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Girl Scout Glossary

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AGE LEVEL TRAINING- Leader's training focused on working with girls at a specific Girl Scout age level.

ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING - A meeting of Council delegates representing the total membership in our jurisdiction to act for and transact Council business. At this meeting the members have a voice in the matters that affect them and an opportunity to elect and guide the Board of Directors.

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION- The chief self-governing rules of a corporation, also known in some states as a certificate of incorporation. Filed with the designated government agency of the state in which the incorporation is to occur, usually in the same state where it carries out it's operations.

ASSOCIATIONS- Geographically defined membership grouping established by the council Board of Directors, as provided for in the council's bylaws, to provide the means for members 14 years of age and over to influence decision-making, to elect delegates to the council, to initiate discussion of issues related to direction-setting and policy-making, and to give input to the council's board of directors regarding major issues.

BADEN-POWELL, LADY OLAVE - The wife of the founder of Boy Scouting and Girl Guiding and the world Chief Guide from 1930-1978.

BADEN-POWELL, LORD ROBERT - Founder of the Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements.BANDANA- a multi-purpose cotton square that girls wear as a scarf or use as a sit-upon, tote or potholder.

BASIC LEADER TRAINING- The minimal basic training required of every leader and provided by local Girl Scout councils.

BASIC OUTDOOR SKILLS- Skills learned by girls to prepare them for doing outdoor activities.

BIRTHPLACE- The savannah, Georgia birthplace and childhood home of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the USA. The birthplace is now a historic house museum and Girl Scout troop program facility.

BRIDGING - Activities designed to emphasize the continuity of one program, to introduce girls within each age level to what lies ahead.

BROWNIE RING - A “talk about” ring in which all members of the troop plan and decide activities. Troop government in the Brownie Girl Scout troop.

BROWNIE WINGS - Gold embroidered wings on green felt worn by Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors to signify previous membership in a Brownie troop.

BUDDY SYSTEM - A safety practice which requires that two girls pair up during outings or activities.

BYLAWS- The rules and regulations made by a corporation to manage it's affairs and to define the rights and obligations of its member, directors and officers in the corporation and among themselves.

CALICO - Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada’s primitive campsite located in the Calico Basin area west of Las Vegas.

CEREMONIES & CELEBRATIONS- Ceremonies mark special Girl Scout events throughout the year. See also Ceremonies.

COMMUNITY SERVICE BARS - Emblem identifying the training received by Cadettes and Senior Girl Scouts and the age level in which they earned the recognition.

CONSULTANT/COACH - A member of the Service Team who gives help to leaders.

COUNCIL - A group of local people organized for the purpose of developing, managing, and maintaining Girl Scouting within a defined jurisdiction, under a charter issued by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING (CIT) - A Senior Girl Scout who is taking a CIT course to learn camp counselor skills.

COURT OF AWARDS - Occasion at which the symbol for awards and badges completed by the girls are presented to them in recognition of achievements made. Ceremony usually climaxing the troop’s activities, may be held at any time.

DUNK BAG - A mesh cloth bag with drawstring, used at camp, to put clean dishes in. The bag is dipped in hot water or sterilizing solution to sanitize dishes.

ECHOING PINES - Girl Scout facility located in White Pine County, Nevada.

EQUIPMENT AGENCY - A store, selected by the National Equipment Service Dept., Girl Scouts of the USA, and authorized to sell Girl Scout official and camp uniforms, accessories, equipment and publications.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ( E.D.) - The chief administrator of the council. Employs additional staff members and administers council operations.

FLY-UP CEREMONY - The combined ceremony at which a Brownie Girl Scout receives Brownie Wings from her Brownie Leader, and makes the Girl Scout Promise and receives the Girl Scout Trefoil Pin from the Junior Leader.

FOXTAIL - Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada’s camp located in Lee Canyon.

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE - Formed often in a meeting, at a campsite or during a ceremony. Everyone stands in a circle and each person crosses her right arm over her left, clasping hands with her friends on both sides. The friendship circle stands for an unbroken chain of friendship with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all around the world.

FRONTIER FOCUS - An in-house information sheet, printed every month and distributed to the troop leader. No longer being published.

GIRL GUIDES - The term used instead of Girl Scouts in many countries.

GIRL SCOUT BIRTHDAY - Juliette Gordon Low started Girl Scouting in the U.S. on March 12, 1912.

GIRL SCOUT LAW - The code of honor by which Girl Scouts try to live.

GIRL SCOUT PROMISE - Pledge made by each girl and adult to try to live up to the ideals of Girl Scouting.

GIRL SCOUT’S OWN - Special, girl-planned, inspirational occasion held in troop or camps; an opportunity for girls to express their deepest feelings about the Girl Scout ideals. This is not a religious service, nor a substitute for a religious service in camp.

GIRL SCOUT WEEK - Celebrated each year during the week in which March 12, the anniversary of the first Girl Scout troop meeting, occurs. This week was designated by the National Council in October 1953. The week begins with the Sunday on or prior to March 12, and concludes the following Saturday.

GIRL SCOUTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (GSUSA) - The corporation chartered by the Congress of the United States to direct and coordinate the Girl Scout movement.

