National Leadership Outcomes

Girl Scouting is committed “To build the best leadership experience that defines activities and outcomes, is differentiated by age-level, promotes consistency, and offers flexible pathways for participation for all girls 5-17. ”

What are national leadership outcomes? The 15 national leadership outcomes are organized by the leadership keys:

How will Girl Scouting know it is succeeding?

• In the short-term, progress on 15 leadership outcomes; i.e. the specific knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors, and values girls gain in Girl Scouting.
• In the long-term, when girls become leaders of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place
  • lead with courage when they speak out on issues they care about and take active roles in their communities;
  • lead with confidence when they make the most of their strengths and feel empowered to make a difference in their lives and beyond;
  • lead with character when they act with integrity and compassion, making decisions that promote the well-being of themselves and others;

A focus on outcomes gives Girl Scouting solid evidence of:

• whether we are keeping our promise to girls
• how to serve girls better
• ways to better support volunteers

A focus on outcomes allows us to speak in one unified voice about the benefits of the Girl Scout experience:

• To potential volunteers
• To parents and girls
• To funders
• To community partners

What is Transforming Leadership?

Transforming Leadership is a GSUSA publication that defines the specific outcomes (benefits) of the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls. The book describes the outcomes for each of the six grade levels within Girl Scouting. The outcome is defined in developmentally appropriate ways for each grade level; examples of measurable signs that show whether girls are making progress are provided as well. Transforming Leadership will help orient volunteers, staff and the general public to the model underlying the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. It is the next step in Girl Scouting’s effort to develop today’s generation of girl leaders. This is a pivotal time in the history of Girl Scouting. This publication will serve as an essential resource now and into the future.

How do I use the Transforming Leadership outcomes reference tables?

One way to think of the outcomes reference tables (beginning on Page 23) is to view them as the Girl Scout equivalent of dictionary entries – reference tools to use as needed. These tables orient the Girl Scout community toward the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience outcomes and can be useful in selecting and implementing program, writing funding proposals, helping volunteers and parents understand the objectives of the Girl Scout program, as well as recruiting girls and volunteers.

For your convenience, the tables have been organized in two easy-to-use formats: the first set of tables “unpacks” each outcome across the six Girl Scout grade levels and the second set of tables shows all the outcomes by each specific Girl Scout grade level. The first set of tables is useful for showing progression across grade levels. The second set of tables will be useful to anyone working with a specific grade level.

The outcomes in Transforming Leadership apply to the new Journeys, as well as to existing Girl Scout program materials. The development of the new Journeys was tied closely to these outcomes.

What is the difference between outcomes and indicators/signs?

Outcomes describe general benefits (behavior, skills, knowledge, attitudes, values, condition, status or other attributes) for participants as a result of involvement in the Girl Scout program. Outcomes are the intended benefits girls should reap as a result of the program.

Indicators/signs are specific observable characteristics or changes that represent achievement of a specific outcome at each grade level.

Page 17 of Transforming Leadership displays a guide to reading the tables. If you look at one of the reference tables, you will note the differences between outcomes, general descriptions of the intended benefits and indicator/signs, what a girl would be doing, saying or feeling if she had achieved the intended outcome that came as a result of her involvement in the Girl Scout program. Please note that indicators/signs in these tables are examples – you will be able to imagine others.

The Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), in partnership with Girl Scout councils, is currently developing measurement tools using Transforming Leadership as a guide.

I can think of more indicators/signs for each outcome than Transforming Leadership lists. What do I do now? 

The indicators/signs included in Transforming Leadership offer a starting point. You will think of more indicators/signs that would capture the meaning of each outcome. The GSRI is eager to hear from you, so please provide feedback and suggestions to gsresearch@girlscouts.org.

The Girl Scout Research Institute

The Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), a world-class center for research and public information on the healthy development of girls, ensures that the complex and ever-changing needs of girls will continue to be addressed. GSRI supplies cutting-edge information to educational, not-for-profit, and public policy organizations; to parents/guardians seeking ways to support their daughters; and to
girls themselves. For more about the work of the Girl Scout Research Institute, visit www.girlscouts.org/research.