THE BEGINNING

Quality of units has been measured since the first two Scoutmasters confronted one another with each stating that their troop was the best.  In the 1933 publication, "Adventures of a District Commissioner", the District Commissioner wonders why everyone including the Scout Executive wants to know who is the best troop in the District.  It was natural that a rating system would develop.

In 1932, the National office came out with a Ten Year Program to stimulate membership growth and new troops.  An emphasis was put on measuring each council's objectives.  Speaking to a group of Scout Executives in 1935, future Chief Scout Executive (then National Director of Operations), Arthur Schuck, suggested "...every council think not only in terms of its statistical objective, but in terms of the quality of the program of each division of the council; that is, its committees, its activities, so that it is truly a Ten Year Program of the Council, qualitatively, as well as quantitatively."  He added, "It is going to be through the fact that each of the Divisions and Committees of the Council have a qualitative program that progress will be achieved."

National gave the councils a great deal of flexibility in determining requirements.  A 1939 Commissioners' Manual from the Sir William Johnson Council in Gloversville, NY outlines a Troop Rating Plan.  Two members of the Commissioners' Staff would inspect the troop and give points for meeting certain objectives.  There were six classifications which mirrored the ranks.  A troop with 3,000 points was rated an "Eagle" while a less than perfect unit with only 1,200 points was a "Tenderfoot". 

The rating plan was based on three measures of effectiveness -

• Leadership

• Program & Activities

• Membership, Advancement and Tenure

The ratings were very detailed.  An extra 50 points could be earned for the Scoutmaster's cooperative ability if he promoted and attended local council functions.  Scout Executives today might like to see that one come back.  There was another 50 points added if the troop attended the Council's Caterpillar Extermination.   And then we see points for items that continue to be emphasized today such as one time rechartering, summer camp attendance, and training.

While it appears that no patches or streamers were awarded, I'm sure that their was pride in being an "Eagle" rated troop

EARLY PROGRAMS

From 1949 to 1951, as part of the 40th Anniversary Crusade to "Strengthen the Arm of Liberty", units could win awards based on leadership, program, and membership.  The best units received the coveted First Award.  Slightly lower achievement would win the Merit Award.  For meeting approximately 50% of your goals, a unit would still get the Progress Award.  A colorful wall chart was available for you to measure your progress toward the Crusade goals.  It was noted by the Assistant Director of Program, Frank Braden, that "The margin between mediocrity and quality in the same unit may be very small."  These words are still true today.

During the years of 1952 to 1955, "Forward On Liberty's Team" was the program slogan.  The time period for awards was changed from the calendar year to the charter year.  Functioning manpower, quality program, and increased membership were established as the areas of success with nine unit goals.  The goals were: 

(1) "Two deep" leadership

(2) top leaders with basic training

(3) junior leaders trained

(4) Advancement by all boys

(5) a balanced annual program

(6) a service program, including preparation for civil defense

(7) a vigorous camping and outdoor program

(8) a well-handled finance program, including Unit budget and providing Boys' Life

(9) a net membership increase of at least one boy member over the membership of the previous year

An "annual report" form was provided was to be attached to the charter renewal application.  Three Liberty Bell shaped tassels and one streamer could be earned by the unit.  A gold tassel represented manpower.  A silver tassel was program.  The blue tassel was membership.  A "Forward on Liberty's Team" streamer was given for re-registering on time. 

A four year program called "Onward for God and my Country" ran from 1956 to 1960.  Unit goals and achievements were again set at the time of registration around manpower, program, and membership.  Units earned the "Onward for God and my Country" Award for attaining 75% of its goals and showing a net increase in youth.  Council's had to attain 75% of their achievements in "Ten Test of Successful Scouting" and show net growth. 

"Build, Serve, Achieve" (Strengthen America-Character Counts) was the theme for a 1962 program.  An Award of Merit streamer and special charter seal was for units that attained 75 percent of their unit goals.

"Breakthrough For Youth" was a quality program offered in 1965-66.  The goal was to put a quality program within reach of every eligible boy in America.  It was directed right at the unit leader; Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, or Explorer Advisor.  The program encompassed two methods: Unit Analysis and the Roundup.  The Commissioners were tapped to make the analysis by attending a unit meeting.  He would observe the unit, analyze it, and bring help to meet the needs of the unit. The unit received a streamer for completing the following:

• Reregister on time with increase in membership over prior registration.  

• Complete the unit goal sheet at the time of charter review (first year) 

• Attain 75% of goals (second year).  

There were District and Council plaques awarded for meeting their goals. 

BOYPOWER  ● MANPOWER

In October, 1968, Chief Scout Executive, Alden Barber, introduced the Boypower '76 long range plan to Scouters in Scouting magazine.  The new article had the subtitle of "In Pursuit of Scouting Excellence".  The program was set to launch on January1, 1969 and carry Scouting through 1976 - the 200th anniversary of our nation.  One of the targeted areas was an improved quality program with clear and measurable national goals.

Boypower '76 was the national mandate to increase membership.  To accomplish this, Scouting increased its appeal to urban youth and the Scout handbook was simplified.  There was a professional emphasis on numbers that resulted in widely publicized fraud by some councils.  But one good thing came out of the program and this was the introduction of the National Standard Unit concept. 

As stated in the Scouting magazine rollout:

Quantity and Quality Goals

The first step in the development of BOYPOWER '76 was the establishment of clear and measurable national goals. Goals unite the team and focus its efforts; they distinguish between ends and means. We can get excited about goals and their attainment.

Membership goals naturally come first. The total number of Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers governs everything else, including the number of units needed, the manpower (volunteer and professional) needed to establish and serve those units, expansion of council service and camping facilities, and the financial resources needed to ensure success for the entire expansion. To fulfill the purpose and meet the growth objective of BOY- POWER '76, our movement must serve 6.5 million boys by the end of 1976 (a gain of 51.5 percent over 1966) and almost double the rate of gain in the last decade.

Membership growth must be accompanied by program enrichment. Such enrichment starts with trained unit leaders capable of guiding boys through an outstanding, relevant Scouting experience.

Another quality item will be the new National Standard Unit concept. This will measure the district and council organization and the extent to which the work of the district results in maintaining packs, troops, and posts that are up to the national standard. (It is not an award or an incentive for units or unit leaders.) The national standard will vary slightly for each type of Scout unit. (The National Standard Unit concept will be the subject of a future article in Scouting Magazine.)

After the national goals were established, each region was asked to accept its fair share. Each region, in turn, is asking each council to take a fair share of the regional goals. Council delegations returned from the National Council Annual Meeting in Chicago to complete their goals for 1976 and the intervening years - and to make their plans for achieving them.

The district's acceptance of a share of the council goals logically comes last (annual district goals will be further broken down on a monthly basis). Council and district goals will be established by the end of 1968 so that the council and district manpower is ready to support BOYPOWER'76 on January 1, 1969.

BOYPOWER '76 will operate on a single goals" concept-regional goals will total national goals, council goals will add up to the regional goals, and district goals in any I year will add up to the council goals for that year.

"Single goals" also mean that the same goals will be accepted by the volunteer as well as the professional. These goals are serious commitments, not pie-in-the-sky targets. They are the basis of accountability against which all personnel are willing to have their work appraised.

Each goal will be tailor-made by the particular council or district. Considerations should include past history and performance, current conditions and manpower, and a careful assessment of future prospects.

No national patches, banners or streamers were given to units because the National Standard Unit Plan was meant to be a measure of the effectiveness of the District.  The intent was to see how effective the districts were at supporting their units and unit leaders.  It was not meant to be an incentive for units or unit leaders.  The standard was supposed to measure commissioners, district committeemen, Exploring committeemen, and council Executive Board members. 

Transatlantic Council Program segment

The commissioner service was seen as a prime factor in meeting District goals.  In the past there had been unit awards for accomplishing goals.  For example, a troop was able to get a special seal if they could show use of a troop budgeting plan at the time of recharter.  Commissioners could fall into selling the programs to unit Scouters rather than finding ways to help them to achieve goals.  Therefore the new standards were meant to measure how well the Districts were helping the unit.  The standards were a common yardstick for commissioners and district committeemen to measure their service to the units.  When weaknesses existed, the commissioner and the unit leader were to identify the district resources needed to help the unit come up to standard.  In other words, it was the district's fault if the unit was not operating at standard.

Commissioners were taught stress the individual elements of the standard rather than the plan itself so that attaining the standard would not become a unit goal.

The standards were detailed in the September, 1969 issue of Scouting. 

NATIONAL STANDARDS

Attention District Scouters-the standard unit plan commits you to a course of action. Carefully read the accompanying article and the measurements below so you can fully do your part in BOYPOWER'76.

