Troop Volunteers

Welcome to the great adventure of Girl Scouting! Thanks to volunteers like you, generations of girls are learning to be Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers and Leaders. Below are the links to some of the most important resources you will need to inspire tomorrow's leaders and prepare every G.I.R.L. to practice a lifetime of leadership.

Learning Opportunities for Adult Volunteers

Girl Scouts' motto is be prepared. Every troop leader should complete Intro to GSCI online and attend New Leader Workshop in person within four weeks of registering as a troop leader.

Intro to GSCI-This will kick start your knowledge of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. It's a great way to get all the basics and learn where you can go to gain additional information.

New Leader Workshop-Learn tips and tricks on how to get organized, keep girls safe, and have a fun year with your Girl Scouts. Complete this training within the first four weeks of becoming a volunteer.

New ACES Resiliency Virtual Series
You are invited to a free, five-week virtual series beginning on Tuesday, July 21st, 2020. Please feel free to share this with others!

As you may know, the core focus of our Community Health Improvement Team is to address, prevent, and heal from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), after identifying ACEs as a prominent public health concern in our communities.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we have recognized an increased need in our communities to provide ACEs-related education and awareness. Therefore, we created the “Childhood Trauma and Back-To-School Event Series,” which is a free, five-week virtual series that recognizes the impact of ACEs within our communities, especially as children return to school.

This free, five-week virtual series begins with a 48-hour virtual showing of two award-winning documentaries that address childhood trauma, adversity, and health and social wellbeing: RESILIENCE and PAPER TIGERS.

After the documentaries, we will host nine virtual webinars with our community and partners that address specific topics associated with childhood adversity. As mentioned, all virtual events are free, open to the public, and accessible from any electronic device. Registration is required for all virtual events, so we can see who joins each event and award a “Certificate of Attendance” to attendees.

Details about each virtual event:

The 48-hour free virtual showing of RESILIENCE and PAPER TIGERS documentaries. Beginning at 5:00am EST on July 21st for 48 hours, we are hosting a free, virtual showing for both documentaries. Registration is required by July 20th at Noon EST. Registered members, then, will be able to log in to Vimeo using their personalized viewing passcode to start the films at their convenience. Starting, stopping, or replaying the video is easy to do at any time during the 2-day viewing window.
1. To register, click here: bit.ly/3dNSXnR.

Nine free, virtual webinars that address specific topics associated with childhood adversity.
1. Exploring ACEs, Part 1 – Types of Trauma Webinar. In this webinar, you will learn about ACEs and other types of trauma through an equity lens by guest speakers, Karlin Tichenor and Tracy Butler, from the Indiana Youth Institute.

Details: Thursday, July 23rd at 11:30 – 1:00pm EST.

To Register: conta.cc/3gi1am

1. Exploring ACEs, Part 2 – Epigenetics Webinar. In this webinar, you will explore the science of adversity, through understanding epigenetics and human development by guest speaker, Stephanie Case, a clinical psychologist.

Details: Tuesday, July 28th at 12:00 – 1:00pm EST.

To Register: conta.cc/2Bup5Qj

1. Tips for Re-Entry in Schools for Educators Webinar. In this webinar, you can listen for socio-emotional learning tips in education as kids re-enter schools. Guest speakers include: Christy Berger from the Indiana Department of Education and Kristi Linson from the Indiana State Department of Health.

Details: Thursday, July 30th at 11:00am – 12:00pm EST.

To Register: conta.cc/2NPCxRi

1. Tackling Tough Times Together as a Family Webinar. In this webinar, you will learn about Purdue University’s initiative that promotes family resilience by guest speaker, Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth from Purdue University.

Details: Tuesday, August 4th at 12:00 – 1:00pm EST.

To Register: conta.cc/3dK0ioE

1. Strengthening Protective Factors for Family Health and Wellbeing Webinar. In this webinar, you will explore the health outcomes associated with adversity and strategies in building family wellness. Guest speakers include: Marcia Cherry and Jessica Crunkleton, health providers at Franciscan Health.

Details: Thursday, August 6th at 4:00 – 5:00pm EST.

