Awards, Thanks and Recognition
Girlguiding has a number of awards which may be presented to its members and recognised volunteers in recognition of any one of the following:
- meritorious conduct
- outstanding and excellent service
- long service.
To see more about the National awards click here
or click here for the requirements from Anglia Region
Click here for a nomination form
(All nominations should be forwarded to Betsy Marley along with any supporting letters Click for a sample letter, on headed paper where appropriate. Please note that email letters cannot be accepted, once ratified by County the requests will be forwarded to the relevant awarding areas)
The following awards are available:
- Thanks Badge, awarded by County - The Thanks badge (either a brooch or a lapel pin) is given to either a member or non-member of Girlguiding as a sign of appreciation for their support. This award can be presented by any member of Girlguiding, after discussion with a Leader or Commissioner. More information can be found online: http://guidingmanual.guk.org.uk/supporting_info/thanks_and_recognition.aspx
- Bedfordshire Brooch, awarded by County - This county award may be awarded to any member who has given valued service within the county, as a special “thankyou”.
Any member can make a recommendation, by completing an application form, available on line, by request, from the chair of the awards committee (currently Betsy Marley) and gaining the appropriate signatures. The form is then sent to the chair of the Awards committee, (can be done electronically if required) and the recommendation is then considered by the committee, usually close to the time of an Annual Review, though this is totally flexible. The application should remain a secret until the presentation is made.
The presentation is arranged at an appropriate gathering, either at a County meeting, or more locally, depending on circumstances, but is hush hush until the special moment.
The brooch was designed by Sandra Cove, a Bedford guider.
- Good Service, awarded by County - The Good Service brooch may be given to an adult who is a member of Girlguiding, for excellent service to guiding. This award can be presented by the Chief Guide (for service to Girlguiding), a Country/Region Chief Commissioner (for service in a Country/Region) or a County Commissioner (for service in the County). More information about this award can be found online: http://guidingmanual.guk.org.uk/supporting_info/thanks_and_recognition.aspx
- The Guiding Star, awarded Nationally - This award may be given to any member of Girlguiding (up to their 26th birthday) who has displayed exceptional courage or has shown great initiative or responsibility at an incident. Full details about this award are available in this document which should be checked before an application is forwarded to the Girlguiding Anglia Committee: http://guidingmanual.guk.org.uk/pdf/Guiding_Star_Award.pdf It is suggested that a minimum of five supporting letters are included with nominations
- The Anglia Award, awarded by Anglia Region - This Girlguiding Anglia award is for exceptional quality of service given (not just length) and is for service within the Region, not to the Region. The Anglia Brooch and Certificate can be awarded to a person whom the Girlguiding Anglia Awards Committee considers merits this award, who will be:
(i) A member of Girlguiding Anglia or;
(ii) A member of The Trefoil Guild in the Region or;
(iii) A non-member who by virtue of an appointment fulfils the criteria.
The Anglia Brooch and Certificate is awarded for:
(a) Commitment and level of service that has been over and above ‘the call of duty’ in respect of one or more appointments/events within or to guiding, or The Trefoil Guild, or;
(b) A notable display of mental or physical courage in pain or adversity or;
(c) A notable display of bravery or;
(d) A demonstration of initiative and devotion to duty (without risk to their own life). It is suggested that a minimum of seven supporting letters are included with nominations
click here for a nomination form
- Anglia Youth Award, awarded by Anglia region - This Girlguiding Anglia Award can be awarded to a young person whom the Anglia Awards Sub-Committee considers merits this award, who will be: (i) A member of Girlguiding Anglia, (ii) Under the age of 18 This award is made for: (a) Exceptional commitment and level of participation which has been over and above the ‘norm’ within a Unit, District, Division, County or in the Region, or (b) A notable display of mental or physical courage in pain or adversity or (c) A notable display of bravery or (d) An exceptional demonstration of initiative and adherence to the Guide Laws (without risk to their own life). It is suggested that a minimum of five supporting letters are included with nominations.
click here for a nomination form
- The Laurel Award, awarded Nationally - The Laurel Award is a Girlguiding award given in recognition of outstanding service to guiding. It may be given to an active adult member of Girlguiding or one of the Branch Associations. Full details about this award are available in this document which should be checked before an application is forwarded to the Girlguiding Anglia Committee: http://guidingmanual.guk.org.uk/pdf/Laurel_Award.pdf It is suggested that a maximum of eight supporting letters are included with nominations.
- Silver Fish Award, awarded Nationally - The Silver Fish is Girlguiding highest award. It is given in recognition of outstanding and distinguished service and an exceptional contribution to a wide section of Girlguiding, including international guiding either in the UK or abroad. Full details about this award are available in this document which should be checked before an application is forwarded to the Girlguiding Anglia Committee: http://guidingmanual.guk.org.uk/pdf/Silver_Fish_Award.pdf It is suggested that a maximum of ten supporting letters are included with nominations
Click here for a nomination form
to see the criteria and how to nominate click here for guidelines
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Long Service Award - Girlguiding wishes to recognise everyone's contribution to guiding.
Any adult member who volunteers regularly, irrespective of role, gender or age, is eligible for a Long Service Award.
Service will be counted from the date the individual becomes a member, aged 16 or over, and actively carries out a role for 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 years (not necessarily consecutively).
It is the responsibility of the County Commissioner to establish when active members in her County are due to receive their awards and to ensure that the awards are presented at an appropriate time and in an appropriate manner.
If there is any query about length of service, the decision of the County Commissioner is final, Long service is measured by the roles recorded on GO if you feel that your record is incorrect or incomplete please contact your Local Commissioner with any supporting evidence so that your record can be amended.