For national standard packs

1. Reregister at least 50 percent of Cub Scouts.

2. At least 50 percent of those reregistering who were enrolled during the first 9 months of the charter year have advanced a rank (Wolf, Bear, Webelos Award).

3. The pack planned and carried out at least two activities during the summer months.

For national standard troops

1. Reregister at least 55 percent of Boy Scouts.

2. At least 50 percent of those reregistering who were enrolled during the first 9 months of the charter year have advanced a rank

(Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle).

3. Troop conducted a long-term camp (at least 6 consecutive days).

4. Troop conducted a total of 10 days and nights of camping during charter year (can include days in long-term camp).

For national standard posts

1. Reregister at least 55 percent of Explorers.

2. Conduct at least 20 activities (post meetings count in the total) during the charter year.

3. Conduct elected officer training during charter year.

4. Conduct at least one superactivity during the charter year.

How to interpret the standards was outlined in the commissioner training.  A national goal was set to have at least 75% of all units operating at the national standard for 1976, the last year of the BOYPOWER program.

By early 1971, the Troop and Pack standards remained the same but Exploring standards were changed to:

1. Reregister on time at the time of charter renewal.

2. Conduct 20 or more activities including post meetings and conduct at least one superactivity during the charter year.

3. Participate in the Council or district semiannual program planning conferences.

4. Conduct an annual offers' seminar.

Commissioners were reminded that he certifies the units at recharter time, but he should know at any given time during the year if his units will meet the standard.  Units not meeting the standard were to be given a priority.  It was clarified that the standard was a minimum performance expectation when the unit has good support.

THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT'S BOYPOWER UNIT AWARD

The year 1973 brought about a major change in the program.  Unit leaders were encouraged to measure their own progress.  A new unit emphasis was placed on the program as the title was changed to the National President's Boypower Unit Award.  A flagpole streamer was introduced to be awarded to the unit at no charge.  In addition, a cloth bar (light blue on silver) was authorized for youth to wear on their uniforms. The patch was specifically not to be worn by adults.  

Cub Scouts wore the award on the right sleeve below and snug up to the den numeral.  In the case of the Webelos Scouts, the award was worn below the Webelos colors.  Boy Scouts wore it in the same spot snug up to the patrol medallion or leadership corps emblem.  Explorers could wear the bar on the right sleeve of any field uniform, activity garb, or action jacket.

The new requirements for 1973/74 were as follows:

Cub Scouting

1. Reregister your pack on time during its "due" month. 

2. Earn the Cub Scout Summertime Pack Award. 

3. Set a pack goal for rank advancements (Wolf, Bear, Webelos) for the year and meet that goal. 

4. Participate as a pack in two or more district or council activities (Project SOAR, Operation Reach, BSA's Bicentennial program of emphasis for-the- year, Scout show and other approved events). 

5. Conduct quarterly a uniform review of your pack membership using the Uniform Inspection sheets for Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts and leaders.

Scouting

1. Reregister your troop on time during its "due" month. 

2. Conduct 10 days and nights of camping, including a long- term camp of 6 consecutive days. 

3. Set a troop goal for progress awards (Tenderfoot, Second Class, First -Class, Star, Life, Eagle) to be attained during the year and meet that goal. 

4. Participate as a troop in two or more district or council activities (Project SOAR, Operation Reach, BSA's Bicentennial program of emphasis for the year, Reader's Digest Association-BSA National Public Speaking Contest, Scout show and other approved events). 

5. Conduct quarterly a uniform review of your troop membership using the Uniform Inspection sheets for Scouts and leaders. 

6. Scoutmaster must have completed Comerstone Training.

Exploring

1. Reregister your post on, time during its "due" month. 

2. Conduct an elected officers' seminar. 

3. Conduct at least one superactivity during the year. 

4. Have your Explorer president or his representative attend a mini- mum of four council or district presidents' association meetings annually and attend the National Explorer Presidents' Congress. 

5. Establish your method of post identity as related to the blazer outfit, uniforms or sponsor-oriented garb. 

6. Participate as a post in two or more district or council activities (Project SOAR, Operation Reach, Exploring's (BSA) Bicentennial program of emphasis for the year, Reader's Digest Association- BSA National Public Speaking Con- test, Explorer Olympics, Philmont or other high-adventure base).

