1. What is the Root Cause?
- The Root Cause is the “why” of every issue. It is what lies beneath the surface of a problem. Determining the root cause of an issue takes in-depth observation, questioning, and awareness.
2. What is Sustainability?
- Sustainability ensures the project creates lasting change and is not a one-time or short term event .
- A sustainable project is one that carries on or continues to have impact even after a girl has done her part. Sustainability is about having a plan. A school or organization might agree to continue carrying out a girl’s Gold Award project, or a girl might create materials (e.g., a binder, pamphlet, video, website, or social media campaign) to enable others to keep the good work going. Emphasizing education/awareness raising, workshops, and hands-on learning opportunities can also inspire others to sustain the work.
3. What is Measurability?
- Measurability is the number of people the project has helped, the number of people who were involved, any reduction in the community’s need, or other concrete numbers. Who did it impact? Testimonials from those impacted.
- A project is measurable when the girl collects information/data throughout her project and uses it to show that her actions have had an impact on the community issue she’s chosen. Girls are encouraged to think about what they can count in their project. (How much? How many?).
- The guidelines give girls tools to examine the underlying root cause of issues, develop sustainable project plans, and measure the impact of their projects on their communities, target audiences, and themselves. And yes, there is progression from one grade level to the next.
- Girl Scout Juniors working toward their Bronze Award will reflect on how their projects could be continued.
- Girl Scout Cadettes reflect on and put a plan in place for continuation.
- Seniors and Ambassadors work to ensure their Gold Award project is sustained beyond their involvement.
4. What are the prerequisites for Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards?
- The Journeys let girls experience what they’ll do as they work to earn Girl Scouting’s highest awards—discover an issue they’re passionate about, connect with experts in their community, and take action to make the world a better place. The skills girls gain while working on Journeys will help them develop, plan, and implement Take Action projects for their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award. A Journey is completed when a girl has earned the Journey awards, which include creating and carrying out a Take Action project.
- Be a registered Girl Scout.
- Bronze Award - 1 completed Journey and Take Action project
- Silver Award - 1 completed Journey and Take Action project
- Gold Award - 2 completed Journeys and a Take Action project OR completed Silver Award AND 1 completed Journey and a Take Action Project. Attend a Gold Award Lock-in.
