Once a troop number is assigned to a troop, volunteers may share the troop number with interested parents/caregivers for them to register directly to the troop. They’ll need to create an account in MyGS first.

Families do this:

• Visit www.gsnwgl.org, and scroll down to click on Join
• Create an account in MyGS and add a membership to the cart.
• Select Find Troops, and search troops by zip code or troop number
• Accept the Girl Scout Law and Promise.
• Check out and pay the membership fee.
• Receive a welcome email with next steps.
• Check out the Parent/Caregiver view of the Volunteer Toolkit.
• Search for more events, camps, and opportunities for their Girl Scout.
• Financial aid is available for any girl experiencing a financial barrier to joining. Caregivers can select financial aid on the confirm member details screen.

Troop leaders see and do this:

• Complete the Troop Information Update with the troop meeting schedule and details, so caregivers can find the information online.
• Watch for email notifications that new members have been added to your troop (check your junk mail).
• Log in to MyGS/MyTroops to check the troop roster, look up the family’s contact information, and reach out to introduce yourself as the leader. Share the next troop meeting date, time, and location.
• Welcome the new members and caregivers at the next troop meeting.

Council staff support the troop like this:

• Provide customer service to caregivers and volunteers with questions.
• Assist troop leaders to update the troop search catalog.
• Match, screen, and place adults into troop volunteer roles.
• Promote Girl Scouts in your area and assist you in inviting members to join!

The Girl Scout membership year runs from October 1 through September 30 the following year. Early registration opens April 1. Many troops choose to register early to enjoy membership renewal incentives and the peace of mind that comes with taking care of this administrative piece of troop management before summer, which also makes it easier to re-start quickly in the fall. See the flyer for instructions to renew troop members.

1. Talk to your Girl Scout families to see who is returning and if any of their contact information (address, phone, email, school, etc.) has changed. Gather any changes so you can edit them in the system.
2. Log into your MyGS online community with your username (your email address) and password. If you’ve forgotten your password, select Forgot Password and follow the directions to reset it.
3. Click on the My Troops tab on the left side of the screen, then click the troop number of the troop you want to renew.
4. Renew the youth and adults in your troop who plan to participate next year. When renewing adults in your troop, you will also need to select the box indicating their role.
5. Update any information that has changed, such as phone numbers or addresses. If a Girl Scout is attending a different school next year, please make that change. Do not click the “Use my primary address” box or it will show the youth member’s address to be the same as the leader’s.
6. Add payment
   • If possible, troops will often use troop funds to cover membership fees. This is a great way to thank everyone for great teamwork during the year.
   • If you have Girl Scouts who will be receiving the $25 membership reward from the cookie program, renew members in two transactions – one for members who earned the membership reward (requires a promo code) and one for everyone else. In late April, leaders and parents of girls who earned this reward will receive an email containing instructions and a promo code that can be used for online membership registration. The promo code can be entered only for youth members who earned the reward during the cookie program.
   • If you have families in need of financial assistance, you may request it as a payment option. Please note that financial aid should only be requested if the troop doesn’t have the resources to pay for member renewals and if parents/caregivers request it. Financial aid is always available, but please help us use our resources wisely so it is accessible to those who need it most.
7. Review cart. On the review screen, you can edit any details and accept the Promise and Law by clicking the box.
8. Submit payment. Finish the transaction for all members in your cart. A confirmation screen will pop up, and a receipt will be sent to your email address.

If you have girls or adult volunteers in need of financial assistance for membership fees, it is always available, but the form must be completed by the parent/caregiver or adult member requesting. For full financial aid, families should renew and request through their My GS account. For partial financial assistance, fill out this form. This form is also to be filled out if Cookie Dough is being used to pay for membership dues.

Please note that financial aid should only be requested if the troop doesn’t have the resources to pay for member renewals and ifparents/caregivers request it. Please help us use our resources wisely so it is accessible to those who need it most.

Uniform and troop dues requests are two separate forms which are available online and should be completed by the Troop Leader.

• To request financial assistance for troop dues, visit gsnwgl.org/fadues after renewal is complete.
• To request financial assistance for uniform assistance, visit gsnwgl.org/fauniform after renewal is complete.
• If you need a paper form for troop dues or uniform asssistance, please contact the council at info@gsnwgl.org.

Is it okay that troops use troop funds for membership?
Yes! Using troop funds for registration is not just okay – it’s encouraged. Troops can use troop funds to register youth and adult members.

How do I renew my troop members when some earned the Cookie Program Membership Reward and some did not?
If your troop has a combination of girls who DID earn the membership reward and girls who DID NOT earn the membership reward, renew your troop members in two separate transactions. First, renew the Girl Scouts who earned the cookie program membership reward to your cart, and then on the “Review Cart” page add the membership reward code in the “Discount or Promotional Code” box. See how $25 is discounted from the membership fee for each youth member. Continue with payment for the remaining balance of your national membership and the $5/youth member council service fee. Review the membership reward code instructions in the cookie program email communications sent to Troop Leaders and Troop Cookie Managers. Second, renew the remaining Girl Scouts who did not earn the cookie membership reward, plus any adult volunteer memberships paid for by the troop, to the cart and pay the balance. There is no council service fee for adult members.

What if my troop is disbanding, merging with another troop, or my troop of 12th grade Ambassadors are all graduating?
If your troop will not be continuing next year (because it is disbanding, merging into another troop, or the members will be graduating from high school) please review and complete the Disbanded, Merged, or Graduated Girl Scout Troop Process and Form.

How do graduating Ambassador Girl Scouts renew as adult members?
12th grade Girl Scout Ambassadors can be renewed by their caregiver in MyGS. They will be given the option to purchase an adult annual membership or a discounted Young Alum Lifetime Membership. Additional details about Young Alum Lifetime Memberships are sent to graduating seniors in the spring of their senior year.