Girl Scout Movement
The weekend of August 25, 2006, Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Board of Directors endorsed momentous decisions that will guide the future of the Girl Scout Movement.
For nearly two years, the Movement has been undergoing a thorough internal review process, evaluating its business strategy and the way it provides Girl Scouting to girls. Many of the exciting changes, slated to take effect in October 2008, were a direct result of that work.
- New Program Model
The National Board endorsed a Girl Scout Leadership Development Program, which will develop girls’ leadership skills by engaging them in activity cycles based on the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law and the vision expressed in the Girl Scout Mission Statement.
- Amendment of Membership Standards
To meet the social and developmental needs of girls, it became necessary to differentiate groups by grade level, thereby requiring a realignment of membership age groups and the addition of a new identifying name.
- Girl Scout Uniform
Girl Scouts at each level will have one official uniform item (e.g. tunic, vest, and sash) for the display of official pins and awards. Following an official dress code, girls will use their own solid white shirts and khaki pants or skirts with an official uniform item that will unite girls as Girl Scouts. The adult uniforms will be a scarf worn with the membership pins for women and a tie for men. The scarf/ tie and membership pins will be worn with navy blue business attire of choice. Girl Scouts at the Daisy and Brownie levels will continue to have a full uniform ensemble available. Girl Scouts in high school will also have an optional scarf, uniting them in the international WAGGGS tradition.
GSUSA will continue to offer a range of appealing casual wear for girls and adults.
During the course of 2007, GSUSA will release key Girl Scout messages about leadership, which help create, with Girl Scouting and within our communities, dialog that will position us the premier leadership experience for girls. In addition to the new leadership development program, GSUSA will:
- Transform the Girl Scout brand
- Create a funding culture
- Create new and simplified systems for volunteerism
- Create new organizational structures
