Volunteer Awards and Recognitions Booklet

Volunteer Awards and Recognitions

Your talents and experience change girls' lives!

Every day, Girl Scout volunteers and community partners put their skills to good use and develop new ones; build community and connection; and make a meaningful, lasting difference in the lives of Girl Scouts. Because of them, Girl Scouts in our communities can explore freely, expand their perspectives, and discover the unimaginable.

Volunteer awards and recognitions are our way to pay tribute to their power. Volunteers can be nominated for awards or recognitions on the council or national level, by the council, or by their peers.

All candidates should be registered members (which will be verified by Badgerland after nominations are received) and have performed at a level exceeding expectations for the position. Award eligibility details are listed in this flyer.

Nominations are due February 28 each year.

National and council awards are reviewed by volunteer and staff task groups and are presented at the On My Honor event in the spring.

We encourage you to nominate fellow volunteers for their wonderful accomplishments and we thank you for those efforts ahead of time. Recognition doesn’t always have to be in the form of an award - join us in saying “thank you” to as many volunteers and community partners as you can who craft experiences for Girl Scouts to make friends, test their strengths, and be their best selves.

If you have any questions about volunteer awards, contact Customer Care at 800236-2710 or info@gsbadgerland.org

Find the Nomination Form under the Volunteers tab at gsbadgerland.org. Click on "Volunteers" and then "Badgerland Volunteer Appreciation."

Membership Numerals and Years of Service Pins

Each year, Badgerland purchases membership numerals and years of service pins to recognize the service of our volunteers.

If you have been a registered adult member of Girl Scouts for twenty five or more years, you are eligible to receive your recognition and a membership numeral and/or years of service pin at the On My Honor Awards Ceremony.

During the January and/or February service unit meetings, volunteers will be asked to indicate which pin they are eligible for. The service unit awards committee may want to include those volunteers receiving membership numerals or Volunteer of Excellence pins at their special year-end celebrations.

Year pins are available in five year intervals (5, 10, 15, etc.). You may find the form to update us on your years of membership and service on the Volunteers tab of our website or in the "Important Forms and Documents" course in gsLearn.

Membership Numerals

Criteria

Years of Service Pin

Represents years of membership in Girl Scouting as a registered girl and adult combined. Recognizes years of volunteer service given as a registered adult member only.

Adult Award and Nomination Details

Nominees must be active, registered, adult Girl Scouts and fit the description requirements of the award for which they are being nominated.

How the Process Works

Nominees may complete the form for themselves or be nominated by a fellow leader, troop caregiver, community member, family member, troop member, or anyone else who thinks they are deserving of this recognition.

The online form for nominations may be filled out as early as October 1 of the membership year and all nominations are due by February 28 to leave ample time for the committees to review the submissions and prepare all necessary materials before the spring On My Honor celebration.

Honorees will be notified via email by April 1.

Register to attend the On My Honor ceremony starting January 1 by visiting https://www.gsbadgerland.org/en/activities/activities-calendar.html

More information about these awards and the ceremony can be found by visiting https://www.gsbadgerland.org/en/for-volunteers/badgerland-recognition.html

Honorees for the LEADERS Awards will receive the patch their first year, plus a pin to indicate which award(s) they have received in which year(s). This patch may be worn on the front or back of the volunteer vest.

Find the Nomination Form under the Volunteers tab at gsbadgerland.org. Click on "Volunteers" and then "Badgerland Volunteer Appreciation."

Thanks Badge II

GSUSA National Awards

The Thanks Badge II honors a previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout movement.

The nominee has received the Thanks Badge for past accomplishments.

Recognition Who to Consider Criteria Nomination Procedures

The outstanding service performed by the nominee resulted in outcomes that benefited the total council or the entire Girl Scout organization, and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate

Thanks Badge

The Thanks Badge honors an individual whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service have had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire council or the Girl Scout movement

Honor Pin

The Honor Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout mission, which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

The outstanding service performed by the nominee resulted in outcomes that benefited the total council or the entire Girl Scout organization, and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.

Appreciation Pin

The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout mission. This service, which has had measurable impact on one geographic area of service, helps the council reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals for that area

The service performed by the nominee is above and beyond the expectations for the position held and made an impact on two or more geographic area service units within the council’s jurisdiction

The service performed by the nominee is above and beyond the expectations for the position held, and made an impact on one geographic/service unit within the council’s jurisdiction.

Volunteer of Excellence Award

The Volunteer of Excellence Award recognizes volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway through use of the National Program Portfolio or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the council’s mission delivery to girl and adult members.

President’s Award

The President’s Award recognizes the efforts of an organized group of volunteers whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout mission surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals.

The nominee has successfully completed a term of service in all requirements for the position.

The nominee has performed beyond expectations for the position to deliver outstanding experiences to girls using the National Program Portfolio or council’s missiondelivery goals

The team actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior.

All team members have met requirements and expectations of the positions held.

The team has significantly contributed to meeting one or more of the council’s mission-delivery goals

The team reflects the diversity of the target audience or area it serves, in girl and adult membership, in all pathways.

The team actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior.

Badgerland LEADERS Awards

Leadership Award

This volunteer is confident, responsible, and committed to changing the world for the better! They are happiest when others join in taking the lead.

Entrepreneurship Award

Dedicated to a volunteer who is leading the way when it comes to helping Girls become entrepreneurs – Think about someone who is a rockstar during the Cookie and/or Badgerland Fall Fundraiser sales.

Amateur Award

Awarded to a first-year leader who has has successfully taken on the challenge and shown dedication, determination, creativity, and strength.

Development Award

This award is aimed towards leaders of older Troops helping to develop young leaders. This volunteer is bold, honest, goal-oriented, ambitious, and determined to help the Troop succeed.

Emeritus Award

Awarded to a long-time volunteer who might not have children directly involved in Girl Scouts but remains active in the Council. This volunteer steps up to continue bringing the Girl Scout experience to Troops, Service Units, or the Council as a whole.

Rising Star Award

Awarded to a newer leader who is always looking for creative ways to help Girl Scouts and Troops take action. This Rising Star is innovative and loves a challenge –they know how to get things done!

Service Unit Superhero Award

Awarded to a volunteer who has stepped up to be a community leader.