National Board FAQ

For a list of members on the National Board of Directors, visit this page.  GSUSA’s listing can be found here.

The National Board is authorized to:

• Determine time and place of National Council Session¹
• Call a special meeting (majority of members required)²
• Create proposals to be acted upon by the National Council³
• Determine deadline for proposals⁴
• Determine what proposals submitted by councils can be acted upon (unless submitted by 15% of councils)⁴
• Administer the requirements for the credentials established by the National Council⁵
• Establish standards⁵
• Issue standards, procedures, and interpretations⁵
• Issue credentials⁶
• Revoke credentials⁶
• Manage affairs of the corporation between sessions of the National Council⁷
• Fill vacancies in its own membership until the next regular session of the National Council⁸
• Can act on behalf of the National Council in the event of an emergency that makes it impossible for the National Council to meet⁹

¹ Defined in the Constitution under ARTICLE V/SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/Regular Sessions
² Defined in the Constitution under ARTICLE V/SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/Special Sessions
³ Defined in the Constitution under ARTICLE VI/PROPOSALS TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/Origin Of By National Board of Directors
⁴ Defined in the Constitution under ARTICLE VI/PROPOSALS TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/Origin Of By Local Councils
⁵ Defined in the Constitution under ARTICLE VIII/CREDENTIALS/Administration
⁶ Defined in the Constitution under ARTICLE VIII/CREDENTIALS/Issuance Revocation
⁷ Defined in the Constitution under ARTICLE X/NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS/Management of Corporation
⁸ Defined in the Constitution under ARTICLE X/NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS/Vacancies
⁹ Defined in the Constitution under ARTICLE X/NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS/Emergency Powers

Either the National Council or the National Board.

Source: Constitution/ARTICLE XVI/BYLAWS

For three years starting at the time they are installed after election at the National Council Session, and it ends when their successors are installed.

Source: Constitution under ARTICLE X/NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS/ELECTION OF MEMBERS TERMS

The National Council elects the National Board of Directors at the National Council Session (NCS).  The National Board Development Committee prepares a single slate of candidates, and there is also provision for nominees from the floor provided the board chair is provided notice and written consent of the nominee at least 48 hours prior to the published start time of the NCS meeting when the election is to be held.  In between National Council sessions, the National Board has the authority to fill vacancies until the next NCS.

Source:  Constitution/ARTICLE X NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS/ELECTION OF MEMBERS TERMS 3. & Constitution/ARTICLE X NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS/VACANCIES 5.

The membership of the National Council consists of:

1. Delegates elected by Girl Scout councils who are registered through their local council
2. Delegates from USA Girl Scouts Overseas
3. Members of the National Board of Directors
4. Members of the National Board Development Committee
5. Past Presidents of Girl Scouts of the United States of America
6. Other persons who are elected by the National Council

At least four-fifths of the entire body of delegates must be from local councils and from USA Girl Scouts Overseas.

Source:  Constitution/ARTICLE IV/THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/Membership

The National Board Development Committee is elected by National Delegates and is made up of both National Board and non-board members.  It recruits, identifies, and recommends potential National Board members, and it also oversees the National Board’s development and effectiveness.

Source:  2017 Proposal 2 FAQ

Officers serve a three‐year term beginning at the time of the installation at the session when elected and ending upon the installation of their successors at the next regular session of the National Council. Each person shall serve no more than three consecutive terms in any one or any combination of these offices. Regardless of the number of consecutive terms any person shall have served in any one or any combination of these offices other than that of President, such person shall be eligible for two consecutive terms as President.

Source:  2017 Board Slate Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

The National Board determines the agenda for the session.

Source:  Convention 101 Webinar (PDF)

The National Board of Directors recommends and determines which proposals will be added to the NCS agenda.  However, if a proposal is supported by 15% (for a total of 17) of all councils, the proposal must be approved.

If the proposal suggests an amendment to the Constitution, the National Board decides whether it is appropriate or not.

Source:  Constitution/ARTICLE VI PROPOSALS TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL and Constitution/ARTICLE XVII AMENDMENTS

Local councils and the National Board of Directors can submit proposals for NCS consideration.  Proposals by local councils require the approval of the council’s board of directors.

Source:  Constitution/ARTICLE VI PROPOSALS TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/ORIGIN OF 1.

Discussion topics are determined via proposals submitted by either a local council or the National Board and follow the procedures for proposal submission and approval.

Related FAQ:

The National Board Development Committee determines the slate that the National Council would vote on at a National Council Session.  The committee also presents a single slate of nominees for: a) the President; b) the Vice Presidents; c) the Secretary; d) the Treasurer; e) members-at-large of the National Board of Directors; and f) members of the National Board Development Committee.

Source:  Constitution/ARTICLE XII NATIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, NOMINATIONS, AND ELECTIONS/SINGLE SLATE OF NOMINEES/9.

If there is only one nominee for each position to be elected, then in accordance with the GSUSA Constitution, Article XII, Section 12, the nominees are elected by acclamation, which means the presiding officer declares all the nominees elected. During the National Council Session, a member may move to vote by ballot, in which case, each office would be voted on individually.

Source:  2017 Board Slate FAQ (PDF)

Yes – Nominations may be made from the floor of the National Council Session provided that notice of such nomination and written consent to serve by the nominee(s) shall have been provided to the President and the Chair of the National Board Development Committee at least 48 hours prior to the published time for the convening of the meeting at which the election shall be held.

Source:  Constitution/ARTICLE XII NATIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, NOMINATIONS, AND ELECTIONS/10.

The National Board slate is determined by the National Board Development Committee.*  Current information about how to nominate someone for the National Board of Directors could not be found on the GSUSA website.  However, here is a referral form from 2016:  Candidate Referral Form.  For more questions, it’s recommended to email BoardOffice@girlscouts.org and ask for more information.

*Source:  Constitution/ARTICLE XII/NATIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, NOMINATIONS, AND ELECTIONS/SINGLE SLATE OF NOMINEES 9.

Article X of the Constitution requires that the National Board be representative at all times of the
various geographical areas of the country. Article IX of the Bylaws sets forth the geographical areas.

Source:  2017 Board Slate Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Related FAQ: