Recognitions and Adult Awards Guide 2017 Nominations Due: December 15, 2017 1 P age
TABLE OF CONTENTS RECOGNIZING ADULT VOLUNTEERS 3 Council Nomination Procedure 3 COUNCIL BOARD-APPROVED GSUSA AWARDS FOR VOLUNTEERS 5 Volunteer of Excellence 6 Appreciation Pin 7 Honor Pin 8 Thanks Badge 9 Thanks Badge II 10 Adult Award Nomination Form 11 Endorsement Letter Form 12 SERVICE UNIT-APPROVED GSCCC AWARDS FOR VOLUNTEERS 13 Distinguished Volunteer And Distinguished Leader Awards 13 OTHER VOLUNTEER RECOGNITIONS 14 Numeral Guard and Adult Insignia Placement 14 Order Form for GSCCC Awards and/or Numeral Guards 15+ 15 2 P age
RECOGNIZING ADULT VOLUNTEERS Volunteers are the heart of Girl Scouts. Giving and receiving recognition for the time and effort of adult volunteers is a critical part of the Girl Scout program. Adults should know that the work they do on behalf of the organization is valued. Recognition and Appreciation can be an ongoing program at the troop and service unit level consisting of thank you notes, certificates, and tokens of appreciation (such as pins, handmade items, candy or flowers). Adult Awards are given for outstanding and significant contributions to the Girl Scout Movement. Recommendations for these awards come from fellow volunteer peers. Awards are broken down into two categories: GSCCC Adult Awards (Distinguished Leader, Distinguished Volunteer See page 13. Volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution, but do not meet the criteria for a national award, may qualify for one of the GSCCC Awards, which are approved and honored at the service unit level. National GSUSA Adult Awards (Volunteer of Excellence, Appreciation Pin, Honor Pin, Thanks Badge, Thanks Badge II. See pages 5-10) require Council Board approval and should follow the nomination procedure below. COUNCIL NOMINATION PROCEDURE Step 1: Begins at the Service Unit level. The Service Unit Recognitions Chair, appointed by the Service Unit Managers, should form a SU Recognitions Committee. This Committee can consist of the Recognitions Chair, the Service Unit Manager(s), and any other adult volunteer(s) who might have interest in the selection process. The SU Recognitions Committee: Identifies those who do an exceptional job in their volunteer position, go above and beyond the duties outlined, and/or step up when no one else does to make sure the job gets done. Awards should be based on the individual contribution, not necessarily the length of service. Reviews the contributions of all volunteers to determine who might qualify for a Council Board-Approved GSUSA Award for Volunteers and who meets the specific criteria. Once a list of volunteers is matched with their potential awards, The Chair contacts individuals determined to be most appropriate to write Endorsement Letters in support of the nominee and provides them with the Endorsement Letter Form to complete, giving them a deadline of two weeks prior to the council deadline. The number of Endorsement Letters depends on the award for which the volunteer is nominated. the Committee decides who would be the best people to write Endorsement Letters for the nominees. Volunteers can only be given each Award once. In order to receive an additional Award, three years must have passed. The volunteer should have made new contributions, meaning they have taken on new positions not just continued for many years in the same position. Step 2: SU Recognitions Chair submits complete packets to Chief Member Experience Officer, Josh Travers, by December 15, 2017. The SU Recognitions Chair completes a Nomination Form and Statement for each nominee, and attaches the Endorsement Letters. The entire Nomination Packet for each nominee is submitted to council by the due date. 3 P age
Step 3: GSCCC Council Recognitions Committee, chaired by a Board Member, who is appointed by the Board Chair, and comprised of 3 6 volunteers, representing council geographic diversity, plus one staff liaison, review Service Unit submissions. This Council Recognitions Committee will review all the Nomination Packets and determine whether to approve, modify or deny the nomination based on the nominee meeting the award criteria, the appropriateness of the award in relation to the achievements of the nominee, and the effectiveness of the Endorsement Letters. The committee does have the option to change the award recommendations based on their evaluation and the criteria for each award. The Committee submits their recommendation to the GSCCC Board of Directors for approval. Step 4: Council notifies SU Recognitions Chair of decision by March 15, 2018. Following the Committee s action on the recommendations, Council will notify the Service Unit Recognitions Committee Chair of their decision so that the volunteer can be recognized at a local Service Unit Recognition Event or at the Annual Meeting if the recipient chooses this option. Step 5: SU Recognitions Chair submits Order for any Council Awards pins or numeral guards that will be given at local SU Recognition events. (Page 16) 4 P age
