56th Annual National Council Session
Girl Scouts from all over the country gathered in July 2023 for the 56th National Council Session (NCS). This business meeting happens every three years and gives delegates from every Girl Scout council across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas a chance to discuss, debate, and, most importantly, vote on issues that are key to the Girl Scout Movement. The delegates also elect national leaders for the next three years.
NCS was marked by pivotal moments that set the stage for growth and transformation within the Girl Scout Movement.
2023 National Council Session Results
Allowing the possibility of virtual attendance for National Council Sessions and for Special Sessions of the National Council – passed with amendment
This proposal would build on the 55th NCS held virtually in 2020 during the peak of the pandemic – the first ever virtual NCS. The proposal would build flexibility into our governing documents by amending the Constitution to allow for, but not require, virtual sessions which reflect a more efficient and agile meeting format.
Constitutional Amendment on the Timing of Delegate Allotment – passed
This proposal would amend the Constitution to simplify the process for councils as they choose National Council delegates. Changing the date on which delegate allocations (calculated using council membership size) are based would allow councils to more efficiently plan for and select their delegates.
Constitutional Amendment Formula for Delegates – did not pass
This proposal would create a Constitutional Amendment to help keep the number of delegates as close to 1,500 as possible while ensuring the number of delegates allocated to councils remains proportional to the council’s girl membership
Council Representation on the National Board – did not pass
This proposal would require the composition of the National Board to include three council CEOs. Recognizing implementation complexities including the National Board Development Committee (NBDC) effort required to assess the capabilities, geographic representation, diversity, etc. needed for an effective Board slate and then identifying, cultivating, and screening candidates relative to these requirements, this proposal will include a 2026 effective date.
Amend the Girl Scout Promise and Law to use more potent, actionable language – did not pass
The wording of our Promise and Law is deeply meaningful to Girl Scouts of all ages. This proposal provides the opportunity to debate and decide whether we should remove the words “try,” “to,” and “do my best.”
DEIRJ Language Proposal – passed with amendment
Girl Scouting remains dedicated to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice (DEIRJ). The Girl Scout Law affirms our commitment to being a sister to every Girl Scout. This proposal is an important step in our Movement’s journey to become an anti-racist, inclusive organization. Inserting the word “anti-racist” in the Preamble to the Constitution would codify our commitment to racial equity in governing documents and would strengthen and refresh existing language that states, “Girl Scouts advance diversity and pluralism in our Movement and in the communities in which we live." It would also support and propel existing DEIRJ efforts across the Movement.
Girl Scouts Gold Award Scholarship Fund - passed
This proposal would fulfill the action taken by the National Council in 2020 and establish a donor-restricted fund that invests in the post-high school education of Gold Award Girl Scouts. In response to overwhelming delegate support for Gold Award Girl Scouts voiced during NCS 2020, the National Board has been proactively fundraising to ensure scholarships are available to girls who earn the highest award in Girl Scouting.
Thank you to our 2023 National Council Session Delegates for representing Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois! This outstanding group of Girl Scouts, volunteers, and board members thoughtfully discussed, debated, and voted on proposals to shape the future of our Movement.
We look forward to coming together with our Girl Scout friends and sisters from all over the country again at the National Girl Scout Convention and National Council Session in 2026!
