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Volunteers


A variety of operational volunteer positions exist, including, but not limited to the traditional troop leader, program event chairs, service unit volunteers, camp volunteers and many more. Governance volunteer positions also exist including board members, association members, special task group members and council delegates to name a few.

How to Volunteer!

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming an operational volunteer such as the traditional troop leader, program event chair, service unit volunteer or camp volunteer, we will get you in touch with the appropriate staff member. Simply give us a call at 1-800-695-6690.

If you are specifically interested in serving on the Council's Board of Directors or governance task groups, please direct all inquiries to the Executive Director.
ceo@gsprairiehills.com

For more information click on the links below:


Volunteer Personnel Policies


Affirmative Action

The Girl Scouts, Prairie Hills Council has adopted the Affirmative Action Policy set forth below. The provisions of this policy apply to the volunteers, the staff and the girls served by the Girl Scouts, Prairie Hills Council.

The Girl Scouts, Prairie Hills Council, in recognition of its responsibility to its volunteers, its staff, and the girls it serves, and in keeping with Girl Scouts of the USA's, affirmative action policies, affirms its policy to ensure the fair and equal treatment in all its practices to all persons, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, disability, national origin, citizenship, or marital status. In addition, to ensure the full equality of opportunity in all operations and activities of the organization, every staff member employed in the Prairie Hills Council shall be selected under fair employment procedures that provide equal employment opportunities to all people. Girl Scouts, Prairie Hills Council shall maintain a strong commitment to recruit, hire, train, and promote qualified individuals from underutilized racial or ethnic groups in the Council area, in managerial and professional staff levels, and for position on the Board of Directors. The Council shall also make special efforts, as required, to make reasonable accommodations for physical and mental limitations of employees and applicants consistent with performance of essential job functions and the effective operations of the business.
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Membership

All girls and adults participating in the Girl Scout Movement, except those adults who are lifetime members or who are working in a temporary advisory or consultative capacity, shall meet GSUSA membership standards, shall be registered through the Council as members with GSUSA, shall individually pay the annual membership dues, and shall agree to abide by the policies and principles of GSUSA and the Prairie Hills Girl Scout Council.
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Recruitment

The Council actively recruits new volunteers. Each prospective Adult Volunteer is required to complete an Adult Volunteer Application Form, provide names and addresses of references, and be interviewed by an authorized Council representative. Each volunteer position will have a written position description that defines specific responsibilities, qualifications ad expectations. It will also identify the next person, volunteer or Council staff member in the chain of command. "Supervisor" will designate this individual. All volunteers are expected to participate in training for their positions.
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Application Process

Each candidate for an operational volunteer position shall be requested to complete an application form identifying two references. A skill summary shall be completed as a part of the interview process.
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Selection

Every adult is selected on the basis of qualification for and ability to perform the volunteer position and willingness and availability to participate in training for the position. In a personal interview, an authorized Council representative will discuss:
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Placement

The following items apply to the placement of adult volunteers:

  1. For the well-being of the girls and for proper placement of adult volunteers, each prospective volunteer will be asked to complete a Volunteer Application form and may have a personal interview. The prospective volunteer will have an opportunity to understand the responsibilities of the job through a written or oral job description.


  2. All troop/group leaders, co-leaders and assistant leaders must complete and sign their Leadership Agreement annually so that it may be kept on file at the Prairie Hills Girl Scout Council.


  3. 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. Individuals not placed in a position for which they applied may be recommended for other positions or they may request reassignment.
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Benefits

Benefits to volunteers include training and other learning opportunities, support in the position, access to Council publications, a resume of Council activities, and references upon request. In special circumstances, which are determined by the Council, liability insurance, and/or supplementary accident insurance, as part of GSUSA and/or council membership, may be provided to volunteers. Also in special circumstances, which are determined by the Council, reimbursement will be given to a volunteer for certain expenses which she/he has assumed.
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Volunteer Mileage

Key operational volunteers to include trainers, service unit managers, operating unit members will be reimbursed mileage at the rate established by the IRS standard. Back To Top

Training

Each Girl Scout troop or group must have at least one adult leader who has taken Basic Leadership Training in the appropriate program level.

Any Girl Scout troop or group engaging in council approved troop camping, including the usage of Camp Crossed Arrows, must be accompanied by a minimum of two adults, one of whom has been trained by Prairie Hills' in troop camping. If neither of the two adults is certified in first-aid, an additional adult certified in first-aid must also accompany the troop.

All Day Camp Unit Leaders must be certified in the Girl Scout Level III of Outdoor Education.

All other administrative volunteers must take council sponsored job training in their respective fields when applicable.

