2008 District Award Of Merit Recipients

Robert M. “Bob” Bosma
What an amazing thing it is to see the glowing recommendations for Robert M. “Bob” Bosma for the District Award of Merit! Without exception, from Eagle Scouts helped along their Eagle trails to parents, Assistant Scoutmasters and Committee Officers and Members, the comments are all the same: Bob has influenced the lives of hundreds of Scouts in his more than 20 years of Scouting in many positive ways. He may appear to be the “strong, silent type” but his dedication, encouragement, and wisdom are all reflected in the years of service he has given to Troop 650 and his Church. Bob was an Assistant Den Leader for 3 years with Pack 525 and then was involved in the startup of Pack 650 with his son. He served as a Webelos Den Leader for 1-year and then became the Founding Scoutmaster of Troop 650 approximately 20 years ago. Long after his son earned his Eagle Scout Rank, Bob has remained with Troop 650 as an Assistant Scout Master for 18 years and still counting! He continues to give his time to scouts without a son in the scouting program, in his own words what a better way to spend a Monday night! Bob has earned the Scouters Training Award and the Golden Quill Award. No doubt his wisdom, gentle nature, patience, understanding and caring ways has help form impressionable youth into responsible Scouts and his “uncanny ability to get the meaning of hard work and dedication across to Scouts” helping create remarkable young men. Certainly these qualities have kept him involved as a Sunday school teacher at Norcross United Methodist Church. His Merit Badge classes are favored among the Scouts for “making ordinary everyday things interesting and fascinating” by relating them to his own life experiences. Perhaps the greatest compliment to Bob can be repeated here: “When I have a son one day myself, I hope to be the type of Scout leader Mr. Bosma is.”

Sandi Lovely
Cub Scout Day Camp, anyone! Sandi Lovely has, without a doubt, been a prime contributor for the Button Gwinnett District’s Summer Day Camp for the last three years and counting! She has done a fabulous job as the Day Camp Director for 3 years and has agreed to continue working with Summer Day Camp under her guidance and leadership it has only continued to grow and has always maxes out in attendance. As a leader and coordinator she and her staff have given our Cub Scouts a great program at the same time she has opened the door to have Boy Scouts that help at Day Camp have a program to work on Merit Badges. Her Scouting career as a mother of four boys includes one second Class Scout, who is a Scout at Troop 419, a Webelos 1 in Pack 420 and one who is an ASM at Troop 419. Sandi has supported her husband, Ted, in his position as Cubmaster at Pack 420 through 2008. Sandi is running the Pack website and has been their Secretary for three years, Sandi helps keep the excitement alive with all of the photos she takes showing how much fun Scouting is! Along with her Scouting contributions, Sandi continues to volunteer as a substitute teacher at Mason Elementary School (where she actively recruits boys to join Scouts) Sandi has been a football team mom as well as a soccer team mom. Sandi has received the Den Leader Award and the Golden Quill Award. She began Wood Badge Class 9259 in the summer of 2008 and is presently working on her Ticket. Her contributions to the Button Gwinnet District and to Pack 420 are varied and many and Much Appreciated! She is “always there to help!”

2006 District Award Of Merit Recipients

Kevin L. Dunn “As a life-long Scout, Kevin has seen a lot of changes to the program over the last nearly 40 years. But what he has seen over the years is how Scouting continues to help boys find what they have inside of them. At the age of 17, his brothers in the Order of the Arrow named him, KITTELENDAMWAGAN, (The Earnest One). He looks back at that as recognition of what Scouting does for young men. It’s a part of him and he continues to strive to live up to its morals and teachings every day.”
Kevin has played a valuable role in the success of the Button Gwinnett District. Since 2001, he has served on the District Committee and as the District Chairman for the past 3 years; he also has served as an Assistant Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chairman, Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselor, District Cub Scout Activities Chairman, District Training Staff, Day Camp Staff, Commissioner Staff and also on the Council Cub World Staff, Planning Committee and Executive Board. For 2007, Kevin will serve as the Marketing Chairman for the Button Gwinnett District. Kevin is an active member of Christ Church Episcopal where he has held several leadership roles. Kevin is Woodbadge trained and is a Bear class of 92-47; under Dr. Randy Rizor & SPL Ted Crouse, Kevin staffed his first Woodbadge course, 92-54, as a troop guide. Kevin is an Eagle Scout Class of 1977, earned his God & Country 1978 and received the Vigil Honor in the OA in 1979. For a graduation present, his scoutmaster paid his membership fees to join Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity (established originally for Eagle Scouts) where he was subsequently awarded 2 Distinguished Service Keys. He has earned the Den Leader’s Training Award, Cub Scouters Award, Webelos Den Leader’s Training Award, District Committee Key and Scoutmaster’s Training Key, the Button Gwinnett District Golden Quill and the Council’s Silver Beaver Award. Kevin is the CEO of DataTrends Technology Corporation and Partner and CTO of Client Profiles, Inc. both headquartered here in Atlanta.

