Quality unit leadership is the key to a quality unit program—and it leads to better Scout retention. Statistics show that if young people stay engaged in the program for at least five years, Scouting America’s influence likely will stay with them for the rest of their lives. A quality Scouting experience will help keep Scouts in the program, and Scouting America created the Unit Leader Award of Merit to recognize the quality unit leaders who make that happen.
The Unit Leader Award of Merit replaces the Scoutmaster and Venturing Crew Advisor award of merit programs. This new recognition has revised requirements, and Cubmasters and Skippers are also eligible for this recognition.
Requirements
The nominee must
- Be a currently registered Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Advisor, or Skipper who has served in that position at least 18
continuous months. - Meet the training requirements for the registered position.
- Distribute a printed or electronic annual unit program plan and calendar to each family in the unit.
- Have a leader succession plan in place.
- Effectively use the advancement method so that at least 60 percent of the unit’s youth have advanced at least once during the last 12 months.
- Cultivate a positive relationship with the chartered organization.
- Project a positive image of Scouting in the community.
Nomination Procedure
- The unit committee chair completes the Unit Leader Award of Merit Nomination Form on behalf of the unit committee. For Scout troops, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships, the nomination must include endorsement by the senior patrol leader, crew president, or ship’s boatswain, respectively.
- The unit or district commissioner certifies that the form is complete.
- The unit submits the nomination form to the council for approval by the Scout executive and council commissioner or president. The council is responsible for processing the award.
The Award
Upon receipt of the approved nomination form, the council may present the Unit Leader Award of Merit, which includes a
certificate, square knot with the appropriate device, and a special unit leader emblem. Recognition of this achievement may be
presented at appropriate district or council events, such as district or council leader recognition dinners, training events, and
board meetings.
The award may be presented to the unit leader for each program, Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts, if the
individual meets the requirements in each program. Only one knot is worn with the devices of each program that the award was
earned in.