In 2017, four editions were released. Red strike-though text indicates text has been removed while green text indicates modified or new text.
January 2017
1. Changes to Credentials/PROCEDURES FOR REVIEWING AND ISSUING GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL CHARTERS:
1. Council engages in the Strategic Learning process or a similar strategy process resulting in selection of key priorities and the development of a tactical plan and goals that are in alignment with GSUSA priorities and goals.
Key components of the strategy process include:
• Externally focused situational analysis to learn the status of the council as it compares to the needs and interests of girls, its competitors, nonprofit sector trends, community priorities, and needs.
• Full analysis of all internal data including financial, girl participation, volunteer engagement, and community support.
• Alignment of systems, processes and resources to support resulting priorities.
• Ongoing evaluation of progress with the ability to make mid-course corrections as needed.
1. The council engages in a strategy process resulting council priorities and goals that are in alignment with GSUSA priorities and goals.
2. Changes to Credentials/PROCEDURES FOR REVIEWING AND ISSUING GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL CHARTERS:
3. Once every three years, the council compiles information from the three previous years and takes the Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT). This compiled information is used as input to the strategy development process. As in all other years, the review is completed in collaboration with a member of the national staff, and a full report is provided to the council Board of Directors and forwarded to GSUSA.
3. Following action by the National Board of Directors to reaffirm a council’s charter, a letter is sent from the National Secretary to the Chair of the Board and the CEO of the council confirming this action. GSUSA processes the charter agreement and a charter certificate is sent to the council.
3. Removed from Credentials/PROCEDURES FOR REVIEWING AND ISSUING GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL CHARTERS:
3. Once every three years, the council compiles information from the three previous years and takes the Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT). This compiled information is used as input to the strategy development process. As in all other years, the review is completed in collaboration with a member of the national staff, and a full report is provided to the council Board of Directors and forwarded to GSUSA.
4. Amended Credentials/PROCEDURES FOR REVIEWING AND ISSUING GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL CHARTERS:
4. 3. Following action by the National Board of Directors every three years to reaffirm a council’s charter, a letter is sent from the National Secretary to the Chair of the Board and the CEO of the council confirming this action. GSUSA processes the charter agreement and a charter certificate is sent to the council.
5. Amended second paragraph in CRITERIA AND STANDARDS FOR AN EFFECTIVE GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL:
The criteria cover broad areas of a council’s responsibility. Standards are developed to support and further define each criterion. They are the foundation on which the work of the council should be built. Measures and benchmarks have been developed to gauge performance and where appropriate, checklist items have been developed to further define both measures and standards are reviewed regularly.
6. Amended CRITERIA AND STANDARDS FOR AN EFFECTIVE GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL/CRITERION I: MISSION DELIVERY/STANDARD 1:
Girl program throughout the council provides the benefits demonstrates the outcomes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and demonstrates the Girl Scout Promise and Law in action.
7. Amended CRITERIA AND STANDARDS FOR AN EFFECTIVE GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL/CRITERION III: RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT/STANDARD 3:
The council leverages the Girl Scout Brand to educate and engage diverse audiences in support of the Girl Scout Mission. The council, utilizing national brand strategies and associated guidelines, promotes and protects a nationally consistent Girl Scout Brand to educate and engage diverse audiences in support of the Girl Scout Mission.
8. Amendment to BYLAWS/ARTICLE IV/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE to reflect 2014 National Council vote regarding the CFO position:
E. The CEO and CFO, who shall serve as an ex officio members without vote.
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April 2017
1. Changed the title page to list Sylvia Acevedo as the CEO.
2. Credentials/MEMBERSHIP DUES AND PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION was changed from:
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- New members of Girl Scout troops/groups, both girls and adults, pay $15* when they initially become members of the Movement.
- Continuing members of Girl Scout troops/groups, both girls and adults, pay $15* when they renew their membership at the beginning of each membership year.
