Overview
Girl Scouts is the first and largest girl-led organization in the world, and for over a century has been preparing girls in grades K–12 for every day leadership by providing rich experiences for them to explore new interests, face challenges, form new friendships, and make lasting community contributions.
Now in our second century, as we continue the Girl Scout mission, it is important that we keep pace with an ever-changing world. To ensure we have the resources to support our mission, Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Board has decided to increase the annual membership fee to $25, starting on October 1, 2017, for both girl and adult members.
Every dollar of membership dues is sent to Girl Scouts of the USA to cover the cost of fundamental services supporting the Girl Scout Movement. This includes, but is not limited to, accident insurance for members participating in approved Girl Scout activities, program development, research, resources, training, technology, services to councils, and protection of the Girl Scout brand. Membership dues also help fund the implementation of new technologies to improve the Girl Scout experience for girls, volunteers, and parents.
As a youth-serving organization, Girl Scouts must constantly examine how it is meeting the needs of its customers. With the extra funding received from additional membership dues, we will be able to sustain and develop exceptional leadership programs, implement digital innovations and technology to enhance the girl and volunteer experience nationwide, maintain services for members, and to engage alumnae around the world. It will also enable Girl Scouts of the USA to continue to deliver best-in-class services and support for our Movement’s local councils and to provide thousands of volunteers with the relevant resources, tools, and training they need to best serve today’s girls.
Girl Scouts of the USA has taken many measures to reduce operational expenses, and is collaborating with councils to focus on developing new revenue streams to support our Movement. The increase in membership dues, along with other efforts to secure external funding, will help Girl Scouts of the USA make important investments in our programming and technology and maintain a strong financial position in order to grow our Movement and continue to deliver on our mission for future generations.
The additional funding received through membership dues will support our vision to serve as many girls who want to be Girl Scouts as possible—regardless of their means, neighborhood, or family backgrounds. This increase reflects the value of the unique and meaningful 21st century Girl Scout experience we have envisioned delivering to all girls.
Through our enhanced program experiences in STEM, entrepreneurship, outdoor, and life skills, girls are empowered with the skills and entrepreneurial know-how to lead and succeed in the industries of tomorrow. At the same time, they also help improve their communities, develop their own advocacy and service projects, and tackle local and global issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and pollution.
It will also enable us to develop and implement digital innovations and technology—like our Digital Cookie Program—to enhance the girl experience and provide a safe digital space for girls to share, explore, connect, and learn.
Our volunteers are the lifeblood of Girl Scouts and are critical to the success of our mission in reaching girls and changing lives. The additional funding received through membership dues will help us ensure that volunteers receive the support and resources they need to deliver a high quality Girl Scout experience and will assist us in bringing Girl Scouting to even more girls.
We are making significant investments to advance the resources, training, and technology needed to deliver an exceptional girl and volunteer experience. Volunteers are now able to complete the recruitment process in a matter of days instead of weeks or months and the number of girls on waiting lists has been significantly reduced. Our digital Volunteer Toolkit makes forming and maintaining a troop easier than ever before, which means more time spent with girls and less time on administrative tasks. Volunteers can plan a whole year of impactful activities to ensure their girls receive the best Girl Scout experience possible.
Nearly half our members are already experiencing the benefits of a more advanced online system, and with the additional funding from membership dues, we hope to equip the majority of our membership with these digital resources by 2017.
As the first and largest girl-led organization in the world, a Girl Scout membership is one of the most valuable investments anyone can make in a girl’s life. This dues increase brings the cost of joining Girl Scouts into line with the value of its programming and the unique leadership opportunities for girls not available through any other organization.
The Girl Scout DNA—Girl Scouts are more likely than non-Girl Scouts to:
Girl Scouts can earn badges, join a troop, hike, camp, and participate in the entrepreneurial skill-building cookie program, as well as explore careers in science and technology, travel the world, and take on projects that transform their community. From a young age, girls not only learn to take the lead in their everyday lives, but also to build a strong female network that will help them create their own career paths.
With this membership increase, Girl Scouts is keeping pace with the marketplace. The following are examples of costs associated with other youth activities around the country: