Did you know that you are part of the largest girls’ leadership development organization in the world 🌎?! Because of YOU we build girls of courage, confidence, and character and prepare them for the lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure that every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ deserves.

It is fundamental in Girl Scouts to make the world a better place. Whether you are earning your first aid badge or working to complete your Silver Award project helping others is what Girl Scouts do. My troop’s first service project in 2009 was collecting long sleeve shirts for the Florida Farm Workers. We also assembled birthday boxes for HOPE Helps, collected pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, decorated holiday stockings for the Oviedo Kiwanis Club and colored greeting cards for Color A Smile. Each service project provided the girls an opportunity to grow in love and kindness for others in their community.

My most treasured gift that I have received as a troop leader, were cards written by the girls. Their thankful words provide encouragement to strive for excellent leadership and continued service in Girl Scouts.Recognize your service community, troop cookie chairs, fall product chairs, co-leaders, adult volunteers that assist during troop meetings, service community team, troop finance chairs and troop chaperones.

On April 22, we celebrate Girl Scout Leader’s Day. Ask your service community what they have planned to recognize and appreciate their adult volunteers and co-leaders. You can also show your favorite volunteer your love and gratitude during National Volunteer Appreciation week.

Here are just some of the ways you can show your appreciation…

1. Craft…Cook…Create…Have the girls make something for your one-of-a-kind Girl Scout volunteers.
2. Recognize the volunteer efforts on social media. Include why your volunteer(s) are special to you and include the hashtag #NVW2017 during National Volunteer Week April 23–29.
3. As a troop leader my favorite volunteer appreciation gifts I received were cards written by the girls. Write your volunteers letters thanking them for their time, talent and commitment.
4. Send personalized eCards. Pick your favorite G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ design, type their name, and share the card on social media or through email. www.girlscouts.org/sharethanks
5. Submit Community Level Award nominations or a Board of Director’s Approved Recognition for the efforts of your adult volunteers. Nomination forms are available at www.citrus-gs.org/en/for-volunteers/volunteer-recognitions.html.
6. Girl Scouts of Citrus recognizes 5/10/15/20 + years of adult volunteer service by providing Years of Service Pins. Provide the Years of Adult Volunteer Service to your Service Community Team. Adults with twenty or more years of service are presented their pins during the Annual Business Meeting.
7. You can always get them something from the Girl Scouts store. GSUSA has a special discount going on in April. Use code VOLUNTEER18 for 15% off one item from the Girl Scout online store. *The code is available April 1 through April 30, 2018, for 15% off one item from a customer’s order.
8. The Citrus Council Shop also has a special 10% discount on your purchase from April 16 – 19, 2018 and 15% purchases over $75.

Need help to provide more program and opportunities with your troop(s)?! During April recruit your family, friends, colleagues or school parents to register as an adult volunteer with Girl Scouts of Citrus. www.citrus-gs.org/en/about-girl-scouts/join.html

Volunteers are not paid – – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless. *Anonymous