Volunteer Essentials
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Welcome!
As a volunteer, you’re not just helping—you’re inspiring. You’re a builder of community, a mentor, and a joyful guide who leads with kindness. Thanks to you, Girl Scouts of all ages will dream big, explore boldly, and make a real difference in the world. We’re so glad you’re here!
These pages are designed to support you as a Girl Scout volunteer. From Girl Scout basics to managing your troop, we’ve got you covered! We recommend that you begin by browsing the sections below and return throughout the year to find answers to your questions as they arise.
Download Volunteer Essentials
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois offers a pdf verison of Volunteer Essentials for volunteers and members to have. Click here to download.
For more resources, check out Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI)’s Online Support for Volunteers webpage for our new volunteer checklists and training guides.
New troop leader?
We’ve got you covered. Check out the First Year Experience Rally on Rallyhood for more resources. This resource will help define your role, show how to get your families involved, and give you the tools you need to lead a successful troop.
© Copyright 2009–2026 Girl Scouts of the United States of America. All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts’ Volunteer Essentials guide (“Material”) is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.
