Girl Scout Service
(from Girl Scouts of the USA web site)
How do you know when you have a good service project?
- It is safe
- It helps others or the environment
- It accomplishes something that is needed
- It involves the people who you are helping as partners in the service
- It is something that can be sustained by the community or those organized to do service
- It follows the guidelines in GSUSA's Safety-Wise.
Things to avoid:
Some options are limited by GSUSA policies
- As a Girl Scout, you cannot raise funds for another organization.
- You cannot endorse commercial projects or services unless you have received permission from GSUSA, and it is in keeping with Girl Scouts principles and activities.
- You cannot work on or support a political campaign.
Hints for Organizing a Service Project
Once you have decided on your service project, here are some helpful hints:
- Make some decisions. What kind of information do you need? How much will it cost? Where will the money come from? Can you get material and support from the community? What kind of special permission do you need? Have you read Safety-Wise and your council guidelines? What are the guidelines of the organization you are helping?
- Plan your calendar. Is there a set date for the event? Who do you need to meet with and when? If you are setting dates, who do you need to consult with? What kind of planning time and preparation time is needed?
- What kinds of plans do you need to make? Do you need committees to work out the details? Do you need to arrange for special tools or materials? Do you need transportation? Are parents going to help? What about food for the workers? What about first aid? Do you need signs, flyers, or posters? Will you wear uniforms or something to identify yourselves as Girl Scouts? Do you have a bad weather plan?
- ·Just Do It! Do you have a designated person to go to in case of problems? Have fun! Keep a record of those who help.
- ·Evaluate what was done. What did you like about the project? What would you do differently? Did you accomplish your goals? Is there a reason you wouldn't do it again? Is it a project that will sustain itself?
- Share your successes. Thank those who helped you. Celebrate your success. Let your council know what you did and how it went.
Great ideas for service projects
Here's a few ideas to get you started.
From the Volunteer Center: Girl Scout Calendar of Service Ideas
Making Things
- · Making decorations for a party at a nursing home
- · Making baby boxes for new mothers
- · Assembling care packages for victims of a disaster
- · Assembling a mailing for a non-profit agency
- · Making posters for a special event
- · Making a toy box for the hospital waiting room
- · Silk-screening T-shirts for a youth group
Helping the Earth
- Planting trees in your neighborhood for Arbor Day
- Collecting seeds for a seed bank
- Educating others about different ways to conserve energy and water
- Taking part in a stream survey
- Participating in an Audubon Christmas Bird Count
- Stenciling stream protection symbols on street drains
- Helping at an environmental fair for the community
- Making bird houses or bat houses for a camp or park
Helping Others
- Providing child care at a women's conference
- Reading to kids at your local library
- Volunteering at a community health fair
- Helping with registration at a breast cancer walk-a-thon
- Showing seniors how to use a computer for e-mai
- Shopping for someone who is ill
- Serving at a soup kitchen
- Helping at the Special Olympics
