Every day, Girl Scout volunteers make it possible for girls across northeast Ohio to enjoy and benefit from an adventure-having, skill-building, lead-taking, life-changing good time. Without our volunteers’ commitment to being champions of girl ambition we couldn’t and wouldn’t be the largest girls’ leadership organization in the world. But we are. Thanks to them. And we love them for it.

Formal council level awards are presented each year at the GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Event. Awards honor work done in the previous membership year. Nominations and endorsements are accepted year-round; and each year there is a cut-off date of December 1 for the annual ceremony in April.

2026 Volunteer Recognition Awardees

Volunteer Recognition Ceremony Presentation

Volunteer Recognition Photos

General Requirements

The Awardee must:

have a current Girl Scout membership with approved background check (when required for the volunteer role).
be a volunteer in good standing with GSNEO. Volunteers on probation or with open/pending investigations may have their nomination held or postponed until the investigation is complete and the member is found in good standing.
not have any outstanding debt to GSNEO.
when responsible for any GS bank account(s), the accounts must be in compliance with GSNEO financial policies and have an up-to-date finance report on file.
completed all training required for their role, if applicable.

Nomination Process

Step 1: Check the historical record to see what awards the person has previously received, if any. Each of the formal awards can only be received once*. Tip: use "Ctrl+F" to quickly search by last name.

Step 2: Consult the decision tree above to determine the appropriate recognition.

Step 3: Click on the nomination link in the award section you wish to nominate the volunteer for.

Step 4: Recruit your fellow volunteers, parents/caregivers, and girls to submit endorsement forms. Each award has a minimum number of endorsement forms to be eligible for consideration by the Volunteer Recognition Committee.

*The GSNEO Award CAN be earned multiple times, if receiving as part of multiple committees/groups, or as both an individual and part of a committee/group

Tip: If an individual has never been recognized, the Appreciation Pin is a good place to start. Remember - to qualify for formal awards a volunteer's impact needs to extend to the full service unit or beyond.

National and Council Recognitions

Appreciation Pin toggle arrow

The Appreciation Pin was instituted in 1976 by GSUSA. The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the GSLE with impact within one geographic area of service, beyond a troop level, within Girl Scouting.

Focus of Service	Benefits at least one geographic area of service beyond the troop level or wider reach.
Impact of Service	Significant service above and beyond the expectations of the position(s) held. Recognizeds a volunteer’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience with impact on one geographic area of service.
Length of Service	No length of service requirement.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Service Unit team members Volunteers who repeatedly coordinate large events for an SU or group Adult facilitators working primarily in one SU or group
Nominations Required	1
Endorsements Required	2
Approval Required	By the GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Committee
Presentation	Provided by GSNEO and presented at the Volunteer Recognition Celebration.
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file. The Awardee must have completed all required training related to volunteer role(s).

Gratitude Pin toggle arrow

The Gratitude Pin can be awarded to any adult volunteer who has previously earned the Appreciation Pin. Candidates must continue to provide exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience with impact within at least one geographic area of service beyond the troop level within Girl Scouts.

Focus of Service	Benefits at least one geographic area of service beyond the troop level or wider reach.
Impact of Service	Honoree demonstrated outstanding achievement in the following areas. Empowers Girl Scouts to create and/or participation in meaningful program opportunities. Inspires service to the community. Leverages resources and programs available through the council and national offices. Supports council goals with membership recruitment and growth.
Length of Service	At least two years after Appreciation Pin which can include the current membership year.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Long standing Service Unit Volunteer who continues to offer their expertiese to the unit and its members.
Nominations Required	1
Endorsements Required	3
Approval Required	By the GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Committee
Presentation	Provided by GSNEO and presented at the Volunteer Recognition Celebration.
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file. The Awardee must have completed all required training related to volunteer role(s).

Honor Pin

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 the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

Focus of Service	Benefits at least two geographic areas of service beyond the troop level or wider reach.
Impact of Service	Significant service above and beyond the expectations of the position(s) held. Recognizes a volunteer's exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience with impact on one geographic area of service.
Length of Service	No length of service requirement.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Service Unit Volunteers who have roles in more than one service unit. Volunteers who repeatedly coordinate large events for multiple service units or groups. Adult facilitators working across a regional area covering more than one SU.
Nominations Required	1
Endorsements Required	3
Approval Required	By the GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Committee
Presentation	Provided by GSNEO and presented at the Volunteer Recognition Celebration.
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file. The Awardee must have completed all required training related to volunteer role(s).

