Volunteer Resources
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Training and Support Resources
Welcome to Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland’s Volunteer Resources page! Thank you for your part in changing the lives of girls in Ohio’s Heartland.
This page is intended to guide you through everything you’ll need to have a successful Girl Scout experience with the members of your troop, whether you’re new or you’ve been doing this a long time!
We are here to support you! Have questions? Contact us at customercare@gsoh.org, volunteer@gsoh.org, or 614-487-8101.
How to Become a Girl Scout Volunteer 
Successful completion of the membership process, including a background check, is required to become a volunteer at Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland. To purchase a membership, visit mygs.girlscouts.org.
Once you have purchased a membership, watch for the background check information to come in an email from Asurint with the form to complete the background check.
After completing those steps, you will be contacted in the following ways:
- Email with information about accessing My GS, where you can manage your membership, register for programs, access the Volunteer Toolkit, access gsLearn, and more.
- Email with next steps for training, information about your service unit meetings, and other useful support.
- Call from your membership manager.
Background Check
The background check is required in the state of Ohio and includes a criminal record check as well as a check of sexual offender registries. This is for the safety of our girls. If you continue to hold your volunteer position in continuous service in a troop or service team, you are required to renew your background check every three years.
Due to the confidential nature of all background checks, Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council:
- Does not accept background checks from other agencies.
- Is not authorized to share the results of the background check with the individual for any purpose.
- Will maintain the confidentiality of all background check information obtained, including reasons why a volunteer applicant may not be appointed.
Volunteer Requirements
Requirements for appointment to volunteer positions include:
- Completion of the membership process and successful background check.
- Completion of required courses for the position within six months of starting the position.
- Completion of the Volunteer Agreement.
Reappointment
Requirements for reappointment to volunteer positions include:
- Current successful background check.
- Registration as a member of Girl Scouts of the USA.
- Completion of required courses.
- Successful completion and submission of all required paperwork for the position by the required deadlines.
- Completion of the Volunteer Agreement.
Checklist for New Volunteers
Checklist for New Volunteers
- Purchase an adult membership and complete the background check.
- Get excited as you begin your Girl Scout journey!
Volunteer Learning Path 1
New Volunteer Orientation 1. Start with this online facilitated one hour class. If you haven’t logged into gsLearn previously, this link will prompt you to log into your myGS portal to get to gsLearn. Once you log into your gsLearn portal, it can take up to half an hour for it to sync. Be patient, and if you don't immediately see what you expect, please try again.
This in-person class will give you time to interact with a facilitator and ask questions, so come prepared to ask what you've been wondering about.
While you are waiting for the class to begin, check out some other helpful materials and classes:
- Welcome to Girl Scouts: A Guide for New Volunteers. Use this helpful document to be your guide as you navigate your first year in Girl Scouting.
- Girl Scout Lingo.
- GSUSA's classes from Volunteer Learning Path 1:
- GSUSA New Leader Onboarding: What Girl Scouts Do. This class is set up for the different age levels. You can do them all or just the ones that make sense for your situation. (Approximately 20 min)
- GSUSA New Leader Onboarding: Troop Safety. This class will equip you with the fundamentals to keep your troop safe during meetings and field trips. (Approximately 20 min)
- GSUSA New Leader Onboarding: Your First Troop Meeting. Learn how to structure the troop meeting. Get some real tips from leaders who have been there. (Approximately 20 min)
- GSUSA New Leader Onboarding: Family Engagement. Engaging families in their Girl Scouts' experience benefits everyone. This brief class provides practical strategies to enlist family support as well as an agenda for a parent/caregiver meeting to set the tone for the year. (Approximately 20 min.)
- GSUSA Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. Child abuse and neglect are difficult subjects, but a topic that Girl Scouts take very seriously. This class will prepare supervising adults of Girl Scout youth to recognize, respond to, and report concerns of child abuse and neglect. This class will be required to retake every two years. (Approximately 50 min)
Volunteer Learning Path 2
- New Volunteer Orientation 2 This one-hour live class, offered on Go-To Training. Sign up for a class on gsLearn. You'll meet with an experienced facilitator to have your questions answered and learn some helpful tips to plan fun troop meetings.
