Volunteer Recognitions
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Volunteer Recognitions

Volunteers put in many hours on top of busy schedules and hectic lives – to be the cheerleader, guide, and mentor -  helping girls develop crucial skills and confidence to launch them into a lifetime of leadership.

Help us recognize outstanding individuals all year round with our Volunteer Recognitions and Awards initiative!

Formal Recognitions

Nominate a special volunteer for an adult recognition. These range from National and Council Awards for volunteers, local Service Unit Awards, and other volunteer recognitions. Check out the GSCCC Adult Recognition Handbook to determine the best fit for your special person, and then submit your nomination. It's easy—just use the Award Form!          

Girl Scouts of the USA National Awards
Volunteer of Excellence

Volunteer of Excellence Award recognizes a volunteer who has contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The candidate has successfully completed a term of service and all requirements for the position for which the candidate is being nominated.
  • The candidate has performed beyond expectations for the position to deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls using the National Program Portfolio. Or the candidates performance has been beyond the expectations of the position and has supported council’s mission delivery goals in one or more of the following functional areas: Membership, Volunteer Support, Program, Leadership or Governance, Strategic Planning, Fund Development, Pluralism and Council Support Service ( IT, Customer Service, Merchandising, Marketing/Communications).
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

Appreciation Pin

The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE).

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The service performed has measurable impact on at least one geographic area, service unit, or program audience in a way that furthers the council’s mission-delivery goals.
  • The service performed is above and beyond the expectations for the position held.
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

Honor Pin

The Honor Pin recognizes a volunteer whose outstanding service has impacted multiple service units.

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The candidate has provided outstanding service in any role to at least two service units in a way that furthers the council’s goals.
  • Their service goes beyond the expectations of their position and has a measurable impact.
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

Thanks Badge

The Thanks Badge recognizes a volunteer who has provided exceptional, outstanding service that benefits the total council or entire Girl Scout Movement.

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The service performed benefits the council or entire Girl Scout Movement.
  • The candidate demonstrates an ongoing commitment to leadership and service that has a measurable impact.
  • The service is so significantly beyond expectations, that no other award is appropriate.
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

Thanks Badge II

The Thanks Badge II recognizes a Thanks Badge recipient who has since provided continuing distinguished service benefiting the total council that significantly surpasses the original achievement.

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The service performed benefits the council or entire Girl Scout Movement.
  • The candidate demonstrates an ongoing commitment to leadership and service that has a measurable impact.
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

Council Awards
The Go-Getter Award

The Go-Getter Award recognizes a volunteer who puts her/his goals into action, pursues leadership positions and perseveres through challenges.

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The candidate can be involved at any level of volunteering, from parent helpers to service unit team members.
  • The candidate encourages the G.I.R.L. in each of our members and shows progression as a leader in their role.
  • The service performed is above and beyond the expectations for the position held.
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

The Innovator Award

The Innovator Award recognizes a volunteer who uses creativity to imagine and implement solutions. An innovator brings new ideas that benefit a troop or service unit or provides a “spark” to enhance current activities or events.

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The candidate can be involved at any level of volunteering, from parent helpers to service unit team members.
  • The candidate encourages the G.I.R.L. in each of our members and shows progression as a leader in their role.
  • The service performed is above and beyond the expectations for the position held.
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

The Risk-Taker Award

The Risk-Taker Award recognizes a volunteer who seeks new adventures and experiences. They step outside their comfort zone to provide the best experience for girls or they take positive action on issues in the community.

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The candidate can be involved at any level of volunteering, from parent helpers to service unit team members.
  • The candidate encourages the G.I.R.L. in each of our members and shows progression as a leader in their role.
  • The service performed is above and beyond the expectations for the position held.
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

The Leader Award

The Leader Award recognizes a volunteer who listens to opinions and feelings different from her/his own. He or she handles conflict with compassion and clear communication. A Leader works hard to bring positive change to the world and builds team spirit while bringing people together.

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The candidate can be involved at any level of volunteering, from parent helpers to service unit team members.
  • The candidate encourages the G.I.R.L. in each of our members and shows progression as a leader in their role.
  • The service performed is above and beyond the expectations for the position held.
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

The Fund Development Award

The Fund Development award recognizes a volunteer whose outstanding service has provided financial support to the Council through:

  • Increasing contributions of in-kind donations, grants, corporate, foundations, endowments, major gifts
  • Individual contributions i.e. recruit of new members to the Juliette Gordon Low Society

Nomination Form

Super Service Unit Award

The Super Service Unit Award recognizes a service unit volunteer who has gone above and beyond providing time, skills, and leadership in her/his role on the service unit team.

