Girl Scout Council Realignment
Getting to Know You

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

How large is San Jacinto Council?
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council’s current membership is approximately 63,000 girls and 18,000 adults in 25 counties.

How does the volunteer/staff partnership work?
In San Jacinto there is shared responsibility between volunteers and staff for the ongoing work of the Council. Volunteers are paired with staff at the manager level and above. This relationship reinforces the concept that both volunteers and staff have equally valued and valid contributions to make to our movement.

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How are volunteers appointed?
Volunteers in GSSJC are appointed by supervising volunteers within the operational structure of the Council, for example, service unit administrators appoint troop leadership teams, service unit administrators are appointed by membership coordinators. The membership manager is the staff partner to the service unit administrators to provide support and development, and guidance to recruit and retain girls and volunteers.

Where will committee meetings be held?
Council-level committees are often held at the corporate office located on the Southwest Freeway due to the central location. Meetings to plan girl and adult events will be held at locations most convenient for volunteers and staff, including, but not limited to camp, service centers, and available space located throughout the community.

Is there a fee for a hard copy of the Resource Guide?
The Resource Guide is available on the Troop CD which is available at no charge to the troop. If no one in the troop has access to a computer a single hard copy of the Resource Guide is available at no charge.

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What are the communications tools for the Council?

  • The Council Web site www.gssjc.org:
    The Council Web site address is www.gssjc.org. The site is consistently updated with information for both girls and adults. The Council Girl Scout Shop is also online as well as back issues of The Golden Link. Online registration is available for adult trainings. New – in September you will be able to register for events online.
  • Leader Resources:
    Leader Resources is found on the Council Web site and has information for leaders, including tips for meetings, games, and procedures to follow for various activities.
  • CIN
    The CIN is the Council Information Network available at www.gssjc.org. Late breaking news is posted here. The CIN is also distributed on CD to service units. CIN distribution, while updated as changes occur, is scheduled for update on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
  • The Golden Link:
    The Golden Link is the Council’s news magazine. Currently published 10 times a year, it will become a bi-monthly publication in January 2007. All Girl Scout households will receive a copy of each issue after January 2007. Note: August, September and November/December’s The Golden Link will be mailed to registered adults, Senior Girl Scouts and Juliettes. The October issue will be mailed to each Girl Scout household.
  • The Troop CD:
    The Troop CD is an electronic resource provided by GSSJC to all troop/group leaders. It contains the troop/group program guide, GSSJC Resource Guide, Council administrative and troop forms, Council patch program information, troop/group packet and other useful Web links. It is also available in printed form upon request.

Will troops have to change the name on their troop bank accounts?
Until you need to change banks, we suggest using your current account, as is, with the following exception: be sure that the address on file for your account at the bank is the mailing address of the person in your troop/group that is responsible for the banking (leader, treasurer, or other adult volunteer). If your bank statements are being sent anywhere else, or if they are currently held at the bank for pickup, change the address so that the statements are delivered to your troop/group’s responsible party.

Many of the banks have told us that in order to change the accounts from GSSTC-Troop xxx to GSSJC-Troop xxxx ( and change the tax identification number accordingly), the accounts will have to be closed and reopened with the new information. Your bank may offer to “restyle” your account (we’ve heard that one bank may do this, but have not been able to confirm it). Please set up the troop/group leader as a signer on the troop/group bank account. At least two signers are strongly recommended. Ideally, the second signer should be the troop/group treasurer ( or someone who is responsible for reconciling the statement independent of the person writing the checks on the account.)

If you must open a new account, please consult the Resource Guide (online or in print) or the “New Troop CD” for the process and many of the forms you’ll need. Different banks require different documents, so be sure to call your bank first to confirm their requirements. The Council accounting office can provide additional documents needed by the bank.

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How many signatures are needed on troop/group or service unit checks?
One signature.

