Re: ASM father signing off on rank advancement?

In a message dated 99-06-08 23:47:10 EDT, trinoaks@FLASH.NET writes:

<< One of our ASMs asked me this evening about BSA policy regarding signing
his son off on a couple of the requirements for Tenderfoot. At the
time, neither the SM or other ASMs was available. The boy passed his
Scoutmaster Conference and BOR, but one of the BOR members was
questioning it. I don't know the answer, and I'm not sure where to find
it. I've looked in Advancement Policies and Procedures, the
Scoutmaster's Handbook, and Basic Scoutmaster Leadership Training
manual. Can one of you gurus out there help me out?

Sarah Nunez >>

If it is not outlawed anywhere, and to my knowledge it isn't, then it is
perfectly legal for a ASM parent to sign off advancement matters. When I
signed my son off for advancements I did for him like all others, I made sure
he- "explained, built, showed, demonstrated, etc." the skill/knowledge as
required for that advancement, just as I do with any other Scout. And when
he now signs off younger Scouts, he also makes sure they know what they are
talking about.

But, when an acceptable alternative is available (other adult or older scout)
then it would be probably wise to direct the young man to interact with the
other person so as to build some of those interpersonal skills that Scouting
percipitates. This also eliminates the questions of parental bias that the
BOR seemed concerned about. IF no one is avilable though, sign away if he
did the work properly.

YIS

Ed S
ASM
UC
Pacifc Skyline Council
Redwood City, CA

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