Volunteer Recognition

_{Volunteers are the heart and soul of Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore and everyday heroes to thousands of girls in our council.}

A simple thank you can make a big difference — brighten a volunteer’s day by expressing your gratitude all year round

⭐ April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month

⭐ National Volunteer Week: April 18-24, 2027

⭐ Girl Scout Leader's Day: April 22

Annual Meeting & Volunteer Recognition Ceremony

Thank you to everyone who joined us on April 18, 2026, at Camp Anna Behrens as we celebrated our Annual Meeting, honored our board members, and recognized our incredible volunteers!

EVENT RECAP

Volunteer Recognition | GSUSA Awards

Each year, adult volunteers are recognized for exemplary service and for going above and beyond to support the Girl Scout Mission. Take a moment to nominate an outstanding individual or group for a GSUSA award.

The deadline to submit nominations is November 1. Awards are presented at the GSMISTS Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Ceremony held in April.

Appreciation Pin toggle arrow

The Appreciation Pin recognizes an active Girl Scout volunteer’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This service, which has had a measurable impact on one service unit, helps reach and surpass the mission-delivery goals of the area.

What makes a volunteer eligible for this award?

The nominee is an active, registered Girl Scout volunteer whose service is above and beyond expectations for the position held.
The nominee has made an impact on one service unit within the council’s jurisdiction.

Examples of possible candidates for this recognition might include, but are not limited to:

A Service Unit Director whose leadership has seen an increase in membership and a stable retention pattern.
A Service Unit’s Product Program Manager who helped the service unit exceed their goals.
The Director of an outstanding service unit day camp or program event.
A volunteer who works directly with Girl Scouts so well that the result is an increase in the retention rate

Nomination Process:

Requires the Nomination Form and two Letters of Endorsement from people other than the nominator indicating how the nominee meets the criteria of the award.

Deadline to submit information – November 1

Honor Pin

The Honor Pin recognizes an active Girl Scout volunteer’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had measurable impact on two or more service units, allowing GSMISTS to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

What makes a volunteer eligible for this award?

The nominee is an active, registered Girl Scout volunteer whose service is above and beyond expectations for the position held.
The nominee has made an impact on two or more service units within the council’s jurisdiction.

Examples of possible candidates for this recognition might include, but are not limited to:

A volunteer who directs a successful day camp or program event serving Girl Scouts from multiple service units.
A volunteers who provides excellent learning events for some or all the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore.
A volunteer who introduces Girl Scouting to the wider community through significant community action or community organization team strategy.

Nomination Process:

Requires the Nomination Form and two Letters of Endorsement from people other than the nominator indicating how the nominee meets the criteria of the award. A Letter of Endorsement is required from each service unit served.

Deadline to submit information – November 1

President’s Award toggle arrow

The President’s Award recognizes the efforts of a team or committee whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching GSMISTS overall goals.

What makes a team or committee eligible for this award?

All team or committee members are registered Girl Scout volunteers and have met all requirements and expectations of the positions held.
The team or committee has significantly contributed to one or more of the council’s mission-delivery goals.
The team or committee reflects the diversity of the target audience or area it serves.
The team or committee actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior.

Examples of possible candidates for this recognition might include, but are not limited to:

A service unit team who consistently meets its membership goals.
A committee who provides an annual learning event serving the entire council.

Nomination Process:

Deadline to submit information – November 1

Thanks Badge toggle arrow

The Thanks Badge honors an active Girl Scout volunteer whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service have had an exceptional, measurable impact on GSMISTS or the entire Girl Scout Movement, allowing GSMISTS to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

What makes a volunteer eligible for this award?

The nominee is an active, registered Girl Scout volunteer.
The outstanding service performed by the nominee resulted in outcomes that benefited the entirety of GSMISTS or the entire Girl Scout organization and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.

Examples of possible candidates for the recognition might include, but are not limited to:

A volunteer who contributes significantly to the total Girl Scout organization in the delivery of Girl Scout program.
A volunteer who, over a period of time, supervises a council-wide event resulting in membership retention and continuous delivery of Girl Scout program.
A member of GSMISTS Board of Directors whose service has contributed significantly in the advancement of the council.

Nomination Process:

Requires the Nomination Form and three Letters of Endorsement from people other than the nominator indicating how the nominee meets the criteria of the award.

Deadline to submit information – November 1

Thanks Badge II toggle arrow

The Thanks Badge II recognizes a previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role significantly above and beyond the call of duty, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement.

What makes a volunteer eligible for this award?

The nominee is an active, registered Girl Scout volunteer.
The nominee has received the Thanks Badge.

Examples of possible candidates for this recognition might include, but are not limited to:

A volunteer who, after many successful Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore learning events, went on to plan and direct a statewide or regional learning event.
A volunteer who, after successfully influencing Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore with an area of expertise, branched out to become a consultant to other groups, e.g. management consultant for nonprofit agencies in a community
A volunteer who has initiated a program delivery system within Girl Scouts of Mihcigan Shore to Shore that has successfully influenced retention and quality programs, and that has been shared with others throughout GSUSA.

Nomination Process:

Requires the Nomination Form and three Letters of Endorsement from people other than the nominator indicating how the nominee meets the criteria of the award.

Deadline to submit information – November 1

Volunteer of Excellence toggle arrow

The Volunteer of Excellence recognizes volunteers who have contributed outstanding service in support of mission-delivery to girl and adult members at a troop level.

What makes a volunteer eligible for this award?

The nominee is an active, registered Girl Scout volunteer whose service is above and beyond expectations for the position held.
The nominee actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior.

Nomination Process:

Requires the Nomination Form and one Letter of Endorsement from people other than the nominator indicating how the nominee meets the criteria of the award.

Deadline to submit information – November 1

Years of Volunteer Service in Girl Scouting toggle arrow

Volunteers who have given five years of volunteer service or more (5 year increments) to Girl Scouts are recognized at the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony.

There is no charge for the pin if ordered by November 1. Pins can be purchased through the GSMISTS Shop if the November 1 order deadline is not met. Submit request for pin(s) here.

Years of Girl Scout Membership toggle arrow

Volunteers who have been registered members for 50 years and higher (girl and adult years combined, in five year increments) will be recognized at the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony.

There is no charge for the pin if ordered by November 1. Pins can be purchased through the GSMISTS Shop if the November 1 order deadline is not met. Submit request for pin(s) here.

Volunteer Recognition Ceremony

_{🎉 Celebrate with Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore at our annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony! 🎉}

This special event is dedicated to honoring the incredible volunteers who have generously shared their time and talents to support and further the Girl Scout mission.

Save the Date | 2027 Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at Camp Anna Behrens | COMING SOON