A Note on NCS Being Held in Florida
We Delegates have expressed concern that Girl Scouts in general, and our delegation in particular, are going to Florida, a state that is actively working against our movement's ideals of diversity and inclusivity especially with regard to gender fluidity and racial justice issues. Our delegation has two main concerns:
- Making sure that all youth and adults attending the National Council Session and it's associated Phenom event feel safe.
- What message the National Council Session's presence in Florida sends to historically disadvantaged groups across the nation.
Our delegation met on March 14th to consider the issue and is considering steps to take to register our disapproval. At this point, those present at the March 14th meeting agreed that we would like to do something but we are not sure what. We will meet again to continue the discussion. Here are some ideas we've come up with so far:
Regarding Issue 1:
- Create 'solidarity circles' and invite others to join us to help life each other up.
- Create a 'calming area' where anyone who needs to can go and have a quiet, stress-free place to re-group and experience sisterhood with others and allies.
- Through the use of a safe word, provide comfort and strength to those who might need it, at the moment they need it.
Regarding Issue 2:
- Boycott the National Council Session
- Attend the National Council Session to show support of our Florida Girl Scout sisters who are living in a discriminatory and racist environment.
- Wear something as a sign of protest during the National Council Session (rainbow arm bands, bandanas, pin, patch or lanyards). These would have a greater impact if we had more that we could hand out at the convention to delegates who are like-minded. It was also suggested that we could create something and share pictures and instructions so like-minded delegates could create their own.
- Create a SWAP to distribute at the National Council Session that expresses our concerns (ideas are welcome!).
- Write a letter from our delegation to the National Board requesting that future conventions be held in states that are not actively working against our movement's stated goals.
- Conduct a service project while in Florida to support groups that follow our movement's stated goals/mission/ideals.
- Purchase a billboard near the site in Florida to state that we (we would need to specify who 'we' is) do not approve of the discriminatory practices of the state.
- Request that delegates be allowed to attend virtually so they do not have to support a state whose politics are discriminatory.
- Show up en-mass wearing our item to the reception with the new GSUSA President during the reception at NCS.
- Create talking points, a website, or other method to distribute a concise version of our message. This message would need to be carefully crafted to reduce the potential for negative blow-back.
We are also aware that many of these could play negatively in the media or not be well received by GSUSA and other NCS delegations. It may even cause a rival group to form within the delegations.
Please Share Your Thoughts on This Issue
We are your representatives. We would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.
We are your representatives. We would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.
We could use your help!
- We know that these efforts would be more effective if we worked with other councils. But there are only 13 non-council-staff delegates who all have other obligations and can not fully dedicate their time to this. If you are willing to help with these grass-roots efforts, please fill out the form below.
- Many of these cost money that can not (and should not) come from the Council's budget. If you are willing to support the purchase of one or more of these items financially, please fill out this form. Once plans have become more final, we will reach out to see if you are willing to help.