Using the evaluation guide included, guide girls to develop their troop's own evaluation.

Don't forget to celebrate each girl's personal accomplishment.

Goal-setting is one of the most valuable life skills you can pass on to the girls.

Challenge your troop/group to give it their all – to reach higher, stretch their imaginations and learn life skills that will help them climb high.

You’ll help them discover that they can do anything. Goals and planning lead to success!!

To enhance the potential of a successful experience, set a goal that is

towards the goal.

Develop an action plan.

An example of an achievement goal would be one that ends in receiving something. An achievement goal might be: selling 15 more boxes of Girl Scout cookies than last year, earning enough cookie coupons to attend camp, finishing an activity to receive badge, completing 25 hours of community service to earn a community service bar. A learning goal is a very individual accomplishment that is reflected in learning a lifelong skill. A learning goal could be: overcoming shyness in asking a neighbor to support Girl Scouting by buying a box of cookies, learning organizational skills, preparing and delivering a speech for a parent/troop meeting.

Chart on Leader's Role in Planning with Girls -- pg. 24 & 25 Safety-Wise.

"Tips and Tools for Helping Brownie Girl Scouts Make Decisions."  (Click to view)

Setting and accomplishing goals has many benefits. Accomplishments foster a sense of self-worth and confidence in one’s own abilities. In working towards a goal, girls can recognize their talents, strengths, and weaknesses. There is satisfaction in having reached a goal.

Throughout the Girl Scout program, opportunities exist for you to help girls set realistic goals. Allow girls to set their own goals and to progress at their own pace. If it appears that a girl is underestimating her potential, help her to set more challenging goals that lie within her capabilities. Be careful, though, not to push girls to a level that is not attainable.

Peer pressure can have a tremendous impact on children, even those as young as Brownie Girl Scouts. Be alert to situations where the girls may not be expressing their true desires. For example, voting publicly on activities the troop will do, girls may vote the same as their friends. Avoid these problems by using one of these goal setting techniques:

Brainstorming: Brainstorming is when everyone thinks of as many ideas as they can.

Ground Rules: Select a group recorder who can write quickly

Wish Lists: Complete the sentence: "I would really like to…" Each girl writes her answer on a slip of paper to be recorded on a large sheet of paper. Continue with the decision-making process using the suggestions.

Imagine: Bring ideas of activities they "imagine" could happen in Girl Scouts this year.

Picture it! Cut pictures of activities they would like to do from magazines or draw pictures.

Hidden Messages: Write desired activities on small pieces of paper. Fold and insert them into balloons. Blow up and tie. Have girls bat the balloons around, then stop and choose one balloon each and pop it. Take turns reading each goal or activity.

Press Conference: Each participant has the opportunity to be interviewed by other members in a mock press conference. Members interviewed can "pass" on any question. Ask each member to write an interview question on a 3"X5" card. List some sample questions to help the group.

What would you like to be when you grow up? What are you proudest of?

What is your favorite subject in school? What are you best at?

Tell us about a hobby you love. Tell us about your favorite day?

What is the nicest thing you've done for someone? What is your favorite activity?

If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Leadership in action in Girl Scouting often involves the active support of all members of a troop or group to reach a goal. Girls may use this plan and move through the steps together by writing it on a large sheet of paper so all can follow. Girls will find these steps helpful for both group and individual projects.

Step 1. Develop a list of activities/projects you would like to do. Using a goal setting technique such as brainstorming, wish list, picture it! Brownie ring, etc., create a list.

Through discussion and voting the troop narrows their list to two or three choices.

Activities/Projects we would like to do:         Narrow the list to two or three choices:

______________________________            ________________________________

______________________________            ________________________________

______________________________             _______________________________

______________________________             

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

Purpose of the activity_______________________________________________________

Name, Theme or Focus______________________________________________________

Desired Results____________________________________________________________

Date & Times (include several as backups)_______________________________________

Place____________________________________________________________________

Agenda or Itinerary_________________________________________________________

Step 3. Identify your needs and resources.

Make a list of everything you will need to complete your activity. Think of what you will need before, during, and after the event. The list may include:

Advice

Supplies

Equipment

Location

Transportation

Food

Lodging

Admission

People

Budget - (see Troop Budget Worksheet - back page)

How much money needs to be raised?

