ADVANCEMENT

1.      It is the responsibility of the individual Scout to have his Boy Scout Handbook with him at all troop activities (Unless told otherwise).

 

2.      The Scout’s Patrol Guide and/or Assistant Scoutmaster is responsible for organizing activities to aide the Scout in learning skills for advancement and for all hand-on opportunity to master the skill. This may be done at troop meetings, campouts, patrol meetings and other Troop events.

 

3.      Once the Troop Guide/A.S.M. is assured the scout has mastered the skill elements, he will sign and date the appropriate requirements in the Scout’s handbook

 

4.      When the Scout has completed all his requirements for advancement to the next rank, the Troop Guide/A.S.M. will review the handbook and check with the advancement person to see that the Scout has all his events and camping days that meet the rank requirement than request that a Scoutmaster’s conference be conducted for the Scout and MUST show how Duty to God is met.

 

5.      A.S.M/ Troop guide will have the opportunity to discuss the Scout’s progress with the Scoutmaster. Their comments and assessments will become part of the Scoutmaster’s conference.

 

6.      The Scoutmaster’s Conference will be conducted within the meeting room but will be set apart to assure confidentiality. Retesting of skills is not part of the conference process. If the Scout is ready to be advanced, the Scout will be immediately notified of the fact and the Scoutmaster will request the Advancement Chairman to schedule a board of review. If the scout is not ready for advancement, the Scout will be immediately notified of reason that advancement is not approved, and a new board of review date will be set.

 

7.      A scout must explain how he has Scout Spirit, Duty to God and has conducted himself in accordance with the Scout Oath and Scout Law in order for him to be approved at his Scoutmaster’s Conference. As a Scout grows within the program, he must demonstrate his leadership ability and show that he is worthy of the next advancement.

 

8.      A board of review will consist of not less than three (3) nor more than five (5) members of the troop committee. The Troop Committee Chairperson or Advancement Chairperson will head the review process. A Scout’s Parent, Guardian or Family Member is not permitted to take part in the process nor to observe the proceeding. As with the Scoutmaster’s Conference retesting of skills is not permitted within the board of review. A Scout must be in Class “A” uniform with his membership card and Scout Handbook to enter the Board of Review. A scout must bring a letter from his religious institution or authority showing Reverence.

 

9.      After meeting with the Scout, the Board of Review will excuse the Scout and deliberate in private. All members of the Board of Review must vote unamiously in favor for the Scout to be elevated in rank. If the Scout has not been  approved for advancement to the next rank, he will be told what must be corrected and a minimum time needed before the Board of Review will reconvene.

 

10.  All discussions involved in the advancement process are held in the strictest confidence.

 

11.  If a Scout has been approved for advancement, the Advancement Chairperson will notify the Scoutmaster and his advancement will be recognized at the earlist opportunity, If the board of review is conducted during the troop meeting, the Scout will be recoginized at the closing ceremonies of the troop meeting.

 

12.  The Advancement Chairperson will prepare the Advancement Report Form and he/she will sign the form along with two other members of the board of review

 

13.  The Troop Committee will only conduct Board of Reviews from Tenderfoot through Life. Eagle Board of Review are conducted by council or District Advancement Chairperson at a troop location. Troop Committee members take part in this review but it is headed by a member of Council/District Eagle Review Committee. Board of Review’s schedule is created by the Troop Committee and should be part of the Troop Schedule. They should be conducted at lead once a month.

 

14.  It is the goal of the Advancement process to reward those Scouts who have mastered scouting skills and matured as true brothers in the Scouting team. Communication of both strengths and deficiencies are important if the Scout is to measure his own growth. Advancement for the advancement’s sake proves nothing, but is an indicator of growth and maturity.