Do We Need Board of Review for Life

At certain disquisitional points in a Male child Scout's journey through the program, he's asked to cease and call back. He looks back on where he's been and looks ahead to where he's going.

Nosotros call information technology the board of review.

The board of review is a chance for adults to talk with the Scout about what he's washed, what he's learned, how has it helped him in his advancement and how he'due south enjoying the program.

It's an essential part of the Boy Scouting feel, and it's required for every rank from Tenderfoot to Eagle Picket. (But, as of Aug. 1, 2017, it'southward no longer required for the Hawkeye palms.)

Then you could say it's pretty important. So important, in fact, that the monthly podcast for Male child Scout leaders dedicated an entire episode to boards of review.

In the Nov 2016 ScoutCast, we talked with Mike LoVecchio, BSA advancement specialist. Heed to the episode hither or through your favorite podcast app.

I've likewise collected some essential takeaways below.

Who sits on the lath of review?

That depends on the board of review we're talking about. For everything but Eagle — Tenderfoot through Life — the board of review occurs at the unit level.

The unit selects 3 to 6 committee members who sit on the board of review, and they must be 21 or older. Typically these are committee members.

For the Eagle Lookout board of review, the council decides how information technology'southward run. It could be held at the unit level with a district or council representative sitting in. Or information technology could be held at the district or council level. For the Eagle Scout board of review, there must be between three and 6 adults 21 or older. For this one, board of review members don't have to be registered members of the Male child Scouts, but they should have an understanding of the candidate and the Eagle Scout Award.

So non-Scouters can sit on the Eagle lath?

Yep. In fact, that tin can be a powerful way to introduce a soon-to-be Hawkeye Lookout to the customs.

In LoVecchio's council, he says, "nosotros have a pool of individuals — men and women of the customs, plus other Scouters. One of the things we look at is the Sentry's statement of purpose and life ambitions, and we try to become individuals on that board that run into that Scout's ambitions. For an instance, let's say a young man wants to go into law. Nosotros're going to attempt and get some lawyers in the community to sit down on that lath of review."

Is anyone ineligible to sit in?

Yeah. Parents and unit leaders.

What if a parent insists on sitting in?

Having a parent there could change the dynamics of the room, so information technology's strongly discouraged. The Lookout man may non feel gratis to answer the questions honestly. He may give the respond he thinks his parents want him to give.

That said, if a parent insists that he or she sits in, this must be immune.

Who schedules the board of review?

The Scoutmaster or the squad passenger vehicle.

One time they accept the Scoutmaster conference or unit leader conference, they are responsible for arranging the board of review at a fourth dimension that works for lath members and the Spotter.

Should a Scout be retested?

Scouts should non be asked to practice things similar recite the Scout Law or tie a bowline. That'southward not the point of the board of review.

"There is a policy and they'll discover that in Section iv [of the Guide to Advancement] that the Scout is not to exist retested," LoVecchio says. "They already passed the requirements. It's already been signed off. Now information technology'southward a thing of going through a lot of people are calling them character boards, it'southward more about finding out well-nigh the Lookout man, his experiences, the fun he'south had and just learning almost the Picket and his goals and ambitions."

Must a Scout wear his uniform?

No.

"There's been a myth going around for many years that a Lookout man must be in Scout uniform, and that is not the case," LoVecchio says. "They tin can be in Scout uniform if they have the complete uniform or as consummate as possible. They can also be neat in advent. And then a board of review should not exist denied because the Spotter is not in compatible."

What about Venturers?

The Venturing board of review is covered in the Guide to Advancement, section 8.0.5.0.

Where can I learn more?

Acquire more — including details on videoconferencing, suggested discussion topics and the appeal procedure — in the Guide to Advancement.

Hear more than in the November 2016 ScoutCast

For more of this word, listen to the November 2016 episode of ScoutCast.

Yous can also search "ScoutCast" in your favorite podcasting app to mind right on your phone.

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