This section is full of information and ideas � and we hope these ideas, coupled with the ideas and interests of the girls in your troop will help your troop chart its own course.

Things to DO With Your Troop � sometimes all you need is an idea or an outline to follow; find information about the Girl Scout Cookie Sale here, too.

Troop Management Reminders, Tips and Resources will help you with some of the day to day issues that come up as you are working with your troop. The commonly used forms are available to print out, complete and return. 

We suggest you start with the fundamental publications provided by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) for each the age-level and their accompanying leader guides. They are full of information and activities, and are available in the Council Shop. Safety-Wise is another wonderful GSUSA resource, for all adults in Girl Scouting, with particular emphasis on those who work directly with girls. It is full of information to enhance leader development, quick tips for working with girls, and lots of advice on creating a safe environment in which to have fun.

Be sure to consult the Activity Checkpoints in Safety-Wise to determine if additional training and approvals are needed and what safety considerations to follow.

Our Girl Scout Resource Library and Council Shop both carry many of the new materials GSUSA has created in collaboration with other organizations. New resources are always under development, to meet the evolving needs of girls.

Adapting and Renewing

For nearly 95 years, Girl Scouting has risen to the challenge of meeting the unique needs of each generation of girls. Girl Scouting has transformed many times in the past, embracing change and innovation to stay in sync with evolving cultures and tastes. Each change � whether in uniforms, badges, program or structure to deliver activities � has supported our constant commitment to understand girls and serve them best.

Girls today are asking for compelling, relevant and impact driven experiences. So, the time has come again to renew and redefine the Girl Scout experience. We�re proud to have you join us on this journey. Together we can deliver on the promise of our mission, to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

In October 2008, Girl Scouts of the USA will begin to phase in new materials and resources, refocusing on a strengthened leadership experience. The Girl Scout Leadership Development Program is being designed so girls will discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future; connect with others in an increasingly diverse world; and take action to solve problems and improve their communities. See page 16 to find out how you can help shape the future of Girl Scouting.

You don�t have to wait for the new materials to be released to begin incorporating the elements that are the basis for the leadership development model. Girl Scout activities will be based on the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law and will be organized around these three �keys� to leadership:

Discover: activities engage girls in exploring their world and their values

Connect: activities engage girls in teaming up and relating with others

Take Action: activities engage girls in making a difference

The processes of how girls participate are what make Girl Scouts unique, drive the quality of girls� experiences, and most importantly, promote fun and friendship:

By Girls, for Girls: girl driven; girl-adult partnerships

Learning by Doing: experiential learning; cycles of action and reflection

Cooperative Learning: all-girl teams; working toward shared goals

Beginning this spring, we will also be introducing Girl Scout leaders to the Search Institute�s 40 Developmental Assets Framework^TM and philosophy. This strengths-based approach is part of the regional Youth Development Collaborative�s effort to mobilize people throughout our region in building assets in all our young people. See the calendar (February 6 and March 29) for more training information.

Your time and your nurturing of each girl�s unique and positive worth is so important! Thank you.