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Virtual Volunteer Conference

2018 BIG Volunteer Conference

Saturday, August 7, 2021

Registration

The 2021 Big Volunteer Conference is planned just for YOU – our dedicated volunteers! Spend a day learning, leading, and coming together as volunteers for Girl Scouts at our fourth annual Big Volunteer Conference, made possible by our generous event sponsor, California State University, Sacramento. The conference will feature inspiring speakers, breakout sessions with opportunities to expand your personal development and your Girl Scout expertise.  Virtual presentations will take place on Saturday, August 7 followed by a month of in-person volunteer networking events hosted throughout our council service area.  Volunteers who have qualified for the renewal incentive should receive an email with a discount code to use when registering for the event.

Fee includes participation in the virtual conference and an in-person networking event, patch and conference goodies.

Details on the dates, times and locations for the in-person networking events and how to RSVP will be sent separately in late June.

Registration Link: https://www.girlscoutshcc.org/en/sf-events-repository/2021/big-volunteer-conference.html

The theme this year is B.R.A.V.E. (Bold, Resilient, Accepted, Victorious, Educated).

August 7, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.-Virtual

FULL DAY: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Networking, Welcome Video

9:30 a.m.

30 mins

Welcome and Power Talks

10 to 11 a.m.

1 hour

Workshop 1

11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

1 hour

Lunch and Networking

12:15 to 1:00 p.m.

45 minutes

Workshop 2

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

1 hour

Networking/Mini Sessions*

2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

  

*Brief 15 to 30 minute presentations on a specific topic (Product Program, Journeys, Higher Awards, etc)

 

Special thanks to our sponsor, California State University, Sacramento!

 

Workshop Sessions
College:  Starting, Staying, Belonging

Success in college is more than academic talent, it also requires a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity. From youth programs to student government, panelists from Sacramento State will provide information on how girls can create a sense of belonging before and after they arrive on a college campus. The panelists will discuss methods for encouraging girls at any age to get involved, create a sense of belonging, and engage with their college campus. The panelists will share their personal stories and experiences, discuss Sac State’s focus on students, and allow time for questions and answers. The panel discussion is appropriate for leaders of all experience levels and can be informative for leaders with troops of any age.

Girl Scout Voices Count - What Do Our Girls Say?

Curious about what girls shared with us in the 2021 Girl Scout Voices Count survey? Join us to learn what insights you might gain to better serve the girls in your troop and service unit. This workshop is appropriate for leaders of all experience levels and can be informative for leaders with troops of any age as well as service team volunteers.

Community Service - The Girl Scout Style

Community Service is at the heart of what it means to be a Girl Scout. Learn the ins and outs of community service and the variety of Girl Scout bars, pins, and torches a Girl Scout can earn. We will discuss why and how a troop and Girl Scout can weave community service into the Girl Scout experience. This workshop is appropriate for leaders of all experience levels, particularly those who work with grades 4-12.

So, My Girl Scout Wants To Earn a Highest Award, Now What?

We will cover the 411 of what the Highest Awards are and why they are important in the Girl Scout world. This session will include a review of available resources and where to find them, tips and tricks for leaders to support their Girl Scout(s) through the Highest Awards process, and, if all else fails, how to reach GSHCC staff for support. This workshop is appropriate for leaders of all experience levels, particularly those who work with grades 4-12.

Re-activate Your Leadership Superpower

This workshop will cover the power of mentorship, strategies, and what it means to be a leader to the girls we serve. Participants will leave feeling inspired to kick-off the new Girl Scout year. This workshop is appropriate for leaders of all experience levels and can be informative for leaders with troops of any age.

Relax and Rejuvenate Your Mind and Body

Stressed and overwhelmed? Come learn easy resilience and rejuvenation exercises that help refresh your mind and body. Leave with the tools to help children in your home and your troop relax and refocus, too! This workshop is appropriate for leaders of all experience levels and can be informative for leaders with troops of any age.

She Became B.R.A.V.E

She Became B.R.A.V.E will inspire, motivate, and give you basic life principles to share with girls. During this session, the principles covered will give you a taste of the simplicity of practical moves that you or a girl can make in life to succeed. This workshop is appropriate for leaders of all experience levels and can be informative for leaders with troops of any age.

What’s New With Girl Scouts? 

GSUSA is launching a new series of badges this year, including a refresh of the Cookie Business badges, a Math in Nature series, and a new Leadership badge series. In addition to the new program materials, we are refreshing our brand and launching new uniform components. Join us for an overview of the new materials and resources coming out this year. This workshop is appropriate for leaders of all experience levels and can be informative for leaders with troops of any age.

Building an Inclusive (BIS) 1 & 2 

Join us and complete both BIS 1 & 2 during this specially designed 90-minute session (typically a separate 1 hour self-paced webinar and 1-hour live webinar). Part 1 sets a foundation of our learning and will create a common vocabulary. In Part 2, you’ll interact with other leaders and explore a wide variety of Girl Scout troop scenarios, where you’re encouraged to think of how you and your troop can foster an environment of diversity, inclusivity, and belonging. Your experiences and environment are unique to you, and you bring those experiences to all parts of your life. Our goal at Girl Scouts remains the same: to create an inclusive sisterhood, where all members of our community have a sense of belonging and inclusion, regardless of visible or invisible differences. Upon completion of this training, you will receive a BIS completion certificate, patch, and sticker. The two-part “Building an Inclusive Sisterhood” is required for Girl Scout volunteers, specifically service team members and troop leaders. This is a great opportunity for those that have not yet completed it to do so before the September 30, 2021 deadline.

