volunteer training
Training is vital to the success of a Girl Scout Leader. Since every adult member of GSUSA is selected on their willingness and ability to take training for the job, we believe that all volunteers should welcome training opportunities as well. Courses will offer volunteers a chance to grow in competency and skills and should be taken with the expectation that they will help other volunteers gain job satisfaction and understanding of Girl Scouting.
Training sessions are designed by volunteer trainers, and the format for each course varies. Every attempt is made to offer a variety of training sessions in each geographic area at different times during the year. Nevertheless, it is not always possible to offer alternatives in every service unit.
The
Training
Guide, a council produced publication, lists annual course
titles, times, and places of training sessions being offered.
Congaree Connection,
the council’s quarterly newsletter, includes training
updates four times per year. Volunteers are encouraged to complete
training for their jobs as soon as training opportunities are
available.
Click here to view upcoming training dates, times and locations.
The following is a list of the required volunteer training sequence:
Volunteer
Training Sequence
Congaree Orientation acquaints the volunteer with the Girl
Scout Council of the Congaree Area, Inc. and includes duties,
forms, council services, resources, parent meeting suggestions
and additional training information. This course will be provided
by the local service unit team.
Basics of Girl Scouting is required for all volunteers
who work directly with girls. In addition to this class, other
courses such as outdoor education opportunities are available
for service team members. All sessions must be taken to complete
the course.
Basics
of Age Level is the "how to" for your age
level. Included in this training: the parts of a troop meeting,
government, earned insignia, finances, and calendar planning.
Specialty Workshops are planned throughout the year to
assist the Girl Scout adult membership in working with the girls
and adults. The workshops are offered in each service unit throughout
the year, and provides a way for volunteers to become better
acquainted with other troop leaders and assistant leaders by
attending service unit meetings and events, and by taking advantage
of training opportunities and age level round table discussions.
Volunteers should meet with their troop committee and encourage
them, as well as other parents and friends, to take an active
role in troop activities.
Registration for training courses is very important. Those courses
with fewer than eight people may be canceled, and only those
volunteers who are pre-registered are notified of changes or
cancellations.
Click
here to download a training registration form.
Click here to download a request for correspondence course or online training.
Training Course Procedures
- Select the training event(s) you wish to attend, complete the registration form, and send it to the council service center. To request either a written correspondence or online traing course, complete the appropriate request form above (after reviewing #5 and #6 of Procedures). To prevent a delay in processing the registration, be sure to mail appropriate fee upon submitting this form if a fee is listed. You may also pre-order the appropriate resource book(s) to be used at the training course. If you would like this resource material, please send a check in the correct amount with the course fee (if any) for the training reservation. Your book(s) will be available at the training site on the date of the course. This option will ONLY be available for leaders who pre-register 10 days or more prior to a course.
- Due to the popularity of many training events, we suggest that you register as soon as possible. Registrations will close when capacity is reached or by the closing date, whichever comes first. The registration deadline is noted in each training description. No phone reservations will be accepted. Courses are planned for the comfort of the participants and sometimes meeting space limits the number of individuals we can accommodate. If you do not pre-register, you may be turned away due to spacing limitations. A confirmation or cancellation notice will be mailed 5-8 business days prior to the training session, with information that will include directions.
- Training sessions are held for adults only. We are unable to provide baby-sitting during training courses, and ask that you make arrangements with your troop committee or family to care for your children during training sessions.
- If you are unable to attend a training course for which you have registered, please notify the council service center as soon as possible. This courtesy will allow the trainer to make any necessary adjustments to accommodate other participants.
- Correspondence
courses are available for: Orientation to Congaree Council,
Basics of Girl Scouting, Daisy Age Level, Brownie Age Level,
Junior Age Level, Older Girl Age Level, and Planning Trips
with Girls.
- Online training is available for: Orientation to Congaree Council, Basics of Girl Scouting, Daisy Age Level, Brownie Age Level, Junior Age Level, and Planning Trips with Girls.
