AHG unashamedly believes, teaches, and practices Biblical principles throughout its Program and is committed to developing girls’ character and to teaching girls how to apply the truths of God’s Word to every aspect of life.

It is the expectation of AHG, Inc. that Girl Members not only subscribe to but strive to live according to the values represented in the AHG Oath and Creed, as they have agreed to when becoming a Girl Member. With this expectation, it is also understood that, just like adults, girls face temptation and are not without sin. Because we all fall short from time to time it is important the AHG Troop remain a place of grace and truth. Girls, especially during their adolescent years, are trying to determine who they are and how their faith and the culture play into their identity. AHG can serve a critical role in guiding girls toward their identity in Christ. AHG is meant to be a ministry of transformation—a ministry which surrounds girls with Godly adults who will offer them sound Biblical advice, encouragement, grace, and truth. AHG should be a safe place for girls to navigate the confusion of today’s moral landscape.

The relationship between a Charter Organization and its Troop is designed to be a partnership. AHG values the role of the Charter Organization and Charter Representative as ministry partners and Troops are encouraged to collaborate with them in supporting the Troop and its members in both joyous and challenging seasons. As part of the partnership between the Charter Organization and Troop, the Charter Organization will provide direction in walking through the following steps and addressing a Girl Member’s behavioral concerns.

When a girl falls short of living up to the AHG Oath and Creed, it is not a time for her immediate dismissal from the Troop. It is a time when a girl needs the Christ-centered program of AHG, her family, her church and the faith-filled adults of her Troop the most. When a girl engages in behavior which contradicts the AHG Oath or Creed, it is important she understands her error and is given an opportunity to change. These behaviors might include, but are not limited to: gossip, bullying, stealing, sexual activity outside the context of marriage (opposite-sex or same-sex), illegal use of drugs or alcohol, etc. When a Troop becomes aware that a girl is engaging in such behavior, there are a number of steps which must precede dismissal from the program.

Step 1:

• Depending on the level of severity of the behavior, the parents/legal guardians of the girl are notified and included in the process. If the Charter Organization has policies regarding the behaviors being addressed, please refer to the Charter Organization for input, if agreeable to the parents/legal guardians. With parent/legal guardian approval, the trusted Unit Leader and/or Troop Shepherd plus one other AHG Adult Member (maintaining two-deep-leadership) discuss their concerns with the girl in a loving manner. “Here is why we are concerned. Here is why this behavior contradicts the AHG Oath/Creed.” Share Scriptural references regarding these behaviors. Girls are given an opportunity to show remorse, repent, and determine a plan for changed behavior. Accountability for the plan is established in a manner which preserves confidentiality and promotes youth safety as described in AHG’s KEYS to Child Safety Training through measures such as, but not limited to, two-deep leadership in all types of communication (written, verbal, in person, electronic). In addition, AHG offers the Girl Behavior Agreement available on AHGresource to set healthy behavior expectations for girls.

Step 2:

If the Girl Member does not show remorse, does not agree to a plan of action, or repeats the behavior of concern, the Troop:

Meets with the girl’s parents/legal guardians as soon as possible, no matter how small the infraction. The Troop explains in a loving manner why the behavior is of concern, why it contradicts the AHG Oath/Creed, and what steps have been taken to assist the girl in addressing the issue. Following this meeting, girls are given another opportunity to show remorse, repent, and determine a plan for changed behavior. Accountability is established in a manner which preserves confidentiality and promotes youth safety as described in AHG’s KEYS to Child Safety Training.

If the Girl Member denies the behavior while the evidence of the behavior is overwhelming, the Troop:

Stands for truth and encourages the girl to be truthful. The Troop explains that grace is available to all, however, where truth cannot be found, grace will not be applied. If the girl refuses to be truthful, then the Troop meets with her parents/legal guardians to explain their observations and concerns, to describe the potential consequences of a girl’s willingness/unwillingness to be truthful and to request the parents/legal guardians counsel the girl. The Troop offers the parents/legal guardians and the girl 2-3 days to respond and commit to behavior change.

Step 3:

If the Girl Member continues to not accept responsibility for the behavior, does not show remorse, does not agree to a plan of action, or repeats the behavior of concern, the Troop again meets with the girl and her parents/legal guardians. At this meeting, discussions are had around engaging a pastor, priest, or other church leader within the girl’s preferred denomination. Outside ministries who specialize in the issue at hand may also be engaged at this time. The objective of this meeting is to again work on a plan of action in order to assist the girl in understanding her behavior, the consequences or impact of her behavior, and work to overcome it. If the parents/legal guardians and girl understand the concern around the behavior and are willing to implement a plan for change, then the girl will be allowed to remain in the Troop. The Troop volunteers are not expected to provide counsel, which is the role of the parents/legal guardians, but rather show support and acknowledgment of the worth of the girl.

Step 4:

If the above avenues have all been exhausted and the girl continues her behavior, refuses to recognize the behavior as contradictory to the AHG Oath/Creed, and/or poses a threat to other Girl or Adult Members in the Troop, she may be asked to terminate her membership in American Heritage Girls by the Charter Organization. The goal for every Troop should be to keep the girl in the Troop. The decision to ask a Girl Member to leave a Troop is one made with prayer and discernment and in which counsel of the Charter Representative and the Hometown Mentor or AHG Troop Coach is sought.