The Girl Scout Gold Award Information Packet
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The Girl Scout Gold Award
Information Packet
REVISED FOR 2013-2014 TROOP YEAR
Asheville Triad Gastonia Hickory
Service Center Service Center Service Center Service Center
64 W.T. Weaver Blvd. 8818 W. Market Street 250 S. New Hope Road 530 Fourth Street SW
Asheville, NC 28804 Colfax, NC 27235 Gastonia, NC 28054 Hickory, NC 28602
828-252-4442 336-274-8491 704-864-3245 828-328-2444
www.girlscoutsp2p.org
1
Contents
Page
3 The Girl Scout Promise, The Girl Scout Law, The Girl Scout Mission and The New Girl Scout
Leadership Experience
4 The 15 Outcomes of The New Girl Scout Leadership Experience
5 Introduction, Prerequisites & Seven steps to earn your Gold Award
6 Benefits of Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award
7 Standards of Excellence
8 Take Action Project Equation
9-21 Girl Scout Gold Award Toolkit
22 Important Definitions
23-24 MONEY and Your Highest Award Project
24-25 Some Frequently Asked Questions about Money
26-27 Ideas for Money-Earning Activities
28-32 Frequently Asked Questions about the Girl Scout Gold Award
33 My Girl Scout Gold Award – How do I get started?
34-37 My Girl Scout Gold Award – Important reminders along the way
38 Girl Scout Gold Award Take Action Project Ideas
39 The Girl Scout Gold Award Manifesto
SAMPLE FORMS – do not hand write for submission – draft and personal reference only!
Gold Award Project Proposal
Community Agency/Organization Agreement
Project Timeline
Budget Worksheet
Highest Award Money-Earning Activity Application
Gold Award Final Report
Time Long
Budget Worksheet
New for the Girl Scout Gold Award in
Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont!
ü Beginning with the 2013-2014 troop year, the Gold Award Chat Session will be
REQUIRED for all girls prior to starting work on the Gold Award. If you are not able to
attend a live chat session, a video option will be available for you by December 2013.
ü Launching in January 2014 – the Gold Award web app – an online tool to track your
Gold Award progress AND write and submit pieces of your proposal and fin al report.
ü During the 2013-2014 troop year, it is HIGHLY recommended that troop/group
volunteers complete a Gold Award Adult Learning Opportunity prior to starting work
with girls on the Gold Award. Adult Learning Opportunity will be REQUIRED for all
troop/group volunteers prior to guiding girls to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award once an
on-line self study option is available – also projected for January 2014.
ü Gold Award proposals and final reports may be submitted electronically by scanning
and emailing them to jsliker@girlscoutsp2p.org for the Triad and Asheville committees
or to trimland@girlscoutsp2p.org for the Hickory and Gastonia committees. DO NOT
FAX Gold Award paperwork!
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The Girl Scout Law
The Girl Scout Promise I will do my best to be
On my honor, I will try: honest and fair,
To serve God and my country, friendly and helpful,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law. considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
Girl Scout Mission Statement respect myself and others,
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, respect authority,
confidence and character, use resources wisely,
who make the world a better place. make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.
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4
INTRODUCTION
Since 1916, Girl Scout’s highest award has stood for excellence and leadership for girls everywhere. Soon,
you will be joining the ranks of generations of young women who have made a difference in their
communities and beyond.
As a Girl Scout, you are part of the sisterhood of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, a
global movement comprised of more than ten million girls worldwide who are using their talents to
positively impact their communities. With your talent and passion, you too can make changes in your
community that can reach people around the world.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and
Ambassadors may earn. Fulfilling the requirements for the Girl Scout Gold Award starts with completing
two Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador Journeys or having earned the Silver Award and completing one
Senior or Ambassador Journey. In order to complete a Journey, you must earn the Journey awards, which
include creating and carrying out a Take Action project. Each Journey you complete gives you the skills you
need to plan and implement your Take Action award project.
After you have fulfilled the Journey(s) requirement, 80 hours is the suggested minimum hours for the
following steps: identifying an issue, investigating it thoroughly, getting help and building a team, creating a
plan, presenting your plan, gathering feedback, taking action and educating and inspiring others. The
suggested minimum hours are not a rule; they are a guide for you to plan your time in achieving your goal.
Prerequisites
Girls must be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade (or equivalent) and a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador
AND
Complete two Journeys (Senior or Ambassador)* OR Earn the Silver Award and complete one Senior or
Ambassador Journey.*
*Girl Scout Seniors complete Senior Journeys and Girl Scout Ambassadors complete Ambassador
Journeys.
Seven steps to earn your Gold Award
1. Choose an issue: Use your values and skills to identify a community issue you care about.
2. Investigate: Research everything you can about the issue.
3. Get help: Invite others to support and take action with you.
4. Create a plan: Create a project plan that achieves sustainable and measureable impact.
5. Present your plan and get feedback: Sum up your project plan for the Gold Award committee.
6. Take action: Take the lead and carry out your plan.
7. Educate and inspire: Share what you have experienced with others.
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Benefits of Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award
The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting; it recognizes girls in grades
9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through remarkable take action projects that have
sustainable impact in their communities and beyond. Since 1916, girls have successfully answered the call
to Go Gold, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the
world.
Did you know?
59 million alumnae are more successful in school, develop a stronger sense of self, and report greater
satisfaction with life than their peers.
Higher Education/Career:
Girl Scout Gold Award recipients rate their general success in life significantly higher and report higher
success in reaching their goals within many diverse domains (education, career, and volunteer work.)
· Distinguishing herself amongst competition for college
· Scholarship opportunities
· Enter military one rank higher
Life Skills:
Girl Scout Gold Award recipients place significantly higher importance on being a leader.
· Be a role model to girls
· Learn time management
· Empower her to lead
· Teach her how to make the world a better place
· Enhance self-worth and confidence
· Joins networks of Gold Award recipients
· Provides you with a safe place to try new things
· Encourages the girl to set goals and aspirations for her life
Community:
Girl Scout Gold Award recipients report reaching their goals for community involvement.
