Leader to Leader
Advice from leaders just like you!
"I'm a Junior Girl Scout leader getting ready to move into the new materials. I would love some ideas for helping girls set goals around the books."
—Sonya, from Atlanta, Ga
Goal-setting is an important topic for girls in all age ranges. The following ideas are from advisers, leaders and councils, as well as from Girl Scout publications.
Accentuating the Positive
Taking an adviser's role means expecting that girls will be engaged in setting goals. Setting their own goals is part of learning to lead their own lives. And usually, girls set ambitious goals and get a feeling of self confidence.
Goal-setting—It's Their Game
Although goal-setting is a learned skill, girls often begin by dreaming and brainstorming. To gain focus they can use this acronym to help clarify their goals: Goals should be SMART—Specific, Manageable, Attainable, Realistic, and Tangible.
In the goal-setting process, girls develop their concept of working as a group, working on one's own, the value of having an alternative plan, and the value of cutting losses, the ability to avoid making value judgments too early in the planning process, and to appreciate rather than to discount "failure." The adviser's role, as coach, may not be to ensure that girls always succeed in attaining their goals—but to help them evaluate and appreciate their progress.
Going for Awards
When considering books and Interest Project Awards, encourage girls to set group or individual goals using some planning starter questions such as:
- Why is this goal important?
- How will the goal help you?
- What are the steps to reach this goal?
- How can you work with others to achieve this goal?
- How long are you willing to commit to working on this goal?
- How will you know when you have met your group and personal goals?
Often these questions open a door that leads to a multitude of paths, creating the possibility that multiple projects will be going at the same time.
Go to the Resources
A complete listing of all resources is available on www.girlscouts.org, or in the Girl Scout catalog. Girls will find ideas to keep them intrigued with their personal Girl Scout experience—and that's what Girl Scouting is all about.
A Volunteer Camp Director Asks:
"When summer is over, what do you suggest we do to provide outdoor program activities for girls?"
How Would You Answer This Question?
Send your ideas to:
GSUSA
420 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018-2798
Attn: Program Development
Leader to Leader
leader2leader@girlscouts.org
Include your name, address, and telephone number.
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Send it and we'll put it to the experts—volunteers like you!
Adapted from LEADER, Summer 2005. © Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
