Champion of World Scouting, Margot Bogert
Margot Bogert was the recipient of special recognition at the World Scout Foundation 75th BP Fellowship Event Gala Dinner in tribute to her long-standing support as a BP Fellow, Regal Circle Member, champion of Scouting for all, and Board Member for 31 years. WSF Chief Executive Officer, Mark Knippenberg, led the tribute to Margot, including her family, and this was followed by a presentation of a special certificate by WSF Honorary Chairman, HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and WSF Chair, Rob Woolford.
"Your Majesty, distinguished guests, dear Scouts and BP Fellows, we are now going to recognise a champion of World Scouting, a Baden-Powell Fellow and long-standing Board Member of the World Scout Foundation. It is an absolute honour for me to lead this special recognition and tribute to Mrs Margot Bogert.
Margot Bogert has been active in Scouting all her life and credits her father, one of the founders of the World Scout Foundation, for sharing his passion with her from a young age. She soon forged her own pathway through international Scouting, generously dedicating decades of tireless volunteering and contributing her extensive skills, including brilliant networking, acute business acumen, and seasoned donor cultivation, in service of Scouting.
A champion of international Scouting from her early years on the International Committee of the then-called Boy Scouts of America, she has come to be known, in particular, for her support for Scout community development and Scouting for all — ensuring that children from all backgrounds and abilities can experience Scouting. For exemplary services to World Scouting, Margot received the Bronze Wolf Award in 1988.
Margot became a member of the World Baden-Powell Fellowship in 1982, and she has given generously and continuously to World Scouting since this date. And it’s very important that we also recognise her husband Jerry Bogert as they have shown this unwavering support to World Scouting as a couple. Together, you have moved through the Honours Programme and have become most esteemed members of our Regal Circle. Jerry, you are also a true champion of World Scouting, and we want you to know how much your support means to us and Scouts worldwide.
And together, Margot and Jerry, you have involved your whole family in the World Scout Foundation, and many of them are here tonight to honour you and your incredible support.
In addition to this long-standing support as BP Fellows, Margot joined the WSF Board in 1992 as our first female Board Member, supporting the Foundation’s governance and fundraising over decades. Throughout her long service, she has hosted numerous fundraising events with Jerry. And in recent years, co-led our successful fundraising appeal during the global pandemic.
At her request, Margot moved to the Life Member Category of the Board as of October 2023, having promised to remain active in support of World Scouting. Most recently, Margot and Jerry hosted a BP Fellow reception in New York, and Margot continues to help us to engage new BP Fellows and other potential donors to World Scouting.
Margot — you’re a phenomenal and courageous trailblazer, with a heart of gold. We love you for your straight talking, your no-nonsense attitude and because you always walk the talk — you’re a true Scout.
Thank you too for your friendship and kindness. And thank you for your decades of active service on the Board."
WSF Honorary Chairman, HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, and WSF Chair, Rob Woolford, joined Mark Knippenberg on the Gala Dinner stage, and presented a special certificate to Margot Bogert in honour of a lifetime of service to Scouting including 31 years as Board Member of the World Scout Foundation, as the audience gave Margot a long and resounding standing ovation.
Margot was then joined on stage by family members present, including husband Jerry, son Jeremiah Jr, daughter-in-law Alison, and grandchildren Natalie, Madeleine and Owen.