· Tackling an issue, locally or globally
· Providing a sustainable solution to the community
· Establishing a lifetime network
· Provides the girl with an adult project advisor and mentor.
Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study: A report from the Girl Scout Research Institute, 2012
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STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE
When you decide to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, you are on your honor to uphold the Standards of
Excellence. These standards set a high benchmark for everything you do and invite you to think deeply,
explore opportunities and challenge yourself. Following the Standards of Excellence challenges you to
develop yourself as a leader, achieve the Girl Scout Leadership Outcomes and make a mark on your
community that creates a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Girl Scout Gold Award Steps and Standards of Excellence
Girl Scout Gold Award Steps Standards of Excellence
· Live the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
1. CHOOSE AN ISSUE:
· Demonstrate civic responsibility.
Use your values and skills to identify a
community issue you care about.
· Use a variety of sources: interview
2. INVESTIGATE: people, read books and articles, find
Research everything you can about the professional organizations online.
issue. Remember to evaluate each source’s
reliability and accuracy.
· Demonstrate courage as you investigate
your issue, knowing that what you learn
may challenge your own and others’
beliefs.
· Identify national and/or global links to
your community issue.
· Seek out and recognize the value of the
3. GET HELP: skills and strengths of others.
Invite others to support and take action · Respect different points of view and ways
with you. of working.
· Build a team and recruit a project advisor
who will bring special skills to your Take
Action project.
· Lead the planning of your Take Action
4. CREATE A PLAN: project.
Create a project plan that achieves
· Work collaboratively to develop a plan for
sustainable and measurable impact.
your project that creates lasting change.
· Submit a Project Proposal to your council
5. PRESENT YOUR PLAN AND GET that is concise, comprehensive, and
FEEDBACK: clear.
Sum up your project plan for your Girl
· Describe your plan including the Girl
Scout council.
Scout Leadership Outcomes you want to
achieve and the impact you plan to make
on yourself and the community.
· Articulate your issue clearly and explain
why it matters to you.
· Accept constructive suggestions that will
help refine your project.
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· Take action to address the root cause of
6. TAKE ACTION: an issue, so that your solution has
Take the lead to carry out your plan. measurable and sustainable impact.
· Actively seek partnerships to achieve
greater community participation and
impact for your Take Action project.
· Challenge yourself to try different ways to
solve problems.
· Use resources wisely.
· Speak out and act on behalf of yourself
and others.
· Reflect on what you have learned when
7. EDUCATE AND INSPIRE: you present your Girl Scout Gold Award
Share what you have experienced with Final Report to your council.
others.
· Summarize the effectiveness of your
project and the impact it has had on you
and your community.
· Share the project beyond your local
community and inspire others to take
action in their own communities.
WITH the
community
(not FOR the
community)
Meets one
of the
Girl-led Take Action
Outcomes
Take
Action
Project
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GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD TOOLKIT
Stay organized and keep track of your ideas, contact information, appointments, and plans with the Girl
Scout Gold Award Toolkit. This toolkit includes a “standards of excellence” tracking sheet, tips, planning
guides, and advice to help with each step of your Take Action project. Use these tools as you need them—
and don’t forget that your journey(s) include tools and ideas, too!
1. Choose an issue: Use your values and skills to choose a community issue that you care about. Check out
the Decision-Making Tips in your toolkit. If you have more than one issue that you are passionate about,
interview others to help you decide. Practice making your pitch and see how it feels. You can also make a 15-
second video, write a bumper-sticker slogan or come up with another fun way to sum up why this issue is
important to you.
Tools:
Decision-Making Tips
Interview Tips
Making-Your-Pitch Tips
2. Investigate: Use your sleuthing skills to learn everything you can about the issue you’ve identified. Zoom
in on your issue to identify a specific aspect of it that you would like to address because focused effort has
more impact than a big idea that’s scattered.
Log on: Check news sites and the sites of organizations related to your issue. Explore how the media
in other countries cover your issue. Note: Before doing your online research, take the Girl Scout
Internet Safety Pledge at www.girlscouts.org/internet_safety_pledge.asp.
Go to the library: Find books that offer in-depth analysis about your issue, read your local
newspaper, and look for magazine articles that offer different perspectives on your issue.
Interview people: Talk to your friends, neighbors, teachers, business owners and others who can
offer information or insights about the issue you’ve chosen.
Knowing the various causes of a problem enables you to figure out unique ways to solve it. Use the Mind-
Mapping Tool in your toolkit to create a diagram that tracks a problem and its possible causes.
Tool:
Mind-Mapping Tool
3. Get help: Invite other people to join your team to support your efforts and help you take action. Consider
reaching out to classmates, teachers, friends and experts from organizations and businesses. Networking
with people can make you a more effective leader. Also, the more people you have behind you, the more
likely you will positively influence your community. You are the leader of your team – plan your project,
motivate your team, learn from others. Choose a project advisor, a person with expertise in the topic of
your Gold Award project. An advisor can help you identify resources, provide insights, solve problems and
provide additional background information on your chosen issue.
Tools:
Teaming Tips
Project Advisor Tips
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4. Create a plan: Going for the Girl Scout Gold Award requires you to address the root cause of an issue
and, thus, make a lasting impact in your community. Take a look at the Sustainability Tips in your toolkit for
ideas. Create a plan that outlines the best use of your time and talent, your resources and your team’s
talents, making the most with what you have that’s your challenge!
Tools:
Project Planner
Planning and Budgeting Tips
Sustainability Tips
5. Present your plan and get feedback: Fill out the Project Planning Checklist in your toolkit to organize
your thoughts and make sure you have everything you need before you hand in your Project Proposal Form
to your Girl Scout council for approval. Include what you’ve learned, why your project idea matters, with
whom you’re teaming and your plan for making your project sustainable. Girl Scout council approval is
required before you can continue working on your project. Once your project is approved, take a look at
your Project Planner from step 4. Do you have everything you need?
