Let's Go Troop Leaders

Troop leaders and their co-leader(s) are cheerleaders, guides, and mentors; helping amazing young leaders develop the skills and confidence that will last a lifetime. Imagine the smiles, the excitement, and the memories made—those are the moments you'll share as a Girl Scout troop leader!

Review the USAGSO Troop Leader Position Description to learn more about your roles and responsibility as a troop leader.

Troop Leader Position Description

Get Ready

The first step for every troop leader is to become a registered member of USA Girl Scouts Overseas. To register, visit myGS and search by country/city to sign up for your volunteer role.

If you are starting a brand new troop and it is not yet showing up in myGS, be sure to submit this New Troop Creation form so we can build your troop in the registration system.

Need help registering? Reach out to overseascustomercare@girlscouts.org or submit this form along with your membership dues and our staff team will process your registration.

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Parents, guardians and girls trust that Girl Scouts is a safe place for them, and USAGSO does not take that trust lightly. We are committed to maintaining policies and procedures that create a safe environment for girls to discover, connect and take action.

Criminal background checks are one of the strategies used to ensure that girls are safe with us. USAGSO's policy is to conduct criminal background checks on new volunteers, and to repeat them every three years. Volunteers with the role of troop leader, OCMT member, cookie coordinator, or episodic volunteer are required to have a background check.

Please visit our Background Check policy webpage for more information or to request a background check.

TRAININGS

USA Girl Scouts Overseas provides trainings for volunteers through our online learning platform called gsLearn. Once you have registered as a troop leader in myGS, you can access your required trainings by logging into your myGS account and selecting the gsLearn tab on your homepage.

Visit our Volunteer Training webpage for a current list of required Troop Leader trainings as well as step-by-step instructions to access gsLearn.

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NEW LEADER GUIDE

The New Leader Guide is your starting point to learn about your role and how to get your troop up and running. We encourage you to read the guide carefully and use it as a main source of information as you begin your new role.

VOLUNTEER TOOLKIT

The Volunteer Toolkit is a customizable planning tool where you can find suggested meeting plans for most badges, access activity guides and badge requirements, track your Girl Scouts’ achievements, and so much more. It’s the digital planning assistant that will help you power a fun-filled—and organized—Girl Scout year.

Once you are registered as a Troop Leader and your background check requirement has been met, you can access the Volunteer Toolkit. To access the Volunteer Toolkit and begin building your meeting plans, simply log into your myGS account and select the "Volunteer Toolkit" tab on your dashboard.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Girl Scouts has additional resources, listed below, that are touched on in the New Leader Guide. While we don't expect you to know these documents inside and out, we do want you to reference them throughout the year. Here's a quick look at those documents.

Safety Activity Checkpoints- safety requirements for Girl Scout activities
Volunteer Essentials- essential Girl Scout rules and information
USAGSO Volunteer Policies- rules and processes for USAGSO volunteers

Get Set

YOUR OCMT

Most of our overseas troops are managed by a team of volunteers called the Overseas Committee Management Team or OCMT. Just like a Service Unit in the United States, an OCMT manages the Girl Scout program for a designated geographical region, such as a city or military installation.

Connect with your OCMT to receive information, support, and resources for your community volunteers. Be sure to attend any OCMT led volunteer meetings and trainings, and join any OCMT managed communication channels or social media groups. Check out our community map to find your nearest OCMT.

If you do not have a local OCMT, or are unsure if there is an OCMT in your area, reach out to overseascustomercare@girlscouts.org and we will be happy to connect with your OCMT or a USAGSO staff member.

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USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) brings Girl Scouts to children overseas. To receive important news and information from USAGSO, be sure to...

VISIT THE USAGSO WEBSITE

The USAGSO website, www.usagso.org, is our homebase for important Girl Scout information and resources. From news updates and health history forms to program and training guides, be sure to visit USAGSO's website.

