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Thank you for your interest in Girl Scouts of Alaska. Girl Scouts of Alaska (GSAK) is one of 111 councils nationwide chartered by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA). As part of GSUSA, the largest organization for girls in the world, Girl Scouts of Alaska develops strength of character and self-confidence in girls, allowing them to become leaders in their communities and to make a difference in the world. Building on the traditional values of the Girl Scout movement, we meet the needs of girls in Alaska today.
Girl Scout programs serve girls K-12, and in Alaska, we have nearly 3,000 members in the council. We offer day camp, resident camp, STEM programs, badge bursts, overseas travel opportunities, outdoor exploration, traditional troop-based activities, and individual paths to leadership development. Girl Scouts provides a safe, inclusive environment for Alaska's diverse population of girls. GSAK has close to 1,000 adult members/volunteers, and 20 professional staff members working throughout the council’s territory.
We need volunteers willing to think big and who can commit to being part of our success. Girl Scouts of the USA is over 110 years old, and we have done amazing things for girls and women. In 1912, our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, wanted to give girls the opportunity to move beyond the home and hearth to experience the outdoors, careers, sports, and citizenship, at a time when women were not even allowed to vote.
We are the premier girl leadership program, and our alumni is strong — 64-69% of women in the U.S. Senate are Girl Scout alums, and 53% of women business owners and CEOs learned how to be leaders in Girl Scouts. Every female secretary of state in U.S. history is a former Girl Scout: Madeleine Albright, Condoleezza Rice, and Hillary Clinton. Women are the greatest untapped leadership resource, and Girl Scouts is the proven pipeline for building women leaders.
Please look over the attached materials on GSAK and GSUSA and think about how you can help strengthen Alaska's girls by strengthening GSAK. We are looking for people to serve on our Board of Directors and board committees, as well as volunteers in program areas. There's a place for you!
What Are the Responsibilities of the Board of Directors?
- Complete a 3-year term starting October 1.
- Become a member of Girl Scouts and complete a background check yearly.
- Commit to the GSAK mission: Girl Scouts of Alaska builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Review and oversee implementation of the mission.
- Support GSAK in ensuring that programs and services are delivered in accordance with the mission, charter agreement with GSUSA, GSAK bylaws, and approved policies.
- Attend 4 Board Meetings and several committee meetings throughout the year, and prepare for meetings by reading previous committee meeting minutes and reading board packets.
- Sit on at least one committee.
- Provide strategic direction for the council.
- Make a significant and meaningful financial contribution to GSAK annually and support GSAK fundraising activities.
- Advocate for and be an ambassador to the community for GSAK.
- Approve and monitor the annual operation and capital improvements budget, and assist with securing income to ensure the financial viability of the council.
- Understand that the board is fiduciarily responsible for the council.
- Select, supervise, and support the CEO.
- Ensure the ongoing success of the Board through an annual review of its performance.
- Review input from Membership Connection Committee and, if appropriate, consider when making governance decisions.
What Are the Responsibilities of the Board Development Committee?
- Responsible for the corporate health and effectiveness of the board. Seasonally reviews bylaws and practices, and recommends changes deemed appropriate.
- Identify, cultivate, and recruit prospective Board members and BDC members.
- Prepare a single slate for Board elections and Committee membership.
- Work with Board Leadership to ensure that Board orientation, training and assessment are provided.
- In appropriate years, prepare a slate of nominees for delegates to the National Council.
You can find more information about board service in our bylaws on our Governance page.
If you have any questions or would like to be considered for a position, please contact our CEO at 907-248-2250 or contact customercare@girlscoutsalaska.org
Members of the Board Development Committee will be happy to meet with you, answer questions, and discuss how your strengths may be a good fit on the Board of Directors or a board committee. Thank you again for considering Girl Scouts of Alaska as the right place to commit your volunteer time.
The Application
Click here to submit your application.
Girl Scouts between 14 and 18 years old are also welcome to apply! Girl Members of the board serve a one-year, non-voting term. Apply here.
Process: The Board Development Committee (BDC) accepts applications for the board year-round, but they make decisions every August for the following fiscal year.
The BDC will follow up with you via phone or email.
What if I don’t get chosen to be on the board? Sometimes we have more applicants than we have openings. In addition to the board positions, we have several committees that advise the board that have members from the community. We’d love to suggest you work with our committees in addition to considering a board position.
