Troop Advancement Guidelines
TROOP 218
SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA
DAN PATCH DISTRICT, VIKING COUNCIL, B.S.A.
ADVANCEMENT POLICY
(Adopted by Troop 218 Committee: TBD)
The purpose of advancement in Scouting is: "The Scout advancement plan is designed to encourage Scouts to accomplish a progressive series of learning experiences in the areas of citizenship, character, and personal fitness. It provides for measuring and recognizing these experiences."
I. THE SCOUT ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM
The Scout Program is perhaps the most subtle educational movement ever devised. It places a series of surmountable obstacles in front of a Scout in a fun way. As Scouts overcome these obstacles, they achieve the aims of Scouting; and all the time they thought they were just having. fun.
A boy advances and grows in the Scouting Program in the same way he acquires a suntan; by having fun in the right climate. The job of adults concerned with Scout advancement is to provide the right climate".
A MERIT BADGE OR AWARD IS RECOGNITION OF WHAT A BOY IS ABLE TO DO AND NOT A REWARD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE.
It is the responsibility of the Scoutmaster through the Troop Advancement Chairman to report all Awards earned on the Advancement Report to the Viking Council office. Because the Viking Council office does not maintain individual records on each Scout, a record of each Scout’s advancement must be maintained by the unit. This is a very important function of the Troop Advancement Committee and the Scoutmaster. Lack of records could jeopardize advancement to Eagle rank.
The Viking Council trading post will not issue awards without a properly completed Troop Advancement Report (Form 4403) and merit badge application cards.
II. THE ADVANCEMENT PLAN
The five steps in advancement are: 1. The boy learns, 2. He is tested, 3. He is reviewed, 4 He is formally recognized, 5 Records are updated.
Advancement is an integral part of the Troop program - both indoors and outdoors. The learning and testing steps are covered in the Boy Scout Handbook and Scoutmaster’s Handbook.
The Patrol Leaders Council, with the advice of the Scoutmaster, may designate Scouts as instructors to examine and pass Scouts on achievements. Merit Badges are passed before adults previously approved by the Troop Committee and/or the District Advancement Committee.
It will be necessary for close coordination and cooperation to maintain a uniform standard of achievement and competence both at the Troop Committee level and the Boy leader level.
III. THE PROGRESS REVIEW
When a Scout has completed all requirements for a rank, his work must be reviewed. The review has three objectives:
1. Determining the extent to which the Scout has had an effective experience in the Troop.
2. Making certain the advancement standards have been met.
3. Encouraging the Scout to progress further.
All reviews are the responsibility of the troop. Scouts are always reviewed individually. Reviews should be held on a specified date each month.
Review Procedure:
The Scout candidate in uniform, presents his Boy Scout Handbook to the Chairman of the Board of Review. The boy Scout Handbook with his personal record gives the information necessary to assist the Board in beginning a discussion about his Scout’s qualifications for the rank he is seeking.
If the information is in the Handbook is incorrect or incomplete, these discrepancies should be dealt with immediately and the review should not continue until all requirements have been properly met.
The Chairman should make the candidate feel comfortable and at ease with a few statements making sure the Scout understands why he is there. and that the purpose of the Board is the "review" and not an "examination".
An "examination" would be: "Jump into the water over your head, swim 25 yards, turn about, etc." A "review" of the same thing would be to answer the question: "Where did you pass your Swimming requirement?" "Who tested you" "What did you have to do?" If the Board feels that the Scout’s reply does not demonstrate an understanding of the requirement, the Board may ask the Scout to demonstrate his knowledge of the requirement.
For Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class questions regarding how, when and where the requirement was earned and what is its applications to the applicant’s everyday life experiences will give the Board the needed information to determine this Scout’s qualifications.
For Star, Life, Eagle and Eagle Palm reviews, the same type questions are asked. These Scouts have been involved in leadership roles in the Troop, and, therefore, should be able to discuss their responsibilities. plans and ideas for Improving the Troop. The Board should discuss with the candidate this responsibility of bringing the Scouting program to the younger Scouts in the Troop.
The Board of Review should last approximately 15 minutes for the first three ranks and the Palms, no longer than 30 minutes for Star and Life, and one hour for the Eagle Award. In that time qualified members of a Review Board can form an opinion as to whether the Scout is qualified to advance.
After the Review is completed, the Scout is asked to leave the room while the members of the Board of Review Board discuss his qualifications. This should not take long. Usually, all will agree that he is or is not qualified. If the members are satisfied that the Scout is ready to advance, he is called in and congratulated by the Review Board.
If the Board members feel that the Scout is not ready to advance, he should be called in and told what he has not done satisfactorily. On the weak areas he should be asked whether he has done his best. Most Scouts will admit that they have not and will accept responsibility for completing the requirements properly. If a Scout is not so ready to admit poor preparation, the members of the Board should point out to him his weakness and direct him to complete his work properly. The Chairman must be specific about what is to be done and when the Scout can again meet the Board of Review Board. It is suggested that the parents be informed of the outcome of the Review.
Before a Board of Review, it would be helpful if the members of the Board would review the qualifications for the Scouting ranks found in the Boy Scout Handbook. Additionally, the information found in the Troop Committee Guidebook would be of interest.
After the Board of Review is completed, the Scoutmaster is informed of all the decisions that were made.
III. BOARD OF REVIEW BOARD TROOP ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE
1. This Board reviews all Scouts for Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle Awards, as well as Eagle Palms,
2. The review group should consist of not less than three nor more than six members of the Troop Committee. The Troop Advancement Chairman or his representative should be the review chairman.
3. Under the Personal Growth Agreement concept, it is the responsibility of the Scoutmaster and the Patrol Leaders Council to see that each boy carries out a planned program of advancement. The Troop Advancement Committee should assist the Scoutmaster in keeping up each Scout's Personal Growth Plan.
4. Scouts who are not advancing should also appear before this Board in an effort to determine why advancement is not happening. This must be a positive experience for the Scout with a "Tell back" to the Scoutmaster so that the necessary corrective action can be taken.
5. The Troop Committee may request assistance and training from the District Advancement Committee or the Commissioner's Staff in conducting their Board of Reviews.
6. The Boy Scouts of America has placed the Eagle Board of Review in the hands of the Troop Committee, with district representation present.
7. Neither the boy's Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster nor parents may serve on his Board of Review Boards.
IV. COURT OF HONOR
The Court of Honor is the ceremony in which a Scout is presented with his awards and should be held where the recognition will mean the most to the Scout, his parents, friends and Scouting. Plans for Courts of Honor should be flexible enough so that such ceremonies can be frequently held (at least one per quarter) within the Troop to ensure quicker public recognition of each boy's accomplishments. No Scout should have to wait long for his badge or certificate. Additional recognition may be given at special ceremonies or events with the District or Council. Sample Court of Honor Programs may be found in the Scoutmaster's Handbook or in the Troop Committee Guidebook.
V. THE MERIT BADGE PROGRAM
The merit badge program is one of Scouting's basic character-developing tools. Earning merit badges gives a boy the kind of self-confidence that comes only from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal. Through the merit badge program, a boy also learns career skills, develops socially, and may develop physical skills and hobbies that give a lifetime of healthful recreation.
The requirements for the "Eagle Required List" merit badges are listed in the Boy Scout Handbook. The Scout is expected to meet the current requirements, no more no less.
No boy should pass more than four or five merit badges from the same counselor. One or more merit badges are required for all, Board of Reviews for Star, Life, Eagle and Eagle Palms.
The Troop Advancement Chairman should submit to the District Advancement Chairman Merit Badge Counselor applications from all capable, interested Troop Committee members and other qualified people. Information about any unsatisfactory counseling experiences should also be brought to the attention of the District Advancement Chairman.
