Troop 888 Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review Training

1. Troop 888Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review Training

2. AreYouPrepared to Conduct a Scoutmaster Conference or a Board of Review?

3. TrainingSummary This course will help inform Scoutmasters, assistant Scoutmasters, and other troop leaders about the purposes of the Scoutmaster's conference & Boards of Review and will offer suggestions for questions that could be asked at these conferences.

4. Part 1: Learning Objectives • State the purpose of the Scoutmaster conference and how it is used to further the Boy Scout program. • Plan a Scoutmaster conference with an eye to the individual Scout's needs. • Conduct a Scoutmaster conference.

5. The Role of the Scoutmaster Conference The Scoutmaster conference allows the Scoutmaster to review: • The Scout's growth in his understanding of Scouting's ideals • How the Scout applies these ideas in his daily life and in the troop • The requirements of the Scout's next rank so that he can be properly encouraged

6. Why does the Scoutmaster engage in this one-on-one review? • The relationship between a Scout and his Scoutmaster is important for the troop's health and for the Scout's success. • The Scoutmaster must watch the troop's dynamics to see who is showing leadership, who is holding back, who is shy, who is working with the younger boys, who is skilled in outdoor activities, etc.

7. (Continued) • In large troops, delegating this function may be necessary • Even in a large troop, a Scoutmaster should refrain from delegating a conference with any candidate for Life and Eagle.

8. When and Where to Hold a Scoutmaster Conference • Should be held in a quiet place that is conducive to give and take between the Scout and Scoutmaster. (Remember that the BSA Youth Protection policy requires that one-on-one sessions between a youth and an adult be visible and accessible by other people.) • Of course, each rank advancement requires a Scoutmaster conference. • BEFORE the Board of Review

9. Types of Scoutmaster Conferences • A Scoutmaster conference is simply a chance to talk to a Scout about how he is doing, how he feels about the troop and his role in it. Some reasons to have a Scoutmaster conference may include: • A Scout's lack of advancement • A perceived trouble between the Scout and others in the troop • A certain event at the last campout or troop meeting • Rank advancement • Another issue to be considered at the Scoutmaster conference is the concept of Scout spirit, which is part of the advancement process.

10. How to Hold a Scoutmaster Conference • The Scoutmaster conference is neither an interrogation nor a retesting of a Scout's competence. • It should be an informal conversation between Scout and Scoutmaster • The non-advancement conference may be related to a problem. In a good conference you may listen more than you speak.

11. How to Hold a Scoutmaster Conference (Continued) • Listen carefully to what the Scout is saying • If there is a solution to the problem, try to allow the Scout to come up with it. • In the advancement conference, you will assess the Scout's readiness for his board of review and his progress since his last Scoutmaster conference.

12. How to Hold a Scoutmaster Conference (Continued) • Review the Scout's achievements and to discuss them without retesting. • Ask a Scout how he felt about certain accomplishments or about his leadership position and whether he believes he was successful. • A scout who is not ready to face a board of review (the last step in the advancement process) can be counseled if you sense a lack of Scout spirit or leadership. The Scoutmaster conference should not be a time to shut the door on advancement but to work with the Scout to create goals that will allow him to succeed.

13. How to Hold a Scoutmaster Conference (Continued) • Scout Spirit…the enigma. Or not. • Scout spirit is an ideal attitude that Scouts around the world are supposed to show, based on adherence to the Scout Oath and Law in their everyday life.

14. How to Hold a Scoutmaster Conference (Continued) • The board of review is the final step in the advancement. However, the members of the board of review are troop committee members who might not know the Scouts as well as the Scoutmaster. • If a Scout's advancement is to be deferred, that should come at the Scoutmaster's conference. While the board of review is not a rubber stamp, the Scoutmaster should not approve the Scout at the Scoutmaster's conference and then expect the board of review to defer the Scout.

15. How to Hold a Scoutmaster Conference (Continued) The requirement for advancement is that the Scout participate in a Scoutmaster's conference, not that he "pass" the conference. Always end a Scoutmaster conference with praise for the positive aspects of the Scout's character, his skill level, and/or his accomplishments.

16. The New Join Scout Scoutmaster Conference • This is an opportunity for the Scoutmaster to explain a bit about the Scouting program, about the troop and its traditions, and about how Boy Scouting differs from Cub Scouting. • It should be informal; it should be friendly; and from the standpoint of the Scout, it should be encouraging and supportive.

