Girl Guides of Canada

It is possible for all components of the screening process to be completed within 7-10 days after you submit your application, but the timeline is dependent on how quickly you complete the required steps. Please keep an eye on your email for notifications of when you can complete the next steps, and note that all steps must be completed within 4 months of the application.

Adult membership applications are typically processed within 1-2 business days. If you haven't heard anything, you can send the copy of the application form confirmation email you received to screening@girlguides.ca.

If you’re planning to volunteer at a few events throughout the year, a non-member Unit Assistant role might be the right fit. To become a non-member Unit Assistant, you do not need to undergo the full screening process. Here are the steps:

1. Complete the non-member volunteer application form and send it to screening@girlguides.ca
2. Once your application has been processed, you’ll be sent a link to complete your Police Records Check (PRC). The cost for a non-member PRC through our partner Sterling BackCheck is $23.99 + HST. If you would prefer to receive a volunteer service letter to take to your local police detachment or if you already have a completed PRC, please let the Membership Screening team know. Any costs associated with a local check will be the responsibility of the non-member applicant.

If your question is not addressed, it is recommended that you connect with the Membership Screening Team at screening@girlguides.ca.

If you haven't yet turned the age of majority, you can complete the girl registration form and become a bridging member - make sure you’re completing a paper form so no payment is collected, as you’ll not be working on program.

As a bridging member, you can be a Junior Leader with a younger branch, or active as a girl member-at-large. Please connect with screening@girlguides.ca to get more details.

Once you reach the age of majority in your province/territory, complete the adult membership application form and your screening process will begin.

Personal references cannot include family members. Friends, coworkers, people you have previously volunteered with are acceptable references. GGC requests a list of three references to contact as part of the screening process.

We partner with Sterling BackCheck to get PRCs and references completed efficiently. Please keep an eye out for any emails you might receive from Sterling BackCheck in your inbox or junk mail. If you have any issues completing your PRC, contact screening@girlguides.ca.

Please check your junk mail for the email or contact screening@girlguides.ca if the link has expired/you do not have the email.

The online PRC via Sterling BackCheck uses your credit history to verify your identity (this is not a credit check, simply a process to verify your identity). If you have just turned age of majority and have limited credit history, it is possible that the electronic identity verification process will not work to confirm your identity.

If this is the case, Sterling BackCheck will provide you with a form you must take to a Canada Post location to complete the identity verification.

Alternatively, if you prefer to receive a volunteer service letter to take to a local police detachment, please contact screening@girlguides.ca.

No. This information is only used as a means to electronically verify your identity to ensure the Police Records Check is being completed for the correct individual. GGC and Sterling BackCheck do not gain access to your credit information when you complete the process. GGC does not know what questions you’ll be asked as part of this process, nor does GGC receive the answers.

If Sterling BackCheck is unable to confirm your identity through the electronic identity verification, you’ll be able to download a form and visit a Canada Post location with two pieces of government issued ID. Once you have the form completed, follow the instructions with Sterling BackCheck to get this form back to them and get your PRC underway.

GGC requires a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (level 2) police records check completed within 12 months of the date you submitted your adult membership application form. If you have completed a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (or higher) within the mentioned time frame, please send a readable, scanned copy to screening@girlguides.ca or mail your clearly photocopied or original copy to:

Girl Guides of Canada
100-180 Duncan Mill Road
Toronto, ON
M3B 1Z6 

Please note that an employer attestation will not suffice.

If you prefer to visit a local police service to complete your PRC, please let the Membership Screening team know either during your interview, or by sending an email to screening@girlguides.ca.

We will send you a volunteer service letter that you can take to your local police service that outlines the level of PRC that GGC requires.

Please note that any costs associated with a local check will be the responsibility of the applicant.

Member Zone is GGC's members only website where fully screened members can find helpful resources including unit rosters, Safe Guide training, Orientation to Guiding, and more.

Once your application has been processed and you've started the membership screening process, you’ll be sent information on how to activate your Member Zone account. You must activate your account before you can successfully gain access.

Take a screenshot of your quiz score. If you get the "Access Denied" error, please send the screenshot to screening@girlguides.ca and we will manually update your profile to record the training completion.

If you login to your Member Zone account, click on "My Profile" and go to the "Activities" tab. Your training completion should be listed here.

Now that you’ve completed the screening process, including interview, Orientation to Guiding, references and Police Records Check, and Safe Guide training, you are considered a ‘member’ of Girl Guides of Canada. Our Member and Unit Support team will coordinate with you and your local senior volunteer to confirm which volunteer position you’ll be placed in. You’ll be sent an email with these details and supported further as you step into this new role.

In completing the adult membership application, you’re on the path to becoming a fully screened member. Once your screening is completed, you can work with a girl unit, either as a full-time or part-time Guider (leader). You can also join a Trefoil Guild or Link Unit or be active as a Member-At-Large. As a fully screened member, there are a variety of administrative volunteer roles you can explore.

If you complete the non-member volunteer application form, you’ll be processed as a non member. In addition to completing the form, you’ll be asked to complete a police records check. As a non-member, you can participate either as a unit assistant, a support person who provides one-to-one support to a girl member, or a Treasurer for a unit.