Your Voice, Your World: The Power of Advocacy (Ambassador Journey)

Your Voice, Your World: The Power of Advocacy is part of "It's Your World-Change It" series.

The road to advocacy can take many routes, but in this journey it follows eight sequential steps that the girls can easily fit into their busy lives—now and anytime they want to advocate. Each step builds on the one before, giving the girls new insights, stronger skills, and greater confidence.

The 8 steps to Advocacy do not have to be accomplished in the exact order given in the Advocacy Central chart on pages 8—9 of the adult guide, though that is likely the smoothest path to success. There are also no limits on the amount of time the girls choose to spend on each step. They can take as much or as little time as needed. What’s most important is for the Ambassadors to do what they find intriguing, exciting, and engaging.

First, though, they will decide whether to journey forward on their own or as part of a team. If you are advising Ambassadors who are journeying solo, encourage them to collaborate as much as possible with friends, teachers, mentors, and other community members. Even those journeying with other Ambassadors may want to proceed with minimal adult guidance. Still, be ready to be needed. Even older teens can want, and flourish with, adult coaching and guidance.

No matter how Ambassadors travel through this journey, if they complete the 8 Steps to Advocacy, the prestigious Girl Scout Advocate Award is theirs.

In this Journey, you will:
Learn more about how to earn your Take Action Award — and help your community — with the Girl Scout Take Action Guide. Then use your leadership skills to earn your Gold Award, the highest award for Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors!
 * 1) Find out how to advocate for change by networking, planning, and speaking up for what you believe—invite a woman advocate to speak about her work or visit your state capital to find out how to advocate for causes you believe in.
 * 2) Plan a Take Action project about an issue you care about.
 * 3) Earn the Advocacy Award. If you're a Girl Scout volunteer, go to Volunteer Toolkit for complete meeting plans and activity instructions

Leadership Journey Award

 * 1) Girl Scout Advocate Award (Badge or Pin)