Starting Your Troop

Volunteer Essentials, provides all the information you need to be a successful Girl Scout volunteer (and we mean ALL—it’s quite a lengthy document, so we encourage you to skim through and become familiar with the different sections).

Volunteer Essentials contains information on being a volunteer, policies and procedures, and program information and standards. All troops are expected to take the Volunteer Essentials training – either online or in person. See our council’s GS Learn under MYGS for options.

Troop Meetings

Troops can choose to hold meetings in many different ways.

  • Meeting days and times are up to the volunteer leadership team of the troop (the leaders, assistant leaders and troop helpers). If you as a leader don’t have a preference, you can wait until you get additional troop volunteers before coming up with a time that is mutually agreeable for all of you.
  • Meeting locations are also up to the leadership team. Many of our troops use their elementary schools either after school or in the evening. Some choose to meet in a leader or volunteer home. Others choose a public place such as a church, library, or park district.
  • Meeting content is determined by the leadership team for your troop. You can learn about your particular level’s program and suggestions for meetings by taking your grade level training.

Reporting your meeting place is done once a year when you do the troop survey. The current link to report and/or update your meeting information is here.

Recruit Girls and Volunteers

You can work with our council recruiter (you will receive contact information in your Welcome Session) to recruit girls and volunteers for your troop. Some ways to do this:

  • Hand out flyers to interested families, contact our Recruiter for assistance.
  • Have the girls invite their friends.
  • Host an informational meeting at your school (our Recruiter can help you to set this up).

Open a Checking Account for Troop Funds

All troops are required to have a bank account for troops funds and to submit an Annual Financial Report. Contact our Finance Manager at su402finance@gmail.com for options.

Starting Your Troop Bank Account:
When opening a Girl Scout Bank Account, the financial institution may require specific documents. Please contact the bank prior to your visit to ensure you have the required documents.