Glossary
Girl Scouts have lots of fun words to describe Girl Scouting, but only a few have been submitted yet.
Submit a word for the glossary!
Annual Giving
An annual opportunity for families and friends to financially contribute to Girl Scouts of Western Washington.
Annual Meeting
An annual meeting of GSWW delegates held in the first quarter of the year to vote on bylaws, elect board of director members and to report on the state of the council.
Badge/Badges
When a girl completes a set of similar projects from her handbook, this is what she earns, which is sewn onto her vest or sash.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Western Washington is a group of community members whose role is governance of the council's legal and fiduciary issues.
Bridging
Progression from one Girl Scout program grade level to the next.
Bronze Award
The highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can achieve. Girl Scout Bronze award recipients receive a Bronze Award pin.
Campus Girl Scouts
An adult Girl Scout group comprised of college students.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The official responsible for administering the activities and business affairs of GSWW. Grace Chien, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Western Washington; Girl Scouts of Western Washington Chief Executive Officer Grace Chien.
Cookie Sale
Annual fund raiser in which girls learn business and social skills and accept financial responsibility by selling Girl Scout Cookies. The annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale begin February 20.
Council
A local jurisdiction chartered by the national Girl Scouts office to deliver Girl Scout program at a local level. Girl Scouts of Western Washington is one of three councils in Washington and more than 110 nationwide. A Girl Scout council; Girl Scouts of Western Washington.
Council President
The president of the Board of Directors. Nancy Wittenberg, Council President; Girl Scouts of Western Washington President of Board of Directors Nancy Wittenberg.
Council-sponsored
An event sponsored by Girl Scouts of Western Washington for all girls who are members. These events can be found in the Girl Event Guide and the Summer Camp Brochure.
Councilwide
Used when referring to girls participating in an event from all the regions. i.e.: The Girl Scouts Cookie Sale is held councilwide.
Delegate
A voting member of Girl Scouts of Western Washinton, 14 years of age or older. Charged with electing Board of Director members and National Council Delegates.
Dunk Bag
A net bag, holding washed dishes and eating utensils, which is dunked into hot water before being hung to dry.
Executive Director
See Chief Executive Officer
Fly-up
What a Brownie Girl Scout does when she bridges to Junior Girl Scouts.
Friendship Circle
Standing in a circle, each person crosses her/his right hand over her left. Then she/he holds hands with the person standing on either side of them.
Friendship Squeeze
The person in the friendship circle starts the friendship squeeze. When you feel your hand squeezed, you put your right foot into the circle and then squeeze the hand on the other side of you. Everyone is silent as the friendship squeeze is passed around the circle. It stands for friendship with Girl Scouts everywhere. Once everyone has felt the squeeze everyone says: "Goodnight Girl Scouts!" and turns to the right under their right arms never letting go hands until you are facing out.
Girl Scouts' Birthday
Celebrated annually on March 12 in honor of the first Girl Scout troop started in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia.
Girl Scout Cookie Sale
The annual fund raiser in which girls learn business and social skills and accept financial responsibility by selling Girl Scout cookies. The annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale begins February 20.
Girl Scout Court of Awards
A meeting set aside, typically at the end of the year, to recognize the achievements of each troop member for the year. Some troops hold this meeting quarterly or twice a year.
Girl Scout Gold Award
The highest honor a Senior Girl Scout can achieve
Girl Scout Gold Award recipients receive a Gold Award pin.
Girl Scout Law
A pledge that members make to themselves and to their fellow Girl Scouts when they join Girl Scouts. See page one of the Council Guide for entirety.
Girl Scout Leader
An adult volunteer mentor who delivers enriching program experiences to girls. See troop leader.
Girl Scout Leader, The
A magazine printed by GSUSA for leaders and other adult registered members.
Girl Scout Membership Categories
Daisy Girl Scouts (ages 5 or Kindergarten).
Brownie Girl Scouts (ages 6-8 or grades 1-3)
Junior Girl Scouts (ages 8-11 or grades 3-6)
Cadette Girl Scouts (ages 11-14 or grades 6-9)
Senior Girl Scouts (ages 14-18 or grades 9-12)
Never use "Daisies". For all other age groups, use all three words on first reference, then first word (i.e. Brownies) on second reference.
Girl Scout Mission
The official Girl Scout mission states: “The purpose of the Girl Scout Movement is to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens.”
Girl Scout Motto
“Be prepared.”
Girl Scout Own
A quiet ceremony with a theme planned by girls allowing them to express their deepest feelings.
Girl Scout Program
The activities and events that are provided to girls in support of Girl Scouts’ program goals. Volunteers help deliver Girl Scout program.
Girl Scout Program Goals
The four Girl Scout program goals are: developing values, relating to others, contributing to society, and developing self-esteem.
Girl Scout Promise
A pledge members make to themselves and their fellow Girl Scouts when they join Girl Scouts. See page one of the Council Guide for entirety.
Girl Scout Silver Award
The highest honor a Cadette Girl Scout can achieve.
Girl Scout Silver Award recipients receive a Silver Award pin.
Girl Scout Troop
A group of girls who meet regularly to participate in Girl Scout program. A Senior Girl Scout troop; Brownie Girl Scout Troop #123.
Girl Scout Week
A weeklong celebration that begins with Girl Scout Sabbath and Girl Scout Sunday and includes the Girl Scout Birthday.
