2025 GSEM Adult Recognition Handbook

Role : A specific position or purpose played in our organization. Roles may be at the troop, neighborhood, district, council, community, or national level. Not all roles are considered volunteer roles in our council (for example, staff or board members are not volunteer roles). (see also , Volunteer ) Rubric : A guide listing specific criteria for grading or scoring. The Awards Selection Committee uses rubrics tailored to each award to score candidates for council-level recognitions. ( see also , Awards Selection Committee ) Service : The act of providing tangible or intangible help, benefit, or other positive contribution to the Girl Scout Mission or Movement by an individual or group. ( see also , Girl Scout Mission or Movement ) Service-Delivery Team : A collection of volunteers in leadership roles who perform a specific function or service. While this most often refers to district or neighborhood service teams, it may also describe groups whose roles function collectively, such as Cookie Cupboard Managers or Camp Supervisors. ( see also , Role , Volunteer , District , or Neighborhood )

Significant : To a degree that is important, meaningful, or profound.

Special Service Award : A self-nominated council-level award (pgs. 7, 12) that recognizes active volunteer service at 15 years, and in five-year increments thereafter. A volunteer should complete the Special Service Award Application on the GSEM website to self-nominate. Only years of active service in an adult volunteer role may be counted toward this award. Volunteers may not receive missed Special Service Awards retroactively. ( see also , Role or Volunteer )

Superior : Surpassing in quality or merit.

Sustained : Lasting or continued for an extended period without interruption.

Volunteer : A registered adult member who has passed a background check and serves in a defined volunteer role. ( see also , Registered Member or Role )

Volunteer Essentials : A resource, located on the GSEM website, that contains the policies and procedures for our council.

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