National Council Session

Starting in 1915 and every few years since then, delegates from every council across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas have met during our National Council Sessions (NCS) to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement and elect national leaders for the next triennium.

Save the date for July 2023 and the 56th National Council Session! We can’t wait to gather again safely in person for the 56th National Council Session, taking place in Orlando, Florida, in July 2023 (exact dates to be announced in late 2021). In the meantime, watch this video to get excited for our next convention!

National Delegate Position Description

Any volunteer who is passionate about Girl Scouts, enjoys discussing governing rules, and wants to connect with other volunteers and girls in our region is a perfect fit as a National Delegate.

Any girl who is interested in governing rules and able to participate in discussions to represent the voice of girls in our region should apply. In general, girls in grades 8-10 are eligible to apply to be delegates. Although, please check the age requirements below.

Girls must be at least 14 years of age by April 9, 2022.
Girls must be in high school at the time of national convention in July 2023. This ensures that girl delegates serve for a full year after the national convention.

NATIONAL COUNCIL GOVERNANCE ACCOUNTABILITIES

The National Council is authorized to:

Elect the National Board of Directors and National Board Development Committee.
Amend the constitution.
Establish requirements for credentials.
Act on proposals.
Influence the strategic direction of the Movement by providing guidance to the National Board.

RECOMMENDED SELECTION CRITERIA FOR NATIONAL COUNCIL DELEGATES

Girl Scout councils should elect delegates based on the following criteria (note: the delegation should be representative of the diversity of the council membership and include girl voices)

Ability to think strategically and focus on the future of the Girl Scout Movement.
Experience and/or interest in policy-influencing and policy-making positions.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the workings of Girl Scout councils and the Movement.
Ability to analyze issues from a national as well as a council perspective. National Council actions and decisions have Movement-wide implications.
Commitment to attending council and GSUSA training sessions to be as informed as possible about the issues and democratic process utilized at the National Council Session.
Willingness to support all the decisions of the National Council and to educate council members about the decisions made.

DUTIES OF A DELEGATE

In advance of the National Council Session, everyone elected by the council as a voting member/delegate to the National Council takes personal responsibility to:
- Study all items on the agenda, including background information, and recommendations of the
  National Board of Directors.
- Attend briefing meetings conducted by the council; participate in council, board, and
  association meetings; and participate in council forums and focus groups, as requested.
- Consider a broad spectrum of the opinions of adult and older girl members from all parts of the
  council.
- Participate in teleconferences/webinars for voting members sponsored by GSUSA.
- Engage in opportunities to discuss, learn, and share ideas across the Movement.
While attending the National Council Session, each voting member is responsible for:
- Attending all business meetings and participating in the proceedings.
- Being fully prepared to participate in discussions and vote on all business items.
Upon returning from the National Council Session, each National Council voting member/delegate is prepared to:
- Report at the council’s annual meeting to the council board of directors, and the council’s constituency (if requested by council board chair/president and CEO) on the National Council decisions and the reasons for such decisions.
- Share insights on information gained at the National Council Session, if requested.
- Assist the council as it prepares to participate in the next National Council Session, if requested.
- Participate in teleconferences/webinars and other opportunities for voting members/delegates.

2023 National Delegates

Mollie Schmelzer
National Delegate
My name is Mollie Schmelzer. I am from Bettendorf, IA and am in my 17th year of Girl Scouting. My favorite memory of Girl Scouts as a child is being a PA at Piper Hills Day Camp. My favorite memory as an adult is working at Conestoga Day Camp. A secret talent I learned in Girl Scouts is being able to be awake and asleep at the same time...especially when chaperoning camping trips. I want to represent GSEIWI to help expand understanding of the national governance process and be an ear and a voice, helping our local membership to be informed and engaged in the larger picture of Girl Scouting.

Lily Mitchell
National Delegate
My name is Lily Mitchell and I’m from Bettendorf, Iowa. I’ve been a Girl Scout my entire life though this is my 2nd year as a troop leader and lifetime member. My favorite Girl Scout memory is going to visit Savannah Georgia on a weeklong camping road trip with my friends. I am really good at leading repeat after me songs. I want to represent GSEIWI because I have been a part of this council for the majority of my life and I continue to share experiences with this council. I believe that the experience I have had the opportunity to gain from this council has helped me to become the woman/leader I am today and I would love to give back to Girl Scouts in a way that will help other girls grow to be more than they ever thought they could be.

