Adult Awards

Service Unit Awards

These awards are given out at the local level such as at a year-end service unit recognition event,

which is coordinated by the service unit team.

The nomination deadline for all service unit awards is March 15.

The Outstanding Leader Award:

A GSUSA award that recognizes a troop leader or assistant leader whose performance in working with girls is outstanding. The candidate must have completed new volunteer orientation and required training. This pin is given to a volunteer only once. A nomination form is required; in addition two written endorsements from troop members or their families are required. Deadline is March 15. View the Outstanding Leader Pin criteria or download the Nomination Application.

The Outstanding Volunteer Award:

A GSUSA award that recognizes a volunteer in a position other than (or in addition to) leader whose service benefits the entire service unit in a way that is beyond expectations for the position held. Examples include but are not limited to: a recruiter who has retained or increased adult or girl membership, an event chair who has managed several successful events (especially with increased girl planning and involvement), or a person who has significantly enhanced Girl Scouting's image in the community. This pin is given to a volunteer only once. A nomination form is required. Deadline is March 15. View the Outstanding Volunteer Pin criteria or download the Nomination Application.

Progressive Volunteer Award:

A six stage GSUSA award that honors volunteers who continue to serve Girl Scouting in different volunteer roles/positions through the years. Criteria are as follows: the candidate is a registered Girl Scout and adheres to all policies and procedures of the Girl Scout organization, they have completed appropriate orientation and training for the volunteer position in each category, and they are providing service in the Girl Scout organization at the local (one or more geographic areas) or national level. Candidates must complete the first year of service and recommit to a second year. A nomination form is required; in addition one written endorsement is required. Deadline is March 15. View the Progressive Volunteer Award criteria or download the Nomination Application.

Girl Scout Volunteer Achievement Award:
This stage must be achieved prior to the other stages. The Girl Scout Volunteer Achievement Award is presented for the following: completion of service on a task group, or completion of successful service on a board committee, service on the service unit management team, or service to GSUSA for one year. Each of these must also include a recommitment to a second year of service. Recognition is the Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Volunteer Achievement Award criteria.

Girl Scout Mentoring Award:
The volunteer at this level has gained sufficient skills and experience to become a coach and/or mentor for a new volunteer. Volunteers are recognized with a White Key to be added to the chain attached to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Mentoring Award criteria.

Girl Scout Volunteer Executive Award:
The Girl Scout Volunteer Executive Award is presented to a governance volunteer who has served in a leadership role benefiting one or more geographic areas or the national level. Volunteers are recognized with a Black Key to be added to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Volunteer Executive Award criteria.

Girl Scout Volunteer Diversity Award:
The Girl Scout Volunteer Diversity Award is presented to an individual that has increased membership, awareness, and understanding in underrepresented Girl Scout populations by supporting River Valleys’ goals. Volunteers are recognized with a Gold Key to be added to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Volunteer Diversity Award criteria.

Girl Scout Community Cultivation Award:
The Girl Scout Community Cultivation Award is presented to an individual that has increased volunteer and girl membership that reflects diversity within River Valleys’ jurisdiction and has established effective partnerships that help achieve River Valleys’ goals. Volunteers are recognized with a Silver Key to be added to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Community Cultivation Award criteria.

Girl Scout Fund Development Award:
The Girl Scout Fund Development Award is presented to an individual that has helped reach the River Valleys’ fund development goal by increasing financial resources through securing major gifts, grants, in-kind donations, and other means. Volunteers are recognized with a Copper Key to be added to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Fund Development Award criteria.

S.T.A.R. (Short-term as Requested) Volunteer Award:

A three level GSUSA award which can be used to recognize registered members who provide volunteer service at the service unit or to one or more geographic areas on a sporadic basis. Deadline is March 15. View the S.T.A.R. Volunteer Award criteria or download the Nomination Application.

Community Participation:
The Community Participation Award is presented to a volunteer who provides a one-time or a one-day service that benefits one or more geographic areas. Volunteers are recognized with a thank you letter, to be presented to the volunteer and to the volunteer's employer, if desired. Deadline is March 15. Get the Community Participation criteria.

Citizenship in Girl Scouting:
The Citizenship in Girl Scouting Award is presented to a volunteer who returns for a consecutive second and third round of service and provides support through two or three different short-term venues for one or more geographic areas. Volunteers are recognized with a certificate may be presented for each round of service. Deadline is March 15. Get the Citizenship in Girl Scouting criteria.

