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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)
Our council is committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for our members, volunteers, Board of Directors and staff.
We recognize that differences in age, race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability, thinking style and background bring richness to our organization. These differences help us connect better with the areas we serve and help build relationships among ourselves and within our communities.
The key to our success is developing, hiring and retaining a diverse team and ensuring all members have a sense of belonging. Belonging further enhances what we bring to our team, our members, our volunteers, our families and our communities. We are committed to using these practices in the communities we serve and our workplace.
Message From Our Council CEO 
Dear Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Council community,
I am writing to emphasize the profound importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) within the Girl Scout organization and to reaffirm our steadfast commitment to being an antiracist organization.
At GSNYPENN, we believe that every youth deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential in an environment that respects and values diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. Diversity, equity and inclusion are not just principles we uphold; they are fundamental to our mission and central to who we are as an organization.
Diversity ensures that our organization reflects the rich variety of races, ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds that make up our communities. By fostering a diverse membership, we provide youth with the opportunity to learn from and appreciate each other's unique perspectives, thereby preparing them to thrive in a multicultural world.
Equity is about ensuring that all youth have access to the resources, opportunities and support they need to succeed, regardless of their starting point. We recognize that systemic barriers have historically marginalized certain groups, and we are committed to dismantling these barriers within our organization. By promoting equity, we ensure that every girl* has a fair chance to benefit from the Girl Scout experience.
Inclusion means creating an environment where all youth feel welcomed, respected and valued. This involves actively seeking out and considering diverse voices in decision-making processes and ensuring that our programs and activities are accessible to all. Inclusion is about more than just presence; it’s about meaningful participation and engagement.
Our commitment to being an antiracist organization is reflected in our policies, programs and practices. We provide ongoing training for our staff and volunteers on DEIB and antiracism, and we continually evaluate our initiatives to ensure they promote an inclusive and equitable environment for all.
In conclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are not just important to GSNYPENN—they are integral to our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. We are proud to be an antiracist organization and are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to achieve their dreams.
Thank you for your support and dedication to our mission!
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Julie Dale, CEO
GSNYPENN
*We use the term “girl” inclusively to speak to everyone who identifies with the Girl Scout experience, which includes cisgender girls, gender-expansive youth, transgender youth, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, genderqueer youth and any girl-identifying human.
Council Actions & Activities
GSNYPENN & founding partner National Grid launch Camp Beyond Binary, a weeklong summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12 to 18, at Camp Amahami, addressing a lack of affordable resources for LGBTQ+ youth within the GSNYPENN Council’s footprint.
Staff formed and selected co-chairs for a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee. Consisting of and led by staff, this group meets monthly to identify opportunities for the council to strengthen its DEIB practices and to develop resources for council employees to increase their exposure to and understanding of DEIB topics.
The GSNYPENN Board of Directors approved a charge to create a DEIB Task Force and appointed Judi Dixon as chair. The task force includes board members, staff, youth members and adult volunteers. The group meets monthly and serves as an advisory body providing research recommendations, event support, and policy guidance to the board, senior leadership, and council members.
All council employees participated in an LGBTQ+ Cultural Competence training to educate and empower all staff in creating LGBTQ+ supportive spaces. Staff members received copies of Savvy Ally, a guidebook for those who want to support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ people in their lives and help make the world a safer, more inclusive place.
GSNYPENN hosted its first all-gender day camp at Camp Hoover in support of families with children of multiple genders struggling to find inclusive summer programming.
Staff adopted the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Mission Statement. This statement is displayed prominently at every Service Center and is available at the top of this page.
GSNYPENN formed a Media Team to bring Girl Scout voices and perspectives to council marketing and communications efforts and materials. Our Media Team helps ensure the diversity of our council is reflected in our external communications and that any current or potential Girl Scout knows that they belong in our council.
Camp Beyond Binary programming is expanded to year-round offerings now known as Beyond: Be Brave, Be Bold, Be YOU. Beyond strives to create spaces that support the health, success, and overall well-being of LGBTQ+ youth and their families, in which all LGBTQ+ youth may thrive.
GSNYPENN implemented monthly DEIB micro-trainings at every council-wide staff meeting. Led by members of our staff DEIB Committee, these 15-minute sessions introduce a new DEIB topic each month. Along with an overview of the subject, the trainings explain how the topic is relevant to the workplace and the mission of our council.
GSNYPENN leadership launched a year-long DEIB staff training initiative led by Chris Kukenberger, Ed.D. (they/them) of Inclusive Leadership Consulting. A DEIB Climate and Topic survey administered at the start of the initiative guides program materials and topics for discussion. The anticipated completion date for the series is June 2025.
