Re: Question about Medal of Merit

Daniel,

As a member of the Council Advancement Committee I have been involved in the
processing of over 100 applications for Lifesaving and Meritorious Action
Awards, perhaps I can help you.

Yes, from the little that you told me, the putting out of a forest fire is
deserving of recognition (I'm assuming this wasn't the extinguishing of one
burning bush).

First things first --------

** Don't classify the potential award to be received until more information
is presented.
** The awards are for both Scouts and Adult Scouters.
** The awards are for individual actions and therefore each of the Scouts
and/or Scouters will have to have a separate application submitted.
** Notify your District Advancement Chairman as soon as possible as they are
responsible for getting the paperwork processed and submitted to the Council
Advancement Committee who will then conduct a review and make the
recommendation of what award will be recommended on the application
submitted to national.

A few questions------

**Was there any publicity about the event at the Northern Tier? Newspaper
articles, TV, etc. If there was, obtain a copy of newspapers articles and
video clips from TV coverage. Most TV stations are more than happy to
provide the clip when you mention it is for submission with an award
application. Some stations will have a small charge for handling. Any new
article of video tape should be attached to each application.
**When the crew came upon the forest fire, was there any potential of a life
threatening situation? If so, then the award may be moved to heroism for
those involved. I state for those involved because not every Scout may have
participated in the lifesaving portion and would be recommended for the
lesser award.
**During the incident, was there a potentially life threatening situation
that any individual got themselves into? Here again, some of the crew may be
involved in a heroism level award application.
**Was there any witnesses other than members of your Troop? Obtain the names
and addresses as they would be able to provide witness statements to attach
to the application.
**Did any member of your unit take photographs or video? If yes, obtain a
copy for submission with each application.

Now to what you must do IMMEDIATELY------

**Have you contacted the local newspapers and TV stations and informed them
of the event? Local media would love to run an article about the "Local
Scout Troop Heroes Who Saved The Forests Of Canada". Remember, PROMOTE THE
GOOD GUYS! Too many times we hear complaints that the news is to negative.
Well the positive stories won't get told unless you do it. So, GO FOR IT!
**Have you put an article in your council newsletter, your district
newsletter, your Troop newsletter, your web site, your charter organizations
bulletin/newsletter.
**With the Press Release that you have written (which I'm sure includes a
picture of the entire crew in full uniform with the Troop Flag appropriately
displayed) have you sent a copy to your Charter Organization Rep?, Your
District Chair? Your District Exec? Your Council Exec? Have you made a copy
for each individual Scout and given a copy to their parents? Point being,
the boys have performed a positive action for which you should be shouting
it to everyone you can. The more people that know, the more people they can
tell. Get the positive story out about your Scouts, your unit, your
District, your Council and the program as a whole.
**Have you made arrangements to have the press release be announced at the
next Roundtable?
**Old stories are like stale bread, they don't sell well. It helps when
publicity is current so hopefully you've started it already.

Now to the award application-----

**The completed application is submitted along with:
* a personally prepared and signed statement by the person performing
the action, describing the incident.
* a personally prepared and signed statement by the rescued person, if
any
* a personally prepared and signed statement by each witness, describing
the action as he or she recalls the details. Include name, address, and
phone number of all witnesses.
* Glossy photo of the individual who made the rescue (or performed the
action) 5" x 7" is desired
* provide any attachments, newspaper clippings, video, photos, etc that
is applicable

There is a time limit. Any application that is received by national more
than six months after the event must be accompanied by a letter explaining
the delay. Daniels, submissions after six months are not recommended.

I would hope that this information is helpful to you. If for any reason you
have delays or have questions, please feel free to contact me. I would be
more than happy to assist you anyway I can. Please keep me posted as to the
results of the actions.

YIS,

Colin M. McConnell colinm@rust.net
Having so much fun I can Bearrrrrly stand it
|<|---success-is-making-a-difference-in-the-life-of-one-young-man--<<|
District Advancement Chair, Northridge District, Detroit Area Council
Troop 1707 Committee Member (Scoutmaster Emeritus)


-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Bailey <Daniel.Bailey@MCI.COM>
To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Date: Friday, July 24, 1998 3:04 PM
Subject: Question about Medal of Merit


Our troop recently returned from a trip to the Northern Tier Canoe
Base in Canada. While on the trip, one of the crews arrived on the
scene of a forest fire and used natural methods to put out the fire.
The question came up if this would qualify for the Medal of Merit Award.

Can anyone answer this question?

Daniel Bailey
Scoutmaster, Troop 88
Colorado Springs, CO

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