Letter of Commendation
A Letter of Commendation may be given to a girl or adult member in recognition of service to Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) by any other member and may be given more than once to the same person.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the ACL for your administrative community.
Upon approval, present the Letter of Commendation, including the nomination letter(s).
Note: The Letter of Commendation is created by the nominator. The provincial office does not send out an award package for this award. Samples of Letter of Commendation letters are available on Member Zone (login required).
Gold Thanks pin
The Gold Thanks pin may be given to a girl or adult member for exceptional service to Guiding and may be given more than once to the same person, but consideration should be given to the presentation of a different award.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the ACL for your administrative community.
Upon approval, purchase the Gold Thanks pin from the Guide Store and present the award, including copies of the nomination letters.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and submit one letter describing the nominee’s service to Guiding.
Bronze Unit Guider Award
The Bronze Unit Guider Award is presented to Unit Guiders in recognition of good service in the Unit Guider role.
In order to be considered for the Bronze Unit Guider Award, a member must demonstrate good service in their role by:
- Providing girls with diverse and exciting programs and opportunities that will help them be empowered
- Ensure there are regular bridging opportunities in their unit
- Always welcome new members
- Attend trainings
- Participate in community Guiding meetings
- Uphold the values of GGC
- Have one to three years of Unit Guider experience
The Bronze Unit Guider Award can be given to a Unit Guider within her first year.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the ACL for your administrative community.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and provide two letters of support.
Silver Unit Guider Award
The Silver Unit Guider Award is presented to Unit Guiders in recognition of good service in the Unit Guider role.
In order to be considered for the Silver Unit Guider Award, a member must demonstrate good service in their role by:
- Providing girls with diverse and exciting programs and opportunities that will help them be empowered
- Ensure there are regular bridging opportunities in their unit
- Always welcome new members
- Attend trainings
- Participate in community Guiding meetings
- Uphold the values of GGC
- Have four to ten years of Unit Guider experience
Please note that the Bronze Unit Guider award is not a prerequisite.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the ACL for your administrative community.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and provide two letters of support.
Gold Unit Guider Award
The Gold Unit Guider Award is presented to Unit Guiders in recognition of good service in the Unit Guider role.
In order to be considered for the Gold Unit Guider Award, a member must demonstrate good service in their role by:
- Providing girls with diverse and exciting programs and opportunities that will help them be empowered
- Ensure there are regular bridging opportunities in their unit
- Always welcome new members
- Attend trainings
- Participate in community Guiding meetings
- Uphold the values of GGC
- Have 11 + years of Unit Guider experience
Please note that the Bronze and Silver Unit Guider awards are not prerequisite for this award.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the ACL for your administrative community.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and provide two letters of support.
Guider of the Month Award
***Please Note: Guider of the Month Award is not being processed or awarded at this time.***
The Guider of the Month Award gives girl and youth members the opportunity to nominate any adult member of Guiding who has had a positive impact on their Guiding experience. Only girl/youth nominations or nominations submitted on behalf of a girl will be reviewed. Adults may assist girl members to complete the nomination form if necessary. Award nominations are approved by the Ontario Youth Forum.
Bronze Merit Award
The Bronze Merit Award is presented to adult members for dedicated service to Guiding above the basic requirements of the position held. This award is granted by Ontario Council.
The Merit Award can be awarded three times in the following order:
- Bronze Merit: For a member's first Merit Award
- Silver Merit: For a member's second Merit Award
- Gold Merit: For a member's third Merit Award
An adult member may receive any or all of the Merit Awards during her tenure in Guiding, but the awards must be received in the specified order.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Speciality Community volunteers.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and provide two letters of support.
Silver Merit Award
The Silver Merit Award is presented to adult members for excellent service to Guiding above the basic requirements of the position held. This award is granted by Ontario Council.
The Merit Award can be awarded three times in the following order:
- Bronze Merit: For a member's first Merit Award
- Silver Merit: For a member's second Merit Award
- Gold Merit: For a member's third Merit Award
An adult member may receive any or all of the Merit Awards during her tenure in Guiding, but the awards must be received in the specified order.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Review Speciality Community volunteers.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and provide two letters of support.
Gold Merit Award
The Gold Merit Award is presented to adult members for outstanding service to Guiding above the basic requirements of the position held. This award is granted by Ontario Council.
The Merit Award can be awarded three times in the following order:
- Bronze Merit: For a member's first Merit Award
- Silver Merit: For a member's second Merit Award
- Gold Merit: For a member's third Merit Award
An adult member may receive any or all of the Merit Awards during her tenure in Guiding, but the awards must be received in the specified order.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Speciality Community volunteers.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and provide two letters of support.
Silver Thanks Pin
The Silver Thanks Pin may be given to a non-member who has contributed in any capacity that deserves thanks. There is no specific criteria, other than that the person must have displayed service deserving of thanks. The pin is often given for one specific action, but can also be given for overall good service.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Speciality Community volunteers.
Upon approval, purchase the Silver Thanks pin from the Guide Store and present award, including copies of the nomination letters.
Team Award
The Team Award may be given to each member who has been part of a team that planned and carried to completion an extraordinary event or project. The award is primarily intended as an adult award, but there are times when girls have been part of a team and can be granted the award. A member may receive the Team Award more than once.
In order to be considered for the Team Award, the members of a team must demonstrate:
- Operating as a well-functioning team
- Planning and carrying to completion an event or project
or
Working well during a time of adversity
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Speciality Community volunteers.
Upon approval, purchase the Team Award pin from the Guide Store and present award, including copies of the nomination letters.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and provide two letters of support which describe the team as a whole.
ACL Award
The ACL Award is presented to Administrative Community Leaders (ACL) who:
- Lead by example
- Actively welcome new members and retain current members
- Mentor adult members
- Uphold the values of GGC
- Have gained the respect of members, girls and parents
- This award is granted by Ontario Council and can be presented during a member's tenure or at the time of her retirement.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and provide two letters of support.
Medal of Merit Award
The Medal of Merit Award is presented to adult members for exceptional service to Guiding above the basic requirements of the position held.
In order to be considered for the Medal of Merit, a member must demonstrate:
- Exceptional service to Guiding, meaning they display exceptional commitment to their Guiding role
- Having gone above and beyond the basic requirements of their Guiding position
Except in special cases, the Medal of Merit is awarded only to those who hold a Gold Merit Award.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Speciality Community volunteers and the Provincial Commissioner.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Application Requirements: Nominators must complete an application in SurveyMonkey and provide two letters of support.
Ontario Award
The Ontario Award (created in 1980) is approved by Ontario Council and is presented to adult members for extended dedicated service in any facet of Guiding. It is based on the following criteria:
- The nominee is a registered member of Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council with a current Police Records Check (PRC) or PRC exemption.
- Has contributed significantly to her Administrative Community, Provincial Specialty Community or Province and the wider community.
- Displays exceptional leadership qualities within Guiding.
- Enthusiastically brings her personal talents and skills to Guiding.
- Enables and gives the opportunity to our girl and youth members to practice their leadership skills either directly or indirectly.
- Lives by the ideals of the Guiding Promise and Law; is a positive role model within and out of Guiding; actively promotes Guiding and its benefits.
- Is well respected by Guiders and other members of the community.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Review Speciality Community volunteers and a member of Ontario Council.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
National awards for adults
Beaver Award
In order to be considered for the Beaver Award, a member must demonstrate exceptional service to Guiding at the provincial or national level, and exceptional commitment to their provincial or national Guiding role. Except in rare cases, the Beaver is awarded only to those who hold the Medal of Merit.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Review Speciality Community volunteers, the Provincial Commissioner, and the National Board of Directors.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Gold Maple Leaf Award
In order to be considered for the Gold Maple Leaf, a member must demonstrate:
- Exceptional service to Guiding at the national level
- A meaningful contribution to the enrichment of Guiding in Canada.
The Gold Maple Leaf is only awarded to those who hold the Beaver.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Review Speciality Community volunteers, the Provincial Commissioner, and the National Board of Directors.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Honourary Life Award
The Honorary Life Award (HLA) is granted by the Board of Directors to adult members. This prestigious award is given in recognition of ongoing, dedicated, and long-term service to Guiding.
In order to be considered for the HLA, a member must demonstrate:
- A leading cumulative contribution as a member of major committees, working groups, teams, or other groups
- The promotion of Guiding to the broader community
- The development of initiatives that support the strategic direction of Guiding
- Having made a profound cumulative impact on Guiding at the local, the provincial or national level
On occasion, the HLA may be awarded to a member who has made a significant contribution to society. In addition, the HLA could be given:
- Upon a member's retirement from active Guiding, or
- Upon a member's completion of a significant role in Guiding that could signify the peak of someone's Guiding career, or
- In recognition of sustained, long-term, exceptional service to Guiding in a Unit Guider role.
The HLA is typically awarded after 30 years of service.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Review Speciality Community volunteers, the Provincial Commissioner, and the National Board of Directors.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Fortitude Award
The Fortitude Award is granted by the Board of Directors to girl or adult members who have shown great courage and endurance in adversity. The application comes from the province to the Board. The award may be given posthumously in special circumstances. Fortitude must have been demonstrated within the past 12 months; however, the onset of adversity may have occurred further in the past. Posthumous applications must be made no more than one year after death.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Review Speciality Community volunteers, the Provincial Commissioner, and the National Board of Directors.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
Valour Award
The Valour Award is granted by the Board of Directors to a girl or adult member who has shown heroism in risking her life or personal safety to save or attempting to save the life of another person.
In order to be considered for the Valour Award, a member must display heroism by risking her life or personal safety by saving or attempting to save the life of another person. The display of courage could be during a Guiding activity or outside of Guiding. Applications must be made as soon as possible and no more than 12 months after the incident.
Once submitted, this award is reviewed by the Awards Review Speciality Community volunteers, the Provincial Commissioner, and the National Board of Directors.
Upon approval of the award, a presentation package, including a pin purchased by Ontario Council, will be mailed.
In addition to awards available from Girl Guides of Canada, there are awards available for volunteers from communities across Ontario.