Girl Scouts - Dakota Horizons: For Volunteers

Volunteer Application Process
Volunteer adults are essential to the Dakota Horizons Council. To become a Dakota Horizons volunteer or troop volunteer, the process is simple.

Volunteers complete both a GSUSA Adult Membership Form and Volunteer Application and submit it to Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons.
Background checks are conducted.
References are collected.
Phone interviews are conducted.
Appointment letter sent to the volunteer.
With copies to Membership Specialist and Service Unit Manager.

Membership in the Girl Scouts of the USA, a background check and letters of reference are required for all troop volunteer positions. Other volunteer positions do not require letters of reference. Once this process is complete, volunteers receive an appointment letter that includes information on Learning Opportunities such as:

Online Orientation (all volunteers)
Volunteer Essentials (all volunteers)
Leadership Essentials (troop volunteers)
Troop Module (troop volunteers)

Volunteer Membership
Adult volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization. Every program or event for girls is delivered by volunteers with support from council staff. That means Girl Scouts come in all age groups—you just need to have a desire to make a difference in the lives of girls. Adults 18 years of age and older can join Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons to serve as a Troop volunteer, a mentor/coach, a camp nurse, a cookie “mom" or "dad", a board or committee member or numerous other roles. Whatever your expertise, you can help us out! We’re looking for adults who believe in girls and want to support their leadership development.

Membership in the Girl Scouts of the USA, a background check, references and an interview are required for all volunteer positions. Just a few of the volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons are listed below:

Troop Volunteer or Co-Volunteer– Partner with girls to take responsibility for managing the troop/group and plan, carry out and evaluate activities based on interests and needs.
Service Unit Team Member – Organize regional programs. Develop a plan to achieve Service Unit membership goals.
Community/School Recruitment Coordinator – Coordinate and conduct girl/adult recruitment activities in the Service Unit area. Assist troop volunteers in securing meeting places, sponsorships, resource materials and planning parent meetings.
Event Director – Term is dependent on time necessary to plan, promote, implement and evaluate an event. May direct one or more events throughout the year.
Camp Volunteer – Volunteer for one or more camps. It is a time commitment of one or more days during the summer.
Program Volunteer – Volunteer for one or more programs throughout the year. Most are 1.5 to 2 hours long. Assist with the set up, clean up, or help with the entire program!
Cookie Shop Manager – Confirm cookie shop sites prior to the scheduled shop dates, schedule troops and independent Girl Scouts at each of the cookie shop sites, provide a cookie shop confirmation (date, time, location) to each participating troop and each participating business.
Cookie Sales Coordinator – Ensure the distribution of cookie sale materials to troops. Provide support and guidance to Troop Cookie Volunteers throughout the sale. Arrange for delivery and distribution of cookies. Collect and verify all sales-related forms and forward to the Product Sales Director by deadline. Distribute theme merchandise and goal patches by deadline.
Delegate- Participate in the democratic process by representing your area by being a council or national delegate.

Learning opportunities are available for each of these positions. For more information about volunteering, please contact Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons at 605.336.2978 or toll free at 800.666.2141. You can also email us. cochocki@gsdakotahorizons.org

GSUSA Adult Membership Form

Volunteer Application

Volunteer Policies and Procedures

Learning Opportunities - Adults
Adult volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization. Many positions are available from assisting at a program event to facilitating the experience of a group of girls over several months. Girl Scouts come in all ages—you just need to have a desire to make a difference in the lives of girls. Adults 18 years of age and older can join Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons to serve as a Troop Volunteer, a mentor, a program assistant, a cookie “mom" or "dad" , a board or committee member or in numerous other roles. Whatever your expertise, you can help us out! We’re looking for adults who believe in girls and want to support their development.
Membership in the Girl Scouts of the USA and a background check are required for all volunteer positions. In addition Troop Volunteers references and a personal interview for the safety of girls. Check out the volunteer section of our website for a more detailed list of the positions available: www.gsdakotahorizons.org

