Volunteer Essentials

Chapter 6: Managing Troop Finances

Helping girls decide what they want to do, and coaching them as they earn and manage money to pursue their goals, is an integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). Your Girl Scout troop plans and finances its own activities, with your guidance. At the same time, the girls learn many valuable skills that serve them throughout their lives. Any time finances are involved, it is essential guidelines and policies be followed to protect the leaders, girls, and the not-for-profit status of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Leaders must read and understand this entire chapter. Leaders should also review the policies of Girl Scouts of the USA, found in the Blue Book of Basic Documents . All money earned by girls in a Girl Scout troop is considered part of troop funds and belongs equally to every girl in the troop. It cannot be allocated or refunded to individual troop members. Girls are never charged different amounts for participating in an activity based on their individual record of money- earning. Troop Finance Policies • All troop monies must be deposited in bank accounts set up and maintained in the name of both Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Inc. and the number of the troop establishing the account • Each troop must have two registered, background checked, approved adult volunteers not related by blood, marriage, or partnership, authorized to make financial transactions on behalf of the troop • A Troop Year-End Report must be submitted annually. Anyone who does not turn in a Troop Year-End Report may not be reappointed as a leader and the troop will not be allowed to participate in troop money-earning activities beyond council product programs • It is the responsibility of the troop leader and authorized check signors to retain all bank statements, receipts, and other supporting documentation for the troop account. Supporting documents should be readily available to parents and council • All troop funds should be used to support Girl Scout activities for the girls in the troop and financial practices of the troop account should be in accordance with the Girl Scout promise and law Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri provides a variety of ways for troops to fund their troop experience, including: 1. Participation in Product Programs • Participation in the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program is mandatory for troops. Each troop is required to participate in the Cookie Program so girls can learn the five essential business skills and the troop can earn proceeds • Participation in the annual Girl Scout Fall Product Program is not mandatory and is at the discretion of each troop. However, it is an excellent way to earn money early in the troop year 2. Approved money-earning activities (see guidelines on pg. 86) 3. Collection of Troop Dues 4. Donations (see mandatory guidelines) Financing Your Troop Experience

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