National Council Delegates

2026 National Council Session

July 20-25, 2026

Washington, DC

Every three years, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) holds a National Council Session—also known as NCS. During NCS, elected National Council delegates representing all 111 councils across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas, and the National Board, gather to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement as well as elect national leaders for the next triennium.

Throughout their three-year term, delegates gather feedback from their council’s membership, learn about proposals, and act as their council’s voice by serving as voting members on the National Council. Delegates then share insights and report on actions taken by the National Council with their council’s membership at Annual Meetings and other council events.

NCS is part of GSUSA’s national convention, which is held every three years. The other part of the convention is a member-focused event with dynamic, interactive workshops for girls and adults. This event includes inspiring speakers, exciting adventures, and opportunities to meet Girl Scouts from around the United States and the world, sparking forever friendships. The next national convention is scheduled for July 20–25, 2026, and will take place in Washington, DC, our nation’s capital, which will be celebrating our country’s 250th birthday.

Every Girl Scout council is entitled to elect a delegation based on its girl membership. Our delegation includes National Council delegates and alternates. The duties of National Council delegates and alternates are to: 

represent our council as voting members of the National Council throughout the triennium (delegates only);
complete training, which includes self-paced online modules and virtual and in-person sessions;
participate in council-hosted preparatory meetings and input-gathering opportunities;
register for and regularly connect on the delegate website for news and updated communications;
consider the spectrum of opinions of adult and girl members from all parts of our council and across the Movement;
participate in delegate webinars sponsored by GSUSA and provide decision-influencing input, as requested, throughout the triennium;
attend all business meetings of the National Council and participate in the decision-making proceedings (delegates only);
become educated in Robert's Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure;
be fully prepared to vote on all business items, including proposals and the National Board of Directors slate; and
engage with other delegates, gather feedback from delegate webinars and the National Council Session, and share learnings and insights with council members.

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National Council delegates and alternates must:

be a citizen of the United States of America as set out in GSUSA’s Congressional Charter.
be a registered member of the Girl Scout Movement.
be 14 years of age or over by December 31, 2025
Be a member of Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma.
be able to consider a broad spectrum of the opinions of adult and older girl members from all parts of the council.
be willing to prepare thoroughly on the issues and business that will come before the National Council.

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For the National Council Session July 20-25, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma will pay the cost of transportation, lodging, council session registration fees and provide a daily food allowance for delegates. Individuals are responsible for personal incidental expenses, any special events they wish to participate in at the convention, and any upgrades in travel or lodging.

Eligibility Requirements (must read to apply) toggle arrow

I understand, that should I be elected as a national delegate, I will serve a three year term and take personal responsibility to:

Prior to the National Council Session:

• Study all items on the agenda, board candidate information and recommendations of the National Board of Directors.
• Study the National Council Session Workbook, the Blue Book of Basic Documents and participate in any council or GSUSA meetings, trainings, or teleconferences for national delegates.
• Have a basic understanding of parliamentary procedures and Robert’s Rules of OrderNewly Revised.
• Obtain a broad view of opinions of adult members and Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors from all parts of the council.

During the National Council Session:

• Attend all meetings and participate in the proceedings.
• Be fully prepared on all business items.
• Plan (with council board chair and CEO) the information to be gathered at the National Council Session and the kinds of reports that will be made to the council following the National Council Session.

After the National Council Session:

• Report on National Council decisions and the reasons for those decisions at the annual meeting, town hall forums and to the board of directors, as requested by the board chair and CEO.
• Share insights on information gained at the National Council Session, if requested.
• Assist the council as it prepares to participate in the next National Council Session, if requested.
• Participate in any teleconferences and opportunities for voting members.

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