New Troop Leader Support

Guidelines for In-Person Troop Meetings & Activities

GSU is carefully watching revisions to the state of Utah Health Guidelines and updating our meeting guidelines as changes occur. Please review GSU's guidelines for the most recent information on when and how troops can meet for in-person opportunities as well as participate in council programming based on the risk level for your county.

We ask all volunteers, girls, and parents to exercise extreme caution and stay up-to-date with the latest CDC and local health department guidelines.

As part of your training, you must complete the New Troop Leader Checklist.

New Troop Checklist: 6 Steps

1. Start Required Training

Girl Scouts of USA: Girl Scouting 101

45 minute training about the history and vision of Girl Scouts of the USA.

New Troop Leader Training

This course is required, and will tell you everything you need to know to be a successful Troop Leader!

Sign up for a live, virtual course. These courses are offered multiple times throughout the year. Check out the Activities tab to find the next virtual New Troop Leader Training. Click the course title to go to the registration page.
Take the course in gsLearn. New Troop Leader Training is also available as a gsLearn course for new leaders to complete at a time that works for them.
Complete the following courses in gsLearn:
- Child Protection – Required annually for all volunteers, this training focuses on the signs of child abuse, how to report it, and expectations of troop leaders.
- Dollars and Sense – This training is for troop leaders to learn how to establish a bank account, the facts about fundraising, and how to complete & submit your annual Troop Finance Report.
- Hosting Girl Scout Meetings in the Home – This training covers all the requirements for hosting a troop meeting or activity in your home or yard, along with meeting outside your usual meeting space. This is a required training and needs to be completed every three years.

2. Decide on a Troop Meeting Place and Time

Determine what is the best time for you and your co-leader to meet as a troop.

You need to determine:

Meeting time
Meeting day
Meeting frequency (every other week)
Meeting place.

You will need to report this information to Customer Care at info@gsutah.org

3. Select your Volunteer Toolkit Year Plan

Pick and customize your Year Plan in the Volunteer Toolkit!

You can always update your plan at any time!

Volunteer Essentials

Safety Activity Checkpoints

Program Opportunities

Sample Parent Meeting

Parent Interest Survey

4. Hold a Parent / Guardian Meeting

Holding a Parent/Guardian Meeting is crucial in sustaining the health and success of the troop.

Parents should be expected to help in some way. They can be a troop treasurer, a troop cookie manager, teach a badge, or help at a cookie booth.

See the resources below for more information about parent meetings.

5. Set Up a Troop Bank Account

Complete required forms for your Wells Fargo bank account and submit them to Girl Scouts of Utah Finance Department by fax or in-person.

We will set the account up for you - no need to go into the bank! You will receive your troop debit card directly from Wells Fargo.

Download the paperwork. Do not complete this step until you and your co-leader have:

Completed registration and the criminal background check and
Have at least five girls in your troop

6. Meet or Contact Your Girl Scout Community

Get involved to receive support and opportunities for your girls!

Girl Scout troops are divided into 33 regional areas called "Service Units." These are organized by local volunteers called the Service Unit Team.

These volunteers organize meetings to network with other troop leaders and to give trainings. They also plan local events and activities with their girls.

After you have completed your trainings (Step 1), you will receive the contact information of your local Service Unit.

Resources for New Troop Leaders

Troop Leader Guide (updated Oct. 2021) - This booklet is the companion to the New Troop Leader Training and contains the basic resources needed for running a troop.

Parent Interest Survey- Use this form to find out the experience, interests and background of your parents. You can modify this document to fit badge requirements that your troop might participate in this year.

Parent Meeting PowerPoint- Use this PowerPoint when you present to your Parents. It will help everyone learn more about safety, cost, activities and cookies. It will also get parents excited to participate!

Balancing Your Role - How to balance being a Girl Scout Troop Leader and a parent.