Getting Started

Ready to guide her on her Girl Scout journey?

You came to the right place.

Learn about all the ways that you can get involved, from stepping up as a troop leader to giving them a hand with product sales. We're so glad you're here.

Volunteer Opportunities

Troop Roles toggle arrow

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Girl Scout troop leaders prepare girls for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure in a safe, all-girl, no-limits environment. Imagine the excitement, memories, and impact you’ll have helping your girls discover what interests them and how to make a difference in their world. With you as their troop leader, they’ll go as far as their imaginations can take them.

In every Girl Scout troop, two or more leaders work with their girls to plan a progressive series of engaging, challenging, and fun activities like earning badges, exploring science, getting outdoors, selling cookies, and doing community service projects. Troop leaders are supported by Friends and Family troop volunteers, online training and planning tools, a local team of experienced Girl Scout volunteers, and dedicated staff.

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The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps your girls learn about goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. Cookie Product Managers coordinate and organize troop sales, record keeping and money handling so that every girl can participate in this national program.

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Join the team of Friends and Family volunteers who inspire girls to explore being go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders! Your troop’s leaders will help you find the role that matches your skills and availability—such as maintaining the troop’s finances, transporting girls to their next adventure, or helping them shine as entrepreneurs at Girl Scout Cookie booths. Friends and Family volunteers are supported by their troop leaders, online training and planning tools, a local team of experienced Girl Scout volunteers, and dedicated staff.

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Setting realistic goals, creating budgets, and keeping accurate records are at the heart of this position—whether you’re working with girls or maintaining the troop’s finances. Your organizational skills and attention to detail will help your girls learn how to bring their plans to life.

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Help at Girl Scout Cookie booths and more.

Juliette Mentors/Advisors toggle arrow

Girls are able to participate in Girl Scouts individually, outside of the troop format. Those who engage independently are considered Juliettes, and they can participate in all the same activities as those in troops—from earning badges to attending camp, and more! Juliettes are supported by a dedicated adult who guides them and helps facilitate their Girl Scout experience. This is usually the girl's own guardian or primary caregiver, who is referred to as a Juliette Mentor. Sometimes this is another trusted adult like a family member or close friend, which is referred to as a Juliette Advisor. There are also often opportunities to support group and larger-scale Juliette activities at the local service unit and council-wide level.

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Do you have just a few hours or a few days to give? Do you have a special skill or expertise that you could share to help girls discover something new and earn a badge? Occasional volunteering may be the right fit for you!

Complete the Occasional Volunteer Interest Form to tell us more about how you'd like to engage, and we'll reach out to help you find the right opportunity for you!

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Service Unit Manager toggle arrow

The service unit manager (SUM) serves as a knowledgeable, positive, and encouraging source of support and leadership for the entire service unit team. This position enthusiastically engages others in carrying out the team’s plans, building community, and delivering quality Girl Scout experiences in their area. For more information, check out the Service Unit Manager Position Description.

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The volunteer mentor is a crucial component in the development and success of new troop leaders. Serving as the first point of contact in the service unit for new troop leaders, the volunteer mentor provides a warm welcome, introduces the opportunities available to leaders through the service unit, provides advanced learning opportunities, and answers any questions new leaders have about Girl Scouts and their role. For more information, check out the Volunteer Mentor Position Description.

Membership Growth Manager toggle arrow

The membership growth manager (MGM) brings their creative spark to engage the service team, troops, and Girl Scout families in opportunities to invite new members to join and volunteer with Girl Scouts. They build a network of local troop volunteers, Girl Scout families, and community partners who are ready to take action to help more girls become Girl Scouts. For more information, check out the Membership Growth Manager Position Description.

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The girl experience mentor (GEM) focus is helping troop leaders understand Girl Scout programming and incorporate the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) into their troop experience. They support and coach volunteers in planning troop travel that is girl-led, safe, and progression-based (age/experience appropriate). The GEM keeps detailed records of troop travel for the service unit and guides volunteers through the regional troop travel qualification process. More broadly, the GEM educates, mentors, and supports volunteers in finding purpose and inspiration in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and Girl Scout programming; facilitating girl-led experiences through progression; delivering fun, girl-led Girl Scout events; and championing a well-rounded Girl Scout experience. For more information, check out the Girl Experience Mentor Position Description.

