Adults participate in Girl Scouting because they believe in the ideas and philosophy of the organization. Our volunteers provide many thousands of hours of service seeking no special rewards, and accolades. "Thank-You’s" are very important; however, service above and beyond the norm should be acknowledged in a special way.

As a volunteer, you are encouraged to nominate those individuals who have made major contributions affecting the girls or the organization.

The awards below are presented at the Fall /Spring Service Unit Meetings or the Council Annual Meeting. For a detailed explanation of each award, criteria for selection and a nomination form, please contact Sonja Emziah at the Girl Scout Service Center or download from the council Web site.

Appreciation Pin - To recognize the efforts of a volunteer or employed staff who has demonstrated service above and beyond the expectations for the position held, and has delivered to at least one service unit within the council’s jurisdiction, and contributes to the council’s goals and objectives. Submission deadline: October 15 (See PDF file for criteria and nomination form.)

Honor Pin - To recognize the efforts of an active adult member registered with Girl Scouts of the USA, either as a volunteer or employed staff member who has demonstrated service above and beyond the expectations for the position held, and has delivered to two or more geographic divisions or service units within the council’s jurisdiction, and contributes to the council’s goals and objectives. Submission deadline: October 15 (See PDF file for criteria and nomination form.)

Outstanding Volunteer Award – To recognize volunteers that serve in a capacity other than Girl Scout troop/group leader, and whose service is beyond expectation for the position. Submission deadline: March 1  (See PDF file for criteria and nomination form.)

Outstanding New Leader Award – To recognize Girl Scout leaders who are completing their first year, have participated in activities beyond their troop and service unit, and have effectively engaged girls in the group’s program planning. Submission deadline: March 1 (See PDF file for criteria and nomination form.)

Outstanding Leader Award – To recognize Girl Scout leaders whose performance in the area of communication, membership development and leadership are outstanding. Submission deadline: March 1 (See PDF file for criteria and nomination form.)

Thanks Badge - To recognize the efforts of an active adult member registered with Girl Scouts of the USA, either as a volunteer or employed staff member who has demonstrated service truly outstanding, benefits the total council to the entire Girl Scout organization, and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate. Submission deadline: October 15 (See PDF file for criteria and nomination form.)

Thanks Badge II - To recognize the efforts of an active adult member registered with Girl Scouts of the USA, either as a volunteer or employed staff member who has demonstrated service truly outstanding, benefits the total council to the entire Girl Scout organization, and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate. Additionally, this award might acknowledge outstanding performance that surpasses the earlier achievement acknowledged through the Thanks Badge. Submission deadline: October 15 (See PDF file for criteria and nomination form.)

Episodic Volunteer

Recognizes an adult who gives time to Girl Scouting at the council or national level on a sporadic basis. There are three types of awards for episodic volunteers:

• Community Participation: Recognizes a one-time service to the council or national organization.  Type of Recognition: A “Thank You” letter, presented to the individual and to his or her employer, if desired.

• Citizenship in Girl Scouting: For an individual who returns for a second or third round of civic participation, and who provides support through two or three episodic or short-term assignments for the council or the national organization.  Type of Recognition: a certificate may be presented to the individual upon satisfactory completion of each round of service.

• Social Responsibility in Girl Scouting: For and individual who commits to a fourth round of episodic/short-term service, and who provides support to the council or to the national organization.  Type of Recognition:  After every four rounds of volunteering, the volunteer receives a Volunteer Service Pin.  The pin will be numbered I, II, and  III and will have different shapes and colors for each level of volunteer commitment.

Progressive Volunteer

This is an adult who is involved in Girl Scouts on a continual basis, rather than on an episodic basis, at the council or national level.  Three different awards may be presented at this level.  Volunteers may serve in the operational area, which is managed by the CEO/executive director, or in the governance area, which is managed by the president of the board.

• Girl Scout Volunteer Achievement Award: For the successful completion of a specific assignment.  It may be awarded for the successful completion of initial service on a board committee, on a task group, or in troop/group leadership.  Type of Recognition:  The Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin is presented, and lays the foundation for the volunteer’s growth and experience.

• Girl Scout Mentoring Award: For a volunteer who has gained sufficient skills and experience and who becomes a coach or mentor for another new adult member.  Type of Recognition:  A white key is awarded by the designated council or the national organization and added to the chain, which is attached to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin.

• Girl Scout Volunteer Executive Award: To a  governance volunteer and/or management volunteer who has served in a leadership role at the council level or at the national level.  Type of Recognition:  A black Key is awarded to the volunteer by the designated council or by the national organization, and it is added to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin.

In order to implement an effective volunteer recognition system, all volunteer participation must be tracked so that the appropriate recognition may be provided.  This may present another opportunity for creating a volunteer assignment or position with responsibilities for tracking volunteer involvement for the troop, group, service unit, and/or council.

The Approval Process for Episodic and Progressive Volunteer

In order to be considered for one of the new awards, the following selection criteria need to be met: 

• The candidate must be a registered Girl Scout adult and adhere to all policies and procedures of the Girl Scout organization.

• The candidate must have completed appropriate orientation and training for the volunteer position in each category.

• The volunteer must provide service in the Girl Scout organization at the local or national level.

• Service prior to October 2003 is not eligible for these awards

If all criteria are met, a designated council or national staff member, council or national board member, or volunteer member completes an application. For governance volunteers, the council president or another member of the board’s executive committee completes and signs an application for the award.

If all of the requirements are met, the award is authorized through the recognitions task group or the identified designee.

The above requirements are consistent with the approval process noted in the monograph Adult Recognitions in Girl Scouting.  The criteria and process relate to the Volunteer Development Recognition Awards.  There is no official selection process for the Episodic Volunteer Awards, which may be given by the volunteer’s manager after the work has been completed satisfactorily.

Leadership Development Pin - The Leadership Development Pin recognizes adult troop leaders, co-leaders, assistant troop leaders, or group coordinators who demonstrate competence, continuous improvement, and participate in training in subject areas that increase their skills in working with girls. Additional training is recognized with leaves which can be attached to the Leadership Development Pin. Submission deadline: March 1  (See PDF file for criteria and nomination form.)

Years of Service Pin – These pins, available in five-year increments, recognize adult members for their active volunteer service. If you are eligible to receive a Volunteer Years of Service pin, please notify your service unit manager in January or February, or you may submit a request directly to the program and volunteer development director at the Girl Scout Service Center. Be sure to specify whether you are eligible for a 5, 10, 15 etc., year pin.

Official Girl Scouts of the USA plaques and certificates are a great way to recognize the outstanding sponsors and Girl Scout supporters in your area. These are available throughout the year from the Girl Scout Service Center.

Consider these and other possible ways of recognizing those who help to make Girl Scouting a rich and valuable experience.

Remember: The board approved awards are due by October 15 and are presented at the Annual Meeting.