The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.
—Juliette Gordon Low
No truer words could describe the experience of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.’s 55th National Council Session (NCS) that was held from October 23 – 25, 2020! Originally scheduled to occur in-person in Orlando, FL, due to the pandemic, the triennial event made the shift to virtual. Having trained in parliamentary procedure and online platforms to attend and vote remotely, Girl Scouts River Valleys’ 20 National Delegates joined with over 1,100 from around the world the entire weekend to conduct the important business of our Movement.
Our prepared and engaged delegation exemplified the Girl Scout Promise and Law throughout what turned out to nearly 30 hours of intense, productive work over 2.5 days. Despite the long hours, they demonstrated their commitment to Girl Scouts democratic governing process. This work is reflected in the updated Blue Book of Basic Documents, October 2020 Edition (PDF).
Delegates Approved the Following:
Establishment of a Task Force to Examine the Feasibility of a National Gold Award Scholarship Foundation
That the National Council establish a task group overseen by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and two council representatives, that includes volunteers, council staff, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Board members, and representatives, charged with examining the feasibility of developing a college scholarship foundation to benefit Gold Award Girl Scouts. The task group will report back for a vote at the 2023 National Council Session on the feasibility, recommendation and timeline for potential establishment of the foundation by the 2023 National Council Session. All members of this task force shall be appointed by the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Board of Directors.
Constitutional Amendment on Membership Dues (Article IX)
Every person accepting the principles of the Girl Scout Movement and desiring to be a member of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States of America shall pay annual, lifetime, or other applicable membership dues to Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Dues are set by the National Council or the National Board.
The National Board shall implement procedures for communicating with and seeking input from Girl Scout councils and National Council delegates prior to any membership dues change by the National Board.
Communications Procedures for National Board Dues Changes
Prior to any vote by the National Board to change membership dues structure or amount, Girl Scouts of the USA shall communicate with and seek input from all local Girl Scout councils and National Council delegates on the proposed changes, intended use of the funds, and potential impact on the Girl Scout Movement. After action is taken by the National Board, there shall be a report to all local Girl Scout councils and National Council delegates of the decision taken and the impact of the dues change.
Membership Dues and Procedures for Registration
In order to be a member of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States of America, a person must register with and pay annual, lifetime or other applicable membership dues to Girl Scouts of the United States of America. This is done locally through the Girl Scout council of USA Girl Scouts Overseas committee with which she or he is affiliated or through national headquarters if she or he has no council affiliation. The National Board of Directors must obtain approval from the National Council whenever a planned dues increase will result in dues increasing more than a total of 25% in any one triennium. Girl Scout councils account for membership dues in the custodian fund and transmit to GSUSA within two months of receipt all monies received for membership dues. These funds are not to be invested by the council for the purpose of generating income for the council.
Constitutional Amendment on Consistency in Delegate Terms (Article IV) Section 7
Subject to the requirements of the preceding sections of this article, delegates elected by local councils shall be elected in the calendar year preceding the National Council Session and shall serve as members of the National Council for three years from the date of their election or until their successors are elected, provided they remain the delegates of the local council which elected them; delegates from USA Girl Scouts Overseas shall serve as members for three years from the date of their selection or until their successors are selected, provided they remain delegates from USA Girl Scouts Overseas; members of the National Board of Directors and National Board Development Committee shall be members of the National Council during their term of office; those persons elected by the National Council shall serve until the next regular session of the National Council.
Lifetime Membership Discount
Lifetime members pay $400 lifetime membership dues at the time they become lifetime members; discounted lifetime membership dues of $200 shall be offered to anyone who was a registered Girl Scout member before the age of 18 and is under the age of 30 at the time of becoming a lifetime member; discounted lifetime membership dues of $200 shall be offered to anyone who is a registered member and has served as a volunteer for a period of 10 or more years at the time of becoming a lifetime member.
2020-2023 National Board Election
Officers
- President: Karen P. Layng
- First Vice President: Jeanne Kwong Bickford
- Second Vice President: Noorain Khan
- Treasury: Valarie Gelb
- Secretary: Ráchel Roché Walton
Members-at-Large
- Mary Ann Altergott
- Beth Bovis
- Eileen Drake
- Wendy Drummond
- Vievette Henry
- Vidya Krishnan
- Rose Littlejoh
- Sue Major
- Lydia Mallett
- Rumi Morales
- Brit Morin
- Marcus Peacock
- Edmond C. Rastrelli
- Erika Rottenberg
- Trooper Sanders
- Earl Simpkins Jr
- Zeta Smith
- Leslee A. Temple
- Cynthia Teniente-Matson
- Diane Tipton
- Maryann Waryjas
Members-at-Large and National Board Development Committee
- Vicki Gardner
- Lorraine Hack
- Ileana Musa
- Debbie Nielson
Non-Board Member of the National Board Development Committee
- Felecia Gilmore-Long
- Robyn Ratcliffe Manzini
- Monica Martinez
