1. Troop 888 Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review Training

2. Are You Prepared to Conduct a Scoutmaster Conference or a Board of Review?

3. 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.

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. 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

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

29. 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

30. When and Where to Hold a Board of Review
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 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,
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,
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,
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 ), which is updated and reprinted annually.
Every troop leader should have a copy of the Scoutmaster Handbook (No ). 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 ) which is updated periodically
Supplemental Training module “BOR Training” publication
Boy Scout Requirements online

40. Questions