Volunteer Recognition

Let’s show our wonderful volunteers how much we appreciate all that they do! Girl Scouts of Utah has the best volunteers around and we want to celebrate their outstanding work with you! Nominate volunteers for council and service unit awards below!

Meet the 2022 Adult Award recipients!

Nominate a volunteer today!

How to Submit a Service Unit Award Nominee:

Nominations must be submitted by the last Friday in March.
Submit Service Unit Award nominations with the following information (*those marked with an asterisk are required):

Complete Name of Person Being Nominated*
Award*
Nominated by (your name)*
Brief description of Service*
Required Letter(s) of Endorsement (for some awards)

Certificate of Appreciation

Description - An all-purpose award certificate, suitable for service of exceptional quality from an individual or a group. An excellent award to acknowledge a first time or one time contribution to Girl Scouts.

Criteria - Currently registered adult member or individual/group who has supported and/or given exceptional service to Girl Scouting.

Requirements - Submit a nomination describing the volunteer’s contributions of service.

Special Supporters Certificate

Award and Description - Honors groups or individuals who have supported Girl Scouting in service units within the council’s jurisdiction. An excellent award to acknowledge ongoing or second time contribution to Girl Scouts.

Criteria - Currently registered adult member OR an individual, group, or business who has supported and/or given exceptional service to Girl Scouting. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to: School principal who helps a troop that meets in the school; a business or organization that loans equipment or sponsors a troop.

Requirements - Submit a nomination describing the volunteer’s contributions of service.

Noteworthy New Leader Certificate

Award and Decription - Recognizes a new troop facilitator or co-facilitator who is in her/his first two years in this position and who has caught the spirit of Girl Scouting and shares this spirit with girls and adults in the troop.

Criteria - Currently registered adult member who has completed GSU criminal background check and has been in his/her current position for at least 6 months. Must complete position-specific training and perform as an outstanding troop leader, assistant troop leader, or co-leader during the first year of volunteer service in that position.

Requirements - Submit a nomination describing the volunteer’s contributions of service.

Service Unit Girl Scout Family Award Certificate

Award and Description - Recognizes outstanding contributions made by girls and their entire family unit through their service to the Girl Scout Service Unit.

Criteria - Adult and girl members of the same household are currently registered Girl Scouts, the family provides outstanding service in a way that benefits Girl Scouting for two or more years, and the family provides service that goes beyond the expectation of family participation at the troop level. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:

A family who planned and implemented a service unit program event.
A family who attended a family camp work weekend for two or more years.
A family who organized and led a Service Unit Family Giving Campaign.
A family who planned and implemented a Leaders’ Day or Thinking Day event.
A family who organized and directed the Service Unit Cookie Program for two or more years.

Requirements - Submit a nomination describing the volunteer’s contributions of service.

Outstanding Volunteer Certificate

Award and Description - Recognizes outstanding contributions made by girls and their entire family unit through their service to the Girl Scout Service Unit.

Criteria -

Currently registered adult member who has completed a GSU criminal background check and position-specific training (or demonstrated competence for the position).
Has provided service for 2 or more years to troops/groups and/or Girl Scout Service Unit audiences that enhances the work and furthers the goals of the Service Unit.
Provides service that goes beyond the expectations outlined in the position statement or agreement. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:
- A volunteer who goes above and beyond, both at the troop and Service Unit level, and has taken on leadership roles in planning and carrying out special events and programs.
- A volunteer who has successfully directed the Girl Scout Service Unit Day Camp. A volunteer who provides ongoing training at Service Unit meetings.
- A volunteer who has successfully served in a Service Unit Leadership Team position for one or more years.

Requirements -

1. Submit a nomination describing the volunteer’s contributions of service.

2. Submit one (1) letter of endorsement describing the outstanding qualities of the candidate and her/his service to Girl Scouting (letter of endorsement must be provided by someone other than the one who is nominating the volunteer)

Emerald Award Certificate & Pin

Award and Description - Recognizes an adult volunteer whose performance in providing service to troops/groups and/or the Girl Scout community merits recognition.

Criteria -

Currently registered adult member who has completed a GSU criminal background check and position-specific training (or demonstrated competence for the position).
Has provided service for 2 or more years to troops/groups and/or Girl Scout Service Unit audiences that enhances the work and furthers the goals of the service unit.
Provides service that goes beyond the expectations outlined in the position statement or agreement. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:
- A volunteer who goes above and beyond, both at the troop and service unit level, and has taken on leadership roles in planning and carrying out special events and programs.

- A volunteer who has successfully directed the Girl Scout Service Unit Day Camp. A volunteer who provides ongoing training at Service Unit meetings.

- A volunteer who has successfully served in a Service Unit Leadership Team position for one or more years.

