Volunteer Essentials Volunteer Essentials 2015-16 - Updated 5/31/17 | Page 31

  Chapter 2: Girl Scouting as a National Experience Now that you’re a Girl Scout volunteer, you belong to a network of more than 1 million adults who share an important commitment: preparing girls to lead successful lives. During your time as a volunteer, you’ll have fun, meet new people, and learn by doing alongside girls at every step. The Girl Scout program—what girls do in Girl Scouting—is based on the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), a national model that helps girls become leaders in their own lives and as they grow. No matter where girls live or what their age or background, as Girl Scouts they are part of a powerful, national experience. As they build leadership skills, they also develop lifelong friendships and earn meaningful awards, two of many treasured traditions in the sisterhood of Girl Scouting. What Girl Scouting Does for Girls Girl Scouting guides girls to become leaders in their daily lives, their communities, and the world— helping them become the kind of person exemplified by the Girl Scout Law. When girls—as the Girl Scout Law states—are “honest and fair,” when they “use resources wisely,” and know how to be “courageous and strong,” they can be more successful in everything they do. It may start in school and on sports teams, but research shows that the courage, confidence, and character they develop as Girl Scouts follows them throughout their lives. Girl Scouting has a practical approach to helping girls become leaders: ● When girls lead in their own lives, they Discover their values and the confidence to do what’s right. This helps girls act in ways that make us proud, no matter where they are. ● When girls lead in their communities, they Connect as they learn how to work with other people. This helps them get along better with others, resolve conflicts, and do better on group projects at school. ● When girls lead in the world, they Take Action to change the world for the better. Starting as young Girl Scouts, girls learn how to see problems—such as a food pantry in need of donations or an elderly neighbor who could use a hand—and come up with a solution. In other words: Discover + Connect + Take Action = leadership. And everything you do with girls in Girl Scouting is aimed at giving them the benefits of these Three Keys to Leadership. More details about the benefits (or outcomes) Girl Scouts offers girls can be found in Transforming Leadership Continued, available online at girlscouts.org/research/publications/gsoutcomes/transforming_leadership_continued.asp.