New Troop Leaders | Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

From all of us: thank you.

Your talents and experience have the power to change girls' lives. As a Girl Scout volunteer, you’ll help craft their experiences—from the way they run their cookie businesses to the way they speak up in meetings. You’ll also teach them the skills and give them the confidence they need to bring their unique ideas to life and make changes that they never thought possible.

As girls learn, grow, and lead, you’re there through it all, shaping the future right along with us. And while you teach them important life lessons and set them up for happy, successful lives, you’ll grow too—honing your own leadership and organizational skills. It's a win-win.

Let's get started.

Follow the step-by-step plan below to have everything you need to start your troop adventure.

Review Volunteer Essentials toggle arrow

Volunteer Essentials is designed to support busy troop volunteers on the go. You can easily find what you need to get started on your Girl Scout journey and search for answers throughout the troop year. Think of it as your encyclopedia to Girl Scout volunteering.

We recommend reviewing Volunteer Essentials at a glance so you're familiar with what information is available and where to find it when you need it!

As an appointed volunteer, you agree to follow the council policies and procedures found in Volunteer Essentials.

Within your first 15 days:

Complete Troop Start-Up Training toggle arrow

Troop Start-up Training will help you get started with your Girl Scout troop. You can access it through gsLearn, Girl Scout’s online learning platform. You can access gsLearn through MyGS. Log into your account and go to My Account. In the left navigation, you will see gsLearn. If you need help, you can follow along with this video!

This training needs to be completed in order to receive your bank letter to open your troop bank account. Your troop assistants must complete their required Troop Assistant trainings including Youth Protection and Financing the Fun (if they will be a bank signer).

gsLearn houses a variety of learning modules beyond Troop Start-Up! They can be completed at your own pace, meaning you can start and stop at your convenience. Once you've completed Troop Start-Up, explore the other trainings available to you in gsLearn!

View and download the New Leader Resource Guide today.

Complete Youth Protection Training toggle arrow

Youth Protection Training is required for all volunteers, that can be completed on gsLearn. Youth Protection training will help volunteers understand their responsibilities as mandated reporters and learn how to identify and report suspected abuse. Time: Approx. 17 minutes

Request your free Girl Scout Experience Box toggle arrow

Girl Scout Experience Box

Help your new troop have a great first year! Request free experience boxes from GSUSA or GSWO.

LEARN MORE

Within your first 30 days:

Create your year plan in the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) toggle arrow

Spend less time planning and more time adventuring! The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a digital planning tool that helps you set up, customize, and track your troop activities and achievements. With easy online access, you get official GSUSA program content and related resources and troop financial management support.

You can access the VTK through myGS. Log into your account and go to My Account. In the left navigation you will see the Volunteer Toolkit.

Within your first 60 days:

Set Up Troop Checking Account toggle arrow

Collaborate with your troop leadership committee to open your troop checking account within 30 days of the first troop meeting. The bank account needs at least one leader, plus a second leader or troop assistant (not related or from the same household) as account signers.

When you are ready to open the account, please download the Troop Checking Account Procedures packet so you'll have everything you need to open your troop checking account with your second signer. You will need to complete the Troop Start-Up Training to be able to download your Troop Bank Account Letter. (Instructions to download your bank letter from gsLearn.) Please print the New Troop Bank Account email and bring it with you to the bank.

If you would like another troop volunteer besides the troop leader to be the bank account signer, contact Customer Care at 888.350.9050 or by email.

Once your account is open, please complete the GSWO Bank Information Form within 30 days.

Safety Beyond the Troop Meeting toggle arrow

At least one troop leader from each troop is required to complete this Safety Beyond the Troop meeting before planning any troop outing beyond your regular meeting space. You will learn trip safety preparation, troop trip approval process, insurance policies, and requirements for transporting girls.

Connect with your Girl Scout Community on Rallyhood toggle arrow

Meet other Girl Scout volunteers from across western Ohio and southeastern Indiana on Rallyhood, our all-in-one communication and collaboration platform! Get fast answers and feedback from council staff and other volunteers.

Join our Rally for new troop leaders! You can also create a Rally for your troop! You can post updates, share photos, do sign-ups and polls, and more. Connect with your service team to set up a Rally for your troop.

Within your first 90 days:

Plan your first adventure toggle arrow

You can find a searchable list of upcoming events and an events calendar on our activities page. We recommend signing your troop up for an event right away, to give the girls something to look forward to, and to meet other Girl Scouts in your community! But don't forget that Girl Scouts is girl-led, so have the girls assist in the event selection.

What's next?

After you've completed the actions above, explore what's possible with a Girl Scout troop!

Program Events Guide

Explore program opportunities for girls of all ages in our annual activities guide.

New Leader Patches

Commemorate your successes as a new leader with a series of five free patches.

Cookie Program

Help your troop learn what they can accomplish as entrepreneurs.

Fall Product Program

Help your them grow their business skills outside of the cookie program.