- GSUSA New Leader Onboarding: The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLSE). The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is what sets Girl Scouts apart from other youth organizations. Learn how to facilitate this experience in an age-appropriate way from real-world volunteers. (Approximately 20 min)
- GSUSA New Leader Onboarding: Funding the Fun - Managing Girl Scouts Troop Finances. In this course, you'll learn the basics of managing the troop's funds. You'll also learn how troops fund their meetings and activities. (Approximately 20 min.)
- Troop Travel Module 1: This is the first class which will take you through the process of planning easy neighborhood and day trips. (Approximately 20 min)
As your girls become more adventurous and are ready to go outside the meeting place, there are additional classes you will need to complete:
First Aid/CPR
- Check the Safety Activity Checkpoints for when a first aider is required.
- Check on our website for a list of first aid/cpr available classes.
- The cost for GSOH's class is $45.
- You may take it elsewhere, but it must have an in-person feedback session.
- Reach out to volunteer@gsoh.org if you have questions about a class before signing up.
Troop Camp Certification
Troops wishing to camp are required to complete all three parts of the troop camp certification process. The first two steps should be completed prior to step 3.
Checklist for all Troop Volunteers
Below is a list of tasks that troop volunteers must complete:
Complete the Volunteer Appointment Form (annually)Maintain a bank account and turn in a finance report on May 10 (annually)Submit an updated ACH Form (annually)Attend service unit meetings Complete trainingsAttend a signature volunteer event: Adult Camporee or Autumn Adventure- Click on the link above to learn more about finances.
Online Forms
Some activities in Safety Activity Checkpoints require council approval. If the activity you plan to do requires approval, please fill out the form linked above and you will receive a response in 5-7 business days. For a quick reference guide of programs requiring council approval, check out the Safety Activities Checkpoint document.
Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland is committed to the highest ethical and safety standards, and we expect all volunteers to act in the best interest of the organization and its members and mission. This mission requires that we act in an ethical manner to uphold the Girl Scout Promise and Law in all that we do in the name of Girl Scouts.
All Girl Scout adult members holding an volunteer role must affirm their commitment to these standards on a yearly basis. Additional volunteer positions may have separate agreements.
The Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) is an electronic network for financial transactions used to support product programs.
This form gets updated yearly and/or when you open a new troop bank account or make changes to the bank or signers on the account.
The Troop Finance Report provides transparency into the financial well-being of the troop. It is the responsibility of the designated signers on the account to complete these reports and turn them in by May 10 each year. To assist and provide tools and tips for finance report success, review this checklist and frequently asked questions. Here are additional ledgers if needed.
Service Units
The Service Unit Finance Report provides transparency into the financial well-being of the service unit. It is the responsibility of the designated signers on the account to complete these reports and turn them in by May 10 each year. To assist and provide tools and tips for finance report success, review this checklist and frequently asked questions. Here are additional ledgers if needed.
Other Resources
List of Resources:
- Residential Troop Meeting Resources
- Activity Accident Insurance
- Heart Patches and One Heart
- Volunteer Policies
- Transportation Policy
- Safety Resources
- Child Abuse Prevention Training
- Enrichment Videos
Residential Troop Meeting Resources
Looking to host your troop meetings in your home? Review the guidelines found in the Troop Management section of the Volunteer Essentials and fill out the forms below:
Activity Accident Insurance—Effective October 1, 2025
Girl Scouts provides Activity Accident Insurance underwritten by Mutual of Omaha to support Girl Scouts participating in Girl Scout approved and supervised activities and events.
Activity Accident insurance is automatic upon membership registration and applies to all adult and youth members who may become injured during a Girl Scout approved and supervised activity.
This coverage works like supplemental medical/health coverage and is intended to help with out-of-pocket medical expenses that may not be covered by personal insurance.
Activity Accident Insurance extends to non-members who are invited to participate in a Girl Scout approved and supervised activity, whether an adult volunteer for the day, or a friend of a Girl Scout who is joining along to try out scouting.
Activity Accident coverage applies to day events, overnight trips (including camp), and international travel. This is a summary of the 3 classes of insurance.
