Girl Scout Leaders... transportation reimbursed?

[MrsPete]

The way I see it, the money is to defray the girls cost not your own.

If the leader's transporting scouts for a scout trip, that's the girls' expense -- not her own benefit. She wouldn't be transporting these girls if it wasn't a scout event.

As for having field trips close to home, that's very do-able when the girls are young. At that age they enjoy going to bowl, touring the post office, etc. But older girls have usually "been there, done that" -- if not in scouts, then in school. If you want to keep them in scouts, you have to offer trips to places they wouldn't normally go. Our troops have done several long-distance trips, and they have been huge highlights of my girls' childhoods.

Very true... that $12 goes straight to council... not to the troop.

Actually, the $12 registration goes to National. It covers the girl's registration for that scout year (Oct 1 - Oct 1). It keeps the National headquarters running, maintains a couple properties (for example, the Edith Macy Center just outside NYC), and it pays for them to develop programs/books. It also pays for scout insurance. In our troop we encourage all our moms to register too so that they're covered if they go on a field trip.

The council gets its money from cookie sales. They get something like $1.75 per box (way more than the troop gets), and that goes to maintain council camps, provide programs, pay council staff.

 

[ccgirl]

Very true... that $12 goes straight to council... not to the troop.

Having other parents drive isn't always a valid option. The leader has to go anyway. So if a leader rode shotgun to a parent driver, now you have extra adults! So leader drives, not to be a martyr or because "parents don't care" but because it is practical. I as a leader has to go anyway, so I fill up my car full of girls!

Nowhere does it say that girl scouting is meant to be economical. Yet, in the end it really is. My 3 kids pay $55/mo (each!) to take dance class for one hour a week. That is the going rate of an extracurricular activity.

Your $12 annual dues + $3 a meeting doesn't even come close. I wouldn't worry too much about being nickled and dimed. Sounds like you DO have an economical troop.

I also lead a 1st grade troop, and while I do not lead my 3rd grader's troop, I am their cookie mom... so I do have a pulse on 3 different aged troops. The idea to "not go so far away" saddens me, especially for my older girls. My first grade Daisies we usually stay close to home. But on the suburbs of a geographically large city (Houston) it takes a lot of miles just to get out of town! Fifth graders (and as they get older) won't stay interested if we just stay in our suburban enclave on never go anywhere!

We live 30 miles far west of Houston, Girl Scout camp (where a lot of unique troop activities are available) is 60 miles north of Houston. So that would be NEVER attending an event at GS camp. We have an opportunity to do a high ropes challenge course 100 miles west of here. It is the "award" the girls wanted for selling cookies (and we're camping there too) On the other hand, My first graders are celebrating the end of cookie season with a pizza and ice cream party right here in town. They're satisfied with that... but 11 year olds are capable and interested IN SO MUCH MORE than our suburb can provide. It would be a shame if we never went anywhere outside of our everyday surroundings.

So no, nixing trips and staying close to home is not an option, especially as they get older.

With the feedback here, I am considering asking families to pay a nominal amount in the future. We are bridging to Cadettes at the end of the year, so that would be a good time to institute this (fresh start)

One thing, is unlike what I understand of boy scouts our fundraiser money is "communal" and does not tie in to one girl's account. So whether you sell 1 box or 1000 boxes of cookies, you still get equal participation. While some girls sell more than others, they all fully participate in the sale, I believe in part because the parents support the fundraising. My lowest selling girl, still sold over 100 boxes, and our average is 240/girl. So for example, what would 1/3 girl, 1/3 family, 1/3 troop entail?

Also, things like our camping/high ropes trip are for "fun", while things like our beach cleanup are for "service." Do you charge to attend a "service" type of field trip?

Btw, I DO have a Safety Wise book, and I know to look in it... I just loaned it to a mom in my 1st grade troop who is getting camp certified and she needs it for her class (so yes, I'll even be taking 2nd graders out of the suburbs starting next year) I just don't have it on me, but yes, before I/we make any real decisions, Safety Wise (of course) will be consulted.

Getting some different perspectives is helping. Thanks folks!

