Celebrating those who celebrate our Girl Scouts

Volunteers are the foundation of our council.

We do our best to celebrate our adult volunteers all year long. Every April, we have special activities for Volunteer Appreciation Month, and in November we honor volunteers who have been nominated and selected to receive a council-level, board-approved award.

Council-Level Adult Award Nomination Form. You can find their criteria below.

We also have community-level awards/certificates:

Friends of Girl Scouting (online form)
Volunteer of Excellence (online form)

Nominations for community-level awards can be made at any time. Click the links above to access the nomination forms.

Basic Criteria for Adult Awards toggle arrow

(Does not apply to Community Partner Award, Friends of Girl Scouting, or Outstanding Religious Leader Award)

Volunteers must:

Be an active adult member with a current Girl Scouts of the USA membership.
Have successfully completed their term(s) of service and all requirements for the position (examples, required training, paperwork, etc.).
Have a current and clear background check screening on file with the council.
Have no outstanding obligations (examples: monies or paperwork).
Actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.
Have performed service above and beyond expectations for the held position.

Questions about the volunteer recognition process? Please contact our Customer Care team at customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org or (210) 349-2404.

Adult Award Checklist toggle arrow

Before you nominate a volunteer for an Adult Award make sure the nominee meets the basic criteria for adult awards listed above (does not apply to Community Partner Award, Friends of Girl Scouting, or Outstanding Religious Leader Award).

With your submission, be sure to:

Clearly described what the nominee did to deserve the award. Provided details and examples of service.
Explain the impact of the nominee’s service, quantifying the work where possible (example: X number of girls joined the troop/attended the event, $X was saved, etc.).
Only write and submit endorsements for someone else and not yourself.
Complete the nomination form with the appropriate number of endorsements submitted on or before the deadline of November 30.

Award Hints:

Because there are a limited number of formal volunteer recognitions, it is recommended at least a year take place between nominations of a specific individual. The time between nominations can be recognized through informal recognitions. Each nomination is considered on its own merit and is not rated against other nominations. The best nominations and endorsements include as much supporting information as possible. Facts and figures help the task group see the nominee in the best light.

Nomination example:

It doesn’t take many words to say a lot. In 150-300 words, you can give a good picture of service! A good endorsement might go something like this:

“Anna joined our community five years ago and immediately began to make a difference. When she took over the Community Membership Recruitment Coordinator role three years ago, our membership was only 125 girls in five schools. Now, our membership is 440 girls in all 15 schools in our community! More than 75 percent of the girls consistently return for another year of Girl Scouting. Anna also started a Girl Scout Daisies program in three schools that did not have a program for girls in kindergarten. She was also instrumental in getting 25 girls to join a Junior group that is still growing, and our community’s adult membership has grown from only 20 adults in 2006 to more than 86 today. Anna has made a huge difference in our community, and we are so grateful for her! Her positive outlook and determined work ethic exemplify the Girl Scout spirit.”

Council-Level Awards

Please review these criteria thoroughly before making a nomination for a council-level award.

Appreciation Pin toggle arrow

Recognizes superior service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) or in support of council goals that had a measurable impact on one geographic area of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

Nominee requirements:

Meets the basic criteria for adult awards listed toward the top of the page.
Contributed to council goals in at least one geographic area or council initiative.

Nominators must submit an Adult Award Nomination Form (online form) and include two (2) letters of recommendation by November 30.

Examples of possible nominees:

A Community Chair whose management of a community or a geographic area has resulted in an increase in membership and/or retention over several years.
A volunteer who has served for several years on a Community Team and has exceeded the expectations of the position.

Honor Pin

Recognizes exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) or in support of council goals that had a measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

Nominee requirements:

Meets the basic criteria for adult awards listed toward the top of the page.
Contributed to council goals in at least two geographic areas and/or council initiatives.

Nominators must submit an Adult Award Nomination Form (online form) and include three (3) letters of recommendation by November 30.

Examples of possible nominees:

A volunteer who has collaborated with a business to implement a program that assists underserved Girl Scouts.
A volunteer who implements a day camp, series of events or activities, bringing together girls from neighboring areas.

Daisy Pin (Unique to Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas) toggle arrow

Nominee requirements:

Meets the basic criteria for adult awards listed toward the top of the page.
Contributed to council goals in two or more geographic areas and/or council initiatives.

Nominators must submit an Adult Award Nomination Form (online form) and include three (3) letters of recommendation by November 30.

Examples of possible nominees:

A volunteer who effectively participates in multiple GSSWT committees, events, and meetings in various capacities.
A day/twilight camp director whose effective management results in an increase in participation by girls and adults throughout a period of time.

Thanks Badge I toggle arrow

The highest adult award honor in Girl Scouts. Honors an individual whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service has had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire council or Girl Scout Movement.

Nominee requirements:

Meets the basic criteria for adult awards listed toward the top of the page.
The outstanding service performed by the nominee resulted in outcomes that benefitted the total council or the entire Girl Scout movement.
Served in a leadership role at the council level in the past four years.
The service is so significantly beyond expectations that no other award is appropriate.

Nominators must submit an Adult Award Nomination Form (online form) and include four (4) letters of recommendation by November 30.

