Award FAQs

1. What does "take action" really mean?

• Taking action means working to understand the root cause of a problem so that you can develop a solution that continues to address that issue - even after your High Award project has been completed.  Taking action goes beyond community service.

• Community Service - are acts of kindness and important ways to help something or someone right now.  They are commonly "one and done" activities.  Performing community service almost always multiplies efforts that are already in place.  (examples include collecting food for an existing food pantry, providing clothing or toiletries to people who have suffered a disaster, cleaning up a run-down playground, beautifications, or picking up trash at a park, forest, or beach).
  • A short-term effect that helps something or someone fulfill an immediate need.
  • Done FOR the community
  • Joining an existing effort to solve a problem (something that already exists)
  • Done as a part of an existing team (usually as a volunteer)
  • Working towars a goal that is set by others.   
• Girl Scout Take Action projects - address an issue by tackling the factors that cause or contribute to it.  These projects have a far-reaching impact.  They are designed to change something for the better - long lasting.
  • A long-term project with sustainable and ongoing impact that addresses a root cause of an issue.
  • Done WITH the community.
  • Creating a unique initiative to address an issue.
  • Creating and leading your own team of volunteers.
  • Setting the goals and leading a team to achieve them.

3. What are the prerequisites for Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards?

• The Journeys let girls experience what they’ll do as they work to earn Girl Scouting’s highest awards—discover an issue they’re passionate about, connect with experts in their community, and take action to make the world a better place. The skills girls gain while working on Journeys will help them develop, plan, and implement Take Action projects for their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.  A Journey is completed when a girl has earned the Journey awards, which include creating and carrying out a Take Action project.
• Be a registered Girl Scout.
• Bronze Award - 1 completed Journey and Take Action project
• Silver Award - 1 completed Journey and Take Action project
• Gold Award - 2 completed Journeys and a Take Action project OR completed Silver Award AND 1 completed Journey and a Take Action Project. Attend a Gold Award Day Session.

• The Root Cause is the “why” of every issue.  It is the issue's trigger - they identify why an issue is happening.  It is what lies beneath the surface of a problem. Determining the root cause of an issue takes in-depth observation, questioning, and awareness.  Often, you'll have to look for the why in a lot of places in order to get to the root cause.

5. What is Sustainability?

• Sustainability ensures the project creates lasting change and is not a one-time or short term event .
• A sustainable project is one that carries on or continues to have impact even after a girl has done her part. Sustainability is about having a plan. A school or organization might agree to continue carrying out a girl’s Gold Award project, or a girl might create materials (e.g., a binder, pamphlet, video, website, or social media campaign) to enable others to keep the good work going. Emphasizing education/awareness raising, workshops, and hands-on learning opportunities can also inspire others to sustain the work. 

6. What is Measurability?

• Measurability is the number of people the project has helped, the number of people who were involved, any reduction in the community’s need, or other concrete numbers.  Who did it impact? Testimonials from those impacted.
• A project is measurable when the girl collects information/data throughout her project and uses it to show that her actions have had an impact on the community issue she’s chosen. Girls are encouraged to think about what they can count in their project. (How much? How many?).
• The guidelines give girls tools to examine the underlying root cause of issues, develop sustainable project plans, and measure the impact of their projects on their communities, target audiences, and themselves. And yes, there is progression from one grade level to the next. 
  • Girl Scout Juniors working toward their Bronze Award will reflect on how their projects could be continued.
  • Girl Scout Cadettes reflect on and put a plan in place for continuation. 
  • Seniors and Ambassadors work to ensure their Gold Award project is sustained beyond their involvement.   

7. How to include a National and/or Global link (Gold Award) ?

• Identifying a national and/or global link doesn't mean you need to travel or expand your project across the globe.  It's likely that the issue you've been working towards addressing is relebant worldwide - it can be found in your own local, regional, or national community and across the globe, whether it's poverty, hunger, illiteracy, homelessness, or pollution.
• Research how other areas, communities, or countries address your issue.  Seeing how other people and places implement solutions might inspire your actions and will absolutely show you a national or global connection.  Consider reaching out, explaining your ideas, and asking for their advice, ideas, and even collaboration.  You can use what you learn to inform your project.  Plus, these kinds of partnerships can be ecvellent ways to ensure your project's sustainability.