Proposal Interviews

When meeting with a Girl Scout regarding her Gold Award Proposal, I make sure to listen to what she says.  Prior to the interview, the committee has reviewed the paper submission. During this process, we compare to the list of expected outcomes for a Gold Award project to make sure the Girl Scout has described how she plans to meet each outcome.

I have learned by listening to the Girl Scout during the interview many of the outcomes not clearly addressed in the written proposal have been considered.  Out committee uses a standard form for note taking which is then shared with the Girl Scout after the interview. This is also used as a report back and documentation to the rest of the committee.  If the information is a clarification of information in the proposal, a note describing the discussion is made on the form. If more involved, even if clear during the discussion, the Girl Scout is asked to write a summary and submit to the committee as follow up.  This allows the Girl Scout to have the information shared in her own words. 

There are times when the Girl Scout is not clear on how to meet an expectation of the project.  This is where the guidance of the committee, with our knowledge of successful projects, comes into play.  A committee member can share ideas of how the Girl Scout can achieve the outcome. This is where listening is important.  Questions clarifying the Girl Scout’s goals and understanding why this project was identified need be considered before suggestions are offered.  The suggestions should compliment the girl’s objectives and not just be suggested in order to check off the requirement.

I have two examples of this in recent conversations.  Please be aware I am only focusing on the pieces of the conversation relevant to the specific portion of the project needing enhancement, not the full project.

The first Girl Scout is planning to create kits to be given to children in the hospital.  

During the interview, she shared she wanted each child to have something that is meaningful to them to give them comfort.  For sustainability, a hospital employee was willing to continue the program after the Gold Award project was completed.  

While digging more into the sustainability part as to how the kits would continue to be put together, I asked why she was doing kits.  There wasn’t a specific answer, except that is just how she pictured the project.  

The committee offered a suggestion that perhaps she could create more of a treasure chest where many of the objects she planned to include in the kits, as well as other objects could be housed.  Then the children could pick something themselves. This could lead to making sure each child truly had something meaningful to them. Remember – this was a reason she said she choose the project.  

At the same time, it would be more easily sustainable.  Replenishing a treasure chest with objects will take less time and effort than continuing to put kits together.

The second example relates to building a Ga Ga Pit.

During the interview, the Girl Scout shared her experience with a Ga Ga Pit and how it had promoted team building in her troop.  She also shared how her experience with a Ga Ga Pit created a direct interaction within her troop and built inclusion. She shared she was partnering with a local camp who hosted many businesses where team building was part of the programming.

This Girl Scout did not have a clear direction for global impact.

We focused on the team building aspect and discussed options.  

Some of the options we discussed:

• Design team building activity instructional sheets using the Ga Ga Pit.
• Create videos showing others how to use a Ga Ga Pit for team building.
• Start a social media campaign having others share their positive experiences with a Ga Ga Pit.
• Share how a Ga Ga Pit can create inclusion.

When supporting a Girl Scout while working on her proposal, make sure to listen to the goals and reasons before brainstorming ideas.

Girls – consider the WHY behind your project and remember the root cause you are working to solve.  Form questions for others related to your project weaknesses and then reach out to others to ask for their ideas.  You don’t even need to share your overall project, just the pieces where you need assistance. This will allow others to focus on those pieces and not be distracted by sharing ideas related to other portions of your project.