New Leader Checklist
We’re so excited that you have started your Girl Scout volunteer journey! Our goal is to make your experience as fun and seamless as possible. Here are some key to-dos for you to check off in your first few months as you get your troop started. You are already on your way to marking things off your list!
✔ Register as a Girl Scout member
✔ Complete your volunteer background check (renewed every 3 years)
Connect with your troop co-leader
Open your bank account by submitting the Troop or Service Unit Bank Account Request Form
Decide where, when and how often you want to meet. Submit your troop meeting information with the Troop Catalog Update Form - did your meeting time, location or both change? No worries, submit the form again and we can update that for you!
Meet or recruit your troop volunteer(s)
Troops must have 2 co-leaders who must be unrelated, and one must be female
All troop volunteers must become registered Girl Scout volunteers and complete a background check
Determine additional volunteer roles
Troop Support Volunteers (driver, chaperone, occasional help)
Troop Product Manager (for Fall Product and/or Cookies)
Troop First Aid/CPR Support
Want help or tips to recruit volunteers for your troop? Email us at info@gsiowa.org and we would be happy to help!
Get to know your resources
Check out your Troop Welcome Kit that was mailed to you (your troop will receive a total of 3 this year)
Check out our Leader Guidebook to help you get started
MyGS - where you can access many of your troop leader tools and troop details including how many girls are in your troop and a list of troop volunteers.
The Bridge (hooray! You're already here!) - our one stop shop for many important Girl Scout resources
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa website – be sure to check out the events page for fun programs and camps
The Hub - where you can find even more programming opportunities within our council
Join the “Official Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa Leaders Group” on Facebook to connect with volunteers just like you!
Sign up for the Shout Out! newsletter for all product program updates
Complete online training
Visit GSLearn to view the leader training videos and earn your first leader patch!
524 Troop Leader Academy: Foundations (we recommend starting with this one!)
524 Troop Leader Academy: Elevate!
GSUSA Girl Scouts in the Outdoors
524 First Aid/CPR/AED Certification (Someone in the troop must have First Aid/CPR/AED training in order to go anywhere. GSGI offers First Aid/CPR/AED training throughout the year! Find one closest to you today!)
Looking to add more girls to your troop? You need to recruit for your troop!
To make it easy for the girls in your community to join your troop, you can request a flyer customized for your troop! All you need to do is send an email to info@gsiowa.org and a member of the recruitment team will contact you.
Want even more help adding girls to your troop? Your Regional Recruitment Manager is happy to team up with you to host an event just for you! Send an email to info@gsiowa.org to set this up.
You can also use this flyer to share with those in your community.
Start your troop year!
Host a parent meeting – use the Family Meeting Resource Kit to help
Plan your first troop meeting on the Volunteer Toolkit (or from Your Troop Welcome Kit!)
Complete parent permission forms
Questions or need additional guidance?
Email us at info@gsiowa.org or give us a call 800-342-8389 and we would be happy to connect you with your Volunteer Experience Manager!
We also check in throughout the year to ensure you are on the right path to having a successful first year as a Girl Scout Troop Leader.