Samuel Harris  If you look up” Above and Beyond” in the dictionary, you’ll see Sam’s picture next to it.
A side from being a Scoutmaster, Sam works on the Council Wood Badge Staff; he also is a staff member of the Boy Scout Roundtable. Sam gives tirelessly of himself over many years in helping Scouts grow into young men. Over the years Sam has served on the District Day Camp Staff for 6 years, Webelos Woods Staff, District Camping Staff, District Training Staff and the District Advancement Team.
Sam has been an Assistant Tiger Den Leader, Pack Committee Chairman, Pack FOS Chairman, and Cubmaster. At his Troop he has served on the T-648 Committee, Assistant Scoutmaster and is now the Scoutmaster. He is Wood Badge trained, and is a course 92-45 Beaver; he was a Wood Badge staff member for course 92- 51 as a Troop Guide, course 92-54 as a Scribe, and will serve on course 92-57 as a Troop Guide. Sam has also taught at NESA Day. Sam is an Eagle Scout Class of 1969; he is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, he has received his Cubmaster Award, Cub Scouter Award, Scouter’s Training Award and the District Golden Quill Award.

2005 District Award Of Merit Recipients

Edward Harmond

Edward is an Eagle Scout and is a firm believer in giving back to Scouting.

Over many years he has given back to Scouting he was the Cubmaster at Pack 420, Venture Crew Advisor for Crew 419, an Assistant Scoutmaster, and a National Jamboree Assistant Scoutmaster.

He is a Counselor for the BSA Youth Religious Programs; he became an Owl in Wood Badge course   92-45. At the District level, Edward has served as Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner and as a Unit Commissioner; he is a member of the District Training Committee, a member of the District Cub Advancement Committee and is a District Member-at-Large. He was a staff member for Wood Badge course 92-51.

Edward has been awarded the Eagle Scout Award, the Den Leader Training Award, Cubmaster Training award, Cub Scouter Award, the Scouter’s Training Award, Youth and Adult religious Awards, the Golden Quill and the Commissioner’s Arrowhead Honor.

Outside Scouting, Edward has been involved with youth as a Sunday school teacher for middle school age youth, a youth counselor for high school age youth and a confirmation mentor.

Bob Weaver

Bob was not a Scout as a youth. His first exposure was in 1999 when his first grade son Andrew, asked if he could be a Tiger Scout. Bob became a "Tiger Dad" and said that he'd had the best time of his life with the Scouting Program. Next he agreed to take on a Wolf Den Leader position, he then became a Bear Den Leader next on to Webelos and then he graduated from Webelos Den Leader to become the Cubmaster for Pack 26.

His son has moved into Boy Scouts and (even though he doesn't have a boy in Cub Pack) he is still the Cubmaster today for Pack 26.

At the District he has served as the District Cub Program chair for over 2 years, he also has served on the District Committee for 1year on Cub Actives. He has been serves tirelessly on the District Training Committee for over 2 years; Bob has also gone out of state to do training for the Blue Ridge Council in South Carolina and also to a Boy Scout Council in North Carolina.

At the Council level, Bob has served on the Cub World Committee in 2000; He has put on 2 wolf/bear advancement days for the council & 1 Webelos advancement day. Each of the 3 events had over 300 youth attending. Bob has attended 5 POW-WOWs; he is Council certified as a (trainer). Bob (behind the scenes) has gotten quite a bit of Kitchen equipment & work donated for our camps.  He was part of the team that installed the new Woodruff kitchen.

He regularly goes out to Bert Adams and Woodruff scout camp shops where the scouts that run the slushi machines know him by name! 

Bob has been awarded the Cub Scouter’s Award, Webelos Den Leader Award; the Boy Scouter’s Training Award, the District Committee Key Award and the Golden Quill 

At the District Pinewood Race, Bob went to his van and came back with something for each Cub Scout take home.

