Chief Seattle Council Program & Training Conference October 17 th, 2015 Rod Gowdy, Aurora District Advancement Chair Boards of Review

Where can all this information be found? Chapter “Boards of Review: An Overview For All Ranks”

Changes for 2015 Section 8. Boards of Review: An Overview for All Ranks : Added that youth observers are not permitted at boards of review for Boy Scout ranks : Added new topic about boards of review through videoconferencing : In item 2, clarified that the composition for Boy Scout rank or Palm boards of review held in crews or ships is the same as that for a troop : Added that individuals who served on a board of review or appeal board are not permitted to serve on a subsequent appeal board for the same Scout : to end of section 8: New material added to support Venturing boards of review

After a Scout has completed the requirements for any rank or Eagle Palm, he appears before a board of review. Its purpose is to determine the quality of his experience and decide whether he has fulfilled the requirements for the rank. What’s a Board of Review?

True or False? Can a scout be denied a board of review?

True or False? Can a scout be denied a board of review? False. If a scout has completed all the requirements, including a Scoutmaster conference, a board of review must be granted. ( )

Boards of Review A board of review must be granted when the Scout believes requirements are met. May not expect Scout to request or organize the board of review. May not ask the Scout to exceed requirements.

Composition of Board of Review Composed of three to six unit committee members*, at least 21 years of age. Unit leaders and assistants cannot serve on a board for a Scout in their unit. *In units with fewer than three registered committee members available to serve, it is permissible to use knowledgeable parents.

Composition of Board of Review (cont.) A parent or guardian cannot serve on a board for his or her own son. The candidate, parent, or guardian cannot select members of the board.

Tenderfoot thru Life Rank Boards of Review Shall have no fewer than three and no more than six unit committee members. Should last 15 to 30 minutes maximum. Ranks and Palms not presented until advancement report submitted to council.

Board of Review Uniform Full uniform is preferred. The board cannot reject the Scout if he: Wears as much uniform as he owns. Wears his uniform as correctly as possible; Wears his uniform per unit practice; or Has no uniform, dresses neatly, cleanly, and appropriately according to his means.

Conducting the Board of Review Participation of the unit leader, parents, and guardians is restricted. (Although the unit leader may remain in the room, but only to observe). The board is not a retest. The board is not a challenge to Scout’s knowledge. Focus on the Scout’s journey. Do not expect perfection. Be positive.

Board of Review Decisions Unanimous approval is required to advance. If no unanimous approval: Do not disclose specifics to Scout. Only discuss areas requiring improvement. The board of review may be adjourned and reconvened at a later date.

Appealing a Decision Only Star and Life rank can be appealed to the local Council. Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, and Eagle Palms are not appealable. The scout or his parent or guardian notifies the local council.

Eagle Scout Board of Review May be conducted at the unit, district, or council level – at council’s discretion. Shall have no fewer than three and no more than six members. Shall not occur until after the application has been verified. May not be postponed due to unresponsive references. Should last minutes.

Eagle Scout Board of Review (cont.) If no unanimous approval: The board of review may be adjourned and reconvened at a later date. If the board of review still does not approve candidate, then the Scout may appeal to the National Council.

Eagle Scout Board of Review After 18 th Birthday Within 3 months: No approval needed. 3 to 6 months: Council pre-approval needed. Beyond 6 months: National approval needed.

True or False? Must the unit leader (Scoutmaster) conference be the last step before a board of review?

True or False? Must the unit leader (Scoutmaster) conference be the last step before a board of review? False. While it makes sense to hold one after other requirements for a rank are met, it is not required. ( )

True or False? The scout must be currently registered to sit before a board of review.

True or False? The scout must be currently registered to sit before a board of review. False. Scouts must be registered to work on and fulfill rank and badge requirements.

True or False? It’s not appropriate to hold “mock” Boards of Review.

True or False? It’s not appropriate to hold “mock” Boards of Review. True. BSA discourages mock boards of review. Instead, you want unrehearsed spontaneous answers revealing character, citizenship & personal fitness.

True or False? Are youth observers permitted in boards of review?

True or False? False. Youth observers are not permitted in boards of review. This is one of the 2015 updates to the Guide to Advancement ( )

True or False? Is it permissible to use video conferencing for a board of review?

True. Boards of review for any rank are meant to be face- to-face, personal experiences. From time to time, however, as Scouts go off to college or the military, or live in very remote locations, for example, it may be virtually impossible to hold in-person boards of review. In those rare situations where it is unreasonable to expect a Scout to travel long distances, or to wait several months, it is permissible to use videoconferencing. This is one of the 2015 updates to the Guide to Advancement ( )

If such boards of review are held, however, they must be conducted according to the following requirements. 1. The local council must grant permission to hold a videoconference board of review for the Eagle Scout rank. Videoconference boards of review may be held for other ranks without local council approval, but they still must comply with the following requirements. 2. All equipment, including the cameras, lighting, microphones, software, and Internet connection, should be tested ahead of time to provide the best audiovisual experience possible. 3. All members of the board of review must be visible to the Scout, and any observers with the Scout must be visible to the members of the board of review. No one within hearing range on either side shall be off camera. It is important to consider your technical capabilities when planning how many board of review members to involve. Observers should be minimized for any board of review, and this applies especially to videoconference reviews. Their presence can change the discussion dynamics. 4. For Scouts under the age of 18*, a parent or guardian of the Scout, or two registered BSA adult Scouters who are familiar with these requirements for videoconference boards of review, must be directly present with the Scout at the beginning of the conference. The Scouters may be from the nearest council, district, or unit. Their role is to verify that the Scout is in a safe environment and that the board of review appears to be in compliance with these requirements. Once all the members of the board of review are present on their end of the call and introductions are completed, and the review is about to begin, those with the Scout on his end must leave the room or move out of hearing distance unless they have specifically been approved to remain as observers. See topic , “Conducting the Board of Review,” for more information. 5. Once the review process has been concluded, if the Scout is under age 18*, his parent or guardian, or two Scouters must rejoin the Scout. Their purpose is to be available to answer any questions that may arise, to join in the celebration of the Scout’s accomplishment, or to be party to any instructions or arrangements regarding the appeals process or the reconvening of an incomplete review. Once this is done, the board members end the call and sign off. 6. Videoconference boards of review must not be recorded.

True or False? Are Boards of Review required in the Venturing Program?

True! After completing the requirements for the Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit awards, Venturers appear before a board of review.

Particulars for the Discovery and Pathfinder Awards The board of review is chaired by the crew president. It is recommended two Venturers also attend Two adults registered with the crew are present in a nonvoting advisory capacity. At no time should there be more adults present than Venturers. Review should take ~30 minutes

Particulars for the Summit Award The board must consist of at least five, but no more than six members. At least half of the members, excluding the chair, must be Venturers currently participating in the program. Chair: shall be an adult 21 years of age and who is a Venturing- certified member of the local council or district advancement committee. Venturer membership: At least two Venturers, one of whom shall be from the candidates crew. Adult representation: One more adult, registered with BSA, preferably registered with the candidates crew. Community representative: It is recommended that one well respected adult representative of the community also attend.

Refer to the Venturing Board of Review Guide for complete details.

Additional Resources Go to scouting.org/advancement for the “Guide to Advancement 2105”. Videocasts at scouting.org/advancement “Advancement Education Presentations” 1) