Service Unit Manager Role Description

Thank you for volunteering to fill the Service Unit Manager role. In this role, you will serve as a knowledgeable, positive, and encouraging source of support for your entire service unit and as a liaison to our council. You are an important connector between council staff and your Service Unit Team. Working together, we make a powerful difference in the lives of Girl Scouts in our communities.
 
As staff, we recognize our role in providing you the support and tools that you need to succeed. Together, we will develop a service unit plan. The plan is designed to outline and achieve your service unit goals - both those set by council and your internal goals as well. It will include ideas and milestones to help your service unit team provide the necessary support to each of your volunteers in their roles. 
 
Below is the Service Unit Manager Role Description. It is an agreement between you (the Service Unit Manager) and our council (Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana). This agreement should be reviewed and signed at the beginnig of the membership year. It will also be reviewed at the end of each membership year by your Regional Membership Manager. Based on your demonstrated ability to fulfill the position's responsibilities, your role as Service Unit Manager can be renewed annually.
 
If you have any questiosn about this agreement, please contact your Regional Membership Manager or Community Specialist.
 
Please read through this role description and complete the form to accept your Service Unit Manager role for the 2025 Membership Year (October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025)

Term

Service Unit Managers serve for a term of one year. They are evaluated and reappointed
annually. (At this time there is no limit on the terms that a Service Unit Manager can serve.)

Requirements

All Girl Scout volunteers must be:
  • 18 years or older
  • Current registered members of Girl Scouts
  • Have a current, eligible background check on file with GCNWI

Qualifications

A Service Unit Manager—or SUM—(and all Service Unit Team members) must:
  • Complete the Service Unit Onboarding session and Service Unit Learning Path (in gsLearn) - and stay current on the assigned supplemental trainings applicable to this role
  • Understand and follow Girl Scout policies and procedures, as defined in GCNWI Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints
  • Model positive behavior, guided by the Girl Scout Promise and Law and consistent with the Girl Scout mission, including, but not limited to:
    • Respecting and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access; seeking support from Council, where applicable
    • Maintaining objectivity and confidentiality in required situations
    • Creating a collaborative team environment
    • Embracing a problem-solving mindset
  • Currently in good standing as a volunteer in our council
  • Demonstrate excellent verbal, listening, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills

Key Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with the appointed council staff contact and the (volunteer) service team (where applicable) to develop an annual SU plan that focuses on SU goals as set by council and the service team
    • The SU plan should include an annual SU calendar with monthly (or every other month) leader meetings and other activities (i.e., Council Product Programs: Fall Product and Cookies, trainings, SU events, etc.)
    • Monitor the SU plan to track SU goals and reports progress toward those goals to the SU
    • Communicate any changes to the SU plan to your staff contact and assigned council staff team
  • Attend regular council-led SUM meetings (SUMs are asked to attend at least two of the three scheduled meetings in 2024-25; the December event is an optional social event)
  • Oversee SU finances
    • In partnership with the SU Treasurer (where applicable), regularly report on SU funds, including income and expenses
    • Complete the SU Finance Report, due annually by July 31
  • Lead the SU, acting as support for the volunteers and as a liaison to council staff
    • Distribute monthly council communication to volunteers in your service unit
    • Appoint, train, manage, and inspire the SU team volunteers
    • Provide council staff with local support for Girl Scout recruitment
    • Support council registration and renewal efforts
    • Promote and encourage volunteer recognition and appreciation efforts at the local and council levels; appoint a SU team member to oversee this process, where applicable
    • Promote the pursuit of the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards; support that work, where applicable with informational sessions for Cadette/Senior/Ambassador troops, promoting award projects, celebrating the achievement of these awards at the SU level, etc.
    • Support and promote GSUSA and GSGCNWI policies
    • Represent Girl Scouts in the SU communities
  • Manage conflicts within the SU in a confidential manner, seeking support from council staff when necessary; request conflict management training for your SU team to prepare them for these situations

Our Council Commitment

At Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Our team is here to provide you with a single point of contact and access to all the resources you need for service unit growth. We promise clear, consistent communication, leadership development, and collaboration on your annual service unit plan. With comprehensive training, networking opportunities, and ongoing support at your meetings, we are here to help you successfully recruit and lead girls and volunteers in your community.
 
We view our relationship as a collaborative one. If there is anything that you need to serve as a service unit manager, council staff will do our best to provide it for you. We regularly have conversations about supports that our volunteers need most - so your suggestions are always appreciated.

THANK YOU for your commitment for the upcoming 2024-2025 Girl Scout year!

By completing this form below you are agreeing to the Service Unit Manager role for the term beginning on October 1, 2024 and ending on September 30, 2025. You are agreeing to a review of this role toward the end of the term, with the potential for reappointment in the 2026 membership year.
Membership MY25 *
Terms and Conditions *
Service Unit Manager Signature & Date *
clear
Regional Membership Manager Approval Signature
Director of Membership Approval Signature
Once approved by the council staff members you will receive your current year eligibility letter along with a welcome packet. Service Unit Managers will be appointed annually in compliance with Volunteer Essentials.