All council sponsored trainings will be conducted by council certified trainers or council appointed consultants.
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Performance Appraisal

Each operational volunteer is entitled to receive an annual performance appraisal.
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Reappointment

Reappointment for volunteer positions will be made only after completion of satisfactory performance and mutual acceptance of position accountabilities, expectations, and a time commitment.
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Termination

Any volunteer may terminate her or his services upon written notification to their supervisor. The council may terminate the services of a volunteer because of, among other things, restructuring of volunteer positions, the elimination of the volunteer position in which a person serves, the volunteer's inability or failure to complete the requirements of the position, the refusal to comply with council or Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. policies, the refusal to support the mission and values and goals of GSUSA the Council, or their membership in an organization whose goals are not compatible with those of GSUSA. An adult volunteer who is terminated from her or his Girl Scout position may continue her or his adult membership with GSUSA unless it is determined that she or he is not able to meet the membership requirement related to accepting the principles and beliefs of the Girl Scout movement or to support the mission and values of the organization. In such case, her or his Girl Scout membership will not be renewed.
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Recognition

The council's formal recognition system will be consistent with the GSUSA publication Adult Recognition's in Girl Scouting (Catalogue. No. 26-458).
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Leadership

There must be at least two independent adults present at all troop meetings, trips, and troop camping trips. The two adults can not be married to each other and one adult must be female. This provision does not apply to parents traveling with their own children.
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Service Unit Budget Allowance<

Funds will be made annually available to local service units for reimbursement of expenses incurred as a result of monthly meetings. These expenses include cups, napkins, refreshments, photocopies, phone calls, postage and postcards, etc.
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Uniforms

Uniforms are always appropriate but not required for participation in Girl Scout activities. Operational volunteers are encouraged to wear the Girl Scout pin when they are not in uniform.
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Use of Motor Vehicles

Any motor vehicle used to transport Girl Scouts must be duly licensed, insured, and operated by a responsible adult with a valid driver's license. (Refer to SafetyWise.)
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Insurance

All registered members are protected under Girl Scout Activity Accident Insurance, Basic Coverage. This plan provides coverage for accident-related medical expenses to members traveling to and from or participating in approved supervised Girl Scout activities, such as day camp, troop camp, weekend trips (of two nights or less), interest/activity group meetings, and regular troop meetings.

The Council does not assume responsibility for insuring an operational volunteer's personal effects.
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Harassment

The Council is committed to an environment and climate in which relationships are characterized by dignity, respect, courtesy, and equitable treatment. It is the policy of the Council to provide all volunteers with an environment free from all forms of unlawful or unwelcome harassment, including implied or expressed forms of sexual harassment.

The Council expressly prohibits any form of harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, age, disability, national origin, citizenship or marital status.

Any volunteer who feels that she or he has been subjected to harassment of any type, whether by another volunteer, Council staff member, or any agent of the organization, should promptly report the incident to their supervisor or to the executive director. The executive director will take appropriate measures to resolve or correct the situation in an expeditious manner.
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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 Council'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 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.
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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 Council's policy for any volunteer, male or female, to physically, sexually, or mentally abuse or neglect any Girl Scout member.

The council reserves the right to refuse membership endorsement or reappointment, and to dismiss or to exclude from affiliation with the council, any volunteer implementing Girl Scout programs who is found guilty of child abuse and neglect or who has been convicted of Child abuse and neglect.
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Reporting Suspected Child Abuse

Chapter 28, Section 711 of the Nebraska Statutes provides that any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or who observes such child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which reasonably would result in abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident or cause a report to be made to the Department of Health and Human Services toll-free telephone number as provided below.

Such report may be made orally by telephone with the caller giving her or his name and address, and shall be followed by a written report and to the extent available, shall contain the address and age of the abused or neglected child, the address of the person or persons having custody of the abused or neglected child, the nature and extent of the abuse or neglect, or the conditions and circumstances which would reasonably result in such abuse or neglect, any evidence of previous abuse or neglect, including the nature and extent, and any other information which in the opinion of the person may be helpful in establishing the cause of such abuse or neglect and the identity of the perpetrator(s).

Names of persons reporting suspected child abuse or neglect are kept confidential. The law provides immunity from liability for all individuals making a report.

If you have questions relating to this law or to a particular situation please call the Service Center and speak to the Executive Director.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call the following toll-free number.

STATEWIDE TOLL-FREE NUMBER: (800) 652-1999
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Links

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
www.wagggsworld.org

Girl Scouts of the USA
www.girlscouts.org

GSUSA site for girls ages 11-17
www.studio2b.org

GSUSA site for girls ages 5-11
www.gogirlsonly.org

ABC Cookie Company for Volunteers
www.abccookievolunteers.com

ABC Cookie Company
www.girlscoutcookiesabc.com

ABC Cookie Company for Girls
www.abcsmartcookies.com

Craft Website
www.makingfriends.com

Games for Scouting/Groups
www.usscouts.org/games

Resource Website for Scouts
www.scoutinglinks.com

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