From the very beginning, Juliette Low dreamed of a movement for all girls everywhere. The idea of helping all girls to develop their talents and enlarge their worlds excited her. From the beginning, Girl Scout activities encouraged girls to reach beyond their own communities and "social circles" and be open to people of all cultures.
When the Girl Scout Constitution was adopted, one of its basic principles stated that the Girl Scout movement, "shall ever be open to all girls and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law." If we are to help this dream become reality, every Girl Scout adult must take steps to identify and remove the barriers that might keep even a single girl or adult from participating. Here are some points to keep in mind:
• Membership in each troop/group and council should reflect the racial, ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic mix of the local population.
• Membership shall be extended to all girls in all population segments and all geographic areas of the council.
• A girl or adult who meets the membership requirements shall not be denied admission to any troop/group because of race, color, ethnicity, creed, national origin, or socio-economic status.
• Practice or support of racism is inconsistent with the purposes of Girl Scouting.
• Program activities and events must be designed to help girls understand, respect, and appreciate people from other backgrounds and cultures.
• Meetings should be held at a time and place that is accessible for all persons involved.
• There shall be no discrimination against an otherwise qualified adult volunteer on the basis of disability or age.
Affirmative Action Policy
The council is firmly committed to fair and equal treatment in all its practices to all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. There shall be no discrimination against an individual by reason of disability, age or socioeconomic status. Furthermore, to ensure that the membership and staff of the council are reflective of the diversity of population groups within its jurisdiction, the council is also committed to affirmative action in the following: the recruitment, selection, placement, training, development, and recognition of volunteers: the recruitment, selection, hiring, training, and promotion of employed staff; and the extension of Girl Scouting to girls and adults in all communities within our jurisdiction. The council shall place emphasis on securing representation of persons from under-utilized, racial and minority groups, particularly at managerial and professional staff levels and on the board of directors.