Council Board-Approved GSUSA Awards for Volunteers The Volunteer of Excellence award recognizes volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through use of the National Program Portfolio or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the council s mission delivery to girl and adult members. The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had measurable impact on one geographic area of service, helping council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals of the area. The Honor Pin recognizes an individual s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals. 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. The Thanks Badge II honors a previous Thanks Badge award recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement. Since receipt of the Thanks Badge, the candidate has provided distinguished service by taking a leadership role in developing a model that has been replicated at the national level in one or more of the following areas during the previous three years: Membership, Program, Fund Development, Strategic Planning, Pluralism, Human Resources, Marketing, and/or Communications. 5 P age
Volunteer of Excellence Description This award recognizes volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through use of the National Program Portfolio or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the council s mission delivery to girl and adult members. Criteria The candidate is an active, registered adult Girl Scout. The candidate has successfully completed a term of service and all requirements for the position The candidate has performed beyond expectations for the position to deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls using the national program portfolio, or The candidate s performance has been beyond the expectations of the position and has supported council s mission-delivery goals in one or more of the following functional areas: Membership Development/Community Cultivation, Volunteer Relations and Support, Program, Leadership and Governance, Fund Development, and Council Support Service (such as IT, Customer Service, Merchandising, MarCom) The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior. Nomination Procedure A Nomination Form and Statement is completed by the person submitting the Nomination Packet. This person (the nominator) contacts those individuals most appropriate to write Endorsement Letters in support of the nominee and provides them with the Endorsement Letter Form to complete. The number of Endorsement Letters depends on the award for which the volunteer is nominated. Each letter should be unique and speak to the attributes that qualify the volunteer for earning the award. The nominator collects the Endorsement Letters and attaches them behind the Nomination Form and Statement. The entire Service Unit Nomination Packet is submitted to council and reviewed by the GSCCC Recognition Committee. This Committee submits their recommendation to the GSCCC Board of Directors for approval. 6 P age
Appreciation Pin Description This award recognizes an individual s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had measurable impact on one geographic area of service, helping council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals of the area. Criteria The candidate is an active, registered adult Girl Scout. The service performed by the candidate is above and beyond the expectations for the position held and made an impact on a geographic area within the council s jurisdiction. The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior. Nomination Procedure A Nomination Form and Statement is completed by the person submitting the Nomination Packet. This person (the nominator) contacts those individuals most appropriate to write Endorsement Letters in support of the nominee and provides them with the Endorsement Letter Form to complete. The number of Endorsement Letters depends on the award for which the volunteer is nominated. Each letter should be unique and speak to the attributes that qualify the volunteer for earning the award. The nominator collects the Endorsement Letters and attaches them behind the Nomination Form and Statement. The entire Service Unit Nomination Packet is submitted to council and reviewed by the GSCCC Recognition Committee. This Committee submits their recommendation to the GSCCC Board of Directors for approval. 7 P age
