The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a digital resource that supports troop leaders and co-leaders, making the process of running a troop easier and more efficient. Troop leaders can plan the troop’s calendar year, email parents with one click, record meeting attendance and more! Parents can also view what badges or Journeys their Girl Scout is working on and troop finances. Read on for ten tips on how to utilize the VTK!

Tip #1: Organize Your Troop Roster

You can find troop rosters and parent/guardian contact info for each girl in the My Troop Tab. Here you can also renew girl membership.

Tip #2: Register for Council Activities

Register girls of all Girl Scout levels for council activities by clicking “Add Activity” in the Year Plan tab! From there select “Council Activity,” select the activity you want, and proceed through the registration process. The activities will then populate in the Year Plan calendar!

Tip #3: Communicate with Parents

Send customizable, pre-populated emails to parents to share the year plan, remind them of upcoming meetings and other important information.

Tip #4: Get Parents Involved!

Encourage parents to stay engaged with their girl’s Girl Scout experience by getting on the VTK to view the year plan and meeting agendas. Also, parents can conveniently update contact information and renew their girl in the My Troop tab.

 

Tip #5: Exclusive Content

The newest Journeys, Think Like an Engineer, Think Like a Citizen Scientist, Think Like a Programmer for Daisy through Junior, and the Outdoor Journey for all Girl Scout levels are found exclusively on the VTK.

Tip #6: Multi-Level Troops

Leaders with multi-level troops, grades K-5, will find curriculum and tips written specifically for multi-level troops. They can choose from any of the 3 STEM Journeys, Think Like an Engineer, Think Like a Programmer and Think Like a Citizen Scientist.

Tip #7: Resources for Older Girls

Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops will find the new Outdoor Journey guide by opening the “Year Plan Overview” PDF on the Year Plan Library.

Tip #8: Use the VTK to Best Fit Your Needs

There are plenty of resources and functions in the VTK, but not every troop will use every resource or function available. Some troops may use the Finance Tab and My Troop Tab to manage finances and troop rosters only, while others are looking for step by step meeting guides. Both are getting the resources they want!

Tip #9: The VTK is Mobile-Friendly

Use your phone’s internet browser to pull up girlscouts.org, and then enter your login for MyGS. For even easier access, pin the site to your home screen on your phone or tablet going to “menu” then “add to home screen.”

Tip #10: Get Girls Outside!

Look for the tree icon next to some agenda items in the Meeting Plan tab to turn that activity into an outdoor experience.