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Honoring Excellence
Adult Awards & Recognitions
VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEARTS AND HANDS OF GIRL SCOUTS, and we take pride in recognizing our members for their commitment, volunteer service, and exceptional contributions. The continued celebration of service depends on you to nominate adult Girl Scouts in your communities.
Any registered adult Girl Scout can nominate and receive Service Unit, GSSSC Council and GSUSA National awards. Thank you for the energy you bring to the Adult Recognitions Program.
Service Unit Member Earned Awards 
The Years of Membership Numeral Guard This pin recognizes active adult members who have completed five or more years (number of combined years as a girl and adult member) of Membership and Commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Pins may be presented to members at their local Service Unit Recognitions Event or the Council Annual Awards Recognition Event.
Please submit purchase requests by email to: customercare@girlscouts-ssc.org or mail to the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council.
The Years of Volunteer Service Pin This pin recognizes active adult members who have served as Girl Scout Volunteers for five or more years.
Pins may be presented to members at their local Service Unit Recongnitions Event or the Council Annual Awards Recognition Event. (Council will pay for pins)
Please submit purchase requests by email to: customercare@girlscouts-ssc.org or mail to the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council.
If you have questions about Adult Recognitions, contact our Customer Care at 208-377-2011 or email customercare@girlscouts-ssc.org.
Service Unit Member Nominated Awards
GSSSC SU Awards, GSSSC Council Awards, GSUSA National Awards Outline
Important Note: Nominations and Endorsements do not get sent to Council, these are approved by the nominee’s Service Unit Manager. Council will pay for two pins total per year per Service Unit.
To purchase the pins, submit the GSSSC SUM Purchase Request Form for SU Nominated Awards to Council or the pins may be purchased through the Retail Store.
(For example: the SU may ask Council to pay for one Rookie of the Year pin and one Outstanding Volunteer pin, or two Outstanding Leader pins, or any combination of two.)
The SU may purchase as many pins as it elects to award, in addition to the two pins Council provides.
The Rookie of the Year This pin recognizes an active Troop Leader for the first year at any grade level who has completed the basic leadership courses. Leaders will have participated in at least two meetings or events beyond the troop and have outstanding performance in helping girls develop courage, confidence, and character and who live by the Girl Scouts Promise and Law.
Pins may be presented to members at their local Service Unit Recognitions.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement. Important Note: Nominations and Endorsements do not get sent to Council, these are approved by the nominee’s Service Unit Manager.
Outstanding Volunteer: This pin recognizes an active trained volunteer who has provided outstanding service in a capacity other than leader or co-leader in helping to develop girls of courage, confidence, and character and who live by the Girl Scouts Promise and Law.
Pins may be presented to members at their local Service Unit Recognitions Event.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement. Important Note: Nominations and Endorsements do not get sent to Council, these are approved by the nominee’s Service Unit Manager.
Outstanding Leader Pin: This recognizes an active Troop Leader or Co-Leader who has completed all appropriate trainings and whose performance is outstanding in developing girls of courage, confidence, and character and who live by the Girl Scouts Promise and Law.
Pins may be presented to members at their local Service Unit Recognitions Event.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement. Important Note: Nominations and Endorsements do not get sent to Council, these are approved by the nominee’s Service Unit Manager.
If you have questions about Adult Recognitions, contact our Customer Care at 208-377-2011 or email customercare@girlscouts-ssc.org
Council Awards
GSSSC SU Awards, GSSSC Council Awards, GSUSA National Awards Outline
Betty Boyd Memorial Pin: This pin is named after a very
dedicated Girl Scout Leader who became a trainer to guide other
leaders in fulfilling the Girl Scout Mission through girl-led planning
and decision-making. This pin recognizes exceptional service
from an active, registered Girl Scout Troop Leader who has served in
troop leadership for three or more years and
whose outstanding service merits recognition by the entire Silver
Sage Council. The nominee must have previously received at
least one of the following pins:: Outstanding
Leader, Outstanding Volunteer or Rookie of the Year given by a Service
Unit. This award requires a Nomination Form and a Letter of
Endorsement.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination
Form 2025
GSSSC Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement
Form 2025
Jo Jameson Memorial Pin: This pin is named after a very active Girl Scout troop leader, service unit manager, day camp coordinator and trainer who served Silver Sage Council for over 16 years. This pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult who has served in one of the following roles for at least three years at the Council or Service Unit Level respectively: SU Manager, SU Mentor, SU Recruiter or SU Day Camp Coordinator.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Jo McAtee VIP Memorial Award: This pin is named after an active Lifetime Member of Silver Sage Council who served as a leader, master trainer and association delegate. Jo was the recipient of the Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II and was an active volunteer in her community. This pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult who has delivered continuous, consistent, outstanding leadership to a service unit area in two separate leadership positions for a minimum of four consecutive years .
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Outstanding Service to the Community: This pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult who has given significant and outstanding service to the community, service must be provided to groups or organizations other than the Girl Scouts.
Award Packet Requires: 1-Nomination and 2-Letters of
Endorsement
The 2nd Letter of Endorsement is required from
the community organization which the volunteer serves.
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Outstanding Community Partner Award: This award recognizes continued outstanding support of Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council by an individual or business for more than three years through contributions of time and/or services.
This award requires a Nomination Form and a Letter of Endorsement.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Millie Carey Board Member of Influence: This pin is named after Millie Carey who served as a Girl Scout volunteer for 67 years. She was the state representative for the Green Hat Society, state representative for the World Organization for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and mentor to numerous Gold Award recipients. This pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult, and community volunteer for a minimum of 10 years and has served on the Silver Sage Council Board of Directors for a minimum of 3 years and is a current board member. The nominee enthusiastically represents Girl Scouts at Council and other community events and exhibits exceptional commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Outstanding Philanthropist Award: This pin recognizes exceptional service to Silver Sage Council from an active, registered adult or external partner whose efforts have resulted in increased mission engagement, advocacy, and/or monetary contributions. Philanthropic efforts could include the solicitation of in-kind, grants, corporate donors, foundations, endowments, major gifts, or recruited new members to the Juliette Gordon Low Society for planned giving for Silver Sage Council. The Outstanding Philanthropist focuses on bringing our mission to life through education, engagement, and financial support. They serve as a champion for our efforts to provide quality programs and experiences. This award must also be approved by the Silver Sage CEO and the Director of Development.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Diana Lawson Award: This pin is Silver Sage Council’s highest adult recognition, and is named for current Lifetime Member, Diana Lawson, who has actively served Silver Sage Council for over 55 years. She is recipient of the Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II and served as Chair of the Silver Sage Council Board of Directors for many years. Diana continues to be an active volunteer for GSSSC and her community. The Diana Lawson Pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult who has been a member for a minimum of five years and has received BOTH the Thanks Badge I Pin and the Thanks Badge II Pin. This distinction recognizes furtherance of the entire Girl Scout Movement through public and highly visible community involvement, whose work in creating greater possibilities for girls shows extraordinary results and whose contributions are significantly beyond expectations of the position.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Sandy Wilson Staff Excellence Pin: This pin recognizes Sandy Wilson’s 40 years of service to Silver Sage, where she has served in nearly every capacity, from Cookie Manager, to Receptionist, to Store Clerk, and Director of Human Resources and Business Services. Sandy and her family have also volunteered in numerous capacities and have contributed exceptionally to Camp Alice Pittenger. The award would go to a staff member who has served five years or more years and who has shown above-and-beyond commitment to the development of others and to the success of the Council. This award recognizes longevity and the outstanding service by a staff member whowill benefit the entire council beyond the staff member’s tenure, goes far beyond the expectations of the employee’s job description, and supports the achievement of the council’s goals and strategic learning efforts.
This award requires a Nomination Form and 3 Letters of Endorsement and must be approved by the Silver Sage Recongnitions Committee and the CEO.
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Girl Scouts of the USA National Awards
GSSSC Council, GSUSA National and SU Awards Outline
GSSSC SU Awards, GSSSC Council Awards, GSUSA National Awards Outline
Volunteer of Excellence Pin: This pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult whose services contributes to outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the Girl Scout Mission. This award requires a Nomination Form and a Letter of Endorsement.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination
Form 2025
GSSSC Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement
Form 2025
Appreciation Pin: This pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult who contributes to and impacts achievement of the Girl Scout Mission in one or more areas, service units or program delivery audiences.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Honor Pin: This pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult whose service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience; this support has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service to reach and surpass the mission delivery goals of the council. It is distinguished from the Appreciation Pin by the span of influence and impact of the nominee. This award requires a Nomination Form and a Letter of Endorsement.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Thanks Badge I Pin: This pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult 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 and is so significantly beyond expectations that no other honor would be appropriate.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 3- Letters of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
Thanks Badge II Pin: This pin recognizes exceptional service from an active, registered adult who has previously received the Thanks I Badge Pin and who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role which resulted in a measurable impact benefitting the entire Girl Scout Mission.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 3- Letters of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
President’s Award Pin: This pin recognizes exceptional service from a service unit team, committee, or volunteer team whose exceptional 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 and the Girl Scout Mission.
Award Packet Requires: 1 – Nomination Form and 1- Letter of Endorsement
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Nomination Form 2025
GSSSC
Council and GSUSA National Awards Endorsement Form 2025
2025 Adult Award Winners
Each year, with the help of volunteers and their peers, GSSSC recognizes volunteers for their tremendous work for the girls in our council. Thank you to everyone that attended our 2025 Girl and Adult Recognition events. Below are the recipients of the 2025 National and Council Adult awards. Congratulations to all who were honored!
NATIONAL AWARDS:
VOLUNTEER OF EXCELLENCE PIN:
Terilyn Crabtree - Emmett
Danielle Crandall - Nampa
Kaylyn Diffendaffer-Wagoner - Meridian
Desiree Dunn - Nampa
Sulema Gutierrez - Nampa
Lori Hatcher - Boise
Lisa Koester - Emmett
Ashley Lynne - Pocatello
Melody Krenelka - Boise
Liana McGahuey - Caldwell
Heather Muhonen - Nampa
Amanda Scott - Boise
Colleen Smith – Emmett
Dana Smith - Idaho Falls
Sally Stearns - Nampa
APPRECIATION PIN:
Veronica Bragg - Nampa
Natalie Cortes - Nampa
Mary Gobeille - Boise
Susan Kurdy - Eagle
HONOR PIN:
Stephanie Denham - Nampa
Heather Ward - Boise
THANKS BADGE I PIN:
Jessica Burke - Boise
Courtney Christensen - Pocatello
PRESIDENT'S AWARD PIN:
Community First Responders:
- Dana Lundgren – Eagle
- Amber McNeeley - Boise
- Danielle Mullins - Mtn. Home
- Tenley Ozuna - Caldwell
- Ashley Pantalone - Kuna
- Jennifer Smith - Nampa
- Trinity Sorenson - Aberdeen
Service Unit 629:
- Bobbie Beaton – Nampa
- Rachele Chavez - Nampa
- Stephanie Denham - Nampa
- Desiree Dunn – Nampa
- Sarah Mowry-Ruesga - Nampa
- Kristy Province – Caldwell
- Eryn Rand - Caldwell
- Stephanie Volkers - Nampa
Troop 50:
- Enarosa Aguirre - Nampa
- Veronica Bragg – Nampa
- Danielle Crandall - Nampa
- Natalie Cortes - Caldwell
- Stephanie Denham – Nampa
- Heather Muhonen - Nampa
- Ronni Volschow - Caldwell
COUNCIL AWARDS:
BETTY BOYD MEMORIAL:
Danielle Brasington - Nampa
Photina Haumschilt - Chubbuck
Leah Provencio - Boise
JO JAMESON MEMORIAL AWARD:
Christina Sherman - Kuna
Outstanding Service to the Community:
Lynne Crabree - Emmett
Outstanding Community Partner Award:
Cathy Cabalo (Cabalo Orchards) - Nampa
Amber Dolphin-King (Horizon Credit Union) - Boise
Jennifer Jackson (Idaho National Laboratory) - Idaho Falls
Amy Murphy (West Ada School District) - Boise
Suzanne Myers (Treasure Valley Coffee) - Boise
Shawna Osich (Boise Independent School District) - Boise
Pocatello First United Methodist Church - Pocatello
St. Mary’s Church - Emmett
Paul Webster (Caldwell School District) - Caldwell
Romeo Zavala (Horizon Credit Union) - Boise
Outanding Philanthropist Award:
Erin-Todd (Jet) Hansen - Boise
Sandy Wilson Award:
Roechele Parsons - Pocatello
Kim Ross - Eagle
NOTE: Submitting your nominations and endorsements via the online form is highly encouraged and the most efficient. If you do not have computer access or need a paper form, see the below for a Paper Nomination Form and Paper Letter of Endorsement.
Note: We strongly recommend completing the online version of the nomination and endorsement forms for easier processing.
Silver Sage Award Recipients List 2025
GSSSC Council and GSUSA National Award Nomination Form
GSSSC Council and GSUSA National Award Endorsement Form
Still need help? Check out the handouts below!
GSSSC SU Awards, GSSSC Council Awards, GSUSA National Awards Outline
Adult Awards & Recognitions FAQ
Who can nominate a volunteer for an award?
Anyone can! That’s right, parents/caregivers, girls, volunteers and even a community member may nominate a volunteer for an award. The nominator needs to know how the volunteer has impacted Girl Scouts or the community, the award criteria, and be willing to coordinate the nomination packet.
What is the difference between a nominator and an endorser?
Nominator:
A nominator needs to know of the volunteer’s service and is the coordinator of the nomination packet pieces. Each award nomination requires endorsements. The nominator is the coordinator of the people who complete the endorsement forms and is the main contact for the nomination if there are questions or missing pieces. Included in the nomination form is also information for endorsement. They also ensure all pieces of the nomination packet are submitted online before the year designated due date. Only one nominator is needed for each award.
Endorser: An endorser knows the volunteer’s service and can speak to the impact of the work. An endorser completes the endorsement form related to the award for which the volunteer is being nominated. They provide specific information about the volunteer’s service ensuring that it meets the award criteria and shows how the volunteer’s service impacted girls, volunteers, and/or the community. Different awards have different required numbers of endorsers. This is a separate person from the nominator. A nominator cannot be counted as one of the required endorsers.
When and where are awards given to volunteers?
Volunteers are recognized with both GSSSC Council and GSUSA National awards in front of their peers at the annual Volunteer Recognition event. This event is planned and implemented by Council staff. Dates and locations can vary each year.
Why does the volunteer need to be a registered member of Girl Scouts?
Girl Scouts is a membership organization, and this means that, to be considered, being a registered volunteer in any role is required. In the GSUSA Blue Book of Basic Documents, it states “to participate in Girl Scouts you must be a member.” Volunteers are participants; therefore, they must be a registered member to qualify for any nominated award or earned recognition.
The award criteria states that the volunteer must be a member in good standing. What does this mean?
Any volunteer receiving an award must be following the council’s policies and guidelines. As an award recipient, they are being held up as a role model. Good standing status: the volunteer has met all eligibility for being an appointed volunteer, including being a registered member and a current background check on file (if their role requires one). The volunteer has no outstanding cases or concerns related to their service.
How are award recipients chosen?
A volunteer selection committee with representation from all regions across the council reviews nomination packets, and makes a decision based on how the nomination information presented fits the criteria for the award. The committee remains anonymous, and keeps all information surrounding the review process confidential. If you would like to serve on this short-term volunteer committee, please email recognitions@girlscouts-ssc.org.
What is the difference between a Girl Scout Membership Pin and the Years of Service Pin?
These two appreciations are earned recognitions by volunteers. They do not require a nomination or endorsement. The volunteer wishing to receive any of these two pins needs to complete the online request form.
Membership Year Pin—this is a numeral guard that recognizes both girl and adult membership years. Pins are given in 5-year intervals. Volunteers may submit this form themselves, or a Service Unit may submit the form if they are presenting the pin to the volunteer at a ceremony. Volunteers receiving 40+ year pins can be recognized at the annual Volunteer Appreciation event held by Council. To be recognized at the event, pin requests must be received by the year designated due date.
Years of Service Pin—this pin recognizes years of service as a volunteer, and is given in 5-year intervals. Volunteers receiving 20+ year pins can be recognized at the annual Volunteer Recognition event held by Council. To be recognized at the envet, pin requests must be received by the year designated due date.
Can a staff member nominate or endorse a volunteer for an award?
The philosophy of Girl Scouts–Silver Sage Council award process is that the volunteer appreciation awards should be driven by volunteers, and all decisions related to the selections of awards is made by volunteers. This means that volunteers are nominated and endorsed by volunteers, the review of awards packets and the decision for awarding recognitions is done by volunteers. The only time a staff member should be nominating or endorsing a volunteer is when there are not enough other volunteers who know the volunteer’s service, or the service was done in such a way that it would be difficult to complete the nomination packet without their endorsement. Candidates that fall into this category include (however, not limited to): program facilitators, learning facilitators, board members, and council-wide volunteers.
If you have questions about Adult Recognitions, contact our Customer Care at 208-377-2011 or email customercare@girlscouts-ssc.org.
