There's another aspect of our program that is "remarkable" - the adult volunteer who coordinates Post50. Ken Bland, a career SAS employee, is the founder and sustainer of our Post. He was recognized by Scouting this past Saturday with the Spurgeon Award, the highest recognition for contributions to Exploring. The President of the Southern Region Board of the Boy Scouts of America, Tom Yarboro, joined us for the presentation along with John Akerman, CEO of the Occoneechee Council.
Ken is the Cal Ripken - the Ironman - of Post50. He's at the ballpark game in/game out, as a great role model and encourager to the 75 teens in our program. He "serves without condition or restraint," an apt description I borrowed from a Bible study on servant leadership. Here's more from our 6/24 on-field ceremony:
Please direct your attention to the field for a special
presentation recognizing one of our own, Ken Bland, who is receiving the
William H. Spurgeon III Award given by the Boy Scouts of America. The Spurgeon
Award is presented to honor an outstanding volunteer leader with the Exploring
program who exemplifies the values found in the Scout Oath. Ken was selected
for his tremendous impact through Explorer Post 5 chartered to WRAL and
Explorer Post 50 chartered to the Durham Bulls. Explorer Post 50 and Explorer
Post 5 are youth-based television broadcasting programs that provide students
ages 14-20 with the opportunity to gain experience in television broadcasting.
Under Ken’s leadership, WRAL’s Post 5 and the Durham Bulls' Post 50 have
provided thousands of hands-on, real-world experiences for area high school and
college students, which offers them a glimpse into the opportunities and
challenges that exist in the field of broadcasting. Ken has been instrumental
in leading the Durham Bulls' Explorer Post 50 program, while serving as an
advisor and mentor to WRAL’s Explorer Post 5 program participants for 30+
years. Through his many years of dedicated service, Ken has mentored young
students each summer at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, giving Minor League
Baseball's most iconic franchise one of the best television broadcasts in the
industry. Please join the Durham Bulls in congratulating Ken for this
well-deserved recognition. Ken, thank you for your continued support and
leadership to both the Explorer Post 5 and Explorer Post 50 programs.