That's why I asked about the economic makeup of your troop. While you may find $3 week economical another family may not. BTW, in my state it is touted as an ecomonical way to pay back the community, they even announced this at the Princess etiquette thing they did. $3 a week is $12 a month for one child. Add in the bowling $5 plus the other field trip last month $15 and we are now up to $32. Again, what you may see as economical others may find a financial hardship with. We are lucky that the girl scout camp is only 10 miles from us so everything is local. The leader will not drive other children. It is up to us to arrange car pools with other moms. I just more was discussed up front during the year. I know other moms who said if they had known it would have cost so much up front they would not have signed their girls up.

At the beginning of next year, I would try to have as much listed along with a price so parents are aware of what a time and financial commitment it would be.

 

[MrsPete]

Okay..they (her troop) also get $3 a week for "supplies" and I also pay the fee for each and every field trip. Most weeks they just color and things that wouldn't cost $3 so I do tend to get upset when they keep asking for more money.

OP - maybe tell the parents they would have to provide transportation or during the next meeting see what the parents think?? I would probably also look for field trips closer to home so they didn't cost so much.

One thing that adds up is the girls' Try Its or badges. If memory serves, the Try Its are something like $1.50 each (they increased in price when they went to an iron-on format, and the iron-on doesn't work) and badges are around $1. So I'd be willing to bet that they're not spending $3 on every meeting, but some of that's being squirreled away for awards, which are distributed only a couple times a year.

Our troop collects $25 in dues (payable before Investiture), which covers all meetings and awards (older girls don't get the large number of awards that younger ones do). Outings and trips have a separate cost. We see this as fair because 1) the leaders assume everyone will attend every meeting, and they provide supplies for everyone -- often I buy craft supplies well in advance, and I can't return part of a package of something, but 2) not everyone attends every outing, so it's fair to price those items separately.

Of course it'll vary from troop to troop, but scouting is quite economical compared to other kids' activities.

 

[MrsPete]

That's why I asked about the economic makeup of your troop. While you may find $3 week economical another family may not. BTW, in my state it is touted as an ecomonical way to pay back the community, they even announced this at the Princess etiquette thing they did. $3 a week is $12 a month for one child. Add in the bowling $5 plus the other field trip last month $15 and we are now up to $32. Again, what you may see as economical others may find a financial hardship with. We are lucky that the girl scout camp is only 10 miles from us so everything is local. The leader will not drive other children. It is up to us to arrange car pools with other moms. I just more was discussed up front during the year. I know other moms who said if they had known it would have cost so much up front they would not have signed their girls up.

At the beginning of next year, I would try to have as much listed along with a price so parents are aware of what a time and financial commitment it would be.

You're assuming weekly meetings. Most troops in our area meet twice a month.

Everyone has to determine whether it's a good value for their families. I can tell you that my girls have gained a tremendous amount from scouting. It's the center of their lives, and the amount of money I've paid for their activities doesn't in any way compare to the vast benefits they've reaped.

I do agree, however, that the leaders should say up front, "This is how our troop's going to run: We will or won't transport girls, we expect the number of trips, etc." If you didn't know up front, I wonder if you have new leaders who didn't know how to figure these things yet.

 

[pioneer89]

I'm a leader in my DS's Cub Scout Den, and I'd have zero issue with reimbursing other leaders for gas. I can't remember any times we've done it, mostly because people want to 'donate' the mileage and use it as a tax deduction.

But I can't see how anyone would think it's poor form to ask for gas money, not with prices how they are today.


I'd also like to add to the people here gushing over the benefits of scouting. Just the other day, I attended a school event where the student council presented something. I was pleasantly suprised to see that every single boy in the SCA was a scout, and every girl was either a scout or in 4H.

 

[descovy]

You're assuming weekly meetings. Most troops in our area meet twice a month.

Everyone has to determine whether it's a good value for their families. I can tell you that my girls have gained a tremendous amount from scouting. It's the center of their lives, and the amount of money I've paid for their activities doesn't in any way compare to the vast benefits they've reaped.

I do agree, however, that the leaders should say up front, "This is how our troop's going to run: We will or won't transport girls, we expect the number of trips, etc." If you didn't know up front, I wonder if you have new leaders who didn't know how to figure these things yet.

