Girl Scout Realignment

Girl Scout Council of the Northwest Mississippi joins Girl Scouts of the USA in this exciting evolution to better meet the needs of girls in today’s fast-changing world. Girl Scout Council of the Northwest MS is joining together with Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi (Tupelo, MS) Girl Scouts of Reelfoot Council (Jackson, TN) and Girl Scout Council of Mid-South (Memphis TN) to form one high-capacity Girl Scout council that will result in activity offerings to 22,000 girls by 2008.

Realignment will begin in April 2007, and it is anticipated to take up to 24 months to complete.

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

Why are Girl Scout councils changing?

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.

To achieve this goal, we are making three key changes: First, we are updating activity options into shorter cycles; second, we are offering more flexible time commitments for volunteers; and third, we are ensuring that Girl Scouting is a very full and consistent experience for girls and adults nationwide.

Girl Scouts is one option for today’s girls, who have many options. The good news is that Girl Scouting offers activities that already are the favorite hobbies, sports, and interests of girls while also providing a unique personal growth and leadership development experience.

Why are the Girl Scouts restructuring?

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! 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.

Why have 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.

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.

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.

How will this affect camps and other council properties?

When our councils realign, we will be in a better position to modernize properties and to offer even stronger outdoor education experiences to meet the needs of today’s girls. While the details will emerge after the realignment process, we will continue our rich tradition of offering girls an unmatched opportunity to learn respect for and fully enjoy the environment.

What about Girl Scout Cookie Sales?

Girl Scouts of the USA is retooling so that all Girl Scout activities, including the Girl Scout Cookie Program, can offer the highest quality experience for girls and be managed in the most efficient manner. Our community will still be able to enjoy America’s favorite cookies while supporting the leadership potential of our girls.

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.

Where will meetings and trainings be held?

The practice of conducting trainings at various locations throughout the council jurisdiction will continue. New opportunites 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.

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.

1. Start with the name Girl Scouts, for easy identification
2. Include a regional reference, for easy identification
3. Utilize a name that is new to the realigning offices, for a fresh start

YOUR VOICE IN GIRL SCOUTING

On-line Survey

The ultimate responsibility for the Girl Scout Movement rests with its members.  In Girl Scouts, our goal is to have a decision-influencing process that allows for many voices to be heard.  As we realign Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South, Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi, Girl Scouts of Northwest Mississippi, and Girl Scouts of Reelfoot Council into a single new council, we are seeking your input into how Our New Girl Scout Council can best use the democratic process to ensure that the membership is involved in direction setting and influencing major policy decisions. 

Girl Scout Adults and Girls Age 14 and Older are asked to complete the following survey by Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Click Here to Start the Survey