Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is one of 150 Girl Scout councils that make up Girl Scouts of the USA - the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio serves over 50,000 girls in a 32 county area in western Ohio and southeast Indiana. More than 16,000 trained adult volunteers work to provide services and deliver the program to girls. A volunteer board of directors governs the council.

MISSION

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

GOALS

• Girls understand themselves and their values.

• Girls use their knowledge and skills to explore the world.

• Girls care about, inspire, and team with others locally and globally.

• Girls act to make their world a better place.

STRATEGIES

In August-September, 2007, the Organizational Survey of Culture & Services was distributed by U.S. mail & e-mail to a random sample of volunteers in the four merging west Ohio councils: Appleseed Ridge, Buckeye Trails, Great Rivers & Maumee Valley. Phone follow-up resulted in 330 total responding volunteers (62% response rate).

Volunteer survey respondents identified themselves as approximately 2% “African American/Black”, 1% “Multi-ethnic” and 94% “Caucasian/White”.

Volunteers represent 160 zip codes, over 2,000 years of combined service and a mean tenure of 6.56 years. They include troop, administrative & other positions. Thirty-five percent (35%) hold multiple Girl Scout volunteer positions.

What is MOST IMPORTANT to West Ohio Girl Scout Volunteers?

At least 95% of volunteers named 5 of top 10 as “mostly/extremely” important:

1. Focus on girls’ growth (mission).

2. Focus on girls’ needs, interests, etc., in Girl Scout activities.

3. That those involved, including themselves, have fun.

4. That they have the skills to work effectively with girls.

5. That they have timely information.

At least 90% of volunteers named 5 of top 10 as “mostly/extremely” important:

1. That information clearly explains what is expected.

2. That there are enough volunteers to accomplish goals and objectives.

3. That they have efficient access to needed information.

4. Being well-trained for what is expected of them.

5. Having program resources available (overall) when & where they are needed.

What is MOST TRUE for West Ohio Girl Scout Volunteers?

At least 80% of volunteers named 6 conditions as “‘mostly/ extremely” true:

1. Those involved, including themselves, have fun.

2. They have the skills to work effectively with girls.

3. They feel like they can make a difference.

4. Focus on girls’ growth (mission).

5. They have the skills to work effectively with adults.

6. Activities meet the needs, interests, concerns & wishes of girls.

Where are Importance/Truth GAPS?

The following are highly important to volunteers but, there are “gaps” (≥ 20%) with what is mostly/extremely true:

1. Access to timely information that clearly explains what is expected.

2. Having enough volunteers to accomplish goals and objectives.

3. Overall availability of program resources when and where they are needed.

4. Efficiency & effectiveness of methods used to offer the Girl Scout program to girls.

5. Effectiveness and efficiency of community relationships - more meaningful roles played in the community, improved family relationshipsand increased financial support.

6. Efficiency and effectiveness of governance, service delivery and program delivery methods -better use of volunteers’ time, more voices being heard and opportunities for input/feedback.

Where is action needed?

Highly important conditions to continue are the following:

1. Focus on mission and the Girl Scout program design, including attention to girls’ interests/needs, girl-adult partnerships and fun activities.

2. Selection and placement of adults with skills to work with girls and adults.

Highly important services or conditions to increase are the following:

1. Access to timely information that clearly explains what is expected of adults.

2. Recruitment & selection of enough volunteers to accomplish goals and objectives.

3. Overall availability of program resources when and where they are needed.

4. Efficiency & effectiveness of methods used to offer the Girl Scout program to girls.

5. Effectiveness and efficiency of community relationships to result in more meaningful roles played in the community, improved family relationships and increased financial support.

6. Efficiency and effectiveness of governance, service delivery and program delivery methods to result in better use of volunteers’ time and more voices being heard, with opportunities for input and feedback.