Boards of Review
Michael F. Bowman (mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG)
Fri, 28 Jul 1995 03:18:05 -0400
Scott Drown indicated that in his Troop the Board of Review was signing
off requirements. This posting addresses that issue, provides the text
of BSA's guidance on BORs and moves on to Jim Sleezer's query.
Scott, I would ask whether your SM and Committee Chair have been to
training, sounds like it or a refresher is in order. The Board of Review
has a specific place in the methods of Scouting, but it isn't to sign off
Scouts on their requirements. I can't think of a more intimidating way
to have to get a requirement passed than to have a formal board to pass.
This is not what Scouting is about - it is about developing character,
citizenship and fitness. The advancement program is a tool. We want it
to motivate boys to grow not intimidate them. Please share the following
taken directly from the 1992 Troop Committee Guidebook with your
committee and BOR members:
BOARDS OF REVIEW (EXCEPT FOR EAGLE SCOUT)
"When a Scout has completed all of the requirements for a rank, he
appears before a board of review composed of at least three and not more
than six committee members.
"The review has three purposes:
1. To make sure that the work has been learned and completed.
2. To find out what kind of experience the boy is having in his patrol
and troop.
3. To encourage the Scout to progress further.
"The board of review is not a time to retest the Scout, but to determine
the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting ideals. It is also
important to review those Scouts who are not advancing. The guidance and
care shown could motivate these Scouts to further achievement.
"The review should be conducted at a convenient time and location, such
as a troop meeting, summer camp, or the home of a member of the troop
committee, Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters do not participate in
the board of review.
"The board of review members should feel free to refer to the Boy Scout
Handbook, Scoutmaster Handbook, or any other references during the review.
"Because many boys are ill at ease when talking to adults, it is
important that the board of review be held in a relaxed atmosphere. A
certain amount of formality and meaningful questioning should be used
during the review. Use questions that requirrre a narrative answer.
"Examples of the kinds of questions that might be asked are:
* What do you like most in troop outdoor activities?
* What new things did you do/learn on your latest campout/service project/
troop meeting?
* What did you learn/feel in giving service to others?
* Why is being a Boy Scout important to you?
* What are your goals in Scouting?
* How will fulfilling requirement number ______ help you?
"These types of questions will help the boy to see the value and
practical application of his efforts.
"At the conclusion of the review, the board should know whether a boy is
qualified for the rank or palm. The Scout is asked to leave the room whle
the board members discuss his achievements. The decision of the board of
review is arrived a through discussion and must be unanimous. If members
are satisfied that the Scout is ready to advance, he is called in,
congratulated, notified as to when he will receive his recognition, and
encouraged to continue his advancement or earn the next palm.
"Scouts who are not advancing should also come before the board of
review. The board should show interest in these Scouts' rank progress.
Ask the kind of questions that may reveal why they are not advancing:
* Do you enjoy the outings/troop meetings?
* Which of the requirements are most difficult for you?
* Do you find that school activities are taking more of your time? Which
ones?
"Let the Scout know that he has the support of the board of review
members and that there is no doubt that he can achieve the next rank.
The board's concern and supportive manner will both help the Scout's
confidence and impress upon him the importance of advancement in his
Scouting experience.
"At the conclusion of every board of review, it is the the committee's
responsibility to prepare and turn in to the local council office a copy
of the Advancement Report, and ensure that the badges earned by the boys
are obtained and awarded in a timely fashion."
There is a lot of good grist in the above for a Troop Board of Review. I
think it makes it fairly clear that the board is not there to retest or
test in the first instance. If the Scoutmaster has signed the
requirement, it is signed and passed. The board does not then retest.
Now if the board learns that a requirement was never completed as in
Jim's query, I think a lot depends on circumstances. As in Alan Houser's
example, the SM may have decided that the boy learned the same things in
the flag designing process as in making the flag. The SM has made a
judgment call for which the boy should not be penalized. In such a case
it would be approriate for the committee and SM to reflect and evaluate
that course of action for future consideration. We all learn from these
things.
If on the other hand the SM signed off on the requirement and no work was
done, the board could vote that the requirement was not met and that the
Scout is not yet ready. There isn't any guidance in the book on that
one, because boards aren't there to be in the business of failing scouts.
But when it happens, I like the suggestion of counseling instead of a
pronouncement of failure. Reason: the Scout lived up to the Scout Law
and demonstrated his trustworthiness by being honest. Let's encourage
this by asking futher questions about what he thinks should be done about
the obvious problem. Encourage him that he has completed all of the
other requirements and is ready to advance and ask what help is needed?
Give the Scout ownership of the solution through guided discussion. Most
Scouts will decide that their honor requires them to go back and work on
it a little more and they'll be the prouder when they do wear the badge
later. This is an area where the board needs to really be aware of its
purpose and ask plenty of questions to make sure the Scout is getting the
program - delivering the promise! Here a board that is familiar with the
situation is best placed to really answer the question. In some cases it
may be appropriate to grant the rank, in others to counsel. The key is
to keep the Scout motivated to continue to participate in the program and
work towards the basic goals of scouting - character, citizenship and
fitness.
Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
DDC-Training, GW Dist. Nat Capital Area Council mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