OPT INTO EMAILS

In addition to our new leader email series, USAGSO sends a regular email newsletter called The Globe. The Globe is USAGSO’s e-newsletter, and provides both volunteers and parents with updates and events from overseas, other Stateside councils, and GSUSA. If you are not getting The Globe check your spam/junk mailbox or message overseascustomercare@usagso.org.

JOIN THE OVERSEAS UPDATES

Throughout the year, USAGSO offers live webinars for volunteers. During these webinars, you will meet USAGSO staff, hear important Girl Scout news, and learn about new opportunities for your Girl Scouts and families. Register to attend the Overseas Updates in gsLearn or through the link on the USAGSO Events Calendar. Unable to attend live? Recordings are uploaded into gsLearn.

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Want to connect with Girl Scout volunteers around the world? The USA Girl Scouts Overseas Volunteers is a great place to connect with your peers, get advice, and share your successes. You are not alone and accessing our large network of experienced guides and enthusiastic novices is key to smoothly navigating the unfamiliar. The USA Girl Scouts Overseas Volunteers group is a private group only open to USAGSO volunteers. Answering a few questions helps us keep the group private and gives you access to a world of knowledge.

USA Girl Scouts Overseas also has a public Facebook page, where we share Girl Scout stories and achievements, news, and information with the world. Feel free to follow and share the USA Girl Scouts Overseas public Facebook page with families. Want your troop to be highlighted on our facebook page? Submit this form to share your story!

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RECRUIT A CO-LEADER

Once you’re registered, you’ll need to find some friends to make the magic happen. Every troop, regardless of size or program level, needs at least two, non-related adult members to lead the troop. If you don't have a second leader yet, reach out to your community to find another adult who is excited to lead and mentor Girl Scouts. And remember, Girl Scout volunteers do not need to be a parent.

RECRUIT GIRL SCOUTS & CAREGIVERS

Now it's time to let families know about your troop and how they can join. Check out our recruitment webpage for resources and event plans to help you share the excitement.

PARENT MEETING

Parent meetings are an opportunity for you to inform families about the Girl Scout experience, troop expectations, and to get to know and organize your troop team. GSUSA has some helpful resources for planning a parent/caregiver meeting, and there are even detailed plans available on the Volunteer Toolkit.

The parent meeting is a great way to start your Girl Scouting year, but it shouldn’t be the last time you call your parents together. A mid-year meeting can be useful when planning camping trips or cookie season and an end-of-year meeting is a great opportunity to let your network know the troop needs and recruit support for the upcoming year.

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The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is at the center of our work. The first troop meeting will look different from troop to troop or at different program levels. Don’t worry about starting a badge at the first meeting you are just getting to know your troop and what they hope to accomplish this year. Keep the following in mind to keep the focus on girls.

Be flexible – Let girls take leading roles when possible. From passing out materials to calling the meeting to order, with your support your troop will be able to make the meeting their own.
Make a plan – How will you open it? How will you close? How will you incorporate girl choice? Letting the girls step up does not mean you step out of the picture. Your troop needs your support and guidance, even older girl troops need your help to understand new roles and expectations. Connect with other troop leaders in your community or virtually for inspiration.
Listen – This meeting is to get to know the girls in your troop. What are their interests, desires, and goals? Take note of what they want to achieve this year and help them set realistic and timely goals for success.

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PLAN FOR SUCCESS

Honor Troop can be earned by girls and troop leaders who meet a set of criteria that research has shown makes for a successful troop experience. As your troop begins planning their year, be sure to meet those Honor Troop requirements to ensure a successful troop year. And of course, don't forget to use the Volunteer Toolkit to build your troop meeting plans.

RECOGNIZE YOUR TROOP TEAM

Adult Awards recognize a volunteer's exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Is there a parent or troop volunteer who has gone out of their way to help? Consider nominating them for an Adult Award to recognize and thank them!

GET HELP

USAGSO is available to support you and your families throughout your Girl Scout experience. Reach out to overseascustomercare@girlscouts.org.