To Register: conta.cc/3dULO5b

1. Caring for Yourself, the Adult Caregiver Webinar. In this webinar, you can recognize the importance of caring for yourself, including your health and wellbeing. Guest speakers include: Kristy Eaton from the Indiana School Mental Health Initiative and Christy Gauss from School Community Partnerships, LLC.

Details: Tuesday, August 11th at 11:00am – 12:00pm EST.

To Register: conta.cc/3imUp48

1. Exploring ACEs, Part 3 – Community Healing Webinar. In this webinar, you will learn the principles in building a self-healing community, led by Kate Hill-Johnson, Danielle Crowder, and Autumn Clark from Franciscan Health.

Details: Wednesday, August 12th at 4:00 – 5:00pm EST.

To Register: conta.cc/2BWHgyd

1. Examples of Trauma-Informed Schools in Indiana Webinar. In this webinar, you can listen to Indiana school professionals who are leading trauma-informed initiatives within their schools. Guest speakers include: Karen Branch, Michal Cox, and Jonathan Guthrie from Montgomery County and Adam White from Hammond, Indiana.

Details: Tuesday, August 18th at 12:00 – 1:00pm EST.

To Register: conta.cc/2VzrW1a

1. Building Healthy Conflict Resolution in Kids Webinar. In this webinar, you can identify strategies for implementing positive discipline in kids, following the Comprehensive Positive School Discipline Resource Guide designed by the School of Education at Butler University and the Indiana Department of Education.

Details: Thursday, August 20th at 11:00am – 12:00pm EST.

To Register: conta.cc/2Zw0VNl

We hope you and your community are able to join us for one or all of the events within this free, five-week virtual series that recognizes the impact of ACEs within our community. Please invite whomever you imagine would benefit or enjoy taking part in this event series. Our social media team is promoting our event via our Facebook and Twitter pages as well (Facebook.com/myFranciscan and Twitter.com/myFranciscan).

If you have any questions, please contact Kate Hill-Johnson, MA,

Administrative Director, Community Health Improvement

Franciscan Health

(317) 528.3296 W

(317) 294.5201 C

Katharine.hill-johnson@franciscanalliance.org

Online Training

The training opportunities listed below can all be completed online via your computer or smart device.

Getting Started
Intro to GSCI -Complete this module? Record it to your personal learning record HERE

Grade Level Training
-Complete a grade level module? Record it to your personal learning record HERE

Daisy
• Planning Your Daisy Girl Led Year
• Daisy Characteristics
• Daisy Meetings

Brownie
• Planning Your Brownie Girl Led Year
• Brownie Characteristics
• Brownie Meetings

Junior
• Planning Your Junior Girl Led Year
• Junior Characteristics
• Junior Meetings

Cadette, Senior and Ambassador
• CSA Grade Level Introduction

Multi-Age
• Multi-Age Level Troop Training

Outdoor Training

Venture Out
-Complete Venture Out? Record it to your personal learning record HERE
View the Elliot Wildlife Values Project video series

Renewing Your Membership

Renewing your membership online

Money Matters

How to handle money within the troop

Volunteer Toolkit

No need for binders! Save time and resources by using this amazing website. Through the Volunteer Toolkit you can manage your troop, plan your year, update your troop roster and track girl attendance and achievements from your mobile or other digital device. Find out more and how to access it.

Check out the learning videos created by GSUSA. And also look through these hand information guides to help you navigate the Volunteer Toolkit.

VTK User Guide - Administrative Volunteer
VTK User Guide - Individually Registered Member/Juliette
VTK User Guide - Parents
VTK User Guide - Troop Volunteer

Having trouble? Complete our form, we have customer care specialists waiting to help. If you need immediate assistance, call 317.924.6810.

GSCI Volunteer Policies

Volunteer Policies

Outdoor Skills Training

In complying with GSUSA Safety Activity Checkpoints, any troop reserving a campsite or participating in a service unit camping event at any of our camp properties, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana requires at least one troop volunteer to be rostered as a Camp Certified Volunteer. This requirement will take effect on January 1, 2021. If you have completed a camping training (basic or advanced) in the last two years you will be grandfathered into this new policy. If you have not taken any camping training, you will need to do ONE of the following:

Complete the online training module within gsLearn (launching December 2020)
Complete one of the following in-person camping training sessions:
- Camp Prep (Formerly called Basic Outdoor Skills)
- Beyond the Cabin (Formerly called Advanced Outdoor Skills)

Q.) How can I see if I am already a Camp Certified Volunteer from completing an outdoor training in the last two years?
A.) Contact Heather Bozzo hbozzo@girlscoutsindiana.org and she will check our master list of certified volunteers who completed outdoor skills training between August 2018 and December 2020.

