Here are some commonly used terms in Girl
Scouting that can help guide you through your Girl Scout journey.
Alternative Delivery Programs
Strategies and/or events within targeted geographic areas and/or
population groups to extend Girl Scout opportunities to all girls.
Baden-Powell, Lord
and his sister, Agnes, were the founders of the Boy Scout and Girl
Guide movement for boys and girls. His wife, Lady Olave Baden-Powell,
was the World Chief Guide of WAGGGS.
Badge
Round, cloth, embroidered recognition patch worn on Girl Scout sash
for Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts to indicate increased knowledge
and skill in a particular subject.
Blue Book of Basic Documents
Contains the official documents of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.: Congressional
Charter, Constitution, Bylaws, Policies, Credentials, and Criteria
and Standards for an Effective Girl Scout Council. The Blue Book
of Basic Documents can only be revised by action of the National
Council and the National Board of Directors, and is published following
each National Council Session (triennial).
Bridging
The move from one program level of Girl Scouting to the next; e.g.
from Junior to Cadettes.
Brownie Ring
A form of troop government for Brownies.
Buddy System
A safety practice in which girls of equal ability are paired to
help and to keep track of each other.
Bylaws
The rules and regulations made by a corporation to manage its affairs
and to define the rights and obligations of its members, directors,
and officers in the corporation and among themselves.
Camporee
A weekend camping event, usually organized by a Service Unit to
serve its members.
CBEDS
California Board of Education Statistics, providing data on the
number of children enrolled in public schools in Santa Clara County.
Information is categorized by sex, race and ethnicity.
Communication Manager
Coordinates and manages communication in the Service Unit through
newsletters, web site, e-mail, or other forms of communications.
Reviews all printed materials for consistency in Girl Scout image
and message. Acts as a Liaison with Council Communications Director.
Corporate Goals
A description of the desired future (usually in six years) that
is possible, measurable and that provides direction for the total
organization. These goals are adopted by the Board of Directors
as the "planning umbrella" for the organization.
Council
The Girl Scouts of Northern California, Santa Clara County Area which is one of the more than
300 councils chartered by GSUSA to organize and deliver Girl Scouting.
Court of Awards
A ceremony that a troop/group holds at any time during the year
at which badges, recognitions, and awards are presented.
Court of Honor
Committee made up of the Girl Scout adults, patrol leaders, troop
secretary and treasurer for decision-making purposes.
Daisy Circle
A form of troop government for Daisies.
Day Camp
Usually a week long, day or twilight program organized by Service
Units or the Council to serve current girls and/or recruit new girls.
Delegate
A Girl Scout member, 14 years of age or older, elected to a voting
position in the Council.
Direct Services to Troops: Area Coordinator,
School Manager, Level Consultant, Resource Specialist
A volunteer responsible for year-round recruitment and placement
of girls in an assigned area, and volunteer support/development
to ensure quality delivery of services to meet the needs and interests
of girls.
Early Bird Registration
Spring Registration, of all currently registered girls and adults,
for the following membership year, which runs October 1 through
September 30.
Earned Award
It is a recognition earned when participants complete a set of requirements
for a particular activity. For many Girl Scouts it is an opportunity
to fell pride in accomplishment that is not dependent on school
achievement.
Fly-Up
The ceremony in which Brownie Girl Scouts bridge on or move up to
Junior Girl Scouts.
Friendship Circle
A symbolic gesture in which Girl Scouts form a circle by clasping
each other's hands. It is often used as a closing ceremony.
Girl Scout Birthday
March 12, date of the first Girl Scout meeting in Savannah, Georgia,
in 1912.
Girl Scout Handshake
A formal way of greeting other Girl Scouts by shaking left hands
while giving the Girl Scout Sign with the right.
Girl Scout Sign
The official Girl Scout greeting. The right hand is raised shoulder
high with the three middle fingers extended and the thumb crossing
over the palm to hold down the little finger.
Girl Scout Week
An annual celebration during the week of March 12, Girl Scout birthday
(includes Girl Scout Sabbath or Sunday).
GSNC
Girl Scouts of Northern California
GSUSA
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
Interest Project
Rectangular embroidered achievement recognition for Cadette and
Senior Girl Scouts.
Investiture
A special ceremony in which a new member makes her Girl Scout Promise
and receives her membership pin.
Kaper Chart
A chart that shows the delegation of jobs and rotation of responsibility
day by day and/or meal by meal.
Leader Support Director
A Council staff member who serves on the Membership Department Team
with primary responsibility for on-going volunteer enrichment training,
volunteer and leader support, and volunteer management.
