The Western Massachusetts Girl Scout Council is one
of 321 councils chartered by Girl Scouts
of the U.S.A. As a business incorporated in 1963 in Massachusetts, it
is governed by 24 adults and 2 Senior Girl Scouts serving as elected-members
of the board of directors.
Additional voting members of the corporation include members the nominating
committee and delegates 14 + years old elected in 23 defined geographic
areas (service units).
Classification by the federal government as a 501 (c)(3)
tax exempt organization provides us with financial benefits and charges
us with the responsibility of offering low-cost, high quality Girl Scout
programming to all girls ages 5-17 who accept the Promise and Law, We are
providing a direct benefit to the communities we serve that would not otherwise
be available.
4,550 girls in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and western Hampden counties are registered as of September 1996 and are served through small, regularly meeting groups. 900 registered adult Girl Scouts provided leadership and support for 393 troops. Potential leaders must complete, an application, supply references and be interviewed prior to appointment. They receive an orientation prior to working with girls and must complete a basic leader training course (free of charge) within six months of appointment.
Seven United Way/Community Chest organizations provided 6% of
the council's total support and revenue in 1997. These included Williamstown
Community Chest and Northern Berkshire, Berkshire, Franklin County, Hamshire
County , Holyoke-South Hadley Granby, and Community United Way of Pioneer
Valley. 14% of the total support and revenue came from individual contributors.
Product sales such as cookies and magazines account for 61% of a troop's
income and only 43% of WMGSC's income as a whole.
The council maintains three outdoor program sites: Camp
Kinnebrook in Chester, Camp Lewis Perkins in South Hadley, and Camp Marion
White in Richmond. Day camp programs are offered on two of these (Camps
Lewis Perkins and Marion White). A field office is maintained, staffed and
supplied in Westfield. The WMGSC Service Center in Leeds, MA (just outside
Northampton) houses the professional
staff, computer systems, meeting rooms, a resale area for Girl Scout
items, a video and book lending library, and the Western Massachusetts Girl
Scout Council Museum. There is also a WMGSC store in Pittsfield.
Financial assistance is available for girls who cannot afford the cost of membership registration fees ($7 year), camp or event fees, Girl Scout handbooks or uniform components (though uniforms are not required), and the like. Limited assistance may also be available for adults who are interested in supplemental training and conferences.
Fifteen professional staff members provide services
including processing GSUSA membership registrations for girl and adult members;
program development and consultation; troop/group organization and maintenance;
volunteer training, support and review; legal and financial management;
camp and program event registration services; publication production; the
administration of recognitions and opportunities for individual girls; and
more.
