FAQs: Governance and Organizational Structure

1. How is Girl Scouts of the USA governed?
   
2. How are Girl Scout councils governed?
   
3. What is the relationship between Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scout councils?
   
4. What are the core principles that inform national and local governance?
5. How are key delegates involved in making critical decisions?
6. What is being done to streamline and improve governance?

1. How is Girl Scouts of the USA governed?
   GSUSA is governed by the National Council of Girl Scouts and the National Board. The National Council, which meets every three years, determines the general lines of policy of the Girl Scout Movement and elects the National Board. The National Board governs the organization between meetings of the National Council and charters Girl Scout councils.
   

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2. How are Girl Scout councils governed?
   Each council elects local delegates who are members of the corporation and are responsible for electing a council's board of directors. The delegate system is a vehicle that allows the membership to influence major decisions made by the national organization and local councils. With input from delegates, the council board acts on behalf of the corporation between annual meetings to decide matters of overall policy.
   

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3. What is the relationship between Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scout councils?
   Councils and the national organization work collaboratively to carry out the mission and purpose of Girl Scouting. GSUSA and councils are all incorporated as individual 501(c)(3)s, commonly referred to as charitable organizations.
   

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4. What are the core principles that inform national and local governance?
   Since the organization's founding, the governance system has always been based on broad democratic principles. The democratic process, defined as the various means through which the membership can influence decisions, is at the heart of governance in Girl Scouting.
   

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5. How are key delegates involved in making critical decisions?
   While delegates do not create policy, they influence matters of policy (governance) and management (operations) and have access to those responsible for decision-making. Keeping the lines of constituent communication open and creating opportunities for delegates to give input is valued at all levels in the organization.
   

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6. What is being done to streamline and improve governance?
   Representatives from councils and GSUSA and a number of outside experts researched and evaluated a range of governance "best practices" from both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Currently, Girl Scouts is implementing practices that will strengthen governance, maximize member participation, allow for responsive decision making, and forge strong links at the local and national level.
   

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