Troop 764 Advancement Board of Review Process

Board of Review

The board of review is the final step in a Scout’s rank advancement. It is designed to ensure that the Scout has completed all of the requirements for that rank, determine the quality of his troop experience, discuss the impact of the Scouting program on him (how he lives the Scout Oath and Law), and encourage him to advance to the next rank.

Boards of review are also an important component of one of the missions of Scouting – association with adults. In boards of review (as in Scoutmaster conferences), Scouts are treated responsibly with adults in a non-threatening meeting format; are viewed as equals, not as kids; and are asked questions by adults who value their answers. Most of the interactions that teens have with adults put them in a decidedly subordinate role – not so with Scoutmaster conferences or boards of review, where Scouts are expected to show leadership and speak their mind. With each successive Scoutmaster conference and board of review, the Scout builds his confidence around adults.

The board of review is not a retest of skills. By allowing the Scout to appear before the board of review, the Scoutmaster has certified that the Scout has completed all the requirements for this rank. If the Scoutmaster is not satisfied that the Scout is ready for the rank, he should not allow the Scout to appear before the board. Rarely should a board of review not approve a Scout for the rank, for this would mean that the Scoutmaster is not doing his job. In this way, the board of review is a check on the Scoutmaster and the troop program.

Just as with the Scoutmaster conference, the board of review is a valuable opportunity for members of the board to discuss with each Scout his activity in the troop and his understanding and practice of the ideals of Scouting. This is a time to:

+ Openly talk about the Scout’s progress in the troop.

+ Ask how the Scout has demonstrated leadership in the troop and his patrol.

+ Ask what he’s done in his position of leadership.

+ Ask how he defines Scout spirit and lives according to the Scout Oath and Law.

+ See how much fun he’s having.

+ Determine whether he’s having any problems.

+ Ask for suggestions to make the troop better.

+ Ask about non-Scouting areas of the boy’s life (school, sports, extracurricular activities, etc.)

Wear your full Class A uniform (Scout shirt, pants, belt, socks, neckerchief, merit badge sash, and all patches sewn on correctly) and bring your Boy Scout Handbook to the Scoutmaster conference and the board of review.

Click here for some sample board of review questions.

Questions about Boards

How often are boards of review held in Troop 764?

About every other month. Please check the troop calendar for exact dates.

Where are boards of review held?

They are held at the Scout Hut, or in one of the meeting rooms upstairs at St. Luke’s. The meeting is private, but must be seen by other people.

How long does a board of review last?

From Tenderfoot through Life, about 15-20 minutes. Eagle boards of review are held at the district level and last 60-90 minutes.

What adults sit on the board of review?

Usually three members of the troop committee sit on the board of review. Neither the Scoutmaster nor assistant Scoutmasters nor the Scout’s parents, guardians, or relatives is permitted to participate in a board of review.

Is the discussion the same for all ranks?

Like the Scoutmaster conference, the discussion should be appropriate for the age and rank of the Scout. Some of the questions the board asks are relevant for all ranks. Other questions are more appropriate for older Scouts, especially those related to leadership, mentoring younger Scouts, and how he’s making the troop better.

How does the board of review reach a decision?

After the board is finished, the Scout is asked to leave the room. The board then takes about five minutes to discuss the Scout’s readiness for the next rank. The Scout is then invited back into the room and told the outcome. The decision of the board must be unanimous.

Can the board "fail" a Scout in his board of review?

Like the Scoutmaster conference, if the board does not believe that the Scout is ready for the next rank, it does not have to "pass" him. While such cases are even rarer than a "failed" Scoutmaster conference, it can happen if the Scout treats the board of review frivolously or is not prepared to answer even the most basic questions he is asked. If the candidate did not pass, the board must tell him the reasons why immediately and give him a certain period of time in which to meet the requirements. If the candidate disagrees with the board, there is an appeal process that can be undertaken.

What’s the board of review like for Eagle Scout?

It’s the final requirement for Eagle Scout, much like his "final exam" with his Scoutmaster. The candidate should be fully prepared to speak about his entire Scouting career, his Eagle Scout service project, the impact of Scouting on his life, and how adult leaders can better serve their troops. This conference usually lasts about an hour. At least three adult leaders sit on the board, usually two from the Scout’s own troop committee plus a member of the district advancement committee. Successful completion of the board of review for Eagle Scout signifies that the Scout is ready for Eagle. After the council submits the Scout’s paperwork to national BSA headquarters, the official date that the Scout earned his Eagle award is the date of the Eagle board of review.

Can I have a board of review before a Scoutmaster conference?

No. The Scoutmaster conference always precedes a board of review.

How do I set up a board of review?

After your Scoutmaster conference, bring your signed Boy Scout Handbook to the advancement chair. You will be added to the list for the next regularly scheduled board of review. Wear your FULL Class A uniform, including merit badge sash, and bring your Boy Scout Handbook to the review.

So You Know Advancement?

Test Your Skills!

Board of Review

True or false –

An appropriate board of review might consist of the troop committee chair, the advancement chair, an assistant Scoutmaster, and one of the boy’s parents.

False. The assistant Scoutmaster and parent are not allowed to sit on his board of review.

The board of review is essentially a retest of skills.

False. The board of review is primarily intended as a way for the board and Scout to get to know each other better and to share information that will help the Scout and the troop. It is the Scoutmaster’s responsibility to ensure that the Scout knows his skills before sending him along to the board. The board does not retest Scout skills.

Scoutmaster conferences, boards of review, and merit badge sessions should be held in secret places to ensure confidentiality.

False. BSA policy strictly forbids secret meetings of any kind, and two-deep leadership is essential for youth protection. These meetings should be held in a quiet place so the Scout and adults can focus, but they are never "secret" and are always held in view of others.

Scoutmaster conferences and boards of review must be tough sessions to give Scouts a taste of the real world.

False. Just the opposite – these sessions are designed to put the Scout at ease, provide an environment where the Scout has the chance to talk openly and honestly, and get introduced to speaking with adults in a group session that encourages give-and-take.

"Demonstrating Scout spirit" is almost always an automatic check-off in a Scoutmaster conference.

False. This is one of the most important areas the board is interested in. Scouts may believe that they’re ready for a board of review when they’ve completed all their skills and service requirements. They may not have given much thought about how they’re demonstrating Scout spirit (defined as living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life). Scouts need to give careful thought about how they’re showing Scout spirit, or they may not have a successful meeting.

Scouts generally find it easy to give specific, actual examples of how they live the Scout Oath and Law in their everyday lives.

False. Many boys find this difficult to do, especially if they haven’t thought about beforehand. Give careful thought about what the Scout Oath and Law really mean to you. Give good, real-life examples.

A Scout passes his board of review if a majority of the reviewers agree.

False. The decision of the board must be unanimous.

If the board of review does not believe a Scout is ready for advancement to the next rank, the advancement chair, troop committee chair, or Scoutmaster can override the board’s decision.

False. The board’s decision is final. If the Scout wishes to file a formal protest, he can do so with the district advancement chair. As with "failed" Scoutmaster conferences, the board typically will be supported if it has followed BSA policies and procedures correctly.

There is no real reason to have a board of review with a Scout who’s lagging behind and not advancing.

False. As with a Scoutmaster conference, this might be a perfect time for a board of review. These meetings are not just held when a Scout is ready for advancement, but also can serve as counseling sessions to determine why a Scout isn’t advancing. A well-timed board of review may make the difference between a Scout who gives it another chance and one who throws in the towel.