout volunteer. All Girl Scout troops are unique so if you need to adjust some of the steps to better fit your needs, please feel free to do so. This checklist is to help you through the hurdles of the first few months in your role as a Girl Scout volunteer.
Weeks 1-2
Complete Application Process
- Complete Girl Scout registration form and pay $25 registration fee
- Background check/references conducted
- Receive confirmation of your appointment as a Girl Scout volunteer
Complete Girl Scout Learning Opportunities
- Step 1 - Face-to-face orientation
- Step 2- Complete the New Leader Onboarding: What Girl Scouts Do on gsLearn
- Step 3 - Listen to the Volunteer Toolkit tutorial/webinar.
- Step 4 - Complete the New Leader Learning Quiz
- Learn more about this three-part required training
- Visit our Volunteer Resources page to familiarize yourself with the online resources available
Review Girl Scout Materials
- At orientation you will learn about online and printed Girl Scout materials for the level of your troop
- Please review the resources thoroughly so that you can explain them to the girls and their parents/guardians; it is highly encouraged that each girl purchase her own set of books
Prepare for your first troop meeting
- Secure a meeting place
- Plan schedule for the year; be sure to schedule at least 2-3 troop meetings per month
Weeks 2-4
Hold First Troop Meeting/Parent Meeting
- Share Girl Scout and troop information with the families
- Develop a communication plan to share information with parents
- Form a troop committee
- Adult leadership teams help distribute the work among several adults making troop organization easier and more enjoyable for all
- Be direct and specific when asking for assistance
- Examples: troop cookie sale manager, snacks, chaperone, drivers, help with a skill-building badge, extra helper for troop meetings
Assure All Members of Your Troop are Registered
- Submit all adult and girl registration forms to the Girl Scout Center
- New troop members may join and register at any time throughout the year
- Girls and adults may register online once troop is registered
Set Troop Goals with the Girls
- What do the girls want to accomplish?
- What would you like to accomplish as a volunteer?
Plan Meetings
- Use the Volunteer Toolkit to plan for the first few meetings with girls along with the troop committee
- Badges, Girl Scout journeys, cookie sale, community service, field trips, guest presenters
Weeks 3-6
Visit Petals to Patches Shop
- Girl Scout Center in Sheboygan or online
- Books, uniforms, badges, and more
Attend Troop Leader Meetings
- There are three to four meetings per year (August, October/November, January/February) and you will receive a meeting notification via email
- Please ensure at least one adult from the troop attends every troop leader meeting to receive important information, learn about area events and resources, and network with other volunteers.
Prepare for the Cookie Sale
- Troop cookie sale manager recruited, registered, completed training
- Prepare girls for selling, using online tools
- Hold a cookie meeting with parents to complete permission forms, learn about the troop's cookie sale goals and parents' role in the cookie sale
- Keep detailed finance records for the annual troop summary
- Establish a troop bank account
Weeks 7-12
Continue Holding Troop Meetings
- Plan for bridging if necessary, camping, troop getaways, Take Action projects, survey the girls for ideas for next year
- Keep in contact with area manager, troop organizer, membership development manager — we are all here to help
- Have fun!