Tools:
Project Planning Checklist
Project Proposal Form
6. Take action: Lead your team, carry out your plan. Use the tools you have developed in the previous
steps and remember to check your journey(s) for tips. If you hit a speed bump along the way, learn from it
and find ways to adjust your plan.
7. Educate and inspire: Tell your story and share your results. You can inspire someone who has never
before considered taking action to do something! Use the Reflection Tool in your toolkit to identify how this
experience has affected you and how your views may have changed. Finally, complete your Girl Scout Gold
Award Final Report, which is a comprehensive account of what you’ve done, with whom you’ve connected,
the lasting impact you’ve made and what this experience has meant to you.
Tools:
Sharing Tips
Reflection Tool
Girl Scout Gold Award Final Report
Congratulations! Celebrate! Be sure to thank your project advisor, your team, and all the other people who
helped you along the way.
10Standards of Excellence Tracking Sheet
Girl Scout Gold Award Notes Regarding Your Standards of Excellence
Steps Progress and Significant
Dates
· Live the Girl Scout Promise
1. CHOOSE AN ISSUE. and Law.
· Demonstrate civic
responsibility.
· Use a variety of sources:
2. INVESTIGATE. interview people, read books
and articles, find professional
organizations online.
Remember to evaluate each
source’s reliability and
accuracy.
· Demonstrate courage as you
investigate your issue,
knowing that what you learn
may challenge your own and
others’ beliefs.
· Identify national and/or
global links to your
community issue.
· Seek out and recognize the
3. GET HELP. value of the skills and
strengths of others.
· Respect different points of
view and ways of working.
· Build a team and recruit a
project advisor who will bring
special skills to your Take
Action project.
· Lead the planning of your
4. CREATE A PLAN. Take Action project.
· Work collaboratively to
develop a plan for your
project that creates lasting
change.
11· Submit a Project Proposal to
5. PRESENT YOUR PLAN AND your council that is concise,
GET FEEDBACK. comprehensive and clear.
· Describe your plan including
the Girl Scout Leadership
Outcomes you want to
achieve and the impact you
plan to make on yourself and
the community.
· Articulate your issue clearly
and explain why it matters to
you.
· Accept constructive
suggestions that will help
refine your project.
· Take action to address the
6. TAKE ACTION. root cause of an issue, so
that your solution has
measurable and sustainable
impact.
· Actively seek partnerships to
achieve greater community
participation and impact for
your Take Action project.
· Challenge yourself to try
different ways to solve
problems.
· Use resources wisely.
· Speak out and act on behalf
of yourself and others.
· Reflect on what you have
7. EDUCATE AND INSPIRE. learned when you present
your Girl Scout Gold Award
Final Report to your council.
· Summarize the effectiveness
of your project and the
impact it has had on you and
your community.
· Share the project beyond
your local community and
inspire others to take action
in their own communities.
12Decision-Making Tips
You are about a make a big decision that will have a significant impact on your life and may even change it
forever. Take some time to reflect and get inspired. Start with yourself.
· What inspires you? Is it something in your school, community, country, or the world?
· What motivates you into action? Is it people, events, activities, places?
· What skills, talents and strengths do you have to offer?
· How do you want to make a difference? As an advocate for justice? A promoter of environmental
awareness? As a trainer, mentor or coach? As an artist, actor, or musician? As an organizer of
petitions or campaigns? As an entrepreneur? Can you think of another role?
· What motivates, inspires, and interests others? Can you build a team to support your idea?
· What would benefit the community both immediately and long-term?
· Check back through your Girl Scout leadership Journey(s). What interested you that you might be
able to translate into an award project?
Need some inspiration? Search through these sites to see what others are doing to address issues in their
community.
· United We Serve: www.serve.gov
· Global Citizens Corps: www.globalcitizencorps.org
· Global Youth Action Network: www.youthlink.org
· Global Youth Service Day: http://gysd.org/share
· Learn and Serve America: www.learnandserve.gov
· Prudential: www.spirit.prudential.com
· Taking IT Global: www.tigweb.org
· United Nations Millennium Development Goals: www.un.org/millenniumgoals
· World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts: www.wagggs.org
· Youth Venture: www.genv.net
13Interview Tips
Find out what you need to prepare and conduct an interview.
1. Making arrangements: Decide who you would like to interview, contact the person and set up a date and
time.
2. Preparation: Gather research and background information to help you formulate questions to ask the
interview subject(s). Use these sample interview questions to get you started, and then add some of your
own. If you need help choosing an issue, you’ll want to ask the following types of questions:
· What are the biggest challenges/problems that you have faced or are facing?
· What do you think is the root cause of these issues?
· What will it take to address these issues?
· Are there any resources available to do that?
· What do you consider to be the strengths of the community?
If, on the other hand, you’ve already chosen an issue, move ahead to the interview.
3. Conducting the interview: Bring a notebook to take notes.
Here are some tips:
· Find a quiet place where you’ll have each other’s full attention and agree to turn off your cell phones.
· Start by thanking the interviewee for her/his time and then briefly describe your project.
· Keep questions simple and related to the issue at hand. Do your research. Preparation is key!
· Ask the person you interview if she or he would like to hear more about your project as it develops.
· Send a thank-you note to everyone you interview within a week of the interview. Mention the
possibility of a follow-up interview.
4. Reviewing information and setting up a possible follow-up interview:
Your interview is over. Now what? You have to sift through to find the information that’s relevant to what
you are working on. If there are some gaps that you need to fill, contact your interview subject(s) to get
more information and to find out whether or not you have your facts correct. Remember to check and
recheck your facts!
Making Your Pitch
You’ve seen the advertisements and most times you even remember the slogans. What makes them
memorable? It could be because they’re clever or catchy or funny. Now that you’ve chosen your issue, think
of a way that you can let people know about it. You should be able to describe the issue you’ve chosen in
about 15 seconds. Here are some tips to help you do that.
