Democratic Process

“The ultimate responsibility for the Girl Scout Movement rests with its members. We govern by an efficient and effective democratic process that demonstrates our leadership in a fast-changing world."
-Preamble to the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the United States of America

GSGCNWI Council Delegates are an important part of our council's Democratic Process as defined in our council bylaws. GSGCNWI Voting Members are made up of our Board of Directors, District Delegates, Delegates-at-large, and National Delegates. Council Delegates serve as the primary communication link between our council’s members, communities, and Board of Directors.

Resources

GSGCNWI Bylaws [PDF]
Blue Book of Basic Documents (English) [PDF]
Blue Book of Basic Documents (Spanish) [PDF]

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Everything in life needs to move forward, looking for ways to improve upon whatever we currently have. This is also true in Girl Scouts. Juliette and those early volunteers created the framework for our movement, but we must continually examine what we are doing and try to make it better.
-Karen, Volunteer and National Delegate

The democratic process is important because it gives people a voice in decisions which impact them. It allows everyone involved to begin to see the world from someone else’s shoes. Being a National Delegate has made me realize just how great an impact one voice can have.
-Kate, Ambassador and National Delegate

I love being a girl delegate for my district! It is amazing to be able to make a difference in the Girl Scout Program and have more perspective on how Girl Scouting runs from working in the Delegate position. Being a girl delegate has helped me to find my voice and be able to speak out for what I believe in.
-Julia, Ambassador and District Delegate

I decided to be a District Delegate to be more connected to Girl Scouts and the Girl Scout community. It is also important to me to have my ideas and voice heard and being a District Delegate is a great way to do that. I would tell another person considering this role to go for it, and to not be afraid to speak up with your ideas!
-Emily, Senior and District Delegate

Delegates together approve the Board of Directors who in turn select our CEO, who in turn, hires the staff. (And our current CEO is awesome!) The Board is all volunteer, as we are, but they have not all had experience at the troop level or service unit level. Our guidance, our input assists the Board members in the major decisions they must make. We have a voice.
-Carol, Volunteer and District Delegate

It is important the Leaders and girls have a voice in decisions that are made in their name.
-Christine, Volunteer and District Delegate

It may seem simple on the surface, but it is of the utmost importance to the girls’ futures.
-Sandy, Volunteer and District Delegate

A Celebration of Leadership toggle arrow

Download PDF Version Here

District Delegates & Delegates-at-large

District Delegates and Delegates-at-large serve as voting members of GSGCNWI and participate locally in our council’s Democratic Process. Delegates They serve as a link between District Members and the Board of Directors. They gather opinions on governance matters, elect our Board of Directors and National Delegates, and approve changes to our council Bylaws.

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Each Service Unit is entitled to select from among its members two District Delegates, including one Adult Member and Girl Scout (14 years of age or older), whenever possible.

In addition, each District Chair may select no more than ten Delegates-at-large.

Delegates must be registered members with GSGCNWI at the time of selection and throughout the 2-year term of service.

Delegate Position Description [PDF]

Interested in being a District Delegate?

Connect with your Service Unit and share your interest. They may have a Delegate position to fill! Learn more in the FAQ below about District Delegate selection.

FAQ - District Delegates [PDF]

Interested in being a Delegate-at-large?

Please connect with your District Chair to state interest. Unsure who your District Chair is? Please contact us at democraticprocess@girlscoutsgcnwi.org

Please note: Delegates-at-large typically are not associated with a Service Unit and instead represents the District.

Questions can be directed to democraticprocess@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

National Delegates

National Delegates represent GSGCNWI as voting members at the National Council Session. They gather input, debate and vote on proposals that impact the future of the Girl Scout Movement, including changes to the Blue Book of Basic Documents. National Delegates also elect the National Board of Director and the Board Development Committee.

National Delegates are also voting members of GSGCNWI and participate locally in our council’s Democratic Process. National Delegates serve as a link between our members and the Board of Directors. They gather opinions on governance matters, elect our Board of Directors and approve changes to our council Bylaws.

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National Delegates are selected every three years. The next application window will open in Fall 2027. Please check back to this page for more information.

These roles are open to Adults and Girl Scouts who are at least 14 years of age or older at the time of election, which we anticipate happening in April 2028

Questions? Please email nationaldelegate@girlscoutsgcnwi.org

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National Delegates & Alternates

Class of 2025-2028

Samantha Affram
Madalyn Cook
Marty Devereux-Poch
Mikenna Doyle
Elise Dryier
Pamela Flowers
Lisa Funke
Jen Goldfarb
Joy Haddleton
Kelly Hardin
Scarlett Hardin
Hazel Harkin
Lindsay Hayden
Kayland Jones
Caroline Kansa

Adriana Kieffer
Tina Melendez
Mariam Mir
Faith Paulus
Rebecca Resman
Karen Schillings
Mashanda Scott
Heather Socie
Kenzee Stahl
Rachel Tochimani
Denise Urban
Rachel Veis
Nancy Wright
Kaelyn Yager

National Council Session

What is the National Council Session?
The National Council Session happens every three years as part of the Girl Scout Convention and brings together Girl Scouts from around the world. Not only do National Delegates attend, but so do other members of our movement, including Troops, Juliettes, Volunteers, Girl Scout families and supporters.

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From October 23- 25, 2020, Girl Scouts from across the United States and around the world gathered virtually for the 55th National Council Session.

GSGCNWI National Proposals
GSGCNWI developed two National Proposals that were voted on at the 2020 National Council Session.
Click here to view the Gold Award Scholarship Feasibility Task Force Proposal.
Click here to view the Membership Dues Restriction Proposal.
Both of these proposals passed.

Learn more about the work of our GSGCNWI National Delegates on our blog here and here.

Visit GSUSA National Council Session to learn more about the 55th NCS.

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The 56th National Council Session will take took place July 18-20, 2023, followed immediately by Phenom by Girl Scouts from July 20-22, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

Learn more about the GCNWI Delegation’s experience on our blog!

Learn more about the visitor experience to convention from GCNWI Troop 70694 here.

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The National Board called a Virtual Special Session of the National Council to be half on October 19, 2024 (with a possible extension to October 20, 2024).

Per the Blue Book of Basic Documents on Special Sessions: Special sessions of the National Council shall be called by the President upon written request of a majority of the members of the National Board of Directors or twenty percent (20%) of the membership of the National Council, which shall represent at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the councils chartered by GSUSA. The purpose of the session shall be stated in the written request. The purpose of the special session shall be limited to legitimate business of the National Council, and no other business shall be transacted except that for which the session has been specifically called.

Visitors will be able to view this Virtual Special Session of the National Council.

Please click the button below to register.

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The next National Council Session and Girl Scout Convention will take place in Washington, DC, from Monday, July 20, through Saturday, July 25.

Learn more and sign up for the Convention Insider email by visiting the GSUSA Convention Website.

General questions about the convention experience? Email nationaldelegate@girlscoutsgcnwi.org to speak with Alaina about what normally happens at convention!

Questions about the general convention experience or National Delegates? Email nationaldelegate@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

More Opportunities

Are you looking for more opportunities to explore leadership in Girl Scouting? Check out our Girl Scout Representatives to the Board of Directors and our Pinnacle Award for Ambassador Girl Scouts!

Pinnacle Award

Girl Representatives