Applications open October 1, 2026!
Overview
Each year, Girl Scouts of Northern California appoints two Youth Board Participants to serve on our Board of Directors. For youth currently in grades 9-11, this is an excellent opportunity to take part in council governance, advocate for their peers, and see first-hand how an organization is run.
Youth applicants should connect with their references and ask them to email reference letters to info@gsnorcal.org with the subject line “[GIRL SCOUT NAME] Letter of Reference – Youth Board Participant Application” no later than the application deadline. It is the youth applicant’s responsibility to communicate with their references and share the deadline, ensuring references submit materials on time.
In the position of Youth Board Participant, youth will follow the tasks outlined in the Roles and Responsibilities.
Your Application
Your application consists of the following:
- A completed application form
- Answer all questions in full. When sharing your previous experiences, draw from your time in scouting but also share on other experiences, such as school, work, music, or sports.
- We understand you may use ChatGPT or other AI software to draft or refine your answers but we ask that you try to answer each question yourself to the best of your abilities. This will help us to get a better idea of who you are and your voice, which will in turn guide us to see how you might fit into the position.
- 2 letters of recommendation.
- Youth applicants should connect with their references and ask them to email reference letters to info@gsnorcal.org with the subject line “[GIRL SCOUT NAME] Letter of Reference – Youth Board Participant Application” no later than the application deadline. It is the youth applicant’s responsibility to communicate with their references and share the deadline, ensuring references submit materials on time.
- If you are unsure how to request a letter of recommendation, we suggest you focus on the following:
- Who is best equipped to speak to your skills and experience? Examples of individuals you can reach out to request a reference letter include: coach, Gold Award Advisor, teacher, Troop Leader, etc. We ask that you do not submit a letter written by a parent or guardian. If your parent/guardian is your troop leader, think about who else you might be able to request from. When you request your letter, be sure to tell the individual you are contacting why specifically you want them to write the letter.
- When are you planning to submit your application? Allow for plenty of time for your recommenders to write and submit your letter. It is a good idea to try to allow one month. If the application is due in less than a month, reach out to request your letters asap and make sure your recommenders understand the timeframe. Be sure to also follow up prior to the application deadline.
- What to include in the letter? Ask the recommender if they can speak on the skills you are highlighting in your application (i.e. leadership, public speaking, teamwork). Also ask them if they can share a specific example of something they have worked on with you (i.e. a Gold Award Project or a sports tournament).
- What else to include? Make sure to provide plenty of information on the position you are applying to and why. You can include the link to the information page or just a summary of the position. To help the recommender, you can also share with them your resume or bio, highlighting relevant activities and acomplishments.
- Interest and a desire to improve the Girl Scouting mission across Northern California!
Roles & Responsibilities
The GSNorCal Board of Directors is accountable for governing the affairs of the Council, for compliance with the charter requirements of GSUSA, for adhering to state corporate law, and for matters relating to federal government legislation affecting non-profit and non-stock organizations.
Youth Board Participants:
- Youth Participants are non-voting members and serve one-year terms.
- Youth Participants are expected to attend GS NorCal Board of Directors Meetings.
- Attend and actively participate in at least 80% of regularly scheduled Board meetings each fiscal year (whether in person or virtually). attend in person when meetings are designated as in-person meetings, absent circumstances that reasonably prevent in-person attendance.
- Board meetings may be held either in the Alameda or San Jose offices.
- Youth Participants will attend a brief orientation session to review key documents and reports.
- Materials for Board meetings will be made available atleast a week before each meeting. It is expected that youth participants will review the material in advance of each meeting.
- Youth Participants are encouraged to participate actively in the board meeting discussions.
- Youth Participants will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. Members may be privy to information that is a work in progress or is of a confidential nature.
- Youth Participants are in charge of the Youth Voices Task Group (YVTG), a team of scouts, including former Board Participants, who work to identify and address issues facing youth in the GS NorCal footprint.
- Youth Participants present ‘Mission Moments’ at Board meetings, sharing updates on the work of the YVTG and any other relevant topics.
- As a Girl Scout, you have ideas that are important to share. The Board is interested in your views!
Testimonials from former Girl Board Participants:
Srija N.: “Being a Youth Board Participant has been an extremely rewarding experience. From learning how non-profit organizations operate, to working alongside inspiring women, it is truly marvelous to be part of GSNorCal’s board. This position has allowed me to represent Girl Scouts’ voices and forever shape the “Youth Voice” in board meetings. I am grateful for the wonderful memories and the abundance of real-world skills I have developed over the past several months.”
Emmalee B.: “Serving as a Youth Board Participant has been an unbelievable experience. It’s a hands-on learning experience that has enriched my interpersonal skills. I enjoyed contributing my opinion on topics and being heard by other board members. From this experience I’ve learned the importance of working as a team and community outreach. Girl Scouts has always been an organization founded to help girls, and through this experience I’ve obtained a better understanding of the dedication and time that goes into making Girl Scouts of NorCal extraordinary.”
Aditi P.: “Growing up as a Girl Scout, I’ve always looked up to older Girl Scout leaders in my community, through camping trips, badge activities, and other Girl Scout events. It has been a true honor serving on the Girl Scout Board and representing the Girl Scouts across Northern California. Working with such inspiring and dedicated leaders has allowed me to better understand how the organization is run, practice professional communication, and contribute to the Board. I thoroughly enjoyed serving on the Board and participating in Girl Scout events, and will forever remember and appreciate how this experience has helped me grow as an individual.”
Suhani S.: “Serving on the Board as a Girl Board member this past year has been such a memorable experience, as I have been able to view a different perspective of Girl Scouts and acquire new leadership skills. I am so glad that I was able to serve as I have been able to meet and network with inspiring leaders, learn about the business side of how Girl Scouts is run as an organization, and help be the voice and representation of my fellow Girl Scouts.”
Questions? Contact jkubik@gsnorcal.org.
Last updated on September 17, 2026