Service Units

What is a Service Unit?

A service unit is the local Girl Scout community within a shared geographic area, usually aligned with a cluster of schools. The service unit community includes troops, Juliettes, and the volunteers and caregivers who support them. The service unit team is the volunteer-led group that coordinates local communication, events, and support for the service unit. Badgerland includes 31 service units across our council area.

What service units do

Service units strive to:

Maintain positive, relevant, and consistent communication for local volunteers
Host local events so Girl Scouts can make friends and learn new skills
Build community visibility and local connection
Support troops and Juliettes during Product Programs
Connect volunteers to resources, trainings, and local support

Most service units host regular volunteer meetings, either virtual or in person, to share updates, coordinate local plans, and strengthen community connection. Meeting schedules vary by community.

How to get involved

Connect with your local service unit communication channel, such as Rallyhood or email, depending on your community.
Attend a service unit volunteer meeting.
Attend local service unit events.
Explore service unit roles below and volunteer with your local team.
Juliette mentors, troop volunteers, and lifetime members are all welcome to attend service unit meetings and participate in planning local events.

Need help getting connected? Email info@gsbadgerland.org.

SU Map

Service Unit Guidebook

Your go-to resource for tools and guidance on roles, communication, finances, meetings, events, Product Programs, and volunteer support.

VIEW GUIDEBOOK

Service Unit Teams and Roles

Your Service Unit is supported and guided by its own Service Unit Leadership Team. Your SU team is made up of volunteers, like you, who are passionate about Girl Scouting in your community and have taken the lead in a specific area of strength or interest. SU Team roles center around three focus areas; Operations, Support, and Program. The expectations of each role vary based on volunteer time, skillset, and seasonality.

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As part of the Service Unit Leadership Team, Operation Roles are responsible for the administration, communication, financial viability, and fund development needs of the service unit.

Operations Lead: Keeps operations organized so the Service Unit team can focus on supporting volunteers and Girl Scouts.
Administrative Lead: Coordinates meeting logistics, builds the agenda with the team, and sends notes and follow-up.
Communications Lead: Shares updates, promotes opportunities, and keeps information easy to find in community channels.
Treasurer: Manages the bank account, tracks expenses, and completes required finance reporting and documentation.

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As part of the Service Unit Leadership Team, Support Roles are responsible for volunteer training and recognition, recruitment, retention, and mentorship needs of the Service Unit.

Program Lead: Supports overall planning so troops and Juliettes have a balanced mix of experiences and support.
Events Lead: Keeps event planning moving forward with the team so details, timelines, and tasks do not stall.
Camp/Encampment Lead: Coordinates outdoor experiences, camp weekends, and encampments so Girl Scouts build skills safely.
Product Program Lead, Cookies: Coordinates cookie delivery and rewards, confirms recognition orders, and supports troops through cookie season.
Product Program Lead, BFF: Coordinates fall product delivery and rewards, supports troops, and helps keep key steps on track.
Cupboard Lead: Manages cookie inventory and troop pick-ups so additional cookies are available when troops need them.
Event Coordinator: Leads one specific event from idea to day-of, coordinating volunteers, logistics, and communication.

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As part of the Service Unit Leadership Team, Program roles are responsible for events and activities, day and overnight outdoor experiences, and fall and cookie product programs participation needs of the Service Unit.

Support Lead: Coordinates volunteer support and retention efforts; in small communities, this volunteer may wear multiple support hats.
Welcome & Mentorship Lead: Welcomes new volunteers, connects them to mentors, and helps people feel supported and included.
Training & Recognitions Lead: Shares training resources and helps create a culture of recognition and appreciation.
Recruitment Lead: Helps plan local recruitment events and supports Community Engagement staff with Badgerland-led recruitment efforts.
New Leader Advocate: Shares their new-leader experience so communication and support work better for new volunteers.
Youth Experience Consultant: A Girl Scout youth who shares insights so events feel fun, relevant, and youth-centered.

Volunteer Training

Training helps volunteers feel confident, prepared, and supported. Badgerland offers online courses in gsLearn and in-person trainings throughout the year.

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gsLearn is the main online training platform for Girl Scout volunteers. It includes trainings for troop leaders, grade-level support, safety, finance, service unit roles, and other volunteer responsibilities.

Access gsLearn through your MyGS account. After signing in, click gsLearn in the menu on the left side of the screen and go to your dashboard to view and complete available trainings.
Start with any trainings required for your current volunteer role.
Service unit volunteers should complete the gsLearn module Support Your Service Unit.

Some Service Unit roles may also need Looker access. See the Looker section below for required Looker trainings.

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Looker is a reporting platform that gives designated service unit volunteers access to information needed to support local troops and volunteers.

Looker access is available to the following service unit roles:

Operations Leads
Administrative Leads
Product Program Leads

Looker can be used to:

View troop and service unit rosters
Check whether volunteers have completed required trainings
Review service unit membership data, including troop, girl, volunteer, and grade-level counts

To access Looker, complete the following gsLearn trainings in this order:

Logging into Looker for service unit volunteers — Complete this training first. It provides the Badgerland login instructions and includes the confidentiality agreement you will need to sign.
GSUSA Looker Onboarding for service unit volunteers — This training provides a deeper overview of how to navigate and use Looker once you have access.

Important note: The GSUSA Looker training mentions that volunteers will receive an email to access their account. For Badgerland, follow the instructions in Logging into Looker for service unit volunteers, as that is the process currently being used.

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Badgerland offers volunteer trainings and certifications throughout the year. These trainings are especially important for hands-on activities, outdoor experiences, and activities that require trained or certified adult support.

