Common Questions & Case Studies

1. Common Questions&Case Studies LEAD 2015 BOY 4221 Mark Fenske Scoutmaster, Troop 234 Moraga mdfenske@gmail.com

2. Common Questions • What happens if a scout forgets or did not learn a skill that was signed off? (2.0.0.3; 4.2.1.2; 4.2.1.5) • May the position of responsibility requirement be fulfilled through service in a Philmont crew, jamboree troop, or similar provisional unit? (4.2.3.4.1) • Can one activity be used to fulfill more than one requirement? (4.2.3.6) • Can a scout be denied a Scoutmaster Conference? Board of Review? (4.2.3.6; 8.0.0.2) • Can a scout sit for a Scoutmaster conference or Board of Review for more than one rank at a time? (8.0.2.0)

3. Common Questions • Can a SM refuse to sign a blue card or to prevent a scout from starting on a merit badge? (7.0.0.3) • Can a SM delegate the authority to sign blue cards? If so, when and to whom? (7.0.0.3) • Can a scout choose any registered MB counselor? (7.0.1.4) • Can a scouts work or activities completed before he starts a merit badge be used to meet the merit badge requirements? (7.0.0.2) • Can MBs be completed through group instruction? (7.0.3.2) • Is there a time limit for completing MBs? What if requirements change? (7.0.0.3; 7.0.4.3.)

4. Case Studies Scenario # 1 A new scout is working towards his Tenderfoot rank and completes all of the requirements. He shows you, the AC, his Scout handbook to get all of his requirements recorded. You notice certain initials you have not seen before and ask him whose initials they are. He responds they are his parent’s initials, who “signed off” to confirm the scout completed those requirements. What do you do?

5. Case Studies Scenario # 2a A Scout is working towards his Life rank. He asks whether he can get credit towards his rank requirement for the service hours that he completed for a school club. What should you tell him? Scenario # 2b A Scout volunteers at the local food bank. He asks whether he can count these service hours to his Second Class rank requirement and his Citizenship in the Community MB. What should you tell him?

6. Case Studies Scenario # 3 You have a SM conference with a scout for the First Class rank. You ask him to show you how to tie the bowline knot. He says he can’t remember. What do you do?

7. Case Studies Scenario # 4 A scout asks whether he can use his family camping trip to count towards his 20 nights camping requirement for the Camping MB. What do you tell him?

8. Case Studies Scenario # 5 A young scout has asked you for a SM conference for the Second Class rank. In the conference, you ask him where he cooked the breakfast or lunch for Req. 3g, and he tells you he cooked them at one of his patrol meetings. What should you do?

9. Case Studies Scenario # 6 A scout asks his Scoutmaster for a Scoutmaster conference for his Life rank. SM reviews the scout’s advancement records, and discovers the scout has only been a Star scout for 5 months. Can the SM hold a SM conference for the scout’s Life rank as requested? Should the SM hold the conference? If so, when?

10. Case Studies Scenario # 7 A scout requests a SM conference with the SM, is given his conference and approved for a BOR. He has his BOR, and is approved for rank advancement. The Advancement Coordinator is subsequently told the Scout has completed his BOR, but in checking the scout’s records, discovers the Scout has not completed the required number of merit badges for the rank. What should the Advancement Coordinator do? Should the Scout be permitted to advance because he has had his BOR already?

11. Case Studies Scenario # 8 A Scout in your troop attends a Council summer camp. While at the camp, he takes a group merit badge. After camp, the Scout comes home with a blue card signed by the MB counselor stating that all requirements have been completed, but you know there is no way he could have actually and personally completed certain requirements at camp. What should you do?

12. Case Studies Scenario # 9 You are the Advancement Coordinator. A scout returns a completed blue card. It is signed by the MB counselor, who is the scout’s father. What should you do?

13. Case Studies Scenario # 10 You are the Advancement Coordinator. A scout returns a merit badge blue card to you signed by a registered MB counselor stating that all requirements have been completed. The blue card has not been signed by the Scoutmaster – either before or after completion. What should you do?

14. Case Studies Scenario # 12a Your troop has a written rule that scouts must be in full Class A uniform when sitting for a Board of Review. A Scout shows up at his board of review with white tennis socks and without his merit badge sash. Should he be allowed to proceed with his board of review? Scenario # 12 b You are sitting on a Scout’s Board of Review and he responds to the questions flippantly or rudely. What should the Board do?

15. Case Studies Scenario # 13 You are the SM. The parent of a scout asks you to schedule a SM conference or BOR for her son? What should you do?

16. Case Studies Scenario # 14 You are the SM. The parent of a scout insists that he wants to sit in on his son’s Board of Review? What should you do?

17. Case Studies Scenario # 15 A scout approaches you and asks for a Board of Review. There aren’t enough registered committee members available to conduct the Board at that time. What should you do?