Re: Adult Recognitions
Ian Ford (ianford@DIRCON.CO.UK)
Fri, 2 Jun 1995 18:00:29 +0100
There is a considerable difference between UK and BSA approach to adult
recognignition. The ONLY training award is Wood Badge, which is
mandatory.
UK Leaders do not wear badges of appointment either - just a group name
and district and county insignia. Leaders over 25 do not wear the
Queen's Scout Award but those below that age may. Nor are there service
stars.
The awards Mike was talking about are " awards for Good Service " ...
here in UK all awards are allocated nationally , unlike BSA where each
district or council has an allocation of awards it may nominate for.
The first award is the Chief Scout's Commendation for Good Service ,
which requires a minimum of about five years' outstanding service. Next
comes the Medal of Merit for a minimum of ten years' outstanding service.
There is also a bar for further similar service.
These are the two most commonly seen at unit level. The other awards are
the Silver Acorn and the Silver Wolf, the latter being the unrestricted
gift of the Chief Scout. The Wolf in particular tends to go to people who
either have a very high national or county-level profile , or who have
<very> long histories of Scouting service ... the forty year mark.
Since the people at Headquarters probably do not know most of the
candidates the art is in writing the submission in such a way as to make
it look good.
Ian Ford
AGSL 25th Greenwich Scout Group
District Committee, Channel District BSA (UK)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
