District Award of Merit

[cballman]

ok people we need to thank our people who have went and done the scouting thing above and beyond the call of duty. these are the people who you see at different events over and over. these events would not happen without the people who donate more of there time than is possible. Luck would have it that about 3 years ago I got to give one to a friend. Last year this friend gave it to my wife. this year I was chosen to give the award to a very well deserving man who has giving a whole lot of time and has been overlooked for a few years. but know he has received this honor. Just so happens this man has been in scouting for so long he was MY ASM about 30 years ago didnt think he would live that long after having me as a scout he just said there was a WHOLE lot less of me back then to worry about but still if you know any of these people in your area please give them a hearty thank you. not just from you but let everyone know how much that you appreciate what these people have done for your district.

[Eamonn]

We have in our District also awarded the District Award of Merit to people who have worked hard helping the District raise money for our community Friends Of Scouting Campaign. These guys and girls do a thankless task, asking people for money year after year. I know that without their help and hard work we would not have had the many successes that we have enjoyed over the years. Very often I think that they are the forgotten hero's of the District.

[riverwalk]

Yes, many are deserving of the D.A.M., but, with only a few permitted in the District....what District type awards have y'all created so more Scouters get a pat on the back?

[West]

Well, at our Blue and Gold I got to recoginize a guy who's been involved in scouting at our charter org for 50 years. He's 84 now, so his involvment has droped off (I took over his old job) but he still does as much as he can. We really struggeled trying to find a way to recoginize him. I thought about god and service- he already got it many years ago. Same with the Distrect Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, you name it. We ended up just going with the 50 Vetrens pin, a service star, and I made him a plaque. And we recoginized him both at Blue and Gold, and Scout Sunday.

[riverwalk]

The plaque can be a fine idea. Handmade (with TLC) or even an official one (with CSP or Position patches, whatever) can mean something too. Our District (Arrowhead) created a silver arrowhead and neck ribbon, for presentation at annual Dinners. Previously we were a different District, and there was a similar neckwear award, just for the District. These are helpful since the Award of Merit is only authorized one per 25 Units (I think).

We also present very active Leaders with a "Spark plug" award. It really has a spark plug mounted on a little base, and the plug is painted gold. It's good for those Scouters with a lot of spark.

[West]

We do that for the pack leaders. Spark Plug, Hook line and sinker, plunged right in (a plunger), and other various silly things.

[Scouting179]

We have HOOKED ON SCOUTING award. It's for someone new to a level (Pack or Troop, each level gets one award a year in our district) who in their first year shows great enthusiasm and passion for Scouting. It has a large fish hook on the plaque with a yellow foam ear plug as bait. My son moved from Pack to Troop in 2002 and I got this award (first year it was given) in Feb 2003 for the 2002 year. The following year another leader in our troop got it.

[riverwalk]

Just had to share another one. One Scouter handed out some Unit Leader recognitions here once. He had cut a cedar tree trunk into small cross-sections, and put a varnish on them. They contained an appropriate Position patch for each recipient. It was rumored that the local tree had concealed Police while they used radar on passing motorists, and that the Scouter (nope, stop right there, it wasn't me) was aware the tree had been cut down by an unhappy motorist. It was a unique recognition item. It was received well because the Leader made them, AND 'cause of the local rumor-humor.

[commish3]

I used to shellac a large baked potato and stick it to a plaque. This was a coveted award. After reading all the fine things the individual had done in support of Scouting I would bring the potato award out and say...

"Scouter (fill in the blank)...for all you do...this Spud's for you!"

It always got a huge response.

[Chief J]

Our district has several awards and certificates they have put together for recognition.

They have a Mr. and Mrs. Scouter Award, presented to the spouse of the Scouter for all of their support in letting them be a part of scouting.

We have a unit MVP award where the unit members choose a recipient of the award for all that person does for their unit.

and we have a _______ District award, which is given for many of the same recognitions as the District Award of MErit.

In our Troop, we also provide certificates to the adults who provide support above and beyond the call.

Chief J

[Eamonn]

We have for a number of years taken $1,000 from the District Golf outing and paid for a James E. West. This was presented to someone who had gone above and beyond normal service to the District.
The SE isn't overjoyed that this money ends up in the endowment fund. Still you can't please everyone.

[Eamonn]

We have for a number of years taken $1,000 from the District Golf outing and paid for a James E. West. This was presented to someone who had gone above and beyond normal service to the District.
The SE isn't overjoyed that this money ends up in the endowment fund. Still you can't please everyone.

[optimist]

I used to shellac a large baked potato and stick it to a plaque.

Here's a related one. The Golden Spark Plug Award -- Paint a spark plug gold and shellac it to a board. This is great to give to people who have made things happen through the year

[Lynda J]

Could have knocked me over with a feather Saturday night. I was given the District Award of Merit. Darn sure didn't expect it.

[optimist]

Woot!!! Gratz!!!

[riverwalk]

Very deserving I'm sure. Kudos to you Lynda J. Just don't use any feathers of protected birds, haha.

[Lynda J]

I do this because I love doing it and working with the boys. It's also fun.
I didn't even think about the award. I was truly honored and shocked.
Later the District Commissioner commented "you just didn't realize that everyone was watching." I really wasn't. But is sure does feel good.

[cballman]

Lynda after giving out two of the three awards that went to someone in our troop then let me congragulate you on a honor that very few people have earned. it shows me that these people had done more than their fair share for the scouting program and I am proud to say that I know you now maybe one of these days I might get the District Award but there are to many deserving people who deserves it more. but to have given out the two was just about as good as it gets. IMHO

[RWSmith]

Congratulations, Lynda.

[wagionvigil]

Wow! Lionda Big Scout Yahoo!!!