How to Do a Scoutmaster Board or Review
Scoutmaster Conference
The Scoutmaster briefing is a visit betwixt the Scoutmaster and a Sentinel. Typically it is held after the Sentinel completes all requirements for a rank, but before the board of review. The Scoutmaster briefing determines if the Scout is set to get earlier the board. Scoutmaster conferences can also be held to encourage Scouts who are not advancing, or are having difficulty in the troop.
Simply stated, a Scoutmaster'due south Conference should be held as often every bit necessary, or no less than one calendar week prior to a Board of Review.
Scoutmaster conferences are likewise an important component of 1 of the missions of Scouting ? association with adults . In Scoutmaster conferences (as in boards of review), Scouts are treated responsibly with adults in a non-threatening meeting format; are viewed as equals, not equally kids; and are asked questions by adults who value their answers. Most of the interactions that teens have with adults put them in a decidedly subordinate role ? non so with Scoutmaster conferences or boards of review, where Scouts are expected to show leadership and speak their mind. With each successive Scoutmaster conference and board of review, the Spotter builds his conviction around adults.
The conference is a valuable opportunity for a Scoutmaster to hash out with each Scout his action in the troop and his agreement and practice of the ideals of Scouting. This is a time for the Scoutmaster to:
? Openly talk about the Picket?due south progress in the troop.
? Ask how the Watch has demonstrated leadership in the troop and his patrol.
? Ask what he?s washed in his position of leadership.
? Ask how he defines Scout spirit and lives according to the Lookout man Adjuration and Law.
? See how much fun he?s having.
? Determine whether he?s having any problems.
? Inquire for suggestions to make the troop better.
? Ask nearly non-Scouting areas of the boy?south life (school, sports, extracurricular activities, etc.)
Chiefly, the Scout should exist ready to review with the Scoutmaster any of the requirements for the new rank. The Scoutmaster must be satisfied that the Lookout knows his stuff. By allowing the Picket to go earlier the board of review, he is proverb, in consequence, "I certify that this Scout is fix for his new rank." The board of review does not re-test the Scout, simply the Scoutmaster tin.
The male child should wear his full Course A uniform (Scout shirt, pants, chugalug, socks, neckerchief, merit bluecoat sash, and all patches sewn on correctly) to a Scoutmaster conference.
Questions
How oftentimes are Scoutmaster conferences held?
Scoutmaster conferences are typically held the calendar week earlier a board of review. However, Scouts who are ready for a conference sooner can always setup a dissever time with their Scoutmaster for a SM Conference.
Where are Scoutmaster conferences held?
They are ordinarily held at the Scout Hut (Chapel), in the Scoutmaster?s office (classroom with door open). They tin as well exist held in camp at an outdoor activeness with prior system. The conference is held in full view of other people.
How long does a Scoutmaster conference last?
For ranks through 1st Class, about xv-20 minutes. For Star and Life, about thirty minutes. For Eagle, 45-sixty minutes.
Is anyone else nowadays during the Scoutmaster briefing?
But the Scoutmaster and the Scout. Simply . . . the briefing is held in full view of other people .
Is the discussion the aforementioned for all ranks?
The discussion should be appropriate for the historic period and rank of the Scout. Some of the questions the Scoutmaster asks are relevant for all ranks. Other questions are more than appropriate for older Scouts, peculiarly those related to leadership, mentoring younger Scouts, and how he?due south making the troop amend.
Can I take a Scoutmaster conference earlier I cease the other rank requirements?
No. The Scoutmaster conference is the final requirement earlier the board of review.
What?due south the Scoutmaster conference like for Eagle Sentinel?
Information technology?s the Scout?s "final examination" with his Scoutmaster. This may be the last opportunity for the Scoutmaster to learn as much as he can about the boy?s Scouting career and ask questions about the bear upon of Scouting on his life. It?s also an opportunity for the Watch to advise the Scoutmaster on how he would make the troop better. This conference is usually longer than those for Star and Life. Successful completion of the Scoutmaster conference for Eagle Scout signifies that the Scoutmaster and troop certify to the district?southward Hawkeye lath of review that this Spotter is ready for Eagle.
Can the Scoutmaster "fail" a Watch in his Scoutmaster conference?
