Volunteer Essentials

Welcome!

As a volunteer, you’re not just helping—you’re inspiring. You’re a builder of community, a mentor, and a joyful guide who leads with kindness. Thanks to you, Girl Scouts of all ages will dream big, explore boldly, and make a real difference in the world. We’re so glad you’re here!

These pages are designed to support you as a Girl Scout volunteer. From Girl Scout basics to managing your troop, we’ve got you covered! We recommend that you begin by browsing the sections below and return throughout the year to find answers to your questions as they arise.

Download Volunteer Essentials

About Girl Scouts

Everything you need to know about Girl Scouts.

Troop Management

How to get started with your troop.

Troop Finances

Learn money-earning basics.

Troop Engagement

Connect with Girl Scouts and get their families involved with your troop.

Creating a Safe Space

Keep Girl Scouts safe in every activity with these guidelines.

Product Program

Guide Girl Scouts as they learn to think like entrepreneurs and develop business smarts.

Volunteer Appreciation

You make a powerful difference. We wouldn’t exist without volunteers like you.

Resources & Support

Additional tools to help you along the way.

New troop leader?

Are you a new troop leader? We have a resource designed especially for you. Plus, council staff and volunteer coaches are ready to help throughout your first year and beyond!

New Troop Leader? toggle arrow

Are you a new troop leader? We have a resource designed especially for you. Check out the Welcome to Girl Scouts Guide, a resource designed especially for you. Plus, council staff and volunteer coaches are ready to help throughout your first year and beyond!

Whatever your volunteer position, your hard work means girls will embark on new adventures, make friendships that last a lifetime, and deepen their connection to their community and the world. We’re calling on all members of society to help girls reach their full potential, and you’ve answered that call. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Welcome to Girl Scouts of North East Ohio toggle arrow

Thank you for volunteering with Girl Scouts of North East Ohio. We are happy to have you on this amazing journey, where we offer the best program for girls to grow into young women of courage, confidence, and character. This guide will help you navigate the world of Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts of North East Ohio serves nearly 18,000 girls in grades K-12 and 11,000 adult members in Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Sandusky, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Tuscarawas counties. Want to learn more about our Council?

Girl Scouts have been a part of Northeast Ohio since 1912. Local troops and councils formed and merged over the years. In 2007 five councils across 18 counties merged to form Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO). GSNEO was formed on October 1, 2007.

>>Learn more about GSNEO history

GSNEO Customer Care toggle arrow

The Customer Care team is here to answer your questions Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

Customer Care Contact Information: 1-800-852-4474 or customercare@gsneo.org

There are also options for Live Chat and Auto Answer for when Live Chat is not available.

Girl Scouts of North East Ohio After-Hours Emergency Contacts toggle arrow

Police/Fire/EMS: 9-1-1

Poison Control Center: 800-222-1222

Child Abuse Hotline: 855-642-4453

GSNEO After–Hours Emergency Number: 330-472-2389

Connect with Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Online toggle arrow

In addition to this website, GSNEO has a wide variety on online tools you can use. Check us out on social media, or take your training online, or find out what's happening near you.

Resource Partners
Resource Partners is a friend indeed when you're in need. Looking for a volunteer? Trying to find supplies? Searching for an expert in a field? The GSNEO Resource Partners is an online “Yelp”-like resource guide to events and activities for Girl Scouts, volunteers, family, and friends. You can search by age level, county, or keyword to find great opportunities and savings for Girl Scouts!

gsLearn
Girl Scouts’ official online and on-demand training forum. It empowers volunteers to complete training as it works best for them. Complete much of your basic leader training in your gsLearn account.

GSNEO Social Media:

>>Facebook

>>X ( formerlyTwitter)

GSNEO Service Centers and Properties toggle arrow

Be sure to check the business hours below!

Macedonia Council Shop & Unique Boutique Hours:

Be sure to check out the Shop page for open and close hours before you go!

GSNEO Macedonia Service Center

One Girl Scout Way
Macedonia, OH 44056

P 330-617-5119/800-852-4474
F 330-467-1901

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday - 9am - 5pm

GSNEO Youngstown Service Center

8580 South Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44514

P 330-652-5876/800-852-4474
F 330-319-8223

Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday - 9am - 5pm

GSNEO N. Canton Service Center

1010 Applegrove St. NW
North Canton, OH 44720

P 330-433-9485/800-852-4474
F 330-499-4475

Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday - 9am - 5pm

Jane Norton Girl Scout DreamLab

5255 Detroit Road
Sheffield, OH 44054

P 440-233-6112/800-852-4474
F 440-233-7393

Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday - 9am - 5pm

GSNEO Satellite Offices: By Appointment Only! Please call 800-852-4474 to schedule.

Cleveland

4019 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44103

© Copyright 2009–2026 Girl Scouts of the United States of America.  All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts’ Volunteer Essentials guide (“Material”) is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.