William H. Spurgeon III Award

The William H. Spurgeon III Award is the highest recognition for individuals and organizations contributing significant leadership to the Exploring program.

Background
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. Spurgeon, a business executive at the Irvine Company in Southern California, personally organized many special-interest posts in the 1960s. He served for many years as a member of the National Council Executive Board and National Exploring Committee. His pioneering efforts led to the present Exploring program. He devoted much of the late 1960s to promoting Exploring and is particularly remembered as a dynamic speaker for Exploring Impact Plan luncheons across America. 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. Each council may determine the criteria and procedure for granting the award; therefore, each council develops its own nomination form.

Awards to Organizations
The council may present the Spurgeon Award to schools, businesses, industries, labor unions, governmental agencies, civic clubs, fraternal groups, and other community organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding record of providing significant leadership to the Exploring program. Each council may determine the criteria and procedure for granting the award; therefore, each council develops its own nomination form.