17. The Tenderfoot through First Class Scoutmaster Conferences • Review the scout’s progress in achievements, and to discuss how he felt about the various steps he has taken on the Scouting trail, including his individual achievements. • Questions here naturally will deal with a certain campout, for example, or the difficult time the Scout had with knots, but it also may deal with how he is getting along with certain other Scouts or how he exhibits Scouting ideals outside the troop.

18. The Star and Life Scoutmaster Conferences The Star and Life conferences will be a bit longer than previous ones. The Scout will have acquired many more skills and will evidence more maturity. Leadership will be one of the significant topics to be discussed. Each of these ranks involves service projects, and you should ask the Scout how he felt about the projects.

19. Ready for Some Sample Scoutmaster Conference Questions?

20. The New Join Scout Scoutmaster Conference • What did you like about Cub Scouting? • What do you think you will like about Boy Scouting? • Do you have any brothers or sisters? • What are your interests outside of Scouting? • Do you have any questions about Boy Scouting or the troop? • You should explain the advancement process

21. The Tenderfoot Through First Class Scoutmaster Conferences • Who is your patrol leader, and what do you think of him? • What do you think of the problems you are facing? • How have you progressed on first aid? • What are your goals for the next few months, and how do those goals meet advancement requirements? • What do you think would make the troop better? • You can review what a Scout should have learned in his signed off achievements and see how he has absorbed the skills. Ask a Second Class candidate about his service project, how he felt about it, how he felt he had done, did he believe he was successful, and how he measured that success.

22. The Star and Life Scoutmaster Conferences • What merit badges did you enjoy, and why? • What merit badges did you get the most out of, and why? • How did you feel about your leadership position? • How did you feel about how you exercised that position? • Did you feel you accomplished anything in that position? • What were your frustrations? • Who do you think is doing a good job in the troop? • Have you decided what merit badges you will be earning next? • Have you thought about achieving Eagle? • Have you thought about a service project for Eagle?

23. Boards of Review

24. Part 2 Learning Objectives • At the end of this lesson, participants will be able to • State the purpose of the board of review and how it is used to further the Boy Scout program • Plan a board of review with an eye to the individual Scout • Conduct a board of review

25. Purpose of Board of Review • Tracks the progress of a Scout • Determines Scout’s understanding of the ideals of Scouting and how he applies them in daily life in the troop • Board satisfies itself that the Scout has done what he was supposed to do for that rank • Review with the Scout the requirements for the next rank • Also a way of reviewing the troop's progress

26. Types of Boards of Review • Most common type of BOR is for advancement • Other reasons to have a BOR • Scout's lack of advancement • Perceived trouble in the troop • Certain event at the last campout or troop meeting • BOR training Outline on how often

27. What a BOR is/does An informal, friendly growth experience Asks about how requirements were done Checks requirements were done to a common standard Lasts approximately 15 minutes long, except for Eagle, which should be approximately 30 minutes long Determines the Scout’s attitude and acceptance of Scouting’s ideals, both in the troop and outside of it Checks on “health of the troop” Reviews with Scout the requirements for the next rank Board of Review Characteristics

28. What a BOR is not An interrogation A retesting of a Scout's competence An examination A marathon session Board of Review Characteristics

29. Who Does At least 3, not more than 6 members Troop Committee Members One member serves as chair Who Does Not SM or ASMs Relatives of Scout Parent or Guardian of Scout Who Conducts the Board of Review? Tenderfoot through Life, Eagle Palms

30. When and Where to Hold a Board of Review • When • Monthly (Troop 888 will begin on 2nd Tuesday) • Possibly at the same time as a troop meeting • BSA training guide suggest “Ideally, a Scout should sit for a board of review every six months, whether he is advancing or not” • Where • Where board members and Scout are only ones aware of what is going on • Where there is no possibility of embarrassing Scout in front of others • Conference room or other place separate from main meeting • A campout or summer camp