VI. SCOUT AGE REQUIREMENTS AND EFFECTIVE DATES
A Scout must have completed the 5th grade or be 11 years of age or older, but have not reached age 18. This means that no person 18 years of age or older may earn any Merit Badge, Rank or Eagle Palm except that a boy who has completed all Eagle requirements before his 18th birthday may be reviewed shortly thereafter.
The date the Scout is passed by the Board of Review Board is the date of the advancement, except for Eagle, which is the date of approval by the National Council Advancement Committee.
Merit badges are passed on the date the approved Counselor signs the application.
VII. GUIDELINES FOR SERVICE PROJECTS FOR EAGLE AWARD
The general requirements are stated on the Eagle Award application. "Since becoming a Life Scout, I have planned, developed, and given leadership to others in a service project helpful to my religious institution, school, or community which was approved in advance-by my unit leader, Troop Committee and District Advancement Committee."
The key words are plan, develop, and give leadership to others. This project is entirely different from Star and Life service projects. In previous service, the Scout could be a follower. For Eagle, he must be the leader. His leadership ability is demonstrated by:
I) planning the work to be done, 2) organizing the work and manpower, 3) directing its completion. He must involve other people to carry out his project.
The total time involvement shall be considerably more than was required for Star and Life service. The number of hours desired is not spelled out, however, the Scout should be prepared to spend a minimum of 40 hours on the project. This time includes planning and preparation as well as the actual execution of the project.
The project must be helpful and of true significance to the group for which it is done. It should be of sufficient magnitude to bear the title, "Eagle Service Project".
The written report of the Eagle Service Project must be part of the Eagle Award Application.
In summary, the following items MUST be carried out - refer to the Eagle Project Workbook.
A. First, the boy must do some thinking on his own. He must plan a worthwhile project that interests him - not just carry out a request that someone made or perform some task that someone else will do if he does not. The project must be of value when completed.
B. At this point, the Scoutmaster, and Troop Committee must either approve or reject the project. If approved, the project must then be approved in writing by the District Advancement Committee before the project is begun.
C. Next, the Scout must develop the plan - this shows his ability to get organized to meet a specific goal
D. He must then must provide leadership to others in carrying out the plan. To qualify for Eagle, he must be the leader. By completing the plan, he demonstrates that he follows through and gets results.
E. When the Scout has finished his project, he writes and submits a detailed report in ink or typed. The report should be detailed to the extent that step by step progress on the project is recorded. Photos are helpful in documenting the project. Deviation from the original plan should be explained.
F. After the completion of the project, the unit leader certifies, by signing the workbook that the Scout carried out the approved project satisfactorily. The Scout must then present the project report and the completed workbook to the District Advancement Committee for approval.
Here are some GUIDELINES aimed at avoiding misunderstandings and possible rejection of Eagle service projects.
A boy should go to a religious, school or community leader to get ideas for a possible Eagle Project. This leader may suggest a project, but the Eagle applicant must plan, develop, and lead others to carry out this project. An outsider may make suggestions, but if someone else does the planning, the boy is a follower and not the leader.
The direction that a boy gives to his project is more important than whether it is original; however, originality is, of course, encouraged and desirable.
The project must be helpful to the group for whom it is intended. Routine labor, or services normally rendered are not considered within the scope of an Eagle project. Examples are Church choir, ushers, flag details, etc. Eagle projects may not be done for the benefit of a Scout camp, Troop or Council but must benefit "others". The Eagle project may not be performed for a business, or be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser.
Approvals - The Scoutmaster, Troop Committee and District Advancement Committee must counsel, advise and encourage the boy concerning his project and approve the Scout's plans (Project Workbook) in writing before the boy begins work. If they know and understand Council procedures and standards, no projects will be turned down at the Board of Review or Council level . The Scoutmaster may attach a letter of explanation if there are special circumstances, such as the applicant being physically handicapped.
All of the service project steps must be completed while the boy is a Life Scout and be done without pay or reward.
Development - Scouting tries to develop a boy's concern for others. The Eagle Service Project should be a major test as to whether we have succeeded. Eagle projects will vary in type and in difficulty,. but remember, each Eagle applicant has a different potential. The key should be for each boy to stretch his imagination, to be resourceful and to use his abilities to their capacity; to "do his best".