Use the required trainings and certifications guide to review which trainings or certifications may be required for specific volunteer roles, responsibilities, meetings, events, or activities.

To register for available trainings, go to the Badgerland activity listings. After signing in to the website, click Activities to browse and register—the same place used to register Girl Scouts for activities.

Browse trainings and activities

All registered volunteers must complete Childhood Abuse and Neglect Prevention training annually.

Some trainings or certifications are required based on volunteer responsibilities or the type of activity being offered:

Medication Administration is required for any volunteer who will administer medication.
Each Girl Scout meeting, activity, or event needs at least one adult with current First Aid/CPR certification present.
Lifeguard or small craft certification, or approved facilitator support, is required for swimming or boating activities.
Target sports certification or approved facilitator support may be required for target sports activities.
Ropes/challenge course certification or approved facilitator support is required for ropes or challenge course activities.

If you complete a certification, upload your documentation through the certification upload form.

Service Unit Events

Service unit events are where Girl Scouts build memories, try new things, and connect with other troops and Juliettes in the community.

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Service unit events vary by community and are shared through local service unit communication channels. To learn what is happening in your area:

Connect with your local service unit through Rallyhood, email, or the communication method used in your community.
Attend a service unit volunteer meeting to hear local updates and upcoming plans.
Not sure how to get connected? Email info@gsbadgerland.org and we will help connect you with your local service unit.

Want to help with an event?

You do not have to run the whole thing to make a difference. Many service units plan events as a team, and extra hands make events stronger. You can help with:

Set-up, check-in, or clean-up
Activity stations
Supplies or materials
One event planning committee

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Planning a service unit event? You do not have to start from scratch. These tools can help with budgeting, outdoor planning, program support, accessibility, and specialized activity needs.

Event budget calculator: Use this spreadsheet calculator to estimate event expenses, compare costs to what the service unit plans to cover, calculate participant fees, and plan shared expenses for multi-service unit events.
Shared event cost calculator: Use this spreadsheet calculator to divide event costs when service units plan an event together.
Encampment guide: Use this guide for outdoor weekends, camp-style events, encampments, and other overnight or outdoor planning needs.
Request an expert: Use this form to request support from Badgerland’s Education team when your event needs program planning help, accessibility adaptations, or certified support for specialized activities, when available. Examples may include badge workshops, hands-on activities, mental health or MESH training, First Aid/CPR training, lifeguard support, target sports, ropes/challenge course, or other specialized activity support.

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Not sure what to host? Service units choose events based on local interests, volunteer capacity, and what feels fun for Girl Scouts. Here are popular ideas to spark planning.

Classic service unit favorites

Cookie rallies and cookie kick-offs
Bridging ceremonies and celebrations
Encampments, camporees, or outdoor weekends
Movie nights, including private theater rentals
Pool parties or swim nights
Campfires, clean fires, and sing-alongs

Age-level events

Daisy Days: short activities, songs, simple crafts, and easy badges
Brownie Bash: hands-on stations, games, and simple outdoor skills
Junior Jamboree: badge workshops, introductory leadership activities, and confidence builders
Multi-level meetups: separate stations by level so everyone stays engaged
First-time camper day: an introductory outdoor event designed for younger Girl Scouts

Badge and skill-building events

Badge workshops, such as STEM, art, outdoor, or first aid
Try-it stations, including crafts, cooking, or basic outdoor skills
Girl Scout skills clinics, such as knots, camp cooking, or map and compass

Outdoor and adventure

Day hikes, nature exploration, or geocaching
Introduction to camping or outdoor skills day
Service unit trip to a Badgerland camp property
Target sports, climbing/ropes, or water activities with required certified support

Community and connection

Service projects and community give-backs
Multi-troop meetups or a Girl Scout friendship day
Seasonal celebrations, such as back-to-school, winter, or spring events
Family events, such as a community picnic, STEM night, or game night

Leadership and older Girl Scout experiences

Leadership workshops for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
Older Girl Scout planning and leadership days, with youth leading and adults supporting
Career exploration nights or meet-a-mentor events

Want to make your event a recruitment opportunity?

Almost any event can include a recruitment component, whether that means welcoming interested families, sharing information, or inviting a friend. For support turning an event into a recruitment opportunity, contact Badgerland’s Community Engagement team at info@gsbadgerland.org.

Volunteer Recognition

Everyone likes to feel appreciated for their hard work, and expressing gratitude helps keep the service unit community strong and thriving. Volunteers are more likely to stay engaged when they know their time, energy, and contributions are valued.

Recognition can be simple, such as thanking a volunteer for a job well done, celebrating a team success, or recognizing someone’s help at a meeting or event. At other times, a formal award or recognition may be the right fit.

Service unit teams are encouraged to make volunteer appreciation a regular part of their work and to identify outstanding volunteers for formal recognition through Badgerland and GSUSA.

Learn more about available awards, nomination steps, and submission deadlines on the Adult Recognition page.

Need Help Getting Connected?

Email info@gsbadgerland.org and we will help connect you with your local service unit or the right Badgerland resource.

SU Parade Kits

Would you like an SU parade banner, yard sign, car magnet, pins, or brochures? We got you!

GET STARTED

Note to Troops: If your troop needs parade materials, check with your SU leadership to see what’s already available. If they don’t have what you need, they can submit this form. Please note, we do not provide SWAG items for parades. To use our resources wisely, we’re reserving these items for recruitment and engagement events where we can have longer conversations about Girl Scouting.