Resources at your fingertips!

Girl Scouts strives to provide you with the tools you need for your volunteer position, and to direct you to additional information on certain topics when you want to learn more.

Troop Meeting Resources

Badge Explorer toggle arrow

Get all the latest details and shop links for every topic and grade level.

Visit the Badge Explorer >>

Badge Resource Kits toggle arrow

There are Badge Resource Kits to help Girl Scouts explore new badges, topics or to use just for fun!

Look through this guide and request a kit through our online form for pick-up at your nearest council office. It may take up to 3 weeks to transfer kits between offices. Kits have suggested levels and badges, but feel free to get creative with them! Some kits require a refundable deposit of $100 per kit.

Request a kit here >>

Volunteer Toolkit toggle arrow

The Volunteer Toolkit is your official source for delivering fun, easy troop meetings year-round! You will find video trainings on gsLearn as well as handy step-by-step instructions in the Volunteer Toolkit User Guide.

Watch these videos to learn more >>

Event Planning Resources

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Check out these guidelines for planning Girl Scout Ceremonies.

View the Safety Activity Checkpoints to help plan your event.

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Fill out the Event Application here.

Financial & Money-Earning Resources

Detailed Record of Troop Funds toggle arrow

The Detailed Record of Troop Funds spreadsheet will help troop treasurers keep track of income and expenses for the troop checking account. It also makes filing the annual Troop Finance Report quick and easy!

Checking Account Request Form toggle arrow

Complete the Checking Account Request Form to open a new checking account or make changes to an existing account. Be prepared to provide information for two unrelated signers and bank details. Changes will not be completed until both signers have completed Financial Management training.

Annual Troop Finance Report toggle arrow

The volunteer who manages the troop checking account should complete the annual Troop Finance Report through this link. It is due by June 15 for all troop financial activity from the beginning of the May bank statement through the end of the April bank statement each Girl Scout cycle.

It is recommended to download and utilize the Detailed Record of Troop Funds spreadsheet to assist in this process.

Money-Earning Basics toggle arrow

When council-sponsored product sales aren't enough to support a troop's activities, they may request approval for additional money-earning activities. To do a group money-earning activity, the Money-Earning Project Application must be submitted prior to any fundraising event or request for monetary donation or in-kind services/merchandise. Donations and in-kind will only be considered for the purpose of highest awards. See the Money-Earning Basics for Troops section of Volunteer Essentials for details on what is allowed.

Service Unit Resources

Service Unit Lead Team Guide toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland is divided into 23 service units. Service Units are led by experienced, dedicated volunteers who support and serve girls, troops and volunteers in their area. There’s a lot that comes with being a Service Unit Lead Team volunteer. Luckily, we’ve got everything organized and explained within this handy guide. We hope you find this guide to be a helpful tool as you learn about your role and help to plan your service unit’s year.

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Our council’s Service Unit Lead Teams are comprised of seven positions. Each position is filled by an experienced volunteer or team of volunteers who will work together to support troop leaders, other volunteers, the girls and their communities. These role descriptions will show you the ways each position makes a difference to the lead team. Service Unit Managers should submit this form in October or November of each year.

Manager

Service Unit Managers provide the leadership and management of an assigned geographic area, ensuring the support of girl and adult membership and delivery of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. You’ll lead a team of volunteers who provide support, communication and guidance to troop leaders in the same geographic area.

Key responsibilities include:

Attend monthly SU Scoop meetings provided by the council.
Share important Girl Scout information from the SU Scoop to members of the service unit.
Communicate regularly with council staff as necessary.
Plan, organize and facilitate the work of the service unit which includes:
- Secure location and set up the meeting space.
- Prepare agenda and preside over the meetings.
- Hold LEAD team members accountable for commitments.
With the Finance Coordinator and Finance Committee, manage the SU funds according to the guidelines set forth by the service unit volunteers.
Work with the council to recruit and maintain a full Service Unit LEAD Team roster.
Recognize and acknowledge the work of Service Unit LEAD Team and volunteers within the unit.
Work closely with the Troop Engagement Specialist to accomplish goals of the service unit.
In collaboration with the service unit volunteers, review and update the Sservice unit guidelines annually.
Encourage all volunteers to complete necessary training for their positions.
Have a valid email address that can be shared with others (for Girl Scout related business).
Maintain positive relationships with staff, service unit team, parents, troop leaders and community partners.
Promote and support service unit events, recruitment, Fall Product Program and the Cookie Program.