Leader Support Manager
Works directly with the troop leader to ensure the health and welfare
of girls in the Service Unit. Ensures that leaders and leader support
Volunteers are versed in Girl Scouts of the USA and Council goals,
objectives, policies, standards and operating procedures through
administering, supervising, and evaluating Leaders/Leader Support
Volunteers and delegating appropriate roles and tasks. Coordinates
and facilitates Level meetings. Oversees the mentoring of new leaders
to increase their knowledge of the Girl Scout program in a particular
level. Provides information and/or resources to the new leaders.
Manages conflict resolution.
Low, Juliette Gordon (nicknamed "Daisy")
Founder of Girl Scouting in the United States, she formed the first
troop that met in Savannah, Georgia. She was born on October 31.
Patrol
A form of troop government where the troop divides into small groups
to enable girls to better practice leadership and decision making
skills.
Pluralism
A system that holds within it individuals or groups differing in
basic background experiences and cultures. It allows for the development
of a common tradition, while preserving the right of each group
to maintain its cultural heritage.
Program Aide
Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts who have been trained to assist younger
Girl Scout groups with songs, games, crafts, ceremonies or skills.
Program Support Director
A Council staff member who serves on the program Department team
with primary responsibility for troop and volunteer program management.
Program Support Manager
Ensures quality program experiences for girls and volunteers beyond
the troop meeting. Manages volunteers volunteers in Program support
Area. Actively promotes Regional, program Level, or geographic events
to the Service Unit. Keeps the Service Unit visible internally by
informing program support Staff about newsworthy happenings in the
Service Unit area. Oversees Service Unit equipment and program budget.
Quiet Sign
The Girl Scout signal for silence in a group situation. The person
in charge raises her/his right hand and the Girl Scouts present
fall silent and raise their right hands.
Rededication
A formal ceremony at which a girl or adult, who was previously invested,
renews her/his Girl Scout Promise.
Region
There are six geographical regions that consist of 4-7 Service Units.
These regions hold biannual meetings that include enrichment trainings,
program level networking and local program information. To find
out what region you are in, ask your Leader Support Manager.
Registrar
A volunteer responsible for facilitating the annual registration/renewal
of the council's membership.
Resale
The area in the front lobby of the Council office where Girl Scout
items may be purchased or borrowed.
(Girl) Scout's Own
A quiet inspirational ceremony that has a theme and is planned by
Girl Scouts and Girl Scout adults.
Service Team
A group of adult volunteers responsible for organizing and delivering
service to Girl Scouts directed by the Service Unit Manager.
Service Unit Manager (SUM)
The administrative volunteer in charge of a Service Unit, accountable
to the Membership Development Director, who is responsible for membership
and delivery of services to girls and leaders. Evaluates performance
and takes necessary action to ensure that all volunteers support
and understand GSUSA and Council goals, objectives, policies, standards,
and operating procedures.
Service Unit
A geographic subdivision within the Council.
Sit Upon
A "cushion" often made by Girl Scouts to use when the ground is
damp or to keep their clothes clean.
Slogan
"Do a good turn daily."
SUMMIT
The monthly meeting with all Service Unit Managers, Membership Development
Directors and other operational unit staff to communicate the on-going
operations of the Council, share community resources and participate
in training to enhance services to Girl Scout adults and girls.
Thinking Day
Celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts throughout the world,
February 22 is the birthday of both Lord and Lady Baden-Powell.
On this day, girls pause to think about their sisters in other countries,
exchange greetings around the world, and contribute to the Juliette
Gordon Low World Friendship Fund.
Trefoil
The international symbol of Girl Scouting. The three leaves of the
trefoil represent the three parts of the promise.
Troop Development Director
A Council staff member who serves on the Membership Department team
with primary responsibility for membership development, volunteer
recruitment, and community cultivation.
Troop Development Manager
Works directly with the Leader Support Manager and Troop Development
Director to ensure the development of troops in the Service Unit.
Supervises a team who is responsible for troop development, recruiting
and maintaining registration rosters. Coordinates with Leader Support
manager to transition potential Leaders to Leader Support. Provides
assistance to Troop Development Volunteers in planning and implementing
a troop/group organization meeting, including recruitment of support
personnel.
Trefoil
The international symbol of Girl Scouting. The three leaves of the
trefoil represent the three parts of the promise.
Try-It
Triangular embroidered achievement recognition, worn on sash, for
Brownie Girl Scouts.
WAGGGS
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
Wide Game
A game played by following a trail with stops at several stations
to participate in games, crafts or training. Technique used to handle
large groups of people.
Wider Opportunity
Girl Scout activities/events available through other councils (national
& international), advertised through GSUSA.
World Association Pin
A Pin worn by all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.
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