Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Volunteer Appreciation Guide

Volunteer Appreciation Guide

A guide for opportunities to recognize the Girl Scout volunteers in your life.

We Love Our Volunteers!

Volunteers are critical to the success of Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska. Without their time and energy, we could not accomplish our goals. We pride ourselves on creating a culture of appreciation that makes all volunteers feel respected and valued for their contributions.

Volunteers are just ordinary people with extraordinary hearts.

They offer the gift of their time to teach, to listen, to inspire, to build, to grow, to learn.

They expect no pay, yet the value of their work knows no limit…

They’ve known the unexpected joy of a simple hug.

They’ve planted tiny seeds of love in countless lives.

Volunteers are just ordinary people who reach out and take a hand and together make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

Use this guide to learn about quick and easy ways to recognize your volunteers, as well as the formal, distinguished awards.

Volunteer Appreciation

Every day, Girl Scout volunteers guide girls as they grow into their true potential. They provide experiences that allow girls to pursue their interests and passions, causes they care about, and leadership roles. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, girls are standing up, standing out, and standing tall! Girl Scout volunteers are awesome! We encourage girls, families, and other volunteers to thank these everyday superheroes for all they do!

Here are some ways to show your gratitude:

• Explore the meaning of appreciation and giving back by completing the Attitude of Gratitude Patch Program. Girls can earn a free patch, while supplies last (see details on pages 4-5).

• There’s no better way to say "thank you" than by nominating a volunteer for a Spirit of Nebraska or Girl Scouts of the USA Volunteer Award. Nominations are open through January 15 (see details on pages 6-10).

• Treat that special volunteer to lunch and tell them how much they mean to you.

• Write a song praising your awesome volunteer and sing it at your next meeting.

• Create a photo album of your troop’s activities give it to your volunteer.

• Celebrate your favorite volunteer by sending a personalized eCard to their email address.

• Plant a tree in their honor for a lasting sign of gratitude.

• A hug, high five, or a fist bump and a "thank you" go a long way in showing volunteers how much you appreciate them.

• Get a bucket of chalk and write notes of thanks and appreciation outside of your meeting place.

• Make a volunteer appreciation video thanking your troop volunteers for all they do.

• Volunteer “me” time. Volunteers dedicate considerable amounts of personal time to your troop. Repay them by giving them “me” time, such as a free night of babysitting.

• Create a thank you box. Have troop members write special messages on index cards, put them in the box, and give them to your volunteer.

When is the best time to appreciate your Girl Scout volunteers? ALL THE TIME! Anytime is a good time to let them know the impact they’ve made in your life. They won’t know unless you tell them. Don’t forget that April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and April 22 is National Girl Scout Leader’s Day.

Attitude of Gratitude Patch Program

Showing appreciation and gratitude for volunteers is a must. After all, your volunteers are AMAZING and Girl Scouting wouldn’t be the same without them! This patch program will teach girls what appreciation is, what helpers do, and how to show gratitude in large and small ways through the Three Leadership Keys of Discover, Connect, and Take Action.

Daisy, Brownie, Junior Requirements Discover

Complete required activities 1 and 2. Then choose one activity from 3-6.

1. Discuss the question: What is appreciation?

2. Discuss the question: What is a volunteer?

3. With the help of an adult, look up and learn to say “thank you” in three different languages.

4. Create a “thank you” card for a troop volunteer. Why did you choose her/him?

5. Think about your troop volunteers. What makes them special? How can you show them your appreciation and make them feel special every time you see them?

6. Research or ask someone: What is volunteer appreciation month? When is it? Can you think of a way to celebrate it?

Connect

Complete required activities 1 and 2. Then choose one activity from 3-6.

1. Discuss the question: Why is it important to show appreciation to people who help us?

2. Discuss the question: Who is a volunteer for your troop? What do they do?

3. Brainstorm two or three creative ways you can thank a volunteer that speaks to their personal contributions or interests. Pick one and do it.

4. Create a poster or banner that shows how much you appreciate your volunteers. Give it to them or hang it at your meeting space.

5. Create a “coupon book” of things your volunteers do. Pick one occasionally and help with it.

6. Brainstorm some ways you could celebrate volunteer appreciation month.

Take Action

Choose two activities from 1-4.

1. Make a “An amazing Girl Scout volunteer lives here” yard sign and place it in a volunteer’s yard as a surprise (or get creative and promote your volunteer in another way)!

2. Make a “thank you” SWAPS and give it to a volunteer.

3. With an adult’s help, nominate a volunteer for a Girl Scout Volunteer Award (nominations accepted in the fall).

4. Perform a Random Act of Kindness in a volunteer’s honor. Take a photo to show them what you did and why.

Claim Your Free Patch!

Patches are free while supplies last for registered Girl Scout Spirit of Nebraska girl members when you let us know you have completed the program.

Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Requirements

Discover

Complete required activity 1. Then choose two activities from 2-5.

1. Write a letter, poem, or song, or create art to show how Girl Scout volunteers have made an impact on you.

2. Create a coupon book of the things your volunteers do. Pick one occasionally and help out.

3. Learn about Girl Scout Volunteer Awards and recognitions. Which one could you nominate one of your volunteers for?

4. Research what types of appreciation is most effective and the appropriate (or right) time to recognize.

5. Identify different ways to show appreciation for your volunteers that don’t involve buying something. Pick one and do it.

