Volunteer Appreciation & Recognition | Girl Scouts of Suffolk County

Volunteer Appreciation & Recognition | Girl Scouts of Suffolk County

Celebrating Our Girl Scout Volunteers

Keeping up with girls’ ever-changing needs isn’t always easy, but because of you, we’ve got this! Thank you to our amazing Girl Scout volunteers!

Today’s girls need inspiration. They need role models and mentors. They need a sounding board for their innovative ideas and the knowledge that they’ll have help bouncing back if their plans don’t work out. Girl Scouts can give them all this and more thanks to the incredible efforts of our volunteers. Here are the many ways we can honor them:

While April is officially National Volunteer Month, we are honored and grateful to have you representing the Movement every single day.
GSSC honors the GSUSA & Council Level Award recipients annually each year. Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming ceremony in March.
Service Units honor their local volunteers through community ceremonies.

About The Volunteer Appreciation Awards

Volunteer Appreciation Awards in Girl Scouting acknowledges those volunteers who provide service above and beyond what is expected. The criteria for these awards are established either by GSUSA or GSSC and focus on leadership, implementation of goals, acceptance of responsibility, and consistent follow-through.

Any active Girl Scout member, Volunteer, Girl Scout parent or caregiver, or alumna may nominate a volunteer for Volunteer Appreciation Awards. Each award has specific criteria for nominee eligibility and nominations must be received by the deadline for consideration.

The criteria for these awards and guidance on the nomination process are outlined in the Girl Scout Volunteer Appreciation Awards Guidebook.

Download the guide with the criteria, nomination, and review processes.

GSUSA National Volunteer Awards

The submission deadline for these awards is January 31, 2026

Appreciation Pin toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior while supporting the delivery of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and making a measurable impact in at least one Service Unit.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Volunteer of Excellence Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Outstanding service in delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in partnership with girls, OR outstanding service in support of the council’s mission delivery to adult members.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Honor Pin

Honors: Any Volunteer

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Demonstrated outstanding service to two or more Service Units.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Thanks Badge toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Demonstrates ongoing commitment, leadership and service which has an exceptional, measurable impact on the mission-delivery goals of the entire council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Thanks Badge II toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer who has received the Thanks Badge

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Council Level Awards

The submission deadline for these awards is January 31, 2026

The Carol Keil Rising Star Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Completed a maximum of 1-3 years of service.
Recognizes a volunteer during the first 3 years of service for outstanding service to a troop, service unit, and community.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

GSSC Council Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Completed 5+ years of service
Demonstrated outstanding service that has left a lasting impact on the council.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Beacon Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Completed 10+ years of service
Cultivated new and lasting relationship(s) with an individual, organization, or school within the community to further enhance the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for a troop or Service Unit.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

The Dorothy L. Klug Golden Lantern Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Completed 15+ years of service
Recognizes a volunteer whose inner light of leadership and enthusiasm for Girl Scouts has ignited a flame of excellence that is passed to all members of the council, as well as the community outside of Girl Scouts. This volunteer serves as a role model for compassion and service within a troop or service unit, and has built girls’ courage, confidence, and character with a specific interest in outdoor leadership experiences.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

The Golden Trailblazer Award toggle arrow

Honors: A Girl Scout Alumna from our Council who has received her Girl Scout Gold Award. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any Girl Scout Alumna from our Council between the ages of 21-30 and has received the Girl Scout Gold Award while an active member.
Recognizes an alumna who continues to make an impact in the world with her vision and leadership. This alumna continues to support the Girl Scout movement through her community service, career, or volunteerism.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Years of Service Awards (20+ Years) toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. Can be awarded to multiple individuals.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Volunteer who has served a minimum of years for the award (20, 25, 30, etc.).

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Council Leadership, including GSSC Board of Directors and Awards Committee.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Service Unit Level Awards

The submission deadline for these awards is March 1, 2026

Cookie Champion Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. Can be awarded to multiple individuals. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Has served as Girl Scout Cookie Campaign Manager for 3 consecutive years.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

First Year Leader Excellence Award *Form Updated* toggle arrow

Honors: Any First Year Troop Leader. Can be awarded to multiple individuals.

Criteria:

Any registered troop leader in good standing who began their first year of service on October 1st of the current Girl Scout year.
First Year Troop Leader who has demonstrated excellence in the role.
This award will celebrate volunteer contributions within their first year of service, which may include the current Girl Scout Year 2025-2026.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online) *UPDATED*

Keep The Promise, Live The Law Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. Can be awarded to multiple individuals. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Troop volunteer, including a leader, who completed a 4th year of service.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Leader Legacy Award (Formally Leader Thank You Award) toggle arrow

Honors: Any Troop Leader. Can be awarded to multiple individuals.

Criteria:

Any registered troop leader in
good standing.
Troop Leader with 10 or more consecutive years of service to the same troop or program level that will not be returning as a volunteer for the next Girl Scout year.
This award will celebrate troop leader contributions and 10 years of consecutive service as of September 30, 2025, AND who have completed their final year of service in 2024-2025 or WILL complete their final year for 2025-2026.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Mags & Munchies Maven Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. Can be awarded to multiple individuals. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Has served as Fall Product Sales Manager for 3 consecutive years.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Outdoor Enthusiast Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. Can be awarded to multiple individuals. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Has shared an outdoor experience with a troop or Service Unit within the last 2 years.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Outstanding Leader Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Troop Leader. Can be awarded to multiple individuals. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered troop leader in good standing.
Has performed service beyond the role expectations.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Outstanding Volunteer Award *Form Updated* toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. Can be awarded to multiple individuals. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Served in a non-leader role that has performed service beyond role expectations.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online) *UPDATED*

President's Circle Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Service Unit Team Member. Awarded 1 per Service Unit annually. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered Service Unit Team member in good standing.
Demonstrates outstanding service to one Service Unit promoting Girl Scouts in the community..

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Service Unit Star Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Service Unit Team Member. Can be awarded to multiple individuals. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered Service Unit Team member in good standing
Has served in a leadership role on the Service Unit Team for over 3 years and made an impact within the Service Unit.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Soaring to Success Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Troop Leader. Can be awarded to multiple individuals. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered troop leader in good standing.
Has led a specific troop from Daisy to Ambassador and fostered leadership and mentoring opportunities during the Cadette to Ambassador program levels.

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Spirit of Scouting Award toggle arrow

Honors: Any Troop Leader. Can be awarded to multiple individuals. This award cannot be received by the same person more than once.

Criteria:

Any registered troop leader in good standing.
Has managed troops with the following troop size: Daisy: 20+ | Brownie: 25+ | Junior: 21+ | Cadette: 16+ | Senior: 15+ | Ambassador: 15+ | Multi-level: 10+

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by the Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Years of Service Awards (5-15 Years) toggle arrow

Honors: Any Volunteer. Can be awarded to multiple individuals.

Criteria:

Any registered volunteer in good standing.
Volunteer who has served a minimum of years for the award (5, 10, and 15).

Nomination/Approval Process:

Individual completes online nomination form.
Recipient selected by Service Unit Team.

Submit Nomination Form (Online)

Questions? Please reach out to customercare@gssc.us.