Chief Scout Executive Alden Barber devoted a page in the November-December, 1973 Scouting magazine to the need to improve the quality of our programs and simultaneously grow membership.  It appears that their was some frustration with the implementation of the old National Standards program as he urged unit leaders to not wait until assistance comes from the council or district.  He then lists several steps for the councils and districts to take to improve the way that the program was being handled.  This indicates that he did not believe that the councils or districts were fully carrying out the mission of measuring unit quality.  The steps he asked to be taken by councils and districts were:

• Council executive boards and related committees should chart and analyze the council and district records in quality program for a 10-year-period.

• Specific action steps should be developed to improve the record and responsibility assigned to carry them out.

• Commissioner staffs and Exploring service teams should be recruited to full strength. 

At the 64th annual meeting in May, 1974, an official resolution was passed to intensify efforts to help units earn the National President's Unit Award with special attention to providing a quality program.

The patch was designed as a permanent part of the uniform. As part of a four year program, a star was added for 1974 with another star being added in each of the next two years.  A Scout that was in a unit that received the award for each for the four years would wear all  four rectangles on his right sleeve.  One would be under one another and touching the other.  

The goals were a way of measuring progress throughout the year.  Units were asked to commit themselves to certain goals by year end.  A certificate was added that named the unit leader as a "Leader of Distinction".

Up to now, units had been checking their goals against their recharter year.  It was announced in 1975 that the Unit Award would be measured on a calendar year.  Leaders were asked to sign a commitment sheet that listed the criteria for the award.  These commitment sheets were distributed by commissioners.

Top unit leader training and Boy's Life subscriptions were added to the list of requirements for Packs and Troops.

The adults who had been restricted from wearing the award were given the opportunity.  The patches were designated No. 6775 (two stars), No. 6776 (three stars).  They sold for 10 cents. 

The Bicentennial year, 1976, was to have been the pinnacle of Scouting's Boypower '76 strategic plan.  Unfortunately, Scouting's membership continued to nosedive.  Chief Scout Executive Alden Barber left Scouting in May to "pursue other interests".

HONOR UNIT BSA

With the Boypower campaign over, it made sense to rename the program.  The NEW program was introduced for those units rechartering in January of 1977.  It was called the "Honor Unit Award".  The award consisted of a streamer.  Units were told that those that earned it would also be placed on their council honor roll.  Although, we're not sure what was meant by that. 

Eligibility went back to the date that your unit rechartered.  The list of requirements grew to 10.  These were given the impressive moniker of "The 10 Tests of Successful Scouting".  To qualify, the unit needed to attain 70 percent or more of the 10 tests with the first five being required.  

The ten tests were:

1. Reregister on Time and Conduct a Roll Call. On-time registration means filing the pack or troop charter application in your Scout service center before the close of the month of your unit's charter expiration date.  Packs and troops conduct a roll call and uniform inspection and provide this information on the unit's copy of the roster. Here you indicate whether each Cub Scout or Scout is active or inactive; whether he advanced during the past year to a rank in Cub Scouts or earned a progress award in the Scouts; whether he participated in the outdoor program of the unit.

2. One or More Assistant Cubmasters or Assistant Scoutmasters. Two-deep leadership is vital to successful unit operation, so a pack or troop should have one or more assistants who are 21 years old or older and are qualified to succeed the unit leader.

3. Our Unit Leader Is Trained. Cubmaster or Scoutmaster has completed the basic training requirements recommended by his local council.

4. Pack Outdoor Program and Troop Advancement. The pack has done any two of these three activities: participated in Cub Scout day camp; earned the National Summertime Pack Award; or conducted a Webelos dad-and-son overnight.  During the past year, the advancement committee has held a minimum of four progress reviews and conducted at least four courts of honor with proper ceremony to recognize Scouts.

5. Cub Scout Advancement, Troop Summer Camp. A minimum of 51 per cent of Cub Scouts who registered at the start of the current charter year have advanced a rank during the year. Troop attended a summer camp.

6. Webelos Den Activity, 40 Percent of Scouts with 10 Days and Nights of Camping. Webelos dens should have had three or more activities during the past charter year. A minimum of 40 percent of the Scouts who registered at the beginning of the current charter year must have had 10 days and nights of camping during the charter year.

7. Boys'Life. Packs and troops had 100 percent of their families receiving Boys' Life.

8. Pack and Troop Budget Plan. The pack or troop has developed a budget using guideline form No. 28-426, available free from its council office.

9. Pack Planning Meeting and Troop Program Planning Sessions. Pack committee and leaders held an annual planning conference and monthly planning meetings. Troop adult leaders and their committee held regular program planning sessions at least four times a year, but preferably on a monthly basis.

