council for its specific registration guidelines . You may also want to email or hand out a brief information sheet before or at this meeting .
● Open the meeting by welcoming the girls and adults . Introduce yourself and other co-volunteers or helpers . Have adults and girls introduce themselves , discuss whether anyone in their families has been a Girl Scout , and talk about what Girl Scouting means to them . Welcome everyone , regardless of experience , and let them know they will be learning about Girl Scouts today . ( If you ’ re new to Girl Scouting , don ’ t worry — just let everyone know you ’ ll be learning about Girl Scouting together !)
● Ask the girls to go with the adult or teen in charge of their activity and begin the discussion .
● Discuss the information you prepared for this meeting : o All the fun girls are going to have ! o When and where the group will meet and some examples of activities the girls might choose to do o That a parent / guardian permission form is used for activities outside the group ’ s normal meeting time and place and the importance of completing and returning it o How you plan to keep in touch with parents / guardians ( a Facebook page or group , Twitter , email , text messaging , a phone tree , or fliers the girls take home are just some ideas ) o The Girl Scout Mission , Promise , and Law o The Girl Scout program , especially what the GSLE is and what the program does for their daughters o When Girl Scout Cookies and MagNut product will go on sale and how participation in product sales programs teaches life skills and helps fund group activities . o The cost of membership , which includes annual GSUSA dues , any group payments ( ask your council ), optional uniforms , and any resources parents / guardians will need to buy ( such as a girl ’ s book for a Journey . o The availability of financial assistance and how the Girl Scout Cookie Program and other product sales generate funds for the group treasury o That families can also make donations to the council — and why they might want to do that ! o That you may be looking for additional volunteers , and in which areas you are looking ( be as specific as possible !)
● If your council doesn ’ t offer online registration and you ’ ve distributed paper registration forms , collect them .
● Remind the group of the next meeting ( if you ’ ll have one ) and thank everyone for attending . Hold the next meeting when it makes sense for you and your co-volunteers — that may be in two months if face-to-face meetings are best , or not at all if you ’ re diligent about keeping in touch with parents / guardians via Facebook , Twitter , text messages , email , phone calls , or some other form of communication .
● After the meeting , follow up with any parents / guardians who did not attend , to connect them with the group , inform them of decisions , and discuss how they can best help the girls .
Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance and Inclusion
Girl Scouts embraces girls of all abilities , backgrounds , and heritage , with a specific and positive philosophy of inclusion that benefits everyone . Each girl — without regard to socioeconomic status , race , physical or cognitive ability , ethnicity , primary language , or religion — is an equal and valued member of the group , and groups reflect the diversity of the community .
Inclusion is an approach and an attitude , rather than a set of guidelines . Inclusion is about belonging , about all girls being offered the same opportunities , about respect and dignity , and about honoring the uniqueness of and differences among us all . You ’ re accepting and inclusive when you :
● Welcome every girl and focus on building community .