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Girl Scouts make great leaders, and there are lots of awards that teen Girl Scouts can achieve. When girls guide or teach others, they act as mentors. An exciting part of a Girl Scout’s development, teen mentoring is a win-win proposition! As teen mentors, Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors gain experience by sharing skills, testing knowledge and trying out new leadership roles. For the girls being mentored, it means a change to be with and learn from teens - some of their favorite people!
Opportunities
National Leadership Awards 
Three National Leadership Awards are offered to Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors.
These awards showcase a Girl Scout’s leadership and service. These awards include the Silver Torch Award (Cadette), Silver and Gold Torch Award (Senior) and the Gold Torch Award (Ambassador), as well as the Community Service Bar (Cadette, Senior and Ambassador) and the Service Bar to Girl Scouting (Cadette, Senior and Ambassador). Bring your National Leadership Awards Report Form to the council shop to purchase your awards. (Note: Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois does not need to approve the organization you are working with prior to beginning your service for the Community Service Bar.
Teen Mentoring Awards include Program Aide, Counselor-in-Training I and II and Volunteer-in-Training. By earning these awards, girls from sixth grade up can deepen their understanding of what leadership development means and get excited about guiding others. The Program Aide and Counselor-in-Training awards have a long history in Girl Scouting, with the Volunteer-in-Training award represents and updated approach to the Leader-in-Training award.
National Girl Scout Advisory Board
In 2024, GSUSA is seeking ten new members to join the Girl Scout Advisory Board to Girl Scouts of the USA.
The national Girl Scout Advisory Board to GSUSA is a group of middle and high school Girl Scouts who make recommendations, contribute to key initiatives, and influence decision-making processes at our national office. Advisory board members develop leadership skills, collaborate with decision-makers at GSUSA, and grow skills to prepare for college and future leadership opportunities.
Girl Scout Advisory Board members serve for up to two years or until their high school graduation, whichever is first.
Application Qualifications
Enrolled in 7th – 11th grade in fall 2024.
Registered as a Girl Scout at the time of application (if accepted, Girl Scouts must renew their membership by the start of the new membership year, October 1).
Genuine interest in taking on a leadership role on the national level of Girl Scouts.
Ability to communicate with your peers and adults.
Ability to work well independently and on a team.
Committed to using technology as a platform for research and communication.
Responsibilities
Able to attend one to two (1-2) virtual meetings each month over the next two (2) years, for a total of 50-70 hours. These include one monthly call with the entire group which typically takes place on the last Sunday of the month; and potentially one call with a smaller working group or subcommittee as needed.
Able to complete an additional 2-4 hours per month to research or tasks outside of meetings, for a total of 50-100 hours over the next two (2) years.
Actively participate in all scheduled meetings with other Girl Scout Advisory Board members and GSUSA staff partners.
Communicate directly with GSUSA staff and volunteer facilitators about the advisory board work, possible absences, etc.
Work in groups and independently to complete and present research and tasks.
Perform related responsibilities as assigned.
In-Person Retreat
The Girl Scout Advisory Board to GSUSA meets in person every other year. The next scheduled in-person gathering is scheduled to take place July 12-14, 2024, at Edith Macy Center in Chappaqua, New York. This in-person gathering is subject to change depending on COVID-19 restrictions. Attendees are required to provide proof of vaccination. Retreat travel and accommodations are included for Girl Scout Advisory Board members.
Application Process and Timeline
January 29, 2024: Deadline for eligible Girl Scouts to submit applications to GSofSI for review.
January 29-31, 2024: GSofSI reviews applications from eligible Girl Scouts and will submit their chosen nominees. Councils can submit up to two (2) nominations from their council.
April 5, 2024: Final board members are selected by a committee comprised of GSUSA staff and national Girl Scout volunteers. GSUSA will send decision emails to all nominees, copying the council contact on each email.
April 28, 2024: New members of the Girl Scout Advisory Board join for their first meeting!
Apply Now
If you meet the above qualifications and can commit to the responsibilities and the above meeting schedule, please submit your application to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois by sending your application to Program Engagement Manager Natalie Bachmann at customercare@gsofsi.org.
Council Older Girl Advisory Board
Be the voice of Girl Scouts throughout Southern Illinois!
Applications for the 2024-25 Older Girl Advisory Board are open now!
Apply Here:
Older Girl Advisory Board Application Form
Older Girl Advisory Board Reference Form
Application Process:
In order to be considered for the Older Girl Advisory Board, girls must complete the application form and submit a reference form that will include a letter of recommendation.
Application Deadline: Applications and Reference Forms must be submitted by Oct. 21, 2024 at 12 a.m.
Advisory Board Members who are selected will be notified by email on Oct. 28, 2024.
Mission:
The Older Girl Advisory Board allows Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors the opportunity to serve as an advisory team providing programmatic input to the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. By lending a voice to a movement that wants, needs and values girl-led contributions, the team will play a significant role in shaping the ongoing work of the council.
