National Council Delegates

2026 National Council Session

July 20–22, 2026

Washington, DC

Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council Convention Updates

Represent Virginia Skyline Council at convention by applying to be a National Delegate by Feb. 15.
The 2026 Girl Scout Convention venue is the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, DC).
The six-day event kicks off with our 58th National Council Session from July 20–22, followed by the Girl Experience from July 22–25.
Lodging location has not been revealed yet.
The council may offer bus transportation to the convention from July 19-26; details this summer.

Every three years, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) holds a National Council Session—also known as NCS. During NCS, elected National Council delegates representing all 111 councils across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas, and the National Board, gather to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement as well as elect national leaders for the next triennium.

Throughout their three-year term, delegates gather feedback from their council’s membership, learn about proposals, and act as their council’s voice by serving as voting members on the National Council. Delegates then share insights and report on actions taken by the National Council with their council’s membership at Annual Meetings and other council events.

NCS is part of GSUSA’s national convention, which is held every three years. The other part of the convention is a member-focused event with dynamic, interactive workshops for girls and adults. This event includes inspiring speakers, exciting adventures, and opportunities to meet Girl Scouts from around the United States and the world, sparking forever friendships. The next national convention is scheduled for July 20–25, 2026, and will take place in Washington, DC, our nation’s capital, which will be celebrating our country’s 250th birthday.

Every Girl Scout council is entitled to elect a delegation based on its girl membership. Our delegation includes National Council delegates and alternates. The duties of National Council delegates and alternates are to: 

represent our council as voting members of the National Council throughout the triennium (delegates only);
complete training, which includes self-paced online modules and virtual and in-person sessions;
participate in council-hosted preparatory meetings and input-gathering opportunities;
register for and regularly connect on the delegate website for news and updated communications;
consider the spectrum of opinions of adult and girl members from all parts of our council and across the Movement;
participate in delegate webinars sponsored by GSUSA and provide decision-influencing input, as requested, throughout the triennium;
attend all business meetings of the National Council and participate in the decision-making proceedings (delegates only);
become educated in Robert's Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure;
be fully prepared to vote on all business items, including proposals and the National Board of Directors slate; and
engage with other delegates, gather feedback from delegate webinars and the National Council Session, and share learnings and insights with council members.

Apply to be a Delegate

Interested in becoming a National Council Delegate for Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline? Complete the application to get started.

APPLY NOW

Who can apply? toggle arrow

National Council delegates and alternates must:

be a citizen of the United States of America as set out in GSUSA’s Congressional Charter.
be a registered member of the Girl Scout Movement.
be ages 14 years and older.
be able to consider a broad spectrum of the opinions of adult and older girl members from all parts of the council.
be willing to prepare thoroughly on the issues and business that will come before the National Council.
be elected by the members at the Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council's Annual Meeting and shall serve a term of three (3) years or until their successors are elected and assume office.

How do I apply to be a National Council delegate? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council (GSVSC) is looking for nominations to be a Girl Scout National Delegate for the 57th National Council Session scheduled for July 20-22, 2026, in Washington, DC. It is open to any GSVSC member who is 14 years of age or over. A national delegate serves a three-year term. GSVSC is eligible to elect three delegates and two alternate delegates; two delegates will be the CEO Nikki Williams and Board President Anna Muncy.

If you are interested in applying, please read over the National Delegate Position Description (#1611) and then apply using this National Council Delegate Application (#1610). Please complete by February 15, 2025.

How are National Council delegates and alternates selected? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council's delegates and alternate delegates are elected at the council's annual meeting. Delegates are selected based upon the following:

Ability to think strategically and focus on the future of the Girl Scout Movement.
Experience in policy-influencing and policy-making positions.
Demonstrated knowledge about the workings of councils and the Movement.
Ability to analyze issues from a national, as well as a council, perspective as National Council actions and decisions have national implications.
Commitment to attending all council and Girl Scouts of the USA training sessions in order to be as informed as possible about the issues and democratic process utilized at the National Council Session.
Willingness to support all the decisions of the National Council.

What is the role of an alternate delegate? toggle arrow

Alternate delegates are selected to ensure that councils are quickly and easily able to replace delegates who cannot complete their full term.
Alternate delegates must be prepared to assume the delegate role at any time and with little notice.
Alternate delegates should participate in all delegate training, education, and other preparation to ensure they are ready to conduct National Council business if called upon.

What is the time commitment? toggle arrow

Duties of voting member of the National Council:

I. In advance of session, each individual elected by the council as a voting member to attend the National Council Session takes personal responsibility to:

Study all business items on the agenda, background information, and recommendations of the national board of directors.
Attend briefing meetings conducted by the council; participate in council, board, and community meetings; and participate in council forums and focus groups, as requested.
Obtain a broad view of the opinions of adult and girl (ages 14+) members from all parts of the council.
Participate in teleconferences for voting members, sponsored by the national organization.
Engage in opportunities to discuss, learn, and share ideas across the Movement.

II. While attending the National Council Session, each voting member holds responsibility to:

Attend all business meetings and participate in the proceedings.
Be fully prepared on all business items.

III. In follow-up, upon returning from the National Council Session, each national council voting member is prepared to:

Report on the National Council decisions and the reasons for such decisions at the council’s annual meeting, to the council board of directors, and the council’s constituency (if requested by council board chair/president & CEO).
Share insights on information gained at the National Council Session, if requested.
Assist the council as it prepares to participate in the next National Council Session, if requested.
Participate in teleconferences and other opportunities for voting members.

How much will this cost? toggle arrow

National delegates, representing Virginia Skyline Council, expenses are covered by the council (includes lodging, transportation, food, and registration). Alternate delegates expenses are not covered; however if called up to serve as a national delegate, then all expenses are covered.