Gold Award Orientation Girl Scouts of Western Washington Gold Award Orientation

Agenda Genesys Overview Introductions and Group Agreement Overview of the Award Understanding Discover, Connect, Take Action How do I get started? What are my responsibilities? When should I start? Where do I go from here? Questions and wrap up

Using Genesys online_orientation_Gold 2012-13

Introductions Julia Ricciardi Share: What grade are you in? Where do you live? Why are you joining us for orientation? What do you hope to get out of this? Julia Ricciardi Program Manager for Highest Awards

Can we all agree to… Give our full attention to the presentation and discussions? Participate with active listening and contribute our ideas/questions? Find a quiet place in our homes or use the mute function if background noise gets loud? Utilize the emoticons to ask questions and share ideas? Anything else should we agree on?

Where did it come from? The Gold Award has its roots in early Girl Scout history—with the Golden Eaglet of Merit that was created in 1916. The highest award in Girl Scouts has always focused on leadership and service. When you earn this award, you are joining a long tradition of acclaimed women.

What is it? It’s the highest and most prestigious award a girl can earn. It challenges you to change the world—or at least your corner of it—beyond Girl Scouts. This award recognizes girls who follow the Take Action process, developing leadership and project management skills to make our world a better place. It’s more about your process, less about your number of hours.

It’s about the process! Celebrate! Complete your Prerequisites Attend the Gold Award Workshop (optional) Research, write and submit your Gold Award Proposal Receive feedback at your pre-project interview Revise your Proposal and resubmit Once your Proposal is approved, Take Action! Reflect on your experiences and measure your progress Write and submit your Final Report for review Congratulations, you’ve earned your Gold Award! Celebrate and share your story Complete prerequisites Attend Workshop Background research and prep work Write and submit GSWW proposal form Receive feedback Phone or Skype interview Revise proposal Take Action! Reflect on project Write and submit GSWW final report form Receive final approval Celebrate!

Why would I want to earn it? Your voice matters Inspire others to Take Action Explore your passions Be a role model Gain skills and access to resources Become a leader in your community

Who will notice? Recognition from Girl Scouts of Western Washington and our CEO Recognition from your troop, service unit and other girls in your region Recognition from elected officials— including the President of the United States! Gold Award Gala

Understanding: Take Action Sustainable over time Measurable using numbers Targets the root of a problem

Understanding: Sustainable Creates an innovative solution to a problem Establishes long term change Allows other people to continue benefiting for years to come Creates opportunities for other people to be involved in working towards the solution (even when you are “done” with your project)

Understanding: Sustainable Have you ever heard of “Pay it Forward”? Have you heard of a video “going viral” on the internet? Have you heard about chain letters, chain emails or phone trees? With all of these examples, one person or a few people get the ball rolling, but very soon there are lots of people all over the world who are involved!

Understanding: Sustainable Think of yourself as the person who starts the snowball at the very top of the hill…

Understanding: Sustainable Think about helpful organizations and events in your community… How were these organizations or activities started? What makes them successful overtime? How can you set up your project to continue for many years?

Understanding: Measurable When your plan is measurable, it means that you can use numbers, facts and figures to demonstrate your success. What are some aspects of a project you could measure? Number of people or animals who directly received your support or who attended your event Number of volunteers who joined your efforts Geographic diversity of your participants Opinions about your project via a survey Amount of money/resources your project saved others

Understanding: Root of the Problem Think about the root of the problem—what is causing the problem to continue happening over and over? If someone has a deep wound that won’t stop bleeding, what is the root of the problem? Can the underlying problem be fixed with a Band-Aid? If too many unwanted animals end up in shelters, what is creating all of the unwanted animals? Can the underlying problem be fixed by donating toys to the animal shelter? If there is too much litter at a local park, why does that keep happening? Can the underlying problem be fixed by picking up the trash?

Understand Take Action? Take Action projects pass a 3-step check: Will this project keep helping people/animals/the environment even after I submit my final report? Will I be able to use numbers, facts and figures to describe my success? Is my solution going deeper than a Band- Aid? Take the quiz: https://girlscouts.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0DmSMwf8s TMLooZ

How do I get started? Before you start your Gold Award, you must complete the prerequisites. Earn your Silver Award and one Senior/Ambassador Journey Earn two Senior/Ambassador Journeys or

How do I get started? Assess your community to learn about needs and resources that exist near you: Before you come up with any ideas, you need to research issues in your community—look in newspapers, listen to the radio, talk to neighbors, meet with local officials to learn what your community needs and what resources it has already. Once you have researched your community, then consider your own passions, interests, skills and talents.

How do I get started? If you think you’ve found your cause, try asking yourself these questions: Is this something I care a lot about? Is this something I get excited about? Is this something I will want to work on for many months or years? Will supporting this cause make my world a better place? If I focus on this, will I be able to learn new things and grow in unexpected ways?  

Girl-Led Gold Awards I should: My leader(s) and family should: Be the leader, call the shots Regularly communicate with my team members, including Girl Scout staff Communicate in a professional manner Identify volunteers with special skills and delegate tasks Decide on a project that is important to me Try new things and step outside my comfort zone Read and follow the guidelines from GSWW Ask for help when I do not understand or need support Live by the Girl Scout Promise and Law My leader(s) and family should: Encourage me to take on leadership roles Ask open ended questions Help with proofreading Provide moral support and encouragement Celebrate my accomplishments Help with money earning and donations Help me follow safety guidelines

Interacting with Others Expect Girl Scout staff to: Support all girls in achieving success with the best project Respond to emails and calls promptly Communicate in a friendly, approachable and professional way Provide feedback and suggestions that will help improve projects Hold everyone accountable to guidelines and standards set by GSUSA Expect your project advisor to: Have knowledge or expertise about your issue/cause Help with brainstorming Help with project management Help with proofreading

Interacting with Others Expect Highest Awards Facilitators to: Lead Gold Award Online Orientations—like this one right now! Lead in-person Gold Award Workshops Provide accurate information about the Gold Award process within Girl Scouts of Western Washington Help girls and adults find additional resources or connect with staff who can answer more specific questions Expect Highest Awards Review Committee to: Care about your project, your passions and your goals Provide you constructive feedback to help you grow Provide you constructive feedback to help you meet all Gold Award guidelines Be supportive and approachable during interviews, etc.

When should I start? As soon as possible! The most successful Gold Award projects take at least one full year to earn. Make time for your prerequisites Consider your other time commitments— sports teams, school clubs, work, family commitments, prom, etc. Your final report must be approved before September 30 of the calendar year you graduate (before you start college) NO EXCEPTIONS

Where do I go from here? Complete prerequisites Attend a Gold Award Workshop (in-person opportunity to get started on your project) Visit our website for resources (www.GirlScoutsWW.org) Ask questions GoldAwards@GirlScoutsWW.org 800-767-6845 ext. 1233

YOU Up for a challenge? have a voice that matters. have confidence. have other girls looking up to you. have important goals to achieve. are a leader. can make our world a better place. YOU

Questions?