"Merit Badge Counselor Approved by Your Scoutmaster...."

[Billiken]

As the title implies, does a SM have the authority to appoint someone as a MB Counselor?

Specific case is that our troop needs more counselors for the three Citizenship MBs.
If a registered adult (on our charter) is current in their Youth Protection Training AND qualified to counsel the MBs, can the SM simply appoint them as a counselor?

Our council has annual renewal of MB counselors.
I think this is mainly to insure:
1. The person is current on YPT
2. The person still wishes to be a MB Counselor

[PaulSWolf]

As the title implies, does a SM have the authority to appoint someone as a MB Counselor?

If a registered adult (on our charter) is current in their Youth Protection Training AND qualified to counsel the MBs, can the SM simply appoint them as a counselor?

No. ALL MB Counselors must be approved by the District and/or Council Advancement Committee for each badge they wish to counsel.

[smtroop168]

All merit badge counselors must be approved in advance by the council advancement committee.

ACPP #33088 pg 13

[evmori]

The title doesn't imply that at all. The title implies the Scoutmaster assigned the Scout a counselor.

[smtroop168]

Just as an aside...why does your Troop need 3 more MBCs, can't the scouts use other already approved MBCs from your Council list?

[Cowboy]

Your council should make approval as soon as the application is turned in provided the individual is qualified and current on YPT. All councils are suppose to recertify MBC's each year. You may be confusing this with yearly approval. Double check on this point. Next: Anyone can assist the MBC. For example the boys at summer camp. The testing must be done by the registered MBC. I personally make use of anyone who is qualified and willing to help me when counseling a MB. For example: I am abundantly qualified to counsel American Business. I am not very strong on unions or stocks, so I call on "professionals" to assist in those areas.

[Billiken]

Just as an aside...why does your Troop need 3 more MBCs, can't the scouts use other already approved MBCs from your Council list?

Would like one more (to hopefully cover all 3 Citz MBs).
Our primary Citz Comm/Nation/World counselor is a professor at Cleveland State University.
Has done consulting "gigs" with the Jordanian and South Korean (federal) governments...also U.S. State Dept.
Does an awesome job, but very, very busy.

[Bill Pitcher]

The purpose of the MB program is for the boys to get out in their community and meet other councilors, not just those from your troop. Utilize the council MBC list. Our council sends out Quartly updates. We share these with the boys and we keep the updates in the annual catalog. It gives them more choices.

[fritz1255]

Biiliken: It is relatively easy to get adults certified to be merit badge counselors. While some of the badges need people with specialized skills (e.g. Chemistry, Golf), I think any reasonably educated adult should be able to do the Citizenship badges.