Boards of Review (What?, Who?, Why?, When?, How?)

Boards of Review(What?, Who?, Why?, When?, How?) Training for those who serve on BSA Boards of Review Board of Review Introduction

The Purposes of Boy Scouting • To develop in young men the ability to do things for themselves and others • To train them in outdoor skills • To teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues • To prepare them to participate in and give leadership to American society Board of Review Introduction

The Aims of Scouting • Character development • Citizenship training • Personal fitness Board of Review Introduction

The Methods of Scouting • Ideals—Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan • Patrols • Outdoor programs • Advancement • Association with adults • Personal growth • Leadership development • Uniform Board of Review Introduction

What Is a Board of Review, How Does It Fit In? • It’s a tool the Troop Committee uses to determine: • how well the Scout understands the ideals of Scouting • how he is applying them in his life and in the troop • how well he is progressing in advancement • A Board of Review for rank advancement: • verifies that the requirements for that rank have been met • provides a forum to discuss the Scout’s plan for advancement Board of Review Introduction

Purposes of a Board of Review… • Evaluate the Scout’s attitude and acceptance of the ideals of Scouting • In the Troop • In the home • At school • In everyday life • Learn how the Scout views the Troop and its leadership • Verify completion of advancement requirements; review next rank and his plan to achieve it. Board of Review Introduction

Purposes of a Board of Review • Track both advancement and lack of advancement • Reaffirm to the Scout that: • The Troop Committee is interested in his advancement • Is available to help him overcome obstacles Board of Review Introduction

Who Conducts the Board of Review? • Three to six Troop Committee members • The Scoutmaster is not a BOR member • The Scout’s parents do not serve on the board • Board members are 21 years of age or older Board of Review Introduction

When and Where • A Scout has a Board of Review: • after he has completed rank advancement requirements, or • approximately every six months to evaluate his progress • Boards of Review usually occur: • at the Troop’s normal meeting place, or • during a camping trip or troop outing • Eagle Boards of Review • are held at a time and location convenient to both the Eagle candidate and BOR members Board of Review Introduction

How Often? • At least monthly for the troop, more frequently if needed • At least every six months for each Scout Board of Review Introduction

Easy Guidelines… • Make the Scout comfortable • Ask open-ended questionsthat help evaluate his understanding of Scouting ideals, the quality of his Scouting experience, and his application of Scouting ideals in daily life • Do not test – Skills verification occurs with the Troop leaders before a Scout is presented to the board. • Review the recordof his completion of requirements to ensure they meet high standards—but do not interrogate him • Act quickly--a routine BOR should take no more than15 minutes Board of Review Introduction

Easy Guidelines • Ask Simple Where/When/How questions • Use questions that evaluate rank advancement requirements without retesting • “What did you cook for your First Class meal?” • “What kinds of camp gadgets has your patrol built?” • Listen to what the Scout is saying,and to what he is not saying. • In a good board of review you may listen more than you speak. • Respondwith interest, smiles, and very brief comments • Do not make the BOR about yourself and your opinions • Remember, it’s about the Scout, his experiences and his understanding of Scouting ideals! Board of Review Introduction

What Kinds of Questions? • You are assessing • His achievements and experiences • His growth in the ideals of Scouting • So…start with questions about: • School and family • The values embodied in the Scout Oath and Law • His participation and leadership in other organizations • Patriotism • Citizenship • Duty to God Board of Review Introduction

Accomplishments & Leadership • Ask about his accomplishments in the Troop… • What events has he participated in? • What was memorable about those events? • How could his experience have been even better? • What service projects has he done? • Ask about his leadership in the Troop… • What positions has he held? • Which was most rewarding? Why? • What problems did he encounter as a leader? • How did he solve them? • How could he have been a more effective leader? Board of Review Introduction

Duty to God • Is an important part of Scouting • Recognizes religious element in Scout training • Nonsectarian • The Scout’s home and religious organization give definition to his religious life • Discussion of religion is appropriate, but should be done with respect for the variety of personal faiths and beliefs • “How do you honor the 12th point of the Scout Law?” allows the Scout to discuss his religious beliefs Board of Review Introduction