Online Orientation
Get acquainted with Girl Scouting and the many rewarding opportunities it offers girls and adults! This course includes information about the Girl Scout mission, Promise and Law, history, membership requirements, and various pathways girls and adults participate in Girl Scouting. You will discover the three keys to leadership and the three Girl Scout processes in this online orientation provided by Girl Scouts of the USA .
Website: http://training.girlscouts.org
Password: discover or descubrir (in spanish)

Send learning log via email to your Membership Specialist and to council at:

SW & SE Districts send to: jnardini@gsdakotahorizons.org

NW & NE Districts send to: gjohnson@gsdakotahorizons.org

Click here to find all the Learning Opportunities in our Online Program Guide and Register Online!

Volunteer Policies and Procedures

Outstanding
Volunteer
Outstanding
Troop Volunteer
Appreciation
Pin
Honor
Pin
Thanks
Badges
President's
Award
facilitatorship
Dev. Pin

Recognition	*Outstanding Volunteer Award* This award recognizes an adult in a position other than troop volunteer or in addition to a troop volunteer whose service benefits a community or a Service Unit in a way that is beyond the expectations for the position.
Who to Consider	For a volunteer in a position other than Troop Volunteer
Criteria	Be a registered Girl Scout adult. Complete appropriate training or demonstrate ability/skills for the position. Perform at a level that exceeds the expectations of the position as outlined in the position description agreement in one or more of the following areas: Membership Program Fund Development Pluralism Marketing and Communications Strategic facilitatorship/Governance Human Resources Actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior
Nomination and Approval Process	Submit an application describing the volunteer’s accomplishments to the Adult Awards Committee outlining how the service has benefited the girls and the organization. Adult Awards Committee reviews the application and approves or denies the nomination. Adult Awards Committee sends out notification of its decision. Outstanding Volunteer Award Nomination Form - Download

Recognition	*Outstanding Troop Volunteer Award* This pin recognizes the troop/group volunteer, co-volunteer or coordinator for outstanding performance in working with girls.
Who to Consider	For a troop/group volunteer, co-volunteer or coordinator for outstanding performance in working with girls.
Criteria	Be a registered Girl Scout adult. Demonstrate competence in at least two of the following: Involving adults in the community to help broaden the program opportunities for girls. Increasing girl membership to support the council membership goal. Using the four program goals to select a wide range of program activities with girls. Helping girls to recognize, understand and practice the values of inclusive behavior. Building an effective By Girls, For Girls approach with girls.
Nomination and Approval Process	Submit an application describing the volunteer’s accomplishments to the recognitions task group outlining how the service has benefited the girls and the organization. Recognitions task group reviews the application and approves or denies the nomination. Recognitions task group sends out notification of its decision. Outstanding facilitator Award Nomination Form - Download

Recognition	*Appreciation Pin* This pin recognizes an adult who has delivered outstanding service to at least one geographic area, service unit or community.
Who to Consider	For volunteers actively giving outstanding service to at least one geographic area or program delivery audience.
Criteria	Be a registered Girl Scout adult. Have significantly contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or increased community visibility in one geographic area. Actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.
Nomination and Approval Process	*Appreciation Pin* Nomination Form - Download

Recognition	*Honor Pin* This pin recognizes an adult member who has delivered outstanding service to two or more geographic areas or service units.
Who to Consider	For volunteers actively giving outstanding service in more than two geographic areas.
Criteria	Be a registered Girl Scout adult. Have significantly contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or increased community visibility in two or more geographic areas. Actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.
Nomination and Approval Process	*Honor Pin* Nomination Form - Download

Recognition	*Thanks Badge* This badge recognizes an adult member whose performance is truly outstanding and benefits the total council or the entire Girl Scout movement.
Who to Consider	For volunteers actively giving service impacting the council or the entire Girl Scout movement.
Criteria	Be a registered Girl Scout adult. Have taken a facilitatorship role at the council level in one or more of the following areas during the previous four years: Increasing membership growth and retention; Increasing the percentage of adult-generated funding in the total council income; Increasing innovative program opportunities council wide; Developing broad participation in policy-influencing through the democratic process; Ensuring that inclusive behavior is recognized, understood, and practiced at all levels.
Nomination and Approval Process	*Thanks Badge* Nomination Form - Download

