Awards and Recognition

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

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Recognizing volunteers is easy and doesn’t have to take a lot of time! Consider the following informal ideas to recognize volunteers:

Share their story with us—we may feature them on our blog, social networks, or other publications!
Send a thank you note or card.

Give a simple, verbal thanks or high five.

Give a gift—small, homemade gifts can be very meaningful. Or check out our Volunteer Appreciation Pinterest board for ideas!
Provide mentoring opportunities, help develop their leadership skills, or be a professional reference.
Give a shout-out on your troop’s, group’s, or personal social media account(s) or Rallyhood site.
Recommend and endorse them for skills on their professional LinkedIn page.
Recommend them for a new volunteer role.

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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

Volunteer of Excellence

The Volunteer of Excellence award recognizes volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through the 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. The award will be forwarded to the nominator for presentations locally. Adults may earn this award multiple times, but only every three years.

Volunteer of Excellence Nomination Application

President’s Award

The President’s Award recognizes the efforts of a service delivery team or committee whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals. Adults may earn this award multiple times, but only every three years for the same service. Honorees are acknowledged at the Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Annual Meeting.

President’s Award Nomination Application

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 entire Girl Scout Movement. Honorees are acknowledged at the Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Annual Meeting.

Thanks Badge Award Nomination Application

Thanks II Badge

The Thanks II Badge honors a previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role which resulted in a measurable impact benefitting the entire Girl Scout Movement. Adults can earn this award multiple times, but only every three years. Honorees are acknowledged at the Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Annual Meeting. The nominators or recipients may choose to have the awards presented at a local event.

Thanks Badge II Award Nomination Application

Juliette Gordon Low World Friendship Medal

The Juliette Gordon Low World Friendship Medal is awarded to individuals and councils who have enriched and leveraged the global understanding of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting to grow responsible global citizens. This prestigious national award is approved by the Girl Scouts of the USA National Board of Directors. For more information and to obtain the nomination forms, please contact us.

Forever Green Alum Award

Five Forever Green Awards are given each year to alums who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, exceptional service, and extraordinary dedication to the Girl Scout Movement over time. They are alums whose leadership, initiative, and energy have strengthened Girl Scouting, made a significant contribution the Girl Scout mission, and who exemplify the true spirit of Girl Scouts. Adults can only earn this award once in a lifetime. Awards will be forwarded to the nominator for presentations locally.

Forever Green Alum Award 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 toggle arrow

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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