1. CRG Updates
The Council Resource Guide (CRG): Volunteer Essentials is located online at

2. New Appearance Each chapter has an identifying Color! Interactive PDF
Higher Quality Paper
Full bleed with visible tabs on the side for easy reference
Updated webpages throughout every chapter
The CRG has been redesigned and has a new Appearance!
Each chapter has its own color so it is easier to identify chapters.
Print copies have a full bleed with visible tabs on the side for easy reference.
Interactive PDF
Higher quality paper!
Print copies will be available in all areas between September 5-15.
GSNorCal launched a new web site in April 2014.
All hyperlinks and (in some cases) form names have been updated throughout the CRG to match these changes.

3. Quick Start Guide/GSNorCal
Store hours have changed at a few locations
Property Rental chart updated
New: Whistleblower Procedures
Store hours have changed in some locations. Please call or check the website for updated hours at each office. (page 6)
High-Risk is now called High-Adventure (page 17 & 88)
There have been a few changes with approved activities. See Chapter 4: Safety Wise slide for more information on these changes.
Service Unit Trip or High-Adventure Activities (page 17 & 89)
If your service unit hosts an event/trip that includes a high-adventure activity and/or lasts 3 nights or more, you must receive approval from the council at least one month prior to the activity.
To receive approval, please complete the High- Adventure section on the Event Notification Form for Service Units.
The Event Manager will receive a response regarding approval within 3-10 business days of submitting the request.
Property Rental chart has been updated (page 19)
New – GSNorCal Whistleblower Procedures for anonymous reporting to the council. (page 21)

4. Chapter 1: Volunteering With Girl Scouts
Updates to Volunteer Mgmt. Policy Adult Screening:
There is no volunteer application
There are no conditional clearances
Volunteer screening is a one-step process: electronic background check.
There is no volunteer application.
There is no fingerprinting option.
Revised step-by-step process for Becoming a Volunteer (page 25)
Revised step-by-step Adult Membership Registration Instructions (page 27)
Revised Background Check (screening) process (page 28)
All new volunteers and any volunteers who completed the electronic background check in or before are required to complete screening.
Electronic background checks must be repeated every three years.
There is no longer a fingerprinting option for screening, however, volunteers who previously completed their background check by fingerprinting do not have to complete their screening again if there has been no lapse in volunteering from one membership year to another.
New instructions for Volunteer Learning Opportunities (page 31)
There is a checklist for each volunteer role located at:
New chart shows additional volunteer support opportunities (page 37)

5. Chapter 2: National Girl Scout Program
New resources for Bronze, Silver & Gold Award
Council’s Own & the Pen Pal program are no longer available as they are being revised
Terminology Change – Community Camps are now called Volunteer-Run Camps
Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards have online trainings and new downloadable resources (page 57)
The Council’s Own program is being revamped over the next few years to fit the new national standard set by GSUSA. (page 58)
GSNorCal is in the process of creating 10 badge themes with an individual badge per theme/per age level.
The old program is no longer available.
More information will be released in the Monday Mailing as the program is developed.
The Pen Pal program is on hold while we revamp the process for matching troops with today’s technology. More information will be released in the Monday Mailing as the program is developed. (Please note: the current CRG no longer mentions the Pen Pal program).
Terminology change – Community Camps are now called Volunteer-Run Camps.

6. Chapter 3: Meeting With Girls & Adults
General clarifications throughout the chapter, including obtaining Certificates of Insurance for meeting places which includes a new online form
General clarifications throughout the chapter
Certificates of Insurance language was clarified and a new online form/process has been established for submitting requests. (page 67)
Please use the new online system and eliminate any old pdf versions that you have in your files.

7. Chapter 4: Safety-Wise High-Adventure activity update
Clarifications for the Trip/Travel process/checklist
New: Event Notification Form for service units
High-Adventure Activities – formerly called high-risk (page17 & 88)
Name change is to reflect the fun nature of these activities.
Due to a national policy change with GSUSA, the following High-Adventure activities (formerly called High-Risk) are NO longer approved for Girl Scouts (page17 or 88):
Trapeze,
Tomahawk/knife throwing,
Zorbing
Event Notification Form for Service Units: Formerly called the Emergency Calendar (page 17 & 89)
New link to submit service unit event emergency information
Event Notification form for Service Units now includes the high-adventure and extended travel approval process in one.
When hosting a service unit activity that includes a high-adventure activity and/or lasts 3 nights or more, complete this section when submitting the Event Notification form.
The Event Manager will receive approval from the council Risk Management and Travel team within 3-10 business days of submitting the form.
Events that involve a high-adventure activity and/or lasts 3 nights or more are not approved until the service unit receives approval from the council.
Revised language on how to add vendors to the Approved Vendor List (page 89)
Revised Trip Checklist (page 98)
Updated Trip/Travel planning process (page )
Main change is the description on when to submit the Trip or High-Adventure Activity Form on page 100 under step 3 (Eliminated the 1 hour drive time requirement for trips.)
Revised Trip/Travel requirements and timeline:
The Trip or High-Adventure Activity Form can be used as a planning tool (easy way to communicate with the emergency contact person before the trip) but does NOT need to be turned in to the service unit for the following activities:
Trips is less than 60 miles from your regular meeting place, under 6 hours in duration, and not High-Adventure.
Council sponsored activities in the Program and Event Guide (PEG).
Activities where girls walk or ride their own bicycles as part of their regularly scheduled meetings.
Service unit activities that are not High-Adventure and less than 3 nights.
Travel plans require approval from your service unit at least two weeks in advance if the:
Trip is farther than 60 miles from your regular meeting place and longer than 6 hours in duration but not High-Adventure.
Travel plans require BOTH the council and service unit approval (preferably 3-6 months in advance) if the:
Event/trip includes a High- Adventure activity (2 weeks in advance if the vendor is already on the approved vendor list).
Trips is 3 nights or more.
Trip involves air travel.
Trip is out of state or international (1 year advance notice is preferred for international travel to ensure the leader receives necessary support during planning process).

8. Chapter 5: Managing Group Finances
Check acceptance policy now set to checks up to $60
Clarification on selling products at booth
Updated/new minimums for Product Sale participation
Revised Group Money-Earning policies (page 109)
Money-Earning Evaluation Form has been eliminated!
New Donor Form replaces the Sponsorship Agreement Form (page 109)
Check Acceptance policy is now set to checks up to $60. (page 105)
Clarification on selling products at booths. (page 113)
Parents/guardians are responsible to know and approve of the location where their girl is selling
The number of adults required at a booth sale
Donations
Updated/new minimums for Product Sale participation requirements prior to additional money-earning (page 114)
How girls registered as Independent can participate in Product Sales
Family Partnership is now called Campaign For Girls (page 118)

9. Appendix: Troop and Travel
GSNorCal Travel Opportunities for older girls!
GSNorCal Cadette Trips
2015: Hello London
2016: Visit the Birthplace, Savannah
GSNorCal Seniors and Ambassadors Trips
2015: Paris Fashion
2016: Peru
GSNorCal Travel Opportunities for Older Girls
Every other year, Cadettes travel to London or Savannah.
2015: Hello London
2016: Visit the Birthplace, Savannah
Seniors and Ambassadors Trips
2015: Paris Fashion
2016: Peru