Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area Council

ADULT LEADERS and VOLUNTEERS

RECOGNITION GUIDE

10 November 2014(Updated Oct 2015)

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Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area Council

Occoquan District

ADULT LEADERS and VOLUNTEERSRECOGNITION GUIDE

1. General Information.

a. This guide describes the adult leader and volunteers awards available through the Occoquan District and the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, and provides guidance for individuals nominating Scouters and Volunteers for these awards.

b. The Occoquan District Committee and District Commissioner sponsors the following awards to recognize the work of dedicated Scout and sponsoring Organization:

Lord Baden-Powell Volunteer Service Award > page 4

Gordon H. Lazerson Volunteer Award > page 5

Charter Organization Award > page 5

Chairman’s Award > page 6

c. The Boy Scouts of America and the National Capital Area Capital Area Council authorizes the following awards to recognize the accomplishments of dedicated Scouters:

Key and Training Awards > page 7

Veteran Award > page 7

Unit Leader Award of Merit > page 8

District Award of Merit > page 8

Silver Beaver Award > page 9

d. Adult Leader awards are intended to recognize an individual for distinguished service to the Scouting program over a period of years and/or to recognize an individual for unusually significant achievement in one or more leadership positions or service to youth.

2. Guidelines and Awards Overview The following Guidelines apply to all Individual Awards (with the exception of the Unit Leader Award of Merit, Key Awards, and Training Awards):

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a. The basic qualification for any of these awards is that you, as a Scouter, feel that the contribution of another Scouter deserves such recognition.

b. There are no minimum criteria, such as number of years of service or number of

events chaired, for any of these awards.

c. These awards recognize not only individual achievements but also contributions to the overall Scouting Program (e.g., team work and team player, supporting BSA policies). This is the equivalent of demonstrating and showing “Scout Spirit” for the overall Boy Scout Program and Advancement.

d. The number of deserving individuals may exceed the number of awards that can be presented.

e. An individual must be formally nominated for consideration.

f. Nominations from one year do not carry-over to the next year – a new nomination must be submitted each year. If you think an individual has earned such recognition, then submit a Nomination Form for the appropriate award. All information must be complete and accurate as possible.

g. The following table depicts the eight awards covered in this Guide. Each row corresponds to a single award, and each column provides information specific to that award:

Scope – The area of service to which the award pertains such as Unit or District

Nominee – A basic description of the eligible persons

Nominator – Whom typically would make the nomination

Approved By – To which person or organization would the award be submitted

for consideration

Quantity – How many persons will be awarded annually

Due Date – The last date that nominations will be accepted

Repeat – Is it possible (or appropriate) for a person to receive this award more

than once

Notification – Who is responsible for making sure the awardee attends the

award presentation

Presentation – The award presentation venue

h. Each of the following paragraphs describe the awards summarized by the following table in more detail.

i.

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Award Scope Nominee Nominator Approved By Quantity Due Date Repeat Notification Presentation

Lord Baden-Powell Unit Unit Member Unit Leadership District/ Unit

Commissioner 2 per Unit 15 JAN Only if none other

Unit Leadership

District Awards Dinner

Gordon H. Lazerson District District

MemberDistrict Awards

Committee

District Awards

Committee1+ 31 DEC No District Key 3 District

Awards Dinner

Charter Organization District Charter

OrganizationAnyone can submit form

District Awards

Committee1-3 31 DEC Yes District Key 3 District

Awards Dinner

Chairman’s Award District District or Unit

MemberDistrict

Chairman

District Awards

Committee

Chairman Discretion 31 DEC Only if

none other District Key 3 District Awards Dinner

Veteran Award

Unit/ District Scouter District

ExecutiveNational Office varies NA Every

5 years Commissioner Round Table

Unit Leader Award of Merit

Unit Unit Leader Unit CommitteeDistrict

Commissioner/ Council

1 per Unit NA Not for same unit

Unit Committee Unit COH

Key and Training Awards

Unit Scouter Unit Committee Chair

District Training

CommitteeNA NA No Unit

Committee Round Table

District Award of Merit

Council District or Unit Member

Anyone can submit form

District Awards

Committee1-3 30 NOV No District Key 3 District

Awards Dinner

Silver Beaver Council District or Unit

Member

Anyone can submit form to

council

Council Silver Beaver

Committee

Council Discretion 30 NOV No Council/ DE

Council Silver Beaver Awards

Dinner

3. District Awards Committee

a. Description: In September of each year, the District Committee Chairmen will appoint a District Award Committee Chairman.

b. Nominating Procedure: Once appointed, the District Award Committee Chairman will select a Committee of not more than five seasoned Scouters to review the nominations and select the most deserving Scouter being recommended for an award (see Table above).

c. Approval: All selections will be presented to the District Committee Chairmen.

d. Notification and Presentation : Once the awardees have been selected, the District Award Committee Chairman will inform the District Committee Chairman, District Commissioner, and the District Executive (District Key 3) of the results. The District Committee Chairman will assist in the presentation of the awards designated for presentation at the annual District Dinner.

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4. Lord Baden-Powell Volunteer Service Award

a. Description: Each year the Occoquan District Commissioner Staff is able to recognize up to 2 individuals from each unit (Pack, Troop, Team, Venturing Crew, and Ship) for Outstanding Service and Contribution to that unit. One award will be to the Unit leadership such as:

Pack: CM, CA, DC, DL, DA, TC, WL, WA. Troop: SM, SA. Varsity: VC, VA. Crew: NL, NA. Ship: SK, MT.

The second award may be presented to any other outstanding adult associated with the unit, such as: (CR, CC, MC, IH, Parent or anyone else), using the nomination form, attached as ANNEX A.

Although typically only two of these awards are given per unit, exceptionally large units, or units with extenuating circumstances can present the case to the District Commissioner for an (rare) exception for an additional award(s). Examples of viable exceptions are very large Cub Scout Packs that may have over eight Den Leaders, or units with several adults who are being transferred simultaneously and deserve recognition.

b. Nominating Procedure: The Unit Commissioner will contact the Unit Committee Chairperson and/or Unit Leader in November to request nominations for this award. If the Unit Commissioner has not initiated this contact by December 15th, the Unit Committee Chairperson or leader should contact the Unit Commissioner or District Commissioner. A Nomination Form must be completed and submitted to the Unit Commissioner by January 15th.

c. Approval: Nominations for the Award are approved by the District Commissioner, upon recommendation from the Unit Commissioner serving that unit together with the Unit Committee and Unit Leadership.

d. Notification and Presentation: These Awards will be presented at the Annual Occoquan District Recognition Dinner. It is the Unit Leadership’s responsibility to ensure that the awardee is present at the District Dinner. It is suggested that the Unit pay for the awardee’s and their guest’s meal if the Unit is financially able. If an awardee is unable to make the dinner, the certificates will be given to the Unit Commissioner. The Unit Commissioner is responsible for making the award at a Unit venue such as a Pack Meeting or Court of Honor.

5. Gordon H. Lazerson Volunteer Award

a. Description : This Award is presented to one or more individuals by the District Committee Chairman for truly outstanding contributions to the Scouting Program in the Occoquan District during the past year. These individuals are not typically associated with a unit, but this is at the discretion of the District Chairman.

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b. Nominating Procedure : Individuals may recommend a potential recipient by completing the Nomination Form and provide to the District Chairman or District Awards Committee before December 31 using the nomination Form, attached as ANNEX B.

c. Approval : This award is approved by the District Awards Committee in consultation with the District Key 3.

d. Notification and Presentation : These Awards will be presented at the Annual Occoquan District Recognition Dinner. It is the District Key 3’s responsibility to ensure that the awardee is present at the District dinner. It is suggested that the District Award Dinner budget include the cost of the awardee’s and their guest’s meal if possible. If an awardee is unable to make the dinner, the presentation will be made at a district function such as Roundtable at the discretion of the District Key 3.

6. Charter Organization Award

a. Description : The Charter Organization is a crucial link between the Unit and the Boy Scouts of America. Successful units are nearly always supported by concerned Charter Organizations. This concern is usually marked by the active involvement of the Charter Organization Representative (CR) and other organization members in ongoing unit and District activities and is visible in consistent, long-term financial and logistic support to the units and District.

The Occoquan District Charter Organization Award is given by the District Committee. The purpose of the award is to recognize Outstanding Contributions as a sponsoring organization for fostering the mission of the Boy Scouts of America for the Unit. The District is able to honor up to three Charter Organizations with this award annually.

b. Nominating Procedure : While no minimum criteria exist, the organization successfully nominated for this award will usually have contributed one or a combination of the following:

Longevity of support to the Boy Scouts of America through sponsoring of units (Packs, Troops, Teams, Ships and Venturing Crews) and fostering community good will toward Scouting.

Encouragement of advancement and emphasis on unit participation in District, Council events and community service activities.

Sponsoring of multiple units, often supporting the full family of Scouting.

Active participation by members of the organization and strong corporate support by the organization.

Contributions to other youth organization in the community.

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Any individual can nominate any organization which sponsors one or more Scouting unit within the Occoquan District, using the Charter Organization Award Nomination Form, attached as ANNEX C. Nominations must be mailed or handed to the District Awards Committee, the District Chairman, or District Commissioner no later than December 31.

c. Approval : This award is approved by the District Awards Committee in consultation with the District Key 3.

d. Notification and Presentation : These Awards will be presented at the Annual Occoquan District Recognition Dinner. It is the District Key 3’s responsibility to ensure that the awardee is present at the District Dinner. Typically the CR or the Executive Officer will be invited. The District Award Dinner budget include the cost of the awardee’s and their guest’s meal (if possible). If an awardee is unable to make the dinner, the presentation will be made by one of the District Key 3 at a function of the Charter Organization such as Scout Sunday, a monthly meeting, or similar function.

7. Chairman’s Award

a. Description : This Award is presented to one or more individuals by the District Committee Chairman for an outstanding contribution to the Scouting Program in the Occoquan District during the past year. These individuals can be associated with a unit or the district. Typical contributions include running a district-wide event, opening up a unit event to the entire district, and other activities that require an individual devote significant energy to conducting a successful district-wide event.

b. Nominating Procedure : This award is at the discretion of the District Chairman. The Chairman works with the District Awards Committee to make the list of potential awardees. There is no formal nomination form for this award.

c. Approval : This award is approved by the District Awards Committee in consultation with the District Key 3.

d. Notification and Presentation : These Awards will be presented at the Annual Occoquan District Recognition Dinner. It is the District Key 3’s responsibility to ensure that the awardee is present at the district dinner. It is suggested that the District Award Dinner budget include the cost of the awardee’s and their guest’s meal if possible. If an awardee is unable to make the dinner, the presentation will be made at a district function such as Roundtable at the discretion of the District Key 3.

8. Key and Training Awards.

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a.. Description: It is imperative that deserving Scouters are recognized for their outstanding achievements. These awards are not annual awards. They are included to ensure that all Units are aware that they exist. It is imperative that deserving Scouters are recognized for their outstanding achievements. These award are similar to the others in this Guide except the individual Scouter must keep track of requirements as listed on the respective application form.

b. Nominating Procedure: All Nominations for the Key and Training Awards (Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, Sea Scouting, and District Committee) must be submitted on the appropriate Nomination Form obtained from the website identified in ANNEX D. The requirements vary based on the type of award. Once the Scouter completes the requirements identified on the award form, the Unit Committee Chairman approves the Award application and forwards to the District Training Chairman. The District Training Chairman will submit the application to the District Executive for processing at the Council Office. A tracking record of these awards will be maintained by the District Training Chairman.

c. Approval: After approval by the Unit Committee Chair, the award application is forwarded to the District Training Chair for approval. This award application is then forwarded to Council for final processing.

d. Notification and Presentation: The award certificate will be provided to the Unit Committee Chair by the Unit Commissioner, District Commissioner, or the District Executive. It is imperative that when the award has been issued by the Council that the District Training Chairman is notified so he can record an action has been completed. This award will not be placed into Unit Roundtable folders or handed to Unit representatives attending Roundtable. It is up to the Unit to present the Training Awards to the Scouter. However, the Key awards will be presented to the Scouter at the monthly Roundtable by the Roundtable Commissioner. Units are encouraged to invite members of the Key 3 to attend the ceremony to reinforce the significance of this award.