Additional Criteria:

  • The candidate is an active, registered Girl Scout member.
  • The candidate has actively served as a service unit team member for five years or more.
  • The service performed has measurable impact on at least one service unit.
  • The service performed is above and beyond the expectations for the position held, offering programs, events, and support services to its members.
  • The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behaviors.

Nomination Form

Regional Leader of the Year Award

This Leader provides girls with exceptional leadership opportunities through exemplary implementation of the girl led model.

  • Serve in a troop leadership position for at least 5 consecutive years
  • Serves as an exceptional role model for girls and other adults
  • Current in all training requirements for their position

Nomination Form

Girl Scout of the Year Award

Criteria:

  • Registered Senior or Ambassador Girl Scout members are eligible
  • Exemplifies through both words and actions the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service
  • Upholds the mission of Girl Scouts
  • Has held leadership positions in both Girl Scouts and the community
  • Embodies the Girl Scout Promise and Law both during Girl Scouts and day to day

Nomination Form

Lead the Way

May be awarded to three registered adults in good standing per county. Nominee has gone above and beyond in any capacity during either of the Council Entrepreneurial Programs.

Nomination Form

Art McLoughlin Award

Male registered adults in good standing. Consecutive contribution for 2 or more years in any capacity that supports Girl Scouts.

Nomination Form

Heritage Award Pin

The Heritage Award recognizes an individuals’ exemplary service in sharing the history of Girl Scouting in the USA and Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast with its members and the community thereby furthering the Girl Scout Mission.

Examples of Service:

  • Making presentations at events and meetings
  • Setting up Girl Scout history displays in the community
  • Assisting with setting up displays at local Girl Scout offices

Nomination Form

Service Unit Awards

GSCCC Distinguished Leader Award

The Distinguished Leader Award recognizes Troop/Group Leaders or Assistant Troop/Group Leaders whose performance in working with girls is so outstanding that it merits recognition by the Service Unit. The Service Unit reviews and approves the nominations following its process.

Criteria:

  • The nominee is a registered adult Girl Scout and is currently serving in a Troop/Group Leader or Assistant Troop/Group Leader capacity.
  • The nominee's performance as a Leader is so outstanding in nature that it merits recognition by the Service Unit.
  • The nominee has completed the required Girl Scout training for their Leadership position.

Form of Recognition:

The GSCCC Distinguished Leader Award pin will be provided to SU Recognitions Chair upon request.

GSCCC Distinguished Volunteer Award 

The Distinguished Volunteer Award recognizes an adult in a position other than Leader, or in addition to that of Leader, for exceptional service to Service Unit or in the community on behalf of Girl Scouts. The Service Unit reviews and approves the nominations following its process.

Criteria:

  • The nominee is a registered adult Girl Scout volunteer and is currently serving in a capacity other than Leader.
  • The nominee has completed appropriate training for the position held, or has equivalent experience.
  • The service performed by the nominee is of benefit to the geographic area or Service Unit and is beyond the expectations for the position held to an extent that warrants area-wide recognition.

Form of Recognition:

The GSCCC Distinguished Volunteer Award pin will be provided to SU Recognitions Chair upon request.

Membership and Years of Service Pins

Numeral Guards

Numeral Guards recognize the number of combined years as a girl and adult member. Pins are available in 5-year increments (5, 10, 15, 20,).

Numeral Guards for 15 years and above are complimentary and should be requested by the SU Recognitions Chair.

For fewer than 15 years, Service Units can order and purchase pins for volunteers via www.girlscoutshop.com. All numeral pin recipients should be recognized at their local Service Unit Recognitions Event.

Numeral Guards and Years of Service Request Form

Years of Service pins recognize the number of years of active service as an adult member. Pins are available in 5-year increments (5, 10, 15, 20…).

Service Units can order and purchase these pins via www.girlscoutshop.com. Year of Service Pin recipients should be recognized at their local Service Unit Recognitions Event.

Numeral Guards and Years of Service Request Form

 

Adult Recognition Resources            

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Nomination Form

Tips for Writing a Council Nomination

Adult Award Uniform Placement

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