New Leader Resources
Welcome to Girl Scouts Heart of the South!
Ready to get started as a new leader? You have come to the right place! This page will guide you through everything you will need for your first year of adventures in Girl Scouting.
We are here to support you! Have questions? Contact us at info@girlscoutshs.org or 1-800-624-4185.
Begin Your Adventure
New Leader Checklist
Walking you through your first year as a troop leader from how to be a leader to what occurs throughout your first-year journey.
New Leader Guide
A printable guide for leading a Girl Scout Troop
Year Plans for Troops
Map out your year!
New Leader Training
Prior to meeting with girls, all new troop leaders should complete New Leader Training. To access the training, visit click MYGS at the top of any page on our website, and sign in to your account. Once you're logged in, click My Account at the top, and select gsLearn from the left-side menu.
In gsLearn, you should see “All Assigned Courses and Learning Paths.” The New Leader Training learning path contains the following modules: (Must be logged in to MYGS and have gsLearn open for these links to take you straight to the training.)
- The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
- Troop Safety
- Family Engagement – the Key to Success
- Funding the Fun – Managing Girl Scout Troop Finances
In addition, Girl Scouts requires the completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Course.
New Leader Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 
New Leader FAQs
Where does the $65 registration fee go? The registration fee is paid to Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). Our local council, Girl Scouts Heart of the South, does not receive any of those funds.
What is the difference between a badge and a patch? A badge is earned and is displayed on the front of the uniform. A patch commemorates a fun activity or special day and is displayed on the back of the uniform.
What is required on my girl’s uniform? Troop numbers, American flag, Council identification, and Girl Scout membership pin.
What is a troop crest? The optional troop crests are used by Brownie through Ambassador troops. They are a Girl Scout tradition and once chosen by the girls, a crest is used for the life of the troop.
What is the function of the Service Unit? Service Units are communities of volunteers in a region who come together to lend support, share resources, and plan events for local Girl Scouts. They typically meet quarterly or monthly.
Where can I get meeting ideas? Your Service Unit Learning and Support Coordinator, other leaders in your service unit and/or council, the Girl Scout Experience Box, Volunteer Tool Kit (VTK), Troop Year Plans that can be found in your MyGS account, and Pinterest.
How often does my troop need to meet? Troops typically meet two times per month for 1-1 ½ hours. Some do meet once a month on a Saturday or Sunday for a longer period of time. As the leader, you need to create a calendar that is convenient for you and your other troop volunteers.
Do I charge additional dues? Some Girl Scout troops also collect dues to defray the cost of their activities. It can be a monthly, semester, or yearly fee. Girls also can fund their activities and yearly GSUSA membership dues with proceeds earned from their participation in our annual Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookie programs.
Where do I purchase badges and uniforms for my troop? You can purchase uniforms, badges, patches, badge requirement packets, Girl Scout swag, and much more at the council Trefoil Trunks. They are located at all three of our Leadership Centers in Memphis, Tupelo, and Jackson. You can also shop online 24/7 at www.girlscoutshop.com/HEART-OF-THE-SOUTH-COUNCIL . For large orders, you can email info@girlscoutshs.org or call 800-624-4185 and submit your order. You will receive a confirmation call and a request for payment for the order. Our customer care team will then tell you when it will be ready for pick-up.
Memphis Leadership Center-825 Valleybrook Drive, Suite 102, Memphis, TN 38120
Tupelo Leadership Center-1140 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38801
Jackson Leadership Center-1007 Old Humboldt Road, Jackson, TN 38305
What forms do my parents/caregivers need to complete for their daughter? Each girl must have a completed health form on file with the troop. Any time the troop is together, a volunteer must have these forms on site, along with a first aid kit. Also, an annual permission form should be completed.
Who do I contact if I have any questions? At the service unit level, your Membership and Support Manager and the Learning and Support Coordinator are great sources of information for managing your troop. The best connections for you at Girl Scouts Heart of the South are your Membership Manager and the Volunteer Support Manager.
Do I need to have all my troop positions filled before my troop starts to meet? Not at all. You need to have the required two non-related adults who have a current membership and background check anytime the troop is together. Additional registered volunteers may be needed depending on the volunteer-to-girl ratio that needs to be met. Here is a chart of the supervision ratios:
Your First Year
Launching Your Troop: The First 30 Days
In Flight: The First Three Months
Reaching For the Stars: The First Year
