Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England partners with over 2,000 trained, dedicated, and wonderful adult volunteers who share their time and talent to make Girl Scouts the success it is. Everyone at GSSNE deeply appreciates the work volunteers, families, and community partners do to support Girl Scouts and we thank them for their selfless acts of service. GSSNE offers a variety of ways to recognize and honor those who have made a positive impact in Girl Scouts. See below for ways to celebrate those you know who have made a Girl Scout difference.

2026 Adult Recognition Recipients

At our Annual Meeting & Adult Recognitions Ceremony on May 14, 2026, we recognized the outstanding accomplishments of our local volunteers. Here are the awardees!

Milestones of Membership

Cindy Nadeau, 30 years, Westerly/Pawcatuck
Krystle Poirier, 30 years, Woonsocket

Volunteer Years of Service

Laura Masterson, 25 years, Bristol/Warren
Tina Middleton, 25 years, Attleboro
Sherry Amaral, 40 years, Barrington
Madalyn (Pat) Smith, 40 years, Pawtucket
Betty Cugini, 75 years, Westerly/Pawcatuck

GSSNE Guiding Star Award

Carlen Lopez, Warwick
Kristina Thomas, North Kingstown/Jamestown.
Christine Zielinski, Warwick

GSUSA Appreciation Pin

Amanda Batastini, Cumberland
Melissa Bousquet, Southgansett
Katherine Buckingham, Portsmouth
Lindsay Garfield, Exeter/West Greenwich
Jessica Garvey, North Kingstown/Jamestown
Jamie Goeden, North Kingstown/Jamestown
Amy Grzybowski, Exeter/West Greenwich
Brea Hutchinson, Exeter/West Greenwich
Alison King, Cumberland
Sarah Malek, Bristol/Warren
Allison Thorne, North Kingstown/Jamestown

GSUSA Volunteer of Excellence Pin

Amy Almeida, Bristol/Warren
Lisa Crowell, Bristol/Warren
Kelly Fontaine, Apple Valley .
Kelli Gudz, Newport/Middletown

GSSNE Kit Hammett Award

Lori Dickerson, Woonsocket
Janessa LeComte, Portsmouth
Kristina Schrag, Providence
Kristin Zosa Puleo, Exeter/West Greenwich

GSSNE Mira Hoffman Award

Sherry Amaral, Barrington

GSUSA Thanks Badge

Sharon Johnson, Apple Valley
Laura Masterson, Bristol/Warren

GSSNE Hall of Fame Award

Betty Cugini, Westerly

Girl Scout Shout-Out

Surprise a fellow Girl Scout volunteer with our online "Girl Scout Shout-Out" program (formerly "Encore! GSSNE's Peer Appreciation Program")! Send a High Five, Fist Bump, or Pat on the Back to cheer on your peers and recognize a job well done. Submit your form to show your appreciation!

Annual Adult Recognitions

Recognizing adult volunteers is an important annual Girl Scout tradition that allows council staff and volunteers to nominate those in the GSSNE community who make extraordinary contributions to Girl Scouts. This year’s nomination period is now closed.

Awards and their criteria are listed below, or check out all awards in our Adult Recognitions At-A-Glance document.

Past Adult Recognition Recipients toggle arrow

Curious who has received an Adult Recognition before? Check out all the GSSNE Adult Recognition Recipients History through the years

GSSNE Special Supporter Award toggle arrow

Desctiption:

The Special Supporter Award is presented to an individual or group who has shown outstanding support to Girl Scouts in a community within the GSSNE jurisdiction. The candidate need not be a registered member of GSSNE.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate need not be a registered Girl Scout member
Focus: Service benefits one or more GSSNE service units or geographical areas
Impact: Significant or long-term
Length: Service of any length provided during the current membership year

Nomination:
Form completed and submitted by a Girl Scout member
1 Nomination, no endorsements required

Nominee Example:

A local church that has provided space for troop and service units to hold meetings and events. A local baker who has donated desserts for a service unit's annual bridging event. A local photographer who is also a caregiver of a local Girl Scouts has donated his photography services to the troop for many years - capturing troop events, meetings, and activities .