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The service unit treasurer serves as the coordinator of Girl Scout funds in the service unit and supports the banking needs of Girl Scout troops. The service unit treasurer helps ensure that all financial processes followed are consistent with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and Girl Scout guidelines. For more information, check out the Treasurer Position Description.

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The service unit product manager (SUPM) position manages their community’s participation in council-sponsored product programs, including the Girl Scout Cookie Program and the Fall Product Program. This position provides the training, guidance, and support troop volunteers need to engage their girls in a successful program focused on Girl Scouts building key leadership and entrepreneurial skills. For more information, check out the Service Unit Product Manager Position Description.

Completing your Girl Scout registration is step one in your volunteer journey.

gsLearn

Access volunteer resources—including on-demand training in gsLearn—by signing in to myGS.

Position-Specific Training Requirements

Select your volunteer role from the list below to view the required training (available on-demand in gsLearn).

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Thank you for choosing to volunteer as a Friends and Family Volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington!

gsLearn is your one-stop shop for all of your online training, as well as other helpful tutorials. If you are a new friends and family volunteer, please complete the GSOSW Friends and Family Volunteer Learning Path in gsLearn, which contains the following required trainings:

GSOSW Foundations
GSOSW Mandatory Reporter Training for Volunteers

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Thank you for choosing to volunteer as a troop leader with the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington!

You will need to complete the following training to get started as a new troop leader:

Complete the required GSOSW Troop Leader gsLearn courses ( Mandatory Reporter, Finance, and Foundations).
- Note that the Foundations training must be completed before taking the Before Your First Troop Meeting training.
Attend Before Your First Troop Meeting training.

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Thank you for choosing to volunteer as a Troop Treasurer with the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington!

gsLearn is your one-stop shop for all of your online training, as well as other helpful tutorials. If you are a new troop treasurer, then please complete the GSOSW Troop Treasurer Learning Path in gsLearn, which contains the following required trainings:

GSOSW Foundations
GSOSW Troop Finance
GSOSW Mandatory Reporter Training for Volunteers

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Thank you for choosing to volunteer as a Troop Product Manager (TPM) with the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington!

gsLearn is your one-stop shop for all of your online training, as well as other helpful tutorials. If you are a new troop cookie or product manager, please complete the GSOSW Troop Product Manager Learning Path in gsLearn, which contains the following required trainings:

GSOSW Foundations
GSOSW Troop Finance
GSOSW Mandatory Reporter Training for Volunteers

Additional training must be taken by a TPM with their Service Unit Product Manager (SUPM) prior to the start of each product program in order to receive access to marketing systems and sales materials. Both fall and spring product programs have specific deadlines for troops to have met eligibility requirements in order to participate, which include online and in-person training. Please contact your SU volunteer team to get connected with the product manager for your service unit to receive deadlines and schedule training.

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Thank you for choosing to volunteer as a Cookie Booth Assistant with the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington!

This training is designed to prepare caregivers and adult volunteers to assist girls, groups, or troops in planning and executing successful and rewarding Girl Scout cookie booths. In this training, we will cover the basics you will need to know when supervising a booth sale, including safety considerations, the goals of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, and tips for success.

Remember that there may be specific procedures that vary from troop to troop, or service unit to service unit. Consult with your product manager or troop leader for specific information that best applies to you.

Begin the online training (Youtube | 11 min)

Once you have completed the training and survey (linked in the video description), you will receive an email confirmation of your completion. Please forward a copy to your Troop Product Manager.

Additional Requirements

Keeping Girl Scouts safe is our number one priority. In addition to the position-specific trainings above, additional training related to safety and first aid is required. Volunteers must also complete a successful background check. Please expand the options below to learn more about these requirements and how to meet them.

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Girl Scouts is a safe place for girls to learn, lead and grow. There are many reasons this is true, but one of the most important is that—together with Girl Scouts of the USA—we conduct criminal background checks on volunteers and staff. Learn more below, or take a deeper dive with common questions about our secure background check vendor and the background check process for volunteers.

