The National Council Session is the business meeting held every three years during the National Convention. The National Convention spans most of the week and includes exhibitions, guest speakers, the National Council Session, break out sessions and workshops, the exhibit hall, Hall of Experiences, etc.
Yes, anyone who has purchased a ticket for a National Convention can attend the National Council Session. Attendees who are not National Delegates sit in the audience and are not allowed to speak or vote.
Regular sessions are held triennially (every three years). The constitution contains a provision for calling special sessions, but no special sessions have been held in at least the last 20+ years.
Source: Constitution/ARTICLE V/SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/Regular Sessions 1.
In addition to inspirational speeches and presentations, recognitions, discussion topics, and other agenda items deemed necessary by the planners, the following are things that can be covered and acted upon during a National Council Session by the National Council:
- Hold elections
- Amend the Constitution
- Establish requirements for credentials
- Determine the general lines of policy of the Girl Scout Movement and program by considering and acting upon proposals directed toward the fostering and improvement of Girl Scouting
- Receiving and acting upon reports of its National Board of Directors
- Giving guidance to the National Board upon general lines of direction of the Movement and program.
Source: Constitution/ARTICLE V SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/Responsibilities 2.
The National Board determines the agenda for the session.
Source: Convention 101 Webinar (PDF)
Two hundred members of the National Council have to be present in order for business to be conducted. However, delegates from one or more local councils in a majority of the geographical areas of the country (as defined in the Bylaws) have to be present as well.
Source: GSUSA Constitution ARTICLE V/SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/Quorum
Special sessions of the National Council can be held virtually, but regular sessions of the National Council can be held virtually only in the event of an emergency.
Source: Constitution/ARTICLE V/Sessions of the National Council/Section 4
You can find them here.
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:
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.
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
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.
Proposals can only originate from the National Board of Directors and local councils, and proposals from a local council must be approved by that council’s board of directors. Therefore, the best way for a volunteer to submit a proposal is to work with others from her council (including council delegates if possible), complete a proposal form, and submit the proposal to that council’s board of directors.
Special sessions of the National Council can be called by written request of a majority of National Board members or 20% of the National Council membership, but this 20% must include at least 25% of councils (28).
Source: Constitution/ARTICLE V SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL/SPECIAL SESSIONS 3.
Yes, as long as the amendment to the amendment remains in scope or does not change the intent as presented originally by the National Board. This can be done by a national delegate making a motion to amend the proposed amendment during the Session. An amendment to an amendment requires a majority vote in order for it to be the revised amendment which will then be voted upon to enact.
Source: Constitution/ARTICLE XVII AMENDMENTS
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)
A single slate means that the National Board Development Committee nominates only one person for each position. This is in contrast to presenting, for example, three candidates to choose from for each position.
The single slate by the NBDC is called for by Article XII, Section 9 of the GSUSA Constitution, which states: “The committee shall present at each regular session of the National Council 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. No member of the National Board Development Committee shall be eligible to be nominated for any officer position. A nominee for President shall be a current member of the National Board of Directors.”
Also, in Robert’s Rules, 12th edition (see 46:11), it says, “It is usually not sound to require the committee to nominate more than one candidate for each office, since the committee can easily circumvent such a provision by nominating only one person who has any chance of being elected.” If the National Council doesn’t like the slate presented, it has the power to make nominations from the floor for any position provided that notice is given to the President and the Chair of the National Board Development Committee at least 48 hours prior to the Session starting.
Source: 2017 Board Slate Frequently Asked Questions and Constitution/ARTICLE XII NATIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, NOMINATIONS, AND ELECTIONS/Nominations
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.
Speakers are usually limited to 2 minutes per the NCS Standing Rules located in the Workbook. If a speaker goes over that limit, their microphone is turned off.
Voting is done electronically via handheld devices. Also per the NCS Workbook 2017, “the presiding officer shall be authorized to expedite business by using methods of voting other than electronic voting as the officer deems appropriate. This shall include, but not be limited to, a vote by unanimous consent, voice, show of hands, standing, and ballot.” More information is always provided in the Standing Rules of the current NCS Workbook.
The National Council Session is considered a formal business event, and per GSUSA guidelines found on its uniform reference page:
Girl Scouts at each level have one required element (Tunic, Sash or Vest) for the display of official pins and awards which will be required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.
For all girls, the unifying look includes wearing a choice of a tunic, vest, sash for displaying official pins and awards, combined with their own solid white shirts, khaki pants or skirts and a scarf. For adult members the unifying look of the uniform is a Girl Scout official scarf or tie for men, worn with the official membership pins, combined with their own navy blue business attire.