Scoutmaster's Award of Merit
Requirements
The Scoutmaster Award of Merit may be earned by a Scouter who meets the following
requirements. The nominee need not be an Eagle Scout but must:
- Be a currently registered Scoutmaster who has served in that position
for at least 18 months
- Have achieved the Quality Unit Award at least once during his period
of service
- Have completed Boy Scout Leader Fast Start and Scoutmastership Fundamentals
or equivalent
- Have a record of proper use of the Boy Scout advancement program, resulting
in a majority of his Boy Scouts attaining the First Class rank
- Have a record of:
- · Development of boy leadership through the patrol method
- · Positive relations with the troop's chartered organization
- · An extensive outdoor program including strong summer camp attendance
- · A positive image of Scouting in the community
- · A troop operation that attracts and retains Boy Scouts
The following must be attached to the application form:
- A list of Boy Scouts who became First Class Scouts during the nominee's
tenure as a Scoutmaster
- A statement by the senior patrol leader on behalf of the patrol leaders'
council and the troop committee chairman attesting to the nominee's performance
as Scoutmaster. (This statement is certified by the senior patrol leader
and troop committee chairman.)
Background
Shortly after the National Eagle Scout Association was established in 1972,
it began to make available a NESA Scoutmaster Award. The award was presented
to one Scoutmaster per BSA area each year. These Scoutmasters' records demonstrated
proper use of Boy Scout advancement, and a significant number of their Boy Scouts
attained the Eagle Scout rank. This award was discontinued on December 31, 1987.
The President of the Boy Scouts of America requested that NESA convert its
award into a Scoutmaster Award of Merit which could be earned by all Scoutmasters.
His rationale was that there is a need for recognizing a man relatively early
in his work as a Scoutmaster, prior to his qualifying for the Scouter's Key.
Procedure
The chairman of the troop committee has the responsibility of nominating
the Scoutmaster on behalf of the patrol leaders' council and the troop committee.
The nomination is certified by the unit commissioner and forwarded to the
local council service center.
Approval authority lies with the Scout executive and either the council NESA
chairman or the council commissioner.
The Scout executive will forward the nomination to the director of the National
Eagle Scout Association at the national office. The nomination should be approved
by the Scout executive and either the council NESA chairman or the council commissioner.
Award
A full-color certificate will be provided by NESA free of charge. A cost
of $1.50 per certificate will be charged for a certificate with the recipient's
name hand lettered. Payment should accompany the order. The National Eagle Scout
Association will send the certificates to the Scout executive via pouch mail.
A 3-week turnaround should be allowed if the names of recipients are to be hand
lettered on the certificates. Those unlettered require a 2-week turnaround time.
A full-color, 6-inch, jacket patch, No. 5004, is available through the Supply
Division. (shown below)
A square Knot (white on tan) for the uniform, No. 5007, is available through
the Supply Division.
Presentations
The award may be presented at an appropriate chartered organization or unit
function with acknowledgment at a district or council event or at a district
or council recognition event.
SOURCE: Application Form (No. 58-413)
Click Here to download a PDF
of the application form.
Page updated on:
August 28, 2008
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