9. Veteran Award

a. Description: The Boy Scouts of America has established an award to recognize individual members for tenure in Scouting. The Veteran Award is an adult recognition award. However, tenure earned as a youth may be included in the total number of years registered. An adult designated veteran shall pay the regular registration fee if desiring to continue to retain active connection with the movement. After five years of registered service in the Boy Scouts of America, an adult may, upon application, receive the designation of “Veteran,” provided the person agrees to live up to the Scouting obligations; to keep local Scouting authorities in the community in which residing informed as to availability for service; and further, to be as active in the promotion of the cause of Scouting as circumstances and conditions permit. Service in Scouting organizations other than the Boy Scouts of America does not count toward veteran recognition. An individual must currently be a paid registered member of the Boy Scouts of America in order to receive an award.

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b. Nominating Procedure: Scouters desiring recognition as 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, 30-, 35-, 40-, 45-, 50-, 55-, 60-, 65-, 70-, 75-, or 80-year veterans must have maintained an active registered relationship for the required number of years, paying the annual registration fee. The application for the Veteran Award can be found in ANNEX E. The periods of service claimed for veteran recognition need not be continuous.

c. Approval: Once the Scouter completes the requirements identified on the Veteran Award form, the Scouter will submit the application to the District Executive for processing at the Council Office. The Council will forward the application to the national office. The records of the national office and local council shall determine eligibility.

d. Notification and Presentation : This award will not be placed into Unit Roundtable folders or handed to Unit representatives attending Roundtable. This award will be presented by the Roundtable Commissioner at the monthly Roundtable. Units are encouraged to invite members of the Key 3 to attend the ceremony to reinforce the significance of this award.

10.Unit Leader Award of Merit

a. Description : This award is not an annual award like the others presented in this document, however it is included to ensure that all Units are aware of its existence and recognize the outstanding achievements of their leaders as appropriate. This award is similar to the others in the document in that someone must nominate the Unit Leader – one cannot submit their own name for this award.

b. Nominating Procedure : The Unit Committee Chairman completes the Unit Leader Award of Merit application. The requirements vary based on the Unit type, such as Pack or Troop. The Chair also drafts a recommendation letter to accompany the application. There may be other recommendation letters required – for example the SPL will draft a recommendation for a Scout Master nomination. The application for this award can be found in ANNEX F.

c. Approval : This award is first processed by the District Commissioner who forwards it to Council for final approval and processing. Since this is a Council award, it may take additional time to process so Units should take this into account.

d. Notification and Presentation : The award package will be provided to the Unit Committee Chair by the Unit Commissioner, District Commissioner, or the District Executive. This award will not be placed into Unit Roundtable folders or handed to Unit representatives attending Roundtable. It is up to the Unit to present this award to the Leader. Units are encouraged to invite members of the Key 3 to attend the ceremony to reinforce the significance of this award.

11.District Award of Merit

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a. Description: The District Award of Merit is a Council award presented by Districts in the same manner that the Silver Beaver is a national award presented by Councils. This award is available to Scouters who render service of an Outstanding Nature at the District level. The award is made available annually on the basis of 1 for each 25 units, or fraction thereof, registered on November 30, of the previous year. The District need not present all the awards to which it is entitled each year.

It is not appropriate to nominate a Scouter who has already received this award. Additional guidelines and requirements can be found on the form in ANNEX G.

b. Nominating Procedure: Any individual may nominate a registered Scouter that meets the below requirements. All Nominations using, the District Award of Merit Nomination Form, attached as ANNEX G, must be submitted confidentially by mail or handed to the District Awards Committee, the District Chairman or the District Commissioner not later than November 31. To prevent embarrassment, the candidate should not be notified of this nomination.

c. Approval: The District Award Committee will consider all candidates and make recommendations to the District Key 3. Eligible persons must meet the following requirements/considerations:

A nominee must be a registered Scouter.

A nominee must have rendered noteworthy service to youth in Scouting, outside Scouting, or both. NOTE: The nature and value of “Noteworthy Service to Youth” may consist of a single plan or decisions that contributed vitally to the lives of large numbers of youth or it may have been given to a small group over an extended period of time.

