GOVERNANCE IS:

• Ensuring the mission and values of Girl Scouting.

• Providing strategic direction and leadership for the council.

• The care, custody, and oversight of Girl Scouting within the council’s jurisdiction.

Governance is the responsibility of the board of directors.

MANAGEMENT IS:

• The day-to-day management/ operations of the council.

• Developing and implementing systems and processes to carry out the strategic direction as set by the board.

Management is the responsibility of the chief executive officer.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio's governance process:

• Provides a structure for communication between the membership and the board of directors to influence policy regarding the council goals, issues affecting girls, and issues affecting the business of the organization.
   

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio's management process:

• Provides a structure for communication between leaders/volunteer staff, administrative volunteers, and paid staff.

• Provides a process for volunteer staff to support and give input to the day-to-day management and operations of our council as we work toward providing girls with a program that achieves our mission and goals.

• Includes several means by which volunteers can provide input to the management of the council.

1. A governance issue should reflect the following criteria:
    

   • It impacts the Council Strategic Plan/council goals (for example, a request to strengthen the wording on the goal that addresses girls’ understanding themselves and their values)

   • It is a documented trend broadly affecting girls (for example, national and local data about increased bullying among girls)

   • It can be positive, negative, or neutral.

   • It significantly affects the business of the organization (for example, selling a camp)
      

2. The board is the primary group responsible for identification of governance issues to be discussed. Such issues are generally related to the development or evaluation of progress toward the council goals/council strategic plan.
    

3. A governance issue may be presented in written form at any time, or oral form through established forums at the Annual Meeting. Governance issues may not be addressed by phone.
    

4. At all times, bylaw requirements will be followed.

There are times when volunteers wish to give input, make a recommendation, or change an operating policy
or procedure. This could include input on areas such as training curriculum, training policies, program opportunities, camp maintenance, or safety standards. Giving input on management issues includes the following considerations:

1. What is the issue to be addressed? Why does it need to be addressed? What is the desired outcome? Will the issue affect the overall council – all girls? Is this a safety issue? Is it an issue that we have the authority to change?
    

2. What methods are available for providing input? Vehicles for communication may include roundtable meetings, evaluations and surveys, voice mail, e-mail, council web site, letter writing, and phone calls.
    

3. Who can best respond to the issue? For example, a training issue would first be addressed with the adult development manager; input for a camp issue would go to the program services manager; and service unit issues should be discussed with the service unit manager.
    

4. What type of response can I expect? If an issue is addressed by phone, a call back can be expected within 24 hours (excluding office closure dates). If the issue is addressed by written correspondence, you will receive a written response within seven working days.
    

5. If you believe that you have not been given an appropriate response, your issue or recommendation may be directed to the regional director.