November/December 2004 Volume 30 Issue 10  
Girl Scout Leader-In-Training
GSUSA Girl Leadership Project
You are presented an awesome opportunity as an experienced Girl Scout to take the lead with activities involving younger girls as you acquire skill and confidence to hold future leadership positions within and outside of Girl Scouting.
The Leader-In-Training (LIT) program was created to help Girl Scouts who have completed the 9th grade acquire the skills and confidence necessary to assist with a group of younger girls and hold future leadership positions within and outside of Girl Scouting.

Prerequisite:
LIT candidate is a registered girl who has completed the 9th grade. She understands she is very capable of making contributions; yet because not yet an adult, she cannot be left alone with a group of girls. An adult must be present at all times.

Application:
LIT Candidate completes a Girl Application for Leadership Project (F-473) and ask an adult (no relatives) to complete a Girl Leadership Project Reference Form (F-474). Mail completed application to Girl Leadership Projects, c/o Program Department, GSSJC, 3110 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098. Forms are located in the Council forms files or on the Council Web site.

Trainings:
· LIT orientation (self study; click on the Leader Resources folder for 11-17 Year Old Girl Scouts on www.gssjc.org to download this information, or contact Myrna Monconduit at 713- 292-0281, 800-392-4340 or mmonconduit@sjgs.org to obtain a copy.) This includes a troop/group observation inventory.
· Basic Leader Training (BLT) – available through a girl’s Service Unit or as a home study course through the Council’s Adult Development Department. Girls complete the Home Study Registration form in any issue of The Golden Link and send to the Girl Scout office. Contact Betty Morgan, with questions, 713-292-0238, 800-392-4340 or bmorgan@sjgs.org.
· Program Level Training (4 hours) – Daisy, Brownie, Junior, or Group – trainings are scheduled throughout the year in locations around the council; check The Golden Link or go online at www.gssjc.org to the Trainings section. Also available in home study format.
Following completion of all the above trainings, the LIT candidate is eligible to wear the GSUSA LIT pin. She must submit a completed “LIT Intent to Intern” form, GSSJC F-459B, at any Council Shop in order to purchase the pin. Candidate will also complete troop/group observation inventory explained in the LIT orientation.
NOW, the candidate takes the lead with activities involving younger girls to complete the GSUSA internship requirement. The LIT spends a minimum of 25 hours working directly with the leaders of a troop or group. The leader directly supervising her will

need to complete a “LIT Mentor Leader Agreement” form, GSSJC F-459C and mail it to the address listed on the agreement form. Information about being a Mentor Leader is also given in the 11- 17 Year Old Girl Scouts folder under Leader Resources on the Council Web site.

Internship responsibilities:
· Assist the leader/camp counselor with planning activities
· Implement activities
· Prepare materials and equipment for troop/group/camp activities
· Maintain a role model behavior for girls in the troop/group/camp
· Interact positively with girls, peers and adults
· Act in a mature, responsible manner, being aware of the safety needs of girls at all times
· Provide suggestions for program allowing for girl planning
· Help with record keeping
· Participate in the evaluation of activities
· Be aware of good health and safety practices (refer to Safety-Wise)
· Attend meetings with mentor leader or unit staff
· Regular, mutually convenient planning meetings with mentor
· Attend meetings of assigned troop/group/ camp
· Maintain paperwork, i.e. Training Record Card, Log of Leadership/Service Hours
· Create an activity file/notebook of ideas for use for future programming
· Develop lesson plans to train younger girls in specialty skills
· Arrange for transportation and attend meetings/events
· Assist with duties EXCEPT NEVER be left alone with girls. Senior Girl Scouts are NOT counted as an adult in any adult/ girl ratios.
· Notify leader if unable to attend due to emergency or extenuating circumstances.
· Provide leader/mentor/camp director with signed permission slip(s) (F-204)/ medical form (F-185)
· Following completion of the internship, complete the paperwork, i.e. Log of Leadership/Service Hours, have the adult with whom you worked sign it and turn in a copy to your troop leader/mentor and attach to your evaluation form.
· Following completion of your project, complete the Girl Evaluation of Leadership Project, attach log and turn in when you purchase the GSUSA award at a Council Girl Scout Shop.
· Keep a copy of all submitted materials with your own personal Girl Scout records.

Upon completion of her 25-hour internship, the LIT is eligible to wear the GSUSA LIT patch. She must submit a completed “LIT Internship Log and Evaluation” form, GSSJC 459D at any Council Shop in order to purchase the patch.
Forms are being developed and will be available on line and in the Council forms files at the Council office and service centers. For more information contact either Melinda Gaskill, Program Manager at 713-292-0232, or mgaskill@sjgs.org, or Linda Loop, Girl Leadership Coordinator at lploop@houston.rr.com.

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