Volunteer Essentials

Words, Terms and Phrases Frequently Encountered

Activity Scholarship: Financial assistance is available to provide Girl Scouts the opportunity to participate in Council-sponsored programs, events, Council Camp programs and district and neighborhood events

Automated External Defibrillator (AED): The AED is a machine that analyzes heart rhythm and is used to deliver a shock (defibrillation) to re-establish an effective heart rhythm

American Camp Association (ACA): The ACA is a private, non-profit educational organization with members in all 50 states and internationally. It is a community of camp professionals who share their knowledge and experience to ensure the quality of camp programs. Eastern Missouri has been a member for more than 45 years

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The ADA gives civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications. Eastern Missouri fully supports the ADA by providing girls with disabilities the opportunity to fully participate in Girl Scouting

Answer Center: Call center to help with membership and program registrations, disability accommodations, resources, guidance and support and general questions at Girl Scouts

April Showers: Established in 1998, this annual personal care item drive is held each April. Items collected are donated to local pantries and shelters. All troops are expected to participate

Badge: An insignia earned by a Girl Scout. It demonstrates an individual has completed activities related to a specific topic

Blue Book of Basic Documents : Commonly called “The Blue Book,” this GSUSA publication includes the national constitution, by-laws, policies and credential information. It is updated every three years. The condensed version of this book is called “The Leaders’ Digest”

Board Chair: Eastern Missouri’s chief corporate officer, a volunteer, who represents Eastern Missouri in the community and presides at the meetings of the Representative Assembly, Board of Directors and Executive Committee

Buddy System: Teams of two or three girls. Girls are responsible for staying with their buddy at all times and warning her of danger or giving immediate assistance if it is safe to do so

Frequently Encountered Words and Phrases 89