The Green Mountain Council, BSA recently honored three longtime scouting volunteers at their annual meeting at the Barre Elks Club with the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award that can be bestowed on a volunteer for distinguished service at the local council level. Introduced in 1931, the Silver Beaver Award recognizes registered adult Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The award is given, not earned and marks the substantial generosity of candidates in bettering the lives of youth in Vermont.
Receiving the award for 2019 were:
Bernie Isabelle – Retired, Past Green Mountain Council President and VP of Strategic Planning: Bernie came to the Green Mountain Council from the Western Massachusetts Council where his son was a Cub Scout and he was asked and then joined the Executive Board for that Council. When he and his family relocated to Vermont, Bernie eventually joined the Board with Green Mountain Council and has been instrumental in moving the Council forward in several areas.
He served as the Vice President of Finance overseeing much of the fundraising efforts in the areas of Friends of Scouting and Popcorn sales, and in 2014 became President. During his 3- year tenure, Bernie gave strong and positive leadership while navigating through some very challenging times for the Council and the BSA in general and has represented Green Mountain Council at Area, Regional and national BSA conferences. His attention to the financial details of Council operations and his deductive logic and thinking helped move the Council in an upward direction. Bernie currently serves as the Vice President of Strategic Planning and is preparing to give leadership to a new Council Strategic Plan that will help shape the direction and priorities for Scouting in Vermont over the next several years.
Norm Hebard – Scoutmaster of Troop 205 in Sharon Vermont: Norm Hebard has been and continues to be a valuable member of the Green Mountain Council serving in a variety of positions that have helped strengthen and improve council, district and unit programs. Besides serving in his current position as Scoutmaster for Troop 205 in Sharon, Vermont. One of his most difficult but appreciated donations to Scouting is his profession as a skilled mason. Norm took on the monumental task of dismantling and reconstructing the stone fireplace in Bush Lodge (dining hall), at Camp Sunrise. His time, talents and treasures have been showcased for many to see and comment on, as one day Scouts and Scouters alike will celebrate with a functional fireplace for all to enjoy.
Norm is an active member of the Masonic Lodge and has helped in his community coaching sports teams and using his skills on concrete projects in and around South Royalton. He and his wife Kim are parents to three children; two sons, Duncan, an Eagle Scout, and Maverick and daughter Kylie.
Judy McCullen – Active Cub Scout Camp and District leader from Essex Junction: When one thinks about the work and accomplishments of Judy McCullen, they might be compared to the card game Texas Hold’em. She, like some of the players in the game go “All In”. If there is something that needs to be done to make the Scouting programs better for the youth, she goes “all in”. Whether it is work on staff at District Cub Scout Day Camps, her many years as Director for the Cub Adventure Weekends, or her leadership with staffing and instructing BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) training. It could also be her tireless work serving key roles on staff at University of Scouting or Cub Scout Pow Wow. Judy also served as a Girl Scout leader and was Council Delegate for the Green and White Mountains Girl Scout Council.
She is an active member of the First Congregational Church in Essex Junction and serves as a Deacon for the church leadership. Judy and her husband Kevin (2018 Silver Beaver Recipient), son Sean (Eagle Scout) and daughter, Shannon (Aquatics Director on Mt Norris staff) can best be described as a family that is “ALL IN FOR SCOUTING”!
About the Green Mountain Council: The Green Mountain Council, BSA serves over 3000 youth in the state of Vermont. It’s headquartered in Waterbury, VT and is divided into four geographical districts to better serve and support the volunteer and community leaders in their effort to provide leadership to the youth being served by an age-appropriate, value driven program. For more information about the Green Mountain Council and Scouting BSA, visit www.scoutingvermont.org,