| Common Questions Asked by New Leaders |
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| Q: Can I select my own troop(s) members? |
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| A: Girl Scouts is for every girl everywhere. It is not a social club. You may want to take a certain age level or keep the number manageable, but we must be careful not to discriminate based on religion, race, etc. Please be willing to take anyone who wants to join. |
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| Q: How many girls do I have to take? |
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| A: The minimum required is 5. However, the number of girls in a troop is also based on the number of adult leaders. Suggest a minimum of 10 to 12 girls. |
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| Q: How much does it cost to be a Girl Scout leader? |
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| A: You will need to purchase a copy of your Program Age Level books and a Girl Scout pin. Financial Aid is available for uniforms, books, and activities, if you qualify. Most of troop costs should be taken from troop funds Snacks can be provided by parents on a rotating basis. Special activities can be paid for individually by the parents. |
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| Q: Where do troop funds come from? |
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| A: Troop dues or start-up fees, profits from Girl Scout Calendar sales and Girl Scout Cookie sales, or an occasional extra money earning project. |
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| Q: What is a good start up fee? |
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| A: That is determined by how active a troop you plan to have and the kinds of activities that you will do. Troop supplies can be donated by parents to help defray start-up expenses. |
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| Q: How often do we need to meet? |
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| A: Many troops meet once per week, others meet twice per month. That is determined by you and your schedule. Remember that the more regularly you meet, the more likely the girls and parents are to remember your meeting. Meet often enough to provide a Girl Scout program that helps girls Grow Strong. |
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| Q: What day do we meet? |
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| A: That is determined by you and your schedule. Any day of the week that works best for you and your troop may be selected. |
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| Q: Will I have any help from my troop parents? |
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| A: Yes, but you will need to ask. You can assign tasks to individuals such as Cookie Manager, Annual Giving Manager, treasurer, drivers, etc. . |
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| Q: What kind of support is available? |
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| A: Your parents, your Service Unit Team, and your Membership Development Director will help. All you have to do it ask. Your best help will come from your co-leaders or assistant leaders who take training and meet with you to plan troop activities and attend troop meetings regularly. |
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| Q: Can each family/mother take turns once a month? |
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| A: Yes, but you will need to inform them of exactly what you want them to do and be present, as the leader is responsible for the safety and development of appropriate troop activities. |
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| Q: Do we have to have a uniform? |
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| A: No. The Girl Scout Pin is the only official part of the uniform that is needed to identify you or your girls as Girl Scouts. However, this is something to discuss at your Parent's Meeting. Wearing the uniform helps develop a ?sense of belonging?. |
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| Q: Is there an assigned meeting place? Do we have to meet in the leader?s house, school, or church? |
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| A: No. Your troop can meet anywhere that is safe and provides enough space to do activities. Prior approval of the owner of the property is necessary. |
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| Q: How may extra meetings do I have to go to? |
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| A: You or your assistant leaders or co-leaders should attend Service Unit leaders? meetings (usually once a month). Networking with other leaders is especially helpful. Optional meetings that can provide better insight into being a leader are additional trainings and the Association Meeting. |
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| Q: How much training is required? How much training is available? |
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| A: You are required to take your Getting Started class (approximately 2 hours) and your Basic Program Age Level class (approximately 4 hours). There are trainings available on just about any Girl Scout topic you might like to learn about. (Songs and games, ceremonies, camping,...) |
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| Q: What can I do with my other children? |
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| A: Ask one of the mothers in your troop to babysit with your children while you are leading her's. |
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| Q: Do you have to have been a Girl Scout to be a leader? |
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| A: No. We provide excellent training and support. |
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