Connect

Complete required activity 1. Then choose two activities from 2-5.

1. Chat with a Girl Scout volunteer about what they like best about volunteering. Go a step further and ask questions such as: Why did you become a volunteer? What can be challenging?

2. Create a word cloud (WordClouds.com) with positive words that describe one of your volunteers and present it to them.

3. Create a banner or poster that describes how much you appreciate your troop volunteers.

4. Brainstorm two or three creative ways you can show appreciation to volunteers. Pick one and do it.

5. Make a special effort to thank and show appreciation to a volunteer at least once a week for a specified time period.

Take Action

Complete required activity 1. Then choose two activities from 2-5.

1. Find a quote about gratitude that speaks to you. Post it where you will see it for daily inspiration. Also, post it in at least one place where it will also inspire others.

2. Plan and complete a service project in a volunteer’s honor. What are ways to incorporate things they like, or work on a cause or with an organization that is special to them?

3. Celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month by hosting an appreciation event for volunteers who help your troop.

4. Nominate a volunteer for a Girl Scout Volunteer Award (through January 15 of each membership year).

5. Create a troop “Volunteer of the Month” program to show appreciation all year.

Volunteer Awards

This is the formal way to recognize volunteers and community partners for outstanding contributions that make a significant impact on girls and our council. Awards include specific Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska awards and national Girl Scouts of the USA awards. Nominations are open through January 15 of each membership year.

Years of Volunteer Service Pin

Given to adult volunteers, recognizing their years of service to Girl Scouts.

• Nominees are registered adult Girl Scouts with five years of active adult membership.

• Pins are given every five years thereafter.

• Requires a Years of Volunteer Service Pin Application

Friends of Camp Award

Recognizes organizations or individuals who provide outstanding assistance and support to Girl Scout camp properties.

• Organizations or individuals may or may not be official Girl Scout members.

• Nominees support Girl Scouts through the donation of services and personal/professional skills at Lakeview Cabin, Hidden Oaks Cabin, Camp Cosmo, Camp Crossed Arrows, Catron Camp and Retreat Center, Camp Maha, or Hilltop House.

• Expertise is provided through either ongoing support of camp properties or individual camp property projects.

• Requires a nomination form.

Spirit of Girl Scouting, Community Benefactor Award

Recognizes organizations or individuals who are not Girl Scout members and provide outstanding assistance and support to Girl Scout programming.

• Organizations or individuals who are not Girl Scout members.

• Nominees support Girl Scouts through the donation of services, personal skills, facilities, or meeting rooms.

• The expertise (or space/facility) was provided on either an ongoing basis or for special events and shows a commitment to Girl Scouts that goes above and beyond expectations.

• Requires a nomination form.

Helpful Adult Award

Recognizes volunteers who contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in a troop. This can include volunteers serving in any role other than troop co-leader.

• Nominees are registered and background screened adult Girl Scout members.

• Nominees demonstrate outstanding ability/skills for the position.

• Nominees actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.

• Examples of roles include, but are not limited to: Troop Treasurer, Troop Product Manager, Troop Cookie Manager, Certified Camper, Troop Trip Organizer, Driver, Troop Meeting Assistant, or Troop First Aider.

• Requires a nomination form

Volunteer of Excellence Award

Recognizes volunteers who have contributed outstanding service in support of mission delivery to Girl and adult members at a troop level.

• Nominees are registered and background screened adult Girl Scout members.

• Nominees demonstrate outstanding ability/skills for the position.

• Nominees have completed training required for their volunteer role.

• Nominees performed above and beyond the position’s expectations to deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls using the national program portfolio.

• Nominees actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.

• Requires a nomination form.

Volunteer Awards

The President's Award

Recognizes the efforts of a Service Unit whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals.

• All service team members are registered and background screened adult Girl Scout members.

• Service Unit girl membership has increased over the previous membership year.

• Each troop has completed required Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska training sessions.

• A minimum of three events are held throughout the year, which are open to all area girls.

• The Service Unit continues to show participation improvement by offering more opportunities for girl involvement (over the previous year).

• The Service Unit significantly contributed to community improvement of the geographic area they serve through a Girl Scout Leadership Experience “Take Action” project.

• Requires a nomination form

The Appreciation Pin

Recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This service, which has measurable impact on at least one geographic service area, helps reach and surpass the area’s mission-delivery goals.

• Nominees are registered and background screened adult Girl Scout members.

• Services performed by nominees go above and beyond the position’s expectations and impact a geographic area within the council’s jurisdiction.

• Nominees actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.

• Requires three nomination forms (two will serve as endorsements).

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 service areas, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

• Nominees are registered and background screened adult Girl Scout members.

• Services performed by nominees go above and beyond the position’s expectations and impact two or more geographic areas within the council jurisdiction.

• Nominees actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.

• Requires three nomination forms (two will serve as endorsements).

