Additional Resources and Support

Know How Much You Are Appreciated

What begins with Girl Scouts speaking up at a troop meeting can go all the way to speaking in front of their city council for a cause they champion—and they’ll have your support to thank for it. Your volunteer role makes a powerful difference: Girl Scouts wouldn’t exist without volunteers like you. And your first step as a troop leader may lead you to other volunteer opportunities once this year is over.

We’ll say it again: without our passionate and dedicated volunteers, there would be no Girl Scouting. That’s why we celebrate National Volunteer Month every April (including National Volunteer Week the third week of that month) and turn up the party as we ring in National Girl Scout Leader’s Day on April 22.

What can we say? We love our volunteers!

Awards and Recognition

Volunteers who consistently go above and beyond in their service are celebrated and recognized for their exceptional dedication. These prestigious GSHCC and GSUSA awards are based on nominations by peers and require approval from the council board of directors, highlighting the outstanding contributions of the recipients. Do you know a volunteer who does amazing work? Nominate them today!

Volunteer of Excellence

This GSHCC award recognizes an adult volunteer who has contributed outstanding service either directly to girls or in support of the council’s goals in one or more functional areas such as council governance, adult development and girl experience. Nominate a volunteer using the Volunteer of Excellence Nomination Form.

Appreciation Pin

A nationally recognized Board Approved Recognition, the Appreciation Pin signifies a volunteer who performs above and beyond their current role and whose work impacts one or more service units. This award requires a nomination and two endorsement letters.

Honor Pin

The Honor Pin is a GSUSA award and Board Approved recognition honoring a volunteer who exceeds expectations in their role and impacts two or more service units. This award requires a nomination and three endorsement letters.

Thanks Badge

This Board Approved Recognition is the highest honor for volunteers in Girl Scouts. This award recognizes the outstanding performance of a volunteer whose service benefitted the entire council or the entire Girl Scout organization. This award requires a nomination and four endorsement letters.

Thanks Badge II

If a volunteer has received the Thanks Badge and continues to impact the entire council or entire Girl Scout organization, they can be nominated for the Thanks Badge II. Similiar to the Thanks Badge, this award requires a nomination and four endorsement letters.

Find more information about these awards and recognitions by looking at the Adult Recognitions At-A-Glance document.

Events

BIG Volunteer Conference

GSHCC hosts the annual BIG Volunteer Conference in late summer, filled with continued learning and development opportunities for volunteers. Volunteers receiving Board-Approved Recognition are celebrated during the conference.

Additional Resources and Support

We know that volunteering isn’t always easy, especially when you’re new, so we can’t thank you enough for giving your time and energy to be the mentor and role model your troop needs! Guiding your Girl Scouts—even if you’re still figuring things out—is nothing short of amazing!

The important thing to remember is, you’re not alone. We are in this with you, ready to help and support you at all times! Thanks again! It’s going to be a great Girl Scout year!

Please don't hesitate to contact GSHCC Customer Care with your questions.

Live Chat! Our customer care team is available through Live Chat, 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday. Simply click on the link on the bottom right corner. If an agent is not available you can leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Call us! Our customer care team is available 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday. Call toll-free from anywhere in our council area: 800-322-4475.

Email us! Simply email customercare@girlscoutshcc.org and a member of our team will reach out to you directly. Be sure to let us know your contact number and the best time to reach you.

© Copyright 2009–2026 Girl Scouts of the United States of America.  All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts’ Volunteer Essentials guide (“Material”) is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.