Girl Scouts is the world’s largest organization of and for girls, currently encompassing 2.3 million girl members
and nearly 1 million volunteers! Three core structures support all these members: the national headquarters,
your council, and your support team.
The national office of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), located in New York City, employs roughly 300
employees. GSUSA is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). (Visit
GSUSA online at www.girlscouts.org/, where you’ll find a wealth of resources for both girls and volunteers.)
Global Girl Scouting ensures that girls have increased awareness about the world, cross-cultural learning
opportunities, and education on relevant global issues that may inspire them to take action to make the world
a better place. Visit Global Girl Scouting online www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global for additional
information.
Since 1925, USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO), a division of Global Girl Scouting, has helped ease the
transition for American families relocating overseas by offering the familiar traditions and exciting
opportunities of Girl Scouting to girls abroad. USAGSO now serves thousands of American girls living overseas,
as well as girls attending American or international schools. Through Global Girl Scouting, members participate
in World Thinking Day on February 22, visit the four WAGGGS world centers (see the “For Travel Volunteers”
appendix), participate in international travel, promote global friendship and understanding by supporting the
Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, and take action on global issues.
Girl Scout councils are chartered by the national office to attract and retain members in a geographic area,
provide ways for girls to participate in Girl Scouting, create an environment that reflects Girl Scout values and
ideals, manage volunteers’ experience with Girl Scouting, and keep girls and volunteers as safe as possible. The
national office provides support materials to all councils to ensure that the Girl Scout experience is nationally
consistent.
A team of volunteers and staff provides you with local support, learning opportunities, and advice. As a
volunteer, you wi