Let us remember too, that these leaders are volunteers. They are busy parents with jobs, households, other commitments. They are as busy as you, yet they have stepped up to lead a troop. Because, without volunteer leaders there could be no troop for your daughters to join! Not only is it a times & commitment sacrifice for the leader, but it is for the family too. When I take my troop camping overnight, my husband will have to take care of the other two. He is even subbing in for me at Sunday School since I won't be there. When I go to one girl's troop meeting, sometimes the other 2 sisters have to go with me. They are expected to hang quietly in the background and read. I commit myself, and my family to be a troop leader.

And while there is training and guidelines for leaders, there is no "one way" to run a troop. So the leaders learn as they go (as with everything) I have been a leader for 4 years and I can tell you I am much more organized and on the ball than I was my first year.

If you and other families are somehow dis satisfied with the scout experience, would you consider stepping up? Instead of complaining, offer the leader help or suggestions (nicely of course) Don't complain about the problem, be part of the solution!

And too, if you are feeling something funny about the money, you can ask the treasurer to see the reports. I do think you won't see any funny business. The Try-it's on your girls vest cost money. That bowling party that you paid $5 for, probably only paid a PORTION of the actual event. I think from the info provided, your troop money is spent frugally and wisely.

And if it is too expensive for your family, most councils have protocol for helping those in finacial need. You could check into that. And too, if a field trip is out of your budget, you can decline. Not every girl has to go to every event. There are ways to keep it affordable, and financial need can sometimes be "helped" by council

 

[ccgirl]

Let us remember too, that these leaders are volunteers. They are busy parents with jobs, households, other commitments. They are as busy as you, yet they have stepped up to lead a troop. Because, without volunteer leaders there could be no troop for your daughters to join! Not only is it a times & commitment sacrifice for the leader, but it is for the family too. When I take my troop camping overnight, my husband will have to take care of the other two. He is even subbing in for me at Sunday School since I won't be there. When I go to one girl's troop meeting, sometimes the other 2 sisters have to go with me. They are expected to hang quietly in the background and read. I commit myself, and my family to be a troop leader.

And while there is training and guidelines for leaders, there is no "one way" to run a troop. So the leaders learn as they go (as with everything) I have been a leader for 4 years and I can tell you I am much more organized and on the ball than I was my first year.

If you and other families are somehow dis satisfied with the scout experience, would you consider stepping up? Instead of complaining, offer the leader help or suggestions (nicely of course) Don't complain about the problem, be part of the solution!

And too, if you are feeling something funny about the money, you can ask the treasurer to see the reports. I do think you won't see any funny business. The Try-it's on your girls vest cost money. That bowling party that you paid $5 for, probably only paid a PORTION of the actual event. I think from the info provided, your troop money is spent frugally and wisely.

And if it is too expensive for your family, most councils have protocol for helping those in finacial need. You could check into that. And too, if a field trip is out of your budget, you can decline. Not every girl has to go to every event. There are ways to keep it affordable, and financial need can sometimes be "helped" by council

Somehow I knew this was going to come up. Yes, they are volunteers. I appreciate they volunteer but they were not made to volunteer. I work from 8am to 6pm so, no, I cannot volunteer. I am already on the PTO board, soccer coach, Financial Aid Committee for the school, as well as the Accreditation committee.

Yes, you can decline a field trip. I am well aware of that. For me, personally, I am able to afford it. I just know many others cannot and feel bad leaving their child out. As far as the $5 it did cover the entire event. The lane was only $15 to rent. There were 5 girls at each lane. Plus, they got 3 pizzas. I was there as a chaperone.

It is okay to complain about things.

 

[mickeyboat]

Somehow I knew this was going to come up. Yes, they are volunteers. I appreciate they volunteer but they were not made to volunteer. I work from 8am to 6pm so, no, I cannot volunteer. I am already on the PTO board, soccer coach, Financial Aid Committee for the school, as well as the Accreditation committee.

Yes, you can decline a field trip. I am well aware of that. For me, personally, I am able to afford it. I just know many others cannot and feel bad leaving their child out. As far as the $5 it did cover the entire event. The lane was only $15 to rent. There were 5 girls at each lane. Plus, they got 3 pizzas. I was there as a chaperone.

