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Build your team
Leading a team allows you to make a bigger impact than you would on your own. Form a team of volunteers to help you. Learn more in the Your Guide to Going Gold.
How To
It’s time to form a team of volunteers!
Working together to put your plans into action allows you to flex your leadership muscle and make a bigger impact than you would on your own.
Anyone can be on your team—don’t limit yourself to just people your age or those who are Girl Scouts. Choose a diverse group of volunteers with different skill sets who will work to put your project into action and stay involved until you’re done.
Here are some important members of your team:
Parents/legal guardians can act as cheerleaders, sounding boards, and chauffeurs. They can also help you out with safety, transportation, and travel guidelines. You’ll need to get their consent first, before moving on to building your team.
Your project advisor is an adult you invite to be on your team who has expertise or experience in one or more areas of the issue your project addresses. Think of your project advisor as a professional consultant; they can offer valuable insight, advice, and guidance as you plan and implement your project.
Troop Leader/Group Volunteers and Individually Registered Member mentors can help make sure you’ve met Gold Award prerequisites and may also agree to be a part of your volunteer team. They can also review Gold Award funding, safety, and travel guidelines with you.
Friends and family may want to help you implement your plan. Troop members, relatives, friends, siblings, and cousins can all make terrific team members. Feel confident about giving them hands-on roles and delegating tasks to them, too!
Use the Team tab to keep a list of your confirmed team members.
A few notes:
You’re required to work with at least one adult volunteer - your project advisor, so be sure to list them first. Parents/legal guardians and troop leaders/group volunteers cannot act as your project advisor.
Your project advisor and your troop/group volunteer are part of your team but are not listed as “team members”. You’re required to add at least 3-5 team members, but you can add as many more as you’d like!
Seek support from adults outside of your family and the Girl Scout community. This will help you build partnerships with organizations and gain access to resources that may not typically be available to you. Plus, these kinds of partnerships can be an excellent way to ensure your project’s sustainability!
Learn more in the Your Guide to Going Gold.
Get Help
Get verification!
Before moving on to build your team, let’s make sure your parent/legal guardian is in the loop. When you send this email, they will be invited to give their consent for you to communicate and meet with adult project advisors, community members, Girl Scout staff and volunteers, and/or peers on your own or they can indicate they’d prefer to work with you to build your team with their active engagement. Please be aware that if they prefer to be involved in building your team, it means they are choosing not to allow you to meet or communicate one-on-one with others independently.
Once the verification request is complete, your Team tab will unlock on the next screen.
Approval Request email was sent to {{plgEmail}} on {{plgStatusTime}}
Approval received on {{plgStatusTime}}
Your parent/legal guardian has not consented for you to meet or communicate with other team members (adults or peers) on your own on {{plgStatusTime}}
This does not apply to you. You passed this step prior to the effective date.
Get Help
My Project Team
Please add your project advisor and at least three additional team members who have skills and knowledge related to the issue.
Examples: Builders, researchers, media specialists, videographers, editors, consultants, presenters, drivers, shoppers, event helpers, artists, writers, brainstormers, members of the community impacted by issue
Reminders:
- Parents/ guardians cannot act as your project advisor.
- Team members cannot be the same person as your project advisor or troop leader.
- Try to enlist adult support beyond your family and the Girl Scout community as it can help you form partnerships with organizations and access resources.
Tips
You’ve built your team! What’s next?
You’re probably not new to a team leader role, but it may be the first time you’re planning and leading a project of this size. Here are some tips that may help you get started.
Team building tips: A good leader doesn’t do everything; they make sure everything gets done.
Get to know your team: knowing each person’s strengths/interest will help you delegate!
Make a group agreement, ensuring each team member is accountable and feels valued
Clearly define roles and responsibilities
Set clear expectations, goals, and deadlines
Communicate clearly and effectively to avoid misunderstandings
Document and share!
Check-in regularly to track progress
Lead by example: proactively tackle challenges & celebrate successes along the way
Building your network: Gather support, resources, and expertise that will help ensure your project's success. Here are some tips :
Leverage existing connections: don't be afraid to ask for referrals from family, friends, teachers, and your Girl Scout community.
Contact local businesses, nonprofits, and experts on your project's issue: Be polite and professional, and clear about your goals; develop a personal pitch; ask open ended questions & be patient and persistent
Attend community events or join local groups related to your project's issue: relax, be yourself and practice active listening
Show gratitude and acknowledge contributions.
Keep in touch! Regular communication ensures that your relationships remain strong and that your network remains supportive.
Situational smarts: As you take the lead, make sure to follow best practices if you need to meet one-on-one with a member of your team:
Meet in public locations vs. private homes or offices. Coffee shops, libraries, and community centers are good options.
Let someone at home know where you are, what you’re doing, and for how long. Remember to agree on a check-in time and provide them with your team member’s contact information.
Plan your own transportation to and from meeting locations.
Always trust and honor your instincts - talk to your parent/legal guardian or a trusted Girl Scout adult if someone says or does something you don’t understand or are uncomfortable with. They can help!
You’ve got this! We can’t wait to see how you lead a team and change the world!
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