Service Unit: Cactus Bloom 

Troop 558 (Daisies – Seniors) 

Years as a troop leader: 10 

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop? 

Together, we’ve helped with several community events, such as the Grand Canyon University and Phoenix Skate Club. We have led neighborhood encampments, helped out with cookie delivery, and attended camp clean up-service weekends. We’ve also volunteered at Relay for Life and Feed My Starving Children. We always encourage the girls to work towards the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. 

What advice would you give other troop leaders? 

I would tell other troop leaders that it is okay to say no and set boundaries. As a volunteer, it’s okay to ask parents to lead a meeting with their daughter. The Girl Scout will not only be proud that she and her parent led the meeting but they will also learn all that goes into troop meetings – inspiring them to volunteer their time to support the troop. I recommend organizing speakers who want to share their work and passion with the girls. Lastly, use the council’s Activities Calendar. Here, you can find great opportunities to keep things exciting and the only work required for you as a leader is registration! 

What do you wish someone had told you as a new troop leader? 

As a new troop leader, you should interview the parents just as they should interview you. Be clear on the expectations of the troop. For example, if you are not an outdoor troop and they want their Girl Scout to participate in outdoor activities, your troop may not be the best fit. Finding a troop is just like finding a good school or good sports team for your daughter. There are many troops but the right one will keep her and the whole  

family happy, helping her stay in Girl Scouts longer. 

Does your troop sell cookies? If yes, please tell us in your own words, why it is important to participate in the Cookie Program? 

Yes, cookies fund all our Girl Scout adventures! We are teaching our girls how to work and be independent. When they go somewhere cool, we remind them that they earned it with their hard work. The girls feel proud of their accomplishments and then start thinking about their next goals. We also teach them how to save and set goals, so they learn the value of saving for something long term.