Class 1 Activity Accident |
Class 2 Added Sickness |
Class 3 International Travel and Inbound |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Eligibility |
All member and *nonmember participants of Girl Scout sponsored and supervised daylong events and activities. (100% participation) *Nonmember participants are those personally invited by a registered member (adult or youth) to participate in a Girl Scout activity. |
All member and *nonmember participants of Girl Scout sponsored and supervised overnight events, lasting one night or greater. (100% participation) *Nonmember participants are those personally invited by a registered member (adult or youth) to participate in a Girl Scout activity as a guest or visitor. |
All member and *nonmember participants of Girl Scout sponsored and supervised international travel or inbound international travel. (100% participation) *Nonmember participants are those personally invited by a registered member (adult or youth) to participate in a Girl Scout activity as a guest or visitor. |
Coverage (any approved and supervised Girl Scout activity) |
Day events |
Overnight events |
International travel |
Premium Rates |
No cost to Girl Scout councils or troops. |
No cost to Girl Scout councils or troops. |
No cost to Girl Scout councils or troops. |
To fill out a claim, email riskmanager@gsoh.org along with the incident report and explain that you would like to file a claim due to injury/sickness and we will take it from there!
Heart Patches and One Heart
Information on Development Patches and their requirements can be found here.
Volunteer Policies
We maintain that the leadership of the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council, Inc. rests in the strength of its adults.
All volunteers are selected on the basis of qualifications for membership, ability to perform the job, and willingness and availability to participate in training. All volunteers are governed by policies adopted by the board of directors, which are periodically reviewed.
Diversity, Pluralism and Anti-Racism: Girl Scouts advance diversity, pluralism, and anti-racism and actively identify and oppose racism by removing systemic barriers to participation in our Movement and in the communities in which we live.
Membership: All volunteers participating in the Girl Scout Movement shall meet GSUSA membership standards, and shall agree to abide by the policies and principles of GSUSA and Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council, Inc.
All girls and adults shall be registered members through the council with GSUSA and individually pay the applicable membership dues, except those adults working as temporary advisors or consultants.
Selection: Every adult volunteer is selected on the basis of qualification for membership, ability to perform the volunteer position, and willingness and availability to participate in training for it. (Reaffirms GSUSA policy.)
Placement: Every attempt will be made to place volunteers in positions that meet both their needs and the needs of the council. In instances where this is not possible, the needs of the council will take precedence over the needs of the individual. Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland reserves the right to appoint volunteers as we see fit based off of organizational needs.
Agreement/Appointment/Reappointment: Operational volunteers shall be appointed for a term not to exceed one year, unless otherwise negotiated or indicated by term of office. A volunteer agreement will be completed at the time of appointment/election to a volunteer position. Reappointment/re-nomination takes place only after completion of a satisfactory performance review and mutual acceptance of position accountabilities, expectations, and time commitment.
Training: Upon accepting a position in the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council, Inc., every volunteer must complete training appropriate for the position within six months of appointment.
Performance Appraisal: Each operational volunteer shall be provided with the opportunity for regular review and evaluation.
Uniforms: Members of the Girl Scout Movement are readily identified by uniforms worn for official functions. A uniform is not required for participation in Girl Scout activities but is suitable for almost all Girl Scout functions. Volunteers are encouraged to wear the Girl Scout pin when they are not in uniform (GSUSA standard).
Grievance: A grievance is a complaint that policies and/or procedures related to a volunteer’s position are not being administered properly as applied to her or him. The grievance procedure is a systematic process to ensure the objective hearing and orderly handling of volunteer grievances.
The grievance procedure may be used by all operational volunteers. Every volunteer may expect a fair resolution of her or his grievance without fear of jeopardizing her or his volunteer status. The council also maintains an open-door policy regarding volunteer concerns.
Many possible grievances can be anticipated and prevented by volunteer managers who understand the council’s volunteer management system and who are sensitive to human relations. Likewise, many grievances can be avoided when volunteers are informed at the time of placement of the council’s structure, and their place in it, who carries decision-making responsibilities and how decisions are made.
Most complaints and concerns can be resolved when they are brought to the attention of the volunteer’s immediate supervisor. It is hoped that most, if not all, grievance situations will be resolved through informal conferences and communications, the goals of which are to eliminate the cause for the grievance.
If occasionally a volunteer and her or his immediate supervisor are unable to resolve a job-related difference of opinion through informal efforts, the volunteer may request a copy of the council’s grievance procedures for operational volunteers. The initiation of the grievance procedure, however, will not restrict the council from taking appropriate action with respect to the volunteer.
