Governance

SERVICE UNIT DELEGATIONS: GSHNJ Service Unit Delegates are the conduit between the members of our service units and our Board of Directors. Delegates have a responsibility to be knowledgeable about the community they represent, actively engage with their constituents, and liaise with GSHNJ staff and Board of Directors to influence the strategic direction of our council.

Service Unit Delegates report to Service Unit Managers and are voting members of the council. They serve a term of two years and may serve for no more than three consecutive terms. Service units hold elections or select their delegates in the fall, so they may begin their terms in January. Each service unit is entitled to two delegates, at least one of whom must be 18 years or older.

Newly elected/selected delegates must meet basic eligibility requirements and submit a 2022 Service Unit Delegate Agreement no later than January 3, 2022.

What to Expect as a SU Delegate | SU Delegate Agreement
 

LEADERSHIP FORUMS: Leadership Forums are hosted prior to Annual Meeting to facilitate an open dialogue with council leadership and service unit volunteers. The Forums are your opportunity to talk with council leadership to share concerns from your community, understand council-wide strategic decisions, engage with other service units, and interact with the members of our Board of Directors and council executives.

This year, GSHNJ is creating a new 5-year strategic plan. Service Unit Delegates should expect to play a significant role in its formation through the Leadership Forums.

Service Unit Delegates are expected to attend at least one Forum per year but may attend as many as you like. Advance registration is required so delegates have adequate time to review the agenda and prepare for discussions by reflecting with their communities.

Communities that would like to raise a point of discussion at a Leadership Forum must submit a Discussion Topic Proposal.

What to Expect at Leadership Forums | Discussion Topic Proposal
 

ANNUAL MEETING: GSHNJ’s Bylaws require an annual meeting of the Corporation Membership, which is comprised of our Board of Directors, Board Development Committee, Service Unit Delegates, and National Council Delegates. Any member of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey who is 14 years or older may attend as guests.

The Fourteenth Annual meeting will consist of two virtual segments: on March 29, 2022 at 7:00pm, we’ll hear Natasha Hemmings reflect on the challenges, successes, and innovations of GSHNJ in 2021 through her CEO Report. Following the report, voting members will test our new voting software to be prepared for proceedings on April 6. Guests and non-voting members are excused from that portion of the session.

The formal business of the Annual Meeting will occur on April 6, 2022 at 7:00pm-9:00pm. Registration links and instructions will be sent directly to voting members on or before March 23, 2022. Members-at-large (SU Teams, leaders, parents, girls aged 14 and older) will receive notice by council-wide email communication.

As voting members of the Corporation, the current Board of Directors, Board Development Committee, Service Unit Delegates and National Council Delegates are expected to attend and actively participate in Annual Meeting as representatives of the interests of their communities. Voting members must register their virtual attendance in advance of the meetings to ensure that quorum will be met, as quorum is required to advance the agenda and perform the business of the meeting. Voting members can expect to receive their Annual Meeting Workbooks by email no later than March 23, 2022.

What to Expect as a Service Unit Delegate | How to Join Annual Meeting
 

NATIONAL COUNCIL DELEGATION [coming soon…]