HANDSHAKE, GIRL SCOUT - A form of greeting. It is done by shaking hands with the left hand while making the Girl Scout sign with the right. The left hand is the one nearest the heart and therefore signifies friendship.

I.G.M. - Individual girl member, registered with Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada but not affiliated with a troop/group. Also known as Juliette's.

INSIGNIA - Girl Scout official emblems, buttons, badges, pins, and other official forms of recognition that may be worn on the uniform of registered members of the Girl Scout movement.

INTEREST PROJECT- Rectangular shaped award earned by Cadettes and Seniors.

INVESTITURE CEREMONY - The ceremony in which an individual becomes a member of the movement by making the Girl Scout Promise, and receives her membership pin.

JULIETTES - Name previously used for Individually Registered Girl Members (IGMs).

JULIETTE LOW WORLD FRIENDSHIP FUND - A fund to which Girl Scouts throughout the United States of America contribute each year to help build friendships and better understanding among Girl Scouts around the world.

KAPER CHART - A chart showing each girl or each patrol what its job is in any given project.

LEADER - A Girl Scout adult who provides direction to the girls in a troop/group.

LEADER-IN-TRAINING (LIT) - A Senior Girl Scout who is taking a course to learn leadership skills.

JULIETTE GORDON LOW - Founder of Girl Scouting in the U.S.A.

MEMBERSHIP - Status of being a member of the Girl Scout movement of the U.S. This includes active girl members, active adult members, and sustaining members. (See Blue Book for membership requirements)

MEMBERSHIP OPERATING UNIT - Operational staff and volunteers responsible for membership development.

MOTTO - “Be Prepared.” A maxim adopted as a guiding principle for members.

NATIONAL COUNCIL - The membership body of the corporation, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. It includes delegates elected by local councils, and members elected by the national Board of Directors. It meets every three years.

NOSEBAG - A lunch, which does not need cooking, carried in a paper bag or bandanna.

PATROL - A group of girls with a girl leader; 5 to 8 girls to a patrol in a Junior Girl Scout troop, and 6 to 8 in a Cadette and Senior troop.

PATROL SYSTEM - A form of government for Junior, Cadette, and Senior troops.

PLURALISM - A system that holds within it individuals or groups differing in basic background experiences and cultures. It allows for the development of a common tradition, while preserving the right of each group to maintain its cultural heritage.

PROFICIENCY BADGES - Symbols earned by Juniors and Cadettes for interest projects, indicating increased knowledge and skill in a particular area.

PURPOSE OF THE GIRL SCOUT MOVEMENT - As stated in the Preamble “...inspiring girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens.”

QUIET SIGN - Used in meetings and other gatherings to quiet the group. It is made by raising your right hand. As people in the group see the quiet sign, they stop talking and also raise their right hands.

RECRUITER - A member of a service team responsible for recruiting girls and adults.

REDEDICATION - A ceremony in which girls and adults who have been members of Girl Scouting renew their Promise.

SERVICE MARK - Correct term for the new trefoil symbol designed in 1978 to identify the Girl Scout movement; guidelines for its use are available at the Service Center.

SERVICE UNIT - Operational unit responsible for providing services to troops/groups.

SERVICE UNIT MANAGER - A Girl Scout adult volunteer who organizes, guides and directs Girl Scouting in a geographical area.

SIGN, GIRL SCOUT - Made by raising the right hand. This sign signifies it is time to be quiet..

SIT-UPON - A lightweight pad or mat to sit upon when the ground is damp or dusty.

SLOGAN - “Do a Good Turn Daily.” A guiding principle for members.

SWAP - A small gift to exchange with other participants in a Wider Opportunity.

THINKING DAY - February 22, the birthday of both Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, celebrated as the day in which Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world think of each other and exchange greetings.

TRAINER - A certified Council adult who trains other adults.

TREFOIL - The official emblem of the Girl Scout movement in the U.S.A., registered in the United States Patent Office by GSUSA. The three broad parts of the trefoil represent the three parts of the Girl Scout promise.

TROOP - The name Girl Scouts use for their group. Usually 16-24 of about the same age and two or more adult leaders.

TROOP COMMITTEE - A group of three to six women and men currently registered with Girl Scouts of the USA who help girls and leaders carry out their plans.

TROOP CONSULTANT - A volunteer who provides on-going help and advice to the troop/group leader and is a member of the Service Team.

TRY-IT - Recognition earned by Brownie Girl Scouts for participation in specific activities.

USA GIRL SCOUTS-OVERSEAS - Girl Scout troops composed of girls and adults living temporarily in other countries, usually because the girl’s parents are in military, governmental, or business assignments.

WIDER OPPORTUNITIES - Local, national and international events which are offered for girls and adults, beyond troop program. Now known as Destinations.

WORLD ASSOCIATION OF GIRL GUIDES AND GIRL SCOUTS (WAGGGS) - An organization of member countries having national Girl Guide/Girl Scout associations, established in 1928.

WORLD CENTERS - Centers for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts owned and operated by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. They include: Pax Lodge in London, England; Our Cabaña near Cuernavaca, Mexico; Our Chalet near Adelboden, Switzerland and Sangam near Pune, India.