Recognition: The council’s formal recognition system will be consistent with GSUSA guidelines.
Resignation: A volunteer may initiate termination of services prior to the end of the term of appointment. A volunteer unable to complete her/his term should give notice to her/his supervisor as far in advance as possible. Membership in the Girl Scout movement may continue beyond the term of a specific position and is not contingent upon current appointment to a job.
Release: Situations may arise that make it necessary to consider releasing an individual from an assignment. Any action to release a volunteer should receive careful and detailed consideration because of the possible implications and consequences for both the individual and the council.
Possible reasons for release are:
- Restructuring of volunteer positions.
- The elimination of the volunteer position in which a person serves.
- Inability or failure to complete the requirements (or perform the job) of the position.
- Refusal to comply with council or GSUSA policies.
- Refusal to support the mission and values of the organization and council goals or performance not consistent with the principles of the Girl Scout Movement.
- Misappropriation of funds.
- Excessive absences or tardiness from required meetings.
- Membership in an organization whose goals are not compatible with GSUSA.
An adult volunteer who is terminated from her or his position may continue her or his membership with GSUSA unless it is determined that she or he is not able to meet the membership requirements related to accepting the principles and beliefs of the Movement or to support the mission and values of the organization. When this is the case, her or his membership will not be renewed.
Child Abuse: The council supports and maintains environments that are free of child abuse and neglect as defined by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.
Child abuse and neglect are unlawful acts, and it is against the council’s policy for any volunteer, male or female, to physically, sexually, or mentally abuse or neglect any girl member. If a volunteer suspects child abuse or neglect they should report to a law enforcement entity or child protection agency and Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland through an incident report located at gsoh.org. Reporting to a parent or relative is not sufficient.
Suspected child abuse situations should be brought to the immediate attention of your Membership Manager and their Leader. The volunteer will call the child protection agency and provide the following information:
- Name, position
- Location
- Name of child
- Situation that occurred to cause you to call the agency, only speak facts on what was seen and heard
- Do not conduct an investigation, that is the responsibility of the agency
- The agency will provide next steps
Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council will neither condone nor tolerate:
- Infliction of physically or sexually abusive behavior or bodily injury upon girl members.
- Physical neglect of girl members, including failure to provide adequate safety measures, care, and supervision in relation to Girl Scout activities.
- Emotional maltreatment of girl members, including verbal abuse and/or verbal attacks.
Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council reserves the right to refuse membership, to dismiss or to exclude from affiliation with the organization any staff member or volunteer who is found guilty of child abuse or neglect or has been convicted of child abuse or neglect. Local (more stringent) prevailing statutes may supersede Girl Scout policies.
When Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council is made aware of a pending investigation that is around abuse or neglect of a child, we reserve the right to suspend the member’s ability to volunteer and participating in any Girl Scout activities until the matter is cleared. It would be the responsibility of the accused to provide official documentation that the case has been dropped.
Any questions about this policy or when or to whom you report your concerns should be addressed to the Vice President of Membership Services.
Sexual Abuse Training: Volunteers are required to complete GSUSA training on an annual basis. Failure to complete training will result in a suspension of the ability to volunteer with the girls. Once the training is completed, their volunteer abilities will resume.
Sexual Harassment: The council policy guarantees volunteers an environment free of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. Sexual harassment has been defined as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”
It is against the organization’s policies for any volunteer, male or female, to sexually harass another volunteer, employee, or Girl Scout member of the same or opposite sex. The council reserves the right to refuse membership endorsement or reappointment, and to dismiss or suspend from affiliation with the council any volunteer who, in conducting a Girl Scout program, advocates, solicits, or promotes a personal lifestyle or sexual orientation so as to create a substantial risk that such conduct will be detrimental to the proper role model for girl members.
Council Position on Concealed Carry Law: Firearms or weapons of any type are strictly prohibited anywhere on council-owned premises whether or not permitted by Ohio law. With the exception of the police or sheriff’s personnel, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council, Inc., does not permit its members, guests, employees, or any other individual to carry weapons, such as firearms, on their body or in their belongings while engaged in Girl Scout activities or on Girl Scout property.
