Everything you need to get your troop going.
Becoming a new leader doesn’t have to be an intimidating process. Get started on your new journey with our New Troop Leader Guide (PDF) and reference our checklist below.
Step 1: Complete your membership and volunteer background check
All Girl Scout troops are required to have two registered leaders who are unrelated before you decide on a meeting place and time. This requirement is for the safety for all Girl Scout members.
Leaders and co-leaders are required to have a current membership and be approved through our volunteer background check process.
Step 2: Go through training for new volunteers
After you and your co-leader have completed your volunteer background checks, you're ready to start your training.
- We require all volunteers complete Youth Protection Training within 30 days of completing their membership and before interacting with girls.
- Next, complete GSUSA's New Leader Onboarding series in gsLearn within 30 days of registering.
- Within 60 days, we require leaders to complete our council's Intro to GSU course. This training is offered two ways:
- Live & virtual (recommended) – Training is offered the first Wednesday of each month via Zoom, sometimes more frequently around the start of the membership year (October). Check the Activities Calendar for an upcoming training.
- Pre-recorded – Take the training at your own pace through gsLearn, the online learning portal specifically for Girl Scouts.
- Live & virtual (recommended) – Training is offered the first Wednesday of each month via Zoom, sometimes more frequently around the start of the membership year (October). Check the Activities Calendar for an upcoming training.
- Access gsLearn through your myGS account.
Reference the gsLearn How to Guide (PDF) for assistance logging in to gsLearn. Learn about other training opportunities.
Step 3: Meet your Membership Support Specialist and service unit team
Your Membership Support Specialist (MSS) is here to help! They can set you up with resources from the council and connect you with your service unit team.
The council is divided into service units based on geographic location. Each service unit is comprised of Girl Scouts, volunteers, and caregivers. Service unit volunteers organize informational meetings for leaders to network with each other, share best practices, offer support, and provide valuable training. They also plan local events and activities for the girls.
Contact Customer Care to get in touch with your MSS.
Step 4: Add girls and supportive adults
Healthy troops have at least 10-12 girls. You may have girls in your community ready to join the troop, or we may have girls waiting to join! If you need help recruiting girls for your troop, contact your Membership Support Specialist (MSS) for suggestions and ideas. If you don’t know your MSS, contact Customer Care.
Once you've met your MSS, it's time to set up a family/caregiver meeting, an important step to sustaining a healthy and successful troop.
Caregivers need to know how to help, and a meeting sets their expectations for the troop keeps them informed of troop matters. Start with important troop information:
- Where will the troop meet?
- How often and how much are troop dues?
- What type of troop roles do you need to fill?
- Invite an experienced volunteer from your service unit to answer questions you may not be able to answer.
Encourage each family to register at least one adult as aTroop Supporter to ensure families are engaged in the success of the troop and will provide leaders with the support they need.
After the meeting, send a recap to families and add your meeting day, time, and location to myGS. Consider how you’ll include families that join the troop later and ensure a smooth, welcoming transition.
Step 5: Set up your troop’s bank account
Complete the forms for your Wells Fargo bank account and submit them to Girl Scouts of Utah’s 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 (PDF) and return the completed documents to our finance department (finance@gsutah.org) for processing.
Step 6: Check out the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK)
The Volunteer Toolkit, or VTK, is a place to keep your records, maintain your troop roster, make your yearly and meeting plans, and locate other resources for troop leaders. There are templates available for earning badges as well as a finance tab for keeping on top of your troop finances.
The VTK also has information on how adults can help the troop, located under the "Meeting Overview."
Check out the tutorials available in gsLearn or contact your MSS for assistance. Access VTK from myGS.