Requirements -

1. Submit a nomination describing the volunteer’s contributions of service.

2. Submit one (1) letter of endorsement describing the outstanding qualities of the candidate and her/his service to Girl Scouting (letter of endorsement must be provided by someone other than the one who is nominating the volunteer).

Service Unit Awards

How to Submit a Council Award Nominee:

Nominations must be submitted by the last Friday in July.
Submit Council Award nominations with the following information (*those marked with asterisk are required):

Complete Name of Person Being Nominated*
Award*
Nominated by (your name)*
Brief description of Service*
Required Letter(s) of Endorsement (for some awards):

GSU Family Award Certificate

Award and Description - Recognizes an adult volunteer whose performance in providing service to troops/groups and the Girl Scout service unit merits recognition.

Criteria - Adult and girl members of the same household are currently registered Girl Scouts, the family provides outstanding service in a way that benefits Girl Scouting for two or more years, and the family provides service that goes beyond the expectation of family participation at the troop level. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:

A family who planned and implemented a council program event.
A family who attended a family camp work weekend for two or more years.
A family who organized and led a Service Unit Family Giving Campaign.
A family who planned and implemented a Leaders’ Day or Thinking Day event at the council level.
A family who organized and directed the Service Unit Cookie Program for two or more years.
A family who carried out leadership roles in planning and coordinating Camporee.

Requirements - Submit a nomination describing the volunteer’s contributions of service.

GSU Legacy of Service Award Certificate

Award and Description - Recognizes outstanding contributions made by two or more family members who continue the tradition of service for two or more generations.

Criteria - Family members are currently registered Girl Scout adults in the Utah Council and must be related (but they need not live in the same household). Family members provide outstanding service in a way that benefits Girl Scouting over a period of two or more years, and service goes beyond the expectation of family participation at the troop level. Each individual may participate in a different area/level of service in Girl Scouting. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:

A mother and her adult daughter or daughter-in-law who plan and implement a Service Unit program event for two or more years in succession, resulting in improved experiences for girls.
A mother who is serving as a member of the Service Unit Leadership Team and recruits her adult daughter and niece to serve as troop facilitators for under-served girls.
A mother, son, and granddaughter who all serve the council over a period of two or more years with positions on Service Unit Leadership Teams, task groups, and the Board of Directors.

Requirements - Submit a nomination form describing the family’s contributions of service and outlining the family member’s accomplishments, including specific examples of service given to Girl Scouting.

Volunteer of Excellence Pin

Award and Description - Recognizes volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) through use of the National Program Portfolio or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the council’s mission delivery to girl/ adult members.

Criteria - An active, registered adult Girl Scout who has successfully completed a term of service and all requirements for the position. Has performed beyond expectations for the position to deliver the GSLE to girls using the National Program Portfolio OR the nominee’s performance has been beyond expectations of the position and has supported the council’s mission-delivery goals in one or more of the following functional areas: Membership Development/Service Unit Cultivation, Volunteer Relations and Support, Program, Leadership and Governance, Fund Development, and Council Support Service (such as IT, Customer Service, Merchandising, MarComm). The nominee actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:

A Gold Award Mentor who has successfully mentored and supported girls within their Service Unit, working toward their Gold Award.
A volunteer who successfully supports girls in her Service Unit in understanding, planning, and carrying out Take Action projects that lead to sustainable Service Unit betterment.
A volunteer Program Advisor works over the course of the year with a teen advisory committee of 30 current Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors who plan and deliver four performance day camps, using content from the aMUSE Journey, targeted to girls in underserved areas of the council. As a result, those areas have a combined total of 210 new Junior girl members and 16 new adult volunteers; 92 percent of the girls at camp also signed up for other opportunities during the year.

Requirements - Submit a nomination form describing the volunteer’s accomplishments and outlining how the service performed has benefited the council or Girl Scout Movement, including the scope of service and impact. Submit one (1) letter of endorsement from individuals or groups familiar with the service performed.

Appreciation Pin

Award and Description - Recognizes an adult volunteer who has delivered outstanding service to at least one geographic area, service unit, or program delivery audience.

Criteria - Must be a currently registered Girl Scout adult volunteer or staff member who provides outstanding service to a geographic area or program delivery audience in a way that furthers the council’s goals and provides service that goes beyond the expectations of the position requirement. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:

A corporate volunteer who recruits co-workers to lead or sponsor troops or provides career mentoring for girls from under-represented populations in the council.
A person who develops and implements a successful family partnership program that exceeds financial goals. The manager of a highly successful product sale.
An Outdoor Program Representative whose effective management results in an increase of participation by girls and adults over a period of time at a day camp.

A staff member who has successfully established and supported a variety of program delivery methods in an area that results in increased girl and adult membership from under-represented populations.

Requirements -
1. Submit a nomination form describing the volunteer’s accomplishments and outlining the scope and impact of service performed.

2. Submit two (2) letters of endorsement from individuals or groups familiar with the service performed.

Honor Pin

Award and Desciption - Recognizes an adult volunteer who has delivered outstanding service to two or more geographic areas or Girl Scout Communities.

Criteria - Currently registered Girl Scout adult volunteer or staff member who provides outstanding service to two or more geographic areas or program delivery audiences in a way that furthers the council’s goals and provides service that goes beyond the expectations of the position requirements. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:

A person who organizes and provides leadership to a successful annual giving campaign that surpasses council financial goals.
A program consultant who implements a series of events and activities that brings girls together from different parts of the council.
A volunteer or staff member who directs a membership outreach task group that results in a significant increase in girl and adult membership in underrepresented populations in several areas of the council.
A trainer whose events for an area of the council receive consistently high ratings resulting in increased participation by adults from several geographic areas.
A volunteer who has held leadership positions in planning and coordinating two or more council program areas and events, such as Camporee, Gold Award Committee, Volunteer Training, councilsponsored events, etc.

Requirements -
1. Submit a nomination form describing the volunteer’s accomplishments and outlining the scope of service performed and impact to the Girl Scout Service Unit or council.

2. Submit three (3) letters of endorsement from individuals or groups familiar with the service performed

Freddie Award Plaque

Award and Description - Recognizes an adult volunteer who has delivered outstanding service to Girl Scouts of Utah through working with girls and adults in the areas of program and training, and has made a significant contribution to other community organizations (church, school, civic, cultural) through holding a leadership position and/or providing longterm service to that organization.

Criteria - Currently registered Girl Scout adult volunteer or staff member who provides outstanding service that benefits both Girl Scouting in Utah and the community at large. A successful candidate has ten or more years of service to Girl Scouting within Girl Scouts of Utah and/or other Girl Scout councils. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:

Provided Girl Scout troop/group leadership to troops/groups of more than one age level, while simultaneously holding a leadership position or providing long-term service to the Boy Scouts of America.
Successfully supported a variety of program delivery methods both within Girl Scouting AND within another service organization, such as Kiwanis or Rotary.
Served in the position of a Council Trainer, while also providing long-term service to their church organization (e.g. Sunday School teacher, Young Womens, Alter Ministries, Stephen Ministry, etc.)
Served on council task groups or Community Leadership Teams for more than one term, and has volunteered on multiple parent committees and school programs within the school district for more than 1 year.
Attended and/or served as a delegate to the national council meeting and/or served as a national delegate, and has regularly volunteered at the local soup kitchen over a significant period of time.

Requirements -
1. Submit a nomination form describing the volunteer’s accomplishments and outlining how the service performed has benefited the council or Girl Scout Movement.

2. Submit three (3) letters of endorsement:
- At least 1 letter from an individual associated with Girl Scouting.
- At least 1 letter from an individual associated with another organization serving the community at large.
- 1 additional letter from an individual familiar with the candidate’s service to either Girl Scouting or the Community at large (or both).

Thanks Badge Pin

Award an Description - Recognizes an adult volunteer whose performance is truly outstanding and benefits the total council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Criteria - A currently registered Girl Scout adult volunteer or staff member who provides outstanding service that benefits the total council or the entire Girl Scout Movement and provides service that is so significantly beyond expectation that no other award is appropriate. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:

The director of a successful council or regional wide opportunity that results in increased extension and retention of older girls and significant positive publicity for the council.
The chair of the council’s Fund Development Committee who develops and implements a plan that significantly increases the percentage of adult generated funding for the council.
A person who plays a policy decision-making role at a consistently high level and attracts broad participation in policy influencing through the democratic process.
The manager of a training operating unit whose expansion of council training teams and opportunities results in a significant council-wide increase in training effectiveness and participation.
A person who has served as the committee chair for multiple years for multiple council-wide program opportunities, such as Camporee, National Convention, Marketing campaigns (e.g. Build a Better Utah), Gold Award Committee, and Council Training, resulting in higher attendance and satisfaction rates among members and encouraging member retention and new member registration.

Requirements - Submit a nomination form describing the volunteer’s accomplishments and outlining how the service performed has benefited the council or the Girl Scout Movement. Submit four (4) letters of endorsement from individuals or groups familiar with the service performed.