Non-smoking Policy: All buildings owned, rented, leased, or loaned to Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council, Inc., are designated as non-smoking environments. Adults who must smoke must use special areas on the grounds designated as smoking areas. Extinguished cigarettes must be put in the trash. There is to be no smoking, including electronic or vapor cigarettes, in the presence of minors. Adults must not leave minors unattended to smoke.
Benefits: Volunteer personnel benefits include:
- Job description
- Accident and liability insurance as part of national/council membership
- Continuing education and other learning opportunities
- Opportunity to make a difference
- Right to apply for financial assistance
- Recognition and appreciation.
Transportation Policy
Keeping our Girl Scouts safe on the road—whether heading to a trip or an event—is a shared responsibility that calls for every driver's careful attention.
There are different ways in which members can be transported:
- Personal Responsibility: Travel between a member's home and the trip location is considered personal and is not part of the official Girl Scout trip or event. Any transportation arrangements made by parents to get themselves or their Girl Scout to the designated meeting location are considered private and are not covered by Girl Scout policies.
- Covered by this transportation policy: Travel from a designated meeting location to the Girl Scout troop activity or event which includes transporting another girl or adult member.
- Covered by this transportation policy: Travel which takes the troop away from home overnight, out of state or out of the country. (This mode will require additional paperwork which will be provided after the trip form has been submitted.
Per our insurance underwriting guidelines, any driver who transports a Girl Scout member on any trip, event, or activity must:
- Be over 21 years old and under the age of 75 years
- Hold a valid driver's license
- Have at least five (5) years of driving experience and maintain a driving record in good standing
- Hold a current driver's license that has never been suspended (Individuals wishing to appeal a license suspension should contact volunteer@gsoh.org for an appeal form)
- Any conviction for a DUI/DWI was over seven (7) years ago. More than one conviction of a DUI/DWI is a permanent restriction from driving
- No citations for reckless driving in the last three (3) years, and,
- Meet one of the following two (2) combinations from the past three (3) years:
- At-Fault Accidents: 0 Moving Violations 0, 1, 2
- At-Fault Accidents: 1 Moving Violations 0, 1
- At-Fault Accidents: 0 Moving Violations 0, 1, 2
Anyone not meeting these qualifications are not permitted to transport girl or adult members on a Girl Scout troop activity, event, or trip.
By marking yes below, I confirm that I have read, understand, and agree to comply with the policy outlined above. Additionally, I agree to the following:
- If I transport girls or adults during any Girl Scout event, trip, or activity, I certify that I meet all driver qualifications as stated.
- I affirm that all statements provided are true and accurate. I authorize the investigation of any information contained in this attestation and release Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council, Inc., and its agents from any liability arising from such investigation.
- I understand that any false, misleading, or omitted information may result in my dismissal from all volunteer roles with the council, regardless of when such information is discovered.
- I also consent to the sharing of this information, as necessary, with Palmer & Cay (the council's insurance provider) and relevant Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland staff.
Safety Resources
Safety Activity Checkpoints (Spanish Language Option) and Activity Approval.
This class is found on gsLearn. The class name is GSUSA: New Leader Onboarding Troop Safety. Contact customer care if you need assistance logging into gsLearn.
Some activities in Safety Activity Checkpoints require council approval. If the activity you plan to do requires approval, please fill out the form linked above and you will receive a response in 5-7 business days. For a quick reference guide of programs requiring council approval, check out the Safety Activities Checkpoint document.
Child Abuse Prevention Training
GSUSA Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention training is required for all volunteers. This training must be completed every two years in order to work with girls. You can find this training on gsLearn through your myGS account.
Enrichment Videos
These changes are for enrichment and are not part of the learning paths for new volunteers.
Tips for troop leaders on the best way to get the attention of the girls in their troop.
Tips for how to manage when troop leaders have their daughter in their troop.
Tips for engaging parents in troop meetings and activities.
Tips for creating and maintaining a sage and positive troop environment.
Examples of successful activities for the girls to do at the beginning of the troop meeting.
Tips for troop leaders to ensure they are following safety guidelines with their troop.
Tips for troop leaders to ensure new girls feel welcome as a new troop member.
We Appreciate You!
Showing love and appreciation for our volunteers is a long-standing Girl Scout tradition. After all, our volunteers are amazing! Learn more about our Recognition Awards!
LEARN MORE