Guiding Senior Girl Scouts through Take Action Completion & on to Gold

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Journey Project Info

Final session - PARENT/LEADER TALK
Since post journey take action project follow up  is the responsibility of the girl and her parent or troop leader, I request that  one adult per girl (or troop)  attend  the final half hour of the session to gain tips on guiding the girls through journey  take action project  completion as well as tips for going on to the Gold Award.

​TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN PARENT/LEADER TALK
Journey Take Action Project follow up including : 
        Evaluating plans & guiding girls through the project
        An overview of the project planning process and criteria. (SMART PLANNING)
​        Timelines for completion
​        Troubleshooting
​        How the journey project relates to Gold.
Going on to the Gold Award including: 
        Understanding the difference between community service and taking action
​        How to help the girls choose a an issue
​        An overview of the process
​        Tips from a Gold Interviewer on how to get your project approved.
         Links to Gold Award planning resources
​        Info about scholarship opportunities and National Gold Award Girl Scout

LEADER/PARENT PREPARATION FOR FINAL SESSION  -
I  cover a lot of info in a short amount of time.  If you would like to prepare, please read the following pages under TAKE ACTION PROJECTS as well as the FAQ below. I will have hard copies of some of these.

Going on to the Gold Award

Resources at GSOC Girl Scouts of Orange County
All things Gold in GSOC  www.girlscoutsoc.org
to Navigate form the home page >  about girl scouts > our program >highest awards >click on the picture of the Gold Award pin.
Direct link - http://www.girlscoutsoc.org/en/about-girl-scouts/our-program/highest-awards/gold-award.html.  
On this page you will find:
Links to resources you need to get started
  • Gogoldonline application (use the link where you must create an account)
  • Girl Scout Gold Award Process: A Guide to "Go Gold" in OC
  • Gold Award Dates to Remember (Application deadlines, Interview & final report dates)
  • Gold Award Project Proposal Support (Pre-interview meeting with Gold Award committee)
Links to resources you need once your Gold Award is complete
  • Gold Award Materials Request Form Pin, Regalia, & Notebook
  • National Gold Award Girl Scout info (formerly NYWOD)

Required Gold Award Training.  Check the GSOC training calendar for dates
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​Resources  on workshops4girls.com
For the most current info check this page when you are ready to start your proposal. direct link http://www.workshops4girls.com/gold-award.html
On this page, you will find:
  • Links to GSUSA & GSOC resources and the online Gold Application used by GSOC
  • A Gold Award Interviewer's Guide to filling out a Gold Award Proposal
  • The Seven Steps to Gold Award Expanded to include:
    • A general overview of the process
    • Tips on how to pick a project, create a team,
    • Interview tips, including a list of common reasons that projects get sent back for improvements.
My Pinterest GA page https://www.pinterest.com/workshops4girls/gold-award-inspiration/
 Helpful resources from other councils.
  • FAQ
  • ​FOR THIS WEEK
    What needs to be done by the final session? 
    Project plans should be completed and turned in or emailed to me for final approval.  They should be practicing their individual 30 second elevator speech (Verbal project description) 
  • What if a scout - missed the project planning session? changed their idea ? changed group members?
    They can download a new project planning worksheet.  See Links above for planning tools for specific journeys.
    If they missed, they need to contact girls from their troop if they want to join their project or create a solo project.
  • I sent my daughter to this journey, but I’m not the leader do I have to attend the final session?
     Please attend so that an adult is aware of the steps needed to complete the project , then have the scout give a copy of her Take Action Plan to her Leader. 

  • POST SESSION FOLLOW UP
    How can the girls share information/work together if they are from different troops?
    The girls working in mixed troop groups should have exchanged contact information and divided responsibilities.  That is included in their project plan. In addition, look at the How to Upload Your Video page.  Included on that page:  
       1.   How girls from different troops can share files to work together
       2.   How to get finished videos to me to be uploaded to the Workshops4girls YouTube channel
       3.   Supported YouTube file formats.
       4.   How to convert  a Power Point Presentation to a YouTube compatible format.

    What if they are in a group and it doesn’t work out?
    Sometimes communication breaks down or girls don’t follow through.  The most important thing to remember is that your scout’s Take Action Project is her responsibility !!  I have seen have mixed troop groups that are quite successful & some that never communicate after the last session.  Open a dialog with your scout about contingency plans.  Learning to re-adjust when your “best laid plans” fall through is a difficult, but valuable lesson.

    How do I know when their project is complete?
    A Take Action Project has no required timeline or number of hours.  It depends on the girl’s schedules and scope of their project.  I have had girls wrap them in a few weekends or girls that spent several months.  The project is done when they meet the goals they set in their written plan.

    When do they have to complete it? 
    A senior level journey take action project must be completed by Sept 30 after their 10th grade year OR before they put in their Gold Award Proposal.

    How Big Should the Journey Take Action Project be?
    A senior level Take Action Project is meant to be a mini Gold Award.  The project should challenge them. They should become an expert and an advocate on their topic. They should examine the root cause of the problem they are addressing and their project should be aimed at a solution.  Their project should result in a measurable positive change.  It is not required to be sustainable. 
    Only Gold Award Projects require sustainability.
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​         My troop made a video & posted it.  Are they done ?
  • A note about PSA (Public Service Announcements) video, blogs, websites, etc.
    Filming & posting a video or creating a website is not a Take Action Project.  They are tools that can be used as part of the project.
    Once the video, website, blog, etc. is completed and posted, it is up to the girls to do a media blitz to get the word out about their project.   They should use their video or blog as a focal point during presentations to groups, scout troops,  at school or events.
     A senior level Take Action Project is meant to be a mini Gold Award.  The girls should be educated on their subject, become an advocate and use their project to create awareness of the topic to make a measurable positive change. 

    Who approves/supervises the completion of their Journey Project ?
    After our final meeting, the journey transitions into a partnership with you & the girls as you guide them through the completion of their project.  Since you are attending the last session and should have a clear understanding of the girl’s plan, it is not a requirement that I “approve” their project at the end, but  I am available of you have questions or need guidance.      You can also have them use the Take Action Project Final Report if you need something to give to your leader.

  • Final Project Approval/ Journey sign off on Gold Award Proposal
    If your scout progresses to a GOLD award proposal, you are the one who signs off the project, since you (or your leader) is the one who supervised the journey Take Action Project..  The “end” date of the journey is the day they meet their final measurable goal from their plan.          ​