Q.) What about this fall? Do I need to have someone certified to reserve a camp in the fall of 2020?
A.) No. There is no requirement for reservations until January 1, 2021

Q.) I haven’t attended training in the last two years, but I am an experienced camper, do I have to complete training?
A.) Yes. You will need to either complete an in-person training or the online training module available December 1st via gsLearn.

Q.) Does every adult camping with our troop need to be certified?
A.) No. Only one person per reservation needs to be listed as the Camp Certified Volunteer to make the reservation.

Q.) What skills does the Camp Prep in-person training cover?
A.) First 2 hours (indoors): Girl Scout Leadership Experience integrated in any outdoor experience, age progression in outdoor/overnight activities, Council Volunteer Policies and Safety Activity Checkpoints, and property and equipment reservations. Second 2 hours (outdoors): basic fire safety skills, safety when hiking, cabin amenities, and available equipment.

Q.) What skills will Camp Prep online training cover?
A.) It will cover the same outline and objectives as the in-person Camp Prep training minus the hands-on skill development.

Q.) What about camporees – does every troop need to have training before attending?
A.) Yes, each troop should have one Camp Certified Volunteer. Volunteer Services can help the service unit coordinate an in-person training prior to the event with a council approved trainer.

Q.) If I have led some of the outdoor trainings at Kaleidoscope, do I still need to take these in order to rent property after January 1, 2021?
A.) If you led training and you are in good standing with GSCI as a facilitator you will be marked as certified. Contact Heather Bozzo if you have any questions.

Q.) Will CSAs who have been through aid training qualify for their troop
A.) No. We require a current, approved adult volunteer.

Questions about Camp Certified Volunteer certification? Contact Heather Bozzo

Safety Activity Checkpoints

Our top priority is the safety of girls. 2020 Safety Activity Checkpoints are a convenient way to make sure you do all you can to ensure everyone has fun and safe experiences through Girl Scouts. From parades, to camping, to zip lining this online section lists everything you need to know for each outing and offers a checklist to follow for planning, during and after!

Kaleidoscope-Volunteer Enrichment Event

Join us for Kaleidoscope, a weekend of fun learning and camaraderie with adult volunteers. Kaleidoscope 2020 will take place October 9-11. This adult volunteer conference will be held mainly on October 10th at Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center with additional sessions throughout that weekend at Camp Dellwood. From outdoor skills, to STEM activities, to grade level specifics, you will be sure to come away with ideas and activities to share with your troop. For $20 you can attend 5 unique learning sessions that will help you develop skills you can bring back to your troops! Lunch, t-shirt are also provided. Shop at our pop-up Girl Scout shop, visit community vendors, and network with over 300 other adult volunteers. With over 85 sessions to choose from over the weekend we suggest bringing several adult volunteers from your troop or service unit so that you can attend a variety of topics.

Registration Opens Monday, August 31^st 2020

Troop Opportunity Catalog

The Troop Opportunity Catalog in an online listing of opportunities for girl and adult members.

It’s a lot like shopping online, something we’ve all done at some point, right? The Troop Opportunity Catalog makes it easier for parents and caregivers to search for troop openings by zip code. It also makes it easier for troop leaders to advertise ways for family members to get involved in their troop. Troop leaders will receive an instant email notification (with contact information) when a new member joins the troop or a parent or caregiver expresses interest in volunteering.

Update your Troop Opportunity Catalog.

Troop Leader Resources

This section is designed to give you access to the latest and greatest Girl Scout resources. Check back here often as new resources will be added for troop leaders regularly.

Global Action Days Toolkit
This toolkit describes nine international days and is designed to help volunteers engage with Girl Scouts on these global days of action.

