Unit Leader Award of Merit
Background
Quality unit leadership is the key to a quality unit program—and it leads to better Scout retention. Statistics show that if
young people stay engaged in the program for at least five years, the BSA’s influence likely will stay with them for the rest
of their lives. A quality Scouting experience will help keep Scouts in the program, and the Boy Scouts of America created
the Unit Leader Award of Merit to recognize the quality unit leaders who make that happen.
The Unit Leader Award of Merit replaces the Scoutmaster, Varsity Team Coach, and Venturing Crew Advisor award of
merit programs. This new recognition has revised requirements, and Cubmasters are also eligible for this recognition.
Requirements
The nominee must
1. Be a currently registered Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Coach, or Advisor who has served in that position at least 18
continuous months.
2. Meet the training requirements for the registered position.
3. Distribute a printed or electronic annual unit program plan and calendar to each family in the unit.
4. Have a leader succession plan in place.
5. Effectively use the advancement method so that at least 60 percent of the unit’s youth have advanced at least once
during the last 12 months.
6. Cultivate a positive relationship with the chartered organization.
7. Project a positive image of Scouting in the community.
Nomination Procedure
1. The unit committee chair completes the Unit Leader Award of Merit Nomination Form on behalf of the unit
committee. For Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturer crews, the nomination must include
endorsement by the senior patrol leader, team captain, or crew president, respectively.
2. The unit or district commissioner certifies that the form is complete.
3. The unit submits the nomination form to the council for approval by the Scout executive and council commissioner
or president. The council is resposible for processing the award.
The Award
Upon receipt of the approved nomination form, the council may present the Unit Leader Award of Merit, which includes
a certificate, square knot with the appropriate device, and a special unit leader emblem. Recognition of this achievement
may be presented at appropriate district or council events, such as district or council leader recognition dinners, training
events, and board meetings.
The award may be presented for each program, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing, if the individual meets the
requirements in each program. Only one knot is worn with the devices of each program that the award was earned in.
Unit Leader Award of Merit certificate, No. 512004
Scoutmaster emblem, No. 610093
Unit Leader Award of Merit square knot, No. 610091
Cubmaster emblem, No. 610094
Varsity coach emblem, No. 610092
Venturing Advisor emblem, No. 610095