It is okay to complain about things.

When troops first start out, there is very little (read no) money in the troop coffers. There is also not a giant stash of supplies - including reusable things such as glue, scissors, crayons, etc. All of those troop resources need to be built up over time - paid for through dues, family payment for trips or fundraisers.

Fundraisers in our council only come twice a year - a small one (nuts) in the Fall and cookies in the Spring. That means that we really don't get a large influx of cash in our account until March. There are a lot of meetings, events, patches and supplies that need to be paid for before then.

We have a healthy bank account now (we sold almost 5,000 boxes of cookies this year), but sometimes we still ask for partial payment of trip costs. First off, we have to pay for trips in advance, and as mentioned before, 5th graders can be kinda flaky when it comes to showing up to events. There have been times where we have wasted over $50 on kids that never showed up. Also, the girls really direct the usage of their funds at this age. Sometimes they want to do a trip, but after seeing how much it is going to cost, they vote to pay for some of it themselves.

And it's true there is no one way to run a troop. Most leaders are open to suggestions, so if you think things should be done a different way, by all means talk to the leader. I do have to say that many leaders in our servce unit give up after running a troop for just a short time. They are tired of parents complaining about every decision they make - even after they have solicited opinions with no response. They are tired of receiving very little support from council. They are tired of being treated by parents as unpaid babysitters, and of staying late after every meeting because parents can't bother to pick up their kids on time. Frankly it takes a very special person to be a leader.

 

[mom22belles]

Hello from a Canadian Guider !

I am the Unit Leader for a group of Brownies ( grades 2 and 3) . Also a mom to two girls in Guiding. I have no problem with you receiving gas money.

BTW just have to add in Canada it against Girl Guide policy for leaders to transport kids in their cars. We aren't supposed to organize car pools either. Any trip we take must be 1 of the following : parent transports child, public transport or private transport company ( school bus) .

Also our yearly fees are $140 from that we see 18$ at a unit level all other monies go to National and Provincal offices. This $140 DOES not include uniform or program book . All our girls are required to sell 2 cases of cookies a year ( 24 boxes) .

Just wanted to say your parents don't know who good they have got it !!

 

[undertheradar]

No matter what the price of gas is, people have volunteered for years out of kindness and a sense of community. You should factor in the distance of the trip when you start planning, not as it comes near. I have never charged for gas or taken the time to write it off taxes, it is an activity that my kids want to do. This reminds me of the threads where someone wants to invite a child's friend to go on vacation with them but wants to charge the friend to go. I think that charging for driving is wrong.

 

[ccgirl]

When troops first start out, there is very little (read no) money in the troop coffers. There is also not a giant stash of supplies - including reusable things such as glue, scissors, crayons, etc. All of those troop resources need to be built up over time - paid for through dues, family payment for trips or fundraisers.

Fundraisers in our council only come twice a year - a small one (nuts) in the Fall and cookies in the Spring. That means that we really don't get a large influx of cash in our account until March. There are a lot of meetings, events, patches and supplies that need to be paid for before then.

We have a healthy bank account now (we sold almost 5,000 boxes of cookies this year), but sometimes we still ask for partial payment of trip costs. First off, we have to pay for trips in advance, and as mentioned before, 5th graders can be kinda flaky when it comes to showing up to events. There have been times where we have wasted over $50 on kids that never showed up. Also, the girls really direct the usage of their funds at this age. Sometimes they want to do a trip, but after seeing how much it is going to cost, they vote to pay for some of it themselves.

And it's true there is no one way to run a troop. Most leaders are open to suggestions, so if you think things should be done a different way, by all means talk to the leader. I do have to say that many leaders in our servce unit give up after running a troop for just a short time. They are tired of parents complaining about every decision they make - even after they have solicited opinions with no response. They are tired of receiving very little support from council. They are tired of being treated by parents as unpaid babysitters, and of staying late after every meeting because parents can't bother to pick up their kids on time. Frankly it takes a very special person to be a leader.

I see your point. This is the third year she has been in this troop. It is not a new one. I think I may just ask for a peek at the financial records as a PP suggested. I didn't know I had a right to do that.