Do I need to turn in all my receipts with my troop financial report to the service unit?
You will need to turn in your troop financial report (GSSJC Form 31) and a copy of your bank statement to your service unit by May 31 each year.  You do not have to turn in supporting documentation, such as receipts, but please keep those on hand in case there is a question.  Troop financial records supporting documentation should be retained for three years.

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Are debit cards accepted?
Yes. Be sure to keep the same documentation as you do with purchases paid for by check.

Will troops have to change troop numbers?
We have identified that 86 troops have the same troop number out of the more than 4,000 troops of the two councils. Affected troops will be contacted directly to discuss their situation, and come to an equitable solution once the merger is approved. For example, additional numbers (like a 1 or a 0) can be added to a troop’s number to make it unique without having to replace the entire number. Or, a bridging troop (who would be purchasing new uniform components anyway) may be more willing to change troop numbers.

Will there continue to be association meetings as were held in South Texas Council?
No, GSSJC holds two Council meetings and two or more regional meetings annually. Each service unit is entitled to elect two (2) delegates to represent the unit at Council meetings to vote on governance related topics. Council meetings are open to visitors. Regional meetings are open to the entire adult volunteer membership and to girls 14 – 17 years of age. Regional meetings are for the purpose of receiving feedback and input to major policy and operational decisions, and to provide a means for the membership to discuss issues of interest and concern. The by-laws call for a minimum of two regional meetings each year.

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How are Council Jurisdictional boundaries determined as they relate to service units?
Service unit boundaries are determined by public ISD elementary school boundaries where applicable. Service units in a contiguous geographic area are grouped together to form an area served by one membership manager. In the new configuration, the five service units in Galveston County form Area 26, the five service units in Brazoria County from Area 27, in Fort Bend County the five service units in Area 28 (Ft. Bend ISD) are North Star, Yellow rose, Monarch Colony, Texas Treasurers, and Rainbow Stars. The service units in Area 29 are River Rose, Texas Stars, and Heart of Brazos and Wharton County. Prairie Rose is in Area 17. Dream Catchers and Serenity Creek are in Area 19.

How does an existing troop leader show proof of appointment?
Troop leaders needing proof of appointment can obtain a letter through their service unit manager or steering team.

Do girls need a permission slip to attend Girl Scout meetings?
Yes. One permission slip is good for the entire year of meetings when they are held at the same location.

Are girls and adults required to change from the South Texas council strip to the San Jacinto council strips?
No. It is recommended that the strips be changed when girls go to the next level and/or adults purchase new uniforms.

Will leaders already trained be required to re-take trainings?
If adults have taken Daisy, Brownie, Junior Program or Cadette/Senior (age level) training they do NOT have to repeat this training. If they are moving levels, they must still take the appropriate training. Beginning this fall, Program Leadership Training will become the training for adults new to the leadership role. It provides a broad overview of Daisy, Brownie and Junior leadership for new leaders. Leaders moving from Brownies to Juniors should take Junior Training.

Fall training for new leaders and those moving to a new level will be held at 15 different sites and days throughout the Council – information is currently on-line and in the August issue of The Golden Link.

Service Unit Management Team members (SU managers, co-SUMS, Assistant SUMs, Steering Committees) who have been previously trained can attend Admin. update or meet with their Membership Manager to get updated on any different ways of work. Adults who have completed the South Texas Outdoor 1 and 2 are considered “Camp Certified” to camp on Girl Scout property in dormitories, cabins or platform tents and prepare meals using indoor kitchens or outdoors using wood, charcoal or containerized fuel stoves. If a troop plans to pitch tents or camp off Girl Scout property, an adult must take “Standard Troop Camp Training”.

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Will everyone have to travel to the Houston office to be trained?
The practice of conducting trainings at various locations throughout the Council will continue. Super Saturday Trainings and Fall Training Days are designed to reach as much of the membership as possible in convenient locations. Check the August Golden Link or the Council web site/for adults/training for a convenient date and site. After completion of the posted fall training sites, Volunteers may request specific trainings (“Training By Request”). The only requirements for conducting an area specific training are: an appropriate location, a volunteer trainer accepts the assignment, and a minimum number of volunteers register for the training.