· Make it memorable: Develop a slogan. What makes you remember the slogan in those commercials
on TV? How can you incorporate that into your pitch?
14· Target your audience: Who are you trying to reach? If you are aiming for kids, think of a story or
riddle that would relate this to them. Young kids love to rhyme. If you’re reaching out to adults, no
cute stories! Think about your audience and try to tailor your pitch so that it connects with them.
· How you will help: You’ve gotten their attention with your story. Now tell them what your project will
do to make their lives better.
· Personalize it: Why this project? Why this target audience? How will doing this make you a better
person?
· Do it: Put it all together. Explain your idea in a short and motivating way that clarifies for you, your
potential team, target audience and supporters. Remember, 15 seconds. Go!
Mind-Mapping Tool
Create your own mind-mapping diagram like the one shown here, using one of the issues facing your
community. Follow these instructions.
· Write the community issue in the middle of the paper or any where that works for you.
· Think about what some of the causes of this issue could be. In this example, one of the main causes
of car accidents is bad weather. Notice how many different causes connect from bad weather.
· Now, try connecting the different causes you come up with to each other and to the main issue. How
do the causes connect to each other?
· Do you see a pattern?
This activity will help you come up with different ways to approach a problem, as well as different ways you
might go about addressing it.
15Teaming Tips
Think about the people who might be able to help you put your project into action. Choose people who will
stick it out until the project is complete. You don’t have to limit your team to people your age or just Girl
Scouts.
Working in a group will help you make a bigger impact and cover more ground than you would on your own. It
might be challenging at times, but remember to always be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate
and caring and responsible for what you say and do. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you build your
team:
· Promote a sense of trust and belonging
· Share ownership
· Clarify roles and responsibilities
· Communicate regularly and openly
· Respect diversity
· Have fun and be creative
· Be open to new ideas and different ways of working
· Keep learning and growing
Project Advisor Tips
Here you’ll find tips for selecting and working with your project advisor.
· Reach out: You’ve figured out the issue you’re going to address with your project. Now it’s time to
find an expert to help along the way and give you advice and suggestions. Ask your troop/group
volunteer or your council for suggestions. Then, select a few people who are related to your issue
area with whom you’d like to work.
· Safety first: Before you meet with new people, talk to your troop/group volunteer for some safety
tips and do’s and don’ts. Make sure your family knows who you’re talking to and meeting with.
· Ask: Start with your first choice, and if she or he can’t help, go to your next choice. (Hint: There may
be many others who are willing to help!) Approach the people you selected one at a time. Introduce
yourself by sending a brief letter or e-mail, explaining what you’re working on and the advice you
would like. Give some background. Give an estimate, asking about time commitments and which
way would be best to communicate.
· Say thanks: When an individual accepts, send her or him a thank-you note, along with a brief
description of your project and a list of areas where you think you’ll need the most help.
16· Think ahead when asking for help: Before you compose an e-mail or call your project advisor, think
about how you can simplify a problem you’re having so that she or he can offer quick suggestions.
· Share your progress: Make sure to tell your project advisor (in a quick e-mail or phone call) about
your progress and how her or his help is making your project better, easier and so on.
· Celebrate together: After your project is completed, invite her or him to your Gold Award
ceremony and/or your own celebration. Don’t forget to send a thank-you note!
Project Planner
A Girl Scout Gold Award Take Action project addresses the root cause of an issue, produces impact that is
measurable and sustainable and is a local project that links to a national and/or global issue. Here are a
few tips to help you lay out your project plan:
· Set project goals:
What is your project? _______________________________________________________________________
Why does it matter? ________________________________________________________________________
Who will it help? ___________________________________________________________________________
The difference I intend to make in the world is
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
· Steps to meet the goals: List step-by-step what it will take to reach your goal. Be as specific as
possible so that you can put together a timeline and draw on your team to help you reach your goals.
· Develop a timeline: This will help you determine how much time should be allotted to each part of
your project.
· Think about money-earning: Brainstorm ways to finance your project. If needed, speak with your
Girl Scout troop/group volunteer to make sure that your ideas are in line with the Girl Scout policies.
Check with your council. Remember, you can make an impact without spending money by
influencing policy and so on.
· Establish a global link: Consider how to connect your project to an issue that affects people in
other parts of the country or the world.
Use the following questions to help you determine what you need and what you need to do.
· What is the goal that you would you like to achieve with your project?
· How do you plan to achieve this project goal?
· What are the foreseeable obstacles?
17· Aside from your team, troop/group volunteer and project advisor, do you need any one else to help
with your project?
· What supplies will you need?
· If necessary, how will you earn money?
· How will you measure your success as you go?
· How will your project create lasting change?
Planning and Budgeting Tips
It’s budget time! Start by figuring out what you need and where you can get it for little or no cost, if possible.
If it’s not possible, think about how much it is going to cost and how you can cover those expenses. Many
projects are possible when you concentrate on the issue at hand. Use your influence and leadership skills to
come up with ways that you can make a difference that might not include earning money.
List the steps What Where can How much How do you
to achieve resources you get the will they plan to cover
your goal and materials resources cost? these costs?
will you need? and materials?
Does your plan sound doable? If not, take a step back and refocus. Try to find a different angle to pursue.
Work with your troop/group volunteer, project advisor and Take Action team to find solutions to problems
and obstacles that come up along the way.
18Sustainability Tips
Girl Scout Gold Award projects are not one time events—they create lasting change. You can ensure a
lasting project by setting clear timelines, collaborating with community organizations, building alliances with
adults and mentors and keeping good records. Sustainability often involves influencing others to pitch in.
Here are some examples of sustainable projects.
Example #1
Community issue: Food waste from school lunches poses a danger to the environment.
Root cause: No community composting or recycling program.
Take action: Create a food-waste composting program for the school.
