Recognizing our Members "Of the Year"

2024 Scout Youth & Adult Volunteers

The Marin Council, Scouting America recognizes annually a “Scout of the Year” in each of our program areas. These young people are selected by their respective unit leaders through a nomination process that is not based on achievements, rank advancement, or leadership positions held, but rather what constitutes being a "Good Scout." For some units, it might be a young person who embodies “A Scout is a Friend to All”, or for others perhaps “A Scout is Trustworthy or Kind.”

Following each unit’s nomination of their "Scout of the Year", all of these young people are interviewed by a panel of Council-level adult volunteers. The final results of those interviews are that one Cub Scout and one Scout BSA youth are selected as Marin Council "Scouts of the Year". These awards were presented at our annual recognition dinner on Monday, March 31, 2025. If you missed the dinner (view program here), these framed recognition certificates are available for pick-up at your Council Trading Post.

The fine young people noted below represent the success and values of Scouting in Marin during 2024, and we are proud to recognize each of them, along with the many dedicated unit volunteers who support them!

Cub Scout Pack Nominations

The Cub Scout of the Year Award program provides for the nomination and recognition of outstanding youth in our youngest program. It can provide meaningful experiences for many Cub Scouts, and a higher degree of visibility for Cub Scouting in the local community. A review of those Cub Scouts being considered should be based on the following characteristics:

• Enthusiasm and Scout Spirit
• Genuine Interest in Cub Scouting
• Uniform and general appearance
• Pleasant personality
• Politeness and ability for their age level to communicate with adult leaders.

Pack 27 --- Thomas C.

Pack 28 --- Nathan B.

Pack 43 --- Oliver J.

Pack 48 --- Ryan R.

Pack 76 --- Cole Z.

Pack 85 --- Allison S.

Pack 133 --- Walker E.

Pack 186 --- Quinn H.

Marin Council Cub Scout of the Year

Oliver J., Pack 43

Oliver is a Bear Scout who enjoys baseball, reading, chess & entrepreneurship. He has participated for several years in the Pinewood Derby, Coastal Clean-up, and Scouting for Food. With determination and good character, this young Scout sold over $3500 in popcorn around his neighborhood and in front of Marin Country Mart and Safeway to support Pack 43 and Marin Council! That's an awesome number of sales presentations!

Scouts BSA Troop Nominations

The BSA Scout of the Year Award program provides for the nomination and recognition of outstanding youth in our traditional program. It can provide meaningful experiences for many Scouts, and a higher degree of visibility for Scouting in the local community. The youth should be considered based on characteristics similar to those noted for above Cub Scouts, but appropriate to the age and maturity level of the older Scouts BSA youth including:

• Enthusiasm and Scout Spirit
• Genuine interest in Scouting
• Uniform and general appearance
• Polite personality and respectful ability to communicate with adult leaders.

Troop 1B --- Nate L.

Troop 1G --- Eloise L.

Troop 15 --- Dylan P.

Troop 43 --- Colby P.

Troop 48 --- Gabriel C.

Troop 59 --- Aidan R.

Troop 73 --- Logan R.

Troop 76 --- Jacob S.

Troop 200 --- Adam G.

Troop 1015 --- Kate W.

Troop 2000 --- Leonardo G.

Marin Council BSA Scout of the Year

Adam G., Troop 200

Adam is a Life Scout whose journey on the Scouting trail began nine years ago with Pack 85. Upon bridging to Troop 200, he stepped into leadership roles such as Patrol Leader, and later Senior Patrol Leader after attending NYLT. Inspired by his twin brother’s induction into the Order of the Arrow (OA) through Troop 73, Adam took proactive steps to introduce Troop 200 to OA Talako Lodge, creating opportunities for other Scouts to join. This led him to attend the National Order of the Arrow Conference in Boulder, CO along with other Talako Lodge members.

