FAQs For Leaders

Listed below are just a few of the general questions that you might have. You will find questions relating to data collection, sudden service, insurance, Safety-Wise and other safety issues, training, troop treasury, adult fund raising, and service unit questions. If your question is not specifically listed, please contact the Service Center or your membership staff.

Where do I go, or who do I call if I have a problem?

Girl Scouts of Frontier Council has the Main Service Center in Las Vegas (1-702-385-3677 or 1-800-762-6032) to serve you. The council service center offers a variety of services to volunteers and members including a council shop and access to Membership, Program, Adult Development, Development, Information and Technology, and Product Sales staff. Our staff list may help you identify who is specially trained to answer your concerns. Membership, program, and training registrations are also accepted here.

Why do we collect racial/ethnic data on the members?

The Girl Scout organization is committed to reflecting the racial and ethnic diversity of the United States in its membership. To that end, we ask our volunteer adult leaders to provide information on the racial and ethnic makeup of the Girl Scout troops and groups. It is important to note that this information is not linked with the names of individual members, nor is it a consideration in the membership application process. Troop or group leaders record only numbers, not names, and such data are collected only after a person has already decided to become a member of the Girl Scouts. This information helps us identify underserved areas that we may need to develop programs and resources for to ensure we are meeting all girls needs.

In addition, the United Way funding we receive is not based on the specific diversity of each girl. United Way does review the types of programs we deliver and the outcomes they provide in the lives of the girls who experience them - in other words, does what we do for them make a difference in the lives of the participants.

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What is Sudden Service?

If your troop is interested in doing service for flag ceremonies, special television, radio and newspaper coverage, or other activities that might arise on short notice, you may sign up to be a sudden service troop. Please return your completed form to the service center.

A limited number of uniforms and components for all age levels are available for check out at the Service Center. There is no charge, however, a small deposit is required to ensure a satisfactory return.

Please ensure you have written permission to use photos, recordings, etc. for each girl and adult participating in the event.

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What exactly is Girl Scout insurance, and how do I get it?

A portion of the dues paid by every registered member is used to provide a basic accident protection plan. This coverage is NOT intended to replace family health insurance. It does not duplicate medical expense benefits which are collected under other insurance plans. Members injured during an approved, supervised Girl Scout activity can receive the prompt medical attention they need without concern for how the bills are to be paid. The Basic Plan covers registered members for any approved, supervised Girl Scout activity up to 72 hours, but does NOT cover the first 72 hours of any activity lasting longer when Plan 2 insurance has not been purchased. The insurance also covers travel directly to and from the covered activities. Sickness is not covered; only medical expenses arising out of an accident during an approved, supervised activity.

When does coverage begin?

Members are covered when they pay membership dues and their registration and dues have been forwarded to the Girl Scout Council.

How does this insurance coverage work with other health insurance plans?

The Basic Plan does pay for the first $100 in benefits directly to the family. When the first $100 has been paid, any subsequent benefits for the same accident will be paid only for covered expenses that exceed limits available from the family's other forms of insurance or health care program. The family must contact its own insurance company and meet its own deductibles or other health insurance requirements. Girl Scout insurance is secondary. Claims for dental injuries are paid if they are a direct result of an accident. This insurance does not cover loss or breakage of eye glasses.

What do I do if there's an accident or emergency?

1. Contact the emergency numbers for the council as soon as reasonably possible. Instructions are on the back of Serious Accident/Incident/Illness report (TP18).

2. The troop leader completes the Leader portion (lower half) of the GSUSA Insurance Claim Form and gives the entire form to the parents. Treatment MUST occur within 30 days of the accident date.

3. The parent completes the claimant portion (top half) of the GSUSA Insurance Claim Form, attaches copies of the attending physician treatment form, and forwards the entire form to the Service Center for Frontier Council validation (extreme lower boxes). Completed claim form MUST be submitted to the council office as soon as possible or within 30 days. The insurance company will not process the claim without the council validation. Once a claim has been validated, it will be forwarded to Mutual of Omaha for processing. Additional bills received after initial treatment should be forwarded to the council office as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact the service center at (702) 385-3677 or 1-800-762-6032.

4. A written report must be submitted to the Director of Membership & Marketing within 24 hours for an accident which:

• might have serious after effects
• requires or might require medical attention
• might result in the council or the adults involved being charge with negligence.

Tag-alongs (brothers, sisters, friends, etc.) are not covered by basic insurance. If the tag-along is a registered member of another troop/group, but not of the proper age for the activity and is not participating in a leadership role, there is still no coverage. The care of tag-alongs is a parental responsibility, and must be treated as such.

What about additional insurance?