Thanks Badge II Pin

Award and Description - Recognizes an adult volunteer who has already received the Thanks Badge and who has continued to contribute in extraordinary ways that benefit the total council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Criteria - A currently registered Girl Scout adult volunteer or staff member and a previous recipient of the Thanks Badge. Since receipt of the Thanks Badge, the candidate provides distinguished service by: Continuing to perform at the same high level for an extended period of time, OR increasing her/his sphere of influence, OR using her/his skills and talents to move into another field of endeavor, provide service that benefits the total council or the entire Girl Scout Movement. He/she provides service that is outstanding and is so significantly beyond expectation that no other award is appropriate. Potential candidates could be, but are not limited to:

A council learning facilitator who, after directing council-wide training events, successfully implements a statewide or regional training event.
A board member whose continuous strong leadership in fund development has resulted in greater financial stability for the council.
An administrative volunteer who initiates a volunteer support system that successfully retains members in the council and which has been replicated in other councils.

Requirements -

1. Submit a nomination form describing the volunteer’s accomplishments and outlining how the service performed has benefited the council or the Girl Scout Movement, including the scope of service and impact.

2. Submit four (4) letters of endorsement from individuals or groups familiar with the service performed.

President’s Award Plaque

Award and Description - Recognizes the efforts of Community Leadership Teams or program delivery teams in moving its assigned area or audience toward achievement of the council’s goals during a fiscal or membership year.

Criteria -

All Community team members are currently registered adult Girl Scouts.
All team members complete appropriate training and/or demonstrate competence for the volunteer positions they hold.
Effective delivery of Girl Scout program to the Community area, resulting in the continuity of 75% of troops/groups or retention of troop/group leadership.
Reach or surpass overall Community membership goal agreed upon by the team and the council.
The composition of the team reflects the diversity of the Community area.
Team members cultivate contacts in the community through scheduled talks to civic groups, sponsorship agreements, or community profile updates.
Council-required reports are submitted on time (including Community Finance Reports and troop financial reports).
The team maintains ongoing communications with each troop/group and with facilitators utilizing a variety of methods (meetings, e-mail, telephone, mail) that serve the needs of adults.
The team maintains ongoing communication with girls registered individually in the area.
The team encourages adult participation in fund development and has increased annual giving support to the council.

Requirements - Members of the Community Leadership Team submit an application documenting completion of the criteria, results, and how the results have benefited the organization.

Years of Membership in Girl Scouting Pin

Award and Description - Given to adults in GirlScouting in recognition of her/his girl and adult years of membership at five-year intervals. Years of membership include every year an individual has been a registered member of GSUSA, girl and adult years combined, and do not have to be consistent or consecutive.

Criteria - A currently registered Girl Scout adult member. *It is the responsibility of the Community Leadership Team to verify the years of membership for members of their Community.

Requirements - The Recognition & Delegate Representative confirms the Years of Membership of adult volunteers in their Community by submitting a spreadsheet for all members of the Community with the following information:

1. First and last name of Girl Scout member.

2. GSUSA membership identification number (if known).

3. Address, email, and telephone numbers.

4. Number of years registered as a member of GSUSA in five year increments.

* Pins for Years of Membership in Girl Scouting 50 years or more will be presented at the council’s Recognition of Excellence.

Years of Service in Girl Scouting Pin

Award and Description - Given to adults in Girl Scouting in recognition of her/his adult years of volunteer service in fiveyear increments. Years of service represent the number of years an adult volunteer has actively provided service and is not based on years of membership. Service does not need to be continuous or consecutive.

Criteria - A currently registered Girl Scout adult who has actively provided volunteer service.

*It is the responsibility of the Community Leadership Team to verify the years of service for members of their Community.

Requirements - The Recognition & Delegate Representative confirms the Years of Service of adult volunteers in their Community by submitting a spreadsheet for all members of the Community with the following information:

First and last name of Girl Scout member.
GSUSA membership identification number (if known).
Address, email, and telephone numbers.
Number of years registered as a member of GSUSA in five year increments.

* Pins for Years of Service in Girl Scouting 25 years or more will be presented at the council’s Recognition of Excellence.

Council Recognition Awards

Have questions about the nomination process?

When can award nominations be submitted? Awards can be submitted at anytime; however, council level awards will be presented at Recognition of Excellence, and service units may hold award events at other times throughout the year.

Who can submit awards? Anyone may submit an award nomination. Volunteers, parents/guardians, girls, Service Unit Leadership Team members, or staff may all submit nominations.

When are nominations due? Council level awards must be submitted by the last Friday in July. Service unit level awards must be submitted by the last Friday in March.

When are the awards presented? Service unit level awards are reviewed by the Recognition & Delegate Representative and approved by the Service Unit Leadership Team. Awards will be presented by the Service Unit Leadership Team.

Council level awards are reviewed by the Adult Recognition Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Awards will be presented at Recognition of Excellence.

Award Descriptions & Criteria
Volunteer Recognition FAQ's
The President's Volunteer Service Award

Email: awards@gsutah.org