Thanks Badge toggle arrow

The Thanks Badge was instituted in 1912 by GSUSA. 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.

Focus of Service	Benefits GSNEO Council or entire Girl Scout Movement.
Impact of Service	Continuous and outstanding service above and beyond the expectations of position(s) held. Exemplifies the Girl Scout Promise and Law in their daily life.
Length of Service	No length of service requirement.
Examples of Possible Candidates	A volunteer who has mentored and revitalized SU teams in more than one area. An adult facilitator who impacts the entire council by mentoring other educations from other geographic areas throughout the council. A member of a council committee who had a profound impact that improved processes throughout the council.
Nominations Required	1
Endorsements Required	4
Approval Required	By th GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Committee
Presentation	Provided by GSNEO and presented at the Volunteer Recognition Celebration.
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file. The Awardee must have completed all required training related to volunteer role(s).

Thanks Badge II toggle arrow

Thanks Badge II was instituted in 1987 by GSUSA. The Thanks Badge II honors a previous Thanks Badge award recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role which resulted in a measurable impact benefiting the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Focus of Service	Benefits GSNEO Council or entire Girl Scout Movement.
Impact of Service	Continuous and outstanding service above and beyond the expectations of position(s) held. Exemplifies the Girl Scout Promise and Law in their daily life.
Length of Service	No length of service requirement. Candidate must have previously earned the Thanks Badge.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Same examples as Thanks Badge. The awardee does not have to be serving in the same capacity but must still continue to benefit the entire council.
Nominations Required	1
Endorsements Required	4
Approval Required	By the GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Committee
Presentation	Provided by GSNEO and presented at the Volunteer Recognition Celebration.
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file. The Awardee must have completed all required training related to volunteer role(s).

Forever Green toggle arrow

Forever Green is a GSNEO created award and was implemented in 2012 by the Volunteer Recognition Committee. It may be presented to Volunteers who are nominated after receiving the Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II. This award honors their continued exemplary service.

Focus of Service	Benefits GSNEO Council or entire Girl Scout Movement.
Impact of Service	Continuous and outstanding service above and beyond the expectations of position(s) held. Exemplifies the Girl Scout Promise and Law in their daily life.
Length of Service	No length of service requirement. Candidate must have previously received Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Same examples as Thanks Badge II.
Nominations Required	1
Endorsements Required	4
Approval Required	GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Committee
Presentation	Provided by GSNEO and presented at the Volunteer Recognition Celebration.
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file. The Awardee must have completed all required training related to volunteer role(s).

GSNEO Award toggle arrow

The Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Award was implemented in 2018 by the Volunteer Recognition Committee. The award recognizes any individual, or group, whose outstanding service to a Council-wide assignment, committee, or whose service and dedication impacts the success and development of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for GSNEO. This award is appropriate for individuals or groups who have impacted on the council as a whole and does not have the prerequisite of receiving other awards first.

Focus of Service	Benefits GSNEO Council or entire Girl Scout Movement.
Impact of Service	This award is appropriate for individuals or groups, who have impacted on the council, and does not have the prerequisite of receiving other awards first.
Length of Service	No length of service required.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Those in service on a Strategist Committee impacted all of council. Individual who does not meet requirements of other awards, maybe due to awards being out of sequence.
Nominations Required	1
Endorsements Required	4
Approval Required	By the GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Committee
Presentation	Provided by GSNEO and presented at the Volunteer Recognition Celebration.
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file. The Awardee must have completed all required training related to volunteer role(s).

Service Unit Level Awards

If you know a volunteer whose work goes above and beyond at a troop level, the Outstanding Leader or Volunteer of Excellence award may be appropriate. These awards are available through the service unit.

President's Award toggle arrow

The President’s Award recognizes the efforts of a complete service unit team whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpasses team goals and results in significant measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals during a membership year, October 1 – September 30. President’s Awards are presented the following January during the Service Unit Team Mid-Year Meeting. Nomination form must be submitted to GSNEO by December 1st for consideration.

Volunteer of Excellence Award toggle arrow

The Volunteer of Excellence Award was instituted in 2013 by GSUSA, replacing the Outstanding Volunteer Award. It is awarded to an adult in a position other than leader, or in addition to leader, whose outstanding service benefits the troop, service unit, or association. Traditionally awards to other troop committee members. Each Service Unit receives one pin per membership year for free but an endorsement must be filed in order to receive it. If the unit has more than 100 volunteers, the unit can receive two pins for free. Additional pins can be purchased for a fee by the Unit. If the Service Unit does not have a team, the Volunteer Support and Services staff of GSNEO can issue these pins for the volunteers.

