Partials
Timothy J. O'Leary (tjo@IMSNET.NET)
Fri, 24 Jul 1998 18:29:27 -0400
Perhaps I am confused here, but I think the premise of the question is is
wrong.
1. You have until you are 18 to finish any merit badge.
2. It is up to the counselor to decide whether or not a requirement has
been met. He/she may or may not decide to accept "ancient history" and
he/she may also decide whether or not to "accept" any or all of the
requirements listed on the "partial."
3. The only role for the Scoutmaster, unless he is a counselor for the
merit badge in question, is to assign a counselor. In general, the
Scoutmaster may not sign off on the merit badge partial. In addition, the
only role for the SM signiture after the MB application has been received
from the Scout, signed by the MB counselor, is to acknowledge recording and
awarding of the merit badge counselor. No person is empowered to "second
guess" the merit badge counselor. If the SM does not think the MB counselor
is doing the job right, he should bring this up with the District
Advancement Committe, which has the authority to rule on the qualifications
of merit badge counselors. The advancement committee cannot do anything
except remove the counselor from this role, however. Anything he/she has
signed prior to this point stands.
If someone can quote from the Rules and Regulations a provision to the
contrary of the above, I will stand corrected, but in the meantime, I think
the SM is out of line unless he is a registered counselor for the MB. It is
just not an issue for SM, ASM, committee member, or whoever.
Tim O'Leary
CC Troop 772, Post 769, and MB counselor for a number of interesting and
important MB's!
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