Recognition	*Thanks Badge II* This badge for continuing service recognizes an adult member who has already received the Thanks Badge and who has continued to contribute in extraordinary ways that benefit the total council or the entire Girl Scout movement.
Who to Consider	For Prior Thanks Badge recipients.
Criteria	Be a registered Girl Scout adult. Have taken a leadership role in developing a model that has been replicated at the national level in one or more of the following areas during the previous three years: Membership Program Fund Development Pluralism Marketing and Communications Strategic facilitatorship Human Resources
Nomination and Approval Process	Submit an application describing the volunteer’s accomplishments to the council recognitions task group outlining how the service has benefited the organization. Council recognitions task group reviews the application and approves or denies the nomination. Council recognitions task group sends its recommendation to the National Board Adult Recognitions Task Group. Thanks Badge II Nomination Form - Download

Recognition	*President’s Award*
Who to Consider	For a geographic area team or program delivery team.
Criteria	All be registered Girl Scout adults. Must have significantly contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or increased community visibility. Must reflect the diversity of the area they serve. Actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.
Nomination and Approval Process	Submit an application describing the volunteer’s accomplishments to the recognitions task group outlining how the service has benefited the girls and the organization. Recognitions task group reviews the application and approves or denies the nomination. Recognitions task group sends notification of its decision to the council board of directors for confirmation. President's Award Nomination Form - Download

Recognition	*Leadership Development Pin* This pin recognizes adult troop/group facilitators, assistant troop/group facilitators, or group coordinators who demonstrate competence, continuous improvement, and participate in training in subject areas that will increase their abilities in working with girls.
Who to Consider	For troop/group facilitator, assistant facilitator, or coordinator.
Criteria	Be a registered Girl Scout adult. Have completed one successful year in the position of troop/group facilitator, assistant facilitator, or group coordinator. Have completed the appropriate training and have demonstrated position competence. Actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.
Nomination and Approval Process	The candidate submits an application which is reviewed by a designated volunteer or employed staff member. If all requirements have been met, the recognition is authorized. *Leadership Development Pin* Nomination Form - Download
Recognition	Additional Recognition: *Green Leaf* *Silver Leaf* *Gold Leaf*
Who to Consider	For Prior facilitatorship Development Pin Recipients.
Criteria	Green Leaf: Represents 10 contact hours or one CEU of additional training. Silver Leaf: Represents 50 contact hours or five CEU's of additional training. Gold Leaf: Represents 250 contact hours or 25 CEU's of additional training.
Nomination and Approval Process	Candidates applying for leaves need to document their hours and describe how the workshop/course has improved their work with girls.

Safety
Ensuring the health and safety of girls in girl Scouting is a cornerstone of the Girl Scout Movement. This includes developing safety consciousness in both girls and adults, as well as training staff, volunteers and girls to ensure proper supervision, planning to prevent accidents and incidents and maintenance of program resources.

Safety-Wise is Girl Scouts of the USA's recommendation for safety and activity planning for all Girl Scouts. It includes Girl Scout program standards, basic safety guidelines, activity checkpoints and information on planning trips with girls. It also addresses group money-earning and budgeting guidelines and special guidelines for camping. A copy is furnished to every volunteer, program activity volunteer and professional staff member. It is updated periodically to reflect the latest in safety considerations and is an integral part of every volunteer and staff training, no matter what the level. Volunteers are encouraged to share it with girls, as they are involved in planning activities.

Following the guidelines in Safety-Wise is the best way to ensure safe, fun activities for all Girl Scouts. Safety-Wise is available at local Girl Scout offices.

How do I become a Girl Scout facilitator? Complete the membership registration form, pay the $10.00 membership fee, complete the Volunteer Application and take the necessary training prior to working with a troop or girls.

Do I need to fill out the Volunteer Application? Yes. This is extremely important because it provides us the information we need to do your background check. It also let’s us know in what capacity you want to volunteer.