31. Mechanics of a Board of Review • Scout neat in appearance, uniform “correct as possible”* • Introductions • BoR Chair can ask the Scout to come to attention, and recite one or more of the following: The Scout Law, The Scout Oath, The Scout Motto, The Scout Slogan but “discussion of the Scout Oath and Scout Law is in keeping with the purpose of the review” • BoR membership is invited to ask Scout open ended questions • Deliberation • Scout leaves the room • Have a (short) discussion that leads to a unanimous decision • End a board of review by praising the Scout for the positive aspects of his character, skill level, and/or accomplishments • Present badge of rank as soon as practical after the advancement report is submitted to council • Scout holds his new rank as of the date of the board of review

32. Sample BOR QuestionsTenderfoot through First Class • 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? Source: Supplemental Training Guide Troop BORs, 18-625 Note: Many more questions in class handout

33. Sample BOR Questions Star and Life • What merit badges did you enjoy, and why? • What merit badges did you get the most out of, and why? • How did you fulfill your Swimming (or other merit badge) requirements? • How did you feel about your leadership position? • How did you feel about how you exercised that position? • Did you feel that you accomplished anything in that position? • What were your frustrations? • Who do you think is doing a good job in the troop? • Have you thought about achieving Eagle? • Have you thought about a service project for Eagle? • How do you fulfill your duty to God? To country? Source: Supplemental Training Guide Troop BORs, 18-625 Note: Many more questions in class handout

34. Sample BOR Questions Eagle Palm • How do you plan on contributing to the troop now? • What are your goals for the troop? • What are your personal goals? • Will your Scouting experience help you? • How do you fulfill your duty to country? To God? Source: Supplemental Training Guide Troop BORs, 18-625 Note: Many more questions in class handout

35. Issues for Boards of Review • Current completion of T/S/F requirements is concurrent. • Though no concurrent boards are to be held for T/S/F, the boards can be held on the same day. • How does the Board measure the Scout’s progress between the ranks of T/S/F if all three boards held on the same day? (Can’t hold back—or stall—a scout if he is progressing) • Substituting rank requirements (disabilities) – Can’t unless special dispensation has been granted or alternate requirements already provided. • What is Scout Spirit? Is it an automatic given? • A Scout is to “serve actively” in positions of leadership. How does the Board determine whether the position(s) were carried out (as explained in the Junior Leader handbook)?

36. Denying Advancement • Age or “gut” impression not basis for holding back a Scout if he is meeting requirements • Sole basis of denial rests on the Scout’s not meeting the requirements • Board should certainly give the Scout the opportunity of learning what he needs to do to advance • Scout should be given a definite time for a subsequent board of review • Follow-up letter must be sent confirming agreement and necessary actions • Scout should be given appeal procedure information if he/she disagrees with decision • BOR training guide states “having a Scout deferred for advancement by the board of review is unusual. If there is a problem with a Scout, normally he will not be presented to the board of review.”

37. Appealing a Decision • When can appeals occur? • Troop leader or troop committee does not recommend a Scout for a board of review or fails to sign an Eagle rank application • If a board of review does not find favorably for the candidate • Appeal can be taken up by the Scout, his leader, or the Scout’s parents. • “Appeal Chain” is unit – district – council - National Boy Scout Committee • Committee to whom the appeal is addressed will promptly review the facts • All parties must be interviewed by the committee, hopefully without confrontation. • A written report with all details will be prepared by the reviewing committee and forwarded to the National Boy Scout Committee. • Appeals to the National Boy Scout Committee are made only through the local council. There is no direct appeal. • In Eagle matters, a copy of the Scout’s Eagle Scout Rank Application must accompany the national appeal.

38. “Non-Advancement” BOR • Reasons to have a board of review may include • Scout's lack of advancement • Perceived trouble in the troop • Certain event at the last campout or troop meeting • Guidance and care should be shown to encourage advancement • Ask the kind of questions that may reveal why Scout is not advancing • If resolving a problem, should be non-confrontational

39. Resources for more information about the advancement process? • Every aspect of advancement procedures is discussed in the Advancement Committee Guide Policies and Procedures (No. 33088), which is updated and reprinted annually. • Every troop leader should have a copy of the Scoutmaster Handbook (No. 33002). This indispensable resource is a Scoutmaster's and assistant Scoutmaster's best bet for guiding a Boy Scout troop and its patrols • Committee members should have a copy of the Troop Committee Guidebook (No. 34505) which is updated periodically • Supplemental Training module “BOR Training” publication 18-625 http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/supplemental/18-625/index.html • Boy Scout Requirements online http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/32215/index.html

40. Questions