Become a National Council Delegate

Become a National Council Delegate and Represent GSCSNJ at the

Girl Scouts of the USA National Council Session/58th Convention
Washington, DC, July 20-25, 2026

Open to registered Adult Members and Girl Scouts who will be 14 or older when they begin their term. For most councils, this will be on the effective date of their election. For GSCSNJ Delegates, you must be age 14 by the close of our Annual Meeting in October of 2025. Attendance at the 58th Convention is required for GSCSNJ Council Delegates.

Every three years, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) holds a National Council Session—also known as NCS. During NCS, elected National Council delegates representing all 111 councils across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas, and the National Board, gather to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement as well as elect national leaders for the next triennium.

Throughout their three-year term, delegates gather feedback from their council’s membership, learn about proposals, and act as their council’s voice by serving as voting members on the National Council. Delegates then share insights and report on actions taken by the National Council with their council’s membership at Annual Meetings and other council events.

NCS is part of GSUSA’s national convention, which is held every three years. The other part of the convention is a member-focused event with dynamic, interactive workshops for girls and adults. This event includes inspiring speakers, exciting adventures, and opportunities to meet Girl Scouts from around the United States and the world, sparking forever friendships. The next national convention is scheduled for July 20–25, 2026, and will take place in Washington, DC, our nation’s capital, which will be celebrating our country’s 250th birthday.

Every Girl Scout council is entitled to elect a delegation based on its girl membership. Our delegation includes National Council delegates and alternates. The duties of National Council delegates and alternates are to: 

represent our council as voting members of the National Council throughout the triennium (delegates only);
complete training, which includes self-paced online modules and virtual and in-person sessions;
participate in council-hosted preparatory meetings and input-gathering opportunities;
register for and regularly connect on the delegate website for news and updated communications;
consider the spectrum of opinions of adult and girl members from all parts of our council and across the Movement;
participate in delegate webinars sponsored by GSUSA and provide decision-influencing input, as requested, throughout the triennium;
attend all business meetings of the National Council and participate in the decision-making proceedings (delegates only);
become educated in Robert's Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure;
be fully prepared to vote on all business items, including proposals and the National Board of Directors slate; and
engage with other delegates, gather feedback from delegate webinars and the National Council Session, and share learnings and insights with council members.

Who can apply? toggle arrow

National Council delegates and alternates must:

be a citizen of the United States of America as set out in GSUSA’s Congressional Charter.
be an Adult or Girl Scout (age 14+) registered member of the Girl Scout Movement.
be able to consider a broad spectrum of the opinions of adult and older girl members from all parts of the council.
be able to represent the points of view of various ethnic, racial, educational, civic, religious, and socioeconomic groups.
be willing to prepare thoroughly on the issues and business that will come before the National Council.

How do I apply to be a National Council delegate? toggle arrow

Fill out the National Council Delegate Application and submit it by the deadline

How are National Council Delegates and alternates selected? toggle arrow

National Council Delegates and Alternates are selected by the GSCSNJ Board Nominating Committee from the applications that are received. The applicants will subsequently be presented to our council's membership for adoption at the Annual Meeting.

What is the role of an alternate delegate? toggle arrow

Alternate delegates are selected to ensure that councils are quickly and easily able to replace delegates who cannot complete their full term.
Alternate delegates must be prepared to assume the delegate role at any time and with little notice.
Alternate delegates should participate in all delegate training, education, and other preparation to ensure they are ready to conduct National Council business if called upon.

What is the time commitment? toggle arrow

The time commitment varies throughout the triennium.
Initial training in the role is approximately six hours, delivered through on-demand webinars.
Delegate education commitments increase in the months leading up to a National Council Session.
Delegate input-gathering activities take place throughout the triennium.

Accountabilities toggle arrow

Council Delegate nominees must be willing to commit to the following accountabilities:

Attend all local orientation and preparation meetings prior to the National Council Meeting.
Study the agenda and be informed on our council’s point of view about actions to be taken by the National Council.
Attend all meetings of the National Council and report National Council actions to local council members.
Know parliamentary procedures and how to use them. (Training will be made available.)
Participate in the role of Council Delegate for the entire three-year period (2025-2028).

Become a National Council Delegate and Represent GSCSNJ at the Girl Scouts of the USA National Council Session/58th Convention Washington, DC, July 20-25, 2026

Become a National Council Delegate and Represent GSCSNJ at the

Girl Scouts of the USA National Council Session/58th Convention
Washington, DC, July 20-25, 2026