Volunteer Recognition

It’s important to honor adult volunteers whose services directly or indirectly support or enhance girl experiences in Girl Scouting. The quality of the individual’s accomplishments is a key factor for recognizing someone. Whether formal or informal, volunteer recognition is a way to honor and celebrate accomplishments in Girl Scouts.

Formal Recognition

Formal recognitions include awards established by GSUSA (Girl Scouts of the United States of America), as well as awards created by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

GSUSA awards require Board approval—the deadline for submitting nominations for these awards is Dec. 1 each year.
(This allows time for our Adult Recognition Committee to review nominations and recommend a slate of nominees to the Board for their February meeting).

Read tips for writing a strong nomination! [PDF]

GSUSA & GCNWI Awards - Board Approved | Nomination Deadline: Dec. 1: Nominations for the awards below are due on Dec. 1 annually. Nominations received after this date will be held for the following membership year.

Appreciation Pin

This award honors a volunteer has provided outstanding service to at least one service unit or program delivery audience toward achievement of the council’s goals.

Nominate a Volunteer for the Appreciation Pin »

Submit a letter of Endorsement »

Dynamic and Incredible Staff of the Year aka DAISY

This award recognizes the outstanding service by a staff member that has resulted in the development of partnerships with volunteers and/or community leaders to at least one service unit or program delivery audience toward the achievement of the council’s goals, will benefit the entire council beyond the staff member’s tenure, goes far beyond the expectations of the employee’s job description, and supports the achievement of the council’s goals and strategic learning efforts.

Nominate a Staff Person for the DAISY Award »

Hall of Fame

This award honors a volunteer has been an adult member for at least 25 years, has delivered service that far exceeds the expectation of any position, and has had a lasting impact on the Girl Scout organization. This award may be awarded posthumously.

Nominate a Volunteer for the Hall of Fame »

Write a letter of Endorsement for both Hall of Fame and Daisy Awardees »

Honor Pin

This award honors a volunteer who has provided outstanding service to at least two service units or program delivery audiences in a way that furthers the council’s goals. repeat links above

Nominate a Volunteer for the Honor Pin »

Submit a letter of Endorsement »

President’s Award

This group award recognizes the efforts of a service-delivery team or committee whose exemplary service resulted in significant impact toward reaching the council’s goals by achieving one or more of their unit’s goals.

Nominate a group for the President's Award »

President’s Award FAQ » [PDF]

Thanks Badge

This award honors a volunteer who has provided exceptional, outstanding service that benefits the total council or entire movement. The service is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.

Nominate a Volunteer for the Thanks Badge »

Submit a letter of Endorsement »

Thanks Badge II

This volunteer has received the Thanks Badge and has continued providing exceptional, outstanding service that benefits the total council or entire movement. The service is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.

Nominate a Volunteer for the Thanks Badge II »

Submit a letter of Endorsement »

GCNWI Service Unit Awards require Service Unit or local operating unit (for example, a committee), to approve and submit a list of nominees to Council by Feb. 15. This allows time for all nominees to be included in our Adult Recognition booklet and honored at our Annual Meeting/Adult Recognition event each Spring.

Service Unit Awards | Nomination Deadline Feb. 15: Hidden Heroine

This award honors a volunteer who provides above and beyond assistance to special projects, ongoing tasks, and support of Girl Scout programs in the Service unit, program delivery group, or other operational or governance group. This volunteer continually accepts assignments to keep Girl Scouting thriving.

Nominate a Hidden Heroine [PDF] »

New Found Treasure

This award honors a volunteer who has made a positive impact on Girl Scouting in just a short time. This person’s performance is so outstanding that it merits recognition by the Service unit, program delivery, or governance unit.

Nominate a New Found Treasure [PDF] »

Volunteer of Excellence

This award honors a volunteer who has contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through use of the national program portfolio or who have contributed outstanding service of the council’s mission delivery to girl and adult members.

Nominate a Volunteer of Excellence [PDF] »

Informal Recognition

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Girl Scouts and deserve to be appreciated for their dedication. There are many informal recognition tools to share appreciation with volunteers. We’ve shared some ideas below:

Just Say Thanks

Help us recognize outstanding individuals all year round with our new "Just Say Thanks" initiative! Through the link below, you can identify outstanding individuals who should receive an expression of appreciation from the GCNWI CEO, Nancy Wright.

Just Say Thanks »

Check out our Pinterest page for fun, easy ways to thank volunteers every day! »

Award Breakdown | Nomination Deadline: Dec. 1

Girl Scouts of the USA Board Approved Awards

	APPRECIATION PIN The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult who has provided outstanding service to at least one service unit or program delivery audience toward the achievement of the council's goals. The service goes beyond the expectations of the position.	Submit Nomination Form plus TWO letters of endorsement—Dec. 1
	HONOR PIN The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult who has provided outstanding service to at least two service units or program delivery audiences in a way that furthers the council's goals. The service goes beyond the expectations of the position.	Submit Nomination Form plus THREE letters of endorsement—Dec. 1
	THANKS BADGE The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult who has provided exceptional, outstanding service that benefits the total council or entire movement. The service is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.	Submit Nomination Form plus FOUR letters of endorsement—Dec. 1
	THANKS BADGE II The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult who has received the Thanks Badge and whose continued work once again has provided exceptional, outstanding service that benefits the total council or entire movement. The service is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.	Submit Nomination Form plus FOUR letters of endorsement—Dec. 1
	PRESIDENT'S AWARD This group award recognizes the efforts of a service-delivery team or committee whose exemplary service resulted in a significant impact toward reaching the council's overall goals.	Members of the Service-delivery team submit the nomination form with appropriate documentation—Dec. 1 deadline.

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana Board of Approves Awards

HALL OF FAME

The candidate for this award has been an adult member for at least 25 years, has delivered service that far exceeds the expectation of any position, and has had a lasting impact on the Girl Scout organization. This award will be presented to only 10 people per year and maybe awarded posthumously.

Submit Nomination Form plus FOUR letters of endorsement—Dec. 1

D. A. I. S. Y

The Dynamic And Incredible Staff of the Year award recognizes an outstanding service by staff member that has resulted in the development of partnerships with volunteers and/or community leaders to at least one service unit or program delivery audience toward the achievement of the council's goals, will benefit the entire council beyond the staff member's tenure, goes far beyond the expectations of the employee's job description, and supports the achievement of the council's goals and strategic learning efforts. This award will be presented to only three people per year.

Submit Nomination Form plus TWO letters of endorsement—Dec. 1

Service Unit Approved Awards

VOLUNTEER OF EXCELLENCE

The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult who has contributes 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 of the council's mission delivery to girl and adult members Complete nomination form submitted to service unit team or designee who reviews nomination and adds required approval signature.

All names for Service Unit Awards submitted to the council by Feb. 15 for inclusion in the recognition program book.

NEW FOUND TREASURE

The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult for less than two years and has hit the ground running. This volunteer has made a positive impact on Girl Scouting. This person's performance is so outstanding that it merits recognition by the Service unit, program delivery, or governance unit.

All names for Service Unit Awards submitted to the council by Feb. 15 for inclusion in the recognition program book.

HIDDEN HEROINE

The candidate is a registered Girl Scout adult who embodies the Girl Scout principle "to help where I am needed". This volunteer is available to provide over and above assistance to special projects, ongoing tasks, and support of Girl Scout programs in this person's Service Unity, program delivery group, or other operational or governance group. This volunteer continually accepts Assignments in order to keep Girl Scouting thriving.

All names for Service Unit Awards submitted to the council by Feb. 15 for inclusion in the recognition program book.