 

[MrsPete]

Let us remember too, that these leaders are volunteers. They are busy parents with jobs, households, other commitments. They are as busy as you, yet they have stepped up to lead a troop. Because, without volunteer leaders there could be no troop for your daughters to join! . . . If you and other families are somehow dis satisfied with the scout experience, would you consider stepping up?

I don't think you meant to direct this towards me. I've been involved in scouting since I was in 6th grade, I worked at scout camp for many summers, and I've been a leader for my own two daughters for 11 years. My scout group has four troops of multiple ages and approximately 60 scouts. We have sponsored lots of service unit events, and my own girls are Gold-award age now. I "stepped up".

Somehow I knew this was going to come up. Yes, they are volunteers. I appreciate they volunteer but they were not made to volunteer. I work from 8am to 6pm so, no, I cannot volunteer. I am already on the PTO board, soccer coach, Financial Aid Committee for the school, as well as the Accreditation committee.

Between our four troops, we have about a dozen leaders, and few do not work. Don't get me wrong: I do understand that sometimes when you're involved in several other kid-related activities you want "this one" to be commitment-free on your part. Regardless, I wouldn't insult people who help my kids by saying that they "were not made to volunteer" as if volunteering means they should give, give, give without reservation and take whatever treatment comes their way.

Fundraisers in our council only come twice a year - a small one (nuts) in the Fall and cookies in the Spring. That means that we really don't get a large influx of cash in our account until March. There are a lot of meetings, events, patches and supplies that need to be paid for before then.

You can always do extra fundraisers, but -- in my troops anyway -- most parents don't want to deal with the work of fundraisers and would rather just write a check (or provide materials, whichever fits the bill). I agree that the timing of the cookie money is bad. I don't know why they don't have us sell cookies in the fall. People would buy them for Christmas presents. Why do we start selling on January 1, the biggest start-a-diet day of the year?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

For a large mileage trip we did include it as part of the expense of the trip, just as if you had to charter transportation.

 

[aprilgail2]

Having been a leader that never asked for reimbursement for plenty of things, as well as a parent who has driven for long trips, I would NOT be ok with this, especially considering the bolded part.

I get that there are plenty of parents that will never drive or do their "fair share" but I think the same thing also goes with volunteering. Taking that $150 away from the girls that could be used for other activities just seems selfish to me, and yes, you can be sure that people will point out that you aren't "hurting for money" and it really isn't necessary.

I personally would never take money out of the girls fund to pay for gas and I know my co-leader would never either. In fact even when I buy things like snack for the girls I never take it out of troop funds nor does my co-leader.

I'm not sure of the financial makeup of the girls in your troop. My DD is in Brownies. She paid the $12 at the beginning of the year. I thought that was it. But, she also pays $3 every week for supplies and then extra money when they go on field trips. For example, they went bowling one Friday night. They provided pizza and drinks as well. I had to pay $5 additional. Sometimes I feel the troop is nickle and diming us.

OP - I would not consider a field trip that far away. The way I see it, the money is to defray the girls cost not your own. Maybe I am just being a poor sport but I thought girl scouts was supposed to be an economical thing for us and all of the money really adds up.

We pay 15.00 to register and then collect 60.00 dues for the year (we meet every other week). For trips if we have the cash the troop pays but most of the time we just charge the parents-they can decline and then their kid just doesn't come or they can pay...its their choice. We have went to Great Wolf Lodge on a trip for 2 nights and that was a few hundred a kid- this year we are going to Rocking Horse Ranch, again about 200 a kid and that is with off setting it with some cookie money. We are also going to some place that teaches you how to cook a whole meal then you get to eat it-we are making that a mother daughter event and it will be 60.00 for each mom/daughter combo. Our troop loves to take trips LOL.

 

[Tink415]

With the feedback here, I am considering asking families to pay a nominal amount in the future. We are bridging to Cadettes at the end of the year, so that would be a good time to institute this (fresh start)

One thing, is unlike what I understand of boy scouts our fundraiser money is "communal" and does not tie in to one girl's account. So whether you sell 1 box or 1000 boxes of cookies, you still get equal participation. While some girls sell more than others, they all fully participate in the sale, I believe in part because the parents support the fundraising. My lowest selling girl, still sold over 100 boxes, and our average is 240/girl. So for example, what would 1/3 girl, 1/3 family, 1/3 troop entail?

