Strengthening the Movement–

                                   Advancing Girl Scouting as the Choice and Voice for Girls

Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South

National Council Delegates

E. Claire Barnett • Rosemarie Fair

Chelsea Guenther • Lee Morriss-Mueller

Olliette Murry-Drobot • Cynthia R. Ware

Alternates

Jennifer C. Davis • Shante K. Avant

Naomi Dyson • Ebonee Emziah

Jean Ann McBride

National Council Proposals - Amendments passed as proposed

PROPOSAL 1: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 

OF (ARTICLE XI, SECTION 2)

A) To amend Article XI, Section 2, of the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA by striking the word “three” and inserting the word “two.”

Underlined word to be struck.  Italic word to be inserted.

SUBMITTED BY

The National Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts of the USA

RATIONALE:

• Benchmarking studies of the best practices of other national nonprofit organizations supports this two-term limit.

• GSUSA records reflect that a maximum of two consecutive terms  for the office of President is usual since the early years of the Movement.

• A two-term limit promotes the integrity of the office.

• A two-term limit integrates with the direction of the Movement

• GSUSA suggests this practice to councils in its monograph series.

RECOMMENDATION

The National Board of Directors recommends adoption.

PROPOSAL 1: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

OF ARTICLE XI, SECTION 2

B) To amend Article XI, Section 2, of the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA by striking the underlined words “All of these officers shall be elected from the membership of the National Council.” 

Underlined words to be struck.

Note: If Amendment A is adopted prior to the considerations of Amendment B, the word "three" will be struck and the word "two" inserted.

SUBMITTED BY

The National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA

RATIONALE

RECOMMENDATION

The National Board of directors recommends adoption.

PROPOSAL 2: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 

OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 2

REDUCTION IN SIZE OF THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THAT Article X, Section 2, of the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA (National Board of Directors) be amended by striking the number "35" and inserting the number "25."

Underlined word to be struck. Italicized word to be entered.

SUBMITTED BY

The National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA.

RATIONALE

History

In 1957, the National Council adopted a revised Constitution that set the size of the National Board 15 70. since that time, the Board has been reduced three times (actions taken in 1966-1967, 1978, and 1996).

• 70 members in 1957

• 64 members in 1996-1967

• 50/51 members* in 1978

• 40/41 members* in 1996

*The Chair of the National Nominating Committee would assume membership on the National Board if not already a member.

Current State

As a result of the National Council action in 1996, the current National Board of 40/41 members has operated since the time of the 1999 election with a range of standing committees, subcommittees, steering groups, and task groups.

• Governance research does not point to a "one size fits all" approach and suggests boards consider the number of people it takes to effectively manage and complete its work.

• National nonprofit boards range from 18 to 52 members. The size of boards is determined by the board/committee structure. Members of the National Board recommend the reduction in its size for the following reasons.

A reduction in the size of the Board would:

• Increase efficiency/productivity.

• Reduce costs.

• Allow non-Board members to participate (brings in potential members to the

Movement).

• Capitalize better on Board members' skills and talents.

• Increase Board responsiveness and the effectiveness of deliberation.

RECOMMENDATION

The National Board of Directors recommends adoption.

PROPOSAL 3: AMENDMENT OF PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION

The following is for reference only and is not part of Proposal 3:

Constitution of Girl Scouts of the United States of America

Founded by Juliette Low, March 12, 1912

Chartered by a special act of Congress

(Public Law 460; approved March 16, 1950)

Congressional Charter subsequently revised under Public Law 105-255;

approved August 12, 1998

The Promise

On my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Law

I will do my best to be

honest and fair,

friendly and helpful,

considerate and caring

courageous and strong, and

responsible for what I say and do,

and to

respect myself and others,

respect authority,

use resources wisely,

make the world a better place, and

be a sister to every Girl Scout.

PROPOSAL 3: AMENDMENT OF PREAMBLE TO 

THE CONSTITUTION (CONT.)

