My Family Shares

This multi-part patch is a great way for girls and adults to work together! It takes six years to complete all six phases of the patch, which are earned in sequence - from the house, to the roof, then the sun, the flower garden, the pine tree and finally, the dogwood tree.

If you would like to know more about this patch program, contact your Troop Leader, Service Unit Director or Membership Specialist.

Phase I - The House
1. The adult and girl participate in a troop activity, which is planned by the girls for parent involvement. This may be an investiture, a picnic, play, etc.

2. Girls share with the family what it’s like to be a Girl Scout by telling about at least one of the following, which she has not shared before:

· The meaning of the girl Scout Promise, Juliette Low’s life or a special Girl Scout Day (example: Juliette Low’s birthday, Thinking Day, or Girl Scout week); highlights of troop meetings for a month; what happens to Cookie Sale profits; a special project of an event in which the troop is participating.

3. The adult shares by performing service for a troop in one of the following ways:

· Be the leader, co-leader, cookie sale manager, or Friends Annual Giving Campaign Troop Chair, hold a position on the service unit’s team; provide a service on at least 4 occasions during the course of one registration year (Oct. to Oct.). Choice of service may include: provide transportation for troop outings; assist with troop projects or activities, share a career, skill, talent, or hobby with the troop, several troops, or the service unit; care for the leader’s children during training or troop functions; assist with paperwork or record keeping; locate resource people for troop program; accompany the troop on an outdoor activity (camp out, cookout, hike, etc.); assist at Day Camp; troop leaders may add ideas. Note: If an adult has more than one Girl Scout, any four services performed with any of the troops involved will entitle all sibling Girl Scouts to receive the patch as well as the adult.

4. Make a contribution to the Friends Annual Giving Campaign.

Phase II - The Roof
1. Adult and girl participate in service unit, regional or council sponsored event.

2. Girl and parent together explore and acquire information about at least one on the following:

· Role of Brownie ring, Junior Patrol system or Young Women’s Planning Board; Wider Opportunities; earning religious recognitions; earning the Silver Award; earning the Gold Award; learning about the council’s governance process (ex. Role of Community Advisory Group, delegates and board members); learning about the LIT and Program Aide programs; or working at home with child on the patch or badge.

3. The adult shares by performing service in one of the following ways:

· Working with other parents and troop members to plan and carry out a Leader Appreciation Day activity for troop leaders during the week of April 22, submit the name of a potential nominee for consideration as a board member, serve as a delegate to the council Annual Meeting, or select a new or different role/service from #3 of My Family Shares.. Phase I.

4. Make a contribution to the Friends Annual Giving Campaign that is at least equal to or more than last year’s contribution.

Phase III - The Sun
1. Adult and girl together obtain information about the next level in Girl Scouts and share in session/presentation with own troop members or with another troop of same age level in the area.

2. Choose one of the following:

* Do a poster with your daughter, which promotes Girl Scouting. Make arrangements to place it in public place such as a store window, bulletin board at work, or church, etc.

* Along with your daughter, identify and recruit another person to be a volunteer at the troop, local or council level. (You will need to pass along their name, address, and phone number and, in your opinion, what type of volunteer position for which they are best suited.)

*Allow the council to videotape a five-minute “testimonial” of you and your Girl Scouts sharing why you believe in the program or attesting to why and/or how the program has made a difference.

3. Choose a different activity to explore from #2 of Phase II and a different service to perform from #3 of Phase II.

4. Make a contribution to the Friends Annual Giving Campaign that is at least equal to or more than last year’s contribution.

Phase IV - The Flower Garden
1. Adult and girl participate in one or more Program Opportunities at the troop, service unit, or council level.

2. The adult shares by volunteering to be an active member of the troop committee, service unit team, day camp staff, or council-operating unit. OR recruit another adult to serve in a leadership position for one year.

3. The girl and adult will help to promote Girl Scouts by doing one of the following – videotape a testimonial, write an article for the Gazette, write and submit an article to your local newspaper, or participate in a council organized PR effort OR participate in a service project at the troop, service unit, or council level.

4. Make a contribution to the Friends Annual Giving Campaign that is at least equal to or more than last year’s contribution.

Phase V - The Pine Tree
1. Adult and girl work together to earn a badge or interest project patch or other Girl Scout program recognition.

2. Adult and girl participate in research on post secondary education, careers, and/or job shadowing. Findings should be submitted to the girls troop leader.

3. Choose a different activity to explore from #3 of Phase I.

4. Make a contribution to the Friends Annual Giving Campaign that is at least equal to or more than last year’s contribution.

Phase VI - The Dogwood Tree
1. Adult and girl work together to earn a badge or interest project patch or other Girl
Scout program recognition.

2. Adult and girl work together to interview a former Girl Scout and present the findings to the Council Fund Development Director. The former Girl Scout should be at least 30 years of age.

3. Choose a different activity to explore from #2 in Phase II.

4. Make a contribution to the Friends Annual Giving Campaign that is at least equal to or more than last year’s contribution.