The National Council is a body of delegates elected by councils and other members as specified in the GSUSA Constitution. It meets in regular session once every three years and, among other things, elects a National Board of Directors and its officers. The National Council also elects a National Board Development Committee which is responsible for nominating candidates for election at the next National Council Session. The National Board of Directors conducts the affairs of the organization between National Council Sessions within the limits established by the Congressional Charter and the GSUSA Constitution and Bylaws. Let’s look at these three groups in more detail.
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
The National Council was established and first met at the 1915 National Convention in Washington D.C. From the start, the National Council has been an integral part of the organization’s basis in the democratic process.
The National Council’s membership is composed of:
- Delegates elected by Girl Scout councils who are registered through their local council
- Delegates from USA Girl Scouts Overseas
- Members of the National Board of Directors
- Members of the National Board Development Committee
- Past Presidents of Girl Scouts of the United States of America
- Other persons who are elected by the National Council
Note: At least four-fifths of the entire body of delegates must be from local councils and from USA Girl Scouts Overseas.
A council’s determined number of National Delegates is based on the number of girls it has registered as of September 30th the year prior to the regular session of the National Council. Each council is allocated a minimum of three national delegates: two delegates and then one additional delegate for up to every 3,500 girls after the first 3,500 girls. USA Girl Scouts Overseas uses the same formula as councils.
However, the 3,500 number can be changed to make sure the total number of National Council members does not exceed 1,500, and the GSUSA Constitution authorizes the National Board to make these adjustments. GSUSA therefore notifies councils of the total number of delegates the council is allowed. At the 2017 NCS, there were 1,058 voting members. There were 938 members of the National Council for the 2023 NCS.
According to the GSUSA Constitution, the National Council is “the coordinating head of the Movement.” The means it influences our strategic direction by providing guidance to the National Board. The duties and powers of the National Council are as follows:
- Amend the Constitution
- Act on proposals
- Guide the National Board upon general lines of direction of the Movement and program
- Call a special session of the National Council (20% membership required that represent 25% of chartered councils)
- Establish requirements for certificates of membership, local council charters, and all other credentials
- Elect the National Board of Directors and National Board Development Committee
- Elect the officers of the National Board of Directors
- Elect distinguished citizens as honorary officers of the National Council
- Authorize contributions for the purposes of GSUSA
- Adopt bylaws
For more information about the National Council, be sure to visit the National Council FAQ.
THE NATIONAL BOARD
The National Board of Directors is the governing body authorized to act on behalf of the National Council between National Council Sessions. Members serve a three year term starting with their election by the National Council at a National Council Session.
The National Board consists of the President (also known as the Board Chair), the Vice Presidents (also known as the Board Vice Chairs), the Secretary, and the Treasurer, plus 25 members-at-large for a total of 30 members. If the National Board Development Committee Chair is not already one of the thirty, he or she becomes part of the National Board as well – increasing the total to 31. The Chief Executive Officer also serves as an ex officio member without vote. The composition of the National Board should represent the various geographical areas of the country listed in the GSUSA Bylaws/Article IX.
A list of current National Board Members can be found on the GSUSA website.
According to the GSUSA Constitution, the National Board is authorized to:
- Determine the time and place of the National Council Session
- Call a special meeting (majority of members required)
- Create proposals to be acted upon by the National Council
- Determine deadline for proposals
- Determine what proposals submitted by councils can be acted upon (unless submitted by 15% of councils)
- Administer the requirements for the credentials established by the National Council
- Establish standards
- Issue standards, procedures, and interpretations
- Issue credentials
- Revoke credentials
- Manage affairs of the corporation between sessions of the National Council
- Fill vacancies in its own membership until the next regular session of the National Council
- Can act on behalf of the National Council in the event of an emergency that makes it impossible for the National Council to meet
For more information about the National Board, be sure to visit the National Board FAQ.
THE NATIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The National Board Development Committee is a body elected by the National Council during the National Council Session. The NBDC has two duties – identifying and recommending a single slate of officers and board nominees to the National Council and working with the board to assess the National Board’s development and effectiveness. The NBDC reports to and works closely with the National Board to identify areas of strength, board development needs, and opportunities to strengthen the board via future National Board, officer nominees, and to the NBDC itself.
The NBDC consists of 7 members (including the chair of the committee), and the National GSUSA CEO is also an ex officio non-voting member. Per the GSUSA Constitution, at least two members should be on the National Board while three members are non-National Board members. Like the National Board, members’ terms run for three years starting at their election during a National Council Session.