The following Constitutional changes were approved during the 2005 National Council Session:
1. Change to the Preamble:
We, the members of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, united by a belief in God and by acceptance of the Girl Scout Promise and Law,
And inspired by the aims of the Founder of the Scout Movement. Lord Baden-Powell, and of the Founder of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States, Juliette Low,
Do dedicate ourselves to the purpose of inspiring girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct. patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens.
We believe that the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one,
We affirm that the Girl Scout Movement shall ever be open to all girls and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
We maintain that the strength of the Girl Scout Movement rests in the voluntary leadership of its adults members. in the cooperation and support of the community, and in the affiliation with the Girl Guide and Girl Scout Movements of other countries through the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
We declare that the democratic way of life and the democratic process shall guide all our activities.
We hold that ultimate responsibility for the Girl Scout Movement rests with volunteers.
Reaffirming these, our beliefs and principles, we do adopt this Constitution.
We, the members of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, united by a belief in God, hold that the Girl Scout Promise and Law is the cornerstone of our Movement,
And inspired by the Founder of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States, Juliette Low, and by the aims of the Founder of the Scout Movement, Lord Baden-Powell, attest to the following:
Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Spiritual Force
The motivating force In Girl Scouting is spiritual. The ways in which members identify and fulfill their spiritual beliefs are personal and private.
Open Membership
The Girl Scout Movement is open to all girls and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law and meet membership requirements.
Patriotism, Citizenship, and Community Service
Local, national, and global service and action are core elements of the Girl Scout experience.
Diversity and Pluralism
Girl Scouts advance diversity and pluralism in our Movement and in the communities In which we live.
Responsibility for the Movement and the Democratic Process
The ultimate responsibility for the Girl Scout Movement rests with its members. We govern by an efficient and effective democratic process that demonstrates our leadership in a fast-changing world.
Girl/Adult Partnership
Adults partner with girls to guide and inspire growth and achievement. Volunteers are essential to the strength and capacity of our Movement.
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)
We are active partners in a worldwide sisterhood through our affiliation with WAGGGS. We work with WAGGGS to address the needs of girls and to build a network of global citizens.
Community Partners
We take an active leadership role and are collaborative partners in the community.
Voice
We are a premier voice for girls and an expert on their growth and development.
2. Amended Constitution/Article XI/Officers/Section 2:
The President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer shall be elected by the National Council at each regular session to 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 three two consecutive terms as President. All of these officers shall be elected from the membership of the National Council.
3. Amended Constitution/Article X/National Board of Directors/Section 2:
The National Board of Directors shall consist of the President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer; and 35 25 members-at-large. The Chair of the National Board Development Committee, if not already elected to the National Board, shall be ex officio a member of the National Board. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer shall be ex officio members without vote. The National Board shall at all times be representative of the various geographical areas of the country.
4. Amended Constitution/Article III/The Girl Scout Program from:
The Girl Scout program is an informal educational program designed to help girls put into practice the fundamental principles of the Girl Scout Movement as set forth in the Preamble. It is carried out in small groups with adult leadership and provides a wide range of activities developed around the interests and needs of girls.
to:
Grounded in the Girl Scout Promise and Law, Girl Scouting is a nonformal, experiential, and cooperative education program that promotes girls’ personal growth and leadership development. Partnering with caring adults, girls design fun and challenging activities that empower them and raise their voices within a local, national, and global sisterhood.
5. Amended Constitution/Article XII/National Nominating Committee and Nominations/Section 1:
1. There shall be a National Nominating Committee consisting of nine seven members and the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA who shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member. The committee shall be representative of the various geographical areas of the country, and shall include at least two National Board members and at least three persons who are not National Board members.
6. Amended Constitution/Article XII/National Nominating Committee and Nominations/Section 2:
2. Members of the committee shall be elected by the National Council to serve a three-year term beginning at the adjournment of the National Council when elected and ending with adjournment of the next regular session of the National Council. Members shall serve for no more than two consecutive terms. At least three two members, but no more than four three, shall serve a second consecutive term. The National Board of Directors shall have the power to fill vacancies in the committee. The requirements of Section 1 of this article shall be adhered to in filling vacancies.
The Bylaws underwent a massive rewrite in June of 2005 by the National Board and can be found separately on this page.
Procedures for Issuing Girl Scout Council Charters, Procedures for a Charter Compliance Audit, Procedures for Non-Issuing or Revocation of Term Charters, Procedures for Changing a Girl Scout Council Jurisdiction, and Procedures for Changing a Girl Scout Council Name in the Credentials section were completely rewritten. The License portion of the Credentials was struck. Additionally, “Girl Scouts of the United States of America” was shortened to “Girl Scouts of the USA” throughout the Credentials section. Other changes to the Credentials section included:
- Added to Applicable Membership Standards:
Girl Scout Membership Levels Effective October 1, 200810
| kindergarten—1 grade 2—3 grade 4-5 grade 6—8 grade 9—10 grade 11—12 |
Girl Scout Daisy Girl Scout Brownie Girl Scout Junior Girl Scout Cadette Girl Scout Senior Girl Scout Ambassador |
10 Change approved by National Board of Directors in August 2006
2. Added footnote to Requirements for a Girl Scout Council Charter:
to make reports of its work to Girl Scouts of the USA; pay its charter fee;11 have at all times a registered board of directors; and make sure that all persons affiliating with the council meet individual membership requirements.
11 During the realignment process, the initial charter fee for newly forrned councils will be waived.
3. Additional text was added to Requirements for a Girl Scout Council Charter/In Accepting a Charter, a Girl Scout Council Assumes the Following Obligations:
We understand and agree that the council’s articles of incorporation and bylaws that are attached to the Application for a Girl Scout Council Charter are a part of this application. Furthermore, we agree that any changes or amendments to these documents will be filed with Girl Scouts of the USA in a timely manner.
The Policies section was reorganized and much of the text remained the same but presented in a different order. The Restricted Use of Membership and Mailing List section was renamed to Security of Girl Scout Membership Data and Restricted Use of Membership and Mailing lists and the text in green was added:
The release and distribution of any Girl Scout membership list to a Girl Scout council or non-Girl Scout entity, or the release of any data or information on Girl Scout members, is prohibited except upon approval by the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. All Girl Scout councils and USA Girl Scouts Overseas locations accessing or transmitting membership information electronically must be in compliance with this security policy and all other GSUSA security procedures, policies, and standards, as welt as all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
Security of Membership Data
Girl Scout councils and USA Girl Scouts Overseas use one of several methods for registering members with Girl Scouts of the USA: the GSUSA Membership Management System, WinPCMS, or a third party system, and the following procedures are in effect:
• To obtain and retain access to the GSUSA Membership Management System, every Girl Scout council must sign a written GSUSA Membership Management Systems Use Agreement, which defines the terms and conditions established by GSUSA.
• To obtain and retain access to the Council Data Interface System (COTS), the Girl Scout council and its vendor must sign a nondisclosure agreement.
• Every Girl Scout council and USA Girl Scouts Overseas location must abide by GSUSA’s security policies, standards, and confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements.
• Every Girl Scout council must consent to periodic audits by GSUSA, such as the council performance assessment, to ensure compliance with technical configuration standards, security policies, and GSUSA and governmental security and privacy standards.
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