The amount of effort put into a project will vary from boy to boy, and project to project. It is not possible for some arbitrary set of rules to be applied to every boy in every project. The Scoutmaster is the best judge of this, hence, he/she must understand all the guidelines when he/she approves the project. Viking Council guidelines require a minimum of 40 hours by the Eagle applicant.
Leadership - The Eagle Project requires a group so that the boy will have the opportunity to clearly demonstrate leadership ability. The project may be done with the help of the other Troop members meeting their service project hours requirement for Star or Life rank, but the Eagle applicant must be the supervisor. Two Eagle applicants may not have a joint project.
Report-In addition to the Eagle Project Workbook, the Eagle applicant must submit, in his own words, a written report on his project attached to his Eagle application. It may be typed or written in ink as long as it is legible. Photographs, drawings or letters about the project may be attached, but are not required.
The proof of the quality of the planning, development and leadership is that a worthwhile project was actually completed. The Eagle Board of Review may not be held until the service project is completed and the project report is written and project approval certified by the Scoutmaster.
The Eagle Board of Review Board has the right (an obligation) to turn down an Eagle Award applicant whose service project does not meet these Guidelines.
VIII. EAGLE AWARD APPLICATION PROCEDURES
It is recommended that the Eagle Award Application and Eagle Project Workbook be presented to each Scout upon completion of his Life Scout Board of Review, unless he is at that time more than 17 years and six months of age. (Insufficient time.)
Application Form:
Completion of the Eagle Award Application is the responsibility of the applicant. Although the form is substantially self-explanatory, the following items should be carefully noted:
1. "Date" - This is the date that the completed form is turned in to the unit leader by the applicant
2. "Date of Birth" - Month, date, and year of birth must be included. All requirements, except the Board of Review, must be completed prior to the applicant's 18th birthday.
3. "Date became" First Class, Star and Life should be month, day, year of Board of Review for those ranks.
4. "Record of Merit Badges Earned" - Month, day and year for each merit badge. On optional required merit badges the merit badge not to be counted is to be crossed out. If more than one of these in each category have been earned, the one crossed out may be entered as an additional merit badge. Do not record more than one merit badge per space. Do not use ditto marks in date or unit number columns.
5. "Leadership Positions" - Only positions held after the Life Board of Review should be listed. (See current Boy Scout Handbook)
6. "Active Participation" See Appendix A for guidelines.
7. "Certification" - By his signature, the unit leader certifies as to the accuracy of all information above that line, after verification with unit records. The line "Approval of Board of Review Chairman" is signed by the unit chairman of the Review ,and the line "Approval of District Advancement ·
Representative is signed by the authorized district member of the Board of Review. The "Scout Executive" line is left unsigned.
Full date of the Board of Review must be shown.
NOTE: The applicant's parents, unit leader, and assistant leaders may not serve on the Board of Review Board.
8. "Statements of Eagle Award Applicant" - Section 3 should refer to attached Eagle Project Report pages. Be sure Project Report has Scout's name and date on it.
9. "References" - All blanks must be filled, with the exception of "School Principal" or "School Teacher", where one of the two is required, and "Employer", which is required if the applicant is employed. If there is a question as to "Religious Leader", the person shown should be the person best able to testify as to the applicant's adherence to the "Duty to God" portion of the Scout Oath and to the 12th Point of the Scout Law. For additional information see Appendix E.
Reference Letters
Obtaining letters from the listed references should be the prime responsibility of the Eagle candidate. An acceptable alternative is for the Troop Advancement Chairman to obtain these letters. Letters are to be sent directly to the Troop Advancement Chairman. These letters are needed at the Board of Review.
These are;
1. Parents
2. Religious Leader (See Appendix E)
3. School Principal or Teacher
4. Any one additional
A sample letter requesting a letter of reference is in Appendix D.
