Frequently Asked Questions
Be sure to check back frequently. We will be adding questions and answers as we move forward and decisions are made.
- Why are Girl Scout councils merging?
- Why is Girl Scouts making this change now?
- How will this change affect girls?
- Is the restructuring due to a lack of funding?
- What is the timeframe for realignment in Oregon?
- Where will the new council headquarters be? Where will local offices be?
- How will this affect staff in councils?
- What will the new council name be?
- How will the realignment be coordinated with the new GSUSA program models coming out at the same time our realignment is supposed to be completed?
- How can I be involved in the realignment process?
- When will the second/special meeting of the delegates be held?
- Will the new council have stores in the same locations as they are now?
- Will our current service unit structure remain the same?
- Will the volunteer personnel policies and our other council policies be different from what they are now? If they will be new, when will they be ready for distribution?
- How will the CEO for the new council be selected? When will the search for the new CEO begin and when will the new CEO begin in the new position?
- Will our current staff all have to reapply for positions with the new council?
- What counties in Washington and Oregon will
be included in the new council?
Do you have a question that is not listed? Click here or send an email to info@girlscoutsosw.org.
Why are Girl Scout councils merging?
All across the nation Girl Scout councils are reorganizing to create
the infrastructure that will ensure a strong future for the Girl Scout
program. The new councils will have higher capacity to effectively
use their resources, gain increased community support and offer an
expanded array of program activities for girls.
^ FAQ
Why is Girl Scouts making this change now?
We need to maintain our relevancy and effectiveness in a changing
world so that we can provide high-quality leadership experiences for
the largest number of girls possible and can increase the number of
volunteers participating in Girl Scouting. By combining the strengths
of all four Girl Scout councils in Oregon the result
will bring improvements and enhancement to existing program activities
and add even more exciting and rewarding opportunities for more girls.
Volunteers are asking for flexible time commitments and more ways to
participate in the Girl Scout program. Girls are asking for unique
experiences that reflect their needs and interests.
^ FAQ
How will this change affect girls?
Girls will remain in the same troops they are in or, as always,
may choose to join a new troop at the end of the membership year. The
current troop number may change, as there may be a duplication of troop
numbers. In this case an additional number will be added to some troops
(i.e. troop 501 may become 2501). The most immediate impact will be
an increase in the variety and number of program events available to
girls as the councils pool their volunteer and staff resources. The
practice of offering training and program events in different areas
will continue. We expect to offer more events in more locations throughout Oregon.
^ FAQ
Is the restructuring due to a lack of funding?
While Girl Scouting needs to increase funding as do all non-profits,
our realignment is about joining all our local resources to create
a premium, revitalized council with which to serve Girl Scouts in our
new council. Many youth-serving organizations and other non-profits
are merging their regional areas to build stronger organizations also.
^ FAQ
What is the timeframe for realignment in Oregon?
Realignment of the Oregon councils is anticipated
to be completed by October 1, 2008. This will provide the framework
and structure for the new council. Services will continue to be provided
to girls and volunteers throughout the process. Then, over the next
year or two, additional details will be worked out in the integration
period as systems are merged, redesigned and fine-tuned, building a
cohesive new organization capable of providing optimal services for
girls and volunteers.
^ FAQ
Where will the new council headquarters be? Where will local
offices be?
After reviewing information from a demographic report on the new
council area and much discussion on the part of the CRC it
has been decided that the headquarters for GSOSW will be in the Portland Metropolitan
Area. The specific location has not been determined and no decision
on the use of any current council’s headquarters has been decided.
Local offices will also be needed throughout the state but the locations
have not yet been determined.
^ FAQ
How will this affect staff in councils?
When our Girl Scout councils combine and are able to maximize our
efficiencies, we are likely to need as many, if not more, staff to
serve the girls and volunteers. Future growth will necessitate a strong
group of volunteers and staff to continue providing the quality leadership
development program for girls. There are apt to be changes and additions
in job names or categories and position descriptions.
^ FAQ
What will the new council name be?
We are delighted to announce that our new council now has a name.
After reviewing over 250 submissions from girls and adults from throughout Oregon ,
three finalists were submitted to Girl Scouts of the USA for
final approval. We have now been notified that, upon realignment, we
will all move forward as " Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest
Washington ."
^ FAQ
How will the realignment be coordinated with the new GSUSA
program models coming out at the same time our realignment is supposed
to be completed?
In fall 2008, GSUSA will begin the rollout of new program materials
and new program levels for girls. This process will continue through
2010. All current program materials will be usable through 2010.
The councils involved in our realignment have begun discussions
on creating a consistent process among all the councils on how the
age level registrations will be processed beginning in 2008, the same
time as our new council is expected to begin. As input is needed for
this process and decisions are made, we will be sure to pass the information
along.
^ FAQ
How can I be involved in the realignment process?
There are several ways volunteers will be able to be involved in
the realignment process:
-
Volunteer to be a delegate for your service unit/ VISTA . Delegates will play key roles in providing input, seeking out the opinions of others in their service units and taking part in the actual votes required to complete the realignment process.
-
Attend your local service unit meetings/VISTA. Requests for feedback will also be distributed to service units through the service unit managers.
- Stay tuned for other opportunities as they come about.
^ FAQ
When will the second/special meeting of the delegates be held?
The date of the second/special meeting of the delegates has not
been determined. We anticipate that it will be sometime in the late
summer of 2008. When it is held will be determined by how quickly the CRC can
complete its work. The purpose of the second/special meeting of delegates
will be to approve the “Plan and Agreement to Merge,” which
will include:
-
new bylaws and articles of incorporation for the new council
-
slate for the new board of directors and board development committee (formerly known as the nominating committee)
-
the location of the new council’s headquarters
-
any other information the CRC feels is necessary.
^ FAQ
Will the new council have stores in the same locations as they
are now?
This has not been determined. We will notify our membership once
this decision is made.
^ FAQ
Will our current service unit structure remain the same?
This has not been determined. This will certainly be an area where
input will be requested from our membership. We will keep you updated
on this as decisions are made.
^ FAQ
Will the volunteer personnel policies and our other council
policies be different from what they are now? If they will be new,
when will they be ready for distribution?
With the combining of four different councils, each with their
own culture and ways of work, there will be a new set of volunteer
personnel and council polices developed. These new policies will be
ready in time for the first day of the new council, which is anticipated
to be October 1, 2008.
^ FAQ
How will the CEO for the new council be selected? When will
the search for the new CEO begin and when will the new CEO begin in
the new position?
In order to ensure that our new council and our girls have the
absolute best person in the position, the CRC is
conducting a national search for the new CEO. This will not preclude
any executive directors or CEO of the current four councils from applying
through the national search process. It has been recommended by councils
who have already completed their realignment process that the new CEO
is on board at least 90 days prior to the start of the new council.
In our case, we hope to have the new CEO in July, 2008.
^ FAQ
Will our current staff all have to reapply for positions with
the new council?
As part of the hiring process to fill positions with the new council
(with the exception of the CEO search, as outlined above) it is expected
that internal candidates (current employees) will have the first opportunities
to apply for these positions.
^ FAQ
What counties in Washington and Oregon will
be included in the new council?
The new council will be made up of the following counties:
WA – Clark and Skamania
OR – All the counties EXCEPT Malheur, which will remain with
Silver Sage (Baker, Benton, Clac kam as, Clatsop,
Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney,
Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln,
Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah , Polk, Sherman,
Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler,
and Yamhill).
^ FAQ