Purpose:
The Older Girl Advisory Board will work as team to determine priorities of Girl Scouting in the areas of programs, girl activities, girl engagement, trainings and social trends and other areas determined by the council. The program will provide its members with opportunities to grow in the areas of public speaking confidence, leadership, media literacy, communication, marketing skills and writing skills.
Organizational Structure:
The Older Girl Advisory Board will consist of up to 20 Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors, with two from each of the council’s nine areas. Girls will submit an application and a reference form to be considered for the board each year. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Ex-Officio Board of Director members will automatically be included in the Older Girl Advisory Board and will act as the liaison between the Board of Directors and the Older Girl Advisory Board.
Older Girl Advisory Board members will serve terms of one year, running from October 2024 - April 2025. Girls can serve up to four one-year terms. Application acceptance for continuing terms will be based on attendance of the prior year/s.
The Director of Program Engagement and the Program Engagement Manager – Older Girls will lead Advisory Board meetings.
Application Qualifications:
- Enrolled in 6th-12th grade for Fall 2024
- Registered as a Girl Scout at the time of application
- Interest in taking on a leadership role within the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Council
- Ability to communicate with your peers and adult leaders
- Ability to work well independently and on a team
- Committed to using technology as a platform for meetings, research and communication
Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship
Girl Scouts from Southern Illinois who plan to graduate in 2025 can apply to receive a Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship!
To be eligible, girls must be a Girl Scout Ambassador who plans to graduate high school in 2025 and a registered member of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. Girls must also fill out the scholarship application and have one person fill out the reference form and submit both by Monday, February 24, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship Application
Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship Reference Form
Scholarship applicants will be notified of the selection committee's decisions by March 3, 2025. Scholarship recipients will be honored at this year's awards ceremony on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
What is required in the essay section?
Essay - Answer all 3 sections ahead of time and upload to this application. The form does not save partially filled out submissions, so make sure to have your essay ready to upload when you fill out the form.
1. What Girl Scouts Means to Me - Briefly explain what Girl Scouts means to you. What have you gained from being a part of Girl Scouts? What was the most memorable part of your Girl Scout career?
2. Attitudes and Abilities - Please give examples of the following that demonstrate your attitudes and abilities, keeping in mind the Girl Scout Promise and Law:
- Leadership
- Initiative
- Cooperation
- Enthusiasm
- Respect for Authority
- Open Mindedness
- Awareness and Concern (for the world around you)
3. Contributions - Please answer the following 4 questions.
a. What contributions have you made to Girl Scouting in your troop, service unit, council or another Girl Scout council?
b. Did you earn the Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards? If yes, describe your projects, who or what inspired you and what impact you think your project had.
c. Did you participate in a GSUSA Destination? If yes, where did you go? Explain your experience and what you learned.
d. Did you participate in any leadership opportunities? This would include Program Aide, Counselor-in-Training, Leader-in-training, earning the Service to Girl Scouts or Community Service bars or the Torch Awards.
Nominees are selected from a panel based on a variety of criteria including a personal essay, achievements in and outside of Girl Scouts, character based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, community engagement, and a recommendation from a personal reference.
Gold Award Girl Scout Scholarship
Gold Award Girl Scouts can earn a $5,000 scholarship!
The Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award Scholarship recognizes one
outstanding Gold Award Girl Scout per council whose project exemplifies
the core components of the Gold Award.
National Gold Award Scholarship applications are due by April 15, 2025. Get all the details - including eligibility criteria and application requirements - for this $5,000 scholarship from the GSUSA website .
National Gold Award Scholarship applications are due by April 15, 2025. Get all the details - including eligibility criteria and application requirements - for this $5,000 scholarship from the GSUSA website .
Award Recipients
Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship Recipients
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) is proud to announce that ten members of the Class of 2025 have been awarded the Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship.
Kaylee Asher | Troop #74
Service Unit 207
Kyleigh Bagby | Troop #74
Service Unit 207
Riley Baldwin | Troop #177
Service Unit 201
Violet Barnett | Troop #578
Service Unit 109
Olivia Brodbeck | Troop #405
Service Unit 102
Danielle Cary | Juliette
Service Unit 111
Emily Geisen | Troop #578
Service Unit 109
Jocelyn Hennon | Troop #177
Service Unit 201
Olivia Passig | Troop #2161
Service Unit 522
Eleanor Schmitz | Troop #203
Service Unit 207
Alaina Smith | Troop #8081
Service Unit 57
Kayellen Stewart | Troop #2216
Service Unit 544
Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarships are funded from proceeds from the United We Lead Gala.
Girl Scout President's Volunteer Service Award
Service Unit 207
Gold | Abygail Bagby | Troop #191
Gold | Madelyn Eapen | Troop #191
Gold | Khloe Manno | Troop #191
Gold | Michaela Wentz | Troop #191
Bronze | Kyleigh Bagby | Troop #74
Bronze | Athena Dardeen | Troop #74
