Different kinds of national honours
Different kinds of national honours
Through the Skills for Life Strategy, the Scouts offers volunteers and Groups opportunities to make a real difference to their community. Contribution over and above the normal commitment to the Scouts can sometimes be worthy of a national honour.
Read on to learn more about the different national honours and which could be more relevant to those in the Scouts.
For individuals
Knight or Dame
Awarded for having a major contribution in any activity, usually at national level. Other people working in the nominee’s area will see their contribution as inspirational and significant, requiring commitment over a long period of time.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Awarded for having a prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level. You can also get one for a distinguished, innovative contribution to any area.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Awarded for having a major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Awarded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community. This will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others.
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Awarded for a ‘hands-on’ service to the local community. This could be a long-term charitable or voluntary activity, or innovative work of a relatively short duration (three to four years) that has made a significant difference.
Nominations for the BEM should be considered locally for members of the Scouts where the individual has made a contribution to their local community by way of or in addition to their contribution to the Scouts. Members of the NHSG can also assist with supporting such nominations as they are being constructed.
For groups
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS)
(Used to be called The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS)
What’s KAVS?
Within the Scouts, our programme encourages ‘Community Impact’ via our Skills for Life Strategy. Some of this work may also be considered for KAVS. Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest national award given to volunteer groups across the UK and is awarded for life.
Who can be nominated?
The KAVS uses the term ‘group’ for who can be nominated which, for the Scouts, means a Group, District or County including Explorer Units, Scout Active Support Units and Scout Networks.
What’s needed to be nominated?
To be nominated, the group needs to have made an impact in their local community by providing a direct benefit to it through their work. Importantly, that work will have been different or innovative to that which is normally provided by local Scouting.
How do we nominate?
Like all Scout awards, the first step is the nomination. You can read all about it on the Government's KAVS website. Just follow the guidance. If you're thinking about nominating a group for a KAVS and want to discuss the process, someone from the National Honours Subgroup would be happy to chat to you.