Political process or politics?
Since this is an election year, its time to think about
how Girl Scouts can be involved in the election process.
The democratic process is what the country is built
upon. Troops are small democracies with a representative
form of organization. Girl Scouts can teach girls to
be leaders, to make their own decisions, and do their
own planning.
Can Girl Scouts get involved in the political process?
Absolutely! Teaching the girls the responsibilities
of citizenship is very important and very appropriate
and “to serve… my country” is part
of the Girl Scout Promise. They are citizens of this
country and should be learning how the democratic process
works.
But, while a troop can learn about the process and
can encourage people to get out and vote, Girl Scouts,
while representing the organization by wearing the uniform,
pin, or citing a troop number, or Council affiliation,
cannot endorse a particular party, issue, or candidate.
So, “yes” to the political process, but
“no” to politics, is the correct answer.
Check the October CIN for “18 Election Activities
for Involvement” and “Policy on Electioneering.”
Fundraising for others
As this is being written, a huge storm has just ripped
across the Gulf Coast and the needs are many. As Girl
Scouts, we want to help and should help. But according
to Safety-wise, Page 76 a Girl Scout troop or group
cannot hold a fundraiser for another organization. Girl
Scouts, in their Girl Scout capacity, may not solicit
money for another organization. Girl Scout troops and
groups can support other organizations by offering to
do service projects for that organization, such as stuffing
envelopes, organizing supplies, gathering food or supplies,
and donating it.
An example would be the socks and chalk project for
our current GSSJC “Project Learning Boards”
activity. A group or troop can decide to use a part
of their treasury to help another organization, they
just can’t go out and directly solicit funds for
that other group.
Girl Scouts is a service organization, so helping
other is in our nature. We teach our girls to help and
give to others. We just need to make sure that we and
our girls understand the proper way to help.
The holidays are upon us
It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays.
You can tell that by the music in the stores, the ads
on TV and the changes in the weather. Every year the
same question arises, “Can Girl Scouts acknowledge
the holidays?” Of course. Since we are a culturally
diverse organization, the perfect opportunity to learn
about each |
other’s cultures and traditions is at holiday
time. Allowing girls to learn about different religions
and cultures is a great way to promote understanding.
How better to learn about people than to see how they
celebrate, what they eat at holidays, what types of gifts
are exchanged, and why these things happen.
That being said, Girl Scout leaders are not to get involved
in the religious training of troops. Leave all religious
training to a girl’s family. Leaders must be sensitive
to any particular religion and not impose their beliefs
on the girls.
So, what to do about the holidays? Embrace the opportunity
to use the diversity of your troop or your community to
educate your girls and families about their neighbors.
Have a holiday party and ask each girl to bring a food
that is a tradition for her particular holiday. Maybe
they can share the music or games of their holiday. By
acknowledging the differences, leaders teach girls that
everyone is special in their own way and that it takes
all types of people to make the world go round. So, go
out and celebrate! |