Friday, April 20, 2018

Honoring awesome volunteers at the 2018 Annual Meeting

Thanks Badge I, a national award from Girl Scouts of the USA, is an honor given to a registered Girl Scout volunteer whose service continues to impact the entire council of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania or the Girl Scout movement in extraordinary ways and is separate from service that has been previously recognized.

GSWPA is proud to have three Thanks Badge I recipients in our council.
Mae Lynn Edwards,
Thanks Badge I Recipient

Mae Lynn Edwards, a Girl Scout volunteer in Butler, has been Girl Scout volunteer for 21 years. Edwards is a troop leader, service unit manager, product sales manager, delegate, and member of the Gold Award committee.

Malinda Young, who nominated Edwards for the award said, "Mae Lynn serves as a mentor to other troop leaders in her Service Unit, providing guidance on troop leadership and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience."

She provides training to girls and volunteers on the Silver and Gold awards, and assists in the planning and implementation of the Gold Award Ceremonies. Her creativity and insight have strengthened programs and helped to retain membership. Those who know her see her as an exemplary Girl Scout, understanding and loving, and a sister to every Girl Scout. She truly lives by the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Amy Miehl,
Thanks Badge I Recipient

Amy Miehl has been a Girl Scout volunteer for six years. She serves GSWPA as a service unit manager, delegate, trainer, day camp coordinator, and as a member of several GSWPA committees.

Her nominators were Malinda Young and Janet Kovacs. Her nominations detailed her contributions to the entire council through her skills and expertise.

She serves as a member of the Gold Award Committee and as a GSWPA Trainer. In these roles, she is a mentor to girls throughout council and brings her legendary knowledge of outdoor skills and songs and games to all volunteers that want to learn.

She is a dedicated volunteer whose efforts have increased membership, demonstrated inclusive behavior, helped retain volunteers, and developed innovative program opportunities.
Dottie Neal, Thanks Badge I Recipient

Dottie Neal has been a Girl Scout volunteer for 26 years as a service unit manager, trainer, troop leader, delegate, day camp volunteer, and
several other roles.

"As Service Unit Manager, Dottie has impacted the Movement in her community through program and camping events, as well as participation in community events," said Melinda Shoenfelt, Dottie's nominator.

She proactively includes girls and leaders from other service areas in these programs, many of whom attend time after time because of the quality and value they receive. She provides invaluable service as a trainer for GSWPA in the areas of New Leader and Outdoor Skills, and has served as a mentor for new volunteers in the role of Service Unit Manager.

The President's Award recognizes the efforts of a service-delivery team or committee whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals.

Two groups have been honored with the award this year.

Laurel Service Unit Team recognized that their market share was low. They set membership goals and achieved them by increasing visibility in the community and supporting each other's efforts in recruitment. They have increased their programming for girls, to include hosting a Journey Weekend, a Thinking Day event, a Cookie Rally, and Court of Awards.

Cranberry Service Unit Team acknowledged the difficulties experienced by several girls at camp, and chose to make a positive change in that experience by raising funds to purchase a golf cart for a GSWPA camp. The girls organized and hosted a lip sync battle event to raise the money, learning valuable event planning and business skills. Additionally, the service unit proactively recruits in the community through events, school functions, parades and maintaining a public Facebook page. They support girls within their service unit through dynamic programming and a junior counselor program.

Honor Pin
This award recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

In order to receive this award, volunteers have to go outside their own service unit, and support others. Sometimes this is accomplished by mentoring Gold Award candidates. Other times, it’s by offering much needed training to volunteers.

Karen Schmidt
14 years as a Girl Scout Volunteer
Troop Leader of Girl Scout Troop 54476
Karen is an active member of the Gold Award committee, mentoring girls throughout the council. She conducts training on both the Silver and Gold Award and assists with the Gold Award Court of Awards.

Sharon Enslen
23 years as a Girl Scout Volunteer
Troop Leader of Girl Scout Troop 52619
Sharon is an active member of the Gold Award Committee, mentoring up to 35 girls at a time. She conducts Silver and Gold workshops and has served on the Travel Committee, giving girls the opportunity to travel the world!


From GSWPA, congratulations to all of our phenomenal volunteers!