Understanding the Delegate Role

Important Definitions:

• Meetings

  • Annual Meeting

  • This is a meeting held once a year, required by our by-laws. Delegates attend this meeting to elect the board of directors and Board Development Committee, vote to amend the by-laws, and act on proposals from the council membership and board of directors on issues that will have a long-term effect on the council.
• Corporation (Council)

  • Corporation (Council)

  • GSU is a corporation made up of all registered members; a body created by law and authorized for purposes as stated in its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The membership of the corporation consists of council and national delegates, members of the Board of Directors, all registered members age 14 and over, and Board Development Committee members who are not board members.
• Council Delegate & Alternate Delegate

  • GSU Council Delegate & Alternate Delegate

  • A registered Girl Scout, 14 years or older, elected from a specific service unit to represent their service unit members at Town Meetings and at the Annual Meeting. The number of delegates representing each service unit is determined based on the membership total of the service unit as of July 31 of each year. The position is a 2-year term. Alternate delegates receive all the same information and correspondence as delegates, and perform the same duties, however; only delegates and alternate delegates that are representing a specific delegate are entitled to vote.
• Board of Directors

  • Board of Directors

  • The Board of Directors consists of the officers of the council, (Chair, 1st Vice Chair, 2nd Vice Chair, 3rd Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and the CEO who serves as a non-voting member) and directors (members-at-large). The Board of Directors is selected from members of the communities GSU serves.
  • The term of all Board members is 2 years. They can serve no more than 3 consecutive terms (6 years) in any one position.
• Board Development Committee

  • Board Development Committee

  • The Board Development Committee consists of not more than seven members, of whom no more than 3 (including the appointed chair) shall have been elected to the Board. The CEO serves as a non-voting member of the committee. The members of the committee are elected by the delegates of the council for a term of 2 years or until their successors are elected. Their term begins at the close of the annual meeting at which they are elected.
  • It is the Board Development Committee's responsibility, supported by the Board of Directors and all registered Girl Scouts to recruit, interview and nominate as defined by the Bylaws.
• National Council Delegates

  • National Council Delegates

  • Delegates to represent GSU at the National Council Session are nominated first to the Board Development Committee who review the applications. They then recommend nominations as part of the slate to be voted on at the annual meeting. Delegates and alternates to the National Council must be at least 14 years of age, currently registered Girl Scouts, and citizens of the United States. National delegates serve a 3-year term, are to be available to listen and summarize constituency concerns/positions on changes put forth by GSUSA. The Board Chair and CEO will schedule orientation and opportunities prior to the session to discuss voting items.
• Service Unit

  • Service Unit

  • This is a geographic subdivision of the council approved by the Board of Directors, including all registered Girl Scouts, 14 years and older who reside in that area. Each service unit is entitled to elect at least two delegates, plus one additional elected delegate per every 200 girl members. The number of delegates for each service unit is determined by the membership numbers as of July 31 of each year. Service Units are encouraged to elect a number of alternate delegates that is appropriate for their Service Unit.