Finance Coordinator toggle arrow

Service Unit Finance Coordinator provides general oversight and management of all service unit finances. This person is a knowledgeable and encouraging source of guidance, support and reassurance to members of the service unit regarding all relevant financial matters.

Key responsibilities include:

Complete Financial Management training provided by the council.
Work in collaboration with the Service Unit Manager to maintain the service unit account, keeping financial records and receipts and balancing each month.
Provide a service unit financial report at all service unit meetings.
Ensure that the service unit bank account is set up in accordance with GSKH financial policies and that the signers on the account have all completed the Financial Management training.
Review and understand the service unit guidelines.
Remit payment for Service Unit Fund Requests as per the service unit guidelines.
Consult with members of the Finance Committee before writing checks that are not in the guidelines or approved at service unit meetings.
Mentor troop treasurers.
Encourage on-time completion of Troop Finance Summaries from all troops within the service unit.
Submit Service Unit Finance Summary by June 15.
Assist with other financial-related duties as assigned by the Service Unit Manager or GSKH staff.

Finance Committee Member toggle arrow

Service Unit Finance Committee is made up of three to four individuals that come from different communities or counties in the service unit. These individuals offer support and input to the Service Unit Finance Coordinator on service unit expenditures.

Key responsibilities include:

Complete Financial Management training provided by the council.
Offer input when requested by the Service Unit Finance Coordinator to determine approved expenditures for the service unit.
Assist with annual updates to the service unit guidelines and the SU budget process.
Adhere to the rules set forth in the service unit guidelines.

Communications Coordinator toggle arrow

Service Unit Communications Coordinator enhances communication within the Service Unit through two-way communication using social media, email, phone and text messaging. They are responsible for documenting conversation and decisions made at service unit meetings and provides support to the Service Unit Manager and SU LEAD Team.

Key responsibilities include:

Attend training provided by the council.
Communicate regularly with GSKH staff.
Attend and document the minutes at each service unit meeting and then distribute them to the volunteers within the unit within five business days following the meeting.
Communicate the meeting date, time and location using social media, email or text messaging.
Work in collaboration with council staff, the Service Unit Manager and Service Unit Community Coordinators to promote Girl Scouts and the service unit within the community.*
Collect stories or troop or service unit activities that demonstrate the success of Girl Scouts in your communities. Share* with fellow volunteers and council staff, inlcuding the Fund Development Department and Communications & Marketing Department.
Promote and support service unit events, Fall Product Program and the Cookie Program through internal communication with the Girl Scout volunteers in your community.

*All media inquries and story submissions should be reviewed and approved by the council's Communications & Marketing Department prior to submission.

Event Coordinator toggle arrow

Service Unit Event Coordinator(s) enthusiastically facilitate and coordinate fun and exciting service unit programs and events within the service unit and/or for girls across the council using the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Key responsibilities include:

Complete Financial Management, Safety-Wise and Introduction to Troop Management trainings provided by the council.
Maintain positive relationships with GSKH staff, service unit members, troop leaders and community partners.
Follow all Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland policies, standards and procedures as found in Volunteer Essentials, Safety Activity Checkpoints and the Event Appendix.
Design programs that support GSUSA program pillars of outdoor experiences, STEM, entrepreneurship and healthy living.
Work with other event committee members and the Service Unit Manager to prepare and submit an Event Application in a timely manner to the Program Specialist staff at GSKH.
Coordinate and/or support all events held within the service unit, either by direct planning or by supervising and supporting other event volunteers.
Follow safety, risk management, adherence to policies, and make sure events/programs have a connection to Girl Scout Leadership Experience outcomes.
Ensure events are planned and implemented utilizing the Event Appendix.
Involve your Service Unit Finance Coordinator in all financial aspects of events and submit a Service Unit Fund Request Form at least three weeks prior to purchase of materials for the event.
Encourage troop leaders to participate in service unit and council-sponsored events.
Work with the Service Unit Communication Coordinator to help promote the event.

Community Coordinator toggle arrow

Service Unit Community Coordinators share their Girl Scout knowledge and provide support to both new and seasoned volunteers in their community. They generate excitement, assist with recruitment, formation of new troops and are direct support for troop leaders within their community.

