Frequently Asked Questions How long will the realignment process take? When will the new council be formed? The realignment process for the merging greater LA Area councils, which began in October, 2007, is projected to take 14 months. The new council is expected to be formed by December 1, 2008. What is the Council Realignment Committee (CRC)? The Council Realignment Committee is the group charged with leading the merger process. It is composed of board chairs, an additional board member, and CEOs from each of the legacy councils. The committee will establish subcommittees, conduct a due diligence review, and present a blueprint of the new council to each council’s board of directors for endorsement. Will there be opportunities for committee involvement or feedback? The Council Realignment Committee (CRC) will appoint core subcommittees in areas including governance, finance, human resources, communications, CEO search, information technology, among others. Throughout the process input will be sought from members and community groups. Online surveys will be a possible feedback mechanism on the realignment news Web site. How will the Chief Executive Officer of the new council be selected? The CEO Search Committee has contracted with Morris and Berger, a Glendale, CA search firm specializing in not-for-profit executive searches. They are currently conducting a national search to select the Chief Executive Officer, with the goal of naming the CEO no less than three months prior to December 1, 2008. How will delegates be involved? Ongoing communication includes delegate meetings and forums (check your council’s calendar), and periodic online surveys. A final delegate vote will be taken closer to the merger completion on the following, but not limited to: the plan and agreement to merge, bylaws and articles of incorporation, slate of new Board and Board Development Committee, headquarters location, and council name. How is the new council name going to be decided? The official council name will be Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. This name satisfies the guidelines established by GSUSA and reflects the geographic region that the new council will serve. GSUSA established the following guidelines: 1. Start with the name Girl Scouts, for easy identification, 2. Include a regional reference, for easy identification, 3. Utilize a name that is new to the realigning councils, for a fresh start. Why is Girl Scouts of the USA realigning councils? Girls Scouts of the USA is reorganizing councils to create the infrastructure necessary to prepare for the future of the Movement.  This realignment will result in the optimal impact on leadership development for the largest number of girls and significantly increase the number of volunteers participating in Girl Scouting. It will eliminate redundancies, while focusing more resources on programs, membership, development and volunteerism. Councils are being realigned to ensure girls in urban, suburban, and rural areas have the same opportunity to participate in top quality Girl Scouts programs.  The positive result of this capacity building process is the creation of "high capacity" councils that will: 1. Attract more volunteers and leaders who inspire, prioritize, provide direction, and innovate, all in an effort to achieve the organization's aspirations.   2. Respond adaptively and exhibit a high degree of flexibility in the utilization of media access, personnel, property, and other combined resources and funding. 3. Exhibit seamless integration and coordination among departments, programs and service delivery across a broad area and diverse populations. 4. Possess the ability to design and implement superior organizational functions that maximize services for the girls, adult members and other constituents. Other proven benefits of merged councils are the incorporation of diverse populations, combined resources to equalize benefits to all members, economies of scale allowing more funds to go to program services, and reduction of competition for funding and other community partnerships and resources. Here in the Greater Los Angeles area, we will be combining to form a new high-performance Girl Scout council. In this realignment we will offer some of the same programs girls have always enjoyed, and add even more exciting and rewarding opportunities.  We are delighted to share this news with you, and we welcome your continued support. Over the next few years, two key changes will occur. First, the organization is revitalizing the Girl Scout program age levels, redefining what leadership means for girls, and updating some activity options. Second, more impactful experiences and flexible time commitment options for volunteers will be offered. These changes are being made nationwide to ensure that Girl Scouting is a full and consistent experience. Why have the Girl Scouts decided to change now? Driven by social and economic realities and an imperative for change, Girl Scouts of the USA recently adopted a business strategy to build more strength throughout the Girl Scout Movement. As part of this initiative, councils throughout the country are realigning their boundaries to make the most effective use of resources and to offer even more program opportunities to even more girls.  Five strategic priorities now represent Girl Scouts of the USA’s focus: -Program Model and Pathways: Build the best-integrated personal leadership development model that defines activities and outcomes, differentiated by age-level, for girls 5-17, and offers flexible pathways for participation. -Volunteerism: Develop a nimble, state of the art model of volunteerism that mobilizes a variety of volunteers committed to the Girl Scout Mission. -Brand: Transform the Girl Scout image with a compelling, contemporary brand. -Funding: Substantially increase contributed income to fund a vibrant Girl Scout organization. -Organizational Structure and Governance: Realign the 312 councils nationwide into approximately 110 high-capacity councils, creating an efficient and more effective organizational structure and democratic governance system. How will my daughter's Girl Scout troop be affected? Your daughter will remain in the same troop she is in, or as always, may choose to join a new troop at the end of the membership year. To prevent duplication of troop numbers, current troop numbers will have one or two numbers added to the suffix to create a 5-digit troop number. Each council has been assigned a number that will be listed last in the troop number. (e.g., Troop 501 from one council will become Troop 50101, while Troop 501 from another council will become 50102, and so on. Troop 1440 would become Troop 14401 or Troop 14402, and so on). Troops will have a transition time to update numbers, such as when the troop bridges to another level. The most exciting immediate news is that the new council will have the ability to pool volunteer and staff resources. This change will enable Girl Scouts to increase the number of program events offered and the locations in which they are offered, while affording all girls the chance to meet more Girl Scouts from throughout the region. How will this affect which camps and properties my daughter attends? The best news is that we will be able to offer more events, in more locations, and will be able to provide new offerings that give girls the opportunity to meet more friends. Because our first priority will be the smooth transition of members and operations, all properties will be reviewed at a later time to determine the most appropriate use of resources. Where will meetings and trainings be held? The practice of conducting trainings at various locations throughout the council jurisdiction will continue. New opportunities in different locations, online workshops and services, and more, will be enhanced. In preparation for the realignment, the six legacy Girl Scout councils have been meeting to determine the best practices currently in place and to think even more broadly to create the optimal services and programs for the new council. Every aspect of service to girl and adult members is being examined and discussed. All input from girls, volunteers, and staff is being considered. Decisions will be made in the best interest of all concerned. The new council will depend on the valued contributions of adult volunteers. Where do we now go to purchase Girl Scout items? The current Girl Scout Shop locations will remain the same. How will the Girl Scout Cookie Program change? The Girl Scout Cookie Program will remain the premier Business and Economic Literacy Program for girls. All Girls Scouts who want to do so will be able to take part. Work will soon be underway to arrange and plan for the 2009 Cookie Program for what is estimated to be a 45,000 girl council.