Awards at County Level

Do you know of someone in your District, Division or within the County, who is special, and who you feel deserves special recognition for what they do in Guiding? If there is someone who matches these criteria, have you thought about applying for a Guiding award for them?

There are a number of different awards that you could consider, that are awarded at County level. These are an excellent way to say "thank you" and "well done"! They are;

Thanks Badge

The Thanks Badge is usually given to a person (male or female) who is not a member of Girlguiding UK, as a sign of appreciation for their support, either over a number of years, or during a special event or activity.

Any member of Girlguiding UK may present this after discussion with her Guider or Commissioner.

Recently, a caretaker, who had looked after a premises for a large number of years, was presented with a Thanks Badge. He always went out of his way to ensure that the local Girlguiding members met in a safe environment.

Good Service Brooch

The County Commissioner presents the Good Service Brooch to a member (in uniform & up to her 65th birthday) for excellent service to Guiding. The nominee must hold a current appointment card or have completed an appointment no more than 6 months before the application is made.

During 2008, Judith Fardell, Pat Singer, Jean Jane and Elaine Harrison were presented with Good service Awards. Congratulations to them all.

Girlguiding Wiltshire South's Award. The "Butterfly" Award

The "Butterfly" Certificate and Brooch can be awarded to any adult, over the age of 18, to recognise and acknowledge the important contribution they have given to Girlguiding Wiltshire South. It is an award for Leaders, helpers and supporters who have given, at any level, exemplary service and commitment.

At the initiation of the Award in 2004, the Adonis Blue butterfly was chosen, because it is one of the rare butterflies that is found on the distinctive grasslands that occur throughout the chalk and limestone areas of Wiltshire.

Nominations may be made by any member of Girlguiding Wiltshire South or the Trefoil Guild. All applications should be made without the knowledge of the nominee. Application forms are available from local Commissioners or the Chairman of the Awards Committee, currently, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Criteria for the Award
1. All applications must be made without the knowledge of the nominee.
2. The Award may be made to any adult, male or female, over the age of eighteen years. Eligibility is open to all, Trefoil guild members, Friends of Guiding, as well as non members. There is no upper age limit.
3. Nominations may be made by any member of Girlguiding Wiltshire South or the Trefoil Guild.
4. Applications should be made on the appropriate form by a nominator and a seconder, who should both write supporting typed letters. The local Division Commissioner or the County Chairman of the Trefoil Guild, as is appropriate, must also support the nomination.
5. The Award should not be considered as a "retirement gift".
6. Applications will be put before the Wiltshire South Awards Committee, whose decision will be final.
7. Exceptionally, this award may also be presented at the discretion of the County Commissioner, recognising that, in certain circumstances, there may not be the appropriate time to follow the procedures listed above. Where possible, the County Commissioner should consult with another member of the Awards Committee.
8. Presentation of the Award will, whenever possible, be made by the County Commissioner, or her nominated representative, on some suitable occasion, in consultation with the local Commissioner.

Administrative Procedures
1. Application Forms are available from the County Commissioner and the Chairman of Wiltshire South`s Awards Committee.
2. All applications must be accompanied by two letters in support of the nomination and signed by the Division or County Commissioner.
3. Such letters of support should be signed and dated, with the writer`s status or appointment clearly indicated. It is the responsibility of the Division Commissioner to ensure that all letters are clearly legible.
4. Completed applications, with letters, should be sent to the Chairman of the Awards Committee.
5. Applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
6. The Division Commissioner who signed the nomination form will be informed of the decision of the Awards Committee after the meeting at which the application was considered.
7. Unsuccessful applications will be destroyed, but a record of failed applications will be kept.

Long Service Awards

"Girlguiding UK wishes to recognise everyone's contribution to guiding, and in particular those who carry out specific roles. Any member, 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 and actively carries out a role for five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty or fifty years (not necessarily consecutively). The brooches may be worn on the badge tab or on non- guiding clothing"
(Source; Guiding Manual 2009)

With the advent of "GO" (project streamline), individuals have the responsibility to ensure that their length of service is recorded accurately on the data base. Girlguiding Wiltshire South will endeavour to reward and award members who become eligible for Long Service Awards, when the time arrives. This will be made easier when "GO" is live. It would also help if the individual notifies her local Commissioner of her impending eligibility.

Long Service Certificates for recognised volunteers

"Long Service certificates are available for guiding supporters who are not necessarily members - Unit Helpers, Secretaries, Treasurers, Advisers and so on. There are certificates for five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty and fifty years of service. They are signed and awarded by the Unit Leader or a Commissioner"
(Source; Guiding Manual 2009)