Transcript Troop 888 Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review Training Are You Prepared to Conduct a Scoutmaster Conference or a Board of Review? Training Summary This course will help inform Scoutmasters, assistant.

Troop 888
Scoutmaster Conference and
Board of Review Training
Are
You
Prepared to Conduct a
Scoutmaster Conference
or a
Board of Review?
Training Summary
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.
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.
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
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.
(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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ready for Some Sample Scoutmaster
Conference Questions?
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
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.
The Star and Life Scoutmaster
Conferences
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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?
Boards of Review
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
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
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
Board of Review Characteristics
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
What a BOR is not
• An interrogation
• A retesting of a Scout's competence
• An examination
• A marathon session
Who Conducts the Board of Review?
Tenderfoot through Life, Eagle Palms
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
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
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
Sample BOR Questions
Tenderfoot 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
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
Sample BOR Questions Eagle Palm
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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
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)?
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.”
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.
“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
Resources for more information about the
advancement process?
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Every aspect of advancement procedures is discussed in the Advancement
Committee Guide Policies and Procedures (No. 33088), which is updated and
reprinted annually.
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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
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Committee members should have a copy of the Troop Committee Guidebook (No.
34505) which is updated periodically
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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
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Questions