Volunteer Recognition
Appreciation is an ongoing, everyday process for anyone, anywhere, anytime. Showing appreciation for one another is a good way to show respect, to relate to each other's strengths, and to build mutual commitment. Recognition is a tangible reminder of rewarding relationships between people and Girl Scouting.
Girl Scouting is made possible through dedicated contributions of adults who enjoy helping girls develop knowledge and skills for the future. Adults in Girl Scouting, both volunteer and employed staff, play an important role in helping girls enjoy exciting benefits of Girl Scouting. By sharing their time, knowledge and skills at all levels of the Girl Scout program, Adult Girl Scouts positively impact the Girl Scout organization and the community around them. These dedicated adult Girl Scouts deserve recognition.
Volunteers, who serve Girl Scouting, do so because of their interest and concern for girls, and to derive personal satisfaction in what they do. This satisfaction comes from many sources:
- Contribution to the community and to a girls' movement of worldwide significance.
- Opportunity to acquire and use skills for self-fulfillment.
- Career and educational preparation.
- Knowledge of a job well done.
Most rewarding is the expression of joy on the face of a child, a sincere word or thanks, or a personalized note of appreciation. National and council recognitions are another means of acknowledging individuals, groups and service areas for outstanding service.
Award Nomination Forms
Basic tips for completing nomination forms gives you information on completing nomination forms, tips on writing effective letters, including a sample endorsement letter. Following these tips will help the Recognition Committee members make an informed decision and will help to ensure recognition of the nominee.
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Earned Awards
President's Award Pin
This award recognizes the efforts of a service unit team in moving its area toward achievement of the council’s goals and objectives during a membership year.
President's Volunteer Service Award
This award is for any individual, family, or group who can receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours earned over a 12-month period or over the course of a lifetime at home or abroad.
Volunteer Achievement Award
This award recogizes the first stage of volunteer service successfully completed. Comes with a chain to attach service keys.
Leadership Development Pin
This award goes to a candidate who has completed one successful year in the postion of troop leader, assistant leader or group coordinator.
Volunteer Years of Service Pins
This award indicates total years of registered active adult volunteer service in Girl Scouting. Pins are available in 5-year intervals. Five, ten and fifteen year pins are forwarded to the service unit for presentation, twenty years and higher are awarded at the council recognition event.
Membership Years of Service Pins
Membership Years of Service Pins indicate total years of registered girl and adult membership in Girl Scouting. Pins are available in 5-year intervals. Pins are purchased by the individual or the Service Unit.
Nominated Awards
Outstanding Volunteer Pin
This award is given to an adult in a position other than a troop leader for service to a geographic area or program delivery audience that is beyond the expectations for the position. Worn on the right side of uniform, below personalized identification pin or centered below ID pin, or on either side of the years of service pin.
Outstanding Leader Pin
This award is given to recognize outstanding troop leadership in the delivery of Girl Scout program to girls, meriting recognition by geographic//service team. Worn on the right side of uniform, below personalized identification pin or centered below ID pin, or on either side of the years of service pin.
Appreciation Pin
This pin is given to recognize outstanding service to a geographic area or program delivery audience that furthers the council's goals.
Honor Pin
This award is given to recognize outstanding service to two or more geographic areas or program delivery audiences.
Thanks Badge
This award is given only once to recognize exceptional service that benefits the total council or the entire Girl Scout movement.
Thanks Badge II
This award is givin for Continuing Service - is similar to the Thanks Badge but recognizes continued outstanding service given by a Thanks Badge recipient that benefits the total council or the entire Girl Scout movement. Worn instead of, not in addition to the Thanks Badge.
Girl Scholarships
Doneta Schaeffer Scholarship
Doneta Schaeffer was a Girl Scout volunteer and council staff member who believed that there was always something new to learn, different things to see, and more fun to experience. Those who knew her mourned her unexpected death in 1991, but also rejoiced in the memories and examples of a life full of learning and giving that Doneta left for us.
The annual Doneta Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship was established to help all of us—girls and adults—remember and renew this legacy at least once a year. Designed to help the recipient further her education, the $1,000 scholarship is given to a Girl Scout who exemplifies the ideals that Doneta held dear.
- Doneta Schaeffer Scholarship Application
- Doneta Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship Reference for Community Involvement
- Doneta Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship Reference for Girl Scout Involvement
Girl of Courage, Confidence and Character Scholarship
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. There are many Girl Scouts throughout GSEIWI who have shown outstanding character, displayed courage during a difficult time or shown their character in an extraordinary way. These girls deserve to be honored for their roles as Girl Scouts and the positive impact they have on the communities they serve.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois provides a monetary scholarship to three girls throughout the council: a Girl of Courage, a Girl of Confidence and a Girl of Character. Anyone can nominate a Girl Scout for these scholarships. There are no requirements for age or grade. If you know a Girl Scout who has gone above and beyond this past year in her role as a Girl Scout, consider nominating her for one of these scholarships.
The $1,000 scholarships are funded by an anonymous donor who believes in the work of GSEIWI and wanted to be able to give something back to the girls. The scholarships will be available for the Girl Scouts to use toward higher education after they complete high school.
