Job Well Done!
New Award Categories for Adults

By Pamela Ritchie

	Many adults are high achievers, too!
	Ceremonies and awards often go hand-in-hand.

As volunteers donate time with flexible arrangements, Girl Scouts of the USA responds with new awards.

Everyone likes to be recognized for her efforts, and Girl Scout volunteers are no exception. To acknowledge this crucial resource, GSUSA has added two categories of awards for adults: one for "episodic" volunteers and another for "progressive" volunteers.

An episodic volunteer is an adult who gives time to Girl Scouting at the council or national level on a sporadic basis.

A progressive volunteer is an adult involved in Girl Scouts on a continual, ongoing basis at the council or national level. The progressive volunteer may serve in an operational area, managed by the CEO/executive director, or in the governance area, managed by the president of the board. This award is designed to recognize volunteers early on in their Girl Scout volunteer career. See the New Volunteer Recognition Awards Chart for a complete description of the awards categories.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the new volunteer awards:

Questions and Answers

Q: How is a volunteer considered for an award?

A: For the episodic volunteer award, the volunteer's manager makes the decision whether to present this award after successful completion of a volunteer assignment.

For the progressive volunteer award, a member of the council staff and/or the person supervising the volunteer can nominate someone by completing and submitting an application to the council's awards task group or some other designated person. In the case of a governance volunteer, the council president or another member of the board's executive committee completes and signs the application prior to submitting it to the awards task group.

Q: What are the requirements or criteria for a candidate?

A: The candidate must be a registered Girl Scout adult and adhere to all policies and procedures of the Girl Scout organization.

The candidate must have completed appropriate orientation and training for the volunteer position in each category.

The volunteer must provide service in the Girl Scout organization at the local or national level.

Q: When did the new awards become available?

A: The new awards took effect October 1, 2002. Please note that volunteers cannot be "grandfathered" in: Volunteer service prior to this date will not count toward the new awards.

Q: Do the new awards replace any of the current volunteer awards?

A: No, they're in addition to the existing volunteer awards.

Q: Is the Volunteer Development Pin the same as the Leadership Development Pin?

A: No, the Leadership Development Pin is only for troop leaders; the volunteer development pin is for volunteers who serve in any capacity.

Q: Where do I get the awards (certificates, pins, etc.)?

A: Your council may order them through the National Equipment Service (NES), 1-800-221-6707.

Q: Is there a form letter to use for the Episodic Volunteer thank you letter?

A: No, a personalized letter should be written.

Q: Is there a specific certificate that I must order for use with the Episodic Volunteer Award?

A: Yes, the council can order the certificates through NES.

Q: How do I get more information?

A: The July/August 2002 issue of GSUSA News describes each of the awards in detail. Obtain a copy from your council. Or call 1-800-GSUSA4U (1-800-478-7248).

New Volunteer Recognition Awards Chart

NAME OF AWARD	CRITERIA DESCRIPTION	RECOGNITION
Community Participation	A one-time or one-day service for the council or GSUSA Completed required orientation and training	Thank You Letter
Citizenship in Girl Scouting	Returns for a second or third round of service Provides support through two or three short-term assignments for the council or GSUSA	Certificate
Social Responsibility in Girl Scouting	Provides a fourth round of service to the council or GSUSA	Volunteer Service Pin
PROGRESSIVE VOLUNTEERS
Stage 1: The Girl Scout Volunteer Achievement Award	First successful volunteer service completion on a board committee First successful volunteer service completion on a task group assignment First experience of troop or group leadership First service experience of service unit management Successful service to GSUSA for one year All to have completed required training and have been appointed and have agreed to return for another year.	Volunteer Development Pin With Chain
Stage 2: The Girl Scout Mentoring Award	Has become a coach or mentor for a new volunteer Has provided ongoing support resulting in retention of a new volunteer Protégé nominates mentor	White Key
Stage 3: The Girl Scout Volunteer Executive Award	Council or national level leadership role Made significant contributions	Black Key
Additional Stages to be developed		Additional Keys to be made available

Adapted from LEADER, Spring 2003. © Girl Scouts of the United States of America.