Recognitions & Awards

Nominations for GSUSA Awards and Self-Report Forms for Years of Service or Years of Membership are due on

March 15, 2023.

Ways to Recognize Volunteers

Showing appreciation for volunteers is a must. After all, our volunteers are ah-mazing! They do it all for the girls and often work extra hours on top of busy schedules and hectic lives. We love them for it and, well, Girl Scouting wouldn’t be the same without them. Let’s be sure to shout it from the Girl Scout rooftops!

Everyday things go a super-long way. A card from the girls, handmade gifts, planters, photo keepsakes – these are all ways the girls can say thank you and often times mean the most. See 20 Ways to Say Thank You for some more great ideas!

Do you know a special volunteer who goes above and beyond to make a difference? Consider nominating them for an adult recognition. These range from local service unit recognitions, to annual council and national-level honors that will be awarded at GSSN's Volunteer Recognition Reception in 2023. Check out the GSSN Adult Recognition chart and the 2022-23 Volunteer Guide to Adult Recognitions to determine the best fit for your special person, and then submit your nomination by following these easy steps!

Volunteer Recognition FAQs 2022-2023

Step 1: Review the available adult awards and find the right award for your nominee.

Step 2: Check the past awardees list to see what awards your candidate may have already earned.

Step 3: Complete the online Nomination Form. One nomination is required for every award.

Step 4: Recruit an additional personal to complete and submit the online Letter of Endorsement. This cannot be the same person that submitted the nomination or a family member of the nominee. Most awards required one endorsement, but note that the Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II require two letters.

Award Categories

GSSN Awards: New-Found Treasure Award

Recognizes the outstanding efforts of a Girl Scout volunteer who is making a significant impact in their second year.

Innovation Award

Recognizes an individual who has been instrumental in planning or assisting with membership recruitment, leading to membership growth in an underserved area.

Outdoor Trailblazer Award

Recognizes an individual who has developed and/or facilitated outstanding outdoor experiences for girls.

Heritage Award

Recognizes an outstanding individual who has used their knowledge of Girl Scout history and traditions to positively impact community cultivation, volunteer support, and/or girl program delivery.
National Awards: Volunteer of Excellence

Recognizes volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience 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.

Appreciation Pin

Recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the GSLE within one geographic area of service.

Honor Pin

Recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience; this support has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service to reach and surpass the mission-delivery goals of the GSSN Council.

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 GSSN Council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Thanks Badge II

Honors a previous Thanks Badge award recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role which resulted in a measurable impact benefitting the entire Girl Scout Movement.