Required Training

What is Required?

Training for New Leaders

1. “GSUSA Online Orientation” – approx. 1 hour – required prior to the first
   troop meeting
2. “GSCWM Basics of Troop Management” – approx. 2 hours – required prior to
   the first troop meeting
3. “GSUSA Leadership Essentials” – approx. 3 hours – required within 4 months
   of the first troop meeting
4. Beginning in October 2008 – “Safety First” – required within 4 months of the
   first troop meeting and prior to any outings

Training for Returning Leaders/Co-leaders

All volunteers are welcome to take the Leadership Essential course as soon as possible. However, one leader per troop is required to take Leadership Essentials when the troop plans to incorporate a Journey into their troop activities. By October 1, 2010, all current leaders must have completed Leadership Essentials.

GSUSA Online Orientation

The new online volunteer orientation is available online and on CD-Rom. This orientation offers a general overview of the Girl Scout movement and the current Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This orientation is MANDATORY prior to a troop or interest group meeting, and will generally require 45 minutes to 1 hour.

To take the GSUSA Online Orientation, go to http://training.girlscouts.org/ and click on “Volunteer Orientation” for an English version of the orientation. Type in the word “discover” as your password.

For the Spanish version of this orientation, please click on “En Espanol” and type in “descubrir” for your password. Once completed, learning logs can be submitted to your Membership Specialist OR e-mailed to Mary at meichorn@gscwm.org.

To request this orientation on CD-Rom, please call 800-462-9100 and request the “New Volunteer Orientation".

Registration

To register for any of the courses listed below, visit the Registration page.

Leadership Essentials
This three-hour class is required for leaders or co-leaders working with girls and explores the new Girl Scout Leadership Experience and the Journeys for all grade levels. You will learn about the books and resources for the girls/adults, awards that can be earned, and how the Girl Scout Program Keys can keep you focused on Purposeful Leadership as your girls and you plan for the year. We use a GSUSA nationally consistent course, so the content supports volunteers working with girls. This training is MANDATORY and must be completed within 4 months of the first troop meeting.

Training #	Date	Time	Location
3965	Thu, December 11, 2008 Postponed, due to weather until Wed, February 11, 2009. You do not need to reregister for this course.	5:45-8:45 pm	Milford Library
3955*	Sat, January 10, 2009	9 am-noon	First Baptist Church, Amherst
3954*	Wed, January 14, 2009	6:30-9:30 pm	First Congregational Church, Princeton
3929*	Sat, January 17, 2009	1-4 pm	Westfield Athenaeum
3928*	Wed, January 21, 2009	5:30-8:30 pm	Westfield Athenaeum
3945*	Sat, January 24, 2009	10 am-1 pm	Lenox Community Center
4084*	Tue, January 27, 2009 (snow date 2/3/09)	6:30-9:30 pm	St. Mary's Church, North Grafton
3153	TBD	TBD	Worcester Service Center
3155	TBD	TBD	Greenfield – Specific Location TBD

* new course added

Safety First
This online and computer based program will be offered beginning in October of 2008 (dates TBA) and will be a review of Safety Wise standards. Safety First will also be offered as a home study. More information will be coming soon.