Ways to Volunteer

 

Volunteer with Girl Scouts!

 

There are many ways to volunteer with Girl Scouts, including troop leader, which is one of the most recognizable volunteer positions within Girl Scouting or one of any dozen of positions that best fits your time and skills.  Girl Scouts welcomes adults ages 18 and older - including both men and women - for a variety of volunteer jobs. Consider what talents you have to share.  Review several of the many volunteer opportunities below.  No experience is necessary and Girl Scouts provides training. Interested in volunteering?  Please complete a volunteer interest form. Only have a few housrs a month? If so, become a Special Interest Volunteer - an "on call" volunteer who helps local Girl Scout troop when she/he can. Looking to become a Special Interest Volunteer. Click on the green titles below to bring up the full position description.

 

 

 

Volunteer Positions: Working with Girls

 

Day Camp - Volunteer-led Day Camps occur all across River Valleys in June, July, and August.  Volunteers are needed to help develop and deliver different aspects of a Day Camp, including programs, budgets, risk management plans, volunteer recruitment, and direct supervision of the campers and older girl volunteers.  The time commitment varies depending on the position.  Initial planning for Day Camps begins in the fall so there are Day Camp volunteer opportunities all year long.

 

Cultural Initiatives Assistant/Leader - Girl Scouts is committed to serving every girl in our service area, while breaking down barriers that may keep girls from otherwise participating.  Over the past years we have developed culturally specific initiatives (Latina, Hmong, Muslim and African American), aimed at better serving underrepresented girls in grades K-12 with Girl Scout programming.  Troops that are part of these initiatives are mostly led by staff, with the goal of developing community relationships and eventually creating volunteer-led troops.  There are many opportunities to lead or assist with troops in our initiatives.  Time commitment: Approximately 5 to 10 hours per month.

 

Interpreters - Sign language interpreters and various language interpreters needed.  If you are fluent in another language and willing to provide interpreting support, as it fits with your schedule, your talent(s) will be listed in our Special Interest Volunteer database.  Staff and volunteers use the Special Interest Volunteer database to search for individuals willing to share their talents and time with girls. 

 

Leader, Co-Leader and Assistant Leaders - Mentor groups of girls in your community, guiding them through age-appropriate activities designed to build leadership skills by helping girls discover, connect and take action.  Training, new friends, and fun guaranteed.  Adults, male and females, who enjoy working with youth and who want to experience the power of mentoring are welcome.  Training provided.  Time commitment: Approx. 5 to 10 hours per month.  Majority of troops meet every other week for 2 hours, but troop schedules are flexible.

 

Special Interest Volunteer - As a Special Interest Volunteer you will be contacted as volunteer opportunities in your specified interest areas arise and you decide if the opportunity, time, and location work for you.  Time commitment varies depending on your number of interest areas, availability, and location.  Girl Scout volunteers or staff contact you directly with volunteer requests.

 

Troop Cookie Manager - Promote and implement the annual Cookie Program Activity for a troop.  Utilizing provided program and materials, assure that girls are equipped and excited for troop money-earning activity.  Time commitment: 3 hour training in Fall, 1 hour meetings Dec.-May and approx. 3 hours a week in January and March.

 

Travel Mentor - Share your travel experiences with troops that are planning to travel to locations similar to your own travels.  Troops request travel mentors and are matched based on mentors’ experience.  You will be trained to guide girls through the trip planning process and serve as a chaperone for trips as needed.  Volunteer travel mentors will cover their own trip expenses.  Time commitment varies.  

 

 

 

Volunteer Positions: Service Unit Team Positions

“Service Unit” refers to a defined geographical area.  Service unit team positions support Girl Scouting in specific communities (or service units).  If interested in one of these positions you will be matched with a service unit in the area of your choice.

 

Communications Representative - Submits articles and pictures to local, external media and to the council to increase awareness about the benefits of being a Girl Scout.  Training provided.  Time commitment: varies, schedule is flexible.

 

Delegates/Alternate Delegates - Serves as the communication link between River Valleys’ girls, volunteers, community networks, and board of directors.  Training provided.  Time commitment:  Approx. 2 hours a month, attendance at the annual meeting, and periodic forum meetings.

 

Event Coordinator - Supervises event directors/committees who work cooperatively to plan and carry out service unit events for girls.  Ensures safety, risk management and excellence of program.  Training provided.  Time commitment: varies.

