Troop Leader

Summary: A Troop Leader has the enthusiasm and ability to generate girls’ interests and curiosities about the ways that they can discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. The nature of this position requires the individual to provide direct service to girls, helping them to develop their leadership skills on an individual or group basis.

Term of appointment: A Troop Leader is appointed for a one-year period, which is renewable upon a mutual agreement between yourself and council staff.

Support: A Troop Leader receives support, guidance, supervision, and encouragement from the Volunteer Support Coordinator, Service Unit team members, and Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains (GSGWM) staff.

• Support a girl-led troop by encouraging and guiding girls to make decisions together while pursuing their interests and goals.
• Encourage girls to work cooperatively and provide them with opportunities to help them learn by doing.
• Ensure that the actions of all troop members are guided by the Girl Scout Mission, Promise, and Law.
• Understand expectations of troop size and girl/adult ratios and maintain an accurate Participation Catalog listing for your troop to ensure girl and adult troop availability.
• Accept new girls into the troop following GSGWM troop size guidelines.
• Model positive behaviors such as reliability, respect for others, inclusiveness, and a positive attitude.
• File appropriate paperwork when needed for extended trips, meeting information, and product sales.
• Ensure all girls and adults are registered Girl Scout members according to GSGWM and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) policies and procedures.
• Stay informed by attending scheduled Service Unit meetings, ensuring troop representation, and by reading Girl Scout communications.
• Ensure the Conflict/Grievance Resolution Policy in the council’s Policy and Procedures for Volunteers is implemented as directed and as needed.
• Oversee troop funds according to GSUSA and Council policies and procedures.
• Use the Volunteer Toolkit to manage troop members, keep up-to-date troop meeting information, and record/submit troop financial information.
• Respond, in a timely manner, to communications from Council staff as part of regular troop check-ins.
• Reach out to your Service Unit team members and council staff when support is needed.
• Support the Service Unit team in recruiting new girl and adult members.
• Keep your troop safe by following all Safety Activity Checkpoints.

• Girl Focus: Empower girls to lead activities, learn by doing, and cooperate with others on current issues that involve their interests and needs, while having fun.
• Personal Integrity: Demonstrate dependability, honesty, credibility, and confidentiality. Model appropriate behavior.
• Adaptability: Adjust or modify own behavior and remain flexible and tolerant in response to changing situations and environments.
• Communication: Convey both written and oral communication in a clear, understandable, and appropriate manner keeping in mind the intended audience.
• Foster Diversity: Understand, respect, and embrace differences.
• Organizational Knowledge: Stay informed of key GSUSA and council–specific policies, priorities, and procedures/practices; understand how your position relates to and supports GSUSA and council goals, including increasing and developing membership and volunteer support.

• Become a registered member of GSUSA and successfully complete the council’s intake process, which includes a criminal background check and optional DMV check.
• Complete required position-related training coursework as assigned and provided by GSGWM and GSUSA.
• Provide updated volunteer and contact information to Council as changes occur.
• Provide updated information that may affect background screening results to Council.
• Keep up to date and comply with GSUSA and GSGWM policies and procedures and safety guidelines.

• A copy of the Volunteer Policies and Procedures (available at girlscoutsgwm.org).
• Orientation, learning opportunities, and resources required to prepare the volunteer for the position.
• Ongoing support, guidance, and feedback.
• Recognition for contributions to Council and Girl Scouting.
• Liability insurance and supplementary accident insurance as part of national/council membership.

• My Troop Leader position is voluntary, and I will not receive monetary compensation from either GSUSA or GSGWM.
• A background check is required every five (5) years of volunteer leadership and I agree to complete this as necessary.
• I am responsible for informing Council of any incident that occurs between background check renewals that could change my status.
• If I will be driving, per GSGWM policy, I am responsible for providing (annually) proof of a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance coverage (at least $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property).
• When transporting girl and/or adult members I must:
  • carry a first aid kit in my vehicle that is appropriate for the duration of trip and number of passengers;
  • keep a signed Parent/Guardian Permission Form for each girl and a Crisis Communication Form in my vehicle; and
  • not use a cell phone (for talking, texting, emailing or any other purpose) while driving.
• Any unauthorized use or dissemination of GSUSA and GSGWM materials or communications is strictly prohibited.
• I will opt in to all GSGWM emails and newsletters so that I can stay informed on council communications. 

Reappointment will be made based on availability of positions, a mutual agreement between yourself and council staff, and non-probationary volunteer status.

I understand that by signing this position agreement, I am agreeing to all responsibilities and duties as listed for the duration of my position. The position can be renewed annually by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains. The position can be terminated at any point by volunteer or Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.

I agree to fulfill all above requirements and responsibilities as listed.