Focus of Service	Benefits the troop, service unit, or other group, in a capacity other than Troop Leader or Troop Admin. If a person serves in additional non-Leader/Admin roles, they are eligible. Endorsement should focus on these additional roles.
Impact of Service	Significant service above and beyond the expectations of the position(s) held. Volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly wih girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience using the National Program Portfolio, or in support of Council’s mission delivery to youth and adult members.
Length of Service	No length of service requirement.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Troop committee members, such as a Troop Product Manager – CP or Troop Treasurer. A troop leader who has already received Outstanding Leader, but also serves with distinction in another troop role, like Troop Product Manager – FPP or Troop Product Manager – CP. A volunteer who received an Appreciation Pin, then took on a Service Unit Committee role for addtional years.
Approval Required	The SU Team for the candidate. This award is not issued via the GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Committee. If Service Unit Team does not exist for the area this award can be issued directly by GSNEO staff.
Presentation	By the Service Unit and presented at a local SU event, candidate can count towards Honors Grant recipient. If Service Unit Team does not exist for the area this award can be issued locally by GSNEO staff to recipient.
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The nominee has successfully completed a term of service and all requirements (including training) for the position. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file. OR The candidate’s performance has been beyond the expectations of the position, has supported the council’s mission delivery goals in one or more of the following areas: Membership development, Community cultivation, Volunteer Relations, Girl Experience Programming, Governance, Fund Development, or Council Support Services (i.e. Customer Service, Product Sales, IT, etc.). The candidate actively recognizes, understands, and practices the value of inclusive behavior.

Outstanding Leader Award toggle arrow

The Outstanding Leader Pin, originally developed by GSUSA in 1987 and adapted by GSNEO in 2020, is given to a primary troop volunteer (Troop Leader or Troop Admin) at the service unit level. It recognizes leadership skills that include good communication and membership development. Each Service Unit receives one pin per membership year for free but an endorsement must be filed in order to receive it. If the unit has more than 100 volunteers, the unit can receive two pins for free. Additional pins can be purchased for a fee by the Unit. If the Service Unit does not have a team, the Volunteer Support and Services staff of GSNEO can issue these pins for the volunteers.

Focus of Service	Troop Leader or Troop Admin volunteer roles
Impact of Service	Demonstrated outstanding achievements in the following areas: Implementing a girl-led program appropriate to Girl Scout level. Communication with troop(s), family, service unit, and council. Membership development (meeting or exceeding troop size agreed upon by the leader and the service unit team) in accordance with the service unit's membership goals.
Length of Service	No length of service requirement.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Troop Leader Trop Admin
Approval Required	The SU Team for the candidate. This award is not issued via the GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Committee. If Service Unit Team does not exist for the area this award can be issued directly by GSNEO staff.
Presentation	By the Service Unit and presented at a local SU event, candidate can count towards Honors Grant recipient. If Service Unit Team does not exist for the area this award can be issued locally by GSNEO staff to recipient.
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The nominee has successfully completed a term of service and all requirements (including training) for the position. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file.

Rising Leader Award toggle arrow

Developed by the GSNEO Volunteer Recognition Pin in 2025, this pin is a special way to say thanks to the newest Volunteers to Girl Scouts. This can be awarded to Volunteers who have completed their first year in troop leadership, and is issued by the local Service Unit Team.

If the Service Unit does not have a team, the Volunteer Support and Services staff of GSNEO can issue these pins for eligible volunteers.

Focus of Service	Local troop or service unit
Impact of Service	Troop or SU
Length of Service	At least one completed year of active service. Can be awarded in the second active year of service, and candidate must be committed to a third year of service.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Any adult volunteer in troop leader who is active within the service unit. Definition of service to the SU is left up to the SU team. Completed and executed a bridging event, community service project, campout, etc Focused on continuing to progress through the troop experience.
Approval Required	Approval of nomination and endorsement is handled at the SU level by the SU team or by GSNEO staff if no unit team is in place.
Presentation	Service Unit Presentation or GSNEO
General Requirements	The Awardee must have a current Girl Scout membership and approved background check. The nominee has successfully completed a term of service and all requirements (including training) for the position. The Awardee must not owe any debt to GSNEO. If the Awardee is responsible for any bank account(s) for GSNEO, those accounts must be in good standing with an up-to-date finance report on file. The Awardee has completed all the training required for their role. Candidate must be active within the local service unit if a unit team is in place.