National Council Session concludes: Dues levels determined
October 20, 2024
After careful consideration and much debate and participation from more than 800 Girl Scouts across the nation, it was voted during the Special National Council Session that dues will be increased to $45 for youth memberships for 2026 membership year, then $65 for 2027 membership year. Adult membership dues will increase to $30.
Delegates from each council represented the voice of membership and participated in this democratic process for over 12 hours on Saturday. Their vote approved the first national dues increase in eight years.
Under the adopted plan, GSUSA will return 25% of the total of youth members’ dues beginning in 2027 (when dues reach $65) to their council for the next five years. Currently, none of the $25 annual membership dues is retained by Girl Scouts of Colorado. Lifetime membership fees will not change at this time.
Of course, a dues increase has an impact on all Girl Scout families, but participating in Girl Scouts is worth so much more. The value of leadership skills, the ability for girls to try new things and discover their passions while making the world a better place for everyone goes well beyond the cost of annual membership dues. For many years, the Girl Scout experience has been undervalued by the low annual membership fee and $65 per year will bring the cost closer to other youth-serving organizations. Often members fund their membership and most of their activities through the proceeds they receive when participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
With increased funding through philanthropy and membership dues, the Movement will have the opportunity to accelerate initiatives to improve programming and engagement models.
This includes simplified tools for volunteers, enhanced older girl programming, national marketing, new engagement models for girls and families, improved technology to reduce costs while increasing the ease of accessing our programs and serving our families in the way they expect, and more.
At Girl Scouts of Colorado, we remain committed to ensuring that every girl who wants to participate in Girl Scouting has the option to do so regardless of their family’s financial situation. In the past four years, we have increased philanthropic gifts to Girl Scouts of Colorado by 85% and have grown community partnerships and funded programs. We will ensure all who want to be a Girl Scout have the opportunity to do so with a full uniform and necessary supplies.
We thank you for being part of the Girl Scout community and giving girls the opportunity to discover their passion and grow as leaders. Thank you for your understanding as we work through how to best support our membership through this change.
