Applications are currently closed. The next call will be in fall 2027 for the term beginning at the 2028 annual meeting.
2024 Call for National Council Delegate Applications
GSNorCal is excited to announce that the application for National Council delegates opens December 1, 2024! This is a fantastic opportunity for our Girl Scouts 14 years and older (by January 5, 2025) and our adult volunteers to represent GSNorCal on a national level for a three-year term. All eligible youth and adults from all areas of GSNorCal are encouraged to apply. (GSUSA’s Congressional Charter requires that a National Council delegate must be a U.S. citizen.)
National Council Delegate Position
As a National Council delegate, you will represent GSNorCal at the 58th National Council Session (NCS) in Washington, DC during July, 2026 (travel and housing costs covered by GSNorCal). However, your role as a delegate goes far beyond attending NCS. Throughout your three-year term, you will serve in a decision-making and decision-influencing role from home in GSNorCal, working with the National Board of GSUSA to provide input in an ongoing manner.
Just as importantly, National Council delegates also serve as voting members of GSNorCal. As such, during your term you will attend three GSNorCal Annual Meetings and participate as a voting member (specifically, the annual meetings in 2026 – 2028).
Please see the full position description for National Council delegates on our website.
National Council Session
NCS occurs every three years and is part of GSUSA’s National Convention. At NCS, delegates from every council across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas come together to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement. The delegates also elect national leaders for the next triennium. Additional details about NCS are provided later on this page.
To apply, please complete the online application between Sunday, December 1, 2024 and 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
PLEASE NOTE the application will not allow you to access it early.
Click the arrows to learn more about each section of the application
Basic demographic information questions
- Name
- Contact information
- Demographic information
- Girl Scout experiences
Four short essay questions
The short essay questions are listed below so that you can prepare and edit your responses before accessing the submission form. The typical response length for each question is one or two paragraphs (approximately 100 – 350 words).
- Why are you interested in becoming a National Council delegate and participating in the National Council Session?
- What experience or interest do you have with policymaking and/or policy-influencing?
- How do your experiences within Girl Scouts (locally and/or nationally, personally and/or professionally) prepare you to think strategically about the future of the Girl Scout Movement and analyze issues from a council and/or national perspective?
- How would you gather feedback on the proposals from diverse perspectives of GSNorCal members? And then, how would you weigh and analyze those diverse opinions (some of which may be different than your own) to inform strategic decision-making?
Brief biography for publication at the GSNorCal Annual Meeting and on gsnorcal.org
The biography instructions are listed below so that you can prepare and edit your biography before accessing the submission form.
Please write a short biography that best describes why voting members should elect you to represent GSNorCal as a National Council delegate (200 words max). If the Board Development Committee includes you in the nominated slate of National Council delegates, this bio will be included in the Annual Meeting Workbook shared with the GSNorCal Board of Directors prior to voting. Bios of elected National Council delegates will also be posted to gsnorcal.org.
Application Review Process
Your application will be reviewed and scored by a committee of staff, board members, and adult volunteers for the following characteristics: strategic thinking, communication skills, experience/interest in policy-informing or policymaking, knowledge of local and national Girl Scouting, decision making skills, adaptability, team-building, listening/representation skills, and commitment to the position and its responsibilities.
The committee’s scores will be used to select a recommended slate of delegates that represent the council’s diversity and geography. The recommended slate is then reviewed by the Board Development Committee (BDC) at their February 2025 meeting. Finally, the BDC sends their recommended slate of delegates to the voting members of GSNorCal’s Board of Directors who vote to approve the slate at the GSNorCal Annual Meeting (May 3, 2025).
Applicants are notified of their status on the recommended slate of delegates at the beginning of March. Applicants on the recommended slate should attend GSNorCal’s Annual Meeting on May 3, 2025.
Optional Information Sessions with Previous Delegates
Hear from previous delegates about their experiences and ask any questions you may have at one of the following optional virtual sessions. Be sure to preregister to receive the Zoom link!
- Monday, December 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM | Preregistration is closed
- Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 7:00 PM | Preregistration is closed
Important Dates
- January 5, 2025 – Applications due
- Early March, 2025 – Final slate notified
- May 3, 2025 – Final slate attends GSNorCal Annual Meeting at Camp Bothin; GSNorCal voting members vote to approve slate of National Council delegates
- Spring, 2026 – Attend GSNorCal Annual Meeting as a voting member
- July 20 – 22, 2026 – Attend National Council Session in Washington, DC
- July 23 – 25, 2026 – Attend GSUSA’s National Convention in Washington, DC (OPTIONAL)
- Spring, 2027 – Attend GSNorCal Annual Meeting as a voting member
- Spring, 2028 – Attend GSNorCal Annual Meeting as a voting member
There will also be a variety of GSNorCal and GSUSA pre- and post-NCS trainings and meetings throughout the three-year term that all delegates and alternates are expected to attend.
Alternates are expected to fully participate in all events, with the exception of the trip to NCS in Washington, DC., so that they are always up-to-date and ready to take over for a delegate at any time during the three-year term.
Questions?
For more information, please see our website, or email info@gsnorcal.org.
58th National Council Session Details
When
July 20 – 22, 22026 National Council Session (REQUIRED)
July 23 – 25, 2026 GSUSA’s National Convention (OPTIONAL)
Travel dates are TBD based on session start and end times
Where
Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Expenses
| Covered by GSNorCal for Delegates | Responsibility of Delegates |
|---|---|
| – Roundtrip airfare (equal up to an amount TBD based on lowest costs of travel) – Hotel accommodations, double occupancy (number of nights TBD based on session start and end times) – Per diem allowance to cover meals and miscellaneous expenses (number of days TBD based on session start and end times) – Delegation identifying items | – Transportation to and from the airport – GSUSA special events – Pre- and post-convention tours – Personal souvenirs |
Hotels
Hotel blocks are reserved by GSUSA. We will book rooms with double occupancy for all National Council delegates from our council. Roommates will be assigned. Delegates may request private rooms (as available) but are responsible for paying the additional costs.
Alternate Delegates / Official Visitors
Alternate delegates are welcome to attend NCS as official visitors at their own expense. Alternate delegates appointed to fill the vacancy of an official delegate will be reimbursed for their expenses as outlined above. Alternate delegates and official visitors are considered a part of our delegation and will be invited to all open sessions and special GSNorCal events. We will provide registration and hotel information.
Visit GSUSA’s website for more details as NCS and the National Convention approaches.
Last updated on July 30, 2025