Membership Staff
Vice President - Membership
Carolyn Johnson

Directors
Gladys Birdwell
Sandee Williams

Team Leaders
Kathy Denton
Tracy Gillin
Deepa Seetepalli
Karyn Smith
Pam Soles
Nina Williams
Sue Zingleman

Membership Managers
Alex DeReinzi
Stephanie Finleon
Lynn Flournoy
Dawn Francis
Gina Galloway
Cecilia Garcia
Gloria Gracia Johnson
Milly Garzon
JoAnna Harris
Sheila Hauser
Laura Hernadez
Selina Howard
Sandra Johnson
Elizabeth Leas
Alicia McWilliams
Parina Paripoonnanonda
Wendy Rea
Juana Rhoden
Donna Robinson
Maria Roldan
Abby Sibley
Jamie Stiyer
Theresa Thomas
Celia Valles
Purvi Zaver

Cate Teague, Administrative Assistant
Linda Pharris, Departmental Assistant
Jean Rhoden, Secretary

713-292-0300

What parents should know about the troop/group treasury
by Sandee Williams

     “What do we want to do this year?” Without a doubt, this is the first question that troop/group leaders and girl members address at the start of each new membership year. The ideas are always exciting and adventurous, however, they can also be costly. Therefore, the second question usually is…“How are we going to pay for it?”
     The troop/group treasury is a great way to teach girls sound money management practices. Monies filtering into the treasury can come from several sources - troop/group dues, Fall Product sales, the Council Cookie Sale, activity assessments, approved money-earning projects, and documented donations from sponsors. If those wonderful plans for an exciting Girl Scout year stretch beyond the troop/group treasury, leaders help girls cut expenses by modifying the program agenda, developing more ingenious uses of materials, or by “goal-setting” how much income will come from Council-sponsored product sales and/or a money-earning project.
     Funds to cover the cost of troop/group activities can amount to hundreds and hundreds of dollars. However, a troop/group leadership team should never be caught in a quandary about how to effectively manage and track the use of these monies. The following is a snapshot of how leaders are taught to handle this situation with ease.

*    All troop/group monies should be kept in a troop bank account. A troop/group leader is provided with Council documents that assist the bank in recognizing her/him as a registered Girl Scout member and as an appointed Girl Scout volunteer. Leaders are encouraged to “shop” for a bank that is convenient and supportive of Girl Scouting, preferably a bank that will grant the troop/group a no cost or low cost account. All bank accounts should be opened in the name of Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, identifying the troop by its troop number.

*    The leader may be the primary signer on the account. She/he may have the troop/group checkbook, making most of the troop/group purchases and deposits. However, the troop treasurer (perhaps a troop parent) should be a secondary signer on the account and should be mailed the bank statements for reconciliation. She/he collects the receipts of all purchases, tracks expenses, and accurately maintains financial records.

*    Troop/group financial records are considered to be open information and parents may ask at any time to see how the troop/group monies are being handled. Throughout the Girl Scout year, the troop treasurer should prepare a report and share it with the girls and parents so they are aware of where the troop/group stands financially.

*    Every troop/group is required to submit an annual financial report, due by May 31. Supervising volunteer personnel and Girl Scout staff review the report and if necessary, work with the troop/group leadership team to clear up any discrepancies. Any end-of-year balance should be transferred to indicate a beginning balance for the new membership year.

     Troop/group leaders are also taught to assist the girls in learning to use resources wisely. Likewise, parents can be very helpful. They can volunteer to take training, serving as the troop/group coordinator of the Fall Products Sale or the Council Cookie Sale. Parents can remember to shop for bargains, clip coupons and use a sales tax exemption certificate when making troop/group purchases. In addition, they can consult with the leadership team about securing a sponsor who will donate items such as craft materials, camping supplies, or transportation costs.
     So the next time you hear…“How are we going to pay for it?”… Just remember that a well-managed treasury goes a long way to make all those Girl Scout plans come true. It also models good behavior!