GSMW Silver Award of the Year FAQ's
1. What is the GSMW Silver Award of the Year?
Each membership year GSMW will honor one Silver Award project with the GSMW Silver Award of the Year. A membership year starts on 10/1 and ends on 9/30 of the following year.
2. How can a Silver Award project be considered for this recognition?
- A Troop Volunteer or Juliette Mentor complete the following gsLearn modules: GSUSA Silver Award Overview and GSUSA Silver Award Requirements: A Closer Look in gsLearn and the GSMW Silver Award of the Year and then take the GSMW Silver Award Quiz achieving a minimum score of 8/10.
- Each girl is a registered Cadette Girl Scout in 6th, 7th or 8th grade and have completed the prerequisite Cadette Journey and its Take Action project.
- Cadette Girl Scout Silver Award teams or individuals work with their Troop Volunteer or Juliette Mentor to submit the GSMW Silver Award Project Proposal. Only one form per project is needed.
- If the project is not immediately approved by GSMW, the Cadette Girl Scout(s) alongside with their Troop Volunteer or Juliette Mentor work with the Highest Awards Coordinator to rework the Silver Award project so it meets the Silver Award standards set by GSUSA. This step should be girl-led, meaning that the Troop Volunteer/Juliette Mentor can be the point of contact with the Highest Awards Coordinator, but the project is reworked through girl-led team discussions and ideas.
- The Silver Award project team or individual if completed that way submits the Silver Award Final Report by September 30th.
- To be considered for the Silver Award of the Year, the Silver Award, the prerequisite Journey, project approval and project start date do not have to all occur in one membership year. The Silver Award process can span over multiple membership years.
- The Silver Award team submits a 1-2 minute video describing their project and the impact it has made on their community and themselves. The video must be submitted with the Silver Award Final Report.
- Silver Award projects that have completed steps 1-6 will be considered for nomination and reviewed by a committee. The Silver Award of the Year will be announced by October 30th.
3. What if I have already started my Silver Award, can I still be eligible?
Yes! Have your Troop Volunteer/Juliette Mentor complete the following gsLearn modules: GSUSA Silver Award Overview, GSUSA Silver Award Requirements: A Closer Look and GSMW Silver Award of the Year and then take the GSMW Silver Award Quiz achieving a minimum score of 8/10. Then complete the GSMW Silver Award Project Proposal. The team will have the opportunity to make project adjustments as stated in step 2 above.
4. Why is there an approval process for the Silver Award?
It is not required for a Silver Award to be approved by GSMW, however if a project team or individual would like their Silver Award project to be eligible for the Silver Award of the Year recognition, the project will need to be approved by GSMW. GSMW encourages everyone to submit their Silver Award project for approval so that girls and volunteers have an increased understanding of the Silver Award and are better equipped for the Silver Award and the Gold Award and approval process.
5. Where do I find more information about the Silver Award and the GSMW Silver Award of the Year?
Contact us by emailing customercare@gsmw.org or calling 406-252-0488.
