Conclusion

The National Quality Unit Award is not truly a mark of quality in a unit. Units at almost every end of the spectrum can earn it. It's true purpose is to provide an opportunity for the unit leaders to sit down and take a long hard look at their unit. It's meant to help those leaders identify areas that need improvement, and to facilitate the setting of real goals for the unit.

Bear in mind, however, that just checking all of the blocks for the "(B) Coming Year" is not enough. Whether or not you achieve a goal is determined by the amount of commitment and determination you have for that goal. Setting the goal is not enough, you have to actually work at achieving it - something our Scouts are supposed to learn when it comes to advancement.

So, when you sit down to complete the award sheet, remember the goals you set the previous year, compare them to your marks for "(A) Past Year", and determine what needs to be done to improve each area.

Ultimately, your goal should be to exceed each of the ten items in the NQUA, but that will only happen if you set your sights higher than the award. If you set your sights on the award, you'll probably miss.