Making the solution sustainable:
· Work with school officials to find biodegradable plates and cups to use in the cafeteria.
· Work with town/state food waste officials to ensure the system is in place.
· Implement a plan in your school to separate their cafeteria waste into composting, recycling, and
trash bins. (Farmers can use the compost to fertilize crops, improve the quality of the soil, decrease
soil runoff and so on.)
· Get a commitment from school administrators to carry on when your project is complete.
Making your project bigger (national and/or global link): Recruit students at schools in the area to
develop the program for their schools and/or contact local and state officials about adopting the
program.
Global link: Find out how people in other parts of the world deal with food waste in schools. What kinds
of programs do they have in place? How can you learn from this?
Example #2
Community issue: Teen suicide.
Root cause: Lack of awareness and prevention.
Take action: Establish an awareness and prevention program.
Making the solution sustainable:
· Produce a short video that can be used in other communities with an online brochure outlining the
steps to an awareness and prevention program.
· Share the video and online brochure with schools and community organizations.
Making your project bigger (national and/or global link): Share the program with local youth groups,
health/human services agencies, community centers, church/synagogue/mosque community centers,
or school district.
19Project Planning Checklist
The answers to all of the questions below must be yes before you submit your plan for council approval.
· Will your project demonstrate your leadership skills?
· Have you set your project goal and identified what you would like to learn?
· Have you chosen your Take Action team? Have you discussed the project with them?
· Have you created a budget for the project?
· Have you created a plan to raise funds, if necessary?
· Have you made a timeline for your project?
· Does your project address a need in the local community and have you found national and/or global
links?
· Can your project be sustainable?
· Does your project challenge your abilities and your interests?
Once you answer yes to all the items on this checklist, you’re ready to submit your Girl Scout Gold Award
Project Proposal.
Sharing Tips
Here are a few suggestions for how you can demonstrate your project achievements and share what you
learned:
· Create a Web site or blog or join a social networking site (Facebook, MySpace, and so on) to post
updates and details about your project and its impact on the national and/or global community.
· Log on to some Web sites where you can share your story:
GSUSA website – MAP IT! tool: http://forgirls.girlscouts.org/map-it-girls-changing-the-world/
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts: www.wagggs.org/en/projects
Taking IT Global: www.tigweb.org
Global Youth Service Day: www.globalyouthserviceday.org
· Create a campaign that showcases your cause. Make buttons, posters, and flyers to let people know
about your cause.
· Present what you have learned and what your project will do for the community at a workshop for
community members.
· Make a video about the effects of your project. Post it online. Invite friends, community leaders and
people from organizations who are tackling the same or a similar issue to take a look at it.
· Write an article for your local newspaper or create a newsletter about your project.
20Reflection Tool
Reflection is more than talking about your feelings; it’s about thinking critically, solving problems, and
interpreting and analyzing the results of your experiences so you can gain a better understanding of who
you are. After you complete your project, take some time to assess yourself.
1. Which values from the Girl Scout Promise and Law did you employ?
2. Which new leadership skills have you developed?
3. How are you better able to advocate for yourself and others?
4. How has your access to community resources and relationships with adults changed as a result of
this experience?
5. How important has cooperation and team building been in developing your leadership skills?
6. What changes would you make if you were to do this project again?
7. Has this helped you get an idea of what your future career might be?
8. Now that you have planned, developed, and taken action on your project, how are you better
equipped to pursue future/life goals?
21IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
BUDGET - Will you need money for your project? How much will it cost? How will you get the money? List all
your expenses and talk with your advisor or one of the Program Managers at our council about how to cover
these expenses. Projects should be financially realistic. You must obtain approval from our council if you
plan to raise funds or solicit donations. Remember, girls cannot engage in direct solicitation for money.
***See MONEY and Your Gold Award Project***
COLLABORATIVE ORGANIZATIONS – If your project is focused on an existing organization or program,
then your project must expand its work. The project must meet a need that is currently not being met. If you
are working with an existing organization make sure to have the agency/organization contact person sign a
community agency/organization agreement form approving the work of your project. Submit this form with
your project proposal.
COMMUNITY ASPECT - The idea of the Girl Scout Gold Award is that you do something to benefit your
community and learn those skills that make you a citizen of your community and the world. The Gold Award
project should reach beyond the “world” of Girl Scouting and extend into the surrounding community,
region and beyond.
GLOBAL ASPECT – For a Girl Scout Gold Award project, you should identify national and/or global links to
your selected issue. You should learn from others and use what you’ve learned in the planning and
implementation of your project. Once your project is complete, develop a plan to share the results of your
project beyond the local community.
GOLD AWARD COMMITTEE MEMBER – The Gold Award committee member works with Girl Scouts to
ensure that the Gold Award application process meets the highest standard according to the Girl Scout
program. Your Gold Award committee member is a resource person who is knowledgeable about the Gold
Award project requirements, expectations, and process, including GSUSA policies and prerequisites. This
committee member is there to answer questions, insure safety and provide encouragement.
LEADERSHIP: Leadership can require creating a vision and an outcome, setting a goal, developing a plan of
work, creating the scope of the project, functioning in a director capacity, delegating to others, making
decisions for change, creating a list of needs and resources, creating a budget, evaluating the performance
of yourself and/or others, writing reports and accepting accountability for the outcome.
PROJECT ADVISOR – While your troop volunteer can guide you through the Journey and the project idea
phase, you will need to seek a project advisor once you have determined your project. You are encouraged
to use resource people who are knowledgeable in the field in which you are doing your project. Your advisor
is there to answer questions, insure safety, provide encouragement, follow GSUSA policies, but not to do
the project for you. Throughout your project, you are responsible for maintaining contact with your project
advisor(s).
SERVICE: Service is based on working within a plan that is already established, acting as an assistant or
helper, using a prepared list of resources, using existing funds that are allocated to you, asking permission
to make changes, and reporting to a supervisor for direction. You will have your team provide service for
your project.
