Re: Advancement recognition
Jim McMaster (mcmaster@SWENG.STORTEK.COM)
Wed, 13 Aug 1997 16:41:12 -0600
In message <199708132027.OAA25446@stortek.com>, Doug Chamberlin said:
> I have a question about recognizing advancement properly.
>
Our troop has a regularly-scheduled Board of Review at the last meeting of
each month. I always find out ahead of time who needs one, and the BOR is
cancelled if no one is ready. This is so committee people can plan ahead of
time to be at the BOR. At the closing, the scouts who passed get to announce
the results to the troop. Immediate recognition.
I hand out badges right after the opening the following week. This gives the
scouts immediate recognition. I would do it right after the BOR, but I
cannot get the awards without turning in an advancement report. This gives
the scouts another recognition
We have a Court of Honor every three months, with all the appropriate pomp
and circumstance. At the COH, we hand out the cards and parent's pins, and
the scouts are applauded by one and all.
I am fairly new at scoutmastering, but this system seems to work pretty well.
>
> My other observation is that the adult leaders in the troop are pushing
> advancement by scheduling instruction classes and merit badge classes
> during most troop meetings.
I am afraid I push advancement, too, at least as far as First Class. I
encourage the PLC to schedule classes in requirements where people are short,
and ask all the scouts if they are ready to sign anything off. After First
Class, I let them know when time requirements are met. At the SMC, I help
them plan how they are going to meet the requirements for the next rank. I
am always willing to help them meet the rank, but they have to come to me to
ask for help.
We occasionally have merit badge classes, but no one earns the merit badge
just by attending the classes. We just try to teach them what they need to
know when they meet with the counselor.
--
Jim McMaster
mailto:mcmaster@sweng.stortek.com
Scoutmaster, Troop 70
Boulder, CO
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