Transforming Leadership is a GSUSA publication that defines the specific outcomes (benefits) of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls. The book describes the outcomes for each of the six grade levels within Girl Scouting, with outcomes defined in developmentally appropriate ways for each grade level, including examples of measurable signs that show whether girls are making progress. Transforming Leadership will help orient volunteers, staff, and the general public to the model underlying the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. It is the next step in Girl Scouting's effort to develop today's generation of girl leaders.

This is a pivotal time in the history of Girl Scouting. This new publication will serve as an essential resource now and into the future.

Adults guiding Daisies are encouraged to follow the many tips and suggestions in the "how-to" adult guide that accompanies the journey. They will quickly find that with a little imagination, this Daisy journey can extend far beyond the six sample sessions provided in the book. As new journeys continue to be developed, Girl Scout Daisies can continue using existing Daisy resources and earn Daisy Petals, if they choose.

Beginning in Fall 2008, in addition to the journeys, Daisies will have opportunities to participate in product sale program activities. Guidelines for adults and supplemental program activities for Daisies are available from the council.

The National Board of Directors approved these grade levels in 2006 to provide increased differentiation and advancement as girls experience Girl Scouting. The new levels are effective beginning in fall 2008. Between 2008 and 2010, councils will be transitioning to the new grade level structure according to their local plans. Some have begun using the new levels, adopting the 08/09 Early Bird schedule, and others will be implementing the levels over the next few years, all aiming for national consistency in 2010.

Girl Scouts of the USA trusts councils, in partnership with families, to assist every girl in having the Girl Scout experience that is best for her. As a general practice, girls say it is important to be with their "social peers"-groups that share the same developmental characteristics.

• Girl Scout Daisies
  (Grades K-1)
• Girl Scout Brownies
  (Grades 2-3)
• Girl Scout Juniors
  (Grades 4-5)
• Girl Scout Cadettes
  (Grades 6-8)
• Girl Scout Seniors
  (Grades 9-10)
• Girl Scout Ambassadors (Grades 11-12)

In 2006, the National Board of Directors approved a new uniform policy, to take effect in fall 2008. Based on this policy, girls at each level will have one official uniform item (e.g., tunic, vest, sash) so they can display the pins and badges they earn. Girl Scout Juniors and older program age groups will wear their vests and sashes with white shirts and khaki pants, making it easier for more girls than ever before to show their unity and pride as Girl Scouts. Daisies and Brownies may also wear "khaki and white" or choose to wear full uniform ensembles for their age level. The Daisy tunic remains available. There will also be a variety of casual uniform components available for those times when official dress uniform is not required.

Adult uniforms will consist of a scarf worn with the membership pins for women and a tie for men. The scarf/tie and membership pins will be worn with navy blue business attire.

In Girl Scouting, it's not just "what girls do" (activities), but "how" (processes) they do them (activities). When used together, these processes—Girl Led, Cooperative Learning, and Learning by Doing—ensure the quality and promote the fun and friendship so integral to Girl Scouting. Here's how Girl Scouts defines these processes:

• Girl Led: Girl led is just what it sounds like—girls play an active part in figuring out the what, where, when, how, and why of their activities. They lead the planning and decision-making as much as possible. This ensures that girls are engaged in their learning and experience leadership opportunities as they prepare to become active participants in their local and global communities.
• Learning by Doing: A hands-on learning process that engages girls in continuous cycles of action and reflection that result in deeper understanding of concepts and mastery of practical skills. As they participate in meaningful activities and then reflect on them, girls get to explore their own questions, discover answers, gain new skills, and share ideas and observations with others. Throughout the process, it's important for girls to be able to connect their experiences to their lives and apply what they have learned to their future experiences.
• Cooperative Learning: Through cooperative learning, girls work together toward shared goals in an atmosphere of respect and collaboration that encourages the sharing of skills, knowledge, and learning. Working together in all-girl environments also encourages girls to feel powerful and emotionally and physically safe, and it allows them to experience a sense of belonging even in the most diverse groups.

Girls are welcome to continue choosing and earning badges that represent their varied interests. Earning badges is an important tradition in Girl Scouting and it is here to stay! As adults and girls become more familiar with the elements of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, they will even be able to see how the Discover, Connect, and Take Action leadership keys can be integrated into earning badges.

Of course, no matter what activities girls do in Girl Scouting, the experience is always best when it incorporates the Girl Scout processes.

Girl Scouts at each of the six grade levels have a chance to earn official new awards as they complete steps along the journey. The awards are designed to be worn on the Girl Scout uniform. Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes have the chance to earn several badges along the journey. Seniors and Ambassadors can mark the completion of their journey with a pin or badge.

The steps for earning the awards are clearly explained in the "how-to" books for volunteers created for each journey. Girls have information about the awards in their books, too. The journey books for girls and adults also have suggested reflection and ceremony ideas related to earning the awards. The goal is to provide opportunities for girls to fully understand the achievement and growth the awards represent.

There will be about three journeys for every grade level by 2010. A second journey series will roll out in 2009, and the third in 2010. Girls at each level will be able to choose the journey that most interests them or do them all.

All girl and adult books in the It’s Your World-Change It! series are available now at both Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Council Shops.

The first books for girls are all part of the It's Your World Change It! series of leadership journeys. This series features one new book for girls at each grade level in Girl Scouting:

• Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden
• Brownie Quest
• Agent of Change (for Juniors)
• aMAZE (for Cadettes)
• GIRLtopia: Toward an Ideal World for Girls (for Seniors)
• Your Voice, Your World: The Power of Advocacy (for Ambassadors)

These books place emphasize inviting girls to "Take Action" on an issue they care about. The books also contain stories, inspirational material, Girl Scout history, traditions and values, facts and games, and blank space for girls to fill in their own ideas and memories.

In addition, corresponding "how-to" books have been created for adults. These guides for adult volunteers offer plenty of support, including customizable sample sessions.

The New Girl Scout Leadership Experience engages girls in discovering themselves, connecting with others, and taking action to make the world a better place.