Live the Mission

Girl Scouts across Georgia are working to make a positive difference in their own communities. Troops throughout Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc. are rising to the challenge to contribute 100,000 hours of service between now and March 2012 – the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts.

SERVICE HOURS CURRENTLY EARNED:  17,090

Service to the community has always been a part of Girl Scouting. Service is given as a way to help others.  While service is given as part of a requirement for a patch or other award, the service itself should be given unselfishly, with out expectation of reward.  Service should represent an extension of oneself, not just the completion of normal responsibilities. There is a fine line between service and something that is merely fun. Holiday caroling around the neighborhood followed by a troop party would not be considered service, but going to a hospital to carol for patients could be considered service.

The following cannot be counted as service hours:

• Anything done as a money earning activity or for which you receive money or other rewards
• Activities done  to raise money for other organizations (Refer to Safety Wise for Fund Raising Standards)

Some simple steps to planning a service project:

• Decide what to do
Girls will think about a challenge they would like to take on – Is your troop concerned about hunger in your community? Does your troop want to help animals? If your project is related to a subject the troop members are excited and passionate about, the experience will be even more rewarding.

• Create a plan of action
Once your troop identifies an area of focus, girls can start planning actions and solutions. This is a good time to refer to state and local agencies to see what organizations in your community need help – refer to our list of “Hands On” affiliates that can help identify service projects for girls over the age of eleven.

As you create your project plan answer the following questions:

• What is the project?
• Is the project too big? Should your troop work with another troop?
• How much time will it take?
• Will it cost money? If so how will you fund raise?
• What special skills are needed to complete the project?
• Do you need to get any special permission ahead of time?

• Carry it out
Once you have planned your service project work together to carry it out.

• Evaluate your accomplishments
After the service is complete, take some time to think about what was accomplished (individually and in your troop meeting) and how your troop worked together to make the world a better place.  Also think about how well you were able to implement the plan of action created by the troop – what worked and what did not and how you all can improve you’re planning for your next project.

• Recognize and track your service
Troops can report their hours and tell their story of service by completing the “Community Service” reporting form. Hours are tracked by the council to reach the 100,000 hours of community service.  Click here for the Live the Mission Form.

Hands On participating affiliates list community service projects for youth over the age of eleven years.
Visit their websites for project ideas and more information:

• Hands On Coastal Georgia – Brunswick
• Hands On Northeast Georgia – Athens
• Hands On Columbia County – Harlem
• Hands On Savannah – Savannah
• Hands On the Valley – Columbus
• Hands On Macon – Macon
• Hands On Thomas County  – Albany
• Hands On Milledgeville – Milledgeville
• Hands On Wayne County – Jesup
• Hands On Southeast Georgia – Statesboro

Punch cards to help girls keep track of their personal community service hours are available at your local service center, or they can be downloaded here. Please report projects completed (by a girl or troop) to Patty Lennon.

*In English folklore a Brownie was a helpful little elf who quietly did chores and other good turns in people's homes before they awoke.  This is how Brownie Girl Scouts came by their name, and all Girl Scouts have continued the tradition of providing service for over 97 years.*