The DEIB Task Force recommended all GSNYPENN Board Members participate in a Cultural Competence Self-Assessment. Assessment data will inform recommendations for board member training, recommended resources and support for inclusive governance.
GSNYPENN launched a dedicated DEIB page on our website to inform membership, supporters and the community of our council’s continuing commitment to DEIB practice.
Ways for Girl Scouts to Take Action
There are multiple opportunities for Girl Scouts of all levels to explore their interests in topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Whether it’s:
- exploring your own identity;
- getting to know the community around you;
- challenging stereotypes and misinformation online;
- learning about & celebrating a culture different from your own;
- speaking up and taking action on an issue important to you through your own projects and higher awards;
When we practice diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, it becomes part of everything we do.
Talk to your leader or caregiver about badges and journeys that interest you.
Leaders, troop volunteers and caregivers can log into their MyGS account to visit the Volunteer Toolkit for meeting plans and activity instructions.
Badges by Level
Daisies
Be a Sister to Every Girl Scout
Discover how you can honor the Girl Scout sisterhood by celebrating your differences and supporting your fellow Girl Scouts!
- Celebrate your differences
- Learn about Girl Scouts from around the world
- Support your Girl Scout sisters
When you've earned this badge, you will know what it means to be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Good Neighbor
Find out how you can help your communities by being a good
neighbor.
- Explore your school
- Discover your city or town
- See what makes your state special
When you’ve earned this badge, you’ll know more about the communities you belong to—and how the people in your communities work together to be good neighbors to each other.
Brownies
Celebrating Community
Learn about community celebrations and find out what your communities do to celebrate all the people in them.
- Explore community symbols
- Sing together
- Follow a parade
- Be a landmark detective
- Join a ceremony or celebration
When you've earned this badge, you'll know how your community celebrates what makes it special.
Digital Leadership
Find out how technology can help you to be a leader who teaches, inspires, and makes the real and digital worlds a better place.
- Explore your communities
- Discover your digital footprint
- Examine what's true and not
- Design a digital community
- Create content for change
When you've earned this badge, you will know how to lead in the digital world. You’ll know how to use technology to make the internet and world a better place.
Making Friends
Find out how to make new friends, keep old friends, and be the best Brownie friend you can be.
- Make friendly introductions
- Show friends you care
- Share favorite activities
- Learn how to disagree
- Practice friendship!
When you've earned this badge, you'll know how to be a good friend.
My Family Story
Find out more about your family—the people you love and who love you.
- Explore family stories
- Know where your family is from
- Make a story tree
- Find an object that means something to your family
- Share your family story
When you've earned this badge, you'll know how to tell your family story.
Juniors
Digital Leadership
Find out how you can use technology to help others and explore how to learn, share, and lead in the digital world.
- Explore how you connect with others
- Discover your digital footprint
- Consider the source
- Design a digital community
- Create content for change
When you've earned this badge, you will know how to protect yourself and others online. You’ll know how technology can make the world a better place.
Inside Government
Find out more about the basics of government and start to become an active citizen.
- Decide what being an active citizen means to you
- Go inside government
- Look into laws
- Report on the issues
- Get involved in government
When you've earned this badge, you'll know more about how government is run.
Cadettes
Digital Leadership
Explore the digital world and how you can use technology to inspire and guide others.
- Discover your digital landscape
- Investigate the digital world
- Design a digital community
- Create content for change
- Share your process
When you've earned this badge, you will know how technology can be used to make a difference. You'll know how to make the internet a better place for yourself and others.
Finding Common Ground
Find out how people in democratic governments make trade-offs, giving up some things they favor to gain support for others.
- Get to know someone different from you
- Make decisions in a group
- Explore civil debate
- Understand a compromise
- Find common ground through mediation
When you've earned this badge, you'll know strategies for bringing people together to find common ground.
Seniors
Behind the Ballot
Learn about the importance of voting and find out about the electoral process in the United States and around the world.
- Find out more about elections
- Investigate the ins and outs of voting
- Get out the vote
- Plan a campaign
- Explore voting in other countries
When you've earned this badge, you'll know the importance of voting and how people get elected to office.
Digital Leadership
Explore how to use technology safely and effectively, inspiring and motivating others to action.
- Discover your digital landscape
- Examine digital advertising
- Advocate for yourself and others online
- Create content for change
- Expand your reach
When you've earned this badge, you will know how to use technology for positive change. You’ll also know how to make the internet a better place for yourself and others.
Truth Seeker
Gain the skills you need to separate fact from fiction and judge sources on credibility, accuracy, reasonableness, and support for their claims.
- Evaluate your sources
- Investigate what the experts say
- Be a wise consumer
- Find truth in your everyday life
- Become a citizen journalist
When you've earned this badge, you'll be able to figure out what is true in the media, online, and what you hear in your daily life.
Ambassadors
Digital Leadership
Explore how you can use technology to build community and lead others.
- Explore your digital landscape
- Examine digital bias
- Advocate for your community
- Create content for change
- Evaluate and expand your impact
When you've earned this badge, you will know how to use technology to lead and inspire. You’ll also know how to make the internet and world a better place for yourself and others.
Public Policy
Gain the knowledge you need to speak up about and act on issues that are crucial in your world.
- Find out how activists advocate for change
- Engage as a global citizen
- Dig into national or state public policy
- Explore local or community policy
- See public policy creation in action
When you've earned this badge, you'll know about public policies and how you can advocate for issues and legislation that matter to you.
All Ages & Levels
Highest Awards
Girl Scouts have a long history of creating lasting change in their communities and throughout the world through the completion of Bronze, Silver and Gold Award projects. These projects challenge youth to go beyond traditional community service to understand the root causes of an issue before designing, proposing and completing a project to create sustainable change.
Youth members can take action on an issue meaningful to them with the support of trusted adults, peers and leaders in their community.
Learn more about our Higher Awards and get started HERE.
Governance
There are many ways to make your voice heard to Council leadership and to leaders of the national Girl Scout Movement. If you have ideas for positive change to address the issues important to you, consider applying to one of the governance roles below.
Girl Advisory Board
National Girl Advisory Board to GSUSA
Media Team
Service Unit Delegates
National Council Session Delegates
Board of Directors and Non-Board Committee Members
Resources for Caregivers & Volunteers
Raising Awesome Girls
Raising Awesome Girls by GSUSA offers a wide selection of expert articles on the issues that impact girls and youth today. Topics range from how much to help with homework to navigating sensitive issues in the news with your family.
Financial Assistance
GSNYPENN is dedicated to removing barriers so that all families can fully participate in the Girl Scout Experience regardless of their financial circumstances. Many families qualify for financial assistance to reduce or eliminate the cost of membership, uniforms, council-sponsored events and Summer Camp.
To view up-to-date guidelines and the financial assistance request form, visit the Financials & Financial Assistance tab on our Forms and Documents page.
Volunteer Essentials: Creating a Safe Space for Girls
Every volunteer can do their part to make sure that all girls, youth, and adult members feel welcome and safe within their troop, Service Unit and community. This resource covers the basic components of creating an environment in which all of our youth members can express their true selves within our council.
gsLearn – 169 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)
Volunteers can use our online learning platform to grow their DEIB skills in the 169 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Learning Path. To access the GSUSA trainings below, first log into your MyGS account, then
- Click into gsLearn from the left side menu
- First time clicking in? It can take up to 24 hours for all content to load.
- Different trainings and learning paths are available for all volunteers
- Click on the 169 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Learning Path to begin
- Courses/learning paths that you started will go under the “In Progress” tab on your dashboard
Check out the course descriptions below.
Delivering Inclusive Programming
Mental Wellness 101
The Mental Wellness Patch Program: Why It Matters and How to Implement It
Resilient. Ready. Strong. Patch Program
Navigating Conflict with Confidence
DEIB Gold Award Project Highlight
Lilac Burke
Gold Award Girl Scout, Class of 2023
Serving With Tioga County Pride
Bullying, discrimination and assault toward members of the LGBTQIA2+ community is a global problem. Lilac identified the root causes of this issue in Tioga County, Pa., to be a lack of visible acceptance of the queer community and a lack of education on the issues queer individuals face.
Lilac created a website for Tioga County Pride to educate the community on issues and local events important to the LGBTQIA2+ community. They led a sticker campaign to increase visibility of the queer community and drive traffic to the website they created. They helped schools and libraries evaluate their collections and make additions that promote acceptance and positive representation of the LGBTQIA2+ community. Finally, they helped organize the county’s first annual Pride Day celebration.
Community feedback, sticker displays, website view counts, event attendance and plans to continue the annual Pride Day event and additional outreach events show that Lilac met their goal to increase awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQIA2+ community in Tioga County, Pa., so that members of any gender or sexual identity can feel safe living in their community.
“I learned that I can be brave and persistent, even when I have
people telling me what I'm doing is wrong.”
- Lilac Burke
GSNYPENN’s commitment to DEIB practice is ongoing and evolving. If you have any ideas, questions or concerns for our council, we invite you to reach out to listening@gsnypenn.org.
