1. Jean Seely
Troop 570 Assistant Scoutmaster
Kirkland, WA
Rod Gowdy
Aurora District Advancement Chair

2. Scoutmaster Conferences
What is a Scoutmaster Conference?
A comfortable conversation where you
Learn more about the scout
What is going well? What isn’t?
His thoughts and ambitions
His goals
A good conference should be unhurried. It helps the Scout evaluate his accomplishments and set new goals with his Scoutmaster. This can be accomplished at a troop meeting, camping trip, or in the Scout’s home.
Goal setting by the Scout makes it possible for the Scoutmaster to help the Scout with his weaknesses and encourage him to use his strengths. The Scout (joining) conference is probably one of the most important associations the Scout will have in his Scouting career. It is at this conference that the Scoutmaster illustrates to him the adult-youth relationship that is unique to Scouting.
All through the ranks, it is rewarding for the Scoutmaster to observe the Scout grow in responsibility and maturity. It is through this association and example that a young man grows and matures, and the Scoutmaster conference accomplishes that aim. (See Scoutmaster Handbook, chapter 10.
How is his patrol doing?

3. Adult leaders Who can preform a SMC? Who can’t perform a SMC?
Who can perform SMC? SM
ASM
Who can’t perform SMC?
SPL
ASPL
Troop Committee Members (this includes the committee chair)
Registered committee members can participate in BORs
Parents
Can participate in BORs if they are registered committee members BUT can’t be a part of their child’s BOR.

4. Where can a SMC be held? Always follow YPT!!! There are no exceptions!
SMC can be held anywhere as long as you follow the YPT.
Troop meetings
Outings
Campouts
Outside of troop activities If a SM or ASM is willing to meeting outside of scheduled scouting activities.

5. New Scout SMC What you should discuss:
What did you like about Cub Scouts?
What do think you like about Boy Scouts?
Do you have any brother or sisters?
What are your interests outside of scouting?
Why did you join the troop?
Do you have any questions about Boy Scouts?
Do you have any questions about the troop?
What does the Scout Oath mean to you? The Scout Law?
You should explain:
The advancement process; including who will be approving and recording his process
The purpose and timing of Scoutmaster conferences
How a boy-led troop works and his advancing role in it.
The patrol method and the new-Scout patrol
Make sure you give the Scout handshake and see that the Scout can demonstrated the scout sign and salute.

6. Trail to First Class - SMC
What you should discuss:
Who is your patrol leader? What do you think of him?
What do you think of the challenges you are facing?
How have you progressed on first aid and your other skills?
What are your goals for the next few months? How do those goals meet your advancement requirements?
What do you think would make the troop better?
What you should explain:
That a Scout does not always keep a skill by simply doing it for advancement; that he must repeat it, and in some cases, teach it, to really have the skill • The value of planning to achieve his goals • How setting advancement goals involves looking ahead to see what must be accomplished and in what order
• How the Scout can use the merit badge program to explore interests and accomplish advancement
You can review what a Scout should have learned in his signed off achievements and see how he has absorbed the skills. For Example - 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.

7. Star & Life SMC What you should discuss:
• What merit badges did you do? What merit badges did you get the most out of, and why? • How did you feel about your leadership position, and why? • 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? Why? • 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?
What you should explain:
The progressive nature of service projects from Star to Eagle
The nature of ―Eagle required‖ and ―elective‖ merit badges
Leadership needs to be demonstrated by the youth

8. Eagle SMC What you should discuss
How do you think you’re Eagle Project went?
Did you run into any rough spots? OR Did everything go as planned
Did you plan enough to get you over the rough spots?
How did you work with non-profit?
Was the non-profit clear in the goals for you?
Would you do the project differently? How?
How do you think the troop is doing?
How do you intend to help the troop after you become an Eagle Scout?
Do you have any goals for the troop?
What goals do you have for yourself?
Do you feel you are an Eagle Scout?
Do you believe you have accomplished all you need to in order to become an eagle scout?
What you should explain:
That his scouting career isn’t over: Eagle Palms, leadership, and adult leadership
Other opportunities await: Order of the Arrow, Venturing, Sea Scouting, “Eagles Nest”, JASM role
Leadership needs to be demonstrated by the youth

9. Eagle Palms What you should discuss:
How do you plan on contributing to the troop now?
What are your goals for the troop?
What are your personal goals?
How will your scouting experience help you?
You should explain:
Scouting opportunities for older scouts (JASM)
National Youth Leadership Training
Leadership in the Order of the Arrow (Chapter or Lodge Chief
Camp staff opportunities
The Hornaday Award
Venturing
What happens when a boy leader turns 18
Potentials service as an ASM
Remaining active in Scouting in college or when you move
JASM
Leadership needs to be demonstrated by the youth

10. Does the Scoutmaster Conference have to be last step before the Board of Review?
While it makes sense to hold one after other requirements for a rank are met, it is not required that it be the last step before the board of review, regardless of rank.

11. What happens if the Scoutmaster refuses to give the scout a Scoutmaster Conference?
Unit leaders do not have the authority to deny a Scout [Ranks other than Eagle] a conference that is necessary for him to meet the requirements for his rank. If a unit leader conference is denied, a Scout—if he believes he has fulfilled all the remaining requirements—may still request a board of review. Reference “Boards of Review Must Be Granted When requirements Are Met,” in the Guide to Advancement.
If an Eagle Scout candidate is denied a conference, it may become grounds for a board of review under disputed circumstances. Reference “Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances,” in the Guide to Advancement.

12. What’s a Advisor Conference?
In the Venturing program, scouts who complete the requirements for the Discovery, Pathfinder, or Summit award, participate in an Advisor conference.

13. What’s a Skipper Conference?
In the Sea Scout program, Skippers hold a conference with youth who indicate they are ready to advance to the next Sea Scout rank.

14. Key Points to Remember The Scoutmaster Conference can accomplish:
Develop a trust between a Scout and Scoutmaster.
Reinforce the ideas of Scouting
All the Scout and Scoutmaster to share ideas and ask questions of each other.
Set goals and outline steps to achieving them.
Tips to make a Scoutmaster Conference successful:
Make the conference special. Give the scout your undivided attention.
Invite the Scout to share in the discussion.
Keep the setting relaxed. Don’t sit behind a desk or across a table.
Keep the tone positive. If there is an area for improvement to discuss, make sure to bring up behavior and accomplishments you can praise, too.

15. QUESTIONS?

16. To record your evaluation and attendance from a mobile device, go to  click "My Evaluation & Attendance.“ The code for this session is 6215.