1 December 2008
New Iraq Scouting Service Square Knot
Posted by admin under: recognition .
You don’t have to look far to see the positive effects of Scouting here in the USA. It has become part of the fabric of our culture with innumerable hours of service and direct aid. Scouting has occupied the hands and minds of America’s young for almost 100 years and allowed them to discover abilities and lifelong interests. The Green Zone Council has been trying to engage the youth of Iraq since 2004 hoping for the same positive effects on the young democracy in the Middle East. This group of Americans in Iraq works on a volunteer basis in addition to their duties to the Marines, Army, or other branch of service. It is a gallant effort worthy of recognition by the international body of Scouts, the World Organization of the Scouting Movement. Now it is. Anyone, Iraqi or otherwise, who contributes to the development of the Iraq Scouting movement is eligible to receive a new knot, the Iraq Scouting Service Square Knot, according to the Green Zone Council web site.
Criteria for Award of “Iraq Scouting Service Square Knot” – ISSSK
A. Eligible for Scouters or Non-Scouters; Girl Scouts, Girl Guides and Boy Scouts both in Iraq and in the World Scouting Organization.
B. The knot shall be a black and red square knot on white material, with green border; in order to symbolize the national colors of Iraq. The Knot shall be worn in accordance with a person’s organization and country recognized rules. If awarded to a business, the knot may be displayed but is not eligible for wearing by any individuals in the business.
C. Awarded only once; for support of the Scouting Movement in Iraq after 1 January 2004
i) Service Support
a. Direct service by a minimum of 30-hours of service in Iraq to support Iraq Scouting (maximum 8-hours per day)
b. Indirect Service by a minimum of 60-hours of service outside of Iraq to support Iraq Scouting
ii) Financial Support
a. Direct Financial Donation – awarded to any person or business who directly contributes $500 or more into the World Scouting Fund or a recognized Iraqi scouting fund for future use of the Iraq Scouts and Guides.
b. Indirect Financial Donation – awarded to any person or business who raises smaller donations from others, totaling $1,000 or more or who provides “needed: scouting materials, services and/or equipment.
iii) Special Act or Support from a leader or person who makes a regional or national contribution to bring credit or focus or attention to the building of the Scout Movement for Boys and Girls in Iraq.
D. Verification for awarding this recognition knot can be given by the signatures of two recognized Council or Scouting leaders in Iraq for awards under category C.i and ii and with four signatures under category C.iii. Records and the number of these awards that have been given will be kept by the Scout organization in Iraq.
E. The Awardee shall be presented a certificate suitable for framing and the ISSSK.
F. Additional/Replacement ISSK’s may be purchased only by past recipient’s and will cost $3.00 each.
Not only can we help the Iraq Scouting effort here in the US, but we can proudly proclaim the fact on our uniforms with the Iraq Scouting Service Square Knot. What a great opportunity and unique point in history to receive a special award while helping Scouting for an entire nation. I look forward to this new trivia question at the next camporee. 
- The Boy Scouts of Iraq
- Another Iraq Council Created by U.S.A.
- More Iraq Scouting News
- Army Major Talks About Her Iraq Scouts Volunteer Work
- Eric Fretz – Victory Base Council
4 Comments so far...
LTC Sam West Says:
6 January 2009 at 7:03 pm.
Is there another email to contact these folks? The one listed at greenzonecouncil.blogspot.com bounces back. I’m interested in helping, I just cannot contact them.
Thanks
admin Says:
6 January 2009 at 7:29 pm.
GreenZoneCounci@yahoo.com
http://www.victorybasecouncil.org/contact
BaghdadFretz@umich.edu
jhalvers@netbsa.org (Janine Halverson, Phone: 972-580-2401 Fax: 972-580-2413)
I expect you tried the first one. Victory Base has more personnel support and they are in contact with the Green Zone Council, too. The second link is their contact page. The 3rd is an address where you can request to be added to their distribution list, but you might make contact, too. The last is a stateside contact collecting monetary donations so she should be able to answer questions, too.
I’ve just been reporting and not directly financing or sending stuff so I don’t know for sure. I hope you’re able to get through! Let me know if you’re successful!
admin Says:
6 January 2009 at 7:29 pm.
And thank you for your service!
Mike Walton (Settummanque, the blackeagle) Says:
9 April 2009 at 4:16 am.
Janine is a staffer at the BSA’s International Division, and NOT associated with the “Green Zone” or “Victory Base” Councils. She is collecting funds as part of the World Scouting Fund, and you can earmark your dollars toward the Scouting programs in Iraq. She also has contacts with both groups.
The “Green Zone” Council is slowly going away as most of the personnel supporting the efforts have been relocated to the large Victory Base complex and as the American Embassy has tightened it’s policies on personnel coming and going from the new compound. In the past, most “Green Zone” Scouters were able to freely go about within the “International Zone”; today that has changed significantly and newer security measures have been put into place.
As I stated above, the majority of the folks supporting various organizations and activities in the Zone have been or will shortly be relocated to the BIAP (Baghdad International Airport), Vicotry Base or two other camps close by. This led to the emergence of the “Victory Base” Council and their efforts.
I am one of the first holders of the new Iraqi Service Award — it was a great honor for their American co-chair to award the certificate and award emblem to me in Minnesota last month. As soon as I get with my Council Executive and gain his permission, I will wear it proudly.
Now, we need to get pushing on the Slavic nations to bring their Scouting programs out of hiding and back to normal!!
Settummanque!
