National Delegates | Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan

58th National Council Session and Girl Scouts Unite Event Recap

The 58th National Council Session (NCS) and Girl Scouts Unite event brought our Movement together for a powerful week of governance, connection, celebration, and inspiration.

From the delegate discussions to the parade of flags, local dignitary welcome, and thoughtful guest speakers, the week reflected the breadth of our Movement and the global sisterhood we are proud to be part of.

We were also excited to welcome Telva McGruder as she begins her term as our National Board President. Her leadership and commitment to our Movement will help guide Girl Scouts into this next chapter.

Highlights from the NCS include:

Delegates voted by acclamation to elect the National Board of Directors and National Board Development Committee. Learn more about these volunteers.
The National Council voted to allow councils to establish their own policies and procedures to guide Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes in soliciting contributions for their Bronze and Silver Award projects, in the same way Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can already fundraise for their Gold Award project.
Delegates also voted to allow the National Board to approve membership dues increases by up to 15% within a triennium, with continued input from councils and delegates before any change. The National Council must vote to approve any dues increases above 15% in a single triennium.
Delegates also participated in two discussion topics where they provided important input to the board about how we expand the ways we deliver Girl Scouting to reach all girls and how we build better connections to our communities through belonging and inclusion.

The Girl Scouts Unite event featured an exciting lineup of speakers, performers, workshops, and sessions reflecting the confidence, creativity, and resilience at the heart of Girl Scouting. Attendees also had access to more than 100 booths and activities in the Hall of Experiences, along with programming designed for Girl Scouts and adults in the Movement.

The event also featured major celebrations such as the National Bridging Ceremony and the Gold Award Celebration, along with community-building moments and opportunities for Girl Scouts to meet and connect with leaders taking action in their communities. Visit GSUSA's blog to read about the moments that made Girl Scouts Unite unforgettable.

Information & Recaps

National Council Delegates & Alternates toggle arrow

Every Girl Scout council is entitled to elect a delegation based on its girl membership. Our delegation includes National Council delegates and alternates.

Duties

National Council delegate and alternate duties: 

Represent our council as voting members of the National Council throughout the triennium (delegates only).
Complete training, which includes self-paced online modules and virtual and in-person sessions.
Participate in council-hosted preparatory meetings and input-gathering opportunities.
Register for and regularly connect on the delegate website for news and updated communications.
Consider the spectrum of opinions of adult and girl members from all parts of our council and across the Movement.
Participate in delegate webinars sponsored by GSUSA and provide decision-influencing input, as requested, throughout the triennium.
Attend all business meetings of the National Council and participate in the decision-making proceedings (delegates only).
Become educated in Robert's Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure.
Be fully prepared to vote on all business items, including proposals and the National Board of Directors slate.
Engage with other delegates, gather feedback from delegate webinars and the National Council Session, and share learnings and insights with council members.

Applicant Eligibility

National Council delegates and alternates must:

Be a citizen of the United States of America as set out in GSUSA's Congressional Charter.
Be a registered member of the Girl Scout Movement.
Be able to consider a broad spectrum of the opinions of adult and older girl members from all parts of the council.
Be willing to prepare thoroughly for the issues and business that will come before the National Council.

Alternate Delegates

National Council alternates:

Are selected to ensure that councils can quickly and easily replace delegates who cannot complete their full term.
Must be prepared to assume the delegate role at any time and with little notice.
Should participate in all delegate training, education, and other preparation to ensure they are ready to conduct National Council business if called upon.

Time Commitment

For National Council delegates and alternates:

The time commitment varies throughout the triennium.
Initial training in the role is approximately six hours, delivered through on-demand webinars.
Education commitments increase in the months leading to a National Council Session (NCS).
Input-gathering activities take place throughout the triennium.

Recap: Special 57th National Council Session toggle arrow

On October 19, 2024, Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Council, made up of girl and adult members from across the country, elected by their peers, discussed and voted on two membership dues proposals.

Learn more about the outcomes of this historic meeting and about our democratic process.

Recap: 2023 Girl Scout Convention Recap toggle arrow

In July 2023, approximately 900 delegates, including several hundred girl members aged 14–17, represented their councils during the 56th National Council Session (NCS).

They elected a new National Board, including new National President Noorain F. Khan, engaged in breakout discussions about governance, and respectfully debated and voted on important issues.

Read about:

The actions taken on the proposals.
The Blue Book of Basic Documents, which was updated to reflect those actions.

After the conclusion of the NCS, we welcomed thousands more Girl Scouts from across the country and around the world to partake in fun and enriching programs, make new friends, and attend special performances and celebrations at Phenom By Girl Scouts.

Check out the recap blog to experience the powerful moments that made the 2023 Girl Scout Convention unforgettable.

For more information, please email Katrina Palmer, Chief of Staff, at kpalmer@gssem.org.

See you in Indianapolis!

The 59th National Council Session and Girl Scouts Unite event will be held July 23–28, 2029. Join the email list to receive updates.

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