Morgantown Volunteers Recognized by GSBDC
May 08, 2023
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA—A trio of local volunteers were recently recognized for their service to Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council.
Ronay Tenney, Candice Elliott and Chelsea Shine were each nominated by their peers and honored at the GSBDC Annual Meeting on April 29 at Parchment Valley Conference Center in Ripley, West Virginia. Tenney was awarded the Black Diamond Pin, Elliott earned the Thanks Badge II and Shine received the Honor Pin.
The Black Diamond Pin recognizes volunteers who have made a significant impact on Council goals; a service so outstanding and beyond expectations that no other award is appropriate. This award is only available to adults who have had an active membership at Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council for at least six years and has contributed to the overall progress of the council initiatives in a way that provides significant progress towards the goals of the council.
"[Tenney] is the example of a volunteer who has gone above and beyond their standard role," GSBDC Senior Director of Member Services Becky Pack said. "The wealth of experience she has had within Girl Scouting has led to the growth of the organization, set a tremendous example for future leadership, and has earned the respect of her fellow volunteers and sisters in Girl Scouting. Her passion for this organization has shined through her decades long experience as a volunteer and her desire to continue to support our council’s growth as a member of our Board of Directors. As a board member, she has been involved with the property committee and was instrumental with the completion of the long-range plan. Her desire for enhancing our council properties and the experiences they provide to our girls is vital for Black Diamond and does not go unnoticed. Her current volunteerism at the local level brings a viewpoint to the board that ensures that we are serving our volunteers at the highest level. The love for our organization shines through her continuous work and embodies our mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place."
The Thanks Badge II honors previous Thanks Badge award recipients who have continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role which resulted in a measurable impact benefiting the entire Girl Scout Movement. Volunteers must be a registered Girl Scout adult and continue to have a role in contributing to the goals of the council in the areas of Program, Membership, Fund Development, and Volunteer Support.
"[Elliott] strives to provide an environment that is welcoming, loving, and enjoyable for Girl Scouts within her community, as well as across our council," Pack said. "She has served in various roles at the troop and service unit level that have helped move our mission forward, on top of volunteering in ways that benefit out entire council. Her selflessness can be seen through the programming events she has orchestrated for hundreds of girls, her service on the GIRL Fest committee, and through the way she has managed the ins and outs of our cookie program within her service unit and at the council level. Along with her passion for the Girl Scout experience, she also saw a need to contribute to the sustainability of our council. Her decision to leave Black Diamond in her estate plans shows that the longevity and success of our council and mission is of upmost importance to her and is a true definition of someone deserving of this recognition."
The Honor Pin recognizes an individual's exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience; this support has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service to reach and surpass the mission-delivery goals of the Council. They must be a registered Girl Scout adult; have significantly contributed to meeting one or more council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or increased community visibility in two or more geographic areas; and actively recognize, understand, and practice the values of inclusive behavior.
"[Shine] is a dedicated Service Unit Administrator with the compassion and drive to keep Girl Scouts moving within her community," Pack said. "She strives to provide programming that allows girls to earn badges and obtain memorable experiences, while providing an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all Girl Scouts who attend. This work has reached not only the girls in her direct area, but Girl Scouts in neighboring communities and across the council. She made extensive efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure Girl Scouting could still take place in a safe and accessible way, as well as providing creative program opportunities for the girls to enjoy. Her willingness to step up alongside her fellow service unit leadership to continue and grow the Girl Scout experience within her community has left a lasting impression on her fellow volunteers."
For more information about the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond, visit http://bdgsc.org.