Chelsea Hillman
National Delegate
I’m Chelsea Hillman and I’m from Davenport, IA. I'm a third generation Girl Scout, have been a girl/adult member for 15+ years, and became a Lifetime Member a few years ago. My favorite Girl Scout memories usually take place around a campfire telling stories and singing songs! Or seeing someone do something for the first time that they didn't think they could do! My secret Girl Scout skill is building fires. I’d like to make sure the voices of our local girls and volunteers are heard on the national stage!

Tracy Schwind
National Delegate
Hi, I’m Tracy Schwind from Davenport, IA. I was a Girl Scout for 8 years originally and engaged again as a Board Member brining my total to 20 years. I loved Girl Scout camp. I have wonderful memories of sit-upons, s'mores, hiking, campfires, and singing with my fellow Girl Scouts. My secret Girl Scout skill is tie-dye - I can make a pretty nice t-shirt (although the skill I will always credit Girl Scouts for is Leadership!). I would love the opportunity to use what I have learned about the membership of GSEIWI to impact the national movement.

Erin O’Hara
Alternate National Delegate
Erin O'Hara comes to us from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has been involved with the Girl Scouts for 16 years. Her favorite memory of girl scouting was a trip to Mississippi with her troop that involved swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, learning about oceanic life, eating lots of good food, and making many memories such as hitting a deer on the way home! A secret talent she learned through Girl Scouts was how to whittle wax with a plastic knife. She wishes to represent GSEIWI as this is now her turn to speak to an amazing organization that has been such a big part of her life and her journey in becoming of girl of courage, confidence and character.

Amanda Adrian
Alternate National Delegate
My name is Amanda Adrian, and I am from Cedar Rapids, Ia. I was a Girl Scout for 10 years, and have been an adult volunteer for 9 years. As a girl I always looked forward to our annual camp outs, horseback riding trips, hosting lock-ins, and being with my friends at our meetings. Also, never use the "Johnny Appleseed" grace unless you were ready for all the rain that followed it. As a scout I learned all about camping basics, ways to plan a trip, financing, and community support. I want to represent GSEIWI so I can make an impactful difference in the lives of the scouts we represent

2023 National Girl Delegates

Rachel Johnson
National Girl Delegate
Hi! I'm Rachel Johnson. I live in Cedar Rapids Iowa. I am a Senior Girl Scout in Troop 2589 and have been a Girl Scout for 11 years. My favorite memory is seeing Camp Liberty the first summer after it opened, I had attended Camp Little Cloud as well and loved it there too. What I loved at Camp Liberty was not that it had just been redone although it looked amazing, but it was all the friends I've made there since. The friends are the reason I go back year after year. This summer I plan on finishing level 5 of the horse program and attending CIT 1. The other thing I love about going to camp is the experiences. If it wasn't for camp I would have never ridden a horse and would have no idea how much I love riding. One talent I have from Girl Scouts is working well in a team, if human knots, and trying to make plans during troop meetings has taught me anything it's how to work in a group. It shows in school, sports, and many other extra-curricular activities I participate in. I want to represent GSEIWI as a delegate because this is the council I've been in since I started as a Daisy Girl Scout and I want Girl Scouts to mean as much to other girls as it does to me. I have the ability to voice my opinions, listen and consider other perspectives, and represent the broader community well in decision-making. I will bring these traits and my best self to serve as a National Delegate for our council.

Kaylie Price
National Girl Delegate
My name is Kaylie Price and I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This is my 9th year as a Girl Scout. I love spending time at Flint Lake on a Canoe talking with my friends my first year at Camp Liberty. My secret talent I learned as a Girl Scout is how to wipe a table correctly. The "swoopy" way they teach you at Camp Liberty. I want to represent our council, because I have a voice and know how to use it. I could help get our thoughts and ideas out to more people. I want to be a voice for good.

Savannah McCann
Alternate National Girl Delegate
Hey, my name is Savannah McCann. I have been in troop 6336 for ten years. My favorite memories are going to camp Tahigwa and Camp Liberty. A secret talent I have learned in Girl scouts is building a fire in snow and cold and wind. I want to represent GSEIWI so I can keep becoming stronger myself and help empower other girls to see what Girl Scouts are capable of.

Celebrate World Thinking Day on February 22