Dear Commissioner
For many years our Association has had a scheme providing formal recognition of good adult service. It also recognises special acts of bravery, quick thinking in the face of danger, courage and endurance for all young people and adults involved in the Movement.
There is no mystery in the way our awards scheme works. The scheme is governed by rules laid down in POR which are administered by the Awards Board on my behalf. Applications have to be made by Districts through County/Area/ Regional (Scotland) Commissioners or directly by County, Area, Regional or Chief Commissioners to the Board, whose members are charged with maintaining consistent standards across the United Kingdom. The attached Guidelines have been written by the Board with a view to helping Commissioners understand the scheme and make it more effective. There is also some good advice about a number of other areas where thanks are appropriate, such as awarding Thanks Badges and making presentations generally.
Most of the adults involved in Scouting look for and expect no reward, but a timely word of thanks in the right direction never goes amiss and can work wonders in terms of morale and motivation, not to mention retention. To make that occasional 'thank you' even more special, I would ask you to give serious consideration to making an application for an award for those Members and Associate Members who, over a period of time, you find yourself thanking more frequently. Service Awards, too, will afford you regular opportunities to thank many whose valuable service is sometimes overlooked.
Awards for Gallantry and Meritorious Conduct, including the Cornwell Scout Badge, are also considered in these Guidelines. While the numbers awarded are small, the effect they can have on recipients and their immediate families, as well as on local Scouting, can be significant. If you think you have someone in Scouting in your District or County/Area whose bravery, courage, quick thinking or endurance, either during a single incident, or during a prolonged period of suffering, deserves recognition, please make an early application.
I am sure you will find that these Guidelines will help in making your responsibilities in applying for awards less of an administrative burden and more of a delight in seeing devoted service or bravery, courage and devotion to duty being properly recognised.
Thank you!
Chief Scout
Updated November 2008
