Local sponsors can help councils power innovative programs for Girl
Scouts. Community organizations, businesses, religious organizations,
and individuals may be sponsors and may provide group meeting places,
volunteer their time, offer in-kind donations, provide activity
materials, or loan equipment. Encourage your girls to celebrate a
sponsor?s contribution to the troop by sending thank-you cards,
inviting the sponsor to a meeting or ceremony, or working together on
a Take Action project.
For information on working with a sponsor, contact the GSSEF
Customer Care department-they can give you guidance on the
availability of sponsors, recruiting guidelines, and any
council policies or practices that must be followed. GSSEF may already
have relationships with certain organizations or may know of some
reasons not to collaborate with certain organizations.
For more information on this topic, contact the Customer Care
department at customercare@gssef.org
or call 561-427-0177.
When collaborating with any other organization,
keep these additional guidelines in mind:
Avoid fundraising for other organizations
Girl Scouts are not allowed to solicit money on behalf of
another organization when identifying themselves as Girl Scouts by
wearing a uniform, a sash or vest, official pins, and so on. This
includes participating in a walkathon or telethon while in uniform.
However, you and your group can support another organization through
Take Action projects. Girl Scouts as individuals are able to
participate in whatever events they choose as long as they're not
wearing anything that officially identifies them as "Girl
Scouts."
Steer clear of political fundraisers
When in an official
Girl Scout capacity or in any way identifying yourselves as Girl
Scouts, your group may not participate, directly or indirectly, in any
political campaign or work on behalf of or in opposition to a
candidate for public office. Letter-writing campaigns are not allowed,
nor is participating in a political rally, circulating a petition, or
carrying a political banner.
Be respectful when collaborating with religious organizations
Girl Scout groups must respect the opinions and practices of
religious partners, but no girl should be required to take part in any
religious observance or practice of the sponsoring group.
Avoid selling or endorsing commercial products
Commercial
products are any product sold at a retail location. Since 1939, girls
and volunteers have not been allowed to endorse, provide a testimonial
for, or sell such products.