To amend a portion of the Preamble to the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA by substitution as follows:

SUBMITTED BY

The National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA

RATIONALE

Promise and Law: It should be noted that no changes are being made to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Rather, the first element of the proposed wording emphasizes the Promise and Law as the foundation of our Movement. It is important to view the Promise and Law in conjunction with the Mission Statement. For example, while the word "patriotism" is not found in the proposed Mission Statement, it remains a vital element of the Girl Scout Promise and is also emphasized in a new section of the Preamble (Patriotism, Citizen, and Community Service).

Mission:  The updated Mission Statement says who we are, and says it in more contemporary language (and more clearly). Few Girl Scouts today know our Mission Statement.  Many don’t even know we have one.  The mark of a good Mission Statement is that it evokes our spirit and is easy to learn.  Our team worked months on capturing Girl Scouting’s unique essence:  that girls get personal strength and give it back to their communities and the world.

Spiritual Force:  We affirm that the guiding force in our Movement is a spiritual one; and we value individuals’ diverse spiritual beliefs.

Open Membership:  We clearly state that we are a membership organization with the right to set requirements for membership, such as appropriate age, payment of dues, and acceptance of the Promise and Law.

Patriotism, Citizenship and Community Service:  We reinforce our commitment to civic duty and service to country and world.

Diversity and Pluralism (new):  The new language formally states our commitment to diversity.

Responsibility for the Movement and Democratic Process:  We affirm that when we make decisions about our Movement’s future, we seek and hear our members’ voices:  girls, volunteers and staff.  Though the wording has changed from “volunteer” to “member,” the primary adult voice is still that of the  volunteers who are 99 percent of the adults in our Movement.  The more inclusive term “member” reflects our strategy to be more girl-centric and better able to hear girls’ voices.  We also affirm that our democratic process must be nimble and decisive.

Adult/Girl Partnership:  We emphasize the volunteer-girl partnership:  volunteers are essential as role models who interact dynamically with girls; enthusiastic and well-trained volunteers, dedicated to girls’ well-being, are the key to making Girl Scouting the world’s best organization for girls.

The following subjects which are currently addressed in the Preamble receive emphasis by giving them their own sections.

WAGGGS:  By highlighting our relationship with WAGGGS, we differentiate Girl Scouting from other girl-serving organizations and we recognize that girls are growing up in, and must prepare to lead in, a global society.

Community Partners:  Girl Scouting is a community leader; and we serve girls best by partnering with other community organizations.

And we have added one new section:

Voice:  We see Girl Scouting as an expert on girls’ growth and development, and as this nation’s voice of girls and for girls. Girls make a difference and their voices are heard. We believe it is essential to continue creating opportunities for girls to engage in issues affecting their lives.

RECOMMENDATION

The National Board of Directors recommends adoption.

PROPOSAL 4: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

OF ARTICLE III

To amend Article III of the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA (“The Girl Scout Program”) by substitution as follows:

RATIONALE

Building on the updated wording of the Preamble, this proposal represents an opportunity to clearly differentiate Girl Scouting from other programs for girls by highlighting the attributes that make is unique. There is an increased emphasis on local, national, and global sisterhood. Words such as “personal growth,”  “leadership,” and “service” powerfully spell out the core elements of our program and our desired impact on girls' lives. This language also clarifies the identity of our brand and is more in line with what both our research and the feedback from councils tell us are the most appealing aspects of Girl Scouting today—a fun safe, challenging, and girls-only environment that promotes friendship, partnership with adults, empowerment, and action.

The Girl Scout experience is based on sound educational methodology and theory. Important definitions include:

1. Nonformal education: Nonformal education used intentional learning activities that enable the learner to actively participate in directing her own learning. As such, nonformal education is well suited to the development of life skills and building character. Nonformal education complements formal education (schools) and informal education (media/family).