The last thing we can say about Bob is that he has a passion for Scouting, he attended the 2005 National Jamboree (as a visitor) and came back from there saying, "There’s no way that you could look over those 60+ Thousand Boy Scouts and not know that our country is going to be all right."

2004 District Award Of Merit Recipients

James S. Fisher   Jim has been involved in scouting for the past seven years, and is currently active with Troop 419, as their Advancement Chairman. In Cub Scouts he was a part of the Packs Pine Wood Derby Committee each year.Since Crossing over with his son to Boy Scouts in 2000, he has served on the Troop Committee, participated in the campouts, and continues to be a merit badge counselor for several Merit Badges. He became the Advancement Chairman in 2001, coordinated the Troops Courts of Honor, and worked at several NESA days. He is always willing to help where needed.
Jim is involved at the District level on the District Advancement Committee, as part of Jim’s involvement he Chair’s Eagle Boards of Review, helping conduct several Life to Eagle presentations for Troops and at summer camp, Jim has worked on the Klondike Derby as part of the District. Jim also is a District Member at Large.
Jim is a Brotherhood member from when he was a scout and is still a member of Tella_qualla_boundary.
He is working on his Woodbadge Class of 92-45 Owl patrol.
Jim has earned his Scouters Training Award and tonight he has received his District Committee Key.
Outside of Scouting Jim is involved with the Duluth H.S. marching band as part of the “pit” crew who set up the percussion instruments. He also films all of the Bands performances and competitions for the Band Director.
He volunteers and participates in the annual environmental clean-up at Vogle State park and Lake Lanier.
He is also always available to provide transportation for our Church’s (St. Monica’s) youth retreats. He is always willing to give of his time and energy to promote Scouting, and our youth’s involvement in civic and spiritual activities. Jim is also actively involved in his community and has served for over six years on the home owner’s board for Norman Downes subdivision. He has held positions of Treasurer and Vice President.

John Alan Cherry    John was the Cubmaster at Pack 525 then moved in to Troop 525 to become the Scoutmaster. John has been the Scoutmaster at Troop 525 for a number of years as his primary scouting Position. But Johns scouting activities go beyond his Troop of 70 boys and (40 adults).
John is a Scouting Beacon that boys and adults flock to. He gladly gives of his time outside his troop.
A few examples would be (1) his taking a week off work to be a quartermaster’s assistant in the summer of 2004 Wood Badge course, this helps adults to become better leaders, and in return it helps the scouts become better leaders in the end.
(2) John has coordinated the Webelos Round - up for Button Gwinnett for 2 years.
(3) His has become a regular participant in our monthly Boy Scout Roundtables as a presenter. Mr. Knot’s! As he is called.
(4) John has been an assistant for the Button Gwinnett Klondike Derby.
John has earned his Scouters Training Award, his Scouters Key; Scoutmaster Award of Merit, he received his Wood Badge for the Class of 92-42.

Margaret Miller    Margaret Miller’s love of scouting shows in her record over the year’s she has put the scouts first over herself. As you see, she could not be here tonight; Margaret is on a trip right now with her Troop giving to scouts instead of herself.
For the past 7 years, beyond her many duties with Pack 575, Margaret has served on Staff as a weeklong leader for Cub Scout District Day Camp.
Last year 2004, the District was in a pinch we needed a camp director with only 2 months until Cub Day Camp would begin. Margaret put the scouts first over herself and took on the job.
Margaret has again accepted the call for 2005; she will be the coordinator and the chair person for our District Day Cub Camp. For 200 cubs and 70 adult leaders
At Pack 575 Margaret has readily volunteered time and again organizing trips, coordinating major special events. She has been a Den leader twice, and she is now a Webelos Den leader for the second time.
Margaret has received her Den Leader Award, Cub Scouter Award, Webelos Den Leader Award, the Golden Quill Award and she is Baloo Trained.
Margaret is also active in the leadership of Troop 525; she is the Troop’s health and safety officer for 70 boys and 40 leaders,
She is a Merit Badge counselor, summer camp leader and coordinates major special events.

