What do you know about Interest Groups?
“Interest Groups” is one of those Girl Scout
terms we throw about and think everyone knows what we are
talking about. But, as in any organization, there are terms
and phrases that need clarification. An interest group is
a group formed by girls for girls with similar interests.
Most of these groups are made up of our oldest Girl Scouts,
some with a framework of officers, some taking a different
organizational structure. There will be adults there to advise
the girls, but the group and the path it follows belong to
the girls. Each group has its own minimum age and membership
process.
The nice thing about interest groups is that the girls in
your troop can choose the group that suits their individual
interests. It is not necessary for an entire troop to be in
the same group. If one girl likes horses she should investigate
SPURS while another girl may just love to sing and joins “Take
Note” choir. Backpacking may not appeal to a leader
at all, but that does not mean the girls cannot go join a
backpacking group. That’s what interest groups are for,
to let girls with similar interests explore these interests
outside of the troop setting. Many times I have asked a group
of Cadettes if they like to sing, and the leader will answer
“No” for the whole group. The fact is, there may
be one or two girls that would love to sing, but since her
leader answered for her, she may never get the chance. Give
the girls the options and let them decide what interests them,
and then rejoice as they broaden their horizons in a safe,
Girl Scout atmosphere.
We have many interest groups in GSSJC.
The Green Starlettes drill team is a prime example of a group
with officers. Structured like any drill team they have a
set of guidelines of how the team works and how the officers
function. They attend practices and perform as a group at
various activities.
SPURS is another interest group. Girls in SPURS must attend
trainings and perfect their skills in horsemanship. After
attaining various SPURS levels they can take on more and more
responsibilities in helping the younger girls at Misty Meadows.
SPURS also has a parade team that represents GSSJC
at parades all over the council.
“Take Note” Choir, the council’s singing
group practices monthly and also has an officer structure.
Girls are expected to learn their music at home and come to
rehearsals ready to sing. They have represented the council
all over the state singing in various venues.
The Council Puppetry Troupe is another of our performing
arts groups. These girls attend monthly practices and perform
puppet skits that they write themselves with puppets that
they help design and dress. Their programs are very popular
among our younger girls.
The Shutterbugs group teaches girls how to take and print
their own photographs. Girls learn these skills in the darkroom
at Camp Arnold. |
The Mariner group learns the ways of sailing
at Camp Casa Mare. There are trainings and different skill
levels that can be earned in the sailing program.
There are backpacking groups for those that like to really
get into nature and see it while hiking. Trainings and hikes
are available for this group. During the year, these groups
take some pretty exciting hiking trips.
The newest interest group is the new “Quarter Notes”
chorus for Juniors. They will represent the council at various
events. Quarter Notes is a leadership project of “Take
Note” choir.
When the girls express an interest in something, chances
are there are others that have a similar interest. Most interest
groups start small, but can grow as large as the SPURS program
or the Green Starlettes. “By Girls For Girls”
means just that, the group is developed by girls of similar
interest for girls of the entire council. Do any of your girl
have an interest? See if other girls do, too. They might be
the originators of a new interest group.
That Troop Money Issue
Every few months the issue of troop money comes up and,
as our membership changes, it needs to be addressed often.
The issue is troop money. When money is taken into a troop
treasury, either by dues, product sales or other money earning
activities, that money belongs to the entire troop. Girls
do not all have the same opportunities to sell cookies, work
a car wash or even the resources to pay dues. Even if a girl
cannot contribute as much as another girl, she shares equally
in the troop treasury. If the troop is going camping or on
a trip using troop funds, she is to be included. To exclude
her is not an option. All girls share equally, every time.
If a girl is not paying dues, it could be that the family
is currently unable to pay. In our uncertain economy, people
get laid off all of the time, and families must cut even the
smallest expenses. To exclude a girl because of a family financial
downturn is not right. She is a member of the troop and must
be treated equally. If the family needs financial assistance,
that issue can be handled discretely. See your service unit
manager for the correct forms to apply for this.
As product sales come up, the same policy about funds applies.
All cookie or FPS revenue is to be shared by all girls. There
cannot be separate accounts for each girl reflecting the number
of boxes or packages she sold. Some girls’ parents can
take forms to work, some cannot. Some girls have large families
living in town that love to order products; some girls have
no extended family near them. You cannot penalize a girl for
lower sales, nor can you reward a girl with higher sales by
allowing her to use a larger share of the troop funds. They
all share equally. If there are questions about troop funds,
please ask your service unit management team, call your Membership
Manager or send your question to the “Tell Us”
moderator at GSSJC.
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