Honor Pin Description This award recognizes an individual s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, helping council to reach and surpass the mission-delivery goals. Criteria The candidate is an active, registered adult Girl Scout. The service performed by the candidate is above and beyond the expectations for the position held and made an impact on two or more geographic areas within the council s jurisdiction. The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior. Nomination Procedure A Nomination Form and Statement is completed by the person submitting the Nomination Packet. This person (the nominator) contacts those individuals most appropriate to write Endorsement Letters in support of the nominee and provides them with the Endorsement Letter Form to complete. The number of Endorsement Letters depends on the award for which the volunteer is nominated. Each letter should be unique and speak to the attributes that qualify the volunteer for earning the award. The nominator collects the Endorsement Letters and attaches them behind the Nomination Form and Statement. The entire Service Unit Nomination Packet is submitted to council and reviewed by the GSCCC Recognition Committee. This Committee submits their recommendation to the GSCCC Board of Directors for approval. 8 P age
Thanks Badge Description This award 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. Criteria The candidate is an active, registered adult Girl Scout. The outstanding service performed by the candidate resulted in outcomes that benefitted the total council or the entire Girl Scout organization, and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate. The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior. Nomination Procedure A Nomination Form and Statement is completed by the person submitting the Nomination Packet. This person (the nominator) contacts those individuals most appropriate to write Endorsement Letters in support of the nominee and provides them with the Endorsement Letter Form to complete. The number of Endorsement Letters depends on the award for which the volunteer is nominated. Each letter should be unique and speak to the attributes that qualify the volunteer for earning the award. The nominator collects the Endorsement Letters and attaches them behind the Nomination Form and Statement. The entire Service Unit Nomination Packet is submitted to council and reviewed by the GSCCC Recognition Committee. This Committee submits their recommendation to the GSCCC Board of Directors for approval. 9 P age
Thanks Badge II Description This award honors a previous Thanks Badge award recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement. Since receipt of the Thanks Badge, the candidate has provided distinguished service by taking a leadership role in developing a model that has been replicated at the national level in one or more of the following areas during the previous three years: Membership, Program, Fund Development, Strategic Planning, Pluralism, Human Resources, Marketing, and/or Communications. Criteria The candidate is an active, registered adult Girl Scout. The candidate has received the Thanks Badge The outstanding service performed by the candidate resulted in outcomes that benefitted the entire Girl Scout organization, and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate. The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior. Nomination Procedure A Nomination Form and Statement is completed by the person submitting the Nomination Packet. This person (the nominator) contacts those individuals most appropriate to write Endorsement Letters in support of the nominee and provides them with the Endorsement Letter Form to complete. The number of Endorsement Letters depends on the award for which the volunteer is nominated. Each letter should be unique and speak to the attributes that qualify the volunteer for earning the award. The nominator collects the Endorsement Letters and attaches them behind the Nomination Form and Statement. The entire Service Unit Nomination Packet is submitted to council and reviewed by the GSCCC Recognition Committee. This Committee submits their recommendation to the GSCCC Board of Directors for approval. 10 P age
2017 Adult Award Nomination Form To nominate an adult volunteer for one of the GSUSA adult volunteer awards, complete this Nomination Form and a Nomination Statement. Attach the appropriate number of Endorsement Letters and submit as one complete Nomination Packet, to: Josh Travers, Chief Member Experience Officer Girl Scouts of California s Central Coast 1500 Palma Drive, Suite 110 Ventura, CA 93003 Or scan and submit to jtravers@girlscoutsccc.org Questions: Contact Customer Care 800-822-2427 The complete Nomination Packet must be received no later than December 15, 2017. Indicate the Award for which the volunteer is being nominated. The award name is followed by the number of endorsement letters required for that award. Volunteer of Excellence (2 letters) Appreciation Pin (2 letters) Thanks Badge (4 letters) Thanks Badge II (4 letters) Honor Pin (3 letters) NOMINEE INFORMATION Name of Nominee: Address: City: Zip: E-mail Address: Phone: Position(s) in Girl Scouting: Service Unit Number and Name: Previous awards and years earned: SUBMITTED BY Name: Date: Address: City: Zip: E-mail Address: Phone: Attach a brief Nomination Statement indicating how the nominee has met award criteria, how their service was outstanding and benefited Girl Scouting, and how they went beyond the expectations of the position held. Your statement should provide specific examples. 10
