Feature Volunteer Opportunities of the Month

By giving your time, your talent, your energies, you'll be helping girls grow strong. Read on to find out how and why you should be a Girl Scout volunteer.
Summary of Volunteer Positions - Working With Girls
Summary of Volunteer Positions - Working With Girls & Adults
Summary of Volunteer Positions - Working With Adults
Four Volunteer Stories
Benefits of Volunteering
How to Get Started

Volunteer Stories

"I got involved when I found out I could rappel for free - and get training too! I see an immediate reaction to girls who rappel. Their eyes light up and they're so proud of themselves. Overcoming fears also transfers to other areas of their lives. I get enormous pleasure from this, so even though my daughter has graduated from Senior Girl Scouts, I'm going to continue."
- Lynn George, Family CEO, Outdoor Program Volunteer

"I was a Girl Scout and it was a very positive experience. It's a tremendous tool for improving girls' self esteem. It gives me a good feeling to help keep the program going so girls today can do all the same things I was able to do."
- Lisa Hardwick, Circuit Court Judge, Administrative Volunteer

"I think the single sex, girls-only setting helps girls flourish and grow. Black and Hispanic girls especially need something to grab onto and connect with. Girl Scouts does it! The girls realize they don't have to take second seat to anyone. Somebody needs to help raise the money to fund these efforts. It might as well be me!"
- Britt Jackson, Substitute Teacher, St. Thomas Aquinas, Fund-Raising Volunteer

"I appreciate that male volunteers are welcomed. Girls need interaction with good male role models too. I volunteer in a lot of different capacities ...helping with the science programs and mentoring girls working on their Gold Awards. It's been a real education for me, as well."
- Larry Clark, United Parcel Service Driver, Youth Development Volunteer

Benefits of Volunteering

Making a positive difference in girls' lives is the most important reason to get involved. Every Girl Scout activity is tied back to benefits for girls in our neighborhoods. But it's nice to know you'll be helping yourself too. Here are a few other benefits you'll receive as a Girl Scout volunteer.

Gratification - Feel good about what you're accomplishing and giving back to your community. Never again will you wonder, "Does what I do matter?"

Inspiration - Become inspired to try new things and discover new possibilities in your own life. And have fun doing it.

Networking - Meet new friends and make valuable connections in the community.

Skill building - Polish your current skills and develop new ones. Hone your abilities in leadership and communication.

Appreciation - Receive appreciation from girls and recognition from your peers.

Flexible Schedules - There are positions available to fit almost anyone's schedule!

Working With Girls

Troop Leader - An adult 18 or older who guides activities, ceremonies and meetings with the help of parents, girls and the council.

Assistant Troop Leader - Assist the Troop Leader in guiding activities, ceremonies, and meetings with the help of parents, girls and the council.

Leadership U Training Team Coordinator - Manage the delivery of core leadership course. Coordinate volunteer training team and assist at one to two weekends over the course of a year.

Leadership U Training Team Volunteer - Join a team of four to six other adults to help plan and deliver leadership curricula to girls, 7th to 12th grades. Time commitmemtn is one to two weekends over the course of a year.

Leadership U Learning Consultant - Teach a special topic workshop at a Leadership 101 workshop for girls, 7th to 12th grades. Curriculum is provided; topics include leadership assessment, communication and leadership skills.

Program Consultant - Provide instruction on specific skill or subject area.

Interpreter - Provide assistance to girls with hearing disabilities in order that they may take part in Girl Scouting.

Gold Award Advisory Committee Member - Mentor teen Girl Scouts who are working on activities and requirements to earn the top award in Girl Scouting and achieve a high level impact on their communities.

Interviewer - Serve as a member of the team who interviews and recommends candidates for selection for national and international educational opportunities and scholarships.

Plugged-In! Guide - Take girls on an exciting journey through science and technology! Facilitate or help with your choice of Plugged-In! interactive science programs. Click here for training dates or go to www.plugged-in.org for more information about this program.

Working With Girls and Adults

Member, Troop Support Committee - Carry out tasks and activities needed to support girls in a troop. Sample activities - transportation, record keeping, help with badge related activities.

First Aider - Provide medical assistance and help deliver program activities and events to girls and adults. Current certification required.

Challenge Instructor - Provide instruction in rappelling and/or ziplining to girls and adults. Current certification required and training provided.

Canoe Instructor - Provide instruction in canoeing to girls and adults. Current certification required and training provided.

Day Camp Staff - Help plan and carry out large-scale outdoor camp for girls on community level. Positions include registrations, facilities, program design and delivery, promotion and general support.

Event Staff - Help plan and carry out large-scale activities for girls on area or council-wide levels. Positions include registration, facilities, program design and delivery, promotion and general support.

Lifeguard - Serve as lifeguard for girls and adults taking part in water activities. Current certification required.

Bridging the Gap Coordinator - help girls explore the world through science and technology using Bridging the Gap Tubs. Coordinators manage tub checkout for a service unit.

Working With Adults

Service Team Manager - Manage a volunteer team to deliver Girl Scouting in a specific community by recruiting and placing girls and adults in troops, providing on-going support and advice to leaders and designing and carrying out community-wide events and activities.

Troop Consultant - Serve as advisor to a group of new and experienced troop leaders. Provide helps in planning program, working with girls and delivering a safe, fun and educational experience to girls.

Troop Organizer - Promote Girl Scouting on a community level to recruit and place girls and adults in Girl Scout troops and groups.

Trainer - Provide instruction in Girl Scout program basics, child development, group management and facilitation to new and experienced Girl Scout volunteers. Current certification required and training provided.

Fund Development Volunteer - Help design and carry out plans to sustain and increase financial contributions to Girl Scouts. Activities include assisting with fund-raising events, helping to prepare appeals, identifying prospects and interpreting Girl Scout program and finances.

Store Clerk - Assist customers at the Girl Scout shop located at council headquarters.

Clerical/Business Support - Choose from a variety of tasks including data entry, producing mailings, collating and assembling print materials, and taking inventory.

Registrar - Help process annual membership registrations for girls and adults in a specific community.

Receptionist - Staff the receptionist area at the council headquarters - answer telephone and greet and direct customers.

Elected Volunteer - Take part in the governance of the organization by serving in an elected position on area or council-wide levels. Positions include delegate to the council, nominating committee members, national delegates and board of directors.

Public Relations Liaison - Gain support and visibility for Girl Scouts on area or council-wide levels by working with area or council-wide media sources.

Liaison, Girl Scout Partner - A member of an organization, business or institution that partners with Girl Scout of NE Kansas and NW Missouri to provide Girl Scouting to girls and works to ensure services and resources are available.

Criteria to Be A Girl Scout Volunteer

• Believe in the mission of Girl Scouts
• Accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law as the foundation of Girl Scouting
• Be a positive role model for girls and young women
• Be willing to welcome and work with girls and adults from a variety of backgrounds
• Be willing and able to take training for the position

To be a volunteer, you need to:

1. Complete the Volunteer Interest Form.
2. Take part in an interview
3. Agree to take on a position
4. Become a member of the Girl Scout organization and pay $10.00 in annual membership dues

For more information about volunteer positions, contact the Manager, Volunteer Recruitment and Placement, at voldept@girlscoutsmcc.org. We look forward to your contributions!