Volunteer Essentials

Girl Scout Activity Insurance Any person participating in any GSEM program or activity must be a registered member of GSEM or covered by appropriate Girl Scout insurance. Basic activity insurance is provided as part of the Girl Scouts of the USA membership registration fee and covers every registered girl and adult Girl Scout when they are participating in an approved Girl Scout activity lasting three days and two nights or less. The basic plan is effective during the regular membership year (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), with up to 14 months of coverage provided for new members who register in August. Insurance is also available for non-members, such as non-registered parents and tagalongs (brothers, sisters and friends) who participate in Girl Scout activities. (Please note: not all Girl Scout activities allow the participation of non-members, such as troop trips. Please contact Council if you are unsure who may attend a specific activity.) If you need to purchase non-member insurance, contact your Volunteer Support Coordinator. If you have questions about when to purchase non-member insurance, contact the Director of Camping Services and Risk Management. If your troop is taking a trip of longer than three days and two nights or an international trip, it is strongly encouraged that you purchase additional insurance, as such trips are not covered under the basic accident insurance that comes with Girl Scout membership. (A third consecutive night is covered when one of the nights is a federal holiday.) In some cases, GSEM may make this insurance mandatory, particularly for overseas travel. If you need to purchase this insurance, contact the Troop Support Coordinator. Applications for non-member and additional insurance plans are available at girlscoutsem.org/en/ for-volunteers/volunteer-resources/insurance.html or by calling GSEM’s Accounting department at 314.592.2338. If There is an Accident: Although you hope the worst never happens, you must observe Council procedures for handling accidents and fatalities. At the scene of an accident, first provide all possible care for the injured person. Follow established Council procedures for obtaining medical assistance and immediately reporting the emergency. To do this, you must always have on hand the names and telephone numbers of Council staff, parents/guardians and emergency services such as the police, fire department or hospital. • Give priority attention to providing all possible care for injured persons. If there is any possibility of a head, neck or back injury, do not move the injured person unless she/he is in immediate physical danger • Contact emergency medical personnel and law enforcement officials as appropriate • If at a Girl Scout event or function, notify the volunteer or staff member in charge. Provide them with the injured person’s Health History form • If medical treatment is required or the accident results in a fatality, first call 911, then report the incident to Council by calling the 24-hour emergency contact number: 314.592.2300 or 1.800.727.4475. Council staff will: LjLj Arrange for additional assistance at the scene, if needed LjLj Notify patient’s emergency contact person, as appropriate LjLj Handle media inquiries. Council staff is trained to work with the media. Refer all inquiries to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer) When an accident occurs: • Remain calm • Do not approach if doing so places you at risk

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