Important Documents and publications

Volunteer Essentials

Volunteer Essentials is a new resource for adult volunteers serving in any pathway. It offers information about Girl Scouts as a movement and a tradition, asks volunteers to assess their skills and competencies, discusses the GSLE and journeys, highlights other program offerings, shares information about healthy development in girls, instructs volunteers in how to keep girls safe, gives information on taking trips and hosting events, and tells volunteers how to help girls manage group finances, including general details on Girl Scout Cookie sales.

2011 Volunteer Essentials

Volunteer Policies

Effective May 2011, our council's policies have been approved by the board of directors.

Volunteer Procedures

Our council's procedures have been developed to guide volunteers when carrying out Girl Scout programs and activities. Volunteers should observe all procedures found in this document.

Safety-Wise / Safety Activity Checkpoints

The GSUSA Publications Safety-Wise published in 2000 and the insert Important Update effective September 2009 have been replaced by information found in Volunteer Essentials 2011 and the Safety Activity Checkpoints. In Volunteer Essentials you will find updated information in the Quick Start Guide on 11 – 14 and Chapter 4.

To view/download the entire Safety Activity Checkpoints document,
click here. For Spanish version, click here
To view by category, click here.

Blue Book of Basic Documents

The Blue Book contains information regarding Girl Scouts of the USA's Constitution, by-laws and policies.

World Thinking Day Resource Guide

The World Thinking Day Resource Guide, a tool for Girl Scout volunteers, includes a brief overview of World Thinking Day which occurs every Feb. 22, information about WAGGGS, and suggested activities for girls at six different age levels. The guide also includes resources on five countries, each representing one of the five regions of WAGGGS.

Transforming Leadership

Girls today believe that a leader is defined not only by the qualities and skills one has, but also by how those qualities and skills are used to make a difference in the world. In their own words, they want to be the type of leader who "stands up for his or her beliefs and values," and "tries to change the world for the better." Leadership is "knowing what you believe and putting it into action." Take an indepth look at the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and the 15 Girl Scout Leadership Outcomes.

100th Anniversary Media and Publicity Kit Resources

To ensure that our anniversary events get great coverage in our local communities, we've prepared a special media and publicity kit for volunteers to use with their local media. The council is actively working with many of the major media in broadcast and print for large-scale features, so volunteers are encouraged to generate as much local coverage as they can.

Helpful Hints for Great Media Coverage (a resource guide with links)
Girl Scout 100th Anniversary Proclamation Template
Girl Scout Promise Circle Press Release Template
Girl Scout Week - church bulletin covers
Girl Scout Week - church bulletin inserts
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Logo(jpeg)
Girl Scout Anniversary Logo (jpeg)
Timeline of Girl Scout History

Forms

These forms can also be found in the 2011 Volunteer Essentials guide.

Accident/Incident Report Form (p. 117-118)
Additional Activity/Accident Insurance instructions - Click here
Administering Medication to a Minor (p. 132)
Adult Health History (p. 111-112)
Financial Assistance Application (p. 123-124) Interactive
Financial Assistance Reconciliation Form (p. 125) Interactive
Girl Health History (p. 109-110)
Money Earning Activity Application (p. 127)
Money Earning Activity Evaluation (p. 129)
Parent/Guardian Day or Overnight Trip Permission (p. 115) Interactive
Permission to Participate in Sensitive Issues Discussion (p. 131)
Trip Application (p. 113-114) Interactive
Additional Activity/Accident Insurance instructions - Click here
Troop Annual Financial Report (p. 119)
Troop Annual Financial Detail (p. 121-122)

Additional Forms:

Appreciation Certificate - NEW!
Approved Certificates of Insurance
Financial Assistance Guidelines
Leader Development Form - Interactive
Property Rental Application - Interactive
Service Team Development - Interactive
Service Unit Manager Leadership Development - Interactive

Service Unit Event Planning Tools

Service Unit Events Planner

Planning Form - Interactive
Financial Report - Interactive
Event Flier - Interactive
Event Evaluation - Interactive

2012 Registration Forms and Resources

COUNCIL UPDATES

Council Updates are contain information regarding upcoming events, activities and pertinent updates from each various departments throughout our council. These updates are prepared on a monthly basis and disseminated at local troop leader meetings.