How Can I Get Involved?

We're looking for volunteers who represent the diversity of the area we live in—men as well as women, senior citizens as well as young adults, people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, and of course our treasured alumnae— anyone who wants to help make a difference in the lives of girls.  No matter what your experience, your age, or the amount of time you have to give, Girl Scouts needs you.  Girls will grow strong from your involvement.

For more than 80 years, women and men from our ten parish area have helped girls realize their full potential.  Our volunteers are inspiring, invaluable and have a profound effect on everyone they help.  Quite simply, there would be no Girl Scouts without them!

Opportunities are available for leaders, assistant leaders, camping consultants, first-aiders, and many other areas.  Opportunities for helping other adults who work with girls exist as well.  You can also volunteer your time and talent as a task group member or a committee member.

Through training and program experience, adult Girl Scouts have opportunities to enhance their professional careers and personal lives while making a lifelong difference in the lives of girls.

To learn more about adult involvement, contact Audubon Council at 225-927-8946.


Adult Development

Girl Scouting is for girls!  We believe that Girl Scouting can best be delivered to girls with the help of caring adult volunteer role models who have a comprehensive knowledge of the Girl Scout program and an understanding of characteristics of girls at each of the different program grade levels.

The philosophy of adult education in Girl Scouts encourages practical, creative responses through training to an ever-changing society. Participants are involved in the goal setting for their learning experience.  Courses are designed with the realization that adults come to their Girl Scout positions with a lifetime of experience and a variety of expertise.

Adult learning opportunities in Girl Scouts - Audubon Council are provided by volunteer trainers, whose efforts are coordinated by the Adult Development Manager.

Girl Scouts - Audubon Council has initiated the trainer certification process in order to comply with Girl Scouts of the USA guidelines and provide quality learning experiences.  Each trainer will become a Certified Girl Scouts - Audubon Council Trainer teaching a standardized curriculum for leadership and outdoor courses.

Adult Education Courses

Orientation

In most cases, orientation is conducted by a member of the geographical area (Service Unit Team). Topics discussed during orientation include:  the local and national Girl Scout organization, resources available to the new volunteer, and the initial paperwork involved in becoming a Girl Scout.  Orientation is the first step in a rewarding experience in Girl Scouting.

Leadership Training

Module I is Girl Scout basics and is required for all new leaders, assistant leaders, and any other volunteer working directly with the girls. This session focuses on Girl Scout history; the importance of the Promise, the Law, and the Four Program Goals; and Safety-Wise.  Planning for the first few meetings, conducting a parent meeting, and answering any and all questions makes Module I an essential part of the training process.

Module 2 is Grade Level Training are sessions that focus on incorporation of the girl/adult partnership in troop meetings, age level characteristics, parent involvement, program starters, troop government and the insignia for the specific grade level. As leaders progress to a new level, the appropriate Module 2 course needs to be completed.

First Aid & CPR Courses

Level I First Aider - This course is needed whenever a troop ventures out beyond the regular troop meeting.  A Level I First Aider is trained in First Aid and Adult/Child CPR. Click here to view schedule of classes.

Outdoor Education Courses

Basic Troop Camping - Troops or groups camping at Camp Marydale (day or overnight) or any other "camping" experience at another site, must be accompanied by an adult who has completed Basic Troop Camping.

Program Enrichment Courses

A variety of program enrichment workshops are available, topics may include but are not limited to:

Awards for Adults

Audubon Council seeks to recognize the outstanding efforts made by volunteers. We do so by asking for award nominations for those who have significantly impacted the lives of girls in our council. We want to recognize the volunteers who have made a contribution of their time and talent to Girl Scouts and have significantly affected the lives of the girls they serve.

These awards vary as to the type of service given and the impact that person had on achieving goals set on the Service Unit and/or Council levels. These award recipients are nominated by their fellow peers and must meet the criteria established by Girl Scouts of the USA or Audubon Council. There can be no award recipients without nominations from other volunteers.

All awards are given at the Council’s Recognition Awards Luncheon EXCEPT the Green Angel. This award is given at the Service Unit level.

For nomination forms and more information on the following awards, please click on our FORMS section at www.girlscoutsaudubon.org.

Recognitions approved by the Service Unit
or Council’s Award Task Group

GREEN ANGEL AWARD
April 1st Deadline - due to Council
The Service Unit Awards Task group or the Council Awards Task Group approves this award. The Green Angel Award is a special Girl Scouts – Audubon Council award and is given to adult volunteers for direct service to girls in at least one service unit or geographic area for a period of one year. Examples would be those that have coordinated events or activities for the Service Unit or have been involved in the recruitment of girls and adults resulting in a significant increase in membership over previous years.

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD
March 15th Deadline - due to Council
This award recognizes an adult in a position other than leader or in addition to leader whose service benefits a geographic or program delivery unit in a way that is beyond the expectations for the position, Girl Scouts of the USA Award.

Criteria for Selection:
The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult and completed appropriate training, or demonstrated competence for the job, or both. The candidate has performed at a level that exceeds the expectations of the position as outlined in the job description agreement.

OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD
March 15th Deadline - due to Council
This award recognizes troop/group leaders, assistant troop/group leaders, or group coordinators whose performance in working with girls is so outstanding that it merits recognition by the geographic or program delivery unit, Girl Scouts of the USA Award.

Criteria for Selection:
The candidate must be a registered Girl Scout adult and have completed the appropriate training or demonstrated competence in girl-adult partnerships, communication, membership development, pluralism and program delivery. The candidate’s work with girls should exceed expectations for the position as outlined in the job description or agreement.

Recognitions approved by the Council Board
of Directors

February 15th Deadline - due to council

PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Criteria for Selection:

  1. Team members are registered adult Girl Scouts.
  2. All team members have completed appropriate training, or demonstrated competence, or both, for the positions they hold.
  3. Delivery of Girl Scout program to the area or audience is effective, resulting in the continuity of 75 percent of troops/groups or retention of troop/group leadership.
  4. Overall girl membership for the area or audience has reached or surpassed the membership goal agreed upon by the team and the council.
  5. The composition of the team reflects the diversity of the area or audience.
  6. Team members cultivate contacts in the community, such as through scheduled talks to civic groups, sponsorship agreements, or community profile updates.
  7. Council-required reports are submitted on time.
  8. The team maintains ongoing communications with each troop/group and with leaders utilizing a variety of methods (meetings, mail, and phone) that serve the needs of area adults.
  9. 9.The team maintains ongoing communication with girls registered individually in the area.
  10. The team encourages adult participation in fund development and has increased annual giving support to the council.

APPRECIATION PIN
Criteria for Selection:

  1. The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult volunteer or staff member.
  2. The candidate has provided outstanding service to a geographic area or program delivery audience in a way that furthers the council’s goals.
  3. The service goes beyond the expectations for the position.
  4. Attach two letters of recommendation by two individuals or groups to this application.

HONOR PIN
Criteria for Selection:

  1. The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult volunteer or staff member.
  2. The candidate has provided outstanding service to two or more geographic areas or program delivery audiences in a way that furthers the council’s goals.
  3. The service goes beyond the expectations of the position.
  4. Attach three letters of recommendation by three individuals or groups to this application.

THANKS BADGE and THANKS BADGE II
The nominee for the Thanks Badge II has received the Thanks Badge.

Criteria for Selection:

  1. The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult volunteer or staff member.
  2. The candidate has provided outstanding service that benefits the total council or entire Girl Scout movement.
  3. The service is so significantly beyond expectations that no other award is appropriate.
  4. Attach four letters of recommendation by four individuals or groups to this application.