Board of Review

[ICanCanoeCanU]

scouting179 - although I agree that many "partial MB Kings" as you call them will not finish them all or most. My point is that it's not our job to pace them or put limits on how many they want to try. This past summer I had an older scout ask me for all his partials before leaving for summer camp and he returned with all 9 of them finished. He did these all during freetime because he was now (at 17) interested in the challange of completing them. He also completed his scheduled MB classes and at the fall COH, many people were stunned and asked me if that was possible for him to do.
I don't think we're teaching them not to finish or to walk away from something started but especially at the younger ages when they don't always know what they might be getting into. I talk to them about the badge, give them the blue with names and phone #'s of counselors and then it's up to them. As stated, I do ask them how they're doing on badges previously started.

[evmori]

It would be nice if all the partial were completed. But that seldom happens. The thing we need to remember is these are not OUR merit badges, they are the Scout's! And it is their responsibility to complete them, not OURS! The only reason we as leader should be involved is if we are the MB counselor or the MB counselor is the reason the Scout has a partial.

[West]

I had 12 partials that I never got around to finishing, for one reason or another. In most cases simply because I started and then found them dull.

But then I finished 61 of them. So am I a partial king?

[RWSmith]

Excellent post, West.

I have two more words to add to this thread: Babe and Ruth.

[commish3]

Excellent point RWSmith, the king of home runs also lead the league in strike outs, if he hadn't tried at so many pitches (or taken a pass at so many good ones) he would never have hit so many home runs.

I agree Scouting179 that our difference is one of philosophy. The question now becomes, which philosophy best serves scouting and the scout? The answer will have to be determined by each individual as they develop their vision and mission.

[Scouting179]

See my post on the thread just started that deals with improving Scouting.

[Starscout2009]

I'm only starscout but i still have my opinions! YOu are totally right about about the board of reviews. They should just check to see if you show leadership skills and are keeping a good aditude. There is a kid in my troop who didn't pass a board of review...but he deserved it! He told the adults that he didn't like our SPL's and didn't give them much respect. That's what u should be checking for. The place to test skills is in requirements and on campouts.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

was re-reading this post and now I have to ask?

So what is the harm if someone starts badges (even if it's many) and doesn't finish them? Who and how does this harm anyone?

[RWSmith]

was re-reading this post and now I have to ask?... So what is the harm if someone starts badges (even if it's many) and doesn't finish them? Who and how does this harm anyone?

Asked and answered. Somewhere. Just can't remember. What day is this? For that matter, who am I?

[Mick Scouter]

Starscout2009,

Yes, you are entitled to your opinion. However, we must be careful, thoughtful and understanding the facts when we voice our opinions. In your post you said “They should just check to see if you show leadership skills and are keeping a good aditude. It does not seem that the BOR failed him for skills but for attitude. You also said "He told the adults that he didn't like our SPL's and didn't give them much respect." This is not a skill but a demonstration of scout spirit. (Review the scout laws and decide which law may not have been completely fulfilled by the boy's statement) I do not have enough information to draw a conclusion but if the boy believes that he has been denied advancement without justification then there is a process that he can follow. Please continue to voice your opinion but be careful.

[Lynda J]

On a Scout not liking or respecting his SPL. Was the SPL doing a good job? If not maybe the boy was expressing his frustration at having a leader that wasn't representing the troop in the proper manner. Our last SPL was terrible. Half way through his term the boys were complaining.
He acted like a clown. When it came time for OA elections even though he was eligible he was one of two that were not elected. He only received 2 votes out of 16. He was upset and hurt especially since he is now 16. He came to me about it. We talked and he was ask why he thought he was not elected. We talked about how he had acted as SPL and he realized he hadn't done a good job showing leadership. He plans on telling the boys he is sorry he didn't act appropiately as SPL and hopes he will get another chance to prove himself. Chances are he will.

[Mick Scouter]

That is a good point, Lynda J. It seems to me that as adult leaders we should be monitoring and guiding the troop leadership. If an SPL, PL or for that matter any boy in the troop that does not demonstrate proper behavior they should be coached in what is the proper behavior. As a SM or ASM clear expectations should be communicated to the boys and examples set.

[Scouting179]

I think a quote from one of our Founding Fathers is appropriate here:

"The boys of the rising generation are to be the men of the next, and the sole guardian of the principles we deliver over to them."

How true... but we could discuss at length what those priniciples should be; but again, if we have the Scouts and the Scouting movement at heart, things have a way of working out.

[Scouting179]

Forgot to mention taht was from Thomas Jefferson.

[Lynda J]

Unless a boy is actully endangering the other boys I won't remove him from a position. His troop elected him. We talked to this boy several times. Our terms of office are 6 month at a time. And believe it or not if a boy does not do a good job both the troop and the SPL learn from it. And one thing for sure. Scouting should be a learning process.

[ASM-142]

I agree about not removing a boy from a leadership position if they are not endangering the other boys to a certain point. My troop at one point had a SPL that was not endangering the other boys physically but mentally and driving them away from the troop and scouts. When boys starting telling us that it was either him or the rest of the troop it was time for a change.

[Mick Scouter]

I also agree that a boy should not be removed from a leadership position for being a boy that is not performing. Both the boy and the troop need to learn from the experiences both good and bad. However, we need to help them stay in the right direction. You don't want one or two boys ruining the troop.

[wagionvigil]

This is not exactly what we are talking about BUT it may help. In the OA a Lodge Officer or Committee Chairman is not removed if they fail to do somthing. But the Adult Adv.must step up to help. The Boys will learn from their mistakes. Several years ago we a very ineffective Lodeg Adminstration. ATtendance at all activities was poor. The next group that came in said that was not going to hppen to them and began to build a better adm. and each year since the new adm. is improving and attendance is imprving etc. The Other boys learned ffrom the mistakes of those that came before.

[ynotquilt]

Where exactly does it state who can sit on the BOR? I haven't found it in the SM handbook. I was under the impression that it was only committee people, but our troop seems to have several ASMs on each one. How many should be on each one?

[Rick Tyler]

Where exactly does it state who can sit on the BOR? I haven't found it in the SM handbook. I was under the impression that it was only committee people, but our troop seems to have several ASMs on each one. How many should be on each one?

Get a copy of BSA's "Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures." From this book, on page 29 of version 33088D:

"This board of review is made up of at least three and not more than six members of the troop committee (...) unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives, or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout's board of review."

No Scoutmasters, no Assistant Scoutmasters, no moms and dads, no grandfathers, and no one who is not a member of the Scout's own troop committee.