Welcome to the Sisterhood!
Troop Leader Onboarding: My GS and gsLearn
Before the fun of meeting with your troop begins, we have some essential training courses for you to complete and a few handy resources to share. First let's dive into your MY GS account and introduce you to some of its important features.
When visiting our council website, gsofsi.org, navigate to the MY GS tab in the top right corner. Signing into your account here provides access to troop information, lets you build your troop meeting calendar, and helps you plan adventures using the Volunteer Toolkit. You can also manage your own membership account and individual training plan in gsLearn. All of these features are available by clicking on MY GS.
What is gsLearn, you ask? gsLearn is Girl Scouts’ official online training forum. It empowers users (“learners”) to complete training whenever it works best for them. Learners have access to Girl Scout-specific content that supports accuracy and consistency across the Girl Scout Movement.
The training opportunities for new leaders continue to grow and our leaders continue to soar. Be sure to log into your gsLearn account often to see what new training may be available to you as you progress through your first 30, 60 and 90+ days in this new role.
One important training requirement to complete right away is the DCFS Illinois Mandated Reporter Online Training. In order for your troop to remain in a "good standing" status with the council and to be eligible for certain benefits, troop leaders must remain compliant with this training and its 3-year recertification requirement.
For more information on this training requirement and the entire new leader training path, visit the Adult Training section of our website.
Troop Management Support: Establishing a Troop Bank Account
Another great action to complete prior to the start of your troop meetings is to set up your troop bank account and complete the ACH Electronic Debit/Credit Authorization form with the council. As troops start collecting, raising, or earning funds, you’ll need a safe place to deposit and manage these dollars.
Our Volunteer Essentials publication has an entire section that shares important details about managing your troop finances. For more in depth training, complete the gsLearn course titled “416 (GSofSI Council) Troop & SU Finance.”
Getting to Know the Girl Scout Program: The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is the basis of what Girl Scouting is all about. We encourage girls to lead, while adult leaders are present to guide that journey. There are many components of the GSLE and the easiest way to understand how they all work together is to review Volunteer Essentials. It's all there!
The GSLE builds confidence and leadership in girls of all ages. The four core pillars of all Girl Scout programming are STEM, outdoors, life skills, and entrepreneurship.
Girls at every level can explore each of these topics by earning badges, participating in product programs, attending events, and in so many other ways. It's really up to the girls to decide what interests them. You are their cheerleader - encouraging their ideas and helping them find options to pursue their passions.
Defining Badges, Patches, Journeys, and Awards
- Badges are earned by girls at every level. Badges build skills and are worn on the front of the sash or vest.
- Patches are given to girls for attending an event or activity and are placed on the back of the sash or vest.
- Journeys give girls the opportunity to put the skills learned from earning badges into action.
- Girl Scout Awards can be earned beginning at the Junior level with the Bronze Award. Cadettes can earn the Silver Award and Seniors and Ambassadors can earn the Gold Award.
Click the "Get Inspired" button below to hear a former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA share why Girl Scouts is the best leadership experience in the world for girls. Thank you for being a champion for girl ambition and welcome to the Girl Scout family!