10. Service Project. The pack or troop participated in a minimum of one service project or community service program.

Around this time, the paperwork for making your unit's commitments began to be included in the recharter paperwork.

Apparently the streamer alone was not enough to satisfy the patch hungry Scouts and Scouters.  In 1978, we saw the first of the Honor Unit patches.  Unlike the previous National Presidents Award, both youth and adults were allowed to wear the new award.  The award was to be worn on the right sleeve four inches below the right shoulder.  "Honor Unit 1978" was supply number 7948 and retailed for 25 cents.  The streamer was free to the unit as an incentive to meet the requirements.

Adults and Explorers could wear the badge either up near the shoulder seam if there is no other insignia, or directly beneath other badges. 

In 1981,it was announced that more than 30 percent of all Packs, Troops, and posts qualified as Honor Units during the previous year.  This was a far cry from the 75% objective set by the BSA in 1976.  This was one more indicator of the failure of the Boypower '76 program.  Leaders were asked to stand out from the rest of the crowd and let others know that your pack, troop, or post is proud to be an Honor Unit.

The price of the patch went to 35 cents by 1982.  In an unusual move for national supply division the 1983 and 1984 price of the patches went down to 32 cents each.

A NEW MEASURE OF EXCELLENCE

Plenty of notice was given when the November/December 1984 edition of Scouting announced the National Quality Unit Award program to begin with packs, troops, and posts that were due to recharter in January of 1985.  This meant that the first of the new patches would be awarded based upon the January, 1986 recharter process.  Recognitions included the free redesigned unit pennant streamer and Quality Award emblem.  The Honor Unit Award continued to be presented through the end of 1985.

The award, which will be presented when the unit recharters in 1986, consists of a uniform patch and a pennant for the pack's flag pole.  The price of the Quality Unit emblem went up to 40 cents.  Additionally, a Quality Pin was made available for wear on civilian clothes at a cost of 60 cents.  However, the unit leader certificate of distinction went away.  

Gone were the ten tests to be replaced by only eight.  To earn the award the unit must have achieved six of the eight commitments during the charter year. Items one through three were mandatory requirements.

Cub Scout pack requirements for National Quality Unit Award 

1. Cubmaster: To be selected and approved by the chartered organization. If new, to complete the training in the Cubmaster Fast Start Kit.  (Mandatory requirement.) 

2. Assistant Cubmaster: One or more assistant Cubmasters will be registered and active. (At least one of the assistant Cubmasters will be qualified to succeed the Cubmaster.)  (Mandatory requirement.) 

3. Pack Meetings: A minimum of nine pack meetings will be held a year, including one pack summertime activity.  (Mandatory requirement.) 

4. Tiger Cubs: A Tiger Cub group will be affiliated with the pack.

5. Service Project: To be conducted annually. Preferably for the chartered organization or the community, or the pack will participate in the World Friendship Fund.

6. Advancement: Fifty percent or more of the pack's Cub Scouts will advance a rank or the pack will have a 10 percent increase over a year ago. Approved rank advancements for this recognition include Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light.

7. Boys' Life: Fifty percent or more of the pack's Cub Scout members will subscribe to Boys' Life magazine or the pack will have a 10 percent increase over a year ago.

8. Membership: The pack will recharter with an increase in youth registered over a year ago.

The National Quality Unit Award commitments for a Boy Scout Troop were: 

1. Must have a Scoutmaster approved by the chartered organization; if he is new, must have taken Scoutmaster Fast Start training. (Mandatory requirement.) 

2. Must have at least one assistant Scoutmaster who is qualified to succeed the Scoutmaster. (Mandatory requirement.) 

3. Must hold at least nine troop committee meetings, four boards of review, and four courts of honor annually. (Mandatory requirement.) 

4. Must conduct a service project annually, preferably for the chartered organization or community, or participate in World Friendship Fund.

5. Must have at least 50 percent of Scouts advancing a rank, or a 10 percent increase in total rank advancement, during the year. 

6. Must have at least 50 percent of Boy Scouts subscribing to Boys' Life, or a 10 percent increase over a year ago. 

7. Must have at least 50 percent of Boy Scouts camping for at least 10 nights during the year. 

8. Must show an increase in youth membership in the troop over a year ago.

The next year saw some "tweaking" of the objectives.  Troops had to hold only two boards of review and two courts of honor instead of the original requirement for four.  

