Responsibility for the Movement and the Democratic Process

The ultimate responsibility for the Girl Scout Movement rests with its members. We govern by an efficient and effective democratic process that demonstrates our leadership in a fast-changing world.

This statement is part of the Preamble to the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the United States of America.*

What this means:
When we make decisions about our Movement’s future, we seek and hear our members’ voices: girls, volunteers, and staff. It also means that our democratic process must be nimble and decisive.

What it means to YOU:
Your voice and opinion are important. As was discussed in my last blog message, there are a number of ways for you to influence the decisions made in our council – both policy decisions and management decisions. But if you don’t participate in this process, you lose that ability.

The main method we use in Girl Scouts of West Central Florida for policy-influencing is through the Area Association structure. Each service unit in the council is responsible for electing delegates to represent its members, and each area is responsible for electing two delegates for the area. At the Area Association meeting, Board members attend and give an update on the business of the Board. Delegates are then able to ask questions about policy decisions and provide input to these decisions. While anyone is welcome to attend these meetings, attendance is often sparse.  But if service units and areas don’t elect their delegates, they miss this opportunity to be part of this process and to VOTE at the Annual Meeting. One of the major pieces of business at the meeting is the election of the slate of Board members and Board Development Committee members, and National Delegates every three years. By your votes, you are giving these people the authority to make decisions that affect Girl Scouting.

We recognize that there are weaknesses in our system – and are going to be making some changes prior to next year to make this structure more meaningful to our members.  But we’d like to know from you what your suggestions for this are – please use this opportunity to have your voice HEARD.

*(Yes, Girl Scouting was chartered by a special act of Congress in 1950 – other organizations with Congressional Charters include the Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and American Red Cross).