Shops Closing Early Next Week
The Gastonia and Asheville Girl Scout Shops will be closing early on Monday, September 30 at 4 p.m. Our shops will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, October 1.
A Message From the CEO
Greetings, GSCP2P Members! Thank you for your attention and consideration today as I share important information with you about the Special 57th National Council Session (NCS), the proposal that has been presented for consideration by the National Delegation, and the context that led us to this time and place.
Background and Context
First, let me provide context. In Fall 2022, GSUSA commissioned research among non-Girl Scout families to better understand what parents and caregivers want for their daughters and what girls want for themselves. A copy of the qualitative summary of this research is linked at the bottom in the “Resources” section. From the research, there were several initiatives identified that would facilitate transformational change and would re-establish Girl Scouts as THE organization chosen by families where girls can learn, grow and connect. They included:
- Simplifying the volunteer experience and making it more rewarding,
- Making the older girl program more visible and engaging,
- Ensuring relevant programming for all girls, Daisy to Ambassador,
- Improving technology to make it easier for volunteers and girls,
- Ensuring that we are a welcoming organization where girls from all backgrounds belong,
- Ensuring financial assistance is available to those who need it,
- Publicly sharing Girl Scouting’s value and highlighting what Girl Scouts do, and
- Enabling more families to join and participate.
By doubling down on the REAL value of Girl Scouting and the improving the points of access and ease of use of the models available for delivery, Girl Scouts can and will become an opportunity available to all girls. But change does not happen without investment.
Concurrently in early 2023, the National Board examined the positives and negatives of using their legislative authority to enact an increase in dues of 25% for girls and adults, beginning with Membership Year 2025. After assessing the economic landscape of both councils and communities, realizing that both strategy and research needed further work to document the true needs of the Movement, and accommodating many councils who were experiencing tumultuous cookie seasons, they opted to postpone any action until the following year.
During the past year, GSUSA has deeply examined its own financial position while using the research and its own strategy work to inform next steps and provided early scenarios regarding the impact of an increase in dues at several price points. In July 2024, the National Board voted to call a special meeting of the National Council to consider an increase in dues beyond the 25% cap that is within their purview to approve. That meeting is being held on October 19, 2024.
The Meeting and the Proposal
Now, let me provide information about the NCS meeting and the proposal on the table. The Special 57th NCS will be held virtually, which is now allowed due to changes to the national bylaws after the 55th NCS was held virtually in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. GSCP2P will be represented by National Delegates who were elected at the 2022 Annual Meeting to serve as National Delegates for the triennium including the 2023 56th NCS which took place in person in Orlando. Our National Delegates have been informed since July 2024 of the purpose of the meeting and have been participating in delegate education and briefings regularly from both our council and the Office of the National Board. With the receipt of the official Call to Meeting last Thursday, they will spend the next 3-4 weeks in intensive training sessions on the intricacies of the proposal and the logistics of the motion and meeting.
The proposal submitted to the National Council by the National Board of GSUSA includes the following elements:
- An annual dues increase for girl members to $85.
- An annual dues increase for adult members to $45.
The National Board also approved three resolutions that provide potential support to councils and members:
- Financial support/revenue share with councils from dues – this is unprecedented, as membership dues revenue has ALWAYS gone directly to GSUSA.
- Establishment of National Membership Dues Scholarship Fund – available by request to councils to ensure that there are no financial barriers to membership for girls
- Phased in increase in dues over three years – this will allow councils and families to plan for the increase incrementally
In the “Resources” section below, please review the slides included for more detail about the proposal to be considered.
What’s Next and What Does GSCP2P Need from You?
At first glance, this action and its impact may seem scary, unattainable, or even mean and unfair. Please know that I understand the emotions and the uncertainty that accompany this – many of you have already shared that you fear this will cause all or part of your troop to leave Girl Scouting. Right now, and for the next few weeks, I am asking you for three things that are critically important, not only to decision making around this matter, but also to the future focus of GSCP2P. They are:
- Find Your Balance – Take a deep breath, read the information I have provided to you, and find a balance between emotional response and rational consideration. This proposal has not been discussed, amended, or voted upon – it will likely look very different at the end of the NCS than it does now when delegates from across the Movement have an opportunity to revise and amend, or vote to deny the authority for an increase in dues above 25% altogether.
