Welcome to Troop Like A Girl Scout! This is step 1 in your Essentials Leadership Training. I am here to help you succeed as a troop leader by going

Transcription

1 Welcome to Troop Like A Girl Scout! This is step 1 in your Essentials Leadership Training. I am here to help you succeed as a troop leader by going over some troop basics. 1

2 We re so glad you decided to join Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana and assist in our mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place! This is the mission of the Girl Scout organization and it drives the choices we make locally. Every Girl Scout, adult or girl, strives to live by the Girl Scout Promise and Law. 2

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4 Our council consists of 64 counties in Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Our council structure is designed to support and develop girls, providing them with unique leadership opportunities and skills for life. 4

5 We have 5 Program and Learning Centers, also known as PLC. Every PLC has a Council Shop, library, resources, and a staff team to support you. We have 7 camp properties which you will learn about in your Outdoor Like A Girl Scout training. 5

6 A team of volunteers and staff provides you with local support, learning opportunities, and advice. As a troop leader you will have the most contact with your Service Unit Manager. Never hesitate to contact her or her team because they are eager to guide and assist you in all things Girl Scouts. Your Volunteer Services Specialist, also known as a VSS, has sent your contact information to your Service Unit Manager who will be contacting you soon to set up your Network Like A Girl Scout training. You also should have received an from your VSS with your support system listed. 6

7 As a new leader you will have questions and that is ok. Please reach out to your Service Unit Manager or call the Volunteer Care Team! We are so excited to provide you with a team dedicated to getting you the answers you need. We are here to help! 7

8 To help you organize your troop we have a Troop Start Up Checklist that your Service Unit Manager will help you complete. You will receive this at your Network Like A Girl Scout training. 8

9 Running a troop takes a team! As a troop leader you don t have to do everything. Your welcome guide provides more details about your troop leadership team, and yes males can be part of the leadership team! Anyone who works directly with the girls will be required to register, complete a background check, and take the online course Shield the Vulnerable. We recommend you fill the first 3 roles as quickly as you can. It can be 1 person in 2 roles if needed. You will learn more about how to recruit your troop leadership team at your Network Like A Girl Scout training. 9

10 Nothing is more important than ensuring the health and safety of girls. At Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, we work hard to build safety consciousness in adults and girls on all safety protocols so that we can ensure proper supervision, prevent accidents and incidents, and maintain program resources. You will learn more about safety in your Be Prepared Like A Girl Scout Training. Today we want to go over what you should know before your first troop meeting. 10

11 Girl Scouts adult-to-girl ratios show the minimum number of adults needed to supervise a specific number of girls. These supervision ratios were devised to ensure the safety and health of girls for example, if one adult has to respond to an emergency, a second adult is always on hand for the rest of the girls. The ratios are dependent on the Girl Scout Grade Level of your girls. Ratios can also effect your troop size. If you have a Daisy level troop and only 2 approved volunteers; your troop size cannot exceed 12 girls. 11

12 Every adult in Girl Scouting is responsible for the physical and emotional safety of girls. We do this by following safety guidelines. Being prepared is the first step to keeping girls safe. Always have a first aid kit at your meeting along with emergency phone numbers for every girl and adult. Ensure you know the emergency procedures for your meeting place and that you practice drills with the girls on your first night. 12

13 Be prepared to handle fires by knowing all your fire exits and having an evacuation plan. Talk with your girls about fire safety and what to do and what not to do in the event of a fire. 13

14 You will need to make safety decisions based on weather so be aware of severe weather forecast. We recommend asking another parent volunteer to track the weather during the meeting so you can focus on the girls. The parent will need to notify you of all weather changes that will become a safety concern such as tornado warnings. 14

15 Within 30 days after your first troop meeting you will need a checking account for your troop. To get that you must complete Fund Like A Girl Scout training. Before your first troop meeting there are a few things you will want to know so you are prepared for your family meeting. 15

16 A start-up fee is a one time fee from troop parents which will cover cost to get your troop year started. We recommend keeping this between $10 and $20 per girl. 16

17 Troop dues are reoccurring fees that will help cover ongoing cost such as supplies and badges. We recommend troop dues between $1 and $2 for each meeting. 17

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20 You can expect to hear from your Service Unit Manager to cover your Network Like A Girl Scout training. She will also have some great resources for you such as your thumb drive, Welcome Guide, and more. Your Service Unit Manager is your number 1 support person. Never hesitate to contact her or her team because they are eager to guide and assist you in all things Girl Scouts. 20

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