Volunteer Recognitions Procedure
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania has a formal system for honoring Girl Scout adult volunteers, following
the requirements of GSUSA. Awarded recognitions provide one of the means to acknowledge
individuals and service units for their unique and outstanding services.
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF VOLUNTEER RECOGNITIONS:
1. Board Approved Volunteer Recognitions
2. Service Unit Approved Volunteer Recognition
3. GSWPA Council Volunteer Recognition
The Volunteer Recognitions available and the requirements for these awards may be referenced in the
Volunteer Essentials appendix reference titled “Volunteer Recognitions in Girl Scouting”. Forms for all
nominations/applications are available in the appendix as well as on the web at gswpa.org.
Board Approved Volunteer Recognitions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Appreciation Pin
Honor Pin
Thanks Badge
Thanks Badge II
President’s Award
Board Approved Volunteer Recognitions Process:
1) Volunteers must be nominated for GSUSA Board approved awards by completing the
appropriate Volunteer Recognition Nomination Form. The nomination forms are available on
the GSWPA website and in the Volunteer Essentials Manual.
2) Nominations for these awards can be initiated by a Girl Scout adult volunteer, girl member,
and/or staff member. The letters of endorsement for these nominations must be from
individuals other than the individual submitting the nomination. The number of
recommendation letters required depends upon the award nomination made. Supplemental
materials that speak to the award nomination may also be submitted as part of the nomination.
3) Award nominations are accepted and processed twice a year. The Thanks Badge, Thanks Badge
II, and the President’s Award will be presented individually at the Annual Meeting as long as the
nomination form is completed by February 1 of that Girl Scout year. All Appreciation and Honor
Pin recipients to that date and their areas of service will be listed as part of the slide show, but
will not be presented individually. Fall Town Hall Meetings will also be used to recognize Board
Approved Awards, specifically the Appreciation Pin and the Honor Pin. Nomination forms must
be received by August 10 or February 1 in order to be processed in time for fall and spring
events.
4) If possible, a photograph of the nominated individual should be submitted with the nomination
for use in other media promotion for this award and in preparation for the presentations.