National Council Proposals 2008
Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council

PROPOSAL 1:
Constitutional amendments: Consent agenda items

1. Wherever the word “local” shall appear in the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the United States of America relating to councils, the world “local” shall be struck.
  • Submitted by: National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA
  • Rationale:      As councils realign, jurisdictions may cover vast geographic areas, including entire states, or multiple states, portions of several states, and multiple counties within a single state. The word “local” no longer appropriately describes a council; therefore, the word “local” should be eliminated from the Constitution.

2. Where the term “National Nominating Committee” shall appear in the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the
United States of America, the term shall be changed to “National Board Development committee.”
  • Submitted by: National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA
  • Rationale: As a governance best practice, nominating committees are now becoming redefined as board development committees, a term that more fully describes their vital work.

3. To amend Article IV, The National Council, Section 1, by striking as follows:

















4. To amend Article V, Sessions of the National Council, Section 1, by striking and inserting as follows:






















  • Submitted by: National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA
  • Rationale: Meeting sites are selected in compliance with the Blue Book of Basic Documents 2006 (see “Selection of National Meeting Places,” p. 22). The site is also selected based on the availability of large-scale convention facilities, adequate hotel accommodations, and ease of transportation for large groups.
 



CURRENT WORDING
Article IV—The National Council
1. The membership of this
corporation shall consist of the
members for the time being of the
National Council of Girl Scouts
of the United States of America,
and the corporation in meeting
assembled shall be known as the
National Council.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Article IV—The National Council
1. The membership of this
corporation shall consist of the
members for the time being of
the National Council of Girl Scouts
of the United States of America,
and the corporation in meeting
assembled shall be known as the
National Council.
IF ADOPTED, WIL READ
Article IV—The National Council
1. The membership of this
corporation shall consist of the
members of the National Council
of Girl Scouts of the United States
of America, and the corporation in
meeting assembled shall be known as
the National Council.
  • Submitted by: National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA
  • Rationale: The current language is archaic and unnecessary.  These words add no value and should be eliminated.
  • Reference: Blue Book of Basic Documents 2006, p. 6, Article IV, Section 1.
CURRENT WORDING
Article V—Sessions of the
National Council
1. There shall be a regular session
of the National Council held
triennially at such time and place
(not necessarily within the District
of Columbia) as it may determine
or as may be determined by the
National Board of Directors in the
absence of action by the National
Council. Notice of the time, place,
and purpose of such session shall be mailed not less than 60 days before the session to each local council, to each USA Girl Scouts Overseas committee, and to each member of the National Board of Directors and National Nominating Committee.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Article V—Sessions of the
National Council
1. There shall be a regular session
of the National Council held
triennially at such time and place
(not necessarily within the
District of columbia) as it may
determine or as may be as
determined by the National Board
of Directors. in the absence of
action by the National Council.  Notice of rthe time, place, and purpose of such session shall be mailed not less than 60 days before the session to each local council, to each USA Girl Scouts Overseas committee, and to each member of the National Board of Directors and National Nominating Committee.
IF ADOPTED, WIL READ
Article V-Sessions of the
National Council
1.  There shall  e a regular session of the National Coucnil held triennially at such time andplace as determined by the National Board of Directors.  Notice of the time, place, and purpose of such session shall be mailed not less than 60 days before the session to each council, to each USA Girl Scouts Overseas committee, and to each member of the National Board of Directors and National Nominating Committee.
5. To amend Article V, Sessions of the National Council, Section 4, by striking and inserting as follows:
































As reflected in recent site selections, the location of the National Council Session is rotated between eastern, midwestern, and western regions of the country: 1990—Miami, Fla.; 1993—Minneapolis, Minn.; 1996—Kansas City, Mo.; 1999—Fort Worth, Tex.; 2002—Long Beach, Calif.; 2005—Atlanta, Ga.; and 2008—Indianapolis, Ind.
CURRENT WORDING
Article V—Sessions of the
National Council
4. Two hundred members of the
National Council present in person
shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at sessions
of the National Council, provided,
however, that delegates are present
from one or more local councils in a
majority of the geographical areas of
the country as defined in the Bylaws.
In the absence of a quorum, a
majority of those present at the time
and place set for a session may take
an adjournment from time to time
until a quorum shall be present.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Article V—Sessions of the
National Council
4. Two hundred members of the
National Council present in person
shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at sessions
of the National Council, provided,
however, that delegates are present
from one or more local councils
in a majority of the geographical
areas of the country as defined
in the Bylaws. councils chartered
by GSUSA. In the absence of
a quorum, a majority of those
present at the time and place
set for a session may take an
adjournment from time to
time until a quorum shall be
present.
IF ADOPTED, WILL READ
Article V—Sessions of the
National Council
4. Two hundred members of the
National Council present in person
shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at sessions
of the National Council, provided,
that delegates are present from a majority of the councils chartered
by GSUSA.
  • Submitted by: National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA
  • Rationale: Upon the completion of the realignment process, we expect that there will be approximately 109 councils chartered by GSUSA. As a result, 55 councils would represent a majority and ensure that the diversity of the Movement is represented. A quorum remains 200 members. Note: If this Constitutional amendment is adopted, the National Board will amend the Bylaws of Girl Scouts of the USA to strike Article IX, Geographical Regions (Blue Book, pp. 16–17).  Also, see the proposed amendment of Article IV, The National Council, for related comments regarding eliminating archaic language in reference to geographical areas of the country.
  • Reference: Blue Book of Basic Documents 2006, p. 7, Article V, Section 4.
6. To amend Article X, National Board of Directors, Section 2, by striking as follows:




















  • Submitted by: National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA
  • Rationale: In the nominating process, overall consideration is given to geographical balance; however, an individual is not proposed for election to the National Board to represent a specific area or region of the country but is nominated for qualifications reflecting the overall needs of the Movement.
  • Reference: Blue Book of Basic Documents 2006, p. 9, Article X, Section 2.
  • Recommendation: The National Board recommends adoption of the C
CURRENT WORDING
Article X—National Board of Directors
2.  The National Board of Directors shall consist of the President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer; and 25 members-at-large.  The Chair of the National Nominating Committee, if not already elected to the National Board, shall be ex officio a member of the National Board.  The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer shall be ex officio members without vote.  The National Board shall at all times be representative of the various geographical areas of the country.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Article X—National Board of Directors
2.  The National Board of Directors shall consist of the President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer; and 25 members-at-large.  The Chair of the National Nominating Committee, if not already elected to the National Board, shall be ex officio a member of the National Board.  The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer shall be ex officio members without vote.  The National Board shall at all times be representative of the various geographical areas of the country.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Article X—National Board of Directors
2.  The National Board of Directors shall consist of the President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer; and 25 members-at-large.  The Chair of the National Nominating Committee, if not already elected to the National Board, shall be ex officio a member of the National Board.  The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer shall be ex officio members without vote.