National Certificate of Merit
(no name) ((no email))
Mon, 16 Feb 1998 11:40:27 -0700
The National Certificate of Merit is just that, a certificate. There is no
medal. Medals come with the Medal of Merit, Heroism Award, Honor Medal,,
and Honor Medal with Crossed Palms.
According to the Application for Recommendation for Lifesaving or
Meritorious Action Awards there are two classes of awards: Lifesaving
Awards and Meritorious Action Awards.
Lifesaving Awards recognize the attempt to save life AND an accompanying
measure of risk to self.
Meritorious Action Awards recognize notable acts of service that need not
involve attempts of rescue or risk to self but put into practice Scouting
skills and/or ideals.
We tend to give out more National Certificates of Merit than anything else.
A common recipient would have done something like the Heimlich maneuver.
No risk to self (no lifesaving award). The Medal of Merit needs to perform
an act of service of a RARE or EXCEPTIONAL CHARACTER that reflects an
uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.
Deciding what to recommend to National is frequently tough and most Awards
committee try real hard to get it right. We have never had one of our
recommendations downgraded, but we had one upgraded once. It evolved the
rescue of a newborn baby stuffed into a plastic bag and dropped down a pit
latrine in a campground.
I hope this helps you understand, the application #92-104B has some more
information as does the National Advancement Procedures and Policy book.
Chris Haggerty, Sierra Vista, Arizona
Catalina Council Advancement Chairman
Instructor Trainer for Water Safety, American Red Cross, Ft Huachuca Station
INTERNET: CHAGGERTY@BPA.ARIZONA.EDU
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
