Re: BOR Update
George Huffman (HUFFMAN_GEORGE_W@LILLY.COM)
Wed, 10 Nov 1993 13:31:57 -0500
Kim,
Glad to hear the BOR went very well. If you don't mind, I'm going to contribute
a point or two here, maybe to help others through some tough spots along this
line.
As a frequent chairman of the BOR in my old troop (<---see there...old
Scoutmasters never die; they probably should be just humanely shot!) I designed
the BOR from Tenderfoot to Life as a gradually more formal process; ie., a
Scout comming in for a Tenderfoot BOR is not expected to know everything cold
(meaning of the 12 points, distinction of the three parts of the law, symbolism
of the badge, etc., etc.). That BOR is a rather informal meeting finishing with
the understanding that 2nd Class BOR will be a little more formal (correct
reporting procedure, tidy uniform, tougher questions, etc.) At each subsequent
BOR the procedure toughen up until at Life BOR, everything had better be near
perfect! We do not retest on any requirement; we do ask what was most
enjoyable,
least enjoyable, what was learned, what was unexpected, what are candidates
hobbies, what kind of student in school, etc.. We also ask for a short synopsis
(in private) from SM regarding the candidate prior to meeting him. Scoutmaster
or appropriate junior leader introduces candidate to the board. ABSOLUTELY NO
PARENTS PRESENT! We have found the Scouts adapt very well to this process and
know what to expect. They also talk to each other about the process I'm sure
...and I think that's fine. I don't ever recall any Scout from my unit having
any trouble with an Eagle BOR as a result.
By the way, I just sat in an Eagle BOR that turned down a Scout at the present
time for Eagle because he didn't know the meaning of the oath, 12 points of the
law, etc. That was as painful for the board as it was for the candidate.
Anyway this system has worked well for us and we shall continue to use it. I'm
always eager to hear of other success stories along this line.
With regards to your other point.... we have never had good results recruiting
Boy Scouts at school nights....Cub Scout and Tiger recruitment is excellent
though. The harassment of Scouts by peers in school is really unpredictable.
Our
Scouts say that this dosen't happen very much (Indianapolis suburban area)
which
suprises me. The non-Scouts seem to accept the fact that it's OK to be a Scout
if that's what you want.
I can't figure this one out!
George
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
George W. Huffman Lilly Research Laboratories DC 1523
Huffman_George_W@Lilly.com Lilly Corporate Center
(317)276-4251 Indianapolis, IN 46285
"Anyone who takes seriously anything I say shouldn't be allowed on
the network in the first place."
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