As a next step in planning safe activities, leaders and parents are encouraged to review the GSUSA-endorsed insurance options from Mutual of Omaha and select the plan best suited to their trip or event. Mutual’s basic and optional coverages provide peace of mind and help protect Girl Scouts and volunteers in the event of accidents or sickness. And remember . . . for your convenience, you now can enroll online. (Policy Forms SGS19, SGS20 and SGS21 underwritten by United of Omaha Life Insurance Company.)

Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company
Special Risk Division
1-800-524-2324
special.risk@mutualofomaha.com

Optional Insurance (Plan 2):For trips lasting more than 72 hours, you are required to purchase Optional Plan 2 Insurance. This is done through the Girl Scout Council. There is no insurance coverage for any form of sickness under the Basic Accident Insurance Plan.

Optional, short-term insurance IS available for unregistered participants attending girl scout program events. It MUST be purchased TWO WEEKS in advance of activity. Additional insurance for Girl Scout program events can be purchased at the service center.

Optional Insurance (Plan 3): Covers any illness during any Girl Scout activity. This insurance may be purchased for any Girl Scout activity of any duration.

What about personal property?

This insurance does not cover personal property.

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Who is responsible for safety?

It is the Troop/ Group leader's responsibility to ensure that the troop/ group is following Safety-Wise standards for events. In the interest of girls, Troops/Groups must follow safety guidelines including the following most overlooked:

• not utilizing seatbelts and/or overloading vehicles
• not providing the proper number of adults for supervision

Keep in mind that programs and events are designed for Girl Scouts. In order for Girl Scouts to participate, the number of adults registering will be limited to the appropriate safety ratios. NO TAG-ALONGS MAY ATTEND ANY EVENT.

For individual girls attending resource activities, it is the responsibility of the parents/ guardians to ensure proper adult supervision.

Are there any activities in which Girl Scouts are not allowed to participate?

Yes. According to Safety-Wise, page 80, the following are not permitted as Girl Scout activities:

• Activities such as paintball that involve shooting projectiles at another person.
• Activities involving potentially uncontrolled free-fall such as bungee jumping, hang gliding, parachuting, parasailing, and trampolining.
• Extreme variations of sports activities such as high altitude climbing, aerial tricks on bicycles, skis, snowboards, skateboards, and water skis.
• Hunting.
• Riding all-terrain vehicles and motor bikes.
• Watercraft trips in Class V and above whitewater.

Girl Scouts of Frontier Council policy states that:

"Firearms and other weapons (as defined in local, state, and Federal law) are not permitted at any Girl Scout function except when part of a council sponsored event that specifically is training girls on the use and safety of firearms."

These activities are NOT PERMITTED at the troop level.

Leaders or other responsible adults with questions about the appropriateness of an activity should contact the council for guidance.

When do I need a Special Activity Permission Slip?

When leaders register girls for her/his troop, the parent signs a blanket permission form (TP7) which permits girls to meet at a specific place at a designated day and time. When a troop is doing anything away from the regularly scheduled meeting day, place or time, a special activity permission slip (TP8) is needed. When on an outing, a leader should have copies of both forms.

Can Daisy Girl Scouts go on field trips?

Can Daisy Girl Scouts use scissors during a Girl Scout activity?

Yes. Be sure to teach them the basic rules of using scissors safely, and have several adults or leaders-in-training work with the girls when using tools with sharp or pointed edges.

When can my troop go on an outing, and when can they go camping?

As a leader, one must be aware, not only of the skill level of girls, but also of their physical and emotional readiness. Please read "Readiness Indicators for Progression in Outdoor Activities" on page 49 in Safety-Wise.

Why is it important to read Safety-Wise and the Volunteer Resource Guide?

Your personal liability comes into play when you willfully or neglectfully ignore any Girl Scout standard or policy. Understanding the content of these resources, in addition to training offered by the council will make you an informed and competent volunteer.

When a parent is late picking up a girl, do I have to wait with her?

An emphatic YES! One of the troop/group leaders must always wait at the meeting place until every girl has been picked up the parent or guardian.

Should a child be released into the care of an adult who shows the characteristics of someone who has been drinking?

This question is broader than just applying to someone who has been drinking, as it should incorporate anyone who is under the influence of any drug. As the question relates to a child's parent/ guardian, neither a Girl Scout troop/group leader nor any other Girl Scout volunteer can stand between a child and her parents/guardians regardless of apparent intoxication. If a troop/group leader were to refuse to release a child to her parent/guardian upon their request, the troop/group leader could be charged with kidnapping. There is no alternative but to release the child into their custody. However, further action is appropriate. A phone call should be made to the local police informing them that a child has been released to the parent/guardian who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and that you are concerned for the child's safety. Ask the police if they could keep an eye out for the vehicle in question by giving them a complete description of the vehicle (i.e. color, make, model, and license plate if you have it, and any other distinguishing features that might help identify the vehicle.)

