WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A QUALITY UNIT?!!?

Scout leaders and youth wear a variety of insignia on their uniforms. Each represents a specific means of identification. The badge or patch can signify position, rank, achievements, group identity, or program participation.

One very important, albeit small, patch is worn on the field uniform right sleeve, in position three below the flag patch and patrol designation areas. This is the Quality Unit patch and indicates that the wearer’s unit has met high standards in performance, leadership, training, and activities.

Each Rechartering envelope contains a multi-page National Quality Unit Award form. Upon completion of the rechartering paperwork, the Quality Unit Award form should be thoughtfully and completely filled in and then submitted with the other paperwork in the appropriate recharter envelope.

There is a different National Quality Unit Award form for each Scouting level. Basic topic areas such as Training, Two-Deep Leadership, Outdoor Activities, On-Time Charter Renewal, Service Projects, Advancement, Boy’s Life Participation, and Membership appear at each of Scouting’s four levels. In all, ten objective areas are listed on the award form. Topics specific to one level may not be relevant at another level, and so the forms are not interchangeable. In all cases, a unit must have achieved six of the ten listed objectives, four of which are required, if they wish to attain the status of being a Quality Unit.

On each level’s National Quality Unit Award form, the unit’s leaders indicate not only those objectives already accomplished (and upon which the determination for Quality Unit status is based), but also a place to mark those objectives which are planned for the upcoming year. This is basically a goal-setting promise by the unit to itself and to the Buckskin Council. It helps highlight those areas which might need additional emphasis in the year to come, and establishes an “action plan”.

Counseling regarding this important unit designation is available through the unit’s Commissioner or the District Executive. All of them are eager to help each unit do and be their best.

Centennial Quality Awards Program

Page Revised 03/27/2010