Special Permission

Step 4. Put your ideas into action. So that everybody contributes to the success of the project, the responsibility for seeing it through should be shared by each girl in your troop or group. By forming planning teams, each girl can select an area of responsibility in which to work. Girls should volunteer to serve on a planning team, since that is where the work of putting together an activity takes place. Planning teams could be responsible for:

Planning the program             Securing the site

Arranging Transportation         Planning meals

Step 5. Develop a Work Schedule. Each team should develop a realistic plan for beginning and completing the things that need to be done. Plan team meeting dates and assign tasks to each individual on the team.

Progression is built into the design of the age-level handbooks and awards for each age level.

Many skills learned in Girl Scouting become the foundation for later learning, recreation, and professional activities. Exposing girls to these activities in their early days in Girl Scouting will allow them to develop the skills for greater fun and challenge later on.

Planning and Progression in Trips - pg. 44 - 48 Safety-Wise

Progression in Outdoor Activities - pg. 8 - 16 Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting

To get the big picture, use a calendar to identify activities that will take place during each month. A long-range calendar is helpful when you need to accommodate a number of different activities into a total group action plan.

For help with your troop's calendar check "General Yearly Calendar" – GS-MPC Leader Notebook

Meeting Planning Calendar

When dealing with troop/group funds at any age level it is important to remember that all funds belong to the troop/group as a whole, not to individual girl members. All troops are required to open a troop checking account with three signers. Troop/group money should only be used for Girl Scout related activities and proper documentation should be kept at all times. It is important that the ‘Annual Report of the Troop Treasurer’ be completed and turned in on time.

Leaders are ultimately responsible for record keeping and should be making sure that each girl is keeping accurate accounting of troop dues and other troop income and expenses. The amount of money in a troop/group account should be made available to all troop members and their parents/guardians.

Troop/groups are encouraged to use the Goal Setting posters and other goal setting activity ideas from the product sales committee in deciding what they would like to do during the current year and how much money they will need to earn to accomplish their goals.

Troops interested in holding money earning projects should be aware of Council policies, standards and procedures in regards to troop money earning projects, as well as the 4 program goals, before beginning any project. Girls need to take an active part in any troop money earning project. The project should encourage the girls to learn new skills or be challenged in some way. It is not recommended that troops participate in money earning projects just to earn money.

Girls should be taking an active role in deciding how much troop dues will be, how often they will be collected and keeping track of payment.

Daisy – Girls do not take part in money handling or budgeting.

Parents, guardians, or group sponsor contributes to the cost of group activities.

Leader handles the money and keeps financial records.

Brownie – Girls learn to set goals and participate in council-sponsored product sale activities.

Girls should discuss cost of supplies needed for activities. (Goal Setting, Troop Money,

and Money Matters - see Pages 38 – 41 in Brownie Girl Scout Handbook)

Related Try-Its: Penny Power, Cookies Count, Smart Cookie – see Try-Its Book.

Girls may pay dues. Girl Scouts - Mountain Prairie Council does not encourage

Brownie troops to hold additional money earning projects.

Leader handles money, keeps records and budgeting. As girls are more proficient with

reading skills, they may partner with a leader in keeping track of troop dues. More

experienced Brownie Girl Scouts are able to do this with very little adult help.

Junior – Girls set goals and participate in council-sponsored product sale activities. Girls

should learn how to budget for activities they would like to do. Talk about fixed

expenses: Membership dues, costs of badges, etc. and flexible expenses: horseback

riding vs. roller skating at the park. (Managing Money, Making Money, and Create a

Budget - see Pages 26 – 30 Junior Girl Scout Handbook)

With leader input, girls decide on the amount of dues. Dues are collected in patrols

And recorded by a group treasurer. Girls also budget for short-term needs on the

basis of plans and income from dues. Girl Scouts - Mountain Prairie Council does not

encourage Junior troops to hold additional money earning projects, although if

sufficient need is shown, a money earning project may be approved.

Leaders retain overall responsibility for long-term budget and records. As girls

Become proficient in record keeping, they can take part in writing troop checks to

Cover expenses. (Note: Checks should only be signed by the authorized adult

signers)

Girl Scouts 11-17 – This age group is divided into 3 sections girls 11-13, 13-15 and 15-17. By

the time girls reach the oldest group they should have had enough experience in

goal setting, budgeting and record keeping that the troop/group advisor’s role is that of

check signer and overseer of troop/group money. Girls new to Girl Scouts may not

have been exposed to goal setting, budgeting, tracking troop expenses, record

keeping or other financial skills and will need help learning these skills.

Girls 11-13 - Girls set goals and participate in council-sponsored product sale activities.

If girls have had experience keeping financial records, they should be able to carry out

short-term plans in relation to budget and keep financial records under leader’s

direction. Girls can estimate costs based on plans; girls determine amount of dues

and money-earning projects.

