Leader Recognition and Knots

[cyboji59]

It's a shame that BSA really has so few awards for leaders. We have a committee member who volunteers for everything. Membership chair, fully trained(Baloo,Owl,DL,committee),is an assistant den leader, runs events, campouts, and keeps the pack organized. We didn't get him registered his first year so he won't qualify for scouter knot. Wish there was something more official we could do for him.

[John-in-KC]

Do something local. Buy him a gift certificate to REI or Cabelas or even Scoutstuff. Buy him a dinner for two with his bride. Heck, even just a certificate printed on parchment paper (available from any office supply store), done well, gives its recipient a feeling of appreciation.

 

Finally, get him registered. Unless he's a Web 2 parent moving up, he's got time to do things to earn the knot. Also, go have a quiet talk with the District Training Team. See if they'll flex and how far...

 

Use your imagination

[scoutldr]

Check with your District Commissioner. Most districts present awards at the annual District Dinner. There is the District Award of Merit, among others (Cub Scouter of the Year, Scoutmaster of the Year, etc). Having been on the selection committee, I know that some are awarded to the only one nominated...take the time, fill out the paperwork, and present a convincing write-up. The only prerequisite is that the nominee be a registered Scouter and that someone takes the time to submit the nomination.

[Eamonn]

scoutldr

I feel sure that this committee member would not receive the District Award of Merit in the District that I'm in.

We tend to award it to people who have performed outstanding service to the District.

A good many Scouter's feel that there are too many awards and knots in the Cub Scout section!

I think if a knot and a certificate is all that is needed to retain and spur someone on. -Go for it.

But if someone wasn't registered the fault has to lie with the unit. They have to take the blame.

While we all love to have active volunteers. I think we have to be very careful of having the person who wears to many hats. While they may well be doing a wonderful job, my fear is what happens when they are no longer there?

I'd much sooner see people share the load and that way if someone moves on or quits you only have one spot to fill.

Once someone is doing all the work, it's hard to knock a few hats off, without hurting feelings. Most of us are happy to allow the work-horse to keep doing all the work and then when he or she isn't there any more we wonder what went wrong.

If you are looking for something official which comes with a knot? You might consider a James E. West in the persons name. It will cost $1,000.00. Which might be a little much.

Eamonn.

[cyboji59]

Thanks for your responses. We have him registered since January. He's been with us over two years serving. Steps up for us and always shows a parent or two how he gets things done. Wish more folks were behind scouts like this. Great ideas!

[acco40]

Let's see for Cub Scouts there is a Den Leader Training Award, Cub Scouters' Training Award, Cubmaster Training Award, Tiger Leader Training Award, and the Webelos Den Leader Training Award. If a committee member he needs a tenure of two years. Cub Scouts (Tiger to Webelos/AOL) is usually 4.5 year program. If he doesn't have the tenure, he is out of luck. However, like many stated, there are awards such as the Unit Award of Appreciation (I think that is BSA wide not just my council but I'm not sure) and others as stated in earlier posts.