Explore the Girl Scout Tree Promise

This workshop will explain our five-year service project/mission to plant, protect, and honor 5 million trees. Girl Scouts at every level will want to participate and do their part to make the World a better and healthier place. 

Mini Sessions

Gold Award GSUSA Guide and Rubric updates - Hot Off The Press

We are excited to unveil the 2021 Gold Award GSUSA approved Guide and Rubric. These two resources are critical to the success of Girl Scouts earning their Gold Award. Be the first troop leaders in our council to set your eyes on these resources, and be prepared to support your Girl Scouts as they earn their Gold Award.

Rallyhood Q&A

Join us for this special session on Rallyhood, GSHCC’s communication platform. This session will allow you to get support with setting up and managing your service unit, troop, and special interest rallys..

Volunteer Tool Kit Q&A

Explore the GSUSA Volunteer Tool Kit. Learn about how to use this tool to keep track of attendance and achievements, make year plans, report on your finances, and more. Throughout the session  you will be able to chat with council staff and ask questions to help you learn more about this amazing resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’re working on FAQs as this year’s event comes together. Please see below for some basic FAQs, but rest assured more information will be added as needed. If you have questions that cannot be answered by using the Frequently Asked Questions, please contact Customer Care at customercare@girlscoutshcc.org. 

What is the Big Volunteer Conference?
The 2021 Big Volunteer Conference is planned just for YOU – our dedicated volunteers! Spend a day learning, leading, and coming together as volunteers for Girl Scouts at our fourth annual Big Volunteer Conference. The conference will feature inspiring speakers, breakout sessions with opportunities to expand your personal development and your Girl Scout expertise, as well as networking opportunities with your peers. 

When and where is the Big Volunteer Conference? 
The 2021 Big Volunteer Conference will be on Saturday, August 7, 2021 and will be hosted online. We’ll be using a custom online event space. We will also be hosting a series of in-person networking happy hours in the month following the event throughout our council jurisdiction.

How will a virtual Big Volunteer Conference work?
You will receive an email by July 31, with a link to our virtual conference center. That specific link will get you access to our opening session, your workshops, and the networking opportunities. You won’t need a separate link for each event you’re participating in.  

The site will open at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 7. Come familiarize yourself with our virtual conference space and check out the workshop schedule, before the welcome session begins at 10:00 a.m.  We will host two workshop sessions, beginning at 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  There will be networking opportunities at 12:15 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Breaks are built into the day, to give you the chance to stretch your legs, take a needed bio break, prepare your lunch, etc.  We are recording the Opening Session and all of the workshops. That way if something comes up in the middle of your day, and you need to step away from your computer, you can find the content on demand in gsLearn and catch up later.  

What do I need in order to participate in a virtual Big Volunteer Conference?
If you want to attend live, you will need access to a high speed internet connection and an internet-enabled device with a camera, microphone, speakers and keyboard. While you can access the event via a mobile phone or tablet, you will have the best experience when using a desktop computer or laptop.  

If you cannot attend live, you will need access to a high speed internet connection and an internet-enabled device with speakers, in order to view the recorded content on demand in gsLearn.  We expect, similar to the way the Volunteer Toolkit works, that come August, volunteers will need to be renewed for 2021, in order to have access to gsLearn.  

Do I need to be registered for the Big Volunteer Conference to attend the Happy Hours?
Yes, you need to register for the event to be invited to attend the in-person happy hour sessions.  Details about times, locations and how to RSVP for the happy hours will be sent to registered participants in early July and will be included in the event confirmation.

What if I cannot attend on Saturday, August 7?
No problem! We are recording the opening session and all workshops. Those recordings will be available in gsLearn exclusively to all registered conference participants after the event.  You will see the same chat log that other participants engaged in live, and you will have access to any files that were shared. Networking spaces will not be recorded – that feature is only available to live participants.  Anyone registered for the conference will be able to attend the in-person networking happy hours.

How long do I have access to the recordings in gsLearn?
The recordings will be available to you until July 31, 2022.

Who is invited to attend?
The 2021 Volunteer Conference is for Girl Scout adult member volunteers. Content is focused on those who provide direct support to girls and/or adult volunteers (i.e. leaders, other troop volunteers, Service Unit Team members, Trainers, episodic volunteers, etc.). If you have volunteered in another capacity with Girl Scouts but are not a registered member, you can become a member here.

How do I register if I earned the free or reduced price renewal incentive?
You should receive an email with a discount code to enter when you are checking out.  If you have qualified for the incentive but have not received the code please the Customer Care team.

Is financial assistance available?
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. If you request financial assistance, please respond to our requests for additional information.  If we do not hear back from you in a timely manner, your registration may be canceled. 

Are refunds available?
No refunds are available for this event.  Even if you can’t attend live, by registering you get access to the recorded content for one year and will be able to attend the in-person networking happy hours.

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