SUSTAINABILITY – A Gold Award project includes provisions to ensure sustainability. Gold Award projects
should be ongoing in their effort or because you have trained others to carry on the work. How can this
project continue when you are gone? If the project is an event, the event should be something that people
will want to continue for the next year. If it is a service, it should be something that creates change or action
with long-term possibilities, empowering others besides just the girl. If it is something tangible, it should
come with a plan for use and maintenance within the community.
22MONEY and Your Highest Award Project
One of the challenges facing every girl earning her Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award is money. There are
specific policies you must abide by which are outlined in this Highest Award Information Packet, and in our
council’s board-approved policies, Volunteer Essentials, Safety Activity Checkpoints, and the Blue Book of
Basic Documents (2012 edition.)
You may need to adjust your project plan when you begin making decisions about money-earning projects.
Gold Award candidates: Clear the adjustments you have made in your project plan with our council and
share you plan with your Gold Award committee member and program manager.
1. While working on your Highest Award project, you may be involved in seeking in-kind
donations, provided two requirements are met:
a) You MUST receive approval from your local Regional Executive in the council service center by
submitting a Highest Awards Money-Earning Activity Application at least 30 days prior to the
solicitation.
b) You MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian, troop/group volunteer, Gold Award project
advisor*, or Gold Award committee member* to make a presentation to potential funders.
*Gold Award candidates only
2. While working on your Highest Award project, you may NOT engage in any direct solicitation
for money. An adult, from those listed above, must make the request for cash donations.
Girls are encouraged to make the case for support for all types of assistance for their project,
but the “ask” for money must be made by an adult.
You need to fully describe your project to a potential donor. You could schedule a meeting in-person. You
could create a Power Point or similar presentation. You could also write a letter or brochure to solicit for in-
kind donations. If you distribute any written solicitations, they must include your signature, along with an
adult’s signature (from those listed above.)
3. You can hold money-earning activities to earn money for your Highest Award project,
provided the following requirement is met:
a) You MUST receive approval from your local Regional Executive in the council service center by
submitting a Highest Awards Money-Earning Activity Application at least 30 days prior to the
money-earning activity.
You, along with your troop/group, can hold a bake sale or car wash, or your troop/group can charge a fee to
an approved event that you put on to earn money for your troop/group’s activities. Your troop/group may
then decide to use that money toward the completion of a Highest Award Project, such as the purchase of
materials. It must be a troop/group decision on how to allocate the funds, which can be used for individual
projects*.
*Gold Award candidates only
If you are an individually registered member, things are slightly different. You cannot earn money as an
individual Girl Scout for yourself. The money you earn must be deposited into a bank account held by
either a troop/group or service unit. Next, you must present your need for funds to that troop/group or
service unit. The troop/group or service unit will then make a decision about the dispersal of the funds.
You will still need to submit a Highest Awards Money-Earning Activity Application to your local Regional
Executive the council service center at least 30 days prior to your money-earning activity.
234. You MUST participate in our council’s Cookie Program in order to participate in any additional
money-earning activities or solicitations related to your Highest Award project.
Participation in GSCP2P’s Cookie Program is defined as:
a) Providing cookie program training to both parents and girls
b) Setting a troop sales goal
c) Selling at least four cases (48 packages) of cookies – per girl
d) Following all other guidelines/deadlines/policies, etc. set forth for the cookie program
5. You cannot raise money for another organization as a Girl Scout.
That means you cannot have a bake sale and tell people that you are giving the proceeds to a homeless
shelter for meals. You cannot ask for pledges for a walk-a-thon to benefit breast cancer research or hold a
benefit dance to raise money for Sally’s kidney operation.
6. NO money earned from money-earning activities or solicitations can be deposited into
personal bank accounts.
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Money
Q: Can I use my own money on the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award Project?
A: Yes. If you want to use your own money, you can. You may receive help from your family, too. However,
you are encouraged to work with others to earn the money. That is part of the process. Earning your
Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award is not meant to be a hardship on a family or individual. When designing your
project, it’s important to think creatively about how you can make a difference with little or no money. You
can talk to your troop/group volunteer or your project advisor* about ideas for financing the project or
arranging for the donation of materials and services.
*Gold Award candidates; Silver Award candidates, if a project advisor is recruited
Q: Can I ask friends and neighbors for help?
A: Of course! You want to give the community a chance to be involved in your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award
project. You will probably be surprised at those who are willing to give of their time, money, or goods to
support your project. Don’t forget that you must have council approval prior to any solicitation for gifts-in-
kind.
Q: What if what I want to do costs too much?
A: It’s better to succeed with a smaller project that is within your budget than to be unable to complete a
larger project because it exceeds your budget. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Work with
your troop/group volunteer or project advisor* to develop a reasonable budget for your project. If your
resources are not sufficient for you to realistically accomplish your goal, then you need to rethink the
project. Planning is the key to a good Highest Award project. Think it through and do your homework!
Gold Award candidates: You will submit an estimated budget with your Project Proposal.
*Gold Award candidates; Silver Award candidates, if a project advisor is recruited
Q: Is it all right to seek help from other organizations when earning my Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or
Gold Award?
A: Yes, with some qualifications. Many service organizations have budgets for community projects. You
can use their interests or goals as leverage to support your project and get volunteers to help you. Be sure
to research local service organizations. Even some businesses give employees time for community service
hours and projects. However, remember the procedure about seeking in-kind or cash donations. (Our
council may be asking the same group for a major donation and you don’t want to interfere with our
council’s “ask” or vice-versa.) Don’t let the organization’s agenda drive your vision for your project.
24Q: I know I can’t raise money as a Girl Scout for other organizations, but can I do it on my own?
A: As an individual, you can volunteer for other organizations, but you should not identify work that you do
to raise funds for another organization as part of your time going toward the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or
Gold Award. Additionally, you may not present yourself as a Girl Scout to the public in this process since
you are a volunteer for another organization. For example: If your local Red Cross needs money to
purchase training dummies, you may participate under their supervision as an individual volunteer to raise
funds, but you cannot count that service as part of your time toward any Girl Scout award or service hours.
