Adult Recognitions
Timothy J O'Leary (tjo@CPTCHR.AFIP.MIL)
Tue, 30 May 1995 09:13:45 -0700
I've been watching the off and on thread about adult recognitions, and
have a couple of thoughts....
Most of the folks I know who wear "lots of knots" are pretty dedicated
Scouters who have been giving a lot to the program for years and years.
Most of them aren't in it for the decorations; they are in it for the
boys.
After all, the "training awards" and keys do require service to the boys.
I can't think of a requirement which doesn't make a Scouter better
trained or more effective.
My district had its annual Adult Recognition Banquet about a week ago.
Three incredibly dedicated Scouters received the Silver Beaver. As nice
as the certificate and the SB itself are, there is no way that any person
in his or her right mind would put into the program the effort they
have, were the goal to earn a pendant. Oh, yeah, most of them were
wearing knots indicating Scouters key, Cubmaster or Den Leader training
awards, or other such stuff. Usually three or four of them, reflecting
time spent in several different programs.
A whole lot of other Silver Beaver recipients were there (perhaps 20-30),
still active, usually both in a unit and at the District Level. These
are folks that weren't likely to ever get another adult recognition, but
they were still giving the most precious thing they have - their time.
I believe that the District Awards Committee (and many of the units) are
pretty clever about the way they use "unofficial" awards. These are
inexpensive, and you can't go out to earn them. The awards tell the
recipients that "someone noticed." We know that the boys notice, but
they don't pat you on the back, which is something we can all use now and
again....
The reason I think they are clever about the way they use the awards is
that I have little doubt that "someone noticing" can help get another ten
years of volunteer labor which really does make a difference.
My experience over the last few years, by the way, is that most of the
folks associated with my unit are really surprised by the training
awards. They didn't keep track of things like that, but someone else in
the unit did, and put in the card!
Tim O'Leary
CM, Pack 1072, CC. Troop 772, Silver Spring, MD
tjo@afip.mil
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
