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 19-25, 2026
⭐ Girl Scout Leader's Day: April 22
Nominate a GSMISTS Volunteer Today!
Do you know an outstanding Girl Scout volunteer that deserves to be recognized? We would love to hear from you!
SUBMIT NOMINATIONVolunteer 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 annual deadline to submit nominations is February 1. Awards are presented at the GSMISTS Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Ceremony held in April.
Appreciation Pin 
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 – February 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 – February 1
President’s Award
Thanks Badge
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 contributes 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 – February 1
Thanks Badge II
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 – February 1
Volunteer of Excellence
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 – February 1
Years of Volunteer Service in Girl Scouting
Years of Girl Scout Membership
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 | 2026 Volunteer Recognition Ceremony | April 18, 2026 at Camp Anna Behrens
