bnelon44

This months survey is devoted to feedback for the second editions of the Guide to Advancement and the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, both scheduled

for release in the first quarter of 2013. Currently, two volunteer task forces formed out of the national Advancement Committees Advisory Panel are going through both publications in detail. Their findings will be combined with yours if you are able to take the time to complete this critical survey.

Note that anonymous responses are not accepted for any of the Advancement News surveys. This is primarily because of the importance the national Advancement Team places on the ability to communicate with survey respondents should more information be needed about their answers.

Completing the survey will take approximately 20 minutes, depending on the details of your responses. It will be helpful, but not required, if you are able to consult the

Guide to Advancement as you provide your answers.

If you have suggestions for either the Guide or the workbook that do not fit in the space provided in the survey, please consider sending a detailed email message to advancement.team@scouting.org.

http://scouting.us.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bdvI1BlCcXJ9E57

There is a new national Advancement News newsletter and survey. See:

http://tinyurl.com/btrp9z2(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Have him call the district Eagle Board coordinator. The policy is to give the materials to the beneficiary but if they don't want them then some direction should be given.

They would like you to sign up for their research panel, see:

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2012/08/16/because-the-bsa-cant-read-your-mind/

Eagle92,

Blue cards are not a unit option. For merit badges the units must use blue cards and follow the process outlined in the GTA

The only exceptions are approved merit badge applications that councils implement.

I agree with Bevah, no book is required.

Isn't the current BSHB available as an app? I see the online trend continuing as an option.

>There's no need to generate all kinds of forms and bureaucracy because we like pretendin' we're the IRS

Until the Scout goes for Eagle and the person at the troop who was suppose to get the email and didn't report it is long gone.

But I agree with electronic communications something could be worked out, such as an email to all parties involved by the MBC. Although that would lead to the Scout not meeting up with the SM again for a final conference on the MB. There are a number of ways of creating a multi part form/notification. As I said before, the simple blue card helps to facilitate the process.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

The situation is that we are awarding the merit badges as soon as we can get them recorded at council. So actually four entities need to have the record:

1) The Merit badge counselor needs a record that he signed off a merit badge (in case of questions later.) (that is the counselor's record of the 3 part blue card.)

2) The Scout needs a record that he handed in a completed merit badge form (that is the Applicant's record of the 3 part card)

3) The unit needs a record that the Scout has completed the badge (that is the unit record of the 3 part blue card.)

4) The council needs to track it was completed (that is the advancement form, either on paper or using Internet Advancement)

The eventual solution will be to somehow securely get all of this online.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Fred,

You were clear to me, and I agree. Follow what the requirement says. No more, no less. Holds true for all requirements.

fred8033

Yes, if the requirement says while working on this merit badge do the service hours. Then it would be setting a time frame of when to do it. However if the Scout is also working on 2nd class....

I agree with the rest of what you said.

Eagle92

Using the blue card facilitates using the correct process.

From the Guide to Advancement:

Though it has not been clearly stated in the past, units, districts, and local councils do not have the authority to implement a different system for merit badge approval and documentation. In any case, through the years, many councils have created new forms and approaches to the process, some including IT components. In an effort to gather and consider these potential best practices, councils are now asked to submit descriptions and copies of their blue card alternatives to the national Advancement Team.

Twocubdad

In the "good old days" the Scout always had the choice of which merit badge to take. The Scoutmaster couldn't restrict him.

So, if anything, we are going back to the foundations of Scouting.

boomerscout,

You said, "Otherwise, any Scout that earns the mb while second class can logically argue that his past service can apply to his Star efforts when he gets to that point. "

No it would not since the Star requirement specifically states, "While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least six hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster."

dfolson,

Yes, my understanding from the Advancement Team is that ultimately it is the Scout's decision to start a merit badge.

Also it is becoming clear that starting a merit badge doesn't necessarily mean that Scout is ready and mature enough to finish the badge.

Later this year there will be an update to the blue card.

Next blue card reprint (later 2012); SM signature wording to change: "I have discussed this MB with this Scout and recommended at least 1 MBC"

This was tweeted by the BSA Advancement Team:

https://twitter.com/AdvBSA

Unless otherwise specified, an activity or skill training may count toward more than one requirement towards any rank or merit badge. In the case of skills, it is up to the individual who is testing the Scout whether or not to have the Scout demonstrate knowledge or proficiency in the skill. Proficiency means the Scout is familiar with the subject and is comfortably able to perform the requirement as stated.

UCEagle72,

I am hearing the surveys came back no.

BadenP,

Outdoor emphasis is integral to the effort. Watch the NAM video again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFMTEhJ20M0(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Directed by the National Council Strategic Plan, a task force has been chartered to study the Venturing program, membership, marketing, training and program support structure and to make recommendations to increase relevance, stimulate growth, and enhance program support. The task force is targeting final recommendations by the end of the year with potential implementation in late 2013 or early 2014.

To date, the task forces actions have been primarily focused on the assessment and analysis of the current program, brainstorming strengths and weaknesses, and identifying potential enhancements. The task force has made one formal recommendation, which is:

Retiring the Venturing Oath, Code, sign, and salute

Adopting for Venturing the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout sign, and Scout salute

Engaging the task force and National Youth Cabinet to determine whether Venturing should have a differentiating motto/slogan or adopt Be Prepared

The basis for the recommendation is strategic in nature and is intended to reinforce the connection between all of our BSA programs and the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. Since it is the mission of the BSA to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law, it is the task forces judgment that this goal is best achieved if all programs use the Scout Oath and Law as their primary statement of values and ideals.

The part of the recommendation regarding the Scout sign and Scout salute aligns Venturing with the older youth programs of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

The recommendation above has been reviewed and endorsed by the appropriate national committees and has been reviewed, discussed, and endorsed by the national officers of the BSA, who directed that the recommendation be moved forward in resolution form to the National Executive Board during its October 2012 meeting.

More information here:

http://bit.ly/OzI2x4(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

National came out with a faq sheet on this today:

http://bit.ly/Qtr48R

5yearscouter

That's what Patrol Meetings are for. Get together with the SPL and see if he will agree with telling the Patrol Leaders that each patrol is to come up with 5 new ideas for activities for the year and to have that as an assignment for them to accomplish during the patrol break outs during the troop meeting (or as something to figure out prior to the troop meeting)

If your new to the troop stand back and watch. Best not to stir the pot until your comfortable and they are comfortable with you.

But they aren't doing it right. Read Chapter 8 of the Scoutmaster Handbook. There is an online version here:

http://www.people.vcu.edu/~albest/Training/ScoutmasterHandbook2010.pdf

Eventually, when ready, I would humbly suggest that the Scoutmaster and Committee Chairman take Scoutmaster Specifics training (preferably together.)

Read the manual!

Cub Scout Leader Book

your right they are not called ranks(This message has been edited by bnelon44)