- Consider Our Value – Girl Scouts have not had an increase in dues for nearly a decade. It is reasonable that we would recalibrate our annual membership fee at this time to align with the overall cost of serving girls in our communities. Also consider the value of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience – with your contributions of time and resource, we know that Girl Scouts provides an extraordinary opportunity for girls to achieve beyond their greatest expectations. With our discussion of reasonableness, let’s also remember that investing in girls is the right message to send AND the right thing to do.
- Offer Solutions – I have seen the surveys posted on social media and have perused many of the chat rooms. While I realize those are easy-to-access outlets for emotion and frustration, I am asking you to channel that energy toward the development and recommendation of solutions. Once you have reviewed the proposal in its current form and have considered the ancillary materials, please craft and send amendments and alternatives to boardofdirectors@girlscoutsp2p.org . We will assimilate your recommendations and will provide them to the members of our National Delegation for use during the NCS. Additionally, please keep eyes open for a survey requesting additional information which will be included in next week’s Today’s Tips.
Since my tenure began at GSCP2P, it has been my pledge and my promise that Girl Scouts is for EVERY girl…everywhere…every time. That position does not change with the advent of the decisions before us and will not change, regardless of the outcome. Internally, your Leadership Team has discussed and will continue to discuss business decisions that will ensure access to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for today’s and tomorrow’s members.
Please save the date for my virtual State of the Council happening on Wednesday, October 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. Meeting topics include the Strategic Plan for Membership Year 2025-2027, Membership Year 2025 Budget, upcoming programming and the 57th National Council Session. Call details will be listed on our council’s calendar soon!
Thank you very much in advance for taking the time to read, consider and share – we appreciate you and look forward to a bright future in Girl Scouting!
Jennifer Wilcox, CEO
Resources:
Shine Scout Qualitative Findings Report
Membership Dues Video with GSUSA CEO Bonnie Barczykowski
Dues Proposal Slides
Call to Meeting 57th NCS Excerpts
After Hours
Don’t miss out on another year of Girl Scout fun! Renew your membership today or join our staff on Zoom (Meeting ID: 533 929 0725 Passcode: 152778) for virtual After Hours on Wednesday, October 2. Drop in between 5 – 7 p.m. for assistance with renewing your membership, finding new troop placements or any other questions you have about Girl Scouting.
Unleash Your Creativity With Two New Art Contests
Every October, Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont and Goodwill Industries partner together to kick off the annual Good Turn for Goodwill service project. This service project teaches girls about Goodwill’s employment and training programs and how the donations they give to the organization help to support these efforts. Like last year, we need our Girl Scouts’ help in designing this year’s patch. Visit our blog to learn more about the service project and patch design contest!
We also have a design contest for this year’s Cookie Hoodie! Girl Scout Cookie Season is a time of increased visibility for Girl Scouts and your design can be front and center! The GSCP2P Retail Team is hosting a Let’s Get Creative! Hoodie Design Contest to embrace the creativity of our Girl Scouts while also offering a unique retail item to keep members warm while they raise funds for amazing Girl Scout adventures through the Girl Scout Cookie Program. See all hoodie design contest guidelines and submit your design here by October 10.
Hispanic Heritage Month
During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), we celebrate the countless contributions that Hispanic people and Latinos have made and continue to make in the United States. We honor the cultural richness of all people in the U.S. whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Girls and leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn this fun patch. And, regardless of their specific ethnic heritage, they’re sure to learn interesting new things. Download the activities to earn your patch!
Fall Product Program Rewards
Have fun and learn business skills through our Fall Product Program. Then use your proceeds to power life-changing programs, experiences and learning for yourself and your troop all year long. Learn more about our Fall Product Program and get started by creating your M2 account . With in-person and e-commerce opportunities, you can sell items like candy, nuts, magazines, Bark Boxes, Tervis tumblers, personalized stationary and more to raise start-up money to support your troop’s community service projects, activity supplies, outdoor experiences and much more. Plus, you can earn additional proceeds during the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program when your troop sells at least 100 items!
Adult Volunteer Resources & Trainings
We are excited to announce our virtual New Leader Office Hours Enrichment Series . Our staff will offer tips and trainings for topics like conflict management, troop structure, multi-level management, Girl-Led Progression and more! Each session will have time for suggestions and a Q&A. These sessions are designed with new leaders in mind, but all are welcome to join us in our journey to build the best leaders in our 40-county footprint!
Use the Fall Product Program as a catalyst for further discovery by earning additional Financial Literacy badges. And, while badges go on the front of the uniform, you can also adorn the back of your uniform with the Business Cents patches.
Ready for a year of adventure? Make sure your activities comply with our Safety Activity Checkpoints! Find Safety Activity Checkpoints, Troop Driver Request Form, Activity and Travel Application and other helpful resources for your year of adventure on our Forms and Documents page.
Camporee requests for Spring 2025 are officially open! You can use the Spring 2025 Camporee Request Form to request a camp property and dates. Spring camporee requests must be received by 11:59 p.m. on October 25. After October 25, we will review requests and confirm all camporee dates with the designated service unit representative by November 8. Once all camporee dates are finalized, troop camping will open for all other available dates. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. For questions about camporees or troop camping, please reach out to us at info@girlscoutsp2p.org or 800-672-2148.
Other Upcoming Adult Programs:
VIRTUAL: Troop Camping Information Session
Thursday, October 3
Register by September 30.
Circle C Adult Program: Horseback Archery 2
Friday, October 4
Sophia, NC
Register by September 30.
Basic Camping Skills License
Saturday, October 26
Denver, NC or Wilkesboro, NC
Register by October 16.
Basic Camping Skills License
Saturday, November 2
Lenoir, NC
Register by October 28.
Circle C Adult Program: Horseback Archery 3
Sunday, November 3
Sophia, NC
Register by October 28.
VIRTUAL: Youth Mental Health First Aid
Monday, November 4 and Tuesday, November 5
Register by October 28.
VIRTUAL: Highest Awards Q&A
Thursday, November 14
Register by November 7.
Upcoming Programs at a Glance
VIRTUAL: Inside Government- Horse Edition
Tuesday, September 24
Register by today!
Be a VoteHer!
Saturday, October 5
Asheville, NC
Register by September 27.
Horsin’ Around with STEM
Saturday, October 5
Sophia, NC
Register by September 30.
VIRTUAL: Gold Award Training
Monday, October 7
Register by September 30.
Horseback Archery 1: The Archer
Saturday, October 12
Sophia, NC
Register by October 7.
Horseback Archery 2: The Horse
Saturday, October 12
Sophia, NC
Register by October 7.
Be a VoteHer!
Saturday, October 12
Hickory, NC
Register by October 7.
Girl Talk
Sunday, October 13
Hickory, NC
Register by October 7.
Korner’s Folly Girl Scout Day: Playing the Past
Saturday, October 19
Kernersville, NC
Be a VoteHer!
Saturday, October 19
Greensboro, NC
Register by October 14.
Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday Party
Sunday, October 27
Brevard, NC
Register by October 26.
Gold Over America Tour
Friday, November 1
Greensboro, NC
Register by October 22.
Today’s Monday Markdown
Sip your favorite drink in style with a GSCP2P tumbler (available in green or aqua). The discounted price is available today only, while supplies last. Customers can purchase up to two Monday Markdown items at a discounted price. Shop in any of our stores or order online.
Did you know you can bring the Girl Scout Shop to you? Request a Troop Uniform Shop event for uniform fittings at your meeting location or request a Pop Up Shop for service unit meetings, troop meetings and local Girl Scout events!
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