About Us

 Girl Scout Program

The focal point of the Girl Scout program is the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)—the framework for defining what girls do in Girl Scouting. Programs engage girls in three key activities: discovering who they are and what they value; connecting with others; and taking action to make the world a better place. To ensure a high-quality and fun experience, Girl Scout activities use three processes: girl-led; learning-by-doing; and cooperative-learning. Our success is demonstrated by the fact that Girl Scout alumnae make up 80 percent of female executives and business owners, and two-thirds of women serving in the U.S. Congress. The Girl Scout grade levels are:

• Girl Scout Daisy: Grades K–1
• Girl Scout Brownie: Grades 2–3
• Girl Scout Junior: Grades 4–5
• Girl Scout Cadette: Grades 6–8
• Girl Scout Senior: Grades 9–10
• Girl Scout Ambassador: Grades 11–12

 Membership

Girl Scouts is open to all girls in grades K–12. Annual membership dues are $12 per year and financial assistance is available for those that qualify. Our organization values diversity and inclusiveness and does not discriminate on any basis. Become a member today!

 Volunteering

Girl Scouts is a volunteer-driven organization. You can make a difference in the lives of girls! Girl Scouts will match your skills, interests and availability to volunteer opportunities.

 About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington

Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington serves members throughout Oregon, and Clark and Skamania Counties in Washington (view a map). There are 40 service units that provide support to girls and adults in their geographic area.

Our council is funded through grants, donations, bequests, program fees, product sales, investment income and endowments. For more information, view our 2011 Annual Report below:

 Fast Facts

• 19,479 girl members
• 11,515 adult volunteers
• 79 full-time and 17 part-time staff (fluctuates slightly throughout the year)
• $ 5.9 million budget
• $121,031 provided in financial assistance; assitance is provided to one in every three girls
• Annual cost to support each girl who participates in a volunteer-led experience=$300/girl
  Funds raised through product sales, program and camp fees=$245/girl
  Amount we  need to raise annually=$55/girl; $1,072,500 Girl Scouts OSW total
• Over 2,600 Girl Scouts were served by the Hispanic Initiative, Girl Scouts Beyond Bars and the C.H.O.IC.E. community outreach programs
• 47 girls earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting
• 5,332 girls attended day camps and 1,214 girls attended resident camp
• 15 properties and 8 service centers throughout the council’s jurisdiction
• 8 policies or practices in place to ensure girl safety at all times

Statistics are based on the membership year October 1, 2010 - September 30, 2011

 Girl Scout Cookie Program

Our well-known Girl Scout Cookie Program is much more than a fundraiser. This program is a hands-on leadership and entrepreneurial program for girls, teaching five essential life skills: goal setting, money management, decision making, business ethics and people skills. Many successful business women today got their start selling Girl Scout cookies!

Our council's pre-sales begin in January, cookies arrive in February and booth sales run from mid-February till mid-March. There are eight delicious varieties to choose from: Thin Mints, Samoas® ,Tagalongs®, Do-si-dos®, Dulce de Leche, Trefoils, Thank You Berry Munch™ and new in 2012, Savannah Smiles. In honor of Girl Scouts' 100th anniversary, this lemony delight pays tribute to the birthplace of Girl Scouting in Savannah, Georgia and - when held just right - looks like a "Brownie Smile!"

Each box of Girl Scout cookies costs $4.00 and proceeds (per box) are distributed as follows:

• Troop proceeds $.65 (minimum)
• Recognitions $.25 (girl prizes and cookie credits)
• Service unit grant $.06 max (used to support troops and volunteers in their community)
• Program for girls $1.90 (training, maintaining camp properties, financial assistance, etc.)
• Cost of cookies $.92
• Other $.22 (costs associated with cookie program - marketing, bad debts, bad checks, etc.)

 Community Outreach

• Creating Her Own Individual Challenges and Experiences - C.H.O.I.C.E. is focused on middle and high school aged girls who may be having difficulty reaching their full potential. Leaders are recruited from local colleges and communities to provide positive female role models who can relate to the issues and concerns of teenage girls.
• Hispanic Initiative - The Hispanic Initiative is dedicated to supporting Latina/Hispanic girls and adults throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Currently the program is focused in Clackamas, Jackson, Josephine, Marion, Multnomah, Lane, Lynn and Washington counties. The work of the Hispanic Initiative resulted in a 28% increase in Hispanic girl membership for our council in 2011. To learn more about the Hispanic Initiative, contact your local Hispanic Initiative Coorindinator.
• Girl Scouts Beyond Bars –GSBB participants meet twice a month with their mothers who reside at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville. The program provides Girl Scout activities in a safe and supportive environment and focuses on re-establishing relationships, Girl Scout values and healthy decision-making skills.

 Sponsors

Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
is grateful to our sponsors for their support.

For a full list of current sponsors, please visit our Alumnae page.

 Board of Directors

 Bylaws

Girl Scouts OSW’s bylaws are the rules and regulations enacted by our organization that provide a framework for its operation and management. View Girl Scouts OSW's Bylaws »