Volunteer Essentials

Your Council – Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Eastern Missouri is one of 112 locally-chartered councils and is one of the ten largest councils. We are organized into over 70 neighborhoods (groupings of schools, churches and community organizations). Each neighborhood has a volunteer Neighborhood Manager and a service team of volunteers who assist troop leaders in their neighborhood. Your Neighborhood Service Team provides volunteers with local support, learning opportunities and advice. As a Girl Scout volunteer, you will have the most contact with your Neighborhood Service Team. Neighborhoods are grouped into 17 districts (groups of adjacent neighborhoods). Each district has Council staff assigned to meet each district’s specific needs and provide volunteer support. Council staff are also available to assist the Neighborhood Service Team and volunteers. If an issue cannot be resolved at the district or neighborhood level, you are encouraged to contact your Volunteer Support Coordinator for advice and support. If you do not know who your Volunteer Support Coordinator is, contact the Answer Center for assistance. The Neighborhood Association Neighborhood Managers schedule and facilitate Neighborhood Association Meetings. Any Girl Scout volunteer can take advantage of this great opportunity to network with other volunteers, both new and experienced. These meetings are a great source for program, activity and community service ideas. Information on neighborhood, district and Council events is distributed. A representative from each troop in the neighborhood is expected to attend Neighborhood Association Meetings. The meeting schedule is available from your Neighborhood Manager or your Volunteer Support Coordinator. Local Council Delegates A democratic process and volunteer structure governs Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and the National Council. Each neighborhood elects delegates to send to the Representative Assembly which convenes every year in the spring. Council delegates give input to the Board of Directors, amend by-laws and articles of incorporation and discuss issues affecting Girl Scouting. The Board of Directors and Board Committees use this input to formulate policy, make policy decisions and govern the affairs of the Council. Council staff has overall accountability for providing operational support and expertise, making sure Girl Scouts continues to operate and grow in the communities they serve. National Council Delegates Girl Scout councils are entitled to elect delegates to send to the National Council Session which convenes every three years. The National Council is the governing body of Girl Scouts. The National Council elects a board of directors and a national board committee, amends the constitution, establishes requirements for credentials, acts on proposals and influences the strategic direction of the Movement by providing guidance to the National Board. Governance

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