Adult Recognition

There are many adults who contribute their time, talents and treasure in an effort to bring Catholic Scouting to our youth. Leaders, Religious Emblems Counselors, PhxDCCS committee members and Clergy are examples of adults who have shown support of our programs and activities in the past. If you would like to nominate an adult for any of the Recognitions listed, please click on the appropriate link below for the Nomination Form. Nomination Forms may be submitted to the Selection Committee any time during the year for consideration. A selection committee appointed by the Chair will review the Nominations and make their recommendations with final approval by our Diocesan Chaplain. The name and address of who to send the forms to can be found on the last page of the nomination packet. Adult Recognitions are presented at an annual “Bishop’s Dinner” sponsored by the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Committee on Scouting. Please check the “Announcements” section on the Home Page for the deadline when nominations need to be received in order to be considered for presentation at the annual Dinner. Thank you for your support of our dedicated volunteers!!! Please click a link below to learn more about the specific recognition.

NCCS Recognition Awarded at the Diocese Level

The Bronze Pelican is not an official National Catholic Committee on Scouting® award. Therefore the National Catholic Committee on Scouting® does not recommend any requirements for this award. Diocese that uses the Bronze Pelican award can and will establish their own requirements for this award. The National Catholic Committee on Scouting® will maintain the supply system now in place to purchase the Bronze Pelican but does not regulate it use. Click here for list of past Bronze Pelican recipients.

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting®, acting through the local diocese or eparchy, may award the St. George emblem to members of the laity and clergy, Scouters and non-Scouters alike, who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting.

The recipients of the emblem are to be sought after and selected by an active committee of the (arch)diocese/eparchy. This committee is to be newly-appointed each year by the diocesan Scout chaplain or chairperson.

Nomination forms should give a detailed description of how the nominee provides outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting in the Catholic Church. It is improper to nominate oneself or one’s spouse.

General Scouting achievements do not qualify a person to receive the St. George emblem. The Boy Scouts of America has district, council, regional and national awards for such recognition. Click here for a list of past St. George recipients.

Guidelines for nomination and selection of both awards:

Promoting the religious emblems programs for Catholic youths or serving as a counselor, moderator or coordinator. Encouraging non-Catholic youths to participate in the religious emblems programs of their own faiths.
Giving notable service in promoting Catholic activities and service projects for the church and being willing to serve on committees for those purposes.
Actively participating in and promoting Scout retreats and days of recollection.
Giving notable service in organizing and maintaining Catholic-chartered Scouting units including multiple units where needed.
Giving notable service in bringing the Catholic program to those youths not in Catholic-chartered Scouting units.
Using fully one’s general Scouter training as well as “National Catholic Leadership Development” to provide an outstanding Catholic Scouting program for youths.
Arranging opportunities for Mass and other Catholic worship services at camporees and summer camps. These must be consistent with the documents of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Providing also for the spiritual needs of non-Catholic Scouts.
Encouraging appropriate ecumenism and Catholic leadership within the various Catholic-chartered Scouting units.
Using the Catholic press and other communications media to create a better understanding of the aims and ideals of Scouting as an apostolate to youths.
Educating clergy and laity about Scouting as a youth apostolate in the Catholic Church.
Giving leadership in promoting Scouting for all youths regardless of race or creed. Helping organize Scouting units for minority and disadvantaged youths.

The Bronze Pelican is the lesser award taking less time (3-5 years) of service to Catholic Scouting. The St. George usually requires 5 + years of service to Catholic Scouting. The two awards can be presented in either order.

The diocesan committee uses the same form for both awards and it is at the nomination committee’s discretion which award the nominee may get. Awards are restricted in number based on the number of Catholic Chartered units in the diocese at the time of nomination. Click here to download the form.

NFCYM Recognition Awarded at the Diocese Level

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award was created by the Department of Education, USCC (now USCCB), in 1980 to recognize the significant contributions of persons serving the spiritual needs of Catholic members in organizations serving girls. It is offered to those dioceses that choose to use it, subject to the approval of the local ordinary. It is intended to recognize notable contributions to this field of youth ministry, although the St. Anne Medal remains the highest national award. Click here for a list of past St. Elizabeth Ann Seton recipients.

The St. Anne Medal for adults working with Catholic members of national organizations serving girls is an award of the Department of Education, USCC. It was inaugurated at the Sixth National Conference on Catholic Youth Work in Philadelphia in November 1957 and it was redesigned in 1980. It is offered to those dioceses which choose to use it, subject to the approval of the local ordinary. It is the highest national award in this field. The purpose of the award is to honor the outstanding service of adults contributing to the spiritual development of Catholic members of organizations for girls, and to further Catholic adult leadership in youth ministry through those organizations. Click here for a list of past St. Anne recipients.

Click here to download the form.