Early Bird Membership Renewal—Don’t Miss Out!

Early Bird is the time for your family or Girl Scout troop to get a head start on the 2023-2024 year by renewing your memberships and earning incentives. Early Bird runs from Saturday, April 1 to June 30, 2023.

Incentives!
We’re excited to share new incentives this year! See Questions 4-11 below for more details.

No Chasing Down Registrations Next Fall!
We all know how busy fall gets with a new school year and getting back into the swing of things. Why not make it easier on yourself and have your Girl Scout troop ready to go?

TBH, it’s Just Easier!
Renewing memberships of Girl Scouts and adults in your troop is simpler if you do it before the Girl Scout membership year ends on September 30, 2023. Can it be done after the new year starts? Of course! But why not save yourself some time and energy?

Access to the Volunteer Toolkit!
The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a handy online resource that helps with meeting planning, badge requirements, and organizing your troop year. Troop co-leaders who renew during Early Bird can begin planning their next Girl Scout year in the VTK starting July 1.

NOTE: Co-leaders who do not renew their membership may only start using the VTK after they renew for the 2023-2024 membership year.

Cookie Proceeds Can Cover the Cost.
Using the proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program to renew all the Girl Scouts in your troop gives them the satisfaction of being self-sufficient. They worked hard to earn that money and this is an immediate result. And you can jump right into the Fall Product Program! Start your year off right by earning funds for Girl Scouts to use towards even more fun.

Yes. To qualify for the incentives, you must register or renew your membership through our online registration system by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023, (for the girl socks), by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, (for the Earliest Bird challenge), or by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023 (for leader backpack and/or Early Bird patch). Submit the required Financial Aid application online on or before:

• Sunday, April 9, 2023, for the girl socks
• Friday, April 21, 2023, for the Earliest Bird challenge
• Thursday, July 6, 2023, for the Early Bird patch and/or troop co-leader backpack

THROUGH APRIL 3 ONLY!
Girl Scouts who register or renew their membership through our online registration system before 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023, the first weekend membership renewal is available, will receive the exclusive GSSN socks.

Because April 1 falls on a Saturday, we have extended the first day incentive through the weekend. If you need assistance, you can reach Member Support on Monday, April 3, and still be eligible for this incentive.

How/when will my Girl Scout get her socks?
Girl socks can be picked up by the troop co-leader or parent/caregiver at your local GSSN Service Center or can be arranged for pick up during a council-sponsored program or event starting in May. Please coordinate pick up ahead of time. Socks will not be mailed.

THROUGH APRIL 15 ONLY!
Girl Scouts who register or renew their membership through our online registration system before 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, will receive access to an exclusive Earliest Bird Patch Challenge Program focused on the essence of Girl Scouting. Think fun, friendship, and being girl-led!

Why a Patch Program?
Like our Programs on Demand, the patch program includes suggestions for easy-to-execute activities for Girl Scouts and troops. There will be multiple activity choices that require minimal supplies. It’s a great resource for your last troop meetings for the year or a great start for next year.

How will my Girl Scout receive the Patch Program?
A digital copy of the Earliest Bird Challenge Patch Program will be emailed by May 1 to troop co-leaders of qualifying troops and parents/caregivers of qualifying Individual Girl Members (IGMs).

How will my Girl Scout receive her Earliest Bird Program patch?
For qualifying Girl Scouts in troops, patches will be mailed to a troop co-leader in May. For qualifying IGMs, the patch will be mailed to their home address in May.

THROUGH JUNE 30 ONLY!
Girl Scouts who register or renew their membership through our online registration system before 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023, will receive a free Early Bird patch featuring Budgerigars (or Budgies!). Budgies are social, fun, and playful—just like Girl Scouts!

How will Early Bird patches be distributed?
For qualifying Girl Scouts in troops, the area Troop Support Specialist will give Early Bird patches to troop co-leaders starting in August for distribution. For qualifying IGMs, patches will be mailed to their home address in August.

THROUGH APRIL 3 ONLY!
Co-leaders of troops that have at least two co-leaders who register or renew their memberships and the memberships of the majority of Girl Scouts in their troop through our online registration system before 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023, will be entered to win a $100 Juliette’s Boutique gift card. Ten co-leaders will win. Co-leaders must have an active background check to qualify.

THROUGH JUNE 30 ONLY!
Co-leaders of troops that have at least two co-leaders who register or renew their memberships and the memberships of most Girl Scouts in their troop through our online registration system before 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2023, will receive a free Girl Scout backpack!

How will co-leader incentives be distributed?
Your Troop Support Specialist will begin distributing backpacks in August.

Why a backpack?
We know a Girl Scout troop co-leader is always prepared! We hope our co-leaders will make this backpack their go-to for troop field trips and outings.

Troops who have renewed all current members for the 2023-2024 Girl Scout year by June 30, 2023 will be entered to win a $200 Juliette’s Boutique gift card. Five troops will win. Troops must have at least two registered Girl Scouts and two registered and background-screened co-leaders to qualify.

Service Units that have at least 65% of their troops participate in Early Bird by June 30, 2023 will receive $50. The money will be distributed via ACH to the Service Unit bank account. Service Units must be considered active to receive this incentive, please see the Service Unit Incentive Plan for all details.

No. Only Girl Scouts will be receiving the fun Girl Scout socks. Be sure to renew all interested girls by Monday, April 3, 2023.

We have replaced physical gift cards with an email message containing the redemption code number and the amount available. This gift card can be redeemed for future Girl Scout memberships, any statewide council-sponsored program, camp, travel, or can be used for purchases in any Spirit of Nebraska Juliette’s Boutique or Camp Trading Post.

Please note that this cannot be used directly online. It can be redeemed in person, by phone, email, or mail.

Winners will be announced via Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska social media within a few days of each incentive deadline. Gift cards will be distributed via email shortly after.

No. Anyone can register for the 2023-2024 Girl Scout year starting April 1, 2023.

Parents and caregivers can register and/or renew memberships for anyone in their family. Co-leaders can renew past and current troop members.

New to Girl Scouts?
Easily register online.

Returning to Girl Scouts?
Click on “MY GS” from the navigation menu to get started. If you need help along the way, contact our Member Support team at 402.558.8189 or by email.

Member Support is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday through Friday. Call 402.558.8189 or email us. We are happy to help!

Membership fees for the 2023-2024 year are $25 and are sent to our national organization, Girl Scouts of the USA. None of the fee stays in our local council.

If your Girl Scout participated in the Cookie Program or Fall Product Program, her troop may cover her membership fee using troop cookie proceeds. Check with your troop co-leader! Financial Assistance is also available for those in need.