However, you can plan a Highest Award project using the equipment that was purchased as part of your
efforts as a volunteer for that organization.
Q: What should happen with the money raised by a money-earning project or a monetary donation?
A: All money should be deposited into the troop/group bank account, not a personal bank account. As with
any money earned by the troop/group, a unanimous decision must be made by the troop/group on how to
spend the money. For materials or supplies needed for a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award project, the
troop/group makes the purchases from the troop/group bank account. If there are funds remaining after a
Highest Award project is complete, the troop/group can make the decision to donate the remaining money
as they see fit.
Q: What if a donor wants a receipt for tax purposes?
A: Any in-kind or monetary donation can be tax deductible and you can let a potential donor know this
when you (or the adult in the case of cash donations) make your ask. Gifts of time are not tax deductible.
If a donor is making a monetary donation and would like a receipt for tax purposes, that money must be
donated directly to our council as a ‘designated gift.’ The money must be clearly designated for your
Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award project, including your name and troop/group number. Our council will issue a
check to the troop/group for the amount of the donation and issue a tax receipt letter with tax language to
the donor. Neither a girl nor the troop/group has the authority to legally issue a tax receipt letter. Only our
council, with non-profit status, has the legal authority to do so.
If a donor is making a donation of goods, materials, or other gifts-in-kind and would like a receipt for tax
purposes, the local Regional Executive in the council service center needs to be notified regarding the
donation. The actual donation does not have to physically pass through a council service center. After the
donation is made, the Regional Executive will provide a thank-you from our council. The donor is
responsible for assigning a value to the donation and filing it on their taxes.
Q: Can we charge for a Girl Scout event to earn money?
A: If it is a service project, a fee can be collected to cover the cost of materials. The project ceases to be a
service project if you are charging a fee for the event above cost. If you are doing a Girl Scout event (e.g., a
badge workshop, bike rodeo, etc.) and are planning to charge a fee above the cost of materials, this is a
money-earning project and you must first receive approval from our council. Provision should be made for
scholarships for troop/groups or individual girls who cannot afford fees to your event and you must be clear
in your advertisements and materials that this is a money-earning event for your troop/group. If your
Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award project is an event for the public, you can charge a fee to cover the cost of
materials.
Q: Can time spent on a money-earning activity be counted towards my total Bronze, Silver, or Gold
Award project hours?
A: Yes, but only if you are showing true leadership while in the planning and implementation of your money-
earning activity. Time spent on money-earning activities should not be excessive when compared to the
total hours spent on your Highest Award project. The focus should be on your actual project, not the
money-earning activity.
25Good Ideas for Money-Earning Activities – YES! J YES! J YES! J
Reminder: All Girl Scout money-earning activities must have approval from your local Regional Executive in
the council service center at least 30 days prior to the money-earning activity. All money-earning activities
must abide by policies outlined in the appropriate Highest Award Information Packet, in our council’s
board-approved policies, Volunteer Essentials, Safety Activity Checkpoints, and the Blue Book of Basic
Documents (2012 edition.) Girls must participate in the Cookie Program in order to participate in any
additional money-earning activities related to her Gold Award project.
1. Sell Girl Scout cookies and participate in the fall product program. Think big — sell cases to businesses
as gifts to clients or employees; arrange for booths at sports events or college dorms.
2. Provide childcare at special events during the holiday season or community events. (Be sure to have an
adult trained in first aid present.)
3. Make homemade cards for special occasions and sell them.
4. Pick up litter after an event.
5. Do face-painting at a community event.
6. Wash neighborhood windows.
7. Walk pets or offer pet sitting services.
8. Make crafts and sell them.
9. Rake leaves for family, friends and neighbors.
10. “Sack Sit” at a local mall or shopping center while shoppers do holiday shopping.
11. Provide gift wrapping services – add it to the “Sack Sitting” and you have a great one-stop service.
12. Make and sell corsages for service unit father/daughter dances. Take pre-orders.
13. Make holiday decorations and sell them.
14. Make and sell baked goods.
15. Create, design and sell cookbooks – must not violate any Girl Scout or other copyrights.
16. Conduct a car wash.
17. Create items and offer them for a silent auction at a local Girl Scout event or meeting.
18. Make and sell food at a special event. It is recommended that this be food that does not require
refrigeration.
19. Offer the service of sewing on badges and patches for Girl Scouts.
20. Council program event or workshop for other girls.
26BAD Ideas for Money-Earning Activities – NO! L NO! L NO! L
1. Sale of commercial products or services through order taking or home demonstration parties, such as:
Pampered Chef, Krispy Kreme, Avon, Mary Kay, etc.
2. Raise funds for another organization while acting as a Girl Scout. This includes foundations, other non-
profits, or political parties.
3. Raise funds where the money goes to individual members of the troop.
4. Internet sales of any kind.
5. Raffles or games of chance. Do not sell chances to win a piece of furniture, a quilt, etc.
6. No door-to-door sales with the exception of the cookie program.
7. Do not create and resell any item that has the trademarked Girl Scout logo or brand on it.
8. No projects where GSUSA or our council might be perceived as endorsing a political party.
9. Any activity that takes place during the fall product or the cookie program or during a United Way
blackout period. (Please contact your local Regional Executive in the council service center for dates in
your area.)
10. An unapproved money-earning activity.
AGAIN, DON’T FORGET…
ü These procedures apply SPECIFICALLY to Girl Scout Highest Award projects (Bronze, Silver, and
Gold Award.) All other money-earning policies for non-Highest Award related activities still apply.
ü Girls MUST have council approval and an adult present for any solicitation of gifts-in-kind.
ü An adult MUST make the “ask” for any monetary donations.
ü ALL money-earning activities and solicitations must have council approval.
