Girl and Council Advocacy

Vermont Girl Scouts Take Action Against Bullying

Girls from the Girl Scout Council of Vermont conducted an in-depth research project that surveyed over 200 girls ages 11-18 for a report entitled What Teen Girls Say About Bullying and Harassment. Teen girl members designed and conducted the survey themselves. The girls also presented their findings and testimony to the Vermont Council on Women, the state's Department of Education, and state legislators during the Vermont Teen Advocacy Day. A month after their release of the study, a bill, H.486, related to cyberbullying and bullying in school was introduced in the Vermont legislature.

The Girl Scout Council of Vermont legislative interns made incredible strides with advocating for girls' health and safety during the Vermont Teen Advocacy Day.

The Vermont Girl Scouts show that through taking action to influence change, they empower themselves and others to make the world a better place. To find out more about their story, check out the Fall 2008 Issue of Leader, the Girl Scout volunteer magazine.

California Girl Scouts Take On Alcopops

	Girl Scout Kelcey from San Fernando Valley standing in front of the State Capitol Building for the 2007 California Girl Scout Advocacy Day.

During the 2007 California Girl Scout Advocacy Day, Girl Scouts successfully lobbied before the California Board of Equalization (BOE) against alcopops, sweet fruity alcoholic beverages that are primarily marketed to and consumed by teenage girls. Girls, including Kelcey from San Fernando Valley, testified on the alcopops issue to the BOE and participated in various related press events. Kelcey and the other Girl Scouts advocated for measures that would decrease girls' consumption of this drink. Later in 2007, the BOE voted in support of these measures.

During the Advocacy Day, the Girl Scouts also had the opportunity to learn about government careers, the legislative process, how advocacy works, how to educate lawmakers and met with California Assembly members. Kelcey states, "As the sole representative from the San Fernando Valley, I had a unique opportunity to be a citizen advocate, lobbying elected officials on bills that affect the health of girls like me."

Colorado Council Teaches Girls About Democracy and Leadership

The Girl Scouts of Colorado Council has developed an interactive program entitled "Teaching Democracy, Building Leadership" that uses hands-on educational experiences to teach girls about democracy and inspire leadership. For politically enthused girls entering grades 10 to 12, this was a Girl Scout Leadership Experience in civic engagement and America's democratic political system. Girls first participated in online learning and interaction in July and August of 2008 and progressed to a six-day non-stop, non-partisan interactive program in the heart of the action surrounding the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver (DNC). The experience culminates with more online advocacy, which included closely watching the Republican National Convention, leading to the finale of the Inauguration of the next President of the United States.

During their week at the DNC, the girls learned about the power of voting and took steps to encourage others to vote through creating their own public service announcements. You can view their "get out the vote" PSAs online now.