Girl Scout volunteers work hard to create a fun and empowering environment for our girls. Let's thank them as often as we can for their efforts! Here are some great ways to say "thank you!"
Additionally, if someone has done something special for you or your troop, Just Say Thanks! They can get a personal note from GSOFCT CEO Mary Barneby.
Membership Numeral Pins and Volunteer Years of Service Pins recognize the length of time someone has been involved with Girl Scouts. Pins over 20 years are awarded at the Annual Meeting and Recognitions Ceremony in the spring.
| Membership Numeral Pin (under 20 Years) | Volunteer Years of Service (Under 20 Years) |
| Membership Numeral Pin (20 years and up) | Volunteer Years of Service (20 years and up) |
Below is information on how to nominate someone for a Service Unit, GSOFCT, and/or GSUSA Award. You can get the full information in the GSOFCT Recognitions Handbook.
Every year, we recognize the outstanding efforts of volunteers throughout our council at our Annual Meeting and Recognitions Ceremony. Extraordinary volunteers may be nominated by co-leaders, troop helpers, parents, girls, or council staff for the following awards.
The GSOFCT Values in Action Award is presented to a Girl Scout member (youth or adult) who acted in a manner consistent with our Girl Scout values in an unexpectedly difficult situation where the health and safety of others were in jeopardy. The recipient of this award will have acted quickly and appropriately to ensure the safe outcome for someone other than themselves. One letter of endorsement required.
The Way of Juliette Award is presented to a Girl Scout who is an Independently Registered Member (IRM), also known as a “Juliette,” and has distinguished herself by earning badges, completing a Journey, and engaging in community service. The recipient of this award will have participated in GSOFCT activities including product sales and council programming and all aspects of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Up to five awards may be presented annually. One letter of endorsement required.
The GSOFCT Family Appreciation Award is presented to a parent, grandparent, or caregiver who has gone above and beyond in their service to a troop or to an Independently Registered Member (IRM). Actions that this award winner might take include attendance at events, volunteering for trips, sharing their expertise with others, or making it possible for an IRM to fully experience Girl Scouting. Up to five awards may be presented annually. One letter of endorsement required.
The Council Staff Appreciation Award is presented to a GSOFCT staff member who has provided exemplary service to our membership during the past year. The winner of this award will have provided strong support and good counsel to troop or service unit members or other volunteers, has enhanced our members’ ability to serve girls through their actions, or has created a process or service that greatly benefited a volunteer's ability to accomplish our mission. Up to three awards may be presented annually. (May only win this award every three years). One letter of endorsement required.
The Outstanding Troop Award is presented to a troop that exemplifies the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Successful recipients will be able to demonstrate that their troop utilized the three processes: Girl-led, Learn by Doing, and Collaboration to produce the five Girl Scout Outcomes. Troops must have engaged with all four pillars and developed leadership skills through badge work and the completion of a Journey to address an important community need. Up to five troops may be honored annually. Two letters of endorsement required.
The Pride of the Trefoil Award is presented to a current or past troop volunteer who shared the gift of their time and talents to help a troop complete all 13 years of our Girl Scout Leadership Program, from Daisy through Ambassador. The recipient(s) can include co-leaders and any other approved troop volunteers who helped the troop to thrive throughout the entire troop experience. Two letter of endorsements required.
The Go-getter Award is presented to a volunteer who has taken great initiative and put their goals into action for the betterment of their troop, service unit, or the GSOFCT membership. The recipient of this award will be an individual who has pursued leadership positions or created new programs and exhibited a “can-do spirit” throughout their volunteer experience. One letter of endorsement required.
The Innovator Award is presented to a volunteer who has demonstrated their creativity, innovative problem solving, has offered new ideas that benefited a troop or service unit, or is continually working to improve upon past performance. One letter of endorsement required.
The Risk-taker Award is presented to a volunteer who allows their sense of adventure - in both thought and action - to shine through. They encourage and support their troop, service unit, or our council in: seeking new adventures and experiences, stepping outside of their comfort zone, and creating new opportunities for girls to grow. One letter of endorsement required.
The Leader Award is presented to a volunteer who exhibits leadership skills from within the organization without necessarily holding a formal leadership position. The recipient of this award will regularly demonstrate the important leadership skills of listening, collaboration, problem solving, conflict management, communication, positivity, and courage among others. They will also work to bring positive change within their troop, GSOFCT, or their local community. One letter of endorsement required.
GSOFCT Volunteer Recognitions
Awarded for any type of noteworthy contribution by an adult acting in a leadership role.
Awarded for any type of noteworthy contribution by a Troop/Group Leader or Assistant Troop/Group Leader.
Awarded for leadership so outstanding in nature that it merits recognition by the service unit.
Awarded for service performed beyond expectation of the position.
Recognizes a non-member adult or organization for providing episodic service to the Girl Scout organization at a council or local level.
Recognizes an adult member who has delivered outstanding outdoor education to at least one Service Unit or program delivery audience.
Recognizes an individual working on a Service Unit Team who has demonstrated consistent outstanding service to her/his geographical area.
Recognizes an adult volunteer who exemplifies the Girl Scout Mission, lives by the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and demonstrates a commitment to providing older girl members with the opportunity to develop through guidance, mentoring, and coaching in support of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Awarded for outstanding service to a Council-wide assignment or whose service and dedication impacts the success and development of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for Girl Scouts of Connecticut. A minimum of 2 years of service in GSOFCT is required.
The Light the Way pin recognizes an adult who is committed to delivering outstanding education and training to new leaders and service team members within the Girl Scouts of Connecticut.
GSUSA Volunteer Recognitions
The GSUSA Volunteer of Excellence Award recognizes adult volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) through use of the National Program Portfolio or who have contributed outstanding service in support of GSOFCT’s mission delivery to girl and adult members.
The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). This service, which has had measurable impact on one geographic area of service, helps the council reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals for that area.
The Honor Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.
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.
The Thanks Badge II honors a previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement.
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.
