Doug343

Bob I am not sure how else to articulate the issue. This posting is about a flow chart distributed by a council that [i believe] misrepresents BSA policy. You have provided advice and opinion about everything but the focus of the posting. I would guess that you have not served in the Scoutmaster role. Your assessment that the Scoutmaster is "just one of the leaders of the scout troop... [he/she] helps with the program" is inaccurate. The Scoutmaster is responsible for the program and image of the Troop. Rank advancement is part (a tool) of the program.

I guess I have not been able to clarify the issue. The flow chart shows an appeal within the unit (troop). Its nice to say that appeals rarely happen and that those involved would consult BSA policy if an appeal occurred. However, this is irrelavant to the issue here. Please note that the individual that distributes the chart at University of Scouting, claims to be Philmont trained and has served as the Council Advancement Chair. The only purpose for the story about the scout and the service project is to provide an example of what the published flow chart allows to happen. Any s

Bob I disagree that the SM in the story added to the requirement. The service project was not approved and the SM Conference was not signed off. If I were that SM, the scout spirit requirement would also be unsigned, since I sign that off at the SM conference. The purpose of the story was to illustrate the flow chart. Without the story, no one would read the objections to the flow chart. While I agree that the CC should have contacted the SM, it was not required by the flow chart. The point is, the story result is as it should be - if the flow chart were correct. I appr

I appreciate the comments and suggestions, but I am still concerned about the adoption and distribution of the Advancement Appeal flow chart described in the opening dialog. Since this chart has been approved by the Council Advancement Chair and distibuted at training classes for the past two or more years, it seems like an uphill climb to get a serious evaluation, with regard to BSA policy. I believe this chart is very detrimental to the very scouting values that we are trying to teach. After all, the rank advancement is a tool to teach values. If we suppose what was actually learned

For the past two years, instructors, at a Council sponsored "University of Scouting" training day, have distributed a flow chart that depicts an advancement appeal process. The flow chart diagram starts with a Scoutmaster's Conference. The "pass" line goes to the Troop Committee for a Board of Review. The "fail" line also goes to the Troop Committee for appeal. Both Troop Committee actions have subsequent "pass" and "fail" options. The "fail" option proceeds to the District. Some that review the flow chart quickly see little of interest, but as a Scoutmaster, it surely got my attention.