Adult Award Endorsement Letter Form This letter of endorsement is submitted in support of the nomination of: Name of Nominee: Indicate the Award for which the volunteer is being nominated. Volunteer of Excellence Appreciation Pin Honor Pin Thanks Badge Thanks Badge II SUBMITTED BY: Name: Date: (Endorser may not be the same person completing the Nomination Form and Statement) Address: City: Zip: E-mail Address: Phone: In what capacity are you familiar with the nominee s performance/contributions to Girl Scouting? Briefly state your reasons for endorsing this nomination. Your endorsement should provide specific examples. Use the space below or attach a separate sheet. Please include: How the nominee s performance has been outstanding or exceeded expectations? How the nominee s contributions have benefited Girl Scouts? Any other comments or information that might be helpful Submit your Endorsement Letter to the person completing the Nomination Packet by their specified due date. Endorsement Letters must be part of the Nomination Packet and not submitted separately. 11
Service Unit-Approved GSCCC Awards for Volunteers GSCCC Distinguished Leader Award Criteria: The Distinguished Leader Award recognizes Troop/Group Leaders or Assistant Troop/Group Leaders whose performance in working with girls is so outstanding that it merits recognition by the Service Unit. The Service Unit receives and approves the nominations via two letters of endorsement required from two separate households. 1. The nominee is a registered adult Girl Scout and is currently serving in a Troop/Group Leader or Assistant Troop/Group Leader capacity. 2. The nominee's performance as a Leader is so outstanding in nature that it merits recognition by the Service Unit. 3. The nominee has completed the required Girl Scout training for their Leadership position. Form of Recognition: The GSCCC Distinguished Leader Award pin will be provided to SU Recognitions Chair upon request. GSCCC Distinguished Volunteer Award Criteria: The Distinguished Volunteer Award recognizes an adult in a position other than Leader, or in addition to that of Leader, for exceptional service to Service Unit or in the community on behalf of Girl Scouts. The Service Unit receives and approves the nominations via one letter of endorsement. 1. The nominee is a registered adult Girl Scout volunteer and is currently serving in a capacity other than Leader. 2. The nominee has completed appropriate training for the position held, or has equivalent experience. 3. The service performed by the nominee is of benefit to the geographic area or Service Unit and is beyond the expectations for the position held to an extent that warrants areawide recognition. Form of Recognition: The GSCCC Distinguished Volunteer Award pin will be provided to SU Recognitions Chair upon request. 12
Other Volunteer Recognitions Numeral Guards recognize the number of combined years as a girl and adult member. Pins are available in 5-year increments (5, 10, 15, 20,). Numeral Guards for 15 years and above are complimentary and should be requested by the SU Recognitions Chair. For fewer than 15 years, Service Units can order and purchase pins for volunteers via www.girlscoutshop.com. All numeral pin recipients should be recognized at their local Service Unit Recognitions Event. Years of Service pins recognize the number of years of active service as an adult member. Pins are available in 5-year increments (5, 10, 15, 20 ). Service Units can order and purchase these pins via www.girlscoutshop.com. Year of Service Pin recipients should be recognized at their local Service Unit Recognitions Event. Adult Insignia Placement 13
ORDER FORM GSCCC Awards and Numeral Guards 15+ The Membership Numeral Guard Pin recognizes years of membership in any Girl Scouts/Girl Guide organization. This pin recognizes the total years of membership, including girl and adult years at 5 year intervals. GSCCC will provide complimentary pins for volunteers with 15 or more years in membership; the pins may be awarded at the Annual Meeting or at the local SU Meeting. The Distinguished Leader Award and Distinguished Volunteer Award are pins given out at the Service unit level and will be provided complimentary by GSCCC. Please see pages 13-14 for a complete description of Award details. Instructions 1. Complete this form and submit by email to: jtravers@girlscoutsccc.org 2. GSUSA Membership will be verified and contact person notified of approval via email. 3. Use approved form to obtain complimentary pins through the GSCCC Staff 4. Plan ahead: Allow up to 4-6 weeks for delivery of pins. All Order Forms due February 15, 2018 SU Recognitions Chair Service Unit Address Phone (cell) Phone (home) Signature Date Name Name of Award Will be presented at For use by council staff: Received complete form on (date) Membership verified Logged Communication sent regarding approval or denial to appropriate contacts. Date