I nominate Scott Byrum

Opinion

February 15, 2010

W. Terry Smith The Daily Southerner Mon Feb 15, 2010, 11:12 AM EST

I filled out my nomination for the Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Award.

It was easy and difficult, too. A case could be made for several people, including Carol Quigless (free dental clinic); Calvin Anderson and Joe Spiers (Veterans Museum and Colonial Theater); someone on the Tarboro 250th Celebration Committee; Lee Hall and his good work with The Salvation Army red kettle drive and Habitat for Humanity. Hall won it in 2002.

And there are others.

All these folks help make our community a better place – as do so many men and women who simply do their jobs. Thank you.

I am nominating Scott Byrum. Byrum gets my nod for his good work with the Boys Scouts. He’s the Scoutmaster of Tarboro Troop 96, which is sponsored by St. James United Methodist Church.

Byrum is also active in the East Carolina Council. Most recently, the Croatan Lodge of the East Carolina Council presented Byrum the Adult Founder’s Award. His son Jordan was the Youth Recipient of the Founder’s Award.

The Founder’s Award is the highest award at the Order of the Arrow Lodge level. The Order of the Arrow is the Scouts’ honor society. You gain admittance by nomination and vote of your troop.

The Order of the Arrow’s purpose is to recognize those “who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law” in their daily lives; who promote responsible outdoor adventure and environmental stewardship; who promote leadership development; and who “crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.”

Jordan, 19, is a freshman at N.C. State University majoring in biochemistry. His Scout resume is impressive. He earned his Eagle Scout rank in 2005. He attended the last National Jamboree in 2005 and will be returning this year as an assistant Scoutmaster.

In 2007, he participated on an Order of the Arrow Trail Crew at Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico. He’s worked at Camp Boddie as a counselor the last two summers and this summer will work at the Pamlico Sea Base.

“My father is devoted to helping Scouts,” his son said. “He makes sure they are prepared.”

Next Sunday, Scott Byrum, 48, will receive the East Carolina Council’s Silver Beaver Award. This award is presented “for distinguished service to young people within a local Boy Scouts of America Council.” It is the highest form of recognition that a local council can bestow on a volunteer.

“This was a shock,” he said. “I am honored.”

“I don’t see how Scotty does it all,” said Ray Franks, the East Carolina Council executive. “He must be some type of Superman on steroids.”

Presently Byrum is directing a staff of more than 50 as Scoutmaster of the Wood Badge course, an advanced leadership course for Scout leader. He is adviser to the 400-member Order of the Arrow lodge, preparing to host a weekend conclave for more than 1,000 people in April at Camp Boddie while serving as Scoutmaster of one of the three council troops going to the National Jamboree (at Camp A.P. Hill in Virginia) for nine days in July.

“Scott has been a ball of fire,” said Dan Cross, Croatan Lodge staff adviser and a district executive. “He’s a very organized individual. He’s great with youth.”

Byrum, who has been Troop 96 Scoutmaster since 1988, is humble when asked about his honors.

“I’ve had a lot of help,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of great assistant Scoutmasters. I just happen to have been around the longest.”

Byrum is most proud of the 23 Scouts in Troop 96 who have attained Eagle Scout under his tenure. Eagle is the highest rank in Boy Scouts and includes a servce project.

“You need a stable Scouting program and parents who are committed to holding their son accountable,” he said. “If you start something, you need to finish it.”

Byrum spends most weekends on Scout business.

“I feel blessed to work with the people I come in contact with,” he said.

When Byrum is not busy with Scout business, he’s on the job for University Health Systems out of Greenville. He’s the administrator of integration and development of UHS physicians.

Anyone can make a nomination. The forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office at 509 Trade St. Ask JoBeth to fax you a form. You can e-mail your nomination. The deadline is Wednesday. The award will be presented at the Chamber’s annual meeting Feb. 25.

W. Terry Smith is editor of The Daily Southerner.

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