New Leaders

Welcome! We are so happy you are here. Please look over the following tips, links, resources and reach out if you have any questions.

Getting Started

  1. Complete Girl Scout membership registration ($25 annual dues, financial assistance available).

  2. View the on-line welcome video and answer the five-question survey (Last step in the online registration process).

  3. Complete background check through a link sent via email from Verified Volunteer - Didn’t receive the link? Let GSGATL know helpline@gsgatl.org.

  4. Receive Troop Number (Requires at least two adult co-leaders and four registered girls).

    1. After two leaders and 4 girls have registered for your troop, fill out this form to request a troop number.

  5. Connect & meet with co-leader(s). Review “Top 20 Questions to Ask Your Co-Leader.”

  6. Open gsLearn

Complete Prior to Troop Parent/Caregiver Introduction Meeting

New Leader Certification: (Choose one of two formats below)

  1. On Demand Online Courses — Complete online four course program through gsLearn at girlscoutsatl.org. After completing the first four courses, attend a live Zoom meeting (time varies by course).

  2. In-person New Leader Orientation — Hands-on interactive learning on how to have a successful troop year, connect with other new leaders, receive tools to use for working with your girls, and participate in an Investiture Ceremony to be pinned as an official Girl Scout Member. Offered in the Greater Atlanta Area (4-5 Hours)

Find Trainings Here

  1. Please be sure to also review our Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Volunteer Essentials Handbook and Safety Checkpoint Handbook. Both documents will become your handy-dandy notebooks for knowing all things about Girl Scouting. I suggest you read the following Chapters in our Volunteer Essentials Handbook:

These chapters contain our most important information, but please be sure to read over the other chapters as well.



Getting Your Troop Started

  1. Identify your meeting dates, times, and location with co-leader.

  2. In the Volunteer Toolkit—update meeting location, dates, and times, and set up year plan.

  3. Host your first parent/caregiver Introduction Meeting (1— 1.5 hours) Outline in Volunteer Toolkit:

  4. Establish how you will communicate with parents (email, text, VTK sample emails etc.).

      • Build your support team and encourage parents to register with Girl Scouts.

      • Discuss troop finances, troop dues, & Girl Scout Annual Fund (suggested minimum of $25 per family).

      • Open troop bank account with two designated signers. After completing this form, you will receive the letter the bank needs to open the account.

  5. Hold your first troop meeting with girls - using meeting plan in Volunteer Toolkit.

  6. Attend the local Service Unit meeting (usually held once a month). This is a group of local volunteers in your area. Need to be connected with your Service Unit? Email prsu725@gmail.com. See home screen for next meeting details and recordings of past meetings.

  7. Attend Treats and Keeps training, if troop started before September 1st. This is a money earning program where girls sell chocolates and nuts, and it is a great way to earn money when your troop first starts.

  8. Attend Service Unit Cookie training—November/December. At this training, you will learn all you need to know about how to help you girls have a great first Girl Scout Cookie Season.

New Leader Resources

Here are some important tips & tidbits to get you started as a co-leader in our Service Unit:

  • Our Service Unit Number: 725

  • Service Unit Name: Phoenix Rising (intown ATL covering all areas for Midtown & Jackson cluster school districts and surrounding areas)

  • Service Unit Website: PRSU725.com (bookmark it)

  • Service Unit Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRSU725/ We always post the most up to date info in the FB group. You can always ask questions to the group as well. Feel free to add your troop volunteers to the page.

  • We hold monthly SU meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month unless it is a holiday or APS school break. We highly recommend and encourage a representative from each troop to attend..

  • GSUSA is offering a HUGE discount to the pro version of Zoom. You can register for $36 here: https://girlscoutsatl.doubleknot.com/event/gszoom-volunteer-licence/2725972