Recognize the volunteer in your life.
There are many ways to show appreciation for a Girl Scout volunteer. Whether you send a homemade card from a troop or nominate a volunteer for a formal award, your recognition can have a big impact.
Informal/Formal Recognition, Awards and Pins
Informal Recognition 
Formal Awards
Formal awards are designed by Girl Scouts of the USA or Girl Scouts River Valleys to recognize exemplary volunteer service that goes above and beyond expectations. All volunteers, Girl Scouts, their families, and River Valleys staff can nominate volunteers for a formal award. Nominees must be a registered Girl Scout member to be considered eligible (except for Heart in Hand awards).
Psst! Please don’t tell the nominee about an award nomination until it is approved by the Adult Award and Recognition committee.
Nomination Deadlines
Nominations for GSUSA awards (Appreciation Pin, Honor Pin, Thanks Badge, and Thanks Badge II) should be submitted at least two months prior to your recognition event.
Nomination deadlines for Girl Scouts River Valleys awards like the Volunteer of Excellence should be submitted at least one month prior to your recognition event.
Note to Communites/Area: Nominations for community/area level awards are often submitted in the spring and are awarded during Court of Awards events. It is helpful if you designate a contact person in your community/area and instruct volunteers and families to include that person’s name on the nomination application under the “designated contact person” field.
Appreciation Pin
The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience that has had a measurable impact in one geographic service area. Honorees are acknowledged at the Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Annual Meeting, and nominator(s) may choose to have the awards presented at a local event. Adults may earn this award multiple times, but only every three years.
Appreciation Pin Award Nomination Application
Honor Pin
The Honor Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience that has had a measurable impact in two or more geographic service areas. Honorees are acknowledged at the Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Annual Meeting, and nominator(s) may choose to have the awards presented at a local event. Adults may earn this award multiple times, but only every three years.
Honor Pin Nomination Application
Heart in Hand Awards
Heart in Hand awards recognize outstanding service by a Girl Scout member, non-member, or community organization. Adults may earn this award multiple times, but only every three years. Awards will be forwarded to the nominator for presentations locally.
Council Level
This pin is a Girl Scouts River Valleys award that recognizes outstanding service that benefits the council or multiple communities/areas. 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. Recognition is a pin and certificate.
Heart in Hand Pin (Council) Nomination Application
Community/Area Level
This pin is a Girl Scouts River Valleys’ award that recognizes outstanding service (other than that of a leader, co-leader, or assistant leader) that has benefited a Girl Scout troop or community/area. This award may be given to a Girl Scout member, non-member, or a community organization that has given a significant amount of time and energy to Girl Scouts.
Heart in Hand Pin (Community/Area) Nomination Application
Years of Service and Membership Numeral Pins
Volunteer Years of Service Pin
This pin recognizes an adult member for years of active volunteer service at five-year intervals. Five, ten, and 15-year pins may be purchased from a local Girl Scout Shop or Girl Scouts River Valleys' online shop. No form or proof is needed to purchase.
Girl Scouts River Valleys provides 20+ Years of Service Pins, free of charge. To obtain one, please use our online request form.
Membership Numeral Pins
This pin recognizes tenure in Girl Scouting. Numeral guards are available in five-year intervals to recognize total youth and adult Girl Scout membership years. Membership Numeral Pins are available for purchase at Girl Scouts River Valleys’ shops or our online shop. No form or proof is needed to purchase. Girl Scouts River Valleys provides Membership Numeral Pins for years 25+ years, free of charge. Please use our online request form to obtain one.
Visit a Girl Scouts River Valleys shop locations or our online shop to purchase awards, gifts, and more.
Have questions or need more information? Contact us.
Share Your Story
We love sharing about the impacts a volunteer has had on you or their local community.
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