Who needs to submit a background check? toggle arrow

All Girl Scout members who plan to volunteer in the following capacities must follow the steps in the “How do I submit a background check?” section:

Any person who will have direct contact with girls.
Any volunteer with financial responsibility.
All service team members.

Additionally, all persons 18 years or older who reside at a residence where meetings or events occur must have a current GSOSW background check prior to the first meeting. Since Girl Scout membership is not required for these individuals, they must email answers@girlscoutsosw.org to begin their background check process.

Are there any exceptions? Yes, if the person meets all of the requirements of either of these situations:

A one-time speaker or presenter who is never left alone with girls and is not counted when considering girl/adult ratio.
A parent or guardian who attends a family function (court of awards or family picnic) and is not counted when considering girl/adult ratio.

How do I submit a background check? toggle arrow

New members who register as a volunteer will receive email information about submitting a background check after completing their online registration.

If you do not select a volunteer role during registration you will not automatically receive an email to complete a background check.

Current members who are new to a volunteer position and current volunteers who must renew their background check will be sent an email with a personalized link and instructions on completing or renewing their background check.

Individuals who do not have a Social Security number must submit a paper background check form. Email answers@girlscoutsosw.org to request the form in English or Spanish.

What can I expect after I submit a background check? toggle arrow

Background checks submitted online take at least one week to process, depending on many factors outside of Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington’s control. We are not able to respond to requests for “rush” background checks. Please plan ahead, especially during peak times such as back-to-school and before Girl Scout product sales.

A specially trained staff member will contact you by email if there are questions about the results of your background check.

You must complete a Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington background check every three years. If you have questions about when to submit or renew your background check, please contact answers@girlscoutsosw.org.

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First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification and Submission Process

At least one adult member who is certified in First Aid/ CPR/AED for adults and children must accompany the troop/group to all activities outside the meeting place.

Accepted First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications for adults and children must:

Be from an accredited provider.
Include an in-person portion. Internet first aid/CPR training that is offered hybrid with online training and in-person training is approved. For valid certification, an in-person component is required. In-person opportunities are ideal to practice and receive feedback on life-saving techniques. Online-only training will not be accepted.
Certify First Aid, CPR, and AED for adults AND children and must expressly state child or pediatric training

If you are a medical professional with an active license or certification, you may submit your documentation through this form in lieu of First Aid, CPR, and AED certification.

Use the GSOSW First Aid and CPR/AED Certification Submission form to share current certification with the council. Attach your certification and/or medical license documentation and any additional relevant documentation to this form.

Note: If the submitted documentation is incomplete or does not meet GSUSA First Aider requirements outlined above, you will need to resubmit the form with updated documentation.

If you have any questions about this process, please email answers@gsosw.org for more information.

Wilderness and Remote First Aid (WFA) Certification Submission Process

Please email answers@girlscoutsosw.org to submit your documentation.

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Wilderness and Remote First Aid (WFA) Certification

Receive a two-year Red Cross certification in Wilderness & Remote First Aid after completion of this two-day (not overnight) training. This course provides a foundation of First Aid principles and skills for individuals responding to remote emergencies when immediate emergency medical services are delayed or unavailable. This certification is required for Girl Scout activities when Emergency Medical Services are more than 30 minutes away and/or when cell service is limited.

Wilderness and Remote First Aid (WFA) Certification Submission Process

Please email answers@girlscoutsosw.org to submit your documentation.

Ongoing Training and Development

Ready to take your troop on day trips or overnights? Interested in boating or participating in another activity that may require additional training? Visit our Adult Training page when you're ready for the next step in your volunteer journey.

Cancellation policy: Please see individual training event details for the corresponding cancellation policy, and contact answers@girlscoutsosw.org to request a cancellation or refund, or transfer.

Please note: Participants need to be present for an entire course in order to receive credit for the training. Late arrival participation will be determined evaluated by the trainer. GSOSW volunteer trainings are adult, member-only events. Please make other arrangements for your children.

Illustration of a Girl Scout volunteer holding a clipboard with Troop Leader Plan documents

Troop Year Plans

A customizable resource featuring our most popular activities to plan fun and bright year for your Girl Scouts.

EXPLORE PLANS