Also, things like our camping/high ropes trip are for "fun", while things like our beach cleanup are for "service." Do you charge to attend a "service" type of field trip?

There is a cost to do service projects, so the troop has to decide if troop funds will pay, families pay or some combo. We've done them all 3 ways.

The 1/3 girl payment towards trips is from money earned on her own outside the troop - babysitting, extra chores, allowance, etc. This assumes Cadette and older

Cadettes and older go on bigger trips and can manage money they earn differently if they all agree. When you take training for that level it should be explained.

 

[Tink415]

I personally would never take money out of the girls fund to pay for gas and I know my co-leader would never either. In fact even when I buy things like snack for the girls I never take it out of troop funds nor does my co-leader.



We pay 15.00 to register and then collect 60.00 dues for the year (we meet every other week). For trips if we have the cash the troop pays but most of the time we just charge the parents-they can decline and then their kid just doesn't come or they can pay...its their choice. We have went to Great Wolf Lodge on a trip for 2 nights and that was a few hundred a kid- this year we are going to Rocking Horse Ranch, again about 200 a kid and that is with off setting it with some cookie money. We are also going to some place that teaches you how to cook a whole meal then you get to eat it-we are making that a mother daughter event and it will be 60.00 for each mom/daughter combo. Our troop loves to take trips LOL.

This sounds like lots of fun, and our troop does less expensive versions of these kinds of trips at times, but what's missing is learning about self sufficiency, setting goals and reaching them, and celebrating a job well done.
Hopefully your troop gets to do those types of trips too.

Providing snack and gas, while very generous and kind, is not doing anyone a favor, and its not required to be a Girl Scout volunteer.

 

[aprilgail2]

Providing snack and gas, while very generous and kind, is not doing anyone a favor, and its not required to be a Girl Scout volunteer.

No its not required but my girls work hard doing many cookie booths and I don't feel right about taking that money and using it for my own gas.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I see your point. This is the third year she has been in this troop. It is not a new one. I think I may just ask for a peek at the financial records as a PP suggested. I didn't know I had a right to do that.

I cannot believe your leaders do not put out a balance statement. When we were leaders we had the girls track everything and put together the statement once a month.

It was eye opening for them to see how their money was spent, how they wanted to spend it and what they needed for supplies, etc.

Of course, I made the girls run their meetings and I know a lot of parents do not do this. I find that to be part of what GS's intention is. Speaking, running meetings, leadership as well as fun.

I went so far as to type out the opening and closing ceremonies on paper when the girls were new Brownies and they read the sheet to open and close their meetings.

They did not even know all the words, afraid to speak, had trouble reading however over time they learned the words, learned how to read it, and then could not wait when it was there turn to be the speaker of "whatever".

(I rotated the jobs on a Kaper Chart).

It was just my personal philosophy teaching leadership to my girls was a priority. Also they were not "crafty" girls and wanted to be on the go or performing so this was the path perfect for our troop.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I have 2 troops.. for long troops like that I would think about passing on a small cost to the parents for the trips and possible having the troop cover pat of it. If its spread out its not that bad. We got .75 per box this year and I wouldnt feel right using it paying 100% of gas out of troop funds.

I also trend to look at it this way.. for my of our events we cover leaders costs out of troop funds.. so its like a wash. Even though we are volunteers it still costs me money each year for one thing or another.

For my troops I charge $25 a year for dues and for trips parents always pay a portion of them and product sales cover the rest. If you are a not show on a trip than the parents are responsible for paying the troop back the portion we paid out.


OP.. unfortunately being a leader is a thankless job.

 

[MrsPete]

No its not required but my girls work hard doing many cookie booths and I don't feel right about taking that money and using it for my own gas.

I hear what you're saying, and I would never use scout money for my own gas -- that is, gas to run my own errands, gas to go to work, etc.

On the other hand, I'll absolutely use troop money to drive scouts to our favorite camp, which is over 100 miles away. That's not MY GAS. That's a scout trip.