Conducting a Unit BOR Presentation

[smtroop168]

To answer your question...the BOR must override the SM EVERYTIME. Boards of Review Must Be Granted When Requirements Are Met. A Scout cannot be denied this opportunity. When he believes he has completed all the requirements, including a Scoutmaster conference, it is up to the unit leader and committee to assure a board of review is held. Scoutmasters for example, do not have authority to expect a boy to request one, or to “defer” him, or to ask him to perform beyond the requirements in order to be granted one.

[bnelso]

Thank you!

What about the opposite. Say someone on the board knows of an serious incident that would run counter to Scout Spirit (say using drugs or robbery) can they defer advancement even though the Scoutmaster signs the Scout off on Scout Spirit? If so, where is the line drawn?

What if the Scoutmaster knows of the incident and signs the Scout off on Scout Spirit anyway?

I know of cases where both of these instances occured in our district and was wondering what the official guidance is.

YiS,
Bill

[Reasonable Rascal]

Thank you!

What about the opposite. Say someone on the board knows of an serious incident that would run counter to Scout Spirit (say using drugs or robbery) can they defer advancement even though the Scoutmaster signs the Scout off on Scout Spirit? If so, where is the line drawn?

What if the Scoutmaster knows of the incident and signs the Scout off on Scout Spirit anyway?

I know of cases where both of these instances occured in our district and was wondering what the official guidance is.

YiS,
Bill

That's a question I'd like an informed answer to myself. What do you do about the Jekyll and Hyde Scout, whose Scouting persona and public actions are worlds apart.

RR

[smtroop168]

Here's some "official policy".....The purpose of the BOR is to determine the quality of a scout's scouting experience and decide if he is qualified to advance. So the BOR has the task of determining if the scout has met all the requirements and must make a unaminous decision to advance the scout. The BOR has 2 options...they can adjourn the board and discuss why and what needs to be done by the scout in a reasonable time period, then reconvene and evaluate the scout again or if they vote and do not advance the scout, the scout must be given the appeal process he may pursue. In scenario #1, if the scout disagrees with the BOR, he may also appeal.

For Scout Spirit, one way to evaluate this is to ask the scout to explain in his own words, what Scout spirit, and living the Scout Oath and Law mean. They know. It might also be useful to invite examples of failing to do so. This can send a message that a Scout can admit he has done wrong, and yet still advance; or in a serious situation – such as perhaps alcohol and illegal drug use – understand why that might not be appropriate just now. This is obviously a sensitive issue, and must be treated carefully. Evaluating Scout Spirit will always be a judgment call, but through getting to know a young man and by asking probing questions we can get a feel for it.

Also there should not be any "surprises" when the scout goes to a BOR. All "Top Secret" info on any issues must be vetted between the Committee and SM. They must work as a team not independently. If ANY requirements are being signed off that should not be, the Committee and SM need to meet and discuss how/why this has happened. The BOR is not the time to do this. My guess that if there was a significant event as you described (drugs/robbery), the BOR member is not the only one who knows about it and Scout Advancement is the least of this young man and his family's concern.

Hope this helps.

[RWSmith]

Bill,

In addition to these two (which I referenced in my earlier post)...

• Reconvened BOR
• What to do with Potty Mouth?
  
  ....here are some more topics that you may find helpful:
  
  
  • Board of Review Composition
  • Volunteer causing multiple instances of "conflict"
  • Greater Cleveland Council - ESRA - References issue....
  • Combining Tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st Class into one rank
  • ESRA, Req. 6 - "Attach to this application"....
  • Serve for 4 months, 6 months, 6 months...
  • Sm Conferences
  • Board of Review-Ever Turn Down a Scout For Any Rank?

Some are older, some are newer; all are well "discussed"... i.e., insightful reading (I think).

[bnelso]

Thanks the links are useful!