Are alternate training delivery systems being considered?
Home study can be purchased for Basic Leadership, Daisy, Brownie, Junior, and Teen Advisor. Green Apple Workshops, mini trainings for service unit facilitators to present or for individuals to use as independent study my be downloaded at http://www.gssjc.org.

Basic Leadership Training (BLT) is delivered primarily in the Service Unit by trained BLT facilitators.

Beginning this fall, service units will be provided two new on-line resources under the Leader Resources/SU Folder. “Spotlight” will have one component for SU administrators to utilize during their monthly meetings and the matching leader component will be available on the C.I.N. and available to all volunteers. Additional customized training and e-learning are currently being explored.

What training do we need to use Council kitchens?
Camps Agnes Arnold, Casa Mare, Misty Meadows, and Robinwood have commercial kitchen. The training called “Council Kitchen Certification”is required to use these kitchens. All other camp kitchens are considered residential in nature and do not require a special training.

Will there be a “Girl Scouter Retreat” as in South Texas Council?
Each fall adults are encouraged to attend ETC (EveryThing Covered) a full weekend of enrichment workshops for adults working with troops of all levels and ages. Each spring “ Crazy Quilt”, a day long event, provides workshops especially useful for day/twilight camp volunteers.

Will criminal background checks be required for all volunteers?
Criminal background checks are required for position-specific volunteers, not all volunteers. Examples include: troop leaders, volunteers working with Council Interest Groups, Reserve Rangers, Trainers, SU and Troop Fall Product and Cookie Managers, adults working at day camp. The physical safety of girls will continue to drive our decisions.

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How do I find out about program opportunities for my troop?
There are several ways to learn more about program opportunities for your troop. First for a general overview, please see chapter four of the GSSJC Resource Guide which is available on CD. If you do not have a copy of the GSSJC Resource Guide, please contact Cate Teague at 713-292-0213 or e-mail cteague@sjgs.org. For specific program offerings, please see the program section of the Council’s newsmagazine, The Golden Link. The CIN is the Council Information Network available at www.gssjc.org. New program opportunities are featured here. Starting in September, you will also be able to register online for program offerings.

Is there a year long program planning guide?
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council has a Program Book that includes events and troop activity opportunities from September 1 through December 31, 2006. The book is available on the Troop CD. This book is not intended to replace The Golden Link or the CIN. Please continue to consult the CIN monthly along with The Golden Link for the most current and updated Program Offerings.

How do service units reserve camp for a service unit event?
Service units in Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Galveston, and Wharton counties have priority placement at the Galveston Boat Club, Camps Pryor, and Wind-A-Mere from September 1, 2006 through August 31, 2007. Requests for service unit weekends beginning September 1, 2007 must be submitted no later than January 31, 2007.

How do I register for camps, training and events?

  • For Program Events:
    To register for a program activity, please complete a Program Registration Form. This form can be found in any issue of The Golden Link, or on the GSSJC Web site (on the bottom right of homepage under “Quick Links” you will see a link for forms). The form can be faxed with a credit card payment or mailed in with a check or money order. A separate form must be completed for each event. For mailed in forms, please make checks payable to GSSJC and mail to 3110 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098. Or, you may fax completed forms along with credit card payment information to 713-292-0330. Confirmations will be mailed out three weeks prior to the event date. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Registrars at 713-292-0370 and a staff member will be happy to assist you. Note: In September you will also be able to register for events online.
  • For Troop Camping: To ensure fairness and provide the most opportunities for troops to camp at GSSJC camps, GSSJC uses a random draw system for camp assignments (called the “draw”). In order to participate in the draw, your troop/group will need to complete the Troop Camp Reservation Form (F-127) and mail or fax to the corporate offices. This form is located on the GSSJC Web site (on the bottom right of homepage under “Quick Links” you will see a link for forms). A printed copy of the form is also available at 3110 Southwest Freeway on the first floor. The troop camp draw is done the first Tuesday of the month.

