Award for Council Wide Volunteer

Thanks Badge

The Thanks Badge was instituted in 1912 by GSUSA. It recognizes outstanding service and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.

Focus of Service	Benefits the council or entire Girl Scout movement.
Impact of Service	Continuous and outstanding service above and beyond the expectations of the position(s) held. Exemplifies the Girl Scout Promise and Law in her/his daily life.
Examples of Possible Candidates	A volunteer who has mentored and revitalized SU teams in more than one area; An adult educator who impacts the entire council by mentoring educators from other areas throughout the council A member of a council committee who had a profound impact that improved processes throughout the council.
Length of Service	At least five years in one or more adult position/s, which can include the current Girl Scout year.
Endorsements Required	4
Approval Required	Council Recognition Panel
Presentation	Provided by council. Due to the council-wide nature of this award, the Council Recognition Panel strongly recommends that it be given only at the council annual recognition event or another council recognition event.
General Requirements	Must have a current Girl Scout membership Must not owe any debt to council.

Thanks Badge II

The Thanks Badge II was instituted in 1987 by GSUSA. It recognizes continued outstanding service given by a Thanks Badge recipient. The quality of service performed is the same or surpasses that for the Thanks Badge: “It is truly outstanding, benefits the total council or the entire Girl Scout organization, and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.” Additionally, this award might acknowledge outstanding performance that surpasses the earlier achievement. It is a way of saying thanks again to an outstanding individual who has contributed greatly to Girl Scouting.

Focus of Service	Benefits the council or entire Girl Scout movement.
Impact of Service	Continuous and outstanding service above and beyond the expectations of the position(s) held. Exemplifies the Girl Scout Promise and Law in her/his daily life.
Examples of Possible Candidates	Same as for Thanks Badge, 10+ years after receiving the Thanks Badge. Does not have to be the same service but must continue to benefit the entire council.
Length of Service	At least ten years since receiving the Thanks Badge in one or more adult positions with sustained, continued service or increased services to the council or the Girl Scout movement.
Endorsements Required	4
Approval Required	Council Recognition Panel
Presentation	Provided by council. Due to the council-wide nature of this award, the Council Recognition Panel strongly recommends that it be given only at the council annual recognition event or another council recognition event.
General Requirements	Must have a current Girl Scout membership. Must not owe any debt to council.

Capital Award

The Capital Award is a singular award instituted by Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital in 1972.

It recognizes a distinguished degree of administrative performance by an adult whose superior contribution has created a positive and pronounced council-wide impact.

Focus of Service	Benefits the entire council.
Impact of Service	Demonstrates a superior level of administrative leadership, which has created a positive and pronounced council-wide impact of the highest merit.
Examples of Possible Candidates	A board member who spearheaded the resolution of a complicated legal issue for the council. A volunteer whose administrative leadership of the council family giving campaign over a six-year period resulted in a significant expansion of the council’s funding base.
Length of Service	Such service will have been given over a significant period of time.
Endorsements Required	3
Approval Required	Council Recognition Panel
Presentation	Provided by council. Because of the significance and unique council-wide impact of this award, it must be given at the council annual recognition event. The specific award is to be selected by the Council Recognition Panel.
General Requirements	Must have a current Girl Scout membership. Must not owe any debt to council.

Knox Award

The Knox Award was introduced by Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital in 1988 and is named in honor of sisters Lucy and Irene Knox, and their sister-in-law, Alma Knox. These amazing women showed lifelong dedication to this council and to the Girl Scout movement. The Knox Award honors individuals whose continuous service to Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital exemplifies the spirit, dedication and enjoyment of Girl Scouting and the principles of Juliette Low’s movement.

Focus of Service	Unselfish, dedicated, continuous service to the council that has benefited and enriched the entire Girl Scout movement.
Impact of Service	Continuous and outstanding service above and beyond the expectations of the position(s) held. Exemplifies the Girl Scout Promise and Law in her/his daily life. Demonstrates respect for the spirit of the movement. Shares love of Girl Scouting through interaction with Girl Scouts, adults, the council, and the community. Is dedicated to the principles of Juliette Low’s Girl Scout movement.
Examples of Possible Candidates	A volunteer who has served in multiple roles over several decades. Typically, the roles would include many levels of service including troop, SU, association and council-wide.
Length of Service	Such service will have been given over a significant period of time.
Endorsements Required	4
Approval Required	Council Recognition Panel
Presentation	Provided by council. Because of the significance and unique council-wide impact of this award, it must be given at the council annual recognition event. The specific award is to be selected by the Council Recognition Panel.
General Requirements	Must have a current Girl Scout membership. Must not owe any debt to council.