- Nontroop-affiliated girl and adult members on both local council and national levels also pay $15* dues each membership year.
- Lifetime members pay 25 times the annual membership dues at the time they become lifetime members.
TO:
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- New girl members pay $15* when they initially become members of the Movement.**
- New adult members pay $15* dues when they initially become members of the Movement.
- Continuing members, both girls and adults, pay $15* when they renew their membership at the beginning of each membership year.
- Lifetime members pay 25 times the annual membership dues at the time they become lifetime members.
3. Added footnote to Credentials/MEMBERSHIP DUES AND PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION:
**By action taken by the National Board of Directors on April 21, 2017, effective May 1, 2018, new girl members who sign up on or between May 1-September 30 of a membership year may elect to pay $35 and their membership will start immediately and continue through the end of the following membership year. This discount (comprising the tail of an existing membership year and the full following membership year) is available on a one-time basis for new girl members only; upon renewal, such girls pay $25 for a regular membership year.
4. Added to CRITERIA AND STANDARDS FOR AN EFFECTIVE GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL/CRITERION II: GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION:
STANDARD 7
The council utilizes a movement-wide common technology platform with respect to membership, volunteer management, delivery systems and data analytics and reporting to better serve Girl Scout volunteers and members and enhance the Girl Scout brand.
5. Modified POLICIES/MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION/ SECURITY OF MEMBERSHIP DATA/Security of Membership Data:
Girl Scout councils and USA Girl Scouts Overseas use one of two methods for registering members with Girl Scouts of the USA: the GSUSA Membership Management System or a third-party system the GSUSA membership technology platform to register members with Girl Scouts of the USA, and the following procedures are in effect:
• To obtain and retain access to the GSUSA Membership Management System membership technology platform, every Girl Scout council must sign a written GSUSA Membership Management Systems Use Aagreement, which defines the terms and conditions established by GSUSA.
• To obtain and retain access to the Council Data Interface System (CDIS) for transmission of membership data from a third-party system, the Girl Scout council and its vendor must sign a nondisclosure agreement.
• Every Girl Scout council and USA Girl Scouts Overseas committee must abide by GSUSA’s security policies, standards, and confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements.
• Every Girl Scout council must consent to periodic audits by GSUSA, such as the annual review, to ensure compliance with technical configuration standards, security policies, and GSUSA and governmental security and privacy standards.
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June 2017
1. Corrected these type-o’s:
• The words “Preamble” and “annual” were left out of the Lifetime Membership section on p.25
• The word “in” was left out in Step 1 of the Procedures for Reviewing and Issuing Girl Scout Council Charters on p.28
• The word “dues” was used twice in the section describing adult membership dues on p.26
2. Removed from POLICIES/MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION/ SECURITY OF MEMBERSHIP DATA/Security of Membership Data:
• To obtain and retain access to the Council Data Interface System (CDIS) for transmission of membership data from a third-party system, the Girl Scout council and its vendor must sign a nondisclosure agreement.
Download a copy of this version.
October 2017
Reflected changes from 2017 National Council Session in Columbus, OH:
1. Modified Credentials/CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP:
Lifetime membership as a Girl Scout adult is granted to any person (18 years of age or older or a high school graduate or equivalent) who:
• accepts the principles and beliefs as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution;
• has paid lifetime membership dues of 25 times the annual membership dues; lifetime membership dues of 13 times the annual membership dues shall be offered to any girl who is a registered Girl Scout Ambassador at the time of her high school graduation or equivalent, and be available to her before the girl’s current membership expires;
• meets applicable membership standards.
2. Modified Credentials/MEMBERSHIP DUES AND PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION:
Lifetime members pay 25 times the annual $400 lifetime membership dues at the time they become lifetime members; discounted lifetime membership dues of $200 shall be offered to anyone who was a registered Girl Scout member before the age of 18 and is under the age of 30 at the time of becoming a lifetime member.
Download a copy of this version.