The NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee congratulates Victor Bieniek, NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee Chair Emeritus, for being awarded the BSA Outdoor Ethics Distinguished Service Award during the National Outdoor Ethics Virtual Conference held November 14 & 15, 2020. This award is presented by the BSA Outdoor Ethics Subcommittee to an individual or organization who has provided distinguished service and leadership in support of outdoor ethics in the Scouting program. Fewer than 20 people or organizations have ever received this award.
Speech about Victor
Victor has distinguished himself as a leader in Outdoor Ethics in the North East region as well as in his home council. As the Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate for the National Capital Area Council, Victor heads the Council Outdoor Ethics Committee and is responsible managing and mentoring over 20 active Master Educators and 200 active Trainers within his council. Trainer Courses and workshops facilitated by the NCAC team reach over 1500 Scouts and Scouters directly through outdoor ethics training and impacts thousands more indirectly. Victor has ensured quality outdoor ethics training has been incorporated into all applicable leader training the council conducts such as IOLS, BALOO, and Back Country Outdoor Leader Skills.
Each year since 2015, Victor has coordinated a Mid Atlantic Outdoor Ethics conference bringing in keynote speakers who are leaders in their field to discuss outdoor ethics. These conferences attract 40-50 Scouters each year from several councils throughout the area, keeping them involved and current on outdoor ethics issues.
Victor has assisted the OE National Sub-Committee in ensuring quality training opportunities continue to be offered through Covid by serving with the development team for the Virtual OE Train the Trainer course and has led four Virtual Leave No Trace Trainer Courses. He has also served as co-instructor for multiple ME courses and is on the LID track. Victor not only ensures outdoor ethics is in the forefront within his own council but also assists other councils and COEA’s throughout the region and BSA. Please join me in congratulating Victor for receiving the Outdoor Ethics Distinguished Service Award.
Determination of “Distinguished” Service:
The nominee must have provided service and leadership to outdoor ethics in the Scouting program above and beyond the basic responsibilities outlined in their job description. Although this award is intended to recognize service with a scope of responsibility beyond the council level, exceptional service as a Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate can be considered. The award should not be given solely for tenure in a given role, but effective service for multiple years in a given role should be considered. Contributions for more than one aspect of outdoor ethics in the Scouting program – leadership in operations (council support); training (leading/coordinating courses); program materials development; and events leadership/staffing should be given particular consideration.
Please join the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee in congratulating Victor for this incredibly prestigious and well-deserved, national-level recognition for distinguished service in outdoor ethics.