Consideration must be given to the nominee’s Scouting position and the corresponding opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the expectations of that Scouting position.

The nominee’s attitude toward and cooperation with the District and Council will be considered.

The nomination is confidential. To avoid possible disappointment, the committee should not advise the nominee of action on his or her behalf.

d. Notification and Presentation : These Awards will be presented at the Annual Occoquan District Recognition Dinner. It is the District Key 3’s responsibility to ensure that the awardee is present at the district dinner. The District Award Dinner budget will include the cost of the awardee’s and their guest’s meal. If an awardee is unable to make the dinner, the presentation will be made at a District function such as Roundtable at the discretion of the District Key 3.

12. Silver Beaver Award

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a. Description: The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a Council‐level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America.  Recipients of this National award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the Council.

Additional requirements and guidelines are provided on the Silver Beaver Nomination Form, the link to which can be found in ANNEX H.

b. Nominating Procedure: Any individual can nominate any registered Scouter within the National Capital Area Council for this award using the Silver Beaver Nomination Form attached as ANNEX H. Special Note: Silver Beaver Nomination must be submitted directly to the National Capital Area Council – however, individuals are encouraged to coordinate submissions with the District Key 3. To prevent embarrassment, the candidate should not be notified of this nomination. Nominations must be submitted to the National Capital Area Council and are due to the Marriott Scout Service Center (9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814) before November 30. Late nominations will not be considered.

c. Approval: Annually, the Council president will appoint a Silver Beaver Committee that will consider candidates and recommendations. The District has no input into the deliberations.

d. Notification and Presentation: A member of the District Key 3 will notify the recipient of this award and provide all relevant information to ensure that the awardee is present at the award ceremony. This award is presented at the Council Recognition Dinner usually in June. The District Key 3 will also contact members of the District Scouting Community to ensure that the awardee is dutifully recognized and the District is properly represented.

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ANNEX A

Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area Council

Occoquan District

Nomination for the

Lord Baden-Powell Volunteer Service AwardTo: Occoquan District Awards Committee Date: ____________

I nominate the following individual for the Lord Baden-Powell Volunteer Service Award:

Please Print the following information.

Name: ___________________________________________ Unit Number: _________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: ____________

Lord Baden-Powell Volunteer Service AwardTo: Occoquan District Awards Committee Date: ____________

I nominate the following individual for the Lord Baden-Powell Volunteer Service Award:

Please Print the following information.

Name: ___________________________________________ Unit Number: _________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

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________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: ____________

A-1

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ANNEX B

Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area CouncilOccoquan District

Nomination for the

Gordon H. Lazerson Volunteer Award

To: Occoquan District Awards Committee Date: ____________

I nominate the following individual for the Gordon H. Lazerson Volunteer Award:Please Print the following information.

Name: ___________________________________________ Unit Number: _________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: ____________

The nominee is currently registered in Scouting as: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Information concerning the nominee Outstanding Contribution to the ScoutingProgram. Please, include Scouting positions and committee details.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B-1

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ANNEX C

Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area CouncilOccoquan District

Nomination for the

Charter Organization AwardTo: Occoquan District Awards Committee Date: ____________

I nominate the following Charter Organization for consideration for the CharterOrganization Award:Please PRINT the following information.

Organization: _____________________________________________________________Address: ______________________________________________________________

________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: ___________

Name of the Head of Organization: ____________________________________________Charter Organization Representative (CR): ___________________________________

Type (s) and Unit Number (s): ___________________________________________Description of the Organization’s History in sponsorship: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Describe the involvement of members of the Charter Organization as (CR) orin other leadership positions in sponsored units: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C-1

ANNEX D thru H

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Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area CouncilOccoquan District

Annex D – Key and Training Awards Formshttp://www.scouting.org/training/adult.aspx

(Scroll down to the bottom of the web page)

Annex E - Veteran Awardhttp://www.bsaseabase.org/filestore/membership/pdf/524-701.pdf

Annex F – Unit Leader Award of Merit Nomination Formhttp://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-003_wb.pdf

Annex G – District Award of Merit Nomination Formhttp://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33720.pdf

Annex H – Silver Beaver Award Nomination Formhttp://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-103_WB.pdf

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