Girls 13-15 - Girls set goals and participate in council-sponsored product sale activities.

Girls are able to plan and administer long-term group budget, account for funds, carry-

out money-earning projects with advice from advisors as needed. Girls can estimate

costs based on plans; girls determine amount of dues and money-earning projects.

Troop advisors will need to take Troop Trip Training prior to planning a troop trip that

will last 3 nights or longer. Troop members should be in agreement that troop money

will be spent on this large trip/event. It is recommended that girls and their

parent/guardian sign a Troop trip contract in the beginning stages of trip/event

planning. This assures that each member is aware of the responsibilities in planning

and raising the needed funds. Troop plans for a troop trip or other activity could

require saving for more than one membership year, money earning projects, in

addition to council-sponsored product sale activities may be necessary.

Girls 15 – 17 - Girls set goals and participate in council-sponsored product sale activities.

Girls are able to plan and administer long-term group budget, account for funds, carry-

out money-earning projects with very little input from advisors. Girls can estimate

costs based on plans; girls determine amount of dues and money-earning projects.

Troop Leaders should help their girls make program plans for future activities and develop a budget in connection with these plans.

A troop budget MUST accompany all money earning project applications.

Troop # _____________________________________Program Age Level_____________ # of girls____________

Leader's name_____________________________________________________________ Phone_____________

Address ___________________________________________City ________________________Zip___________

TROOP INCOME: Cash on Hand $ ____________Date _________________________

GSUSA Membership Dues                                             $____________

Cookie Proceeds (actual or anticipated)                         $____________

Be A Reader Proceeds (actual or anticipated)               $____________

Troop Dues ($_________ per girl x _________girls)     $____________

Other (explain) _____________________                     $____________

GSUSA Membership Dues                                             $____________

Program Activities                                                         $____________

Troop activities (supplies, food, copies, equipment)

Field Trips

Activities offered by the Service Unit (registration fees)

Activities offered by the Division (registration fees)

Activities offered by the Council (registration fees)

Awards                                                                        $____________

Try its, Badges, Patches, Pins, etc.

Other

Service Project Materials                                               $____________

Outdoor Activities (cooking, camping, food, lodging,     $____________

transportation, Area Day Camp, Resident Camp, etc.)

Long Range plans (Activities, trips)                               $____________

Troop Member Activity Assistance                                $____________

Other (explain) ______________________                   $____________

GS-MPC Leader's Notebook, Forms Section

Before going further, read the Program Standards in Safety-Wise and the policies, standards and procedures for Troop/Group Money-Earning in the GS-MPC Finance Policies, Standards and Procedures.

Troop - Family Newsletters - A great way to stay in touch with families throughout the year with progress and updates on troop goals. Troops should publish a periodic newsletter with information regarding upcoming activities, progress on try-its, badges or interest projects, and the troops' financial data. This is also a good tool to recruit help with activities, field trips and troop projects. Keep families informed and they will be more willing to help.

Evaluation provides the troop with valuable information to use in setting goals or choosing activities for the following year. Everyone should participate in assessing the process and the outcomes of the activity/project. This is an opportunity for the girls in the troop to brainstorm questions that will help them appraise the success of their goals. Questions to ask might include: Was the activity fun? Did it accomplish what we set out to do? Could we have done it differently? Would the troop/group want to do it again? It is important that the girls be honest in their evaluation, without being destructive. Evaluate along the way and adjust goals as necessary. Discuss the lessons learned from mistakes.

Webster’s definition of ‘celebrate’ is "to observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, rejoicing, or festivity" or simply "to praise". It does not define the magnitude of the day or event, so we should not either. Celebrating your success along the way to reaching your goal will only enhance the reward of achieving the goal. So – celebrate even the littlest accomplishments as well as the grand end results.

Establish milestones to your goals and use these milestones for measuring your success and celebrating. Are all permission slips turned in prior to the beginning of the sale - celebrate. Did everyone turn in their paperwork on time – celebrate. Did girls who did not participate last year, participate this year – celebrate. Did each girl reach her personal goal – celebrate. All of these are successes to be proud of and celebrated.

The celebrations don’t have to be elaborate. Keep some Hershey Kisses on hand and give each girl a Kiss when all permission slips are turned in. Send home thank you notes to the parents when the girls' orders are turned in on time. Hand out certificates of accomplishment to the girls who are selling for the first time. As each girl reaches her personal goal, let her publish her success story in the troop-parent newsletter.

These simple celebrations alone don’t seem like much, but will add greatness to any goal.