Transmittal
After approval by the Board of Review. the Eagle Award Application, including the Eagle project Workbook, and project report, is submitted to the Scout Service Center for review and transmittal to the National Council , Boy Scouts of America. Final approval of all Eagle Awards is given only by the National Council , and awards may not be presented until such approval has been received.
IX. EAGLE AWARD PROCESSING
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE LIFE SCOUT BE MADE AWARE OF THE PROPER INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR HIS EAGLE AWARD APPLICATION.
The following are the steps in the process:
1. Life Scout receives application and Eagle Project Workbook from Scoutmaster.
2. Service project is approved before work on the project begins.
3. Scout completes the application, including Eagle Project Workbook, and returns to the Scoutmaster.
4. Scoutmaster reviews Troop Advancement Records and other information and certifies the correctness of the Eagle application and satisfactory completion of the Service Project and Report.
5. Troop Advancement Chairman receives the Scoutmaster-certified Eagle application, Eagle Project Workbook and Report.
6. Eagle candidate contacts references to have letters sent to Troop Advancement Chairman. An acceptable alternative is for the Troop Advancement Chairman to acquire letters.
7. References send letter to Troop Advancement Chairman.
8. When all required letters of reference are received by the Troop Advancement Chairman, the Scoutmaster is notified that the Eagle Board of Review Board is ready to be called.
9. Troop Advancement Chairman with the District Advancement Chairman determines the time and place of the Board.
10. Troop Advancement Chairman notifies Board members and candidate of time and place of Eagle Board of Review.
11. Troop Advancement Chairman brings blank Troop Advancement report form to Board of Review.
12. Ideally, the Board receives a copy of the application and project writeup at least one week before the Board of Review. The Board meets at least 15 minutes prior to the arrival of the Scout to go over the application, Project and reference letters, to determine if qualifications and paperwork are complete.
13. At the completion of the successful Board of Review:
1. Date of Board of Review is shown on the application.
2. The application is to be signed as follows:
"Approval of Board of Review Chairman" is signed by the Unit Chairman of the Review.
"Approval of the District Advancement Representative" is signed by the authorized District member of the Review.
14. Troop Advancement Chairman or his representative brings the completed Advancement Report , Eagle Award application, Project Workbook and Report to the Scout Service Center for review by the Council -
15. Viking Council forwards the approved application and other necessary supporting documents to the National Council , Boy Scouts of America for final approval
16. The Eagle Award may not be presented until approved by the National Council. About 4-5 weeks should be allowed for this approval from date the application is turned in to the Service Center
Active Participation
One of the requirements for Eagle rank is participation -
The Eagle application states, "He has maintained an active registered relationship to Scouting for six months since he qualified at a Board of Review for Life Scout."
The Boy Scout Handbook states, "Be active in your Troop and Patrol for at least six months as Life Scout."
The word "Active" is a nebulous term and not clearly defined and therefore has been subjected to many interpretations.
To determine in your mind whether an Eagle candidate has actively participated, Troop 218 has the following guideline:
1)Attended at least 50% of troop meetings and courts of honor?
2) Worn his uniform with regularity?
3)Attended at least 50% of the Troop meetings and taken an active part in Troop activities?
4) Set an example by helping younger Scouts?
In order to avoid any misunderstanding, you may wish to review the requirement with the Eagle candidate following his Life Board of Review.
This represents our interpretation of the requirement and we hope that these guidelines will help you in determining whether the Scout has fulfilled the requirement.
Advancement Committee
Viking Council
Board of Review Guidelines for Scouts:
All Ranks - Be Prepared!
Scouts must present themselves in full uniform and present their Boy Scout Handbook to the Board chairperson. The Scout must be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in any Scout skill up to and including the rank that he is currently being reviewed for.
Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class
The emphasis will be on the skills learned and the experiences of being a scout.
Star, Life
The emphasis will be on the scouts contribution to the troop and is leadership activities and development.
Eagle
Emphasis is on leadership and the application of scout experiences in the future. Scouts will be asked to discuss one point of the scout law for at least 2 minutes.
