Events & Series

Events and series give girls opportunities to have Girl Scout experiences outside of regular troop activities. They can be events like a one-afternoon badge workshop, a weekend financial literacy program, an educational day at the zoo, and so much more.

Events and series can be planned and presented by adult volunteers, troops, or presented by GSSEM. Girls from throughout the GSSEM service region can attend events and series. They are not restricted to service units or communities. Events and series offer individually-registered girls (Juliettes) and troops of all Girl Scout levels to come together to learn, discover new interests and talents, and have fun together!

EVENTS

GSSEM Girl Scouts can participate in four types of events (Troop, Service Unit, Community, and Council). Girl events are stand-alone offerings provided outside of regular troop meetings. They are typically one-day activities and are occasionally overnight or a weekend long.

Troop Events

Organized by one or more troops.
Must serve all girls in the troop(s) for up to one school or up to 3 cross-school troops.
Organized by volunteers without staff support.
All (troop, Service Unit, Community) events must be in compliance with all policies listed in Volunteer Essentials and the Safety Activity Checkpoints.

Service Unit Events

Organized by one or more troops for every girl member in the service unit, including Juliette members, within the event's stated target audience.
Cross-service unit girls may attend, up to event capacity.
Organized by volunteers without staff support.
Once planned, the event planner should inform the Community Events Coordinator so the event can be included in on the event calendar.
At the event, organizers should record the number of participants and report the numbers to their Community Events Coordinator.
All (troop, Service Unit, Community) events must be in compliance with all policies listed in Volunteer Essentials and the Safety Activity Checkpoints.

Community Events

Organized by event organizers (or one or more troops) for every girl member in the community including Juliette members within the event’s stated target audience.
Cross-service unit girls may attend, up to event capacity.
Organized by volunteers without staff support.
Once planned, the event planner should inform the Community Events Coordinator so the event can be included on the event calendar.
At the event, organizers should record the number of participants and report the numbers to their Community Events Coordinator.
All (troop, Service Unit, Community) events must be in compliance with all policies listed in Volunteer Essentials and the Safety Activity Checkpoints.

Council Events

Open to every girl member in the GSSEM jurisdiction within the event’s stated target audience, up to event capacity.
Organized by staff and/or program partners with volunteer support.

SERIES

Series offerings are group programs where the same girls participate in multiple sessions, which can be regularly scheduled (e.g., every other week, monthly, etc.).

Series can be short or long term, but always shorter than the academic year.
Girls build on the skills learned at each session (Example of a series would be an 8-session Journey program).

Planning an Event or Series
GSSEM provides helpful resources for troops and individuals who are planning events. Volunteer Community Event Organizers and Troop Support Specialists can help guide troops and individuals planning Service Unit and Community events through the process of getting their events approved and included on the event calendar.

An excellent place to start is the Intent to Event form. This resource can be used to guide any troop or individual planning a Service Unit or Community event through the process.

Service Units at a Glance

Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan highly recommends working with your Community Events Coordinator to plan your Service Unit event, though they may be planned independently by organizers.
GSSEM recommends using the Intent to Event form to aid in the planning process.
Money related to Service Unit events flows through troop bank accounts.
Once planned, the event planner should inform the Community Events Coordinator so that the event can be included on the event calendar.
At the event, organizers should record the number of participants and report the numbers to their Community Events Coordinator.
Don't know your Community Events Coordinator is? Contact your Troop Support Specialist.

Community Events at a Glance

Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan highly recommends working with your Community Events Coordinator to plan your Service Unit event, though they may be planned independently by organizers.
Money related to Community events flows through the Community bank account.
Event planners can request funds from the Community bank account for Community events.
Event planners requesting funds from the Community bank account are required to submit the Intent to Event form to the Community Events Coordinator.
The Intent to Event form is highly recommended but not required if not requesting Community bank account funds.
Once planned, the event planner should inform the Community Events Coordinator so the event can be included on the event calendar.
At the event, organizers should record the number of participants and report the numbers to their Community Events Coordinator.
Within two weeks of the event's completion, the organizers must submit the Community Event Financial Report, along with any remaining/unused funds to their Community Finance Coordinator.
Don't know who your Community Events Coordinator or Community Finance Coordinator are? Contact your Troop Support Specialist.

Additional Event Requirements

From Volunteer Essentials:

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