What Service Units Do
Service units are managed by teams of committee-based volunteers. Service unit teams form new troops each year, provide direct support to members, and serve as a local communication center for the council. Service unit volunteers meet throughout the year to share ideas, receive training, and talk about important announcements. They also organize events like community-wide service projects, summer day camps, cookie rallies, celebrations, ceremonies, and more!
Each service unit has a shared goal: to best serve the needs of Girl Scouts. Team members can contribute in a variety of ways:
- Volunteering in one or multiple roles
- Keeping positive, relevant, and consistent communication
- Hosting events for Girl Scouts to make friends and learn new skills
- Coordinating Fall Product and Cookie Programs
- Ensuring Girl Scouts has a visible community presence
Be a Troop Coach
Offer one-on-one support and guidance to new troop leaders throughout their first year.
LEARN MORE
Be a Troop Coach 
A troop coach is a key supporter to brand new troop leaders, providing them one-on-one guidance throughout their first year. Along the way, use the Troop Coach Handbook to keep you and your new leader on track.
The Troop Coach Handbook provides:
Expectations and responsibilities for the troop coach
A clear guide for interactions over the first 30-60-90 days and beyond
Tips on how to help new leaders (based on guidance from new leader feedback)
Celebrate your troop coach achievements!
In addition to earning the gratitude and respect of new troop leaders, troop coaches will also receive the Troop Coach Patch and charm set.
Every volunteer claiming a troop coach role for their service unit earns the Troop Coach Patch and can receive an official printed Troop Coach Handbook.
Charms are earned at the end of each school year during which you serve as a troop coach.
Ready to be a troop coach? Send a note to Customer Care and a GSCTX staff member will help get you started in your new role.
Plan Your Year
Service Unit Training
First-time and long-time volunteers are trained with the latest Girl Scout guidance through the online portal, gsLearn. Login to your account and follow the 578 Service Unit Training Path to view essential leadership training, including Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) demo access. VTK demo access is available to volunteer roles that need access to VTK for training purposes. Demo access mirrors troop functionality and allows viewing of both sides of the troop experience from the troop leader and caregiver perspective.
Service Unit Planning Packet
Plan your most successful membership year yet! Identify goals, plan a mid-year check-in, and track your service unit budget with an easy-to-use sheet.
Service Unit Roster
The Service Unit Roster is required annually for service unit level volunteers. This form can be used to add or renew a service unit leadership role and is your official acceptance of the expectations and position commitments for your service unit level position. You’ll also find all service unit position descriptions listed on this form.
Girl Campaign Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Volunteers are essential to supporting Girl Scouts within our community who benefit from financial assistance, local facility updates, and a variety of benefits. Create your own peer-to-peer fundraising page using JustGiving. Share personal experiences of Girl Scouts on your channels or use the social media toolkit to get started.
Service Unit Dashboards
Service unit leaders, including directors, registrars, treasurers, and leads can access dashboards periodically to assist in the management of the service unit. Reports are accessed through Looker, the secure Girl Scout member data center. Training for Looker can be accessed in gsLearn: 578 Service Unit Suite of Tools.
Girl Scouts of Central Texas has five customized dashboards leaders can access, customized to your service unit.
- SU Roster: Full Roster Dashboard
- SU Roster: Membership Analysis Dashboard
- SU Roster: Troop Details Dashboard
- SU Roster: New in the Last Two Weeks Dashboard
- SU Roster: gsLearn Summary Dashboard
To obtain access or if you require assistance, please contact Customer Care.
Volunteer Recognition
There are many ways to show appreciation for a Girl Scout volunteer. Whether you send a homemade card or nominate a volunteer for an award, your recognition can have a big impact.
Volunteer Recognition Planning Guide
This interactive guide walks you through developing your troop or service unit recognition plan and is full of inspirational ideas.
Printable Cards and More
It's always the right time to say thanks and small gestures go a long way.
- Cookie Pun Thank You Card (PDF)
- Volunteer Appreciation Scrapbook (PDF)
- Girl Scout Appreciation Card: English (PDF) / Spanish (PDF)
- Community Appreciation Certificate (PDF)
Volunteer Awards
Service unit, council, and national awards are a great way to make your fellow volunteers feel appreciated. Nominate an adult volunteer who has gone above and beyond for Girl Scouts. Check out the Volunteer Awards Guide to get started.
Volunteer Awards Guide (PDF)
Service Unit Awards
Service unit leadership and service unit volunteer recognitions coordinators submit the Service Unit Awards Order Form four weeks before the scheduled pick-up or mail delivery date of your service unit award order.
Council and National Awards
Submit Council and National Award Nominations and the 10+ Years Volunteer Service Award Form from October 1 through April 1.
Council and National Award Recipients
Be a part of the GSCTX Volunteer Awards Committee.
Work collaboratively with volunteers and staff to review and approve council and national award nominations. Apply from October 1 through April 1.
Forms & Documents
Search for important forms and documents for managing your service unit.
VIEW FORMS
