What is a board of review?
The board of review occurs after a Scout has had his Scoutmaster conference. It is the last step towards earning a rank advancement. A board of review consists of at least three and no more than six registered adults who are not the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters.
What is the value of a board of review?
The board of review is a wonderful way for parents to get to know the Scouts in the troop on an individual basis. It’s a great opportunity for the Scout to receive praise and encouragement from adults other than his parents and scoutmaster and assistant scoutmasters. Ultimately, should the Scout aspire to achieve his Eagle rank, the board of reviews that he had along the way will strengthen his performance and preparation for the ultimate board of review, the district review that finalizes his earning of the Eagle rank.
How does a Scout arrange a board of review?
When a Scout is ready for advancement, the Scout will contact the Advancement Coordinator to request a Scoutmaster conference, and a board of review. A board of review will occasionally take place on the same day as the request, but more often at the following regular troop meeting.
When should a Scout schedule his board of review?
There are several circumstances that can be taken into consideration when a Scout schedules a Scoutmaster conference, followed by a board of review. For example, if a Scout will be turning 18 in the near future, the scoutmaster conference and board of review will need to take place at least 6-1/2 months in advance in order to allow enough time to serve at the Life rank for the minimum requirement of six months. Other considerations are an upcoming Court of Honor, in which case the scoutmaster conference and board of review will need to take place 2-4 weeks before the Court of Honor date in order to be recognized at the Court of Honor.
In other words, sit down and plan out, work around nights when PLC and Committee meetings prevent scoutmaster conferences and board of reviews and be cognizant of fulfilling rank requirements for both the rank to be achieved and any ranks that follow.
What does a Scout need to know for his board of review?
In preparation for his board of review, a Scout needs to have the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan memorized. Some leeway can be given to scouts at the Tenderfoot rank, but for Second Class rank and higher, the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan must be memorized.
How does a Scout dress for his board of review?
Scouts are requested to be in full Class “A” uniform at his board of review (see Chapter One in the Boy Scout Handbook); for Troop 567, this means wearing a complete uniform shirt with up-to-date badges, a neckerchief, having your shirt tucked in and buttoned up and wearing your merit badge sash for boards of review at the Star rank and higher.
How can a Scout prepare for his board of review?
• memorize the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan
• make sure your uniform is complete and up-to-date
• review Chapter 1 of the Boy Scout Handbook
• bring your Boy Scout Handbook so they can check that your requirements have been fulfilled and also so they can sign your book upon completion of the BOR
• if you have earned any merit badges, be ready to talk about them, bring your white folder.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE ADULTS WHO SERVE ON BOARDS OF REVIEW
Adults who serve on boards of review must be registered members of Troop 567 and have completed and turned in Youth Protection Training.
Purpose of a board of review:
The purpose of the board of review is not to retest a Scout’s skills, but rather to ensure that he has completed all of the requirements, to determine the quality of his troop experience, and to encourage him to advance toward the next rank. Each review should also include a discussion of ways in which the Scout sees himself living up to the Scout Oath and Law in his everyday life.
How to meet the purpose of a board of review:
• ensure that all requirements for the rank have been signed off in the Boy Scout Handbook
• ensure that leadership and merit badge records fulfill the requirements of the completed rank
• have a conversation with the Scout about his scouting and life experiences
What the board can do to help a Scout during the review:
• make every effort to put the Scout at ease
• smile and create a friendly and non-threatening atmosphere
• offer praise for work already accomplished
• offer encouragement for the work that will need to be done to advance to the next rank
• it is okay to give a Scout a chance to repeat the Oath, Law, Motto or Slogan if he makes a mistake in reciting it. Some boys may be nervous enough that if it helps, he may privately recite the Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan to an individual on the Board of Review before continuing the Board of Review with the full board.
• ask the Scout to consider or prepare a plan for how they will progress to the next rank
• consider providing guidance on when the Scout should request his next Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review.
The decision of the board of review:
Upon completion of the board’s conversation with and questioning of the Scout, the Scout will leave the room while the board discusses whether or not to advance the scout to the next rank. The decision of the board must be unanimous; if the board cannot reach an unanimous decision, the board needs to immediately contact the Advancement Coordinator, He/she will discuss it with the Committee Chair who will make a final decision.
Can a board of review decline to advance a Scout?
If the board is hesitant to advance a Scout at the moment, it may give the Scout a few minutes to correct the deficiency. If this does not solve the issue, then the board of review can be suspended and reconvened in the near future when the shortfall has been corrected. Upon suspending the board of review, the board must detail the precise nature of the deficiency(ies) and the Scout told specifically what must be done in order to be successful at the next board of review. Afterwards, someone on the board of review must notify the Advancement Coordinator (he/she will discuss w. Scoutmaster and the Committee Chair) regarding the deficiency(ies) and the course of action needed to correct them. In addition, the Scout’s parents need to be told about the delay, especially if the Scout is younger.
Examples of why a board of review may be suspended:
• Scout is not in uniform
• Scout’s uniform is not up-to-date and complete
• Scout does not have his Boy Scout Handbook
• Scout has not memorized the Scout Oath and Scout Law
• Requirement(s) have not been signed off in the Boy Scout Handbook
• Scout treats the board of review frivolously or is not prepared to answer even the most basic questions asked.
Note: In keeping with the Boy Scouts of America objective of encouraging our Scouts, the board of review does not “fail” scouts. Rather, the board of review points out what needs attention or to be fixed and then suggests a date when the Scout and board of review should reconvene (usually the next troop meeting).
Another note: Boards of review may never stipulate requirements that are different from or go beyond the stated requirements made by the BSA in the Boy Scout Handbook. For example, a boy does not need to be a certain age or to fulfill a specific leadership position. If a board member holds opinions beyond the fulfillment of BSA rank requirements, those opinions should not be expressed during the board of review.