 Gap Team Report | Volunteerism
Simplicity and Consistency for Girl Scout Volunteers
In January 2005, the Volunteerism Gap Team was charged with closing the gap between the current way of managing volunteers and one that mobilizes, develops, and supports adults more effectively.
The team began its analysis with a nationwide research study to better understand the practices in Girl Scout councils that best recruit and support volunteers. With this initial research, the Gap Team has made significant progress through the development and testing of structures, strategies, and models at the council level.
A new model of volunteerism and new structures for organizing volunteers are being pilot tested in 2006 by 14 Girl Scout councils around the country. The new model highlights simplicity and consistency, and mobilizes a variety of volunteers committed to the Girl Scout Mission. After the pilot period, details of the new structures and the new model will be shared with all councils.
The work of the Volunteerism Gap Team focused on several major areas: the recruitment of a diverse pool of volunteers; procedures for effective screening and placing of volunteers; elimination of unnecessary paperwork; innovative and flexible learning opportunities; identification of qualities and skills volunteers need in order to meet girls’ interest and needs; recognition and appreciation of volunteers.
The team’s more detailed work included:
- A new research tool, “What Works. What Doesn't: Girl Scout Volunteers Speak Out” (available to councils in early spring 2006)
- Integration of the “By Girls for Girls” approach into volunteer learning materials
- New recruitment kits for targeting college students and a diverse pool of volunteers
- A workplace partnership model for recruiting corporate volunteers
- A multifaceted strategy for adult volunteer development and an Adult Learning Project team to support it
- E-learning opportunities for volunteers
- Free access to e-Volunteerism, an online journal about volunteer development, for Girl Scout councils
- Competencies for three distinct types of volunteer positions: 1) those who work directly with girls, 2) those who support adults, and 3) those who assist with strategy and policy making
- Low-cost criminal background checks for Girl Scout volunteers and staff
Please continue to refer to the Core Business Strategy Web site for the latest volunteer project developments.
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