Girl Scout volunteers show commitment, dedication, and share their time to help girls benefit from the Girl Scout program that Juliette Gordon Low started back in 1912.
Girl Scout volunteers are appreciated, and don’t look to be recognized. Many go above and beyond to help the Girl Scout organization continue its mission. It’s nice to recognize them for their dedication and to show them that they are a valuable asset to the organization.
One way to recognize Girl Scout volunteers is to nominate them for one of the many different Adult Girl Scout Awards. Some of the awards are Girl Scouts of the USA awards, and some are our own council’s awards.
One award, the Years of Service Award, doesn’t require a nomination. It is handed out at a service unit recognition event, or at a council wide recognition event. The council sends out lists to each service unit every year with the names of people that are eligible for a Years of Service pin that year. Years of Service pins are awarded in five-year increments.
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Board Approved awards include the Appreciation Pin (instituted by GSUSA in 1976), the Honor Pin (instituted in 1987), the Thanks Badge (instituted in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low), and the Thanks Badge II (instituted in 1987). Each of these awards have different requirements as to how many service units or program delivery areas that the nominee has provided service to, in a way that furthers the council goals. Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II require exceptional and outstanding service to the total council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.
The President’s Award is a group award for a service unit, who through the efforts of the service delivery team or committee, has made a significant impact toward the council goals and achieved one or more of the service unit goals and met the criteria listed.
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) also have some awards created by our council.
The Hall of Fame award is for an adult member with 25 years or more of service that exceeds expectations for the service that the person had given and has a lasting impact on the Girl Scout organization.
There’s also the DAISY award (Dynamic and Incredible Staff of the Year), for people on staff that work for council and go above and beyond to meet the goals set by council to further the Girl Scout Movement.
Service unit awards include the Volunteer of Excellence (for partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience or for service of the councils mission delivery to girls and adult members), the New Found Treasure (for a registered Girl Scout adult with less than two years of service and has “hit” the ground running as they began working with a troop or service unit), and the Shining Star (formerly known as Hidden Hero), for someone who helps where they are needed and keeps accepting assignments to keep Girl Scouting thriving.
Our council also has community awards, that can be presented to people or businesses that provide space or other things to help promote the Girl Scout Movement.
The Girl Scout Enthusiast award is for people or businesses (eg. schools, stores, or park districts) that provide space for Girl Scout activities. This award is approved by the Adult Recognition Committee. The Girl Scout Hero award is for service provided at the council level for Girl Scouts. This award is approved by the Girl Scout GCNWI Board of Directors.
Nomination submissions are accepted year-round for these two community awards.
For more information on what is required to nominate someone for any one of these awards, go to Girl Scout GCNWI website here.
Remember, each award has different requirements and numbers of endorsement letters required before submitting an application. The website explains each award and what the requirements are, and there are examples as to how to choose a person to nominate and for which award. It also has answers to the frequently asked questions that may be on your mind.
Nominations have different deadlines, so be sure to check the dates that the forms are due. Then plan to attend, next fall, one of the Adult Recognition Ceremonies where you or someone that you nominated can receive their award.
Written by Girl Scout GCNWI Historian, Veronica Pradelski