New Advancement Policies and Procedures Book

[smtroop168]

Hi everyone....I am one of the National reviewers for the new and totally rewritten ACPP publication (which is Tentatively Titled: The Guide to Advancement & Recognitions). Although I am unfortunately unable to provide specifics since the final draft must still be approved, I will say there are what I feel are significant positive changes to a number of particularly Boy Scout Advancement topics (but there are others as well) that you would expect that are sore spots for units and have been discussed here a lot such as:

“Active” and “position of responsibility”
Eagle Scout application
Eagle Scout projects
Merit badges
Boards of review
Time extensions for earning Eagle
Advancement for members with special needs

I know that's a cop out but what I wanted to tell everyone is that the book will be unveiled at the June 5-11 Advancement Training at Philmont. You are encouraged to attend to be the first on your block to have the new policies and procedures. Here's the link to sign up.

http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc.aspx

[agdparker]

My local Scout Shop has been out of the book for several months and they say they can't get any more until the new one is released. Frustrating as as I have some members of some of my units that really need to read up on it a bit and I don't want to loan mine out.

[smtroop168]

My local Scout Shop has been out of the book for several months and they say they can't get any more until the new one is released. Frustrating as as I have some members of some of my units that really need to read up on it a bit and I don't want to loan mine out.

Email me and I'll send you the current book electronically.

[Fred Johnson]

I've been waiting for that new book for a long time. It's hard to tell people to refer to the official source when the scout shop isn't even selling it anymore. I have the last two versions of the ACPP ... including the one that was pulled back. Thank goodness the last two were not that different from each other.

SMTROOP168 - Question - Will BSA be making a PDF version of this document available for everyone to use? I really hope so.

WARNING!!!! .... THE REST IS MY PERSONAL HOT BUTTON TOPIC .... I'd like to see all the leader manuals available on-line as PDF's documents. They would be easier to get into the hands of the leaders and easier to update. Personally, I wouldn't mind if the paper versions were only available via on-demand printing from Kinkos, OfficeMax or other. I just can't believe the ACPP is a financially break-even equation to print, distribute, stock and throw away outdated copies every five or eight years. AND .... I'm betting that's true for most leader manuals.

I'd rather see BSA go to a fully on-line version. A great example of what could be done was achieved by the IRS (sorry but they are a great example). Years ago, I had file cabinets of IRS tax publications. Not anymore. Now I go here. http://www.irs.gov/publications/index.html It could even be a TAB under http://MyScouting.org .... BSA Publications. You would have to sign in to see it, but that would be okay. As documents were updated, BSA could notify all the MyScouting.Org email addresses of the new document.

A great scouting example is the PDF version of the G2SS. Works great!!!! Use it regularly. Available when and where I need it.

Even if BSA loses a little profit, I'd rather see it online with easy access to registered leaders. Heck, it already costs enough to volunteer. Most volunteers don't spend the money to get the official documents. They depend on hearsay and unit tradition instead of the official BSA source. It would be nice if we didn't need to pay for our own copies of the official information so that we can volunteer.

Okay. I'm done. For now.

[smtroop168]

I've been waiting for that new book for a long time. It's hard to tell people to refer to the official source when the scout shop isn't even selling it anymore. I have the last two versions of the ACPP ... including the one that was pulled back. Thank goodness the last two were not that different from each other.

SMTROOP168 - Question - Will BSA be making a PDF version of this document available for everyone to use? I really hope so.

WARNING!!!! .... THE REST IS MY PERSONAL HOT BUTTON TOPIC .... I'd like to see all the leader manuals available on-line as PDF's documents. They would be easier to get into the hands of the leaders and easier to update. Personally, I wouldn't mind if the paper versions were only available via on-demand printing from Kinkos, OfficeMax or other. I just can't believe the ACPP is a financially break-even equation to print, distribute, stock and throw away outdated copies every five or eight years. AND .... I'm betting that's true for most leader manuals.