2003-2004 District Award Of Merit Recipients

John Guerin has had Scouting in his blood for years!  He has earned the Cub Scouters Award and the Webelos Den Leader Award, serving in Pack 650 until 1999. He has also been a key leader of Troop 650 since 1998. John has earned the Boy Scout Leaders Training Award, the District Golden Quill and is a member of the Order of the Arrow.  As the Button Gwinnett District FOS - Family Chairman for 2002 & 2003, John exceed the fundraising goals that had been asked of him and helped our District to become the first in the Council to become a Quality District. John also has been serving on the Button Gwinnett District Camping Committee and has been a Klondike Camporee Mayor since 2001. His friends call him “Mad Jock”.  As a band parent volunteer, “Mad Jock” was last seen at Duluth High School pulling his sled out the door, after spooning up grub for the school band fundraiser dinner.  Thank you John for your service to the youth in scouting and the community, and all of us in the District

Thomas Pakurar: Tom was a scout in his youth, and as an adult wanted to give back to scouting. He eagerly jumped in and is serving in many areas. He has earned the Boy Scout Leaders Training Award, District Golden Quill, Commissioners Arrowhead Honor Award and is Wood Badge Trained. Tom also has received his pre-doc in Commissioner Science from Commissioner College.  Tom is one of the founding members of Troop 827 and is serving as their Committee Chairman. He is the founding member of AAC’s scuba team - Sea Scout Ship #3483, a Boy Scout Venture Crew that focuses on a SCUBA diving theme. He stepped up to become the Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner in 2001, and started serving as our District Commissioner in Jan. 2004.
He has been recruiting and training an impressive commissioner staff to serve our units and our roundtables get better and better. Tom also serves on the Button Gwinnett Training Team and the Allatoona Aquatics Base training staff and continues to attend supplemental and certification courses. He is an Advocate of the Knights of Columbus at St. Monica’s Church in Duluth and is also an adviser for the Duty-to-God program. He recently helped 7 youth earn their Ad altri dei Catholic religious awards. He has recently been “tapped” to join the Order of the Arrow.

2003 District Award Of Merit Recipients

Joe Shields: Joe has served as an Assistant Scoutmaster (SA) with Troop 419 for over 10 years. He is an Vigil Order of the Arrow member and the OA Venture Crew Advisor for the past 8 years. Joe has served on the District Training Staff, the Atlanta Area Council Camping Committee and currently for the past 2 years has been the District Camping Committee Chairman. As Camping Chairman Joe has been the leading force in the highly successful "Klondike Derby" for the past 2 years,some of the best Camp-o-rees this district has seen. He is a dedicated Scouter.

Robert Fitzgerald:  Bob was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in Syracuse NY. After coming to Georgia, he "came up" in Pack 420 with his son and wife, then started at Troop 419 as the fundraising Chairman for 6 years. Bob Fitzgerald has served from 1994 - 1999 on Troop 419's Troop Committee. He has been a Merit Badge Counselor for 10 years, Unit Commissioner for 3 years and currently the District Advancement Chairman for the past 2 years. Bob has served on the District Camping Committee, District Training Committee and District Pinewood Derby Committee. He is an Ordeal Member of the OA and Venture Crew 9236, and is the father of an Eagle Scout. Bob has maintained high standards of service to the District (and our Eagle candidates) as our Advancement Chairman.    

2002 District Award Of Merit Recipients

Joe Ashby: Joe has served several years as the District Advancement Chairman for the Button Gwinnett District. Joe created a strong presence that maintained the standards while being very fair and warm with the District Eagle Boards of Review.  Joe always had the Scout's well-being at heart as he proceeded through the Eagle process.

Byron Gilbert: Byron served as one of our first District Commissioners. He worked hard and effectively to build a core group of commissioner's who actively cooperated with unit leadership to provide quality scouting programs throughout the District.

2001 District Award Of Merit Recipients

Cheryl Fitzgerald: Cheryl has been District Activities Chairman (Cub Scout events), District Vice Chairman of Program and has participated heavily in the leadership of Troop 419.  She has completed her Wood Badge and is a past recipient of the Keystone Award.

Stephen Peet: Steve Peet is a powerhouse of effort, who has served as District Training Chairman and Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner. He has completed his Cub Scout Wood Badge, has received the Keystone Award, and served as Cubmaster at Pack 575   

2000 District Award Of Merit Recipients

Mary Means:

Tim Ziokowski: 

1999 District Award Of Merit Recipients

Greg Lindquist: Greg served three years as District Chairman for the Button Gwinnett District. He was instrumental in improving unit participation at the District level, and provided leadership which focused on supporting unit leaders.

Greg Jackson: Greg served as a longtime member of the District Committee, and served many years supporting his home unit.

Before we were Button Gwinnett District, we were Northeast District. Here is a listing of Northeast District Award Of Merit Recipients: http://www.gwinnettbsa.org/advancement/daom-northeast.htm