New Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Girl Scouts - the world's pre-eminent organization for girls. By sharing your time and talents with girls you will help them:

Discover new skills and abilities

Connect with others

Take action to make the world a better place

Getting started
All new volunteers must complete these steps prior to their volunteer appointment and working with girls:

Register as a Girl Scout member by submitting a completed 2008-2009 adult registration form (and the volunteer application form on the back) to your local service unit or mail to: Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, Brooklyn Center Service Center, 5601 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Center, MN 55429. Please be sure to include your annual Girl Scouts of the USA membership fee of $10. River Valleys is committed to making sure all girls and adults can participate in Girl Scouting, regardless of their financial ability to pay. Financial assistance is available through our Grants for Girls and Adults program.

Complete a confidential online background check. Cost is free to new volunteers. Review the background check FAQ.

Password: meffens92. (password is case-sensitive)

Please note that individual personal references and reference forms are NOT needed.

Complete GSUSA’s online orientation.

Password: discover
To access the Learning Log: orientation@girlscoutsrv.org

Volunteer will receive a written appointment letter from River Valleys when all three steps are successfully accomplished.

Enjoy helping Girl Scouts build courage, confidence, and character with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience!

New Leaders
In addition to general volunteer requirements listed above, new leaders must complete the following:

Review The Fast Start Booklet and speak with a Fast Start Coach. All new leaders will be contacted by a Fast Start Coach.

Complete Leadership Essentials training within four months of appointment. Register for a class by clicking here.

Books and Resources

Safety-Wise – The basic safety guide for girls and adults in Girl Scouting.
Council Reference Guide – Your resource for basic information about council policies and procedures, safety, finances, forms, and facilities.
Welcome Kit – This kit will help you through the first year with meeting ideas, supplies, traditions and field trips. It contains games, crafts and other activities as well as other important information. Check with your service unit manager or a membership specialist for more details.

Visit your service center library, public library, or county extension offices for additional books and other items. Some topics might include:

Inexpensive things to make

Cultural crafts

Crafts for young children

Recipes for outdoor cooking

Ideas for healthy snacks

Training opportunities
Continue to learn and grow personally and professionally in your volunteer Girl Scout position by attending a variety of training sessions offered by the council.

Special Interest Volunteers

Service unit volunteers, be sure to visit the special interest volunteer database on the secure site to see what special interests volunteers have to offer you and your troops. If you don’t have access to the secure site, please contact your local service unit manager or service center to request the direct link or call 800-845-0787. Service Unit intranet site login.

Leaders and service unit volunteers, are you looking for event help, project support, to share a special skill or even to assist on a field trip or camping trip? There may be a special interest volunteer waiting to share his/her talents, interests and time with you and your Girl Scouts. These are individuals who want to make a difference as a volunteer on a flexible, as needed schedule.

Take a moment to browse the skills offered by these volunteers by using River Valleys’ special interest volunteer database. Service unit team members can access the special interest volunteer information directly through this site.

Help recruit special interest volunteers to serve in your area.

Help build girls of courage, confidence, and character in your community by recruiting specialist interest volunteers. Print out the special interest volunteer flyer/application to give to family, friends, and co-workers who have something to share with Girl Scouts.

Special interest volunteer FAQ