Ways to Recognize Volunteers
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.
Membership Numeral and Volunteer Years of Service Pins
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 Volunteer Development Conference and Recognitions Ceremony in the fall.
Every year, we recognize the outstanding efforts of volunteers throughout our council at our Volunteer Development Conference and Recognitions Ceremony in the fall. Extraordinary volunteers may be nominated by co-leaders, troop helpers, parents, girls, or council staff for the following awards.
We are excited to recognize our volunteers at our 2024 Annual Meeting in April! Please note the deadline for GSUSA and GSOFCT Awards submissions will be March 1, 2024.
Check out the photos from our 2023 Annual Meeting!
GSOFCT Service Unit Awards
Helping Hand 
Awarded for any type of noteworthy contribution by an adult acting in a leadership role.
- No Letters of Endorsement needed
Leading the Way
Awarded for any type of noteworthy contribution by a Troop/Group Leader or Assistant Troop/Group Leader.
- No Letters of Endorsement needed
Distinguished Leader
Awarded for leadership so outstanding in nature that it merits recognition by the service unit.
- No Letters of Endorsement needed
Distinguished Volunteer
Awarded for service performed beyond the expectation of the position.
- No Letters of Endorsement needed
Membership Numeral Pin (under 20 Years)
Volunteer Years of Service (Under 20 Years)
GSOFCT Volunteer Recognitions
Outdoor Enthusiast Award
Recognizes an adult member who has delivered outstanding outdoor education to at least one Service Unit or program delivery audience
- 2 Letters of Endorsement Needed
Outstanding Service Team Member
Recognizes an individual working on a Service Unit Team who has demonstrated consistent outstanding service to her/his geographical area.
- 1 Letter of Endorsement needed
Spirit of the Dragonfly
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.
- 3 Letters of Endorsement Needed
Girl Scouts of Connecticut Pin
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.
- 3 Letters of Endorsement Needed
Light the Way Pin
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.
- 2 Letters of Endorsement Needed
GSOFCT Values in Action Award
The Way of Juliette Award
GSOFCT Family Appreciation Award
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 is required.
GSOFCT Council Staff Appreciation Award
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 is required.
Daisy's Dream - Outstanding Troop Award
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.
2 Letters of Recommendation Required
The Pride of the Trefoil
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.
One letter of endorsement is required.
Membership Numeral Pin (20 years and up)
Volunteer Years of Service (20 years and up)
GSUSA Volunteer Recognitions
GSUSA Volunteer Excellence Pin
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.
- 2 Letters of Endorsement Needed
GSUSA Appreciation Pin
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.
- 3 Letters of Endorsement Needed
GSUSA Honor Pin
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.
- 3 Letters of Endorsement Needed
GSUSA 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.
- 4 Letters of Endorsement Needed
GSUSA Thanks Badge II
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.
- 4 Letters of Endorsement Needed
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.
- No Letters of Endorsement Needed