A plaque was introduced with the suggestion that it be given to the chartered organization, the unit as a whole, or to a leader whose excellent work helped the unit to achieve the Quality Unit designation.

In 1988, the first troop requirement changed from taking Scoutmaster Fast Start training to Scoutmaster Introduction to Leadership training.

Quality District patches were introduced in 1989.

The Program Helps for 1991showed the individual award as square even though the actual patch was now being issued with rounded corners.  It was announced that having the Cubmaster complete Cub Scout leader basic training was added to the first requirement.  Requirement two changed to having at least one registered, trained, and active assistant Cubmaster.  While only these two leaders needed basic training for the award,  districts were encouraged to be sure that all pack leaders receive basic training.   A few months after these changes were announced, the first requirement changed again to encourage more training for all leaders.

1. Training:  The Cubmaster, den leaders, Webelos den leaders, and Tiger Cub group coach (organizer) will complete Fast Start training and the Cubmaster will complete Cub Scout leader basic training. (Mandatory)

A ninth requirement was added to Cub Scout packs and the requirement for nine pack meetings was no longer mandatory.  

9. Participate in at least one of the following:  Cub Scout day camp or resident camp, Webelos overnight, or other outdoor activities approved by the local council.  (Mandatory)

There was also a procedural change. Instead of going through the process at recharter time, the unit did this a month after recharter renewal.  The reason was a change to the eighth requirement.  

8.Units have to recharter with an increase in youth membership over a year ago.

Similar changes were mirrored in the first, second, and eighth Boy Scout requirements.  The fifth requirement for advancement changed to 60%.  Other changes were made in the third, seventh requirements and a new ninth requirement was added.  

3. Will conduct an annual troop program planning conference, publish an annual troop program calendar, and present it to parents at a family activity.

7. Will conduct six highlight activities (hikes, camp-outs, trips, etc.) and attend a BSA long-term camp. (Mandatory)

9. Will conduct troop junior leader training as outlined in the Scoutmaster Handbook and hold monthly patrol leader's council meetings.  

A tenth requirement was added to the Cub Scout list for 1992.

10.  Have a registered Cub Scout den leader and a registered Webelos den leader.

By 1994, the tenth requirement was changed and became the fourth requirement mandatory item for packs:

10.  On-time charter renewal: The pack will complete its charter renewal before its current charter expires. (Mandatory requirement)

Never satisfied to let things settle down, national made more changes for 1995.

Each pack, troop, team, and post must assign the responsibility for youth protection training to an assistant unit leader in order to qualify for the National Quality Unit Award.

The individual makes sure all registered adults receive current youth protection training. She or he should also coordinate educating parents of the dangers of child abuse. The unit leader might also ask this assistant to aid in using appropriate BSA videos and printed youth protection material to educate the unit's youth members. 

There were two additional changes in the Quality Pack Award criteria: Advancement requirement 6, was increased to 70 percent or more of Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts registered at the beginning of the pack charter year who must advance a rank. The alternate continued to be that the unit achieve a 10 percent increase in rank advancement over a year ago. The pack must earn the National Summertime Pack Award (an addition to requirement 3 concerning pack meetings).

The Youth Protection Training requirement changed for 1997.  An assistant leader was no longer responsible for promoting Youth Protection Training.  Any registered adult could fill this role.  An interesting technicality was that this person did not have to be YPT trained themselves.

Beginning in 1999, the time frame was changed so that commissioners would meet with the unit during the charter renewal meeting rather than a month later.  The Quality Unit Award was eliminated for Explorer Posts while a new one was offered for Venturing crews/ships.  

The award was once again modified for the new millennium to help Boy's Life subscriptions.  The requirement was changed from the previous 50 percent goal to having Boy's Life sent to the home of all youth members.  A clarification was made that in the case of brothers, only one subscription to Boy's Life was necessary.

The 2000 pennant streamer was changed to a red, white, and blue with individual emblem using the same color scheme.

In 2000, a National Quality Learning For Life Award was implemented that is in addition to the Quality District or Quality Council.  

The most recent change is a special version of the individual Quality Unit emblem with a metallic gold border for those units meeting the 100% Boy's Life requirement. It will be priced at 78 cents. 

Some councils have taken the award a step further by adding more requirements to create a super-quality award.  The Georgia-Carolina council awards the "Unit of Honor".  The Greater Salt Lake council has a "Quality Leader" program.  

The award will continue to change as the Scouting program changes and national changes the emphasis on the different elements of the award.