Key Terms
Girl Scout Leadership Experience: The engine for everything girls do in Girl Scouting. The experience identifies all the elements that need to be in place for Girl Scouting to achieve its mission; Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. When Discover, Connect, and Take Action activities are combined with the Girl Scout Processes of Girl-Led, Learning by Doing, and Cooperative Learning, girls achieve the desired and expected short-term leadership outcomes, ultimately resulting in Girl Scouting achieving its mission.
Inclusion: Girl Scouts has a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, and we embrace girls of all abilities and backgrounds into our wonderful sisterhood. Inclusion is at the core of who we are; it’s about being a sister to every Girl Scout and celebrating our unique strengths. Part of the important work you do includes modeling friendship and kindness for your girls and showing them what it means to practice empathy. Girl Scouts welcomes all members, regardless of race, ethnicity, background, disability, family structure, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status.
Mission Delivery Goals: Relate to goals set with regards to membership, volunteer development, program, leadership and governance, fund development, and council support services (IT, customer service, merchandizing, marketing and communications).
Measurable Impact: Evidence that the service was successful. Examples: Specific feedback from those involved; increased retention of bridging girls; outside recognition (e.g., news outlets).
National Portfolio: The National Program Portfolio has two main parts, the National Leadership Journeys and the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. Complemented by the Girl Scout Cookie program, Girl Scout travel and Girl Scout awards, the National Program Portfolio is designed to help girls develop as leaders and build confidence by learning new skills. It also ensures that Girl Scouts at every level are sharing a powerful, national experience of girls together changing the world!
Tips from our Adult Award Committee
- Be sure to share how the nominee has delivered incredible volunteer service that went “above and beyond expectations” of what is included in their volunteer position description.
- For nominations of past award winners, make sure you describe to the committee how the nominee has grown in their involvement and commitment since receiving their last award.
Be detailed! Let our committee know why the nominee is doing a great job with specific examples. For example: “She stepped up to volunteer with a second troop when it needed a leader and did such a great job that all 12 girls renewed their membership!” vs. “She is doing a great job!” OR “He volunteered to run stations at six of our Service Unit’s events this year, as well as co-hosted a Cookie Cupboard.” vs. “He helps a lot at events.”