ü Girls MUST submit requests for money-earning activities or solicitations using the Highest Awards
Money Earning Activity Application at least 30 days prior.
ü Girls MUST have participated in the Cookie Program in order to participate in any additional money-
earning activities or solicitations related to her Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award project.
ü NO money earned from money-earning activities or solicitations can be deposited into personal
bank accounts.
27Frequently Asked Questions About The Girl Scout Gold Award
Q: Who can earn the Girl Scout Gold Award?
A: A girl must be a registered Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador.
Q: Can individually registered girl members earn the Girl Scout Gold Award?
A: Yes! Any girl, who meets the grade-level and membership requirements, can earn her Girl Scout Gold
Award.
Q: Can a girl earn the Girl Scout Gold Award even if she hasn’t been in Girl Scouts very long?
A: Yes! She just needs to be a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award.
Q: Can a girl who is developmentally disabled/delayed earn the Girl Scout Gold Award? Don’t we need
a different set of requirements?
A: The Girl Scout Gold Award is something done to the best of a girl’s ability. It is totally possible to work with
someone who needs to adapt the program with the existing requirements. There is not a need to have
special requirements for girls who are developmentally disabled or delayed — encourage flexibility and the
recruitment of advisors that can work with the girl individually.
Q: Can girls begin working on their Gold Award prerequisites the summer after they bridge from Girl
Scout Cadettes to Girl Scout Seniors?
A: Yes! Girls can begin to work on their Senior Journey over the summer.
Q: What if a girl is 18 and graduating? Can she complete her Gold Award when she is in college?
A: A girl has until she turns 18 or until the end of the Girl Scout membership year (September 30th) when
she is a senior in high school to earn her Gold Award. If she turns 18 during her senior year in high school, she
has until the end of the Girl Scout membership year when she is a senior to earn her Gold Award.
Q: What if a girl graduates and is 18 and doesn’t have her Gold Award completed?
A: In this case the girl would have until September 30 of the year she graduates to earn her Gold Award.
Q: Does a girl have to have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award in order to earn the Girl Scout Gold
Award?
A: No, not at all! However, it’s a great foundation for the process. If you have earned your Silver Award, you
only have to complete one Girl Scout Journey as your Gold Award prerequisite instead of two.
Q: Why are Journeys prerequisites to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award?
A: The Journeys give girls a full experience of what they will do as they work to earn the Gold Award. The
skills girls gain while working on the Journeys will help them develop, plan and implement their Gold Award
Take Action project.
Q: Does a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador need to do the two Journeys in any particular order?
A: No. She can complete either two Girl Scout Senior level Journeys, two Girl Scout Ambassador level
Journeys, or one of each. However, she must complete a Journey appropriate to her grade level. For
example, a Senior cannot complete an Ambassador Journey, or vice-versa.
Q: How do girls know when a Journey is "completed?"
A: A Journey is completed when a girl has earned the Journey awards, which include creating and carrying
out a Take Action project.
28Q: What makes the Gold Award guidelines different from the Journeys?
A: In contrast to Journey Take Action projects, which give girls themes on which to base their Journey Take
Action project, the Girl Scout Gold Award Take Action projects have no pre-designed theme. Girls select
their own theme, design, and execute their Gold Award Take Action project.
Q: What are the suggested hours for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award?
A: Not all projects will require the same length of time to complete from planning to sharing and celebration.
The time it takes to earn the awards will depend on the nature of the project, the number of people
recruited to assist in carrying out the project, and the support of the community. Quality projects should be
emphasized over quantity of hours. After the Journey(s) requirement is fulfilled, the suggested minimum
number of hours to use as a guide is 80 hours.
Q: Do the hours put into planning and researching a potential Gold Award project count towards the
hours needed for the Girl Scout Gold Award project?
A: Yes. Girls begin tracking all time spent working on their project at Step One: Choose an Issue. Even if a girl
decides not to do the project she comes up with during her initial research, she has not wasted the time in
learning the process required to begin planning a project. A girl shouldn’t be focusing on a project that she
really doesn’t want to be doing, or isn’t able to do because of something she’s discovered in her research or
community networking. A girl might even discover a project advisor in the community networking process
who sparks a different twist on her vision. The more that is found out about something, the more
possibilities there are — the trick is to end up with a project that meets needs of the community and that
allows a girl to be effective and passionate in what she is doing. For example, a girl may find that a safety
program is not what is needed to prevent accidents in her community. What’s needed is a stop light at a
dangerous intersection. That will require focusing on a different network as she works with the community
to make that kind of a change and her project advisor may need to be someone from the city council
instead of a safety educator.
Q: Is the Girl Scout Gold Award Project an individual project, or can it be worked on by a group of
girls?
A: The Girl Scout Gold Award is an individual project. All girls are encouraged and expected to work with a
team of individuals and organizations to complete the Gold Award project. This team can include family
and friends, community members and fellow Girl Scouts.
Q: How can we make sure that Girl Scout Awards represent quality projects?
A: The best way to make sure that a girl is doing the best of her ability is to ensure that both she and her
troop/group volunteer receive trainings about the award. Chat sessions are offered for girls (see page 12 of
the Discover Guide or the online calendar for dates and locations) and adult learning opportunities for
adults (see page 52 of the Discover Guide or the online calendar for dates and locations).
These sessions are required beginning during the 2013-14 membership year.
Q: What if I can’t make it to a chat session or adult learning opportunity?
A: A video option for girls will be available no later than December 2013 and an adult learning self study will
be available no later than January 2014.
Q: Who are the Adult Volunteer Guides for – council staff, parents, or volunteers?
A: Any adult is welcome to use the adult guides. The guides were designed for volunteers working directly
with girls on achieving their awards.
Q: What is the role of our council’s Girl Scout Gold Award committee?
A: Girl Scout Gold Award committees support Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors as they go through the
process of earning their Girl Scout Gold Award. Committees are comprised of community members,
educators, key volunteers and young women who have earned their Girl Scout Gold Award committees.
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