The Thanks Badge

Honors an individual whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service have an exceptional, measurable impact on the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

• Nominees are registered and background screened (if required for role adult Girl Scout members.

• Outstanding services performed by nominees result in outcomes benefitting the whole council or the entire Girl Scout organization and are so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.

• Nominees actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.

• Requires four nomination forms (three will serve as endorsements).

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 benefitting the whole council or entire Girl Scout Movement.

• Nominees are registered and background screened (if required for role) adult Girl Scout members.

• Nominees have received the Thanks Badge.

• Outstanding services performed by nominees result in outcomes benefitting the entire Girl Scout organization and are so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.

• Nominees actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.

• Requires four nomination forms (three will serve as endorsements).

Volunteer Awards

The Carolyn Sloan Spirit of Nebraska Award

The Carolyn Sloan Spirit of Nebraska Award was established in 1980 by the Board of Directors of the then Guiding Star Council to honor the memory of Carolyn Sloan, who was a revered staff member until her untimely death in 1979. Carolyn was totally committed to the council, its volunteers, and its girls. In 2010, we expanded the scope of the award to include the entire state and honored our first recipient with the renamed “Carolyn Sloan Spirit of Nebraska Award.” This award honors Carolyn’s spirit of love and devotion to all girls.

• Nominees are registered and background screened (if required for role) adult Girl Scout members.

• Caring for girls is shown—especially to those in Girl Scouts.

• Nominees serve the council in such a way that their love of the Girl Scout program is evident.

• Nominees demonstrate a willingness to give of themselves so that others benefit and show concern for and dedication to the Spirit of Nebraska Council to the benefit of all.

• Nominees actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.

• Requires three nomination forms (two will serve as endorsements).

How and when can I submit a Volunteer Awards nomination?

To nominate, go to GirlScoutsNebraska.org under Volunteer Resources > Volunteer Appreciation > Volunteer Awards and use the online submission form.

Nominations are accepted through January 15 of each membership year. Nominators will be notified of their nominee’s review status and/ or approval in April. Our Volunteer Award Ceremony will take place that following summer.

Some awards require endorsements, however, there is no longer a separate Volunteer Award Endorsement Form. Additional nomination forms will be considered as endorsements.

Which Award is Right?

Do you know a great volunteer who you would like to nominate for an award? Use the chart below to help you find the right award for the service they provide to girls, the community, or a service unit.

Direct service to girls or troops.

Are they part of a troop serving in an adult support role?

Volunteer is a currently registered member and is in good standing, including having successfully completed a background check (if required for role).

Call Member Support to find out at 402.558.8189

Who did their work impact?

Fantastic Girl Scout Volunteer who has gone above and beyond the job description of their volunteer role.

Volunteer is a community member or community group (doesn’t have to be a registered member)

Who did their work impact?

■ = Girl Scouts of the USA Award

■ = Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Award

Girls and adults in one service unit or community.

Is the award for a team or group?

The council and/or Girl Scout organization.

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska council properties and/or camps.

Girls and adults in troops or multiple service units or communities. Troops, Service Units, or communities.

Spirit of Nebraska, Community Benefactor Award

How to Write a Strong Volunteer Award Nomination

National and Council Awards

We want to know how fabulous your award nominees are so we can recognize them! This guide was created to show you how a statement, and with a little thought, how it can become a stronger nomination statement for the Volunteer Award Committee's review process. Be sure to include:

• How the nominee met the award criteria

• Specify their accomplishments

• The overall impact the nominee has had (and on who)

• How the nominee has exceeded expectations for their volunteer role

• How the nominee has grown (new accomplishments and service since receiving their last award)

Additionally, the more people we hear from about one nominee, the better! Ask girls in your troop to write a short paragraph as to why they think their volunteer should get an award. Ask their parents, too.

INITIAL STATEMENT THOUGHTFULLY CONSIDER STRONG NOMINATION STATEMENT

“She has been a co-leader for a long time.”

“She is a great leader.”

How many years? Through which levels?

What kind of leadership qualities does she bring? What makes her standout?

“For 11 years, she has led a large troop from Daisies, persevering through the difficult middle school years, to their current Senior troop.”

“She continually brings leadership opportunities to the girls. She encourages a girl-led approach by allowing girls to vote on and implement their activities.”

“She always goes above and beyond.”

Be specific! Tell a story about the great benefits those around her receive due to her efforts.

“Her troop voted to start the aMuse Journey. Because she has never considered herself a ‘creative soul’ when it came to artistic endeavors, she recruited troop parents, artists, and actors as resources for her girls to draw from. As a result, the girls have had a great time meeting community experts and discovering parent talent in their own troop! They now have several ideas for Take Action projects.”

“She's has been the best event coordinator we have ever had.”

Be specific! Tell a story about the support given to the girls, and how the girls benefitted.

“For the past ten years this fabulous volunteer has planned and implemented at least one service unit, for multiple area troops, and up to 200 girls, yearly. She recruited adult help when there didn't seem to be any. At one point, the event was in danger of being cancelled until this volunteer stepped in and started an email and phone campaign to recruit the needed volunteers to hold the event.”

Need additional assistance writing your nomination form? Contact your local Troop Support Specialist.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.