 

Juliette Liaison - Provides support and encouragement to Juliette Girl Scouts.  Juliette Girl Scouts are Girl Scouts not affiliated with a troop.  Time commitment: approximately two hours per month.

 

Leader Mentor - Promotes retention of leaders by providing support during critical time periods of leadership:  the first-year Girl Scout and bridging years.  Good for experienced current and former leaders.  Training provided.  Time commitment: varies

 

Organizer - Recruiter - Recruits girls and adults, places girls in troops, and organizes new Girl Scout troops in the service unit.  Training provided.  Time commitment: Approx. 2 - 5 hours per week during Sept.-Oct.  Aprox. 2-3 hours a month from Oct.-May.

 

Resource Coordinator - Helps maintain quality programming and promotes council programs and events.  Training provided.  Time commitment: 2-3 hours per month.

 

Secretary - Provides administrative support to the service team.  Time commitment: Approx. 2-4 hours a month.

 

Service Unit Cookie Manager - Coordinates the Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity for the service unit.  Strong organizational skills and knowledge of the Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity required.  Training provided.  Time commitment:  Attend training in Fall - approx. 2 hours, busiest time is March-April, and hours vary.

 

Service Unit Family Fundraising Chairperson - Coordinates the council's annual Family Fundraising Campaign within the service unit.  Time commitment:  Approx. 2 hour training and about 5 hours in Feb or March.

 

Service Unit Fast Start Coach - Manages the process of service unit Fast Start meetings for new Girl Scout leaders, representing Girl Scouts of the USA and River Valleys.  Training provided.  Time commitment: varies, busiest in Sept and Oct. 

 

Service Unit Manager (SUM) - Directs service unit team of adults responsible for leadership/management of Girl Scouting in the service unit.  There may be Co-SUMS or Assistant SUM.  Training provided.  Time commitment: Approx. 10 to 15 hours per month

 

Service Unit Recognition Coordinator - Provides information about formal Girl Scout adult recognitions to service unit team, volunteers, girls, and parents.  Encourages local volunteers to nominate their peers who are providing exemplary service to Girl Scouts.  Time commitment: Approx. 2-4 hours a month from Oct. to May.

 

Service Unit Registrar - Ensures that all girls, leaders, and troops in the service unit are registered on time and receive membership materials.  Training provided.  Time commitment: Approx. 2 - 5 hours per month, busiest time is Aug-Nov and April-June

 

Treasurer - Supports the fiduciary oversight of service unit and troops.  Training provided. Time commitment: approx. 2 hours a month.

 

 

 

Volunteer Positions: Other Opportunities

 

Adult Awards and Recognition committee member - In partnership with committee members develop criteria and guidelines for River Valleys’ adult awards, promote adult awards to volunteers, review award nominations, and coordinate the annual volunteer recognition event.  Time commitment:  busiest time is January - April.  Average 2-4 hours Sept. - December.

 

Archivist - Works with a committee of adults to maintain Girl Scout history by archiving photos, materials, history, etc.  Creates Girl Scout displays and educational kits.  Time commitment: Approx. 5 hours a month.

 

Council Trainer - Trains adults in various skills using provided Girl Scout curriculum.  Training provided.  Time commitment:  varies, most training sessions are 2-3 hours long.

 

Grants for Girls - Assists on the Grants for Girls Committee to review requests for financial assistance.  Time commitment: varies

 

Product Sales Activities Advisory Committee Chair - Provides leadership to the product sales activities advisory committee which advises product sales staff on current and proposed product sales activity procedures, materials, and communication.  Time commitment: 4 meetings annually.

 

Product Sales Activities Advisory Committee Member - Advises product sales staff on current and proposed product sales activity procedures, materials, and communication.  Time commitment: 4 meetings annually.

 

All Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys’ volunteers must be registered members (annual fee is $10, financial aid is available), pass a background check, and complete GSUSA online orientation.

 

 

 

Special Interest Volunteers

 

If you are interested in volunteering with Girl Scouts and working with girls ages 5-17 in your area, but only have limited time – here’s your opportunity to share your time, talents, and skills with girls that works with your schedule. Help with a fun event, support a special project, or even assist on a field trip or camping trip. Click here for special interest flyer/interest form.

 

Special Interest Volunteers FAQ

 

To get more details how you can become a Girl Scout adult volunteer, contact River Valleys at 651-227-8835 or 800-845-0787.