2. Experiential learning. Experiential learning occurs when a person engages in some activity, looks back at the activity critically, abstracts some useful insight from the evaluation, and puts the results to work through a change in behavior. Through the experiential learning process, participants share ideas and gain a fuller meaning from each experience, and then they apply that learning to future experiences. The opportunity for reflection, evaluation, and sharing observations is equally important to the participants' growth as the planning and experiencing of an activity.

3. Cooperative learning. Cooperative learning involves learners working in groups to discuss, debate, discover, practice, and teach. The educational process provides a wide range of activities developed around the interests and needs of participants. Cooperative learning is designed to promote the sharing of knowledge, skills, and learning in an atmosphere of respect and cooperation. In Girl Scouting, cooperative learning has facilitated the use of the democratic process for planning and decision-making within a group to ensure that every girl can participate fully.

RECOMMENDATION

The National Board of Directors recommends adoption.

PROPOSAL 5: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

OF ARTICLE XII, SECTION 1 AND 2

A) THAT Article XII, Section 1, of the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA ("National Nominating Committee and Nominations") be amended by striking the word "nine" and inserting the word "seven."

Underlined word is to be struck. Italicized word to be entered.

SUBMITTED BY

National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA.

RATIONALE

Since 1957, the size of the National Board has been reduced three times from 70 members to it current size of 40/41 members. However, during this same period, the size of the National Nominating Committee has remained the same: 9 members. It is proposed that the National Council consider reducing the size of the National Nominating Committee in alignment with a smaller National Board

• While a large committee would have been required to prepare a slate totaling 70 members, requirements have changed over time. With a proposed reduction in the National Board size to 30/31, the workload of the National Nominating Committee will be affected, and a larger National Nominating Committee will not be necessary to accomplish its work.

• A theme throughout the 2002-2005 triennium has been to streamline organizational ways of work. A smaller National Nominating Committee is consistent with this goal.

• An article on nominating committees, "Building the Best Board," which appeared in the January 2005 issue of Association Management (published by the American Society of Association Executives) recommends the following as a guide to better governance: "Ideally, no more than six to eight individuals are charged with the nominations process, and their qualities reflect those sought for effective board members."

• A GSUSA benchmarking report on national nonprofit boards states that three other national not-for-profit organizations have followed the trend toward smaller governance committees: National 4H, Camp Fire USA and Girls, Inc.

• Improvements in technology, such as the use of teleconferences and e-mail, will continue to allow the National Nominating Committee to conduct its work more flexibly, efficiently, and speedily.

RECOMMENDATION

The National Board of Directors recommends adoption.

PROPOSAL 5: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

OF ARTICLE XII, SECTIONS 1 AND 2

B) To amend Article XII, Section 1, of the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA by inserting the words "and the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA who shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member" following the words "nine members."

Italicized words to be inserted.

Note: If Amendment A is adopted prior to the consideration of Amendment B, the word "nine" will be struck and the word "seven" will be inserted

SUBMITTED BY

National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA

RATIONALE

• A GSUSA study of the best practices of similar large national nonprofit organizations has concluded that the CEOs of such organizations serve on the Governance Committee in an ex officio, nonvoting capacity.

• GSUSA recommends this practice to its Girl Scout councils in its publications and monographs.

RECOMMENDATION

The National Board of Directors recommends adoption.

PROPOSAL 5: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

OF ARTICLE XII, SECTIONS 1 AND 2

PROPORTIONAL REALIGNMENT OF THE FIRST AND SECOND TERMS ON THE NATIONAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE

C) THAT Article XII, Section 2, of the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA ("National Nominating Committee and Nominations") be amended by striking the words "three members, but no more than four" and inserting the words "two members, but no more than three."

Underlined words to be struck. Italicized words to be entered.

SUBMITTED BY

National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA

RATIONALE

This practice would align with the reduction in size of the National Nominating Committee.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The National Board of Directors recommends adoption.