Community Organization Award
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Background
In recent years representatives of several national chartered organizations
have inquired about the development of a recognition that could be given to
registered adult leaders in units chartered to community organizations, similar
to the adult religious awards presented by the various denominations and faith
groups. After study and evaluation, the BSA National Court of Honor approved the
concept of a Community Organization Award square knot. This square knot would be
available to be worn by uniformed Scouters who have been recognized for their
service to Scouting youth in the community.
The Community Organization Award
The concept of the Community Organization Award is similar to the adult
religious recognition program in that the award itself and the criteria for
granting the award are under the ownership and auspices of the particular
national chartered organization that presents the award. The intent of the
national Uniform and Insignia Committee is to provide a square knot for Scouters
who have received a BSA-accepted and -authorized award from a national community
organization.
The Boy Scouts of America's Community Organization Award square knot consists
of an embroidered gold square knot on a purple background with a gold border and
is the means by which the BSA recognizes Scouters who have received an approved
community organization service recognition. As with all other square knots, it
is worn on the Scouter uniform shirt above the left pocket.
Development of the Award
Community Organization Award is a generic term used by the BSA to identify a
category of awards used by secular national community organizations to recognize
their members for voluntary service and achievement. The organization must also
be a BSA national chartered organization. The recognition piece, the concept of
the award, and the criteria for awarding and presenting it are developed and
owned by the national community organization, which is also a chartered
organization with the Boy Scouts of America.
To ensure compatibility with the objectives and mission of the Boy Scouts of
America, the concept, requirements, and criteria for presenting the award must
be approved by the BSA national Relationships Committee.
The Awarding Process
Nominations for an award would be submitted to the national community
organization. A selection committee would be assembled by the organization to
review the nomination forms. Each organization would develop its own selection
process and criteria along generally established and accepted guidelines. Once
the award recipients have been selected, the national community organization
would arrange for presentation of the awards at an appropriate time and location.
Upon approval, the Community Organization Award square knot would be available
for uniform wear by the recipient.
Current Awards
As of June 1, 2005, there are ten awards that fall into this classification:
The Marvin M. Lewis Award of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
(BPOE), Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Scouter's Achievement Award, the American Legion Scouting Square Knot
Award, the Department of Defense—United States Military Outstanding
Volunteer Service Medal, the Herbert G. Horton Alpha Phi Omega Youth
Service Award of the Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity, the
Cliff Dochterman Award of the International Fellowship of Scouting
Rotarians; the Ruritan Scout Leader Community Service Award of Ruritan
National Service Clubs, and the Raymond A. Finley , Jr. Sea Scout Service
Award of the United States Power Squadrons.
The George Meany Award of the American Federation of Labor & Congress
of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is also part of this category, but retains
the use of the original square knot designed for the Meany Award.