GSSNE Rising Star toggle arrow

Description:
The Rising Star Award recognizes a first- or second-year volunteer who hit the ground running and made an immediate impact on Girl Scouts.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered GSSNE volunteer in good standing and has successfully completed all applicable trainings
Focus: Service benefits at least one GSSNE service unit or geographical area
Requirements: First-year GSSNE volunteer; candidate participated in at least two meetings or programs outside of troop; actively participates in and demonstrates inclusive behavior
Length: First-time GSSNE volunteer of 6-18 months through the current membership year

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member (adult or youth)
Endorsements: 1 from an individual other than the nominator, who are familiar with the candidate's service. Must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:
First-year troop leader who completed her training within the requested 28-day window, fills her troop's 12 Girl Scout spots and opens to additional girls who want to join the troop. The leader led her Brownies on a full Girl Scout journey, multiple badges, and helped them run a service unit-wide community service project. The troop participated in council product programs, program events, and went on their very first overnight trip.

GSSNE Guiding Star Award toggle arrow

Description:
GSSNE's Guiding Star award recognizes a volunteer whose performance mentoring another volunteer and their troop/group merits recognition. Under this volunteer's leadership, the troop/group experiences the highest level of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This leader inspires those around them and is a guiding example of an ideal Girl Scout volunteer.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered member of GSSNE in good standing and has successfully completed applicable trainings
Focus: The candidate has provided ongoing mentorship to one or more volunteers and their troops/groups
Length: Must have a minimum of 1 year of service through the current membership year

Nomatination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member
Endorsements: 1 from other GSSNE members familiar with the candidate's service. Must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:
A service unit team member uses her experience and knowledge as a former leader to provide ongoing support and guidance to a new troop leader. She attends all troop events, encourages the new leader to join service unit volunteer meetings and activities, she volunteers with the troop, helps the leaders resolve minor conflicts between parents, provides encouragement, tips and tricks for success, and continuously demonstrates the Girl Scout promise and law in all she does .

GSUSA Appreciation Pin toggle arrow

Description:
The Appreciation Pin was instituted in 1976 by GSUSA. It recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer's exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). This service, which has had a measurable impact on one or more geographic areas of service within GSSNE, helps reach and/or surpass council's mission-delivery goals for that area.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered member of GSSNE in good standing and successfully completed all applicable trainings
Focus: Service benefits at least one GSSNE service unit or geographical area
Impact: Made significant contributions to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth or retention, fund development, or increased community visibility in one or more geographic area
Length: Minimum of two years of service through the current membership year

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member
Endorsements: 2 from individuals familiar with the candidate's service other than the nominator. At least one endorsement letter must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:
A service unit team member who started and chaired a committee that organized service unit-wide events for Girl Scout special days and year-end bridging. He continued to coordinate the celebrations, but has recruited other volunteers to chair individual activities, which has led to bigger and better events and more community exposure. These events have led to a 10% increase in girl membership over the past 3 years.

GSUSA Volunteer of Excellence Award toggle arrow

Description:
Introduced in 2013, the Volunteer of Excellence award recognizes volunteers who have performed beyond expectations for the position to deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) directly to girls in any pathway using the National Program Portfolio OR who provided significant and impactful support of the council's mission delivery goals in one or more of the following functional areas: Membership Development/Community Cultivation, Volunteer Relations and Support, Program, Leadership/ Governance, Fund Development, or Council Support Service (such as IT, Customer Service, Product Programs).

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a current registered member of GSSNE in good standing and has successfully completed all applicable training for the position(s) held
Focus: Outstanding performance in delivery of the GSLE through the national program portfolio OR outstanding support of council's mission delivery goals
Length: A minimum of 1 year of service through the end of the current membership year

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member
Endorsements: 2 from other GSSNE members familiar with the candidate's service. At least one endorsement letter must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:

A volunteer who implements a series of events and activities that brings girls together from different parts of the council.

