Special 57th National Council Session
Girl Scout Volunteers:
GSUSA’s National Board of Directors has called a virtual Special 57th National Council Session for October 19, 2024. Due to increased costs (especially around technology), the National Board is proposing an increase in membership dues — beginning with Membership Year 2026 — to continue delivering the quality programming Girl Scouts need, and families expect.
What's being proposed?
During this session, the National Council will discuss, debate, and vote on two proposals from the National Board to establish new rates for girl and adult membership dues. At this point, these are only proposals; the final outcome will not be known until voting is complete. Any increase beyond 25% in a triennium requires GSUSA's National Board of Directors to convene a Special National Council Session to secure a majority vote of the National Council Delegates.
For more detailed information, GSUSA has also shared an explanatory video, which you can access using the passcode: @vHeA5x0
National Council will determine the outcome
While recommended amounts for the increases have been named in the proposals from GSUSA's board ($45 for adults and $85 for girls), the National Council will be using a “Fill in the Blank” approach for determining the outcome. National Delegates will be able to propose varying amounts, in $5 increments, for consideration. The National Council will vote until one proposal receives a majority vote. Debate will occur before the final vote, which will determine whether the two proposals are approved, and if so, at what amounts. Girl Scouts of Silver Sage has 2 adult delegates and 2 girl delegates who are eligible to vote in this session.
Potential impact
We understand that any proposed changes to membership dues are concerning, and we know the financial impact and hardship a potential increase can bring to families. If the final decision results in an increase, know that GSSSC remains committed to ensuring that Girl Scouts remains accessible to ALL Girl Scouts, regardless of economic background or financial situation.
Local preparations
This week, GSSSC’s National Council Delegates received a packet from GSUSA with all the information for the October 19 session. Our council’s National Delegates will participate in education sessions, then convene the week of October 1st, to review the proposals with potential impacts on our council and feedback from members, discuss the role they will play at the Special Session, and provide guidance on the parliamentary process.
Opportunity for member feedback
In preparation for the week of October 1st session with our council’s National Delegates, GSSSC is sending a quick survey to all members so you may share ideas, feedback and concerns that your GSSSC National Delegates can incorporate as they consider their responses to the proposals. Please use the survey to share your thoughts, as it will be the only way to summarize and quantify our council’s sentiments for our National Council Delegates.
For more information:
Visit this webpage, which will be updated as more details become available.
Want to be a part of this process in the future?
Apply by January 31, 2025 to become a National Council Delegate or Alternate for 2026-28!
The 58th National Council Session (NCS) is the national business meeting being held during the 2026 Girl Scout convention, in which delegates from every council across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas meet to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement, and elect members of the National Board of Directors and National Board Development Committee.
If elected by the voting members of Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, the National Council Delegate or Alternate must agree to the following criteria:
- Be committed to serving a three-year term: April 2025-April 2028.
- Be a current registered member of GSUSA for the 2025 membership year and maintain membership for the entire three-year term.
- Be available to attend the entire NCS, which will be held in Washington, D.C., July 20-25, 2026, and attend all business meetings and participate in discussions and vote on all business items.
- Be able to think strategically and able to analyze issues from a national as well as council perspective to focus on the future of the Girl Scout Movement. National Council actions and decisions have Movement-wide implications.
- Be committed to attending council and GSUSA training sessions in order to be as informed as possible about the issues and democratic process used at the NCS or any special sessions of the National Council.
- Be responsible for engaging in National Council governance matters and meetings throughout the three-year term and faithfully participating as a voice for GSSSC’s membership in giving guidance to the National Board to help shape the Movement strategy.
- Be willing to support all the decisions of the National Council.
Note: Girl Scouts must be at least 14 years old by April 1, 2025 to be eligible.
Apply by January 31, 2025: Silver Sage National Delegate Application
National Council Delegates
2026 National Council Session
July 20–22, 2026
Washington, DC
Every three years, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) holds a National Council Session—also known as NCS. During NCS, elected National Council delegates representing all 111 councils across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas, and the National Board, gather to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement as well as elect national leaders for the next triennium.
Throughout their three-year term, delegates gather feedback from their council’s membership, learn about proposals, and act as their council’s voice by serving as voting members on the National Council. Delegates then share insights and report on actions taken by the National Council with their council’s membership at Annual Meetings and other council events.
NCS is part of GSUSA’s national convention, which is held every three years. The other part of the convention is a member-focused event with dynamic, interactive workshops for girls and adults. This event includes inspiring speakers, exciting adventures, and opportunities to meet Girl Scouts from around the United States and the world, sparking forever friendships. The next national convention is scheduled for July 20–25, 2026, and will take place in Washington, DC, our nation’s capital, which will be celebrating our country’s 250th birthday.
Every Girl Scout council is entitled to elect a delegation based on its girl membership. Our delegation includes National Council delegates and alternates. The duties of National Council delegates and alternates are to:
- represent our council as voting members of the National Council throughout the triennium (delegates only);
- complete training, which includes self-paced online modules and virtual and in-person sessions;
- participate in council-hosted preparatory meetings and input-gathering opportunities;
- register for and regularly connect on the delegate website for news and updated communications;
- consider the spectrum of opinions of adult and girl members from all parts of our council and across the Movement;
- participate in delegate webinars sponsored by GSUSA and provide decision-influencing input, as requested, throughout the triennium;
- attend all business meetings of the National Council and participate in the decision-making proceedings (delegates only);
- become educated in Robert's Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure;
- be fully prepared to vote on all business items, including proposals and the National Board of Directors slate; and
- engage with other delegates, gather feedback from delegate webinars and the National Council Session, and share learnings and insights with council members.
Who can apply? 
How do I apply to be a National Council delegate?
How are National Council delegates and alternates selected?
What is the role of an alternate delegate?
What is the time commitment?
How much will this cost?
Additional Information for Girl Delegates:
