Your Volunteer Support Team
With more than 95 percent of Girl Scouts ’ “ work force ” comprised of volunteers who directly interact with girls or indirectly offer support behind-the-scenes , your support system is vital for success . The Volunteer Management System supports the growing variety of volunteer types and positions that leads to more volunteers guiding girls to make the world a better place .
In your role as a Girl Scout volunteer , you ’ ll team up with co-volunteers , parents / guardians , members of the community , council staff , and others who have expressed interest in working alongside you . The adult guide of each Journey gives you tips and guidance for creating a friends-and-family network to support you all along the way .
The other volunteers on your support team may help by :
● filling in for you ,
● arranging meeting places ,
● being responsible for communicating with girls and caregivers ,
● locating adults with special skills to facilitate a specialized meeting ,
● assisting with trips and chaperoning , or
● managing group records . If you have a large support team , the first thing you ’ ll want to do is meet with this group and discuss what brought each of you to Girl Scouts , review your strengths and skills , and talk about how you would like to work together as a team . You might also discuss :
● When important milestones will happen ( Girl Scout cookie activities , field trips , travel plans , events , dates for other opportunities ) and how long the planning process will take
● When and where to meet as a group of volunteers , if necessary
● Whether , when , where , and how often to hold parent / guardian meetings
● Whether an advance trip to a destination , event site , or camp needs to happen Remember to call on your volunteer support team . This team can help you observe a meeting , assign you a buddy , help with registration , assist you with opening a bank account , plan your first meeting and so on . Also plan to attend support meetings — usually held several times throughout the year — that provide excellent opportunities to learn from other volunteers .