A volunteer or staff member who directs a membership outreach task group that results in a significant increase in girl or adult membership in underrepresented populations in several areas of the council.

A training manager or trainer whose events for an area of the council receive consistently high ratings resulting in increased participation by adults from several geographic areas.

GSSNE Kit Hammett Award toggle arrow

Description:
Registered adult member who has held two or more positions for two or more years exceeding the expectations held for the positions, benefits one or more geographical areas within council jurisdiction, and contributes to council goals and objectives.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered member of GSSNE in good standing, held/holds two or more volunteer roles, and successfully completed all applicable trainings
Focus: Service benefits one or more GSSNE service units or geographical areas
Length: A minimum of 2 years throught the end of the current membership year

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member
Endorsements: 2 from other GSSNE members familiar with the candidate's service. At least one endorsement letter must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:
A service unit product program coordinator and troop leader for two years has worked with community partners to increase service unit cookie sales by 20% year over year by expanding cookie booth opportunities and getting permission for signage to be placed at partner locations. The new community partnerships also resulted in additional meeting space for troops and service units benefitting the entire Girl Scout community. The volunteer's troop of older girls holds coaching sessions for younger girls just starting their cookie businesses which has increased their sales as well.

GSUSA Honor Pin toggle arrow

Description:
The GSUSA Honor Pin recognizes a volunteer's significant contributions to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or increased community visibility in two or more geographic areas within council jurisdiction and supports the delivery of the Girl Scout Leadership experience (GSLE).

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a current registered member of GSSNE in good standing and has successfully completed all applicable training for the position(s) held
Focus: Service benefits at least two GSSNE service units or geographical areas
Length: A minimum of 3 years of service by the end of the current membership year
Requirement: GSUSA Appreciation Pin recipient

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member
Endorsements: 3 from other GSSNE members familiar with the candidate's service. At least one endorsement letter must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:
A volunteer who implements a series of events and activities that brings girls together from different parts of the council leading to increased retention in those areas.

A training manager or trainer whose events for an area of the council receive consistently high ratings resulting in increased participation by adults from several geographic areas.

GSSNE Heritage Award toggle arrow

Description:
The Heritage Award recognizes the work done by a volunteer to promote the history of Girl Scouts though artifact preservation, restoration, sharing and/or presenting the history of the council and/or the entire Girl Scout movement.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered member of GSSNE in good standing and successfully completed all applicable training(s)
Focus: Service benefits at least one service unit or geographical area within council jurisdiction
Length: A minimum of 5 years of service provided through the end of the current membership year

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member
Endorsements: 3 from individuals familiar with the candidate's service other than the nominator. At least one endorsement letter must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:
A volunteer who served as a GSSNE Museum docent, provided historical presentations on the Girl Scout movement, and shared photos, memorabilia, and artifacts with council. This volunteer has a solid knowledge and passion for all things Girl Scouts and continues to promote the movement's history.

A volunteer who has traveled numerous times to the birthplace of Girl Scouts, Savannah, Georgia. She has Girl Scout troops on trips to Savannah, can answer virtually any question about Juliette Gordon Low, and encourages all Girl scouts to learn about, celebrate and honor the traditions set forth by Juliette Gordon Low.

GSSNE Mira Hoffman Award toggle arrow

Description:
Recognizes an unwavering commitment to the Girl Scout movement within GSSNE with a focus on the outdoor experience. The recipient has made outstanding contributions to the work of council and displays the finest spirit of Girl Scouting.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered member of GSSNE in good standing and successfully completed all applicable training
Focus: Service benefits the entire council
Length: Minimum 5 years through the end of the current membership year

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member
Endorsements: 3 from individuals familiar with the candidate's service, other than the nominator; at least one endorsement letter must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:
A Girl Scout member for 11 years, this candidate was a troop leader for 9 years, service unit outdoor advocate for 3, Camp Director for 5 years, and council troop camp trainer for 6. This volunteer introduced the outdoor adventure to dozens upon dozens of girls by organizing community camping events, taking her Girl Scouts on T.R.E.C. adventures, and helping to enrich council trainings by participating in think tanks.

GSUSA Thanks Badge toggle arrow

Description:
The Thanks Badge recognizes volunteers 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. The outstanding service performed by the candidate resulted in outcomes that benefit 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.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered member of GSSNE in good standing and successfully completed applicable trainings
Focus: Service benefits the entire council or Girl Scout movement
Length: A minimum of 5 years of service by the end of the current membership year

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member
Endorsements: 4 from other GSSNE members familiar with the candidate's service. At least one endorsement letter must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:
As a Council and National Delegate, Angie provides girl and adult voice to all governance matters. She is a visible and well-known Girl Scout in her community as well as throughout council. She was recently awarded the Women of Distinction award for her success in impacting girls' lives. Once Angie is awarded the Thanks Badge, she might be nominated again in a few years for continuing her service to the Girl Scout movement with a nomination her for the Thanks Badge II. For example, Angie has continued her delegate work and facilitating Outdoor Skills Training, but now she has also stepped up to be a Gold Award mentor too .

GSUSA Thanks Badge II toggle arrow

Description:
The Thanks Badge II recognizes a volunteer who has previously received the Thanks Badge and has continued to contribute the same high level for an extended period of time, or has increased their sphere of influence, or has used their skills and talents to move into other fields of endeavor. The service is outstanding and is so significantly beyond expectations that no other award is appropriate.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered member of GSSNE in good standing and successfully completed applicable training(s)
Focus: Service benefits the entire council or Girl Scout movement
Length: Minimum 8 years of service through the end of the current membership year
Requirement: Previous Thanks Badge recipient

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from any GSSNE member
Endorsements: 4 from other GSSNE members familiar with the candidate's service. At least one endorsement letter must be from an adult not related to the candidate.

Nominee Example:
As a Council and National Delegate, Angie provided girl and adult voice to all governance matters. She was a visible and well-known Girl Scout in her community as well as throughout council as an engaged volunteer for more than 10 years. She was awarded the Women of Distinction award for her success in impacting girls' lives. For this outstanding service she was formerly awarded the Thanks Badge. A few years later, Angie continues her service to the Girl Scout movement through delegate work and facilitating Outdoor Skills Training, but now she has also stepped up to be a Gold Award mentor. In recognition, she is being nominated for the Thanks Badge II.

GSSNE Hall of Fame Award toggle arrow

Description:
Hall of Fame Award recipients are selected by GSSNE's CEO. The award recognizes a lifetime of commitment to the Girl Scout movement within the GSSNE Pathway. The recipient has supported GSSNE in a variety of ways including volunteering at the service unit level, serving on a council board, task group or committee, and financially supporting GSSNE. Recipients of this award are specifically chosen by GSSNE's CEO.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered member of GSSNE in good standing and successfully completed all applicable training
Focus: Service benefits at least one service unit or geographical area within council jurisdiction
Length: A minimum of 20 years through the end of the current membership year
Requirements: Candidate has served GSSNE as a volunteer at the service unit level, served on a council board, task group, committee, or as a national delegate, and is a donor.

Nomination:

Nomination: 1 from GSSNE's CEO only
Endorsements: none required

Nominee Example:
A long-time volunteer who has led Girl Scout Troops, served as a council and national delegate, served on the highest awards committee, is an annual donor, and volunteers at council to mentor new troop leaders. She embodies the true spirit of Girl Scouting and is generous with her enthusiasm for the movement.

GSUSA Milestones of Membership toggle arrow

Description:
The Milestones of Membership Pin is presenteded in 5- year increments for girl and adult membership years. Membership of 50 or more years is recognized at the council's annual recognition event. Membership year below 50 should be purchased by and recognized at the service unit level.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered member of GSSNE in good standing and successfully completed all applicable trainings
Focus: The candidate accepts and adheres to Girl Scouts beliefs
Length: A minimum of 5 years; total number of membership years does not have to be consecutive, however, membership years will only be recognized in 5-year increments through the end of the current membership year

Nomination:

A nomination is not required, GSSNE will pull this data from our membership database and notify you of your award. If you are concerned that your membership record is incorrect, please contact us at CustomerCare@gssne.org or 401-331-4500.