If the impaired person is NOT the parent/guardian, the child should not be released, and a call should be made to the emergency contact provided by the parent asking that person to pick up the child.

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When are the Troop Treasury records due?

All troops/groups must submit a current Troop Treasury Report (TP-2) and a copy of the troop bank statement in October, January and June of each membership year. Troop treasury records must be submitted prior to participation in any product sale or money earning activity.

The Service Team will review troop/group treasury records prior to participation in any product sale. Troop/group and service unit financial records (including bank statements) will be reviewed three times per year to ensure a balance between money-earning and program, and to safeguard girl and adult planned use of funds. Troop/group leaders must keep all receipts with a copy of the Treasury Report (TP-2) for a period of one (1) year. Troop Treasury Reports are an on-going, continual accounting of finances and must reflect any and all financial transactions of funds. The financial consultant, membership staff and/or parents can ask to review treasury records at any time.

 For more information on troop financial records refer to the Troop Treasury Mini-Workshop handout, your Volunteer Resource Guide under Annual Report of Troop Treasurer, Bank Accounts, and Council Product Sales policy sections.

The girls in my troop want to have a year-end celebration/trip and they do not have enough money in their treasury.

Can I charge the parents a transportation fee to make up the difference?

National Program Standard #28 as stated in Safety-Wise, page 74 "Troops/groups should be financed by troop/group dues, troop/group money earning activities and by a share of money earned through council sponsored product sales." Girl Scouting teaches life skills, that of budgeting money. Girls would not build upon their life skills if everything they want is subsidized by their parents. Girls should plan, maybe have a car wash or bake sale, but asking parents for money could be an act of socioeconomic discrimination. It is in the process of planning, raising money, and saving that girls begin achieving some of our goals for girls that separates the Girl Scout organization from other agencies. There are occasions, however, when the girls have voted and appropriately planned from the beginning that subsidies from their families is an acceptable option. For further guidance, contact the membership department.

What is the council position on fundraising by adults?

All money raised, earned, and other assets received in the name of and for the benefit of Girl Scouting must be authorized by a Girl Scout council or Girl Scouts of the USA and used for the purposes of Girl Scouting. Such monies and other assets become the property of and are administered by the Girl Scout council or Girl Scouts of the USA. Such assets are not the property of individuals, geographic units, or communities within a council. Therefore, fundraising to promote the interests of Girl Scouts must be authorized and activities must be in line with the mission and values of the organization.

Adult members in their Girl Scout capacities may solicit financial contributions for the purposes of Girl Scouting only. Adults may engage in combined fundraising efforts authorized by the Girl Scout council and in which the local council is the beneficiary.

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Who are troop/ group consultants?

Troop/group consultants are there to support leaders, provide orientation and on the job training. They offer reminders and new ideas for leaders and function as "phone friends". Get in touch with your consultant today and see what she can do for you! If you're not sure who your consultant is, contact your Service Unit Manager.

What is a bridging ceremony?

Bridging is when Girl Scouts move from one program level to the next. It is one of the most important milestones in Girl Scouting. The activities listed in the back of each age level handbook, when done, provide the outline for learning what's ahead, and prepare girls to transition to the next level. This process is celebrated by holding a bridging ceremony. Troop leaders may help girls complete the steps, or they may appoint a parent or other volunteer.

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Why are fees charged for some trainings and not others?

Basic leadership modules and several workshops have no cost to individual participants, even though there are underlying costs to the council. (Paper handouts, markers, newsprint, resources, etc.) Other modules such as Simple Camping ($6),or specialty classes or workshops such as Dutch Oven Cooking ($6) need fees to cover the cost of the food that is cooked, as well as the charcoal, dishwashing liquid, aluminum foil, etc. that is used during the training. First Aid and CPR courses have a fee for the maintenance of the "actars" (mannequins) as well as the processing costs of the certification cards. Some of the fees charged go to the American Red Cross, and some go to Frontier Council for books, lungs, etc. American Red Cross trainers are volunteers and receive no salary for their services.

There are no profits realized from any of the fees charged for training. It is understood that charging a fee makes attendance difficult for some people. However, please be aware that financial assistance is available for all trainings. If you are in need of assistance, or have any questions, please contact the service center.

Since Las Vegas is a 24 hour town, why doesn't Frontier Council offer trainings to fit into the different work shifts?

Trainers are volunteers. Much like leaders, the vast majority of trainers work full time. Trainers are a dedicated group of adults who donate their time to preparing, delivering, and evaluating effective training sessions. They also assure that there are at least two trainers present at each session if possible. Trainers also spend their own time at meetings and conferences. Frontier Council also offers several trainings in an online format to help meet the time requirements of working adults. Red Cross trainers also belong to the corps of volunteers. As staffing becomes more available, flexible scheduling may be more possible.

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