Girl Scouts - Realignment FAQ

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about realignment. If you have a question for the Council Realignment Committee, please email it.

Who is writing the new bylaws?

What will happen to council staff?

Who will be the CEO for the new Council?

Where will the Council Headquarters be located?

What will happen to our camp properties?

How will my daughter's troop be affected?

How will the cookie sale change?

What can volunteers do between now and then?

Are we planning an event to celebrate the merger of our two councils?

Where will local services be provided?

Where will meetings and trainings be conducted?

Who is writing the new bylaws?
Beginning last summer, the Governance Sub-Committee of the CRC has been meeting consistently to draft bylaws for our new Council. This Sub-Committee had to get started early, because the work of several other Sub-Committees builds upon the governance framework. The Sub-Committee includes two volunteers from Broward County and two from Palm Glades. A big part of governance is providing avenues for operational volunteers to influence policy - so the first thing the Sub-Committee did was gather input from current volunteers (at Town Hall meetings Sept. 17, 2007 in Broward County and on Sept. 29, 2007 in Palm Glades) and through an online survey. Using both sets of the bylaws from our current Councils and those of several other newly realigned councils, the initial draft of the bylaws is now being reviewed by legal experts and by GSUSA.

How will realignment affect current Council Staff?
While a staff structure for the new council has not yet been developed, we do know that to adequately deliver a valuable Girl Scout Leadership Experience to 18,000 or more girls will require strong staff and volunteer resources. We do not expect to need fewer people than the two council currently have combined.

Who will be the CEO for the New Council?
The CEO Search Committee has been formed to work with the CRC Committee. A recent survey gathered more than 650 responses regarding the selection criteria for the CEO for Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. The committee is working with GSUSA and their national recruiting firm on the search for the CEO.

Where will the Council Headquarters be located?
The Property Sub-committee has the job of selecting the headquarters location. The selection of the office headquarters needs to be based on the agreed-upon vision for the new council and consider our new geographic boundaries. The current recommendation is a new location for headquarters located somewhere between the two existing service centers (in Jupiter and Oakland Park). However, both of the existing offices in Jupiter and Oakland Park will continue to operate as service centers for the expanded membership.

What will be happen to our camp properties?
The best news is that we will be able to offer more events, in more locations, and will be able to provide new offerings that give girls the opportunity to meet more friends.

The realigning councils manage properties that are available for troop camping and many other activities throughout the year. Each camp has a number of unique features, and we anticipate that troops will now have the opportunity to enjoy a greater variety of camping experiences. Because our first priority will be the smooth transition of members and operations, all properties will be reviewed at a later time to determine the most appropriate use of resources. Factors such as the conditions of the facilities, finances, location, and program options are used to make property decisions.

How will my daughter’s Girl Scout troop be affected?
The recommendation for troop numbers is to create a system where all troop numbers will be five digits. Troops will keep their existing number and will have 1 or 2 numbers added to the front. For example, Troop 501 might become Troop 20501 and Troop 1219 might become Troop 21219.

How will the Cookie Sale change?
The Girl Scout Cookie Program will remain the premier Business and Economic Literacy Program for girls. All Girls Scouts who want to will be able to take part in the sale. In fact, beginning in January 2009, Daisy Girl Scouts will be able to take part in some cookie activities.

What can volunteers do between now and then?
The best thing volunteers can do while we are "waiting to realign" is focus on expanding membership within all existing jurisdictions. For most of our volunteers and girls it will be business as usual. Our transformation should not interrupt the Girl Scout experience – but rather strengthen our capacity to serve girls better!

Are we planning an event to celebrate the merger of our Councils?
Yes! This process is history in the making and we are planning a celebration to “cut the ribbon” on the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida on September 6, 2008. Mark your calendars and we will share more details as they become available.

Where will local services be provided?
The realignment efforts will ensure that volunteers, girls and parents have services available to them in close proximity, and community-based services throughout the new council jurisdiction are anticipated. The practice of conducting programs, trainings and meetings at various locations throughout our councils will continue, and new opportunities for different locations, online workshops and services, and more, will be enhanced. The focus on quality programming and services to girls and adult volunteers will remain as together we develop this new council. In each decision about programs and services, opportunities for girls and adult members will be examined to create optimal benefits and community connections across our new council.

Where will meetings and trainings be conducted?
The practice of conducting trainings at various locations throughout the council jurisdiction will continue. New opportunities in different locations, online workshops and services, and more, will be enhanced.

In preparation for the realignment, our Girl Scout councils have been meeting to determine the best practices we currently have and to think even more broadly to create the optimal services and programs for our new council. Every aspect of service to girl and adult members is being examined and discussed. All input from girls, volunteers, and staff is being considered. Decisions will be made in the best interest of all concerned. The new council will depend on the valued contributions of adult volunteers.

