Are You Ready for a Scoutmaster Conference?

 

√ You have finished all the requirements for your next rank with the exception of Scout Spirit, Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review.

√ You have e-mailed to request your current history AND you have compared your history to your Boy Scout Handbook to be sure they match. Please do not call the Scoutmaster for a Conference until you have done this.

 

 

To Schedule a Scoutmaster Conference…

• Call the Scoutmaster to schedule your Scoutmaster Conference.

• IMPORTANT – You cannot have your Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review on the same day.

• Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your Scoutmaster Conference!

 

Depending on demand and scheduling constraints, it may take more than a week to schedule your Conference.

 

 

You’ve Scheduled Your Conference – Now what?

√ Review the requirements for the rank you are trying to reach. You should be familiar with the requirements and how you achieved them.

√ Be prepared to discuss how you have demonstrated Scout Spirit and how you qualify as an active Scout (meetings, outings, and service).

√ Please be prompt. Plan to arrive at the Scout Hut 5 to 10 minutes before your Conference.

√ Wear your COMPLETE Class A uniform with sash and bring your Boy Scout Handbook.

 

After Your Conference . . .

√ Call the Board of Review coordinator to schedule your Board of Review. Call soon after your Scoutmaster Conference so that there is time to plan. If you do not know the name of the BoR coordinator e-mail

√ Boards of Review are held once a month – the same evening as the PLC.

√ It is MANDATORY for one of your parents to attend the evening you have your Board! Your parent will be asked to sit on another Scout’s Board.

√ Wear your COMPLETE Class A uniform with sash and bring your Boy Scout Handbook to your Board.

 

Scoutmaster Conference

The Scoutmaster conference is a visit between the Scoutmaster and a Scout. Typically it is held after the Scout completes all requirements for a rank, but before the board of review. The Scoutmaster conference determines if the Scout is ready to go before the board. Scoutmaster conferences can also be held to encourage Scouts who aren’t advancing, or are having difficulty in the troop.

Scoutmaster conferences are also an important component of one of the missions of Scouting – association with adults. In Scoutmaster conferences (as in boards of review), 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 conference is a valuable opportunity for a Scoutmaster to discuss with each Scout his activity in the troop and his understanding and practice of the ideals of Scouting. This is a time for the Scoutmaster 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.)

Importantly, the Scout should be ready to review with the Scoutmaster any of the requirements for the new rank. The Scoutmaster must be satisfied that the Scout knows his stuff. By allowing the Scout to go before the board of review, he is saying, in effect, "I certify that this Scout is ready for his new rank." The board of review does not retest the Scout, but the Scoutmaster can.

Wear your full Class A uniform (Scout shirt, pants, belt, socks, neckerchief, merit badge sash, and all patches sewn on correctly) to a Scoutmaster conference.

  

Questions

 

How often are Scoutmaster conferences held in Troop 764?

Scoutmaster conferences typically held the week before a board of review. However, Scouts who are ready for a conference sooner can always call the Scoutmaster and set up a separate time for a Scoutmaster conference.

 

Where are Scoutmaster conferences held?

They are usually held at the Scout Hut, in the Scoutmaster’s office. They can also be held in camp at an outdoor activity with prior arrangement. The conference is held in full view of other people.

 

How long does a Scoutmaster conference last?

For ranks through 1^st Class, about 15-20 minutes. For Star and Life, about 30 minutes. For Eagle, 45-60 minutes.

 

Is anyone else present during the Scoutmaster conference?

Only the Scoutmaster and the Scout. But . . . the conference is held in full view of other people.

 

Is the discussion the same for all ranks?

The discussion should be appropriate for the age and rank of the Scout. Some of the questions the Scoutmaster 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.

 

Can I have a Scoutmaster conference before I finish the other rank requirements?

No. The Scoutmaster conference is the final requirement before the board of review.

 

What’s the Scoutmaster conference like for Eagle Scout?

It’s the Scout’s "final exam" with his Scoutmaster. This may be the last opportunity for the Scoutmaster to learn as much as he can about the boy’s Scouting career and ask questions about the impact of Scouting on his life. It’s also an opportunity for the Scout to advise the Scoutmaster on how he would make the troop better. This conference is usually longer than those for Star and Life. Successful completion of the Scoutmaster conference for Eagle Scout signifies that the Scoutmaster and troop certify to the district’s Eagle board of review that this Scout is ready for Eagle.

 

Can the Scoutmaster "fail" a Scout in his Scoutmaster conference?

If the Scoutmaster does not believe that the Scout is ready for the next rank, he does not have to "pass" him. While such cases are not typical, it can happen if the Scout has not completed all the requirements or can't demonstrate to the Scoutmaster that he knows the skills required for the rank. If a Scout's behavior does not indicate that he has Scout spirit (defined as living the Scout Oath and Law in his everyday life), the Scoutmaster should not automatically send the Scout before the board of review. In these cases, the Scoutmaster will give the Scout specific direction on what he needs to do to successfully complete his next conference. Remember, as the unit leader, the Scoutmaster has the final say.

 

How do I set up a Scoutmaster conference?

Call the Scoutmaster when you have completed all the requirements for your next rank except Scout Spirit, Scoutmaster conference, and Board of Review. He will set up a specific date and time for your conference. Remember to wear your complete Class A uniform and bring your Boy Scout Handbook to your conference.

 

I've had my Scoutmaster conference and he told me I am ready for my Board of Review. What do I do next?

Boards of Review are conducted monthly on the same Monday evenings as the PLC meetings. You must sign up on the sheet located at the Scout Hut at least one week before the Monday you would like your Board. It is mandatory for one of your parents to attend the evening you have your Board. Your parent will be asked to sit on another Scout's Board. Remember to wear your complete Class A uniform and bring your Boy Scout Handbook to your Board of Review.

 

 

So You Know Advancement?

Test Your Skills!

Scoutmaster Conference

 

True or false –

A Scoutmaster conference is held only for the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle.

False. It is a requirement in each rank, from Scout to Eagle.

 

The Scoutmaster conference is essentially a retest of skills.

False. The Scoutmaster conference is primarily intended as a way for the Scoutmaster and Scout to get to know each other better and to share information that will help the Scout and the troop. Because the Scoutmaster conference is the last rank requirement before the Scout goes before the board of review, the Scoutmaster can review skills with the Scout to be sure he’s ready to move on.

 

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 plain 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 Scoutmaster is interested in. Scouts may believe that they’re ready for a Scoutmaster conference when they’ve completed all their skills and service requirements. They may not have given much thought about how they’re demonstrating Scout spirit, which is 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 Scoutmaster conference.

 

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 Scoutmaster must approve a Scout for advancement if the Scout has held a position of responsibility for the stated amount of time required, even if the Scout exhibited no leadership while he was in that position.

False. The requirement says, "serve actively." The Scoutmaster has every right not to advance a Scout who’s done nothing while holding a position of responsibility. In fact, he would be doing both the Scout and the troop a disservice by "socially promoting" the Scout.

 

If, after a Scoutmaster conference, the Scoutmaster does not believe a Scout is ready for advancement to the next rank, the advancement chair or troop committee chair can override the Scoutmaster's decision.

False. The Scoutmaster’s decision is final. If the Scout wishes to file a formal protest, he can do so with the district advancement chair. In nearly all cases, the district will support the Scoutmaster if he has followed BSA policies and procedures correctly.

 

There is no real reason to have a Scoutmaster conference with a Scout who’s lagging behind and not advancing.

False. This is exactly when a Scoutmaster conference is needed! 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 Scoutmaster conference may make the difference between a Scout who gives it another chance and one who throws in the towel.