Key responsibilities include:

Work with Troop Engagement Specialist staff to organize and carry out recruitment events to meet recruitment goals for the service unit, including recruitment of both girls and volunteers.
Assist in the formation of new troops, which may include leading or assisting with their first parent and/or troop meeting.
Work with Troop Engagement Specialist staff to mentor and/or provide experienced mentors for new troop leaders.
Provide assistance and maintain contact with troop leaders (new and experienced) within the community, including regular communication via phone and email to touch base, answer questions, provide support and guidance, trouble shoot and otherwise assist troops as needed on issues related to the troop experience and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Encourage troop leaders to attend and participate in service unit meetings and activities.
Stay informed of current and updated troop organization and council policies, procedures and guidelines, including Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Recognize the efforts of local troop volunteers through recognition at SU meetings, a thank you card or other appreciation efforts.
Encourage nominations for and participation in Volunteer Awards and Annual Meeting, including recognition of community partners.

Product Program Organizer toggle arrow

Service Unit Product Sales Organizer (SUPSO) is responsible for product programs for all pathways within the service unit area. Responsibilities include attending training, ensuring troop volunteers are trained, new troop and volunteer mentorship, material distribution, reviewing product and recognition orders, coordination of product delivery and recognition distribution.

Note: This position can be divided between two volunteers — one volunteer for the Fall Product Program and another volunteer for the Cookie Program.

Key responsibilities include:

Attend training provided by the council.
Ensure that troop product program managers (TPPM) receive all required trainings and materials, and have submitted the signed Troop Manager Agreement and ACH Debit Form to the council.
Mentor and/or provide experienced mentors for new TPPM/troops.
Provide assistance and maintain contact with each TPPM throughout the sale, including regular communication via phone and email to touch base, answer questions, provide support and guidance, trouble shoot and otherwise assist troops as needed.
Remind TPPM’s of important dates and deadlines throughout the sale (order due dates, booth selections, promotions, audits, etc.).
Have a working knowledge of the processes and resources for the Juliette Product Program within the service unit/council.
Coordinate delivery sites within the service unit and be available to accept delivery of the products if necessary. This includes coordinating location and person(s) to meet delivery of the product by the due date.
Distribute the products to the TPPM in a timely manner.
Distribute the girl recognitions to the TPPM in a timely manner.

Service Unit Forms and Documents toggle arrow

Service Unit Lead Team volunteers and other volunteers within the service unit will find these documents helpful to their roles.

Service Unit Position Election Sheet

This form is submitted to council following service unit position elections which are held in the fall of each year. There is also an online submission form available.

Service Unit Agenda Template

This form is used when funds are being requested from the service unit checking account. The fund request must fit within the guidelines set forth by the service unit and is submitted to the Service Unit Finance Coordinator for review.

Service Unit Fund Request Form

Once a service unit has determined it wants to host an event, day camp or overnight camp, the Service Unit Event Coordinator submits an Event Application to the council for review. A Program Specialist will work with the Service Unit Event Coordinator to list the event on the council event calendar and in council publications.

Detailed Record of Service Unit Funds

Service Unit Finance Coordinators can use this detailed record to help fill out the Service Unit Finance Report due by June 15.

Travel Resources

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In addition to regularly scheduled troop meetings, troops or groups of Girl Scouts often plan trips together — anything from a local day trip to an international adventure! Girls and adults work together to plan, budget and arrange trip details according to the guidelines and requirements for travel.

There are several great resources to help volunteers and Girl Scouts plan a successful travel experience.

Travel resources can be found here.

Travel Application toggle arrow

All overnights from backyard camping through international require approval. Submit your Activity and Overnight Application here.

Troop Program Credit Request toggle arrow

Fill out this form to request use of Program Credits for travel and Outside the Guide activities.

Additional Travel Documents toggle arrow

Health History and Authorization Form: required for all Girl Scout Activities.

Health History and Authorization Form PLUS Medical Exam: required for Girl Scout travel lasting 3 or more nights.

Permission to Travel Form for Minors: required for international travel.

Authorization for Medical Treatment for Minors: required for international travel.

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Volunteer Resources

Resources at your fingertips!

Troop Meeting Resources

Event Planning Resources

Financial & Money-Earning Resources

Service Unit Resources

Travel Resources