    The draw is done three months before the requested camping month. For example, if your troop wants to go camping in February, you need to submit your form by the first Tuesday in November. Placement notifications are mailed out on or near the 15th of the month, and camp fees are due two weeks after receipt of placement. Please refer to the GSSJC Resource Guide, Chapter 5, for detailed instructions on how to register to go camping at a GSSJC camp.
  • For Adult training events: To register for an adult training event or course offering(s):On line at www.gssjc.org/foradults.cfm: View the event’s course offerings, make your selections from the course listings, when finished complete the registration form and hit submit (only once). By fax or mail: Complete the Training Registration Form (one per person) and fax to the corporate office.

What is the Ready Camper program?
The Ready Camper program encourages troops/groups to go camping on short notice. To become a Ready Camper troop simply complete the Ready Camper Program form (GSSJC F-631) and submit to the registrar office. Your troop will be contacted when there are cancellations and/or when a unit is available at camp.

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Is camping equipment rented or checked out?
There is a limited amount of equipment that may be checked out at the corporate office located on the Southwest Freeway in Houston. Many service units maintain an inventory of camping equipment that is made available to troops/groups in their service unit.

Can we use propane stoves at camp?
Containerized fuel, including propane stoves, is acceptable at all GSSJC camps. The Council does not own or maintain propane stoves.

Is the horse program at Camp Pryor going to continue?
Yes. The Council equitation program is currently undergoing review and evaluation to ensure a comprehensive program is available to girls throughout Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council.

If a troop is volunteering to work on an event do they get priority placement?
Priority placement is not given to troops volunteering for an event. However, since they have information about the event prior to it being posted on the web and in The Golden Link, they can get their registrations in early.

Is there a Council level Silver Award event?
Council service units are encouraged to recognize troops who have earned their Silver Award in the service unit. Photos and stories may also be submitted to The Golden Link.

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What are the requirements for girls who have started working on the Gold Award?
The Gold Award Committee is dedicated to helping every girl seeking to earn the Gold Award to be successful. A process referred to as “blending” of the two (2) programs is being applied to those girls previously working under the South Texas guidelines. All of the pre-requisite work girls have completed so far will count toward their Gold Award. Girls who are in the middle of working on a particular pre-requisite will be able to finish that pre-requisite according to the rules they received at Gold Award Orientation or in their South Texas Planner. Once girls have completed a pre-requisite they will then begin following the 2006 Gold Award Guidelines. For example, girls who have completed three (3) pre-requisites will complete the last pre-requisites under the April 2006 Gold Award Guidelines as well as the 65-hour Gold Award leadership project.

Which bakery will we use for the 2007 cookie sale?
ABC Bakery will be the baker for the 2007 cookie sale. Prior to the 2008 cookie sale both ABC and Little Brownie bakers will be invited to make presentations, and the baker who best demonstrates its ability to deliver quality products and services to the Council will be selected.

How will the proceeds from the cookie sale be allocated?
A task group will be formed to review how proceeds are allocated. This task group will be comprised of volunteers and staff from the combined council. The recommendations of the task group will then go to the Finance Committee for approval.

Will all girls be eligible to participate in the Fall Product sale?
Participation in all product sales is voluntary. All eligible girls will have the opportunity to participate in both the Fall Product and Cookie sales.

Does our service unit need a Fall Product Sale Manager?
Yes.

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Who trains the troop Fall Product Sale Manager?
The fall product sales manager is trained by the service unit product sales manager.

Is it too late for newly formed troops to sell fall product?
No, they can sell the Holiday Gift Combo.

How much money does the service unit get from the Cookie Sale?
The service unit gets .03 per package. The service unit does not receive any money from the Fall Product Sale, however, the troops retain 25% of what they sell.

How does Family Partnership work?
You get a patch with a minimum $15.00 donation. The Family Partnership is currently being reviewed. Watch for a new and improved program sometime this year.

Do troops get a portion of the Family Partnership?
No.

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