Social Responsibility in Girl Scouting:
The Social Responsibility in Girl Scouting Award is presented to a volunteer who recommits for a fourth round of short-term service and provides support to one or more geographic areas. Volunteers are recognized with a Volunteer Service Pin, to be presented in recognition of volunteer service. The pin has three levels available. Deadline is March 15. Get the Social Responsility in Girl Scouting criteria.

Service Unit Award for Excellence Level I:
A River Valleys award that recognizes a service unit’s accomplishments in moving toward River Valleys’ goals and objectives the previous membership year. A certificate is presented to the service unit manager(s) at their local recognition event or some other service unit event. Deadline is March 15. View the Service Unit Award for Excellence Level I criteria or download the Nomination Application.

Heart in Hand Award:

A River Valleys’ award that recognizes outstanding service that benefits a Girl Scout troop, or one or more geographic area(s) in a position of service other than that of a leader, co-leader or assistant leader. This award may be given to a Girl Scout member, non-member or community organization who has given a significant amount of time and energy to Girl Scouts. This award should be presented locally. Recognition is a pin. Deadline is March 15. View the Heart in Hand Award criteria or download the Nomination Application.

Years of Service under 20 years:

A GSUSA award that recognizes an adult member for years of active volunteer service at five year intervals up to 20 years of service. Years of Service pins are available in five-year intervals to recognize an adult member’s years of active volunteer service. These may be purchased through the Girl Scout Shop and do not require verification or approval from the adult awards and recognition committee or River Valleys’ staff.

Membership Numerals under 25 years:

A GSUSA award that recognizes tenure in Girl Scouting. Numeral guards are available in five-year intervals to recognize total girl and adult membership years. Numeral guards under 25 years may be purchased through the Girl Scout store and do not require verification or approval from the adult awards and recognition committee or River Valleys’ staff.

General River Valleys’ Goals

To grow membership overall.

To grow membership in diverse communities not familiar with Girl Scouts.

To retain girl members and volunteers.

To develop community partnerships.

To practice inclusiveness.

To be financially responsible.

To communicate effectively with members and community

Award Criteria

Outstanding Volunteer Award

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

Actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior

Abides by GSUSA and River Valleys’ policies, standards and procedures including applicable required position training

Perform at a level that exceeds the expectations of the position as outlined in the volunteer position description in one or more of the following areas:

Membership

Program

Fund development

Pluralism

Marketing and Communications

Strategic Leadership/Governance

Human Resources

Outstanding Leader Award

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

Abides by GSUSA and River Valleys’ policies, standards and procedures including applicable required position training

Demonstrate competence in at least two of the following:

Involving adults in the community to help broaden the program opportunities for girls

Increasing girl membership to support the council membership goal

Using the Girl Scout program goals to select a wide range of program activities with girls

Helping girls to recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior

Building an effective by girls, for girls approach with girls

Progressive Volunteer Award

Stage 1:

Girl Scout Volunteer Achievement Award

(Volunteer Development pin must be awarded first; subsequent keys can be earned in any order)

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

Have completed a first successful service

On a board committee or

On task group assignment or

On service unit management or

To GSUSA for one year

Stage 2:

Girl Scout Mentoring Award (White Key)

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

Have gained sufficient skills and experience as a coach or mentor

Coaches or mentors a new volunteer resulting in the new volunteers’ retention to continue volunteering for two years

Girl Scout Volunteer Executive Award (Black Key)

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

Served in a leadership role in one or more geographic areas or the national level

Made significant contributions as a board officer, delegate, chair/liaison, program consultant, board or group chair, or service unit team position.

Girl Scout Volunteer Diversity Award (Gold Key)

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

Increased membership in underrepresented populations through

Program delivery

Community cultivation

Community collaboration

Increased awareness and understanding through

Enrichment events

Training

Managing diversity by

Creating a system that supports the councils’ goals.

Girl Scout Community Cultivation Award (Silver Key)

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

Increased volunteer membership by using the talents and skills of all the dimensions of diversity

8-29

Episodic volunteers (special interest volunteers)

Males

55 plus

Increased girl membership that reflects the diversity in the council’s jurisdiction

Racial/ethnic

Disability

Socioeconomic

Established effective partnerships that help achieve the council’s membership goal

Corporate partnerships

Government agencies

Foundations

Small businesses

Religious institutions

Other

Girl Scout Fund Development Award (Copper Key)

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

Helped to reach the council’s fund development goal by increasing financial and/or in-kind resources through

Grants

Corporations/foundations

Major gifts

Increased individual contributions that reflect the diversity in the council’s jurisdiction through

Grants

Planned giving

Annual giving

Bequests

S.T.A.R. (Short-term as requested) Volunteer Recognitions
(Example nomination of a special interest volunteer)

Community Participation (Thank-you letter)

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

An adult who gives time to Girl Scouting at the local (one or more geographic areas) or national level on a sporadic basis

Have at least given a one-time service to the local (one or more geographic areas) or to the national organization.

Citizenship in Girl Scouting (Certificate)

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

An adult who gives time to Girl Scouting at the local (one or more geographic areas) or national level on a sporadic basis

Be an individual who returns for a second or third round of civic participation

Provide support through two or three episodic or short-term assignments for the local (one or more geographic areas) or the national organization

Social Responsibility in Girl Scouting (Volunteer Service pin Level l, ll, or lll)

Be a registered Girl Scout adult

An adult who gives time to Girl Scouting at the local (one or more geographic areas) or national level on a sporadic basis

An individual who commits to a fourth round of episodic or short-term service

Provide support to the local (one or more geographic areas) or to the national organization

Heart in Hand Award

Individual, group or organization has given meaningful, outstanding service.

Candidate is skilled in their area of expertise.

Candidate may be a registered Girl Scout or a non-registered adult or group.

Candidate has not received award in the past three years.

Service occurred in the last registration year.

Service met Safety Wise criteria.

Service is defined as time and talent. Monetary contributions do not qualify.

Service must have been provided in a role other than leader, co-leader or assistant leader (For example, a troop cookie manager who went above and beyond the position description, a community organization that shared their time and talent at an encampment, a troop parent that shared a talent at a series of troop meetings).

Service Unit Award for Excellence Level I

Effective communication was maintained with the membership specialist, leaders, Juliette Girl Scouts, and the community.

A Family Partnership Campaign was conducted.

All service team members have completed required training for their position(s).

All reports required by the membership department were submitted on time.

Service unit retained 75 percent each of leaders and girls from 2006 - 2007 to 2007 - 2008.

An endorsement letter from membership specialist summarizing the service units’ communication with them, leaders, Juliette scouts, and their community.

Membership specialist’s signature on nomination form verifying criteria has been met.

For more information about adult recognition awards, e-mail awards@girlscoutsrv.org

The Outstanding Leader Award: A GSUSA award that recognizes a troop leader or assistant leader whose performance in working with girls is outstanding. The candidate must have completed new volunteer orientation and required training. This pin is given to a volunteer only once. A nomination form is required; in addition two written endorsements from troop members or their families are required. Deadline is March 15. View the Outstanding Leader Pin criteria or download the Nomination Application.
The Outstanding Volunteer Award: A GSUSA award that recognizes a volunteer in a position other than (or in addition to) leader whose service benefits the entire service unit in a way that is beyond expectations for the position held. Examples include but are not limited to: a recruiter who has retained or increased adult or girl membership, an event chair who has managed several successful events (especially with increased girl planning and involvement), or a person who has significantly enhanced Girl Scouting's image in the community. This pin is given to a volunteer only once. A nomination form is required. Deadline is March 15. View the Outstanding Volunteer Pin criteria or download the Nomination Application.
Progressive Volunteer Award: A six stage GSUSA award that honors volunteers who continue to serve Girl Scouting in different volunteer roles/positions through the years. Criteria are as follows: the candidate is a registered Girl Scout and adheres to all policies and procedures of the Girl Scout organization, they have completed appropriate orientation and training for the volunteer position in each category, and they are providing service in the Girl Scout organization at the local (one or more geographic areas) or national level. Candidates must complete the first year of service and recommit to a second year. A nomination form is required; in addition one written endorsement is required. Deadline is March 15. View the Progressive Volunteer Award criteria or download the Nomination Application.
Girl Scout Volunteer Achievement Award: This stage must be achieved prior to the other stages. The Girl Scout Volunteer Achievement Award is presented for the following: completion of service on a task group, or completion of successful service on a board committee, service on the service unit management team, or service to GSUSA for one year. Each of these must also include a recommitment to a second year of service. Recognition is the Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Volunteer Achievement Award criteria.
Girl Scout Mentoring Award: The volunteer at this level has gained sufficient skills and experience to become a coach and/or mentor for a new volunteer. Volunteers are recognized with a White Key to be added to the chain attached to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Mentoring Award criteria.
Girl Scout Volunteer Executive Award: The Girl Scout Volunteer Executive Award is presented to a governance volunteer who has served in a leadership role benefiting one or more geographic areas or the national level. Volunteers are recognized with a Black Key to be added to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Volunteer Executive Award criteria.
Girl Scout Volunteer Diversity Award: The Girl Scout Volunteer Diversity Award is presented to an individual that has increased membership, awareness, and understanding in underrepresented Girl Scout populations by supporting River Valleys’ goals. Volunteers are recognized with a Gold Key to be added to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Volunteer Diversity Award criteria.
Girl Scout Community Cultivation Award: The Girl Scout Community Cultivation Award is presented to an individual that has increased volunteer and girl membership that reflects diversity within River Valleys’ jurisdiction and has established effective partnerships that help achieve River Valleys’ goals. Volunteers are recognized with a Silver Key to be added to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Community Cultivation Award criteria.
Girl Scout Fund Development Award: The Girl Scout Fund Development Award is presented to an individual that has helped reach the River Valleys’ fund development goal by increasing financial resources through securing major gifts, grants, in-kind donations, and other means. Volunteers are recognized with a Copper Key to be added to the Girl Scout Volunteer Development Pin. Deadline is March 15. Get the Fund Development Award criteria.
S.T.A.R. (Short-term as Requested) Volunteer Award: A three level GSUSA award which can be used to recognize registered members who provide volunteer service at the service unit or to one or more geographic areas on a sporadic basis. Deadline is March 15. View the S.T.A.R. Volunteer Award criteria or download the Nomination Application.
Community Participation: The Community Participation Award is presented to a volunteer who provides a one-time or a one-day service that benefits one or more geographic areas. Volunteers are recognized with a thank you letter, to be presented to the volunteer and to the volunteer's employer, if desired. Deadline is March 15. Get the Community Participation criteria.
Citizenship in Girl Scouting: The Citizenship in Girl Scouting Award is presented to a volunteer who returns for a consecutive second and third round of service and provides support through two or three different short-term venues for one or more geographic areas. Volunteers are recognized with a certificate may be presented for each round of service. Deadline is March 15. Get the Citizenship in Girl Scouting criteria.
Social Responsibility in Girl Scouting: The Social Responsibility in Girl Scouting Award is presented to a volunteer who recommits for a fourth round of short-term service and provides support to one or more geographic areas. Volunteers are recognized with a Volunteer Service Pin, to be presented in recognition of volunteer service. The pin has three levels available. Deadline is March 15. Get the Social Responsility in Girl Scouting criteria.

Service Unit Award for Excellence Level I: A River Valleys award that recognizes a service unit’s accomplishments in moving toward River Valleys’ goals and objectives the previous membership year. A certificate is presented to the service unit manager(s) at their local recognition event or some other service unit event. Deadline is March 15. View the Service Unit Award for Excellence Level I criteria or download the Nomination Application.
Heart in Hand Award: A River Valleys’ award that recognizes outstanding service that benefits a Girl Scout troop, or one or more geographic area(s) in a position of service other than that of a leader, co-leader or assistant leader. This award may be given to a Girl Scout member, non-member or community organization who has given a significant amount of time and energy to Girl Scouts. This award should be presented locally. Recognition is a pin. Deadline is March 15. View the Heart in Hand Award criteria or download the Nomination Application.
Years of Service under 20 years: A GSUSA award that recognizes an adult member for years of active volunteer service at five year intervals up to 20 years of service. Years of Service pins are available in five-year intervals to recognize an adult member’s years of active volunteer service. These may be purchased through the Girl Scout Shop and do not require verification or approval from the adult awards and recognition committee or River Valleys’ staff.
Membership Numerals under 25 years: A GSUSA award that recognizes tenure in Girl Scouting. Numeral guards are available in five-year intervals to recognize total girl and adult membership years. Numeral guards under 25 years may be purchased through the Girl Scout store and do not require verification or approval from the adult awards and recognition committee or River Valleys’ staff.
General River Valleys’ Goals To grow membership overall. To grow membership in diverse communities not familiar with Girl Scouts. To retain girl members and volunteers. To develop community partnerships. To practice inclusiveness. To be financially responsible. To communicate effectively with members and community