Welcome to the Realignment Page for Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida
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Realignment Home Page	Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about realignment. If you have a question for the Council Realignment Committee, please email it. Who is writing the new bylaws? What will happen to council staff? Who will be the CEO for the new Council? Where will the Council Headquarters be located? What will happen to our camp properties? How will my daughter's troop be affected? How will the cookie sale change? What can volunteers do between now and then? Are we planning an event to celebrate the merger of our two councils? Where will local services be provided? Where will meetings and trainings be conducted? Who is writing the new bylaws? Beginning last summer, the Governance Sub-Committee of the CRC has been meeting consistently to draft bylaws for our new Council. This Sub-Committee had to get started early, because the work of several other Sub-Committees builds upon the governance framework. The Sub-Committee includes two volunteers from Broward County and two from Palm Glades. A big part of governance is providing avenues for operational volunteers to influence policy - so the first thing the Sub-Committee did was gather input from current volunteers (at Town Hall meetings Sept. 17, 2007 in Broward County and on Sept. 29, 2007 in Palm Glades) and through an online survey. Using both sets of the bylaws from our current Councils and those of several other newly realigned councils, the initial draft of the bylaws is now being reviewed by legal experts and by GSUSA. How will realignment affect current Council Staff? While a staff structure for the new council has not yet been developed, we do know that to adequately deliver a valuable Girl Scout Leadership Experience to 18,000 or more girls will require strong staff and volunteer resources. We do not expect to need fewer people than the two council currently have combined. Who will be the CEO for the New Council? The CEO Search Committee has been formed to work with the CRC Committee. A recent survey gathered more than 650 responses regarding the selection criteria for the CEO for Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. The committee is working with GSUSA and their national recruiting firm on the search for the CEO. Where will the Council Headquarters be located? The Property Sub-committee has the job of selecting the headquarters location. The selection of the office headquarters needs to be based on the agreed-upon vision for the new council and consider our new geographic boundaries. The current recommendation is a new location for headquarters located somewhere between the two existing service centers (in Jupiter and Oakland Park). However, both of the existing offices in Jupiter and Oakland Park will continue to operate as service centers for the expanded membership. What will be happen to our camp properties? The best news is that we will be able to offer more events, in more locations, and will be able to provide new offerings that give girls the opportunity to meet more friends. The realigning councils manage properties that are available for troop camping and many other activities throughout the year. Each camp has a number of unique features, and we anticipate that troops will now have the opportunity to enjoy a greater variety of camping experiences. Because our first priority will be the smooth transition of members and operations, all properties will be reviewed at a later time to determine the most appropriate use of resources. Factors such as the conditions of the facilities, finances, location, and program options are used to make property decisions. How will my daughter’s Girl Scout troop be affected? The recommendation for troop numbers is to create a system where all troop numbers will be five digits. Troops will keep their existing number and will have 1 or 2 numbers added to the front. For example, Troop 501 might become Troop 20501 and Troop 1219 might become Troop 21219. How will the Cookie Sale change? The Girl Scout Cookie Program will remain the premier Business and Economic Literacy Program for girls. All Girls Scouts who want to will be able to take part in the sale. In fact, beginning in January 2009, Daisy Girl Scouts will be able to take part in some cookie activities. What can volunteers do between now and then? The best thing volunteers can do while we are "waiting to realign" is focus on expanding membership within all existing jurisdictions. For most of our volunteers and girls it will be business as usual. Our transformation should not interrupt the Girl Scout experience – but rather strengthen our capacity to serve girls better! Are we planning an event to celebrate the merger of our Councils? Yes! This process is history in the making and we are planning a celebration to “cut the ribbon” on the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida on September 6, 2008. Mark your calendars and we will share more details as they become available. Where will local services be provided? The realignment efforts will ensure that volunteers, girls and parents have services available to them in close proximity, and community-based services throughout the new council jurisdiction are anticipated. The practice of conducting programs, trainings and meetings at various locations throughout our councils will continue, and new opportunities for different locations, online workshops and services, and more, will be enhanced. The focus on quality programming and services to girls and adult volunteers will remain as together we develop this new council. In each decision about programs and services, opportunities for girls and adult members will be examined to create optimal benefits and community connections across our new council. Where will meetings and trainings be conducted? The practice of conducting trainings at various locations throughout the council jurisdiction will continue. New opportunities in different locations, online workshops and services, and more, will be enhanced. In preparation for the realignment, our Girl Scout councils have been meeting to determine the best practices we currently have and to think even more broadly to create the optimal services and programs for our new council. Every aspect of service to girl and adult members is being examined and discussed. All input from girls, volunteers, and staff is being considered. Decisions will be made in the best interest of all concerned. The new council will depend on the valued contributions of adult volunteers.