This past July in Lake Buena Vista, FL, Girl Scouts from across the country and world gathered at Walt Disney World Resort for the 2023 National Council Session (NCS) and Girl Scout Convention, Phenom. With excitement and magic lingering in the air, nearly 10,000 Girl Scouts, National Council Delegates, volunteers, and visitors eagerly awaited their chance to celebrate our movement. A magical few days were about to take place in what could be described as one of the most magical places on earth.
Taking place once every three years, this event is both a business meeting, where important issues and topics that affect the future of our movement are discussed and voted on by the National Council, and a celebration of our movement with inspiring stories, new friendships, and of course, lots of sing-a-longs taking place.
National Council Delegates are elected by local councils and serve in these roles for three years. They represent local councils in the business meeting portion of convention known as NCS. The Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) National Delegation is made up of adult members and Girl Scouts who are at least 14 years of age at the time of election. Some GCNWI Delegates have attended numerous NCSs while others were attending for the first time!
While their experience varies, all delegates share a passion for Girl Scouting, a desire to serve our council, and have a dedication that is unmatched as they spent countless hours preparing to attend NCS by meeting both virtually and in person. National Delegate Pamela shared that while she had so many memories from NCS, one of her favorites was GCNWI’s Delegation meeting up at the airport. “I could feel the positive energy of the group. We each knew we had a purpose to represent our council and we were ready.”
Upon arrival and ready to kick off the festivities, GCNWI’s National Delegation gathered with other GCNWI council members who were in town to attend the convention. Together, they had a spectacular evening full of laughter, friendship, and wonder as they looked ahead to the exciting events that were to come.
During the 56th NCS, which lasted three days, delegates participated in debates and voted on seven proposals that direct the future of the Girl Scout Movement. Four of these seven proposals were passed. While some proposals were passed or defeated quickly, others went through hours of debating before a vote was taken. First time GCNWI National Delegate Rebecca reflects that, “It was so exciting to be a part of the debates and witness the voting/passing of various proposals. I was surprised by how quickly things could move – and how slowly they could crawl. The most surprising part of NCS may have been the girl delegates. They spoke so passionately and thoughtfully with a perspective I no longer have personally. I’m so impressed and inspired by all of them. The future is bright.”
While reflecting on her favorite part of NCS, GCNWI National Girl Delegate Madalyn shared, “I loved the entirety of the democratic process. Seeing such passionate females making their voice heard and being powerful was such an inspiration and an experience I will never forget. Even the little moments when I would talk with the other girl delegates across the table, and we would discuss the proposal at hand was so meaningful because open-mindedness is something that always should be present in democracy but is rare.”
Additionally, GCNWI National Girl Delegate Hazel shared, “It was really cool to be surrounded by so many powerful women and intelligent girls. It’s so rare to be in a room where important decisions are being made by only (or mostly) women, and it was a really amazing experience.”
GCNWI National Girl Delegate Annabel reflects, “I was definitely nervous about knowing all of the information and nuances of the proposals being discussed, but as we all were able to have in depth discussions from members of our and other delegations, I learned some really fascinating insight and was able to deepen my understanding of Girl Scout governance. This was one of the things I was also excited about, being able to talk to many people from all over the country, as well as the opportunity to grow closer to those in my delegation. I think Girl Scouts is truly one of the most inclusive places, and everyone I’ve met wants to listen to and learn from what others have to say, even if they disagree.”
GCNWI Delegate Lindsay shares that, “The best part of NCS was listening to passionate, informed, and courageous girl members from around the country make their cases to a room of 1000. Their voices were excellent reminders of why Girl Scouting is more important than ever.”
One of the more important pieces of business at this year’s NCS was the consideration of the Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship. During the 2020 NCS, GCNWI’s National Delegation proposed the formation of a task force to examine the feasibility of creating a national Gold Award Scholarship Fund, which was passed. After the passing of that proposal, a task force was formed and made recommendations for the creation of a Movement Gold Award Scholarship. The passing of the 2023 proposal puts the existence of the fund into the Blue Book of Basic Documents.
GCNWI National Delegate Karen, who was instrumental in the creation of the 2020 proposal and served on the Gold Award Scholarship Fund Task Force, shared that her favorite moment of this year’s NCS was wrapped around the passing of this proposal. “After many years of advocating for the creation of a national scholarship program for Gold Award recipients, I was thoroughly delighted when the proposal passed and that my dream will now come to fruition.”
Proposals were not the only topic on this year’s NCS agenda. Delegates had a busy schedule and participated in a discussion on Movement Governance, elected the new National Board and National Board Development Committee, and had a great time meeting and networking with Girl Scouts of the USA’s (GSUSA) CEO Bonnie Barczykowski, members of the National Board, and new National Board President Noorain F. Khan.
After NCS wrapped up, it was time for Phenom, the convention portion of the week! During Phenom, Girl Scouts had the chance to continue networking with others from across the movement, explore the expo hall, workshops, and even hop on over to the parks! Some of our members also volunteered or participated in a 5k that took place around the convention center.
GCNWI National Alternate Delegate Tina has attended convention multiple times as a visitor and shared, “I love going to convention. There is so much energy when you put so many Girl Scouts in one place. It’s amazing to see the girls become so engaged, socializing, and networking with other girls and adults from all over. It’s equally amazing to see so many adults who are so passionate about our movement and what it provides for the girls. It’s a perfect cure for burnout! I always leave reenergized and proud to be a lifetime member of GSUSA.”
GCNWI National Delegate Tresa joined her troop after NCS to take in convention. “I loved meeting other delegates from other councils along with having my troop of 5 girls there for Phenom. It was an amazing and inspiring event that they got to witness while using their money they had raised to make it a better world in the future.”
While we reflect on all of the wonderful memories created at this year’s NCS and Girl Scout Convention, we’re excited to share the next NCS and Girl Scout Convention will take place in Washington, DC, July 20-25, 2026! Those interested in attending as visitors should stay tuned for more information that will be released from GSUSA.
GCNWI will be seeking applications for our next class of National Delegates in Fall 2024. These delegates will serve from Spring 2025 to Spring 2028. More information will be available on the GCNWI Democratic Process page.
If you or a Girl Scout you know is unsure about applying to be a GCNWI National Girl Delegate or attending Girl Scout Convention, check out what some of our GCNWI National Delegates had to say!
“Apply! Attend! Be part of the remarkable experience! I hope to again in 2026. Once you are there you can see Girl Scouts in action. It is a place where you are surrounded by people who are passionate about the movement, and it shows. The positive energy at the convention is contagious. You need to experience for yourself firsthand. I wish every Girl Scout could attend.” —GCNWI National Delegate Lisa
“Enjoy the journey! You will get to learn more than you imagined about the history and origins of Girl Scouts, and how change happens in this amazing organization.” —GCNWI National Delegate Jen
“I would tell them to go for it. It is such an amazing experience to be able to express your voice & the voice of other Girls and volunteers in your area. You will make close friends with your fellow delegates, meet people from all over, have in-depth conversations about governance and general life. Girl Scouts is such an inclusive and loving space, and it is really reflected in the people you meet. Being able to help better it is such a joy.” —GCNWI National Girl Delegate Annabel
“I cannot recommend this experience enough. YOU can make an impact on our mission. YOU can help guide the future of our organization. YOU should do it (and get ready to have loads of fun on the journey)!” —GCNWI National Delegate Rebecca
Want to learn more? The GCNWI National Delegation is happy to come speak to Troops or Service Units about being a National Delegate and the 2023 National Council Session and Convention. If you would like to request a Delegate to come speak at your meeting, please email Alaina Greene, Delegate Liaison, at agreene@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.