If the Scout is Nervous • He may: • Freeze up, • Become silent or give really short answers, and • Forget simple things • You should put the Scout at ease and encourage him: • Start with questions about school and family • Keep questions simple and focused • Avoid rambling comments or questions • Demonstrate a courteous, friendly, and kind manner of questioning Board of Review Introduction

Wrapping Up the Board of Review • Always end the review with praise for the positive aspects of his character, skill, and accomplishments • After completing your discussion with the Scout: • Ask him to leave while the Board makes a decision • Deliberate quickly and reach a unanimous decision • Invite him back in to hear the board’s friendly and supportive decision • The Scout holds his new rank as of the date of the board of review Board of Review Introduction

If a Scout Is Not Advancing • The Board of Review should help him learn what he needs to do to advance • Ask questions to identify the problem • With his help, focus on identifying practical solutions • Counsel the Scout to help him form his own conclusions • Help him develop his plan for advancement • Set a date for his next review Board of Review Introduction

The BOR and a Healthy Troop • Through questions and discussions, the review process can contribute to a healthy Troop • It encourages leadership and evaluates leadership potential • It helps match youth with appropriate leadership opportunities • It identifies how the troop is keeping boys interested and challenged • It identifies opportunities for improvement • It demonstrates that the Troop utilizes the methods of Scouting • The review process encourages Scouts to continue on the Scouting path Board of Review Introduction

The BOR and a Healthy Scout • The BOR develops the Youth’s “Scouting health” • It encourages him to continue advancing in rank and accepting more responsibility for troop operation • It helps match his interests and abilities with Troop leadership opportunities • It helps him recognize his challenges and achieve his dreams • It helps him see himself in the greater context of Scouting • It helps develop self-confidence and pride in accomplishment • It provides interaction with adults in a setting of mutual respect • It encourages personal growth in Scouting skills and in living the ideals of Scouting Board of Review Introduction

Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class… • Get to know the Scout better • Review progress in his achievements • Discuss his steps down the Scouting trail. • Reflect on skills learned • Reflect on the ideals of Scouting • Ask questions that deal with • Campouts or activities • Proficiency in Scouting skills • How he is getting along with other Scouts in his patrol • How he exhibits Scouting ideals Board of Review Introduction

Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class • Possible Questions • Who is your patrol leader? • What do you think of the problems he is facing? • How are you doing in your first aid skills? • What are your goals for the next few months; how do they meet advancement requirements? • What do you think would make the troop better? • How do you fulfill your duty to country? To God? Board of Review Introduction

Star and Life… • Review is longer than previous rank reviews, but still should take no more than ~ 20 minutes • Scout should have developed more Scouting skills • Scout should demonstrate more maturity commensurate with his increased responsibility in the troop • Demonstration of leadership is more important • Ask about service projects Board of Review Introduction

Star and Life • Possible Questions • What merit badges did you enjoy, and why? • What merit badges taught you the most? • How/where did you fulfill your Swimming (or other merit badge) requirements? • Did you enjoy your leadership position? • What was your best accomplishment in that position? • What frustrated you? How did you handle the frustration? • Which Scouts have the greatest leadership potential? Why? • Do you plan to reach Eagle rank? • Have you thought about a service project for Eagle? • How do you fulfill your duty to God? To country? Board of Review Introduction

Eagle Scout Boards of Review… • Eagle Scout Boards of Review include representatives from the District Advancement Committee • The Scoutmaster is not a member of the BOR Board of Review Introduction

Resources • Advancement Committee Guide Policies and Procedures, No 33088 • 36 USC Chapter 309 – Boy Scouts of America • http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/36C309.txt • The Scoutmaster’s Other Handbook • http://eaglebook.com/smoh.htm • MacScouter – A Guide to Conducting Boards of Review • http://www.macscouter.com/Scoutmaster/BoR_Guide.asp • BSA supplemental training • http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/supplemental/18-625 Board of Review Introduction

Boards of Review (What?, Who?, Why?, When?, How?)