Nominee Example:
A volunteer who was a Girl Scout youth for 9 years and 5 years as an adult receives the 15-year Milestones of Membership Pin.

GSSNE's Ruth Haslegrave Milestones of Membership for 75 years of membership toggle arrow

Description:
The Ruth Haslegrave Milestones of Membership Award is presented for 75 years of youth and adult membership with Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate has 75 years of membership with GSSNE (girl and adult years) and during that time was a member in good standing and successfully completed all applicable training
Focus: The candidate demonstrated and adhered to Girl Scouts beliefs
Length: A minimum of 75 years through the end of the current membership year; total number of membership years does not have to be consecutive

Nomination:

A nomination is not required, GSSNE will pull this data from our membership database and notify you of your award. If you are concerned that your membership record is incorrect, please contact us at CustomerCare@gssne.org or 401-331-4500.

Nominee Example:
A volunteer who was a Girl Scout youth for 10 years and 65 years as an adult.

GSUSA Years of Service Pin toggle arrow

Description:
The Volunteer Years of Service Pin is awarded in 5-year increments.

Criteria:

Membership: The candidate is a currently registered and active volunteer member of GSSNE in good standing and has successfully completed all applicable trainings
Focus: The candidate accepts and adheres to Girl Scouts beliefs
Length: A minimum of 5 years; total number of active adult years as a volunteer does not have to be consecutive, however, years of service will only be recognized in 5-year increments for service through the end of the current membership year

Nomination:

A nomination is not required, GSSNE will pull this data from our membership database and notify you of your award. If you are concerned that your membership record is incorrect, please contact us at CustomerCare@gssne.org or 401-331-4500.

Nominee Example:
A volunteer who has actively served Girl Scouts for a minimum of 5 years.

FAQ

When is the deadline for annual adult recognitions? toggle arrow

The deadline for nominations and endorsements is March 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

If my nominations are late, will they still be accepted? toggle arrow

Nominations and endorsements received after March 16, 2026 will not be accepted for the current year. Nomination packets are sent for committee review only if all required endorsements are received. Please submit nominations and endorsements before the deadline.

Are the awards earned sequentially? For example, must a volunteer receive the Appreciation Pin before receiving the Honor Pin? toggle arrow

The criteria for earning the awards is listed in the description of each award. If there is a prerequisite to being eligible for an award, the description will state this.

Can I self-nominate? toggle arrow

Volunteers may not self-nominate for awards with the exception of Volunteer Years of Service and Years of Membership. Please refer to the awards guide for information on how the recipient will receive their award.

How many nominations may I submit? toggle arrow

You may nominate as many adult volunteers as you wish! You may only submit one nomination per adult.

May I submit a nomination and an endorsement for the same volunteer and award? toggle arrow

No, the endorsement letters to accompany nominations cannot be written by the nominator.

How long does it take to complete a nomination? toggle arrow

A nomination will typically take 20-30 minutes to complete. We recommend taking a look at the nomination form and confirm you have all required information before you begin.

Once I start a nomination or endorsement, can I save my spot and continue later? toggle arrow

Yes, all forms have a "Save and Resume Later" option at the end of the form. However, we recommend drafting your submission in Word or Google Docs, and then submitting once you have completed it.

How will I know that my nomination or endorsement has been received? toggle arrow

Nominators will receive an email in response to their submission with all information that has been received. All decisions will be provided in the 3 weeks following the submission deadline.

Council Finder

Adult Recognitions

2026 Adult Recognition Recipients

Milestones of Membership

Volunteer Years of Service

GSSNE Rising Star Award

GSSNE Guiding Star Award

GSUSA Appreciation Pin

GSUSA Volunteer of Excellence Pin

GSSNE Kit Hammett Award

GSSNE Mira Hoffman Award

GSUSA Thanks Badge

GSSNE Hall of Fame Award

Girl Scout Shout-Out

Annual Adult Recognitions

FAQ