Adam’s passion for adventure has taken him far and wide. Through Crew 333, he had the opportunity to travel to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland, meeting Scouts from around the world and exploring the stunning landscapes. Alongside his travels, Adam’s love for rock climbing reflects his adventurous spirit and determination. In planning his Eagle service project at Stafford Lake Park in Novato, Adam continues to embody the principles of Scouting, giving back to his community and inspiring others through his dedication and leadership.

Adult Volunteer Unit Nominations

Each unit committee selects a single adult volunteer (i.e. program leader, committee member, parent, charter organization representative) who has made a significant contribution to the unit this year through their volunteer dedication. It could be someone who stepped up at a crucial moment, or who helped out for the first time and is now a regular participant. This is a great opportunity to recognize that special person from your unit!

Council President's Silver Acorn Award

This special award is unique to Marin Council, and is presented to those volunteers who demonstrate exceptional service to the Council and the youth and families we serve. The symbolism of the acorn – a tiny seed that grows into a mighty oak tree represents many of our volunteer efforts: single acts that compound and grow and develop into a profound and life changing experience for the youth whose lives we impact for generations. The honorees are personally selected by our Council President to recognize adult Scouters for their unique service or dedication to their unit's success or enthusiastic support for Scouting in Marin. The Marin Council President’s Silver Acorn Award recipients this year consist of four outstanding volunteers:

Margaret Farley

Margaret has a lengthy track record of volunteer dedication stretching back more than two decades. She is a master administrator and motivator of youth and adults alike serving as a dedicated Committee Chair at both the Pack and Troop levels. With a love for the outdoors, camping, photography and rugged high adventures, Margaret has guided Troop 50 along with her Eagle Scout son Brendan to deliver an amazing legacy of backpacking treks. In addition, she supports Scouting by serving on the Executive Board and as Marin County Coordinator for the annual Coastal Clean-up in September.

Doreen Gurrola

Doreen is a dedicated Scouter who serves our programs on both the unit and Council level, most recently and successfully as the Advancement Chair for both Troops 73 & 200. She also supports many other Council activities through the OA Talako Lodge, as a Merit Badge Counselor, and unit commissioner for the Novato area. Doreen loves Scouting with the boys in her family: husband Jeff and sons Adam and Jason, always offering capable, organized, and friendly leadership that best represents our program.

Erik Masterson

Erik is being recognized for a wide variety of volunteer roles in his dedication to Scouting. He has years of experience in unit service including both a Pack and several Troops, and at the Council level as an Executive Board member serving as a Youth Protection Advocate. In singling out one area of exceptional devotion, Erik has been very successful in Scout training, serving on Wood Badge staff and especially NYLT with success in delivering the co-ed week-long course sessions at Camp Tamarancho.

Keith Pettus

Keith is just one of those volunteers who use their considerable talents to not only make Scouting better for youth, but also to help other volunteers gain a more rewarding experience. Over the past decade he has served as Den Leader, Cubmaster, Asst. Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster. In each of these roles, Keith has recruited and trained other volunteers so more families become involved, everyone's experience is more enjoyable, and offers a commitment to team-building that leads to more successful Scouting units.

Council Award of Merit

The Award of Merit, also known as the District Award of Merit, recognizes outstanding volunteers who show dedication to the local Scouting program on a Unit and Council level. Recipients demonstrate sustained and continuous leadership that grows the Scouting program, supports volunteerism and provides exceptional service to the youth we serve. We are proud to recognize four Marin Council Scouters as Award of Merit recipients this year:

Roger Dickerson

Roger has already experienced an amazing Scouter tenure serving as Den Leader and Cubmaster for Pack 59 for many years. He is also serving as our Council Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner for many years and is a member of the Council Executive Board. Roger's focus on quality programming and adult leader training has led him through many sessions teaching others by example. He is Wood Badge trained and has served on staff for several year, and as Course Director for the next sessions in Fall 2025.

