Recently I sat down with a new volunteer who will be leading a new cooperatively led Daisy troop at the school where my girls attend. It occurred to me that the basics are the same and sharing them might help all new leaders.

The first step in starting a Daisy troop is to find interested girls and leaders. Each troop of five girls requires two leaders with an additional leader for every three girls. The safety ratios decrease as the girls age, but in Daisies, a lot of leaders are required.

Next, the leaders need to fill out a volunteer application, which generally includes references. Girl Scouting in our area is now completing background checks on all applicants as well. Unfortunately, this process can take awhile, meaning if you didn't think to apply over the summer, you will have to wait to register your troop.

Once leaders are cleared, leaders and girls must be registered, which in our council includes filling in registration papers, a health form, and, for girls, a general permission slip. All of these forms, along with a $10 registration fee for each person, are then returned to the leader who must compile a roster and turn all the information and materials into the neighborhood registrar. A troop bank account should also be opened.

The leader must also compile a file box or notebook with records for each troop member. Medical information, phone numbers, and other important information should be present at every meeting of the troop in case of emergency.

On the activity planning side, a new Daisy leader has two basic goals for the year. The first is to earn the ten petals that represent the ten parts of the Girl Scout law, and the second, at the end of the year, is to complete the Bridge to Brownies activities. Of course there are many other things you can do, but these are the basics.

The girls wills start by earning the center of their flower. To do this, they must learn the Girl Scout Promise. After memorizing it, they can be invested into Girl Scouts and awarded their Daisy pin and the blue patch that forms the center of their Daisy. The center will soon be surrounded by petals as they complete activities related to the law.

I find it easier to plan a whole year of activities up front. Daisies meet once a month, which, if you do the math, does not allow you enough time to do all 10 petals in the course of a normal school year. The solution I suggest is to do two petals at once at some meetings.

When you plan your year, use the internet to find potential activities and go with what you know. I recommend at least one or two field trips. A trip to a fire station or police station, for example, is a good way to earn the "Respect Authority" petal.

Once registered and with a plan for the year in place, all you need to do now is follow through and enjoy the year!