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These come from the questions submitted by members at meetings and on the Contact form.
 

When did the changes go into effect?
The merger became official on Feb 1, 2008. Changes that affect members are minimal at first, however, and will be phased in gradually.

In the new council, will we have community or level based services?
The volunteer service delivery structure in the new council will not be decided immediately.  There are about a dozen different models around the country. GSUSA is reviewing those and may have recommendations.

When is the first GSEM Annual Meeting?
Thurs, May 15, 2008, at the Sheraton Needham Hotel, 5:30-9:00.  It will feature Kathy Cloninger, CEO of GSUSA, as the guest speaker. 

Will my lifetime membership remain valid?
Yes.  All members, annual and lifetime, are members of Girl Scouts of the USA.  This is not affected by council changes.

Will my troop number change?
Yes and no.  The new council solved duplicate numbers behind the scenes, in our database.  This involves additional digits in troop numbers, which will be needed on some official documents -- registration forms, for example.  These will not be displayed on uniforms or flags -- it will be for operational purposes only. 

Will the Service Center near me close?  What will become of our camps?
There are no immediate plans to close any of the existing service centers, branches or camps. Girl Scouts is fundamentally a local organization and  members need convenient access to badges, handbooks, info, supplies, events and programs.  GSEM will evaluate property use and program needs, and make decisions about properties later.

Will we be getting new tax exempt certificates? Will we still be able to use current council certificates to make troop purchases?  Do we need new bank accounts?
Tax exempt certificates and information on new bank accounts are available.  Contact your SUA, NA or Level Manager for details.

Will training and other adult programs change now?  Will there be changes to programs for girls sponsored by the legacy councils?
Programs for adults (including training) and girls for spring of 2008 were already planned by the three legacy councils before operational aspects of the merger were underway.  The registration processes are being handled in each legacy council's usual way. 

All members in the new council area have equal access to all programs, regardless of legacy council, except in some programs with facilitator travel limitations.  Decisions about programs and training for next fall have not yet been made.

Will summer camp programs be open to all members in the new council area?
Yes.  All camp programs are open to all eastern Massachusetts girls for "in-council" fees.  Behind the scenes, registration and other operational tasks are being done according to the legacy councils' local processes for this season. 

Do girls need to purchase new council patches?
New council ID strips are available at your council shop.