I'd rather see BSA go to a fully on-line version. A great example of what could be done was achieved by the IRS (sorry but they are a great example). Years ago, I had file cabinets of IRS tax publications. Not anymore. Now I go here. http://www.irs.gov/publications/index.html It could even be a TAB under http://MyScouting.org .... BSA Publications. You would have to sign in to see it, but that would be okay. As documents were updated, BSA could notify all the MyScouting.Org email addresses of the new document.

A great scouting example is the PDF version of the G2SS. Works great!!!! Use it regularly. Available when and where I need it.

Even if BSA loses a little profit, I'd rather see it online with easy access to registered leaders. Heck, it already costs enough to volunteer. Most volunteers don't spend the money to get the official documents. They depend on hearsay and unit tradition instead of the official BSA source. It would be nice if we didn't need to pay for our own copies of the official information so that we can volunteer.

Okay. I'm done. For now.

As one of my favorite movie characters of all time, SGT Hulka from Stripes would say...."Lighten up Fred". Yes the new book will be on line and have a search feature.

[Fibonacci]

Thank you for spending your time as a National Reviewer. I look forward to seeing the updated edition!

[Fred Johnson]

LOL. Thank you Sgt. Hulka, aka smtroop168. I deserved that. .... Just thinking about your comment makes me laugh. I've been spending the last month telling people to lighten up with our pack pinewood derby. Too much discussion about when to reject cars and too little discussion about making it a positive experience for the scouts. .... Now, I'm on the other end of the stick.

Glad to hear it will be fully online and search-able.

As a side note, I was cleaning my home office and emptied yet another book shelf. For the last four years, I thrown out anything I've not used in the last year. AND if in doubt, get rid of it. I'm down from six book shelves and multiple book boxes to just three book shelves. Some of the last things I threw out last night included the 2009 and 2010 G2SS. Doubt if I used them more than comparing them for a few minutes against the previous years G2SS.

[agdparker]

Email me and I'll send you the current book electronically.

Done and thanks!

[smtroop168]

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf

Current Book Link

[smtroop168]

Final Draft was sent to the review team tonight. We get one last look and then it goes into the Approval pipeline.

There also will be a new Workbook released at the same time as the new book.

[Bill Pitcher]

Matt, is that a new Eagle workbook? And, is it a printed version or a download one from www.NESA.org?

[smtroop168]

Matt, is that a new Eagle workbook? And, is it a printed version or a download one from http://www.NESA.org?

Yep..a new Eagle Project Workbook 512-927...will be available just like the current one is.

[smtroop168]

Getting closer. The Volunteer Review Process is complete and the book has cleared a number of hurdles inside HQs. Still on track for a June unveiling.

The rumor mill is beginning to heat up though. It is amazing what some people believe. Today was that BORs are going away and rank advancement will be determined at the SMC...Not even close to the truth. You hear any others, email me vice posting here.

[RMM]

Getting closer. The Volunteer Review Process is complete and the book has cleared a number of hurdles inside HQs. Still on track for a June unveiling.

The rumor mill is beginning to heat up though. It is amazing what some people believe. Today was that BORs are going away and rank advancement will be determined at the SMC...Not even close to the truth. You hear any others, email me vice posting here.

lol

[FrankJ]

So it is not true that all MBCs will have to be approved by the SMs wife? I was wondering how all the woman & bachelor SMs would get around that one.

[smtroop168]

So it is not true that all MBCs will have to be approved by the SMs wife? I was wondering how all the woman & bachelor SMs would get around that one.

Frank!!! Man...you found the only true one out there! Actually there will be no need for approval, just go to the scout shop and pick out the ones with the nicest colors and sew them on anyway you want.

[smtroop168]

The New Guide to Advancement Book was approved by Nat'l Program Committee at the BSA Annual Meeting and is in final edit/lawyer review.

The Unveiling is still scheduled for Philmont next month.

[kwildman]

The New Guide to Advancement Book was approved by Nat'l Program Committee at the BSA Annual Meeting and is in final edit/lawyer review.

The Unveiling is still scheduled for Philmont next month.

Where is our sneak peek?

[smtroop168]

I've have posted a few "quotes" on some of the forum topics. As soon as I can share the final, I'll post something.

[Mrw]

So any updates on when this will be available?