Girl Scout World Centers
Edith Macy Conference Center - located in New York
Our Cabana - located in Mexico
Our Chalet - located in Switzerland
Pax Lodge - WAGGGS office and World Center in England
Sangam - located in India
The Juliette Gordon Low Girl Scout National Center - located in Savannah, Georgia
Girl Scouts, Girl Scouting
The preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls that provides enriching experiences for girls to grow strong in mind, body and spirit. See “Who We Are” on page one of the Council Guide. NEVER: Scouts or Scouting.
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)
The national organization of America. NEVER: Girl Scouts of America.
Individual Registered Member (IRM)
Formerly known as Individual Girl Member or Individual Adult Member. A girl or adult who is unaffiliated with a troop.
IRM is acceptable on second reference.
Interest Project
Also known as Interest Project Award (IPA) or Interest Project Patch (IPP). The item that a Cadette or Senior receives when she completes a set of similar projects from her handbook.
Investiture
A ceremony in which girls are welcomed in to Girl Scouts.
Juliette Gordon Low
Founder of Girl Scouts in the United States. Her birthday is celebrated on October 31 every year.
Juliette Low World Friendship Fund (JLWFF)
A fund to which members donate money that is used to support Girl Scouts and Girl Guides throughout the world. Contributions can be sent to all regional offices.
Kaper Chart
A method for organizing “kapers,” or chores, that provides a visual reminder of the tasks that need to be completed.
Lake Armstrong
A lake at Camp Robbinswold.
Lake Bennettsen
A lake at Camp Lyle McLeod.
Lake Langlois
A lake at Camp River Ranch.
Law
See Girl Scout Law.
Leader’s Day
Celebrated annually on April 22 to honor adult mentors. Part of National Volunteers Week.
Main Office
Where the majority of the GSWW staff members work, located in Seattle. NEVER: headquarters or head office.
Membership Development Manager
A staff member who manages the membership recruitment and program delivery within an assigned area, overseeing several service units.
National Board of Directors
A group of community members whose role is governance of legal and fiduciary issues, not the deliverance of program, at the national level.
National Council Delegate
Registered members ages 14 or older elected to represent Girl Scouts of Western Washington at national conventions.
National Meeting
A meeting of all the council delegates and representatives.
National Nominating Committee
Community members who make recommendations for national board of directors members.
Nominating Committee
Nine community members who make recommendations for board of director members.
Opportunity Fund
A financial assistance program for registered Girl Scout members to participate in program activities.
Patch/Patches
Similar to badges, but received for participating in a fun event or activity. Does not require work from the program level handbooks.
Policy Input Bodies
Made up of registered members ages 14 and older who elect delegates and respond to plans, policies and other matters considered by the board of directors.
Program
See Girl Scout program.
Promise
See Girl Scout Promise.
Quiet Sign
Signal for silence, where one person raises their right hand and others respond by raising their right hands and ceasing to talk.
Rededication
A ceremony reconfirming a girl or adult’s dedication and membership in Girl Scouting.
Safety-Wise
This book is the basic safety guide for girls and adults in Girl Scouting. It is produced by GSUSA and can be purchased in the GSWW store.
Senior Planning Board (SPB)
A group of Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts who plan events for the young adults of GSWW.
Service Center
Now know as Regional Office
Located in Dupont, Bellevue, Aberdeen, Marysville, Clinton, Burlington, Bellingham, Bremerton, Seattle, Renton, and Longview.
Service Team Member
A volunteer who serves in a leadership role for other volunteers in the service unit.
Service Unit
A specific geographic area and the Girl Scouts within it—all leaders, troops/groups, and girls there. Each Girl Scout belongs to the service unit in her area. Regional offices serve the service units located in their region.
Slogan
“Do a good turn daily.”
Sponsorship
An organization who donates money or goods, such as meeting space or supplies to a troop.
Tag-a-long
A non-registered individual attending a Girl Scout activity. (Also a Girl Scout cookie)
Thinking Day
Annual celebration on February 22 in honor of Lord and Lady Baden Powell, founders of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in England.
Trefoil
The international symbol of WAGGGS. The three leaves represent the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise.
Try-It
The item that a Brownie Girl Scout receives when she completes a set of similar projects from her handbook. See Badge/Badges.
Troop
See Girl Scout Troop.
Troop Dues
Each troop individually agrees on an amount that each girl will bring to a meeting to help fund troop activities. Troop dues stay within the troop.
Troop Leader
See Girl Scout Leader.
United Way
A non-profit agency that raises money for other non-profit organizations who are members. All materials MUST have the words A United Way Agency printed clearly on them.
Voluntarism
Refers to the activities of agencies & organizations.
Volunteer
A person who donates their time and services. Place the word “volunteer” before the word “staff” when they occur near each other.
Volunteerism
Refers to the activities of an individual volunteer.
Web Site
www.girlscoutsww.org
Program and camp availability, adult educational opportunities, and general Girl Scout info can be found on our council web site.
Wider Opportunity
Special travel opportunities for Senior Girl Scouts, often in the summer. The Wider Opportunity Committee chose three Senior Girl Scouts to attend a wider op this summer.
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) The association is made up of all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides throughout the world.
Young Adults
The term refers to young women at the Cadette and Senior level of Girl Scouts.