What is the GSUSA National Council Session/Convention? Held once every three years, the business of the National Council Session is to “hold elections, amend the Constitution, establish requirements for credentials, and shall determine the general lines of policy of the Girl Scout Movement and program by considering and acting upon proposals directed toward the fostering and improvement of Girl Scouting, by receiving and acting upon reports of its National Board of Directors, and by giving guidance to the National Board upon general lines of direction of the Movement and program”. Blue Book of Basic Documents, 2003. Where is the 2008 GSUSA National Council Session/Convention being held?Indiana Convention Center What are the dates of the 2008 GSUSA National Council Session/Convention?Thursday, October 30, through Sunday, November 2, 2008. The Opening Ceremony of the convention will take place on Thursday, October 30, beginning in the early evening and closes on Sunday, November 2, at approximately 12 Noon. Do I need to be a member of the Girl Scouts to volunteer at the GSUSA National Council Session/Convention?All volunteers must be registered Girl Scouts. Because the Girl Scout year begins Oct. 1, you must be registered for the 2008-09 Girl Scout year or be a lifetime member. Spring registration is encouraged for continuing volunteers who want to volunteer at the national convention. Do I need to be a member of a certain council to volunteer?All Indiana councils are eligible to send volunteers, including volunteers who live in another state but are part of one of the Indiana councils. Volunteer eligibility is restricted to Indiana councils. What is the age requirement to volunteer?Volunteer opportunities are open to Girl Scout adults and girl members 14 years old and older. Do I need to have a uniform?We will provide an official blue polo that can be worn with your own khakis. Or you can choose to wear your official uniform if you would like. Comfortable shoes, like tennis shoes, are recommended. Can accommodations be made for a volunteer with a disability?Reasonable accommodations will be made for any volunteer who would like to participate. Although several volunteer tasks require extensive mobility, most are not physically challenging or are easily adaptable. How long are the volunteer tasks?Volunteers are asked to work 2 to 4-hour shifts and can volunteer for more than one shift over the course of the National Council Session/Convention. Are volunteers able to attend the National Council Session/Convention free?All volunteers receive a free day pass to the National Council Session/Convention for each four-hour shift they work. If I am a National Council Session delegate, can I be a volunteer also?National Council Session delegates have a very important role and a full schedule during the National Council Session/Convention. They are not included in the general volunteer pool due to the demands upon their time during the convention. How do I register to attend the National Council Session as a volunteer and not a delegate?If you are not volunteering and would like to attend the entire National Council Session please contact Carolyn Payton at 317.924.6830. The registration fee is $245.00, age 18 and older, before the established early bird deadline of July 18, 2008. The fee for registrations received after July 18 is $275.00. The fee for ages 14 to 17, is $175.00 before July 18 and $195.00 thereafter. When will we receive hotel information?The hotel reservation process for the National Council Session will be on a first-come, first-served basis as it has been for the past several conventions. There will be no lottery instituted for the housing process. Hotel information and reservation procedures will be distributed to local councils in mid-June. GSUSA has contracted discounted rates at a number of downtown hotels for the convention. For budgeting purposes, hotel rates will range from approximately $153.00 plus tax per room per night to $236.00 plus tax per room per night, depending on the hotel and number of people in the room. A limited number of suites will also be available at higher rates. To obtain these special convention rates, reservations must be made through GSUSA’s designated housing company following the procedures you will receive by July 8. If you would like to make hotel reservation for any convention hotel contact Carolyn Payton. Please do not contact the hotels directly. Registration Fees:The registration fee for Voting Members and Members is $245.00, age 18 and older, before the established early bird deadline of July 18, 2008. The fee for registrations received after July 18 is $275.00. The fee for Voting Members and Members, age 14 to 17, is $175.00 before July 18 and $195.00 thereafter. Who can attend the National Council Session/Convention?Delegates and official visitors are determined by the local council. Both delegates and visitors must be registered members of GSUSA and be 14 years of age and older at the time of the convention. Who can visit the Hall of Exhibits, and how do we obtain Hall of Exhibit passes or day passes?As mentioned above, all full-time registered Voting Members and Members will have access to the Hall of Exhibits during the entire convention. Hall of Exhibit Passes will be sold to people age 5 and older, providing access to that venue only (no access to the National Council Session), in mid to late July. Further information regarding the purchase of Hall of Exhibit Passes will be sent to councils this summer. What are the fees for day passes and hall of exhibit passes?
Will there be a Girl Scout Leadership Institute (formerly known as the Girl Congress) and when and where will it take place?The Girl Scout Leadership Institute (formerly known as the Girl Congress) will be held Wednesday, October 29 through Thursday, October 30 prior to the start of the National Council Session. Sessions will be held at the Indianapolis Convention Center and the Westin Indianapolis Hotel. Girls in grades 6-12 who are registered members of Girl Scouts of the USA are eligible to participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Institute. Please visit http://www.girlscoutsindiana.org/gsli for more information. How do I apply?or call 317.924.6800 or email convention@girlscoutsindiana.org for more information or for an application by mail. Where do I send my application?Mail to: Convention Volunteer Coordinator, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, 1800 North Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46202 What is the application deadline?Applications will be due by October 1. Do I get to choose my volunteer tasks on the application?You will be asked to rank your preferences for days, times, and assignment options. Preferences will be noted in making assignments. Some positions may be filled on a first come, first served basis. Do I need training for my volunteer position?All volunteer positions require some orientation and training. Some volunteer positions will require training prior to convention and other positions will offer on-site training. |