Do you provide training? Yes. Volunteers need to complete the Online Orientation by accessing at:

Website: http://training.girlscouts.org

Password: discover or descubrir (in spanish)

Volunteers facilitating a troop will need more training and will need to participate in Leadership Essentials, our current learning opportunity provided by GSUSA.

Do I really need to have a co-facilitator? Yes, for not only the safety of the girl but also for the safety of the adult. Having that other adult allows for one to care for a sick or injured child while the other cares for the rest of the troop. Having two adults present at all times also allows for a second set of eyes and ears if needed.

What is a Service Unit? A Service Unit is run by volunteers like you and is made up of many troops that meet periodically throughout the year – monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. This geographical division may be made up of one community or several, a county, or numerous schools coming together to hold facilitator meetings, programs and events for girls.

Then what is a District? Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons is divided into four districts to serve the local area. District offices are located in Bismarck and Fargo, ND and Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD. We also have additional Field Offices in Minot and Grand Forks, ND and in Huron and Aberdeen, SD.

If I have questions who do I call? Your first line of communication would be your Membership Specialist. She/he can answer all your questions (or find the answer) and provide you ongoing support throughout the year.

How do I handle troop money? You will contact your Membership Specialist or District Office to pick up the form detailing the exact steps you should take to open a troop checking account using the Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons tax identification number. All troop funds should be run through this account.

Does the troop money belong to the troop? Any money raised in the name of Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons from dues, fall product, cookie sales, sponsors, etc. belongs to the council. Decisions on how the money is spent are made by the troop.

How does the council know how the money is spent? Each year a Finance Report is due to the Chief Financial Officer by June 30th detailing monies earned and money spent.

What happens to the money if the troop ends or disbands? Any funds remaining in the troop account at that time are divided by the number of girls registered to the troop and that determines each girl’s portion. This is the amount that follows each girl. If she becomes an independent (does not belong to a troop) then her amount would go to the headquarters office where it is kept in her name to be used by only her. If a girl joins a different troop, her portion would go to the new troop. If the girl is not rejoining then her portion goes to her Service Unit to be held for one year in case she was to rejoin again. After the one year the money is used for programming in that Service Unit.

Where do I buy those cute uniforms? You can purchase uniforms, books, and all things Girl Scout at any one of the 6 shops located in Minot, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Fargo, ND or Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD.

When are the shops open? All shops are open during regular business hours Monday-Wednesday 8am-5pm, Thursday 8am-7pm (Sept-May) , Friday 8am-12pm and the second Saturday of the month (Sept-May). You can purchase directly from the shop, place an order over the phone or email your order to jjohnson@gsdakotahorizons.org and have it delivered to you for a small shipping cost.

How will I learn about Girl Scout programs? You should have received the Program Guide when you registered. A program guide can be found on the website. These booklets contain information, costs, and opening and closing dates for all district and council programs.

Friends & Alumnae
If you have a history in Girl Scouting, we welcome you to join our Dakota Horizons Alumni and Friends Association. Once a Girl Scout, Always a Girl Scout! As Girl Scouts and Girl Guides, you came to understand the value of sisterhood, and that belief continues in the lives of women in today’s world.

When you register, you will receive the Council newsletter and updates on Girl Scouting in North and South Dakota, 13 counties in Minnesota and one Iowa county. This organization is a great networking tool that continues the circle of sisterhood you once enjoyed. We welcome you to share your fond memories of Girl Scouts and the passion you have for an organization that has impacted over 50 million women.

Register Online (coming soon)

We have a volunteer Board of Directors composed of adult women and men from across our council. The council area includes fourteen counties in Minnesota, one county in Iowa and all of South and North Dakota. Board members are nominated by a nominating committee and voted on at our annual meeting by Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons delegates. We strive for a diverse background of our board that can bring a wide range of expertise to the council. The expertise and facilitatorship of the board provides the direction for the council and business structure of the organization.

If you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact the Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons headquarters located in Sioux Falls, SD.

2010-2011 Board of Directors