Community Action Member - AmeriCorps: Girl Scouts Skills for Life

Girl Scouts Community Action Members: Girl Scouts Skills for Life (GSSL)

Girl Scouts of Western Washington is hosting full-time AmeriCorps members from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2011. Member volunteers receive an annual $11,800 living allowance (paid bi-weekly over the course of your service period), health care, valuable training and experience, and a $5,350 education award issued at completion of successful service to assist in payment of student loans or tuition. For more information about AmeriCorps, click here.

How to Apply: Complete your AmeriCorps application at https://my.americorps.gov or you may request an application via postal mail by contacting Genell Hennings, (253) 279-5546 (cell) or (800) 541-9852 x-418 (office) Once the AmeriCorps application is complete, send a resume and cover letter to Genell Hennings at ghennings@girlscoutsww.org.

About working with Girl Scouts of Western Washington’s Outreach program: AmeriCorps members will be directed by Girl Scouts of Western Washington. Members will dedicate eleven months to leading Girl Scout troops in underserved areas of Pierce County. Troop meeting sites will be identified in collaboration with community organizations and schools. Full-time AmeriCorps members gain nonprofit and career experience while engaging in direct service, volunteering and capacity-building to address unmet community needs. Girl Scout AmeriCorps members will help girls create positive relationships, build their ability to protect themselves and learn life skills that will help them thrive. To learn more about Girl Scouts of Western Washington’s extensive Outreach Programs, click here.

Essential CAM GSSL CAM Functions:

Help plan and carry out troop/group program, activities, and events as outlined in the GSUSA and Girl Scouts of Western Washington policies and program materials, and in compliance with program and/or project contracts.
Serve as the second adult in troop meetings, outdoor and camping and other special events.
If authorized and qualified, help transport girls to program meetings, field trips, and other events as needed.
Help obtain program materials and supplies. Help ensure completion of forms; gathering and preparation of troop reports; and maintenance of records and such as but not limited to: troop attendance, girl and volunteer registration forms, event permission slips; and evaluation and outcome surveys.
Help conduct start-up and continuous recruitment and retention of all girls, 5–17 years old, in cooperation with agency partners and other community supporters. Help provide culturally appropriate information materials to families and girls that show the benefits of the Girl Scout program. Help invite and involve families in Girl Scout family activities and events. Help recruit and coordinate adults as troop, activity, or event volunteers from families and local community. Help conduct recognition activities in cooperation with council and agency partners.
Communicate weekly with Program Coordinators on program delivery needs and guidance.
Other duties as assigned.

Essential AmeriCorps Member Functions:

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Assist in the development of recruitment methods and program retention.

Collaborate with Program staff on recruitment strategies.
Complete troop member evaluation and measurement surveys.

2. Programming support

Provide ongoing support to girls, community and agency partners.
Perform program-related administrative duties.
Actively participate in programs as both a troop leader and a representative of GSWW.
Coordinate site project needs in conjunction with the Program Director and/or Area Manager.

3. Community Service

Actively participate in all team meetings, community service activities and projects.
Promote community and national service in community through projects and purposeful volunteer recruitment activities.
Make a significant contribution to the success of Team Legacy Service Project.
Develop and Display leadership and team player characteristics in Team community service activities and projects as appropriate to specific projects, planning and committee work.
In addition to the above performs other duties as assigned. (I.e. Inter-Departmental “cross-program support and development”)

Qualifications:

Strong interpersonal skills to work with children and adults from diverse backgrounds.
Proficient in English, both oral and written.
Computing skills preferred: Word, Excel, data-entry, flyer design.
Knowledge of youth development.
Willing to become an adult Girl Scout member.
Proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Current Washington Driver’s License.
Satisfactory results from criminal background check and other searches required by HR.
Willingness to complete or update Girl Scout leadership training, and other relevant training.
Ability to lift at least thirty pounds of program materials.
Dependable means of transportation to program sites.

Applicants must:

Be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident and at least 18 years of age and provide proof of ability to work in the United States (i.e. US Birth Certificate or US Passport)
Commit to an eleven to twelve month time frame, minimum of 1700 hours, beginning September 01, 2010
Be able to serve between the hours of Noon to 8 pm and serve on weekends occasionally.
Have satisfactory results from a Criminal History Background Check and Fingerprinting
Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.