Background
The William H. Spurgeon, III Award is the highest recognition for individuals and organizations contributing significant leadership to the Exploring Program.
The William H. Spurgeon, III Award was developed in 1971 in honor of the man who is regarded as the major leader in the development of special interest Exploring. Mr. Spurgeon was a business executive at the Irvine Company in Southern California who personally organized many special interest posts in the 1960's. Mr. Spurgeon served for many years as a member of the National Council Executive Board and national Exploring Committee. His pioneering efforts led to the present contemporary Exploring Program. He devoted much of the late 1960's to promoting Exploring and is particularly remembered as a dynamic speaker for Exploring Impact Plan luncheons across America. Mr. Spurgeon passed away in 1970.
Purpose
The Award is designed for council use to recognize individuals or organizations contributing significant leadership to the Exploring program. The award is also presented regionally and nationally:
Awards to Individuals
The council may present the Spurgeon Award to men and women who have rendered outstanding leadership to the Exploring program either as an Explorer Post adult leader or as a district, division, or council Exploring adult volunteer.
Awards to Organizations
The council may present the Spurgeon Award to schools, businesses, industries, labor unions, government agencies, civic clubs, fraternal groups, and other community organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding record of providing significiant leadership to the Exploring program.
The Award
Only holders of individual awards may wear the knot (not members of an organization that received the award).
Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nomination disqualifies the candidate.