Badges and Where to Find Their Requirements
Want to know where you can find the requirements for all the badges at each grade level? Look no further. Download this handy guide! Remember that once you find the badges your girls want to earn you can track those badges and their requirements in the Volunteer Toolkit located in the right-hand corner of our website under "MY GS".

Forms and Documents

Having the right forms and documents is critical to moving quickly through all the details. To make them easier to access we have linked many of them throughout the website, listed the most frequently used on one page, and provided a convenient search feature for others.

View Forms and Documents

2019 Blue Book

2019 Blue Book (Feb 2019)

Overnight Travel/High Risk

The Overnight Travel/High Risk form is for troop or groups planning extended or international travel and or high risk activities. This form must be completed and approved at council level.

For additional information, check out the Girl Scout Guide to US Travel.

Certificates of Insurance

Many troop activities require that a troop will need to attain a certificate of insurance. We will have this list updated regularly so that you can view the facilities we have on file. If the facility you are visiting is not on the list below, please provide one as part of your overall planning with the council.

Educational Service Centers Risk Funding Trust, South Henry School Corporation
Crimson Stables LLC
Jesse James Riding Staple, Inc
Perfect Slopes North, Inc
Flips Gymnastics: The Flip Zone
YMCA Camp Tecumseh, Inc
Alpine Slide Inc dba Kentucky Action Park
Chapel Rock Christian Church
Tim's Shooting Academy of Westfield, Inc.
Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity
Allisonville Christian Church
Rossville Consolidated School District
Forest Park
City of Noblesville Parks & Recreation
Turner Coaches
Lafayette Limo
Indiana Humanities Council, Inc.
Childrens Dentist
Cincinnati Zoo
Cummins Inc
First Tee of Indiana
Hayes Arboreum
Kokomo-Howard County Public Library
Monroe County History Center
Nestle
Serenity
Sprouts
Sweet Adelines
Thomas Duncan Hall
Turner Coaches, Inc
Writing for a Change
Haven’s Hope
White Pines Ranch
Westwind Farm and Fiber

Guidelines during an election year

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana actively encourages civic and advocacy participation by girls and troops. However, the laws governing tax-exempt organizations draw a distinction between lobbying activities and intervening in elections. While lobbying is permitted, intervening in elections is not. We ask that all volunteers and staff follow these guidelines. Thank you.

Guidelines During an Election Year: When acting as a Girl Scout representative, employee, volunteer or Girl Scout you may not engage in the following prohibited electoral activity:

• Endorse any candidate for public office, including:
o Distributing campaign materials.
o Allowing a political candidate to use council property for a campaign event.
o Participating in election events or activities, including a campaign parade or rally.
o Hosting a flag ceremony to open a political campaign event.
o Wearing official Girl Scout uniforms or other insignia to a political campaign event.
o Wearing campaign buttons on the Girl Scout uniform at any time, as well as on non-Girl Scout apparel while conducting official Girl Scout business.
• Share on social media any materials from a candidate, campaign or political organization, or any statements that favor or oppose candidates.
• Post political statements on personal social media accounts that identify your employment organization without clarifying that the post is not work-related.
• Mobilize constituents to support or defeat a candidate.
Encouraging Civic Participation by Girls: Girl Scout staff and volunteers can teach girls about the election process by encouraging them to participate in the following activities:

• Going to the polls with an adult on Election Day.
• Participating in Girl Scouts of Central Indiana’s “I Promised a Girl Scout I Would Vote.”
• Staging a candidate debate that is open to the public on a wide range of issues concerning girls that the candidates would address if elected.
• Equally attending Republican and Democratic candidate events in Girl Scout uniform and asking candidates questions about issues that are important to girls.

Through an ongoing partnership with WGU Indiana, volunteers and staff are eligible for scholarships and tuition disounts. Learn more about these educational opportunities at WGU Indiana today.

Troop Volunteers

Learning Opportunities for Adult Volunteers

Online Training

Volunteer Toolkit

GSCI Volunteer Policies

Outdoor Skills Training

Safety Activity Checkpoints

Kaleidoscope-Volunteer Enrichment Event

Troop Opportunity Catalog

Troop Leader Resources

Forms and Documents

2019 Blue Book

Overnight Travel/High Risk

Certificates of Insurance

Guidelines During an Election Year

Encouraging Civic Participation by Girls