Kathleen Diringer

Kathleen has demonstrated exceptional volunteer spirit at both the unit and Council levels where she has served as a Den Leader, Troop Committee member, Assistant Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor. She is on NYLT Staff as the senior administrative person, and is an Associate Advisor for OA Talako Lodge. Kathleen has traveled with Marin Scouts on rafting and backpacking adventures with Troop 73, and the 2024 NOAC in Boulder, CO. She is an enthusiastic outdoor recreationalist and loves to share her interest in fishing where she is helping to revive our annual Council Fishing Derby.

David Goodman

Dr. Goodman has a life-long devotion to Scouting and has served Scouting in Marin for many years. As a unit volunteer, he served in a number of positions including Den Leader, Pack and Troop Committees, and Assistant Scoutmaster. David is a member of our Council Health & Safety/Risk Management Committee and serves as our Council Physician overseeing our camp medical procedures. He is a Council Executive Board member, Executive Committee member, past Council President, and one of eight Trustees overseeing our Council Trust Funds.

Robert Lariviere

In raising all four of his children in the Scouting program, Robert has been very active as a Scout dad, an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troops 15B & 1015G, and an Associate Advisor for OA Talako Lodge. He is an Executive Board member where he is serving as Council VP of Program. Robert is a prior Silver Acorn recipient and has generously provided equipment and expertise to help us upgrade our internet and wi-fi facilities at both Camp Tamarancho and Marin-Sierra as well as the Council offices.

The Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Upon nomination by their peers, submission by the local Scout council, and with the approval of the National Court of Honor, recipients of this award are registered adult Scouters who have made a significant impact on the lives of youth through volunteer service and leadership given at the local Council level. The Silver Beaver is an award bestowed on those who implement the Scouting program consistently and perform valuable community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, and dedication over many years.

Michael Blum

Mike was born in San Francisco and spent his early years in the city as a Cub Scout before his family moved to Marin. He was a member of Troop 48 in Tiburon earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed his time with his father as Scoutmaster and for a brief period during college breaks as an Assistant Scoutmaster.

Mike attended University of Pennsylvania where he studied environmental engineering. Following graduation he moved back to the Bay Area, then Los Angeles, and eventually Chicago for graduate work in business. Fortuitously, he returned to the West Coast and Los Angeles where he met Susan who he would later marry. When they were ready to start a family, Mike and Susan relocated to San Francisco where their sons Jacob and Eli were born. In keeping with his family history, the next generation of Blum’s migrated north to Marin as the boys grew up, reactivating Mike’s Scouting endeavors.

Both sons joined Cub Scout Pack 33, Mill Valley, and Mike was quickly recruited as Den Leader, then as Cubmaster which he served for five years. Tagging along with his boys, Mike bridged into Troop 1, Mill Valley where he served as Asst. Scoutmaster and then Scoutmaster for many years. During his tenure there, “Mr. Blum” mentored scores of Scouts along the Trail-to-Eagle including his own two sons, as well as participated in many outdoor activities such as the Troop 1 Turkey cookout and Klondike Derby. He recounts a Troop expedition to Northern Tier among his favorite Scouting memories.

In addition to his direct service to local youth, Mike actively volunteers on the Council level serving the Commissioner Corps as Scouts BSA Roundtable Commissioner, as well as being an instructor for the Northern California Commissioner College. He is the chair of the Council Camping Committee where he revived the annual Fall Camporee patrol competitions, constructed the Tamarancho Orienteering course, and participates with the Range & Target Activities Committee. Mike is also a Merit Badge Counselor and Associate Advisor for Talako Lodge, Order of the Arrow.



Michael Blum has been recognized previously as a Marin Council Silver Acorn and Award of Merit recipient. He is Wood Badge trained and will be inducted this Spring as a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow, Talako Lodge.

The Mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people

to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes

by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

For more than a century, the Marin Council is pleased to recognize the many outstanding volunteers who devote countless hours of unselfish dedication in service and support on behalf of our local youth, as well as the exceptional boys & girls, young men & women who are the successful results of those efforts in our communities.