Here are nine pieces of advice from seasoned leaders on preventing Girl Scout leader burnout.
In the spring of 2014, after leading my daughter’s troop for six years, I decided to take a step back from this role. While I never wrote posts about the drama that was happening at that time, there was in fact, drama.
When my troop began in the fall of 2008, my co-leader and I were on the same page. We had divided the roles so that we could each do what we specialized in. While that worked for the first two years, it slowly disintegrated over time. When I asked for help, it did not happen. As I wrote in this blog post, I do not drop the ball. I carried the load, but with boundaries. That is why we did not camp or sell cookies.
My decision to step down did not come lightly. I emailed the parents in the spring, asking someone to step up. I met with a friend and she said she would be the main leader-the one who went to the Service Unit meetings, was in charge of field trips, and she got camping certified.
My role was to plan meetings and community service projects.
We even had a bona fide experienced Cookie Mom.
This arrangement worked until our girls bridged to adult. It prevented my friend, who bought a business, from burning out, and not having to do an plan everything gave me the respite I needed to enjoy leading again.
As I read multiple posts in the Girl Scout Facebook groups about leaders experiencing burnout, it made me remember how I felt all those years ago. I decided to cull their advice in the hopes that those reading this post know that they are not alone, and that there are ways to prevent Girl Scout leader burnout.
Here is some very sound advice from other leaders to help you prevent Girl Scout leader burnout.
Step Back and Analyze What’s Going On
When you signed up to be a leader, you were probably feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. Over time, the nerves disappeared, but when did the excitement? Can you pinpoint the time?
- Does it happen during the hectic cookie season?
- Does it happen after solo planning a field trip or service project?
- Does it happen while planning your regularly scheduled meetings?
- Did you really ever love being a leader?
If it happens during cookie season, you can either assign two parents to be in charge or you can not sell cookies (which is what I did).
If you get stressed over planning field trips and service projects, ask a parent to take over or don’t do either one.
If it happens during as you plan each meeting, scale back to once a month and see how that makes you feel.
If you never really enjoyed this role, maybe scouting is not for you (and that’s okay!)
Have an Honest Conversation with Your Present Co-Leader
While you may not want to have this conversation, it is necessary. I had to have it a few times with my original co-leader.
It did not help. All I got was excuses for her not stepping up.
Another friend, the parent who took over the lead role, saw what was happening and started coming to most of our meetings to help. It really was a lifesaver.
Tell your co-leaders you need them to step up and take on some of the responsibilities they agreed to. Be specific about what you need them to do. They may ignore this request just as mine co-leader did. Then it is time to look for new co-leaders.
Have a Parent Meeting and Then Scale Back
Before your parent meeting, figure out what things require additional help. Is it planning field trips? Is it planning a meeting? Finding a guest speaker? Taking charge of camping? You will need to be clear about what roles need to be fulfilled if you are to continue being a leader.
Have a serious conversation about how things are going to look moving forward. Be honest about your inability to continue carrying the load without additional help, and then share the roles that need to be filled. Create a SignUp Genius ahead of time so parents can volunteer. If everyone takes a small part, then things can continue as they are.
Tell the parents if they are unwilling to help, you will be scaling back. If you meet twice a month, it will now be once a month. If you do an outing, pull the plug on further outings. Parents will see first hand how their daughter’s scouting experience will be vastly different because you are not doing everything.
Finally, it is okay to set boundaries and have limits as to what you are willing to do. Remember, you are a volunteer. No one is making you lead a troop.
One leader wrote this,
“Sometimes when co-leaders and parents realize that you are dead serious (about scaling back), they begin to step up. If not, at least you’ve pared back to a level you can better manage. If the joy doesn’t return, then close the troop. You can see if another troop would welcome an experienced leader; if not, you can register your daughter as a Juliette and continue to be involved that way.”
Ask More Parents to Be Co-Leaders
A very astute leader said this in her reply to the burnt out Girl Scout leader,
“A co-leader should run a portion of the meeting. They can lead discussion, they can lead a craft or activity, snack, opening. They should be leading something. They are willing to pick up the ball if you drop it.
Volunteers take tasks, not responsibility.”
If you choose to get new co-leaders, have them be in charge of specific tasks. For example, I need a co-leader to co-ordinate field trips. We take three trips a year, and this is your responsibility.” Explain the tasks of going on a field trip so it does not feel overwhelming.
Every Meeting Does Not Require Badge Work
I said the quiet part out loud. Girl Scouts is not just about selling cookies and earning badges. It is a sisterhood. You are not required to earn a badge at every meeting; sometimes it is just nice to get together and be a soft place to fall.
Available on TpT
If you need a break from planning, I have a free resource on Teachers Pay Teachers that can help. Last minute meeting planning means no prep or very low prep. Pick one of these ideas the next time you don’t feel like planning.
Let Parents Take the Blame
A lot of leaders complain that they ask their parents if their daughter is going to attend an event, and they get no response. What is a leader to do?
The correct response is not to hound parents for an answer. After one reminder, you are off the hook. Those who RSVP’d to the event get to go. Those who did not respond do not get to attend.
When a girl wonders where the others got that cool patch or overhear something fun that the troop got to do together and they did not, simply share the truth. “Your parent did not RSVP to the event.” If the scout gets upset, that is not on you. If the parent is upset, it is not on you.
It is very hard when you know the troop will fail if you take a step back. It’s frustrating when no one else cares as much as you do. It is also A LOT of work to do by yourself.
Have a Fun Guest Speaker
When my troop were first year Brownies, I met a woman through a newspaper ad (yes, I am that old) who was advertising her cupcake decorating business. We talked about her coming to a meeting and helping my girls earn the retired Careers Try It badge.
The girls had a blast and I got to sit back and simply write a check for this meeting.
When we were second year Brownies, one of the girls’ mothers was not only an attorney, but a trained chef. With her help, we earned the retired Make It, Eat It, Try It badge.
Parents who are background checked can lead a meeting. Have them pick a story and find a craft to go with it. A parent in the troop. or someone else you know, may have a skill that they can come and teach the girls. It does not have to be tied to a badge.
Go to an Event Instead of a Meeting
Instead of planning a formal meeting, go to a Service Unit or Council event. They are typically inexpensive, and even better, they are all planned for you. If a child cannot attend, that’s okay, you will see them at your regularly scheduled meeting.
Lean Into What You Enjoy
During the older years, I loved to plan the few badges we did, as well as lead community service. These two things are what I enjoyed. As a leader, lean into the things that bring you joy and share it with your troop.
Takeaways from Preventing Girl Scout Leader Burnout
In order to have a successful troop and prevent Girl Scout leader burnout, you need:
- Active co-leaders
- Engaged parents
- Clear communication
- Shared responsibility
If your troop cannot function without you doing everything, that’s not sustainable, and you are allowed to step back. You’re not letting anyone down by doing this.
Do you have any suggestions on how to prevent Girl Scout leader burnout?