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.

The Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Council (GSNYPENN) 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.
Dear GSNYPENN Community,
I am writing to emphasize the profound importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) within the Girl Scouts organization and to reaffirm our steadfast commitment to being an antiracist organization.
At Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, 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 the Girl Scouts—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.
Sincerely,
Julie Dale
C.E.O. of Girl Scouts of
NYPENN Pathways, Inc.
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 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.
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:
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.
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!
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.
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.
Celebrating Community
Learn about community celebrations and find out what your communities do to celebrate all the people in them.
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.
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.
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.
When you've earned this badge, you'll know how to tell your family story.
Digital Leadership
Find out how you can use technology to help others and explore how to learn, share, and lead in the digital world.
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.
When you've earned this badge, you'll know more about how government is run.
Digital Leadership
Explore the digital world and how you can use technology to inspire and guide others.
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.
When you've earned this badge, you'll know strategies for bringing people together to find common ground.
Behind the Ballot
Learn about the importance of voting and find out about the electoral process in the United States and around the world.
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.
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.
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.
Digital Leadership
Explore how you can use technology to build community and lead others.
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.
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.
Who am I? Who do I want to become? Explore the truth of your own story and the power of your voice.
Welcome to the Becoming Me program, inspired by former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama’s book Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers. As a participant in this unique experience, you can explore the truth of your own story and the power of your voice while hanging out with friends!
You can:
Multicultural Community Celebrations Patch Program
We’re stronger together. By acknowledging the diversity, heritage, and contributions of our multicultural communities, Girl Scouts can find new ways to make the world a better place for everyone.
Now, Girl Scouts of all levels, your friends, and your leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn each segment of this fun patch. Whether they choose to do one or all of them, you’ll discover interesting new things about your neighbors—and yourself.
Take care of YOU – you got this.
Becoming a Girl Scout means tapping into a supportive group of people who uplift you every step of the way. When it comes to caring for your mental wellness, the new Girl Scouts Mental Wellness patch program reminds you that you’re never alone in facing challenges and further invites you to dive into and understand your emotions. You can do this by participating in activities, such as making art or writing poetry, that foster resilience and help you to better understand your world. No matter the season, never doubt your ability to rise up, and remember—you got this.
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.
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.
The GSNYPENN Girl Advisory Board (GAB) was established to give the CEO of Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways guidance on issues facing girls today. The input and advice that is provided to the CEO is shared with the Board of Directors and ultimately sets the direction for Girl Scouting in our jurisdiction. The GAB has been a major voice for inclusivity and positive change in our Council.
The GAB is a cooperative learning team and safe place where girls
can share their thoughts about what girls need and want, as well as
their ideas on how Girl Scouts can be the program of choice for girls
today.
Each member year, Cadette/Senior/Ambassador Girl Scouts are invited to apply to join the GSNYPENN GAB within a specified timeframe. For more information, please visit our Governance webpage.
The National Girl Scout Advisory Board to GSUSA is a group of middle and high school Girl Scouts who make recommendations, contribute to key initiatives and influence decision-making processes at our national office. Advisory board members develop leadership skills, collaborate with decision-makers at GSUSA, and grow skills to prepare for college and future leadership opportunities.
For more information, please visit our Governance webpage.
GSNYPENN formed a Media Team to bring a Girl Scout voice and perspective to council marketing and communications efforts and materials. The Media Team helps ensure the diversity of our council is reflected in our marketing and communications and that any current or potential Girl Scout knows that they belong in our council.
If you want to tell your Girl Scout story, consider joining our media team! For information on the application process and team member responsibilities, contact Amanda Coyle, Director of Communications and Community Relations, at acoyle@gsnypenn.org.
Every spring, Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways (GSNYPENN) holds its Annual Meeting, the gathering of the organization’s executives, Board of Directors, and members. During the Annual Meeting, delegates directly participate in council governance—electing board members, voting on changes to organizational policies and bylaws and providing feedback on topics most affecting our members.
Every Service Unit facilitates a Service Unit Delegate selection between October 1 and January 15 in anticipation for the Annual Meeting. Service units must submit their delegate names to council staff by January 15.
Service Unit Delegates represent the interests, needs and unique perspectives of their local Girl Scout community. As a membership organization, it's critical that the amazing diversity of our region is present at our Annual Meeting.
To learn more about becoming a Service Unit Delegate, visit www.gsnypenn.org/board.
Every three years, delegates from every council across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas—our National Council—meet to discuss, debate and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement and elect national leaders for the next triennium.
The delegates whom the council is entitled to elect to the NCS of the United States of America are elected by the voting members of the GSNYPENN corporation (Service Unit Delegates, Board Members, and Board Development Committee members) at the Annual Meeting. NCS Delegate applications are accepted through December 31 every three years and elected at the following Annual Meeting.
NCS Delegates are a crucial part of making sure the interests and concerns of each council are represented at the national level and shaping the national Girl Scout Movement’s direction and governance.
To learn more about becoming an NCS Delegate, visit www.gsnypenn.org/board.
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways' governing body is its Board of Directors. Under the leadership of the chair, the Board maintains the integrity and purposes of Girl Scouting within our council jurisdiction.
The Board’s responsibilities include influencing policy regarding council goals, issues affecting girls and youth and issues affecting the business of the organization, as well as strategic planning, financial oversight and fund development.
The Board of Directors does its work through standing committees and task forces, including:
Non-board members may serve on Board committees. To learn more about becoming a member of the Board of Directors or joining a board committee as a non-board member, visit www.gsypenn.org/board or reach out to Kim O’Brien, Executive Assistant, at kobrien@gsnypenn.org.
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
Check out the course descriptions below.
In this course, you will practice using inclusive and equitable language to support the identities of all Girl Scouts and foster a cohesive troop environment.
In this course, you will learn what mental health is and how to recognize the signs of mental health challenges. You will explore different scenarios that youth may experience and learn how you can promote an environment within Girl Scouts for you and others to thrive and grow.
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has committed to support mental wellness for every Girl Scout. In this course, you will learn best practices for holding a Mental Wellness Patch Program to give your Girl Scouts the tools and support they need to better understand and care for their mental health.
Life isn't always easy, but dealing with tricky emotions doesn't have to be so hard. The Girl Scouts Resilient. Ready. Strong. Patch will build youths' inner strength so they are ready for anything! This course will review activities that work for all grade levels, as well as provide reflective questions for discussions with troop members.
In this interactive session, participants will gain the skills to navigate challenging conversations to reach common ground with others (colleagues, volunteers, families, etc.) where emotions run high and positive outcomes are critical. The curriculum includes strategies to encourage a healthy mindset, recognize differences and problem-solve. Participants will leverage skills to confront and resolve conflict with confidence.
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.