I have a question for the experienced leaders. I can't seem to get this question answered! As the leader, do I purchase the petals and pins, or do the parents purchase the petals and pins?
The troop is supposed to pay for all supplies, badges, etc. This is why each troop has to have a bank account.
None of the annual "Membership Dues" of $10 per girl goes to the Troop or to the local Council -- it ALL goes to GSUSA to pay for liability insurance and national program. The only way a troop has money is to (1) do fundraising -- selling cookies and/or fall program sales -- and (2) by family donations.
When planning, the leader/co-leaders develop a budget to cover supplies, activity fees, etc (depending on what you have planned) and ask the families to each contribute to the start-up funds.
As the girls get older, it is customary for them to bring "dues" to each meeting. (As a Brownie, I remember bringing a nickel a week -- any idea how old I am?
) This is more to learn responsibility and basic math than actually building a bank account, though.
New leaders need to complete basic orientation, Leadership Essentials and a "Level" training (specific to Daisies, Brownies, etc). These should be done BEFORE your first meeting with parents & girls, which is why new troops often get a later start than the continuing troops.
You can find your local council's website by going to
http://www.girlscouts.org/councilfinder/
For general information about the "Journeys" for each age level, go to
http://www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_world/ (for Daisies this is the 'Garden' that PPs have mentioned)
You can find out more about recent changes to Girl Scouting by going to
http://www.girlscouts.org/strategy/
http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/ is a good "General Info" site
Exploring the Girl Scouts web sites can provide LOTS of information -- have fun with your troops and thanks for voluteering!
-- Ali, a former scout, camp-counselor, troop leader and a new employee at my local Council.
