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3. Member Organisations

Campfire Team • 11 February 2026

3. Member Organisations 

This section outlines the definition of a Member Organisation (MO), the different categories of WAGGGS membership and the types of Members. 

 

3.1 Definition of a Member Organisation

A Member Organisation is the single recognised national organisation for Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in a country or territory.

Territories within Existing Member Organisations

Territories that currently fall within the geographic, constitutional, or operational remit of an existing Member Organisation may only be considered for independent membership of WAGGGS where:
 
  • The recognised Member Organisation for that country provides explicit written support for the territory to be considered independently; and
  • WAGGGS is satisfied that such consideration would not undermine the unity, stability, or effective functioning of the existing Member Organisation or the Movement as a whole.
 
No territory will be granted independent membership status without consultation with affected Member Organisation(s).
 
Discretion, Sustainability, and Impact on the Movement
 
WAGGGS retains the right, at its sole discretion, to decline or defer entry into the membership process where it determines that:
 
  •  The proposed Member Organisation would not be operationally, financially, or structurally sustainable;
  • Recognition would place a disproportionate demand on WAGGGS’ resources; or
  • Proceeding would be likely to have a negative impact on an existing Member Organisation
All applications shall be assessed on a case-by-case basis, subject to World Board scrutiny.

 

3.2 Categories of Membership 

WAGGGS has two categories of membership: Full Members and Associate Members

  1. Full Member: A national organisation that has been formally admitted to full membership in accordance with the WAGGGS Constitution and Bye-Laws. Full Members hold all rights and responsibilities of membership. 
  2. Associate Member: A national organisation that is building its capacity to achieve Full Membership. Associate Members have limited voting and participation rights. This is a temporary, developmental stage and not intended to be permanent

3.3 Types of Member Organisation

WAGGGS recognises several types of Member Organisations, each reflecting different structures and approaches:

  1. WAGGGS-only Organisations: A Member Organisation of WAGGGS where all registered members belong only to WAGGGS. 
  2. WAGGGS-only Organisations Admitting Boys (WOABs): A Member Organisation of WAGGGS where registered members are both female and male members and belong only to WAGGGS1. 
  3. Scout and Guide National Organisations (SAGNOs): A Member Organisation of WAGGGS that is also a member of World Scouting (WOSM).  Within SAGNOs, there may be different structures, for example SAGNOs that deliver Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in co-educational settings in mixed units, SAGNOs that deliver Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in single-sex settings or some that have a mix of both models.

WAGGGS respects each Member Organisation’s choice of educational method, recognising that both single-sex and co-educational approaches offer valuable benefits. Male adult volunteers may support the governance and delivery of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in all Member Organisations. 

All Member Organisations should ensure that members of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting have influence in all aspects of the organisation and this should be reflected in national policies and constitutions.

[1] Following a decision taken by the World Board in October 1998, no new WOABs can now be admitted to WAGGGS membership.