Boards of Review
Dale Karweik (karweik.1@OSU.EDU)
Mon, 11 Jan 1999 15:03:28 -0500
I have responded to Judy Y. privately, but there are some points that
should be made publicly too. The tone of BOR's at the District level,
especially the Eagle BOR, is a result of leadership and only leadership can
change that. Reading chapter and verse will not change the GRAND
INQUISITOR on the inside where it counts. Leadership in selecting and
mentoring are the answer and are the responsibility of the Advancement
Chair in the unit, district and council. Training, lists of questions and
council or district directives can not replace leadership.
BORs should poke and prod to make sure the record is correct. How this is
done is the question at hand. Making the Scout feel as if he has to prove
is qualified is not the role the BOR should have. 99.99% of the Scouts are
doing their best and are following the guidelines. We shouldn't make them
pay for the 0.01%, but we should be aware that the minority does exist. We
should be mentally alert so when we encounter a situation that does not
seem right we do follow it up. For the majority questions about they felt,
what they overcame, where they did it, what they would change if they
taught it, what they would change in requirements, and similar questions
will indicate knowledge without making it an answer or else situation.
As to making the Scouts nervous... There are degrees of nervousness.
There should not be a perception the BOR is a meaningless excercise nor
should it be looked upon as a ego threatening experience. Boards should
be challenging. They should put the Scout's accomplishments in
perspective. They should give the Scout an avenue to make him a better
Scout and person. The should be a show case for the Scout to tell his
advancement story. They should help the Scout recognize his goals. There
should be a bit of nervousness before the BOR and it should vanish once the
BOR starts (for the 99.99%). There should be a feeling of relief and
elation when he leaves the BOR. When the Scout reflects on what happened,
he should feel good about it.
Dale Karweik
