Scout Book Signatures

[schneizenator]

Who exactly can sign off in scout books. It is only Assistant scoutmasters or scoutmasters, it is any adult leader, or can certain scouts sign off?

[t305spl]

Anyone First Class or Higher. Unless your troop has a special way of doing it.

[West]

We did any adult leader or their troop guide.

[teepeeayy]

As a "boy run" organization, we ask that the boy seeking credit for advancement for First Class and below demonstrate the requirement to either a PL, ASPL, or SPL. That leader then seeks the Advancement Chair to report credit (completion of the requirement), which is entered into TroopMaster

[don]

I remember reading somewhere (but I can not find it again) it is the Scoutmaster, or someone the Scoutmaster has designated.
This sounds like it is to the Scoutmaster to decide who can sign off of requirements

[BM_Crawford]

I remember reading somewhere (but I can not find it again) it is the Scoutmaster, or someone the Scoutmaster has designated.
This sounds like it is to the Scoutmaster to decide who can sign off of requirements

Sound's about right to me.

[RWSmith]

IMNSHO,

The SM is the sole authority in approving any and all rank advancement requirements. However, the SM may delegate his/her authority, as such, to any person(s) he/she deems to be so qualified to act in his stead concerning any advancement requirements. Along those same lines, the SM (or his designee) also has the authority to require a Scout use a particular MBC (that is on the District's approved MBC roster). Furthermore, if the SM delegates his/her approval authority, then he is obligated to accept it until he/she revokes it.

E.g., Once a MBC has signed (a Blue Card or other document) that the MB has been successfully completed in full, or just some requirements (i.e., a Partial), the SM must accept it, as such. This is an accountability issue... If Johnny starts the Camping MB in Troop 1 and then moves to another unit, say Troop 23, and presents a partial Blue Card to the SM, he is obligated to accept it, assign a new MBC, and let Johnny pick up where he left off. Period. The SM may prudently investigate the matter, insofar as determining the former MBC is on the loosing District's list; but, barring any evidence to the contrary, we are obligated to honor the legitmacy of another Scouter's signature. (No Scout may be required to repeat any advancement requirements when he can truthfully document the successful completion thereof.)

There are three reasons why a UL (the SM or an ASM) is supposed to sign and date a Blue Card prior to the Scout contacting the MBC... First, the Scout is expected to discuss his intentions about taking the MB with his UL; Second, the UL may, at this time, refer the Scout to the MBC list, or instruct the Scout to contact a particular MBC (on the list); Third, this date establishes the starting point in relation to which set of requirements may or may not be used, in case the MB is, or recently was, under revision. The SM may advise, but not prevent, any Scout from attempting any MB! (IMHO, if a SM is so concerned about a kid taking a particular MB, then he should refer the Scout back to his parents, who can, in turn, stop anything they want.)

BTW, I also do not consider a BOR to be an advancement requirement; it's a review, a certification, a confirmation, if you will. Remember, once a Scout has meet all requirements necessary for a given rank, he may then request a BOR, which, as we know, may not consist of any of the Unit's Leaders--that is, not the SM; no ASMs.

Just my nickel.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

I would have to agree with you except the original question was who signs off in scout books, not blue cards. lol

Troops very in this responisbility but usually it's any scout First Class or higher OR a troop may have only the PL, or SPL's sign off. In both cases, ASM or the SM may also sign off.

[RWSmith]

I would have to agree with you except the original question was who signs off in scout books, not blue cards. lol.

Tangent. Rant.

Troops very in this responisbility but usually it's any scout First Class or higher OR a troop may have only the PL, or SPL's sign off. In both cases, ASM or the SM may also sign off.

I agree completely; as long as the SM says it's okay, then he has delegated his authority. Yes?

[t305spl]

In my troop right now only the Sm, Asm, and SPL can sign off. We will be opening the signing to more scouts later this year. The reason for us holding back is we want the scouts to demonstrate that they know and can teach the Requirement they are signing off. After they prove this to the SM, ASM, and SPL they can then sign off on that requirement. This will help us to be sure that the scouts actually had someone sign off that knew how to do the requirement.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Why not give the older boys the responsibility but hold them accountable should they allow someone to slid? Or, during patrol breakouts, make sure the older boys are aware of the various requirements by having them re-show their skills before letting them proceed with signing off?
I prefer to have as much responsibility given to the boys in the troop. Teaching and working with younger scouts is a great part of the program? Plus this helps the newer scouts feel get to know the older boys and join the troop more.

[hacimsaalk]

in our troop, and as far as i know in our council, only scoutmasters ,assitant scoutmasters , troop guides, and junior assistant scoutmasters can sign things off

[BM_Crawford]

Why not give the older boys the responsibility but hold them accountable should they allow someone to slid? Or, during patrol breakouts, make sure the older boys are aware of the various requirements by having them re-show their skills before letting them proceed with signing off?
I prefer to have as much responsibility given to the boys in the troop. Teaching and working with younger scouts is a great part of the program? Plus this helps the newer scouts feel get to know the older boys and join the troop more.

I agree with that but I think it's area specific. For some troops it would work marvelously and it might not work in others. But I agree that that is a GREAT idea to get responsibility involved, and to keep the older scouts buisy. (Especially in a troop with relatively new scouts and few older scouts.)

[mommatoodle]

In my son's troop, the older (upper rank) boys are the ones to sign off on the book. We have quite a few eagle scouts and numerous life scouts at all of the meetings. I believe once you attain first class you may sign off on the books. The boys (who do the signing) are held accountable. The boys go to the scout master to sign requirements and he tells them to find one of the "older" boys.

Just from watching, the older boys do make sure that the scout knows the material before anything is signed off!

[cballman]

since the troop is boy run we let our boys who have reached first class to sign off on all req. except for the first aid and swimming ones. since that this requires a Adult to sign off on those and they are a very much needed. these skills are not signed of by the boys because our troop believes that there is more at stake in the safety aspect of these. First aid req. can be signed off by any leader who is out with the kids. the swimming req can only be signed off by a BSA Lifeguard. most of the swimming req. get signed off at summer camp because of the stupid adult who goes to camp and helps out the boys in our troop for the swimming merit badge. just in case there are any other stupid leaders who takes off work and vacations at the waterfront like me and at scout camp for the WHOLE week Thank You for your time and for helping the boys out. thats the way our troop works. and it has worked for quite a few years now. it may not be perfect but it helps the adults and the kids get to know each other.

[West]

the only boys we let do it are Life and Above, and Troop Guides (regardles of rank). This is to reminind the Troop Guide of what his job is. Other boys teach, and can recomend that the requirements be signed off. Sometimes we sign on their word, sometimes we check. Basicly it's just a period where they learn that it really is important that they actauly teach before signing.