Question:

Why is the Girl Scouts realigning councils?

We are reorganizing councils to create the infrastructure necessary to prepare for the future of the Movement. This realignment will result in the optimal impact on leadership development for the largest number of girls and significantly increase the number of volunteers participating in Girl Scouting.

We will be making two key changes over the next few years: First, we are revitalizing the Girl Scout program age levels, redefining what leadership means for girls, and updating some activity options. Second, we are offering more impactful experiences and flexible time commitment options for volunteers. We are making these changes nationwide to ensure that Girl Scouting is a full and consistent experience.

Question:

Why has the Girl Scouts decided to change now?

Girl Scouts of the USA has recently adopted a business strategy to build more strength throughout the Girl Scout Movement. As part of this initiative, councils throughout the country are realigning their boundaries to make the most effective use of our resources and to offer even more program opportunities to even more girls.

Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South joins Girl Scouts of the USA in this exciting evolution to better meet the needs of girls in today�s fast-changing world. We will be combining our strengths with our neighbors - Girl Scout Council of Northwest Mississippi, Inc. (Greenwood, MS), Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi (Tupelo, MS) and Girl Scouts of Reelfoot Council (Jackson, TN) - to form a new high-capacity Girl Scout council.

In this realignment we will offer some of the same programs girls have always enjoyed, and add even more exciting and rewarding opportunities. This revitalization is important to Girl Scouting, because it will ensure that we remain the best leadership development program for girls 5-17 for decades to come. We are delighted to share this news with you, and we welcome your continued support.

Question:

Where will the new office be located?

The location of the central office has not been determined yet; however, we anticipate multiple service centers throughout the council jurisdiction.

Ensuring that volunteers, girls, and parents have services available to them in close proximity is key to our commitment to improving services. These regional locations will provide a variety of services to volunteers and girls.

Question:

How will my daughter�s Girl Scout troop be affected?

Your daughter will remain in the same troop she is in, or as always, may choose from other membership options. The current troop number may change, as there may be duplication of troop numbers.

The most exciting news is that our new council will be pooling volunteer and staff resources. This change will enable us to increase the number of program events offered and the locations we can offer them in, and it will afford all girls the chance to meet more Girl Scouts.

Question:

How will this affect camps and other council 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 facility has a number of unique features, and we anticipate that troops will now have the opportunity to enjoy a greater variety of 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.

Question:

Where will meetings and trainings be held?

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.

Question:

Where do we now go to purchase Girl Scout items?

Until the councils are combined and realignment is complete, the current Council Shop locations will remain the same. Many decisions are in the planning stages, we anticipate there will be multiple Council Shops throughout the jurisdiction.

Question:

How will the Girl Scout cookie sale change?

The Girl Scout Cookie Program will remain the premier Business and Economic Literacy Program for girls. All Girl Scouts who want to will be able to take part. Beginning in October 2008, Girl Scouts of the USA will provide age-appropriate guidelines for Daisy Girl Scouts to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Eventually, one baker will be chosen for this area, uniform selling dates and price will be determined, and details of how the sale is managed will be established. We do not anticipate any changes until after the 2008 sale, and will seek input from our girls and volunteers throughout the process.

All of the proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program stay within the local area. Girls benefit girls directly through the portion shared with troop/groups, and indirectly by subsidizing the cost of providing the Girl Scout program in our area.

Question:

Why is the Girl Scouts restructuring?

The council realignment will strengthen our organization�s infrastructure and resources at all levels of the organization including fundraising, public relations, property, staffing, and volunteer support. This realignment will help us develop our resources more effectively and decrease duplicating efforts.

On a national level, change is perhaps the oldest tradition in Girl Scouts. Ever since Juliette Gordon Low returned from England in 1912 and changed �Guide� to �Scout� in response to the preference of American girls, those in the Girl Scout Movement have prided themselves on their ability to make periodic adjustments to meet the needs of girls. A renewed focus on leadership nationwide will ensure that Girl Scouting maintains the values that have been at our core for 95 years, while being a relevant experience to girls today.

Question:

What can girls and their parents expect as a result of the changes?

Girls have asked for unique experiences that reflect their current needs and interests. Parents and girls can expect Girl Scouting to utilize a new approach that is girl-led and girl-driven. This approach will offer girls a unique leadership development opportunity that will provide skills they need for a lifetime of personal and civic achievement. Girls can expect new and exciting activities at each new age level.

Question:

Is the restructuring due to a lack of funding?

While the Girl Scouts need to increase funding, as do all nonprofits, our realignment is about joining all our local resources to create a premium, revitalized council from which to serve Girl Scouts in our area. Our realignment and restructuring, and our updated program model, will make it easier for potential donors to see just how relevant and critical Girl Scouting is to today�s girls.

Question:

Are the Girl Scouts restructuring due to a lack of girls joining and/or a lack of volunteers?

Girl Scouting is restructuring to create high-capacity councils in every region, including ours. Similar to other youth serving organizations, we too want to serve as many girls and have them served by the best volunteers possible. The Girl Scouts are confident that as we move into our 95^th year of serving communities with a premier leadership development program for girls, our revitalized structure and program will allow us to welcome more girls, and enable our current and new volunteers to create a more impactful and flexible experience.

Question:

What would an incentive be for a person to consider volunteering with the Girl Scouts?

People who are looking for new places to volunteer should look to the new volunteer systems and the enhanced Girl Scout program. As new support materials are created, the Girl Scout organization will improve the volunteer experience by making it easier to join, offering more flexible volunteer timetables and roles suited to their abilities and interests. Girl Scouts will also provide user-friendly resources so that adults and girls have a fun and impact-driven Girl Scout experience.

Contact the Girl Scout Service Center to discover ways you can become involved or enhance your volunteer experience.

Question:

Have the Girl Scouts considered joining forces with other youth groups like the Boy Scouts or Girls Clubs?

No. Girl Scouts is celebrating nearly 95 years of success next year, and our efforts are focused on revitalizing the Girl Scout Movement to serve even more girls, in the classic, relevant and unique experience that is the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program.

Question:

Which of the councils coming together is in the best shape now, and which is in the worst shape? Which council benefits the most from the new structure?

All of the councils that are joining together here have key strengths that our new council will rely on, and challenges, like all organizations, which can result in new opportunities and improvements for councils. Some of us currently have perhaps more state-of-the-art properties for girls, some of us have perhaps more reach in underserved populations, some of us have perhaps have more donors. We are realigning to offer premium services to all girls in our area.

Question:

How will this affect staffing in councils?

When our Girl Scout councils combine and are able to maximize our efficiencies, we are likely to need as many, if not more staff, to serve our girls. A new staff structure will be developed and reflect the high-capacity goals of the new council. The structure will provide membership, program and training services to all areas of the jurisdiction, as well as expertise in fund development, finance, human resource, marketing/communications, facilities management and information technology.

It may require fewer staff in some positions, allow for greater expertise in other areas, and provide new opportunities for staff development. Staff who are committed to delivering on the promise of our mission will be offered an opportunity to remain with the council.

Question:

How is the new council name going to be decided?

Our national office has given us three common sense guidelines that our planning team will consider. They are that we:

• Start with the name Girl Scouts, for easy identification

• Include a regional reference, for easy identification

• Utilize a name that is new to the realigning offices, for a fresh start