Examples of possible nominees:

The director of a successful council-wide initiative that results in increased retention of girls and/or adults. This opportunity also results in significant, positive publicity for the council and the entire Girl Scout movement.
A volunteer that helps establish a successful collaboration with a local business and/or youth serving agency that results in increased program opportunities for girls in all parts of the council.
A volunteer who establishes a new or revised component for the council’s fund development initiatives that surpasses expectations and goals.

Thanks Badge II toggle arrow

Recognizes a previous Thanks Badge award recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Nominee requirements:

Meets the basic criteria for adult awards listed toward the top of the page.
The nominee has received the Thanks Badge and has continued to provide distinguished service by:
- Continuing to perform at the same high level for an extended period of time, or increasing their sphere of influence, or using their skills and talents to move into another field that benefits the council.
The service benefits the total council or entire Girl Scout movement.
The service is outstanding and significantly beyond expectations that no other award is appropriate.

Nominators must submit an Adult Award Nomination Form (online form) and include four (4) letters of recommendation by November 30.

Community Partner Award (Unique to Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas) (Certificate) toggle arrow

Recognizes an individual, business or organization whose interest in the Girl Scout Movement resulted in superior contribution of time, talents and/or resources that impacted the entire council and contributed to achievement of the council's goals.

Nominee requirements:

The nominee is a non-member adult, business, or organization.
The nominee promotes a positive public image of Girl Scouts.
Contribution of time, talents, or resources benefitted Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas.
The nomination cites examples of the service and information about the audience benefiting from the service is required.

Nominators must submit an Adult Award Nomination Form (online form) by November 27, 2024. No letter of recommendation is required.

Examples of possible nominees:

A business or organization that contributed to increasing Girl Scouts’ visibility throughout the entire council area.
A corporation or agency consistently donates space, supplies, staff time, or money throughout a period of time (not just a one-time donation).

Outstanding Religious Leader Award (Unique to Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas) (Certificate) toggle arrow

Recognizes an individual who provided outstanding support and encouragement for Girl Scouting in their religious community.

Nominee requirements:

The nominee is a member OR non-member adult.
The nominee encourages parental involvement in Girl Scouts.
The nominee encourages Girl Scout visibility in the religious community.
The nominee promotes a positive public image of Girl Scouts.
The nominee has been involved with Girl Scouts for at least two years.
The nomination cities examples of the service and information about the audience benefiting from the service is required.

Nominators must submit an Adult Award Nomination Form (online form) by November 30. No letter of recommendation is required.

Community-Level Awards

Please review these criteria thoroughly before making a nomination for a community-level award.

Volunteer of Excellence toggle arrow

Recognizes volunteers who have performed outstanding service while they partnered directly with girls to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the council’s mission delivery goals to girl and adult members.

Nominee requirements:

Meets the basic criteria for adult awards listed toward the top of the page.
The nominee’s performance has gone beyond expectations for the position to deliver the GSLE to girls OR for supporting the council’s mission-delivery goals in one or more of the following functional areas: Membership Development/Community Cultivation, Volunteer Experience and Support, Girl Experience, Leadership and Governance, Fund Development, and Council Support Service.

Nominators must submit a Volunteer of Excellence Award Nomination Form (online form) and can do so at any time throughout the year. No letter of recommendation is required.

Friends of Girl Scouting (Certificate) toggle arrow

Recognizes an individual, business, or organization who/that provided outstanding support to Girl Scouting, impacting at least one geographic area for at least one year.

Nominee requirements:

The nominee is a non-member adult, business, or organization.
Support must have resulted in outstanding contribution of time, talents, effort and/or resources.
Impacted Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas in a local community or single council initiative for at least one year.

Nominators must submit a Friends of Girl Scouting Award Nomination Form (online form) and can do so at any time throughout the year. No letter of recommendation is required.

Our 2025-26 Award Recipients:

Appreciation Pin

Leianna Bell

Irma Duran de Rodriguez

Heather Greenlees

Sarah Majewski

Michelle Marx

Brittany Molzon

Janell Neal

Stephanie Reese

Melissa Vinson

Honor Pin

April Blatchford

Zoe Galan

Constance Holmes

Erika Reyes

Sandie Rios

Nicole Trevino

Diahann White

Daisy Pin

Kathy Patterson

Hannah Richmond

Thanks II Badge

Dr. Gretcha Flinn

Community Partner

Christopher Albright

Jon Coker

Dr. Carmen Tafolla

Mona Vallery

Zane Ziebell

Volunteer Spotlight

Michelle Proa-Sanchez has served as the leader of Troop 38 in Community T for nine years and joined the council 11 years ago when her daughter, Sarah, was a Girl Scout Junior. Sarah is an Ambassador now, and Michelle said she has seen tremendous growth in her and the girls in her troop. “For me, it’s the growth I’ve seen and the empowerment that the girls develop that keeps me volunteering,” Michelle said. “I’ve seen it change their lives. I always tell the girls, ‘Your hands are small but you can make a huge difference,’ and I can't wait to see how they change the world.”

Girl Scouts has given girls like Sarah confidence, Michelle said, especially when it’s time to sell Girl Scout Cookies. “That really changed her, having to speak to customers and keep track of her business. Every year, she’s gotten better and better.” Now, Sarah coaches the younger girls in the troop and shares the lessons she's learned from Michelle and others.

Michelle plans to keep volunteering after Sarah graduates high school. “Girl Scouts isn’t only for the girls; it also benefits the adults,” she said. “It keeps my heart young. It keeps me happy.”

girl scout outside smiling and holding up girl scout promise sign

Keep the Excitement Going

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