Advocacy | Girl Scouts River Valleys

Advocacy | Girl Scouts River Valleys

“When the world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” – Malala Yousafzai

Girl Scouts advocate for youth in Minnesota!

Girl Scouts have a powerful voice and want to speak out on issues they care about. Our advocacy team educates policymakers and community leaders on issues and policies that directly affect Girl Scouts—funding for education, mental health, environmental issues, gender issues, racial equity, and more.

We also provide advocacy and civics education directly to Girl Scouts through programs like Day at the Capitol and facilitate meetings with elected officials so Girl Scouts gain the lifelong confidence to advocate for themselves and others.

From creating initiatives that better your local community to testifying in legislative committees, Girl Scouts use their voices and lead the way—and our team is here to help you on the journey.

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Girl Scouts of the USA, and their councils across the nation, participate in advocacy efforts to help inform and educate policymakers and community leaders about the issues that directly affect girls or the rights of the Girl Scout organization.

These efforts include motivating community involvement, influencing practices and governmental policies at the federal, state, and local levels, and ensuring the fair enforcement and implementation of laws that have an impact on all girls and on Girl Scouting.

Girl Scouts River Valleys works across party lines to educate and raise awareness about issues important to youth. Through these efforts, policymakers can see firsthand that Girl Scouts is a resource—and an authority—on issues affecting girls and youth and Girl Scouting. See also (GSUSA) Girl Scouts’ Public Policy and Advocacy Office.

Taking a stance and sharing information on issues that impact our members by virtue of their identities is not partisan or political action, it is being accountable to our mission and community. Learn more about the status of women and girl in Minnesota: Women’s Foundation report.

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As a non-partisan, non-profit organization, Girl Scouts does not support or oppose candidates for public office in any election, nor take a stand for or against a political party.

Our Electioneering Guidelines

Girl Scouts River Valleys is committed to fostering an open and civil exchange of a diverse array of ideas, opinions, and viewpoints. We understand that members may hold strong political convictions concerning elections and may have questions about what is permitted and prohibited behavior when acting as a Girl Scout representative. This includes any time you are wearing a Girl Scout pin or uniform, attending troop or service unit events and meetings, participating in council events, or any time you are acting as a Girl Scout volunteer.

As a nonprofit organization, Girl Scouts River Valleys must follow regulations set by the Internal Revenue Service related to electioneering in order to maintain the council’s tax-exempt status. Electioneering is defined as participating in the electoral process by promoting or opposing particular candidates for office. Girl Scouts River Valleys expects all employees, members, volunteers, troops, and service units to follow the electioneering guidelines set by Girl Scouts of the United States of America to protect the organization’s non-profit status.

See Girl Scouts River Valleys' Electioneering Policy for requirements.

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