Board Candidate Application

The 2022 application period ends July 15.

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 4,000 members—37% of those girls and young women live in communities off the road system. 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—55% of women in the 115th Congress were Girl Scout alums, 73% of female senators in 2018 were 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 Girl Scouts of Alaska 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 Girl Scouts of Alaska in ensuring that programs and services are delivered in accordance with the mission, charter agreement with Girl Scouts USA, Girl Scouts of Alaska bylaws, and approved policies.
Attend 4 Board Meetings and several committee meetings throughout the year (two meetings are all-day Saturday meetings and one is a half hour teleconference meeting).
Provide strategic direction for the council.
Support fundraising activities, including making a financial contribution to Girl Scouts of Alaska annually at a level that is significant and meaningful for the board member.
Advocate for and be an ambassador to the community for Girl Scouts of Alaska.
Approve and monitor the annual operation and capital improvements budget and assist with securing income to ensure financial viability of 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 Leslie Ridle, CEO of GSAK, at 907-248-2250 or Paskvan.bonnie@dorsey.com.

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

Apply for the Board below. If you would like to submit a paper application, you can download the Adult Board Candidate Application and mail, scan, or email it CEO Leslie Ridle at lridle@girlscoutsalaska.org or 2000 West International Airport Road, C-1; Anchorage; 99502.

Apply for the Girl Board Candidate Application here.

1. What is your name and the best way to contact you?

2. Please attach your resume or bio. If you don’t have one, please tell us a little about yourself.

3. Please tell us about your interest in Girl Scouts of Alaska—why would you like to be a member of the board?

Limit response to 150 words.

4. Do you have experience in board governance or strategic thinking in the for-profit, government, or non-profit sectors? If so, please describe. If not, please describe the unique or relevant experience you have that would benefit the board and Girl Scouts.

Limit response to 150 words.

5. A critical responsibility for board members is financial support of the organization. Each board member is asked to make an annual cash donation to Girl Scouts of Alaska at a level that is meaningful to the individual. In addition, active participation in fundraising committee work, and donor cultivation may be a part of your responsibilities. Board members are also encouraged to actively support and attend special Girl Scout fundraising events. Please confirm your understanding of this aspect of board service.

Limit response to 100 words.

6. An important part of being a board member is attending board meetings. The board meets two times a year all day (February and September) and two times a year for 4-hour meetings (May and November). If you live in a community with more than one board member, we strongly encourage in-person attendance at regular board meetings for a variety of reasons, but telephonic participation from time-to-time is acceptable. There are occasional shorter meetings to address time-sensitive issues. You would be encouraged to be on a standing committee and those take about 4 hours a month. Do you think you can attend most of the meetings?

Limit response to 150 words.

7. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you and your interest in serving on the board?

Limit response to 150 words.

Questions? Email CEO Leslie Ridle at lridle@girlscoutsalaska.org or BDC Chair Bonnie Paskvan at Paskvan.Bonnie@Dorsey.com.

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 deadline for this fiscal year’s applications is July 15th.

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.

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