If the Scoutmaster does not believe that the Spotter is set up for the next rank, he does not have to "laissez passer" him. While such cases are not typical, it tin happen if the Lookout has not completed all the requirements or can?t demonstrate to the Scoutmaster that he knows the skills required for the rank. If a Scout?s beliefs does non indicate that he has Picket spirit (defined as living the Scout Oath and Police force in his everyday life), the Scoutmaster should not automatically send the Scout before the board of review. In these cases, the Scoutmaster volition give the Sentinel specific direction on what he needs to do to successfully complete his next conference. Remember, equally the unit of measurement leader, the Scoutmaster has the final say.
?Merely stated, a Scoutmaster's Conference should be held every bit oft every bit necessary.?
How do I ready a Scoutmaster conference?
A week prior to the next scheduled board of review is recommended. Besides, the boy should cheque with the troops Advancement Chairman 'records bank check prior to a board of review'.
The Scoutmaster Conference
True or false ?
A Scoutmaster conference is held only for the ranks of Star, Life, and Hawkeye.
False. It is a requirement in each rank, from Lookout man to Eagle.
The Scoutmaster conference is substantially a re-examination of skills.
Fake. The Scoutmaster conference is primarily intended as a way for the Scoutmaster and Scout to get to know each other better and to share data that will assistance the Scout and the troop. Considering the Scoutmaster conference is the terminal rank requirement before the Scout goes before the board of review, the Scoutmaster can review skills with the Lookout man to be certain he?due south set to move on, board of review members DO Not re-test the boy.
Scoutmaster conferences, boards of review, and merit badge sessions should be held in clandestine places to ensure confidentiality.
Faux. BSA policy strictly forbids hush-hush meetings of whatever kind, and two-deep leadership is essential for youth protection. These meetings should be held in a quiet place and so the Scout and adults can focus, but they are never "secret" and are ever held in plain view of others.
Scoutmaster conferences and boards of review must be tough sessions to give Scouts a taste of the real world.
False. Just the opposite ? these sessions are designed to put the Scout at ease, provide an environment where the Sentinel has the chance to talk openly and honestly, and get introduced to speaking with adults in a group session that encourages give-and-take.
"Demonstrating Sentinel spirit" is virtually always an automated cheque-off in a Scoutmaster briefing.
False. This is one of the most important areas the Scoutmaster is interested in. Scouts may believe that they?re fix for a Scoutmaster conference when they?ve completed all their skills and service requirements. They may non take given much thought most how they?re demonstrating Scout spirit, which is divers equally living the Scout Oath and Police force in your everyday life. Scouts need to give careful idea about how they?re showing Scout spirit, or they may not accept a successful Scoutmaster conference.
Scouts generally find information technology easy to give specific, bodily examples of how they alive the Scout Oath and Police force in their everyday lives.
False. Many boys find this difficult to do, peculiarly if they oasis?t idea about it beforehand. Requite careful thought about what the Sentinel Oath and Constabulary actually means to you. Give practiced, existent-life examples.
A Scoutmaster must corroborate a Lookout man for advancement if the Scout has held a position of responsibility for the stated corporeality of fourth dimension required, even if the Lookout man exhibited no leadership while he was in that position.
Imitation. The requirement says, "serve actively." The Scoutmaster has every right not to accelerate a Sentinel who?s done nothing while holding a position of responsibility. In fact, he would be doing both the Spotter and the troop a disservice by "socially promoting" the Scout.
If, after a Scoutmaster conference, the Scoutmaster does non believe a Scout is ready for advancement to the next rank, the advancement chairman or troop committee chairman tin override the Scoutmaster?s decision.
False. The Scoutmaster?s determination is terminal. If the Sentry wishes to file a formal protest, he can practice and then with the district advancement chairman. In nearly all cases, the district will support the Scoutmaster if he has followed BSA policies and procedures correctly.
There is no real reason to have a Scoutmaster briefing with a Picket who?s lagging behind and non advancing.
Simulated. This is exactly when a Scoutmaster briefing is needed! These meetings are not but held when a Scout is set for advancement, but likewise can serve equally counseling sessions to determine why a Scout isn?t advancing. A well-timed Scoutmaster conference may brand the divergence between a Watch who gives it some other chance and 1 who throws in the towel.
Adapted from the Scoutmaster Conference guidelines (11.xviii.2003) found on Troop 764's website, Hightower Trail District, Atlanta Area Quango.
Source: https://www.baltimorebsa.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.aspx?LinkKey=22045