Earning the Gold Award A brief overview

Congratulations on taking the first steps toward Gold This brief overview includes –The Gold Award process –Frequently asked questions –Tips and resources

The Process Earn 2 Journeys OR Earn Silver Award and 1 Journey Connect with the Community Recruit Your Team Write up Proposal Submit and Receive Approval for Proposal Lead Project Complete Projects Global Component Complete Projects Sustainable Component Submit Final Report Receive Written Final Approval Celebrate!

Connect and Recruit Identify a community issue you care about Research the topic Project Advisor- Connect with an adult subject matter expert (not a leader or your parent) and discuss project ideas Volunteers/team- Recruit a team of peers and/or adults to help implement your project

Choose Your Take Action Project Choose something youre passionate about, that you want to change Identify the issues root cause; what changes would make it better? Make sure there is a community need for the project Get a letter of endorsement from all partner organizations Remember this is much more than a community service project!

Make sure your project is… Sustainable- Does it make a lasting change? Measurable- Can you measure how many people you helped or involved, or your impact on a community? Global- Share results beyond the local community (using methods other than YouTube and the Internet) Link your issue to national and/or global issues Inspire others to take action

Submit Your Proposal Use forms only from Proposal must be typed Submit by the 1 st of the month to be reviewed that month Make a strong first impression on the Gold Award committee with a well-organized, neat and well-written proposal Remember, you are writing to someone who doesnt know anything about what you plan to do You will be assigned a Gold Award committee member wholl help with the process

Lead Your Take Action Project Be prepared to go outside of your comfort zone Document your project; take photos and keep a journal Ask for evaluations from those you help and work with

Final Report Complete the final report found on the council website Submit by April 1 in order to attend celebration Include: –All supporting documentation used or gathered during project –Photos of events, workshops, and your project in action –Evaluations from participants, volunteers, project advisor –Letter of evaluation from benefiting organization/community

Celebrate! Attend our councils annual Gold Award ceremony Invite your family, friends and others who helped you earn your Gold Award If you are unable to attend, your certificates and pin will be mailed after the ceremony

Tools and Resources Gold Award guidelines, tips and tools: Gold Award Proposal Help List under Resources Financial Guidelines: Safety Activity Checkpoints:

Questions? Gold Award Committee Staff Liaison Anne Bader (619)