Re: Advancement Charts?
Anthony Mako (ajmako@NLS.NET)
Wed, 10 Mar 1999 11:42:37 -0500
<Michael Derleth wrote>
As for the paper advancement charts, we've not used them in any of my
last 3 troops. While they can motivate, it's seemed too tough to keep
them up to date. Correlating the individual books with TroopMaster is
enough of a job, particularly with <1st Class ranks. (and if anyone
has an idea to make -that- more efficient, please sing out!).
</Michael>
How's this for a solution. Using the First Class tracking sheets from
TroopMaster, have the Scoutmasters (or whoever signs off those
requirements) update the tracking sheet at the same time he/she signs
the Scout's book. We print out the tracking lists by patrol, and I
have a clipboard that holds them. This does two things: 1) It allows a
Scout to get credit for completing a requirement even if he forgets
his handbook (he just has to remember to get his book signed); 2) It
provides a convenient update tool for the records people.
Instead of calling the person in charge of updating advancement
records in TroopMaster and going through a pile of handbooks, you just
hand them the patrol lists. In our troop I use the lists to update the
official BSA troop record book which is what I use to update
TroopMaster (yes, at the moment it's my responsibility). And, when the
Scout doesn't have his handbook, we put an "nb" along with the date on
the tracking list. Until the Scout gets his book signed, it doesn't go
in TroopMaster but we still have a record of the requirement being
done.
Actually, there are several reports in TroopMaster which can be useful
for this purpose. The general use rosters are extremely flexible and
can contain lots of different information. I prefer the patrol
tracking lists by rank so I can see at a glance what each Scout needs
to work on.
YIS
A. J. Mako, ajmako@nls.net , Scoutmaster Troop 381
Home of the Unofficial Win95 Boy Scout Desktop Theme,
http://members.aol.com/Scouts381/
Old Portage District, Great Trail Council, BSA
"I used to be an Eagle (C-7-97), but I'll always be an Eagle (1981)"
