Scouting for Girls / Adapted from Girl Guiding

by Baron Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell Baden-Powell of Gilwell

C.—LOCAL COUNCILS

In any community where there are Girl Scouts a Local Council may be organized. This is a body of representative citizens of the community (number varies according to size of the community) who are organized for the purpose of promoting the welfare of the Girl Scouts of that district. They determine the policies and direct the local work, following the rules and regulations laid down in the official Handbook and Manual subject to the general policies determined by the National Council or its Executive Board. Each Chartered Local Council may send one delegate to the National Council and one additional delegate for every 200 registered Scouts under its jurisdiction. The National Executive Board is the court of last resort and every member of the Girl Scout Organization has the right of appeal to that court. The Local Council’s officers recommend Captains and Lieutenants for commissions, and have the power to request their resignation when desirable, or they may appeal to National Headquarters to dismiss an undesirable captain. A Local Council may ask Headquarters for the assistance of a Field Captain.

Insignia for Local Councilors. Gray and black shoulder cord and fringe (see minutes Executive Board, April 11, 1918).

Gray and black hat cord.

The shoulder cords may be worn with any costume—the hat cords are generally worn only with the uniform hat.

The Commissioner

Is the presiding officer of the Local Council. She is chairman of the Local Executive Board, she is elected by the Local Council and receives a commission from the National Headquarters.

Duties. Her duties are to secure the harmonious coöperation of the captains in her district, to inspect Scout patrols and troops and advise how to conduct them according to the principles found in the Handbook, to be the authority for recommending the issue or denial of captains’ certificates and foster the movement generally.

Uniform. Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat with gray cord with gray acorns.

Insignia. Gray shoulder cord and fringe (may be worn with any costume if Commissioner prefers not to have a uniform) (see minutes Executive Board, April 11, 1918).

Officers

Of Local Councils will be elected according to the needs of the community.

Deputy Commissioner

Stands in the relation of vice-president to the commissioner.

Uniform. Khaki Norfolk Suit. Scout hat with gray cord with black acorns.

Insignia. Gray shoulder cord with black and gray fringe and black center, may be worn with any costume if the Deputy Commissioner prefers not to have a uniform (see minutes Executive Board, April 11, 1918).

District Commissioner

In large communities it is possible to divide the territory into districts each with a District Commissioner who is responsible for the work in that district to the Commissioner.

Uniforms. Khaki Norfolk Suit. Scout hat with gray cord with gray acorns.

Insignia. Black shoulder cord with black and gray fringe with gray center. May be worn with any costume if the District Commissioner prefers not to have a uniform.

The Local Director

Is the title given to the executive officer of the local Council. (This officer was formerly called Secretary.)

Duties. She has charge of Headquarters and other property of the local organization, has general supervision of the Captains and instructs new captains in their duties, organizes new troops, receives and forwards to Headquarters all applications for captains’ certificates, keeps all records of the council and of the troops and such information concerning them as may be necessary for the work. She is secretary of the Committees, but her presence at each meeting is decided by the Local Council; it is her duty to attend public meetings connected with the organization and she represents Girl Scouts at the meetings of other organizations unless otherwise directed by the Council.

Uniform. Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat with gold and black hat cord (see Com. on Uniforms, Jan. 12, 1918).

Insignia. Four bands one-fourth-inch black braid, all around left cuff (Com. on Standards, May 7, 1918).

Local Field Captains

May be employed by Local Councils for organizing their work.

Uniform. Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat, gold and black hat cord (Com. on Uniforms, Jan. 12, 1918).

Troops

Insignia. Three bands of one-fourth-inch black braid all around left cuff (Com. on Standards, May 7, 1918).

Girl Scouts are organized in troops under the direct charge of a Captain who may or may not have one or more Lieutenants to assist her.

A troop may be of any size, although it is not advisable for a Captain to have a troop of more than thirty girls unless she is assisted by a capable Lieutenant.

The Captain

Must not be less than twenty-one years old, and must have a personal character and standing, a good moral influence over girls, and sufficient steadfastness of purpose to carry out the work with energy and perseverance. She should have a general knowledge of the Handbook, and should appreciate the underlying aim and principles of Girl Scout training. She must apply to National Headquarters for her commission. Application should be made on blanks supplied from National Headquarters and must be endorsed by three prominent citizens of the community. Where a Local Council is established the application must be sent through the Local Council. The Captain has the power to enroll Scouts, and to release a Scout from her promise, to suspend her for a certain period, or withdraw her badges and discharge her. A Scout who considers herself unjustly treated may appeal to the Local Council or even to National Council. The Captain directs the Scout training of the girls in her troop, and may examine them for the Tenderfoot and Second Class tests. Where no court of honor exists she may secure examiners for them for the special subjects of proficiency badges or this may be done by the Local Council.

Uniform. Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat, gold and black hat cord (Com. on Uniforms, Jan. 12, 1918).

Insignia. Gold and black shoulder cord (Com. on Uniforms, Jan. 12, 1918), two bands one-fourth-inch black braid all around left cuff (Com. on Standards, May 7, 1918).

Captain’s pin.

Lieutenant

Should not be less than 18 years of age. Her qualifications are the same as those for Captain and she receives her commission in the same way. She is chosen by the Captain, performs the duties of the Captain during her absence and such other duties as the Captain may assign to her.

Uniform. Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat, gold and black hat cord (Com. on Uniforms, Jan. 12, 1918).

Insignia. One braid one-fourth-inch black braid all around left cuff (Com. on Uniforms, May 7, 1918).

Lieutenant’s pin.

Captains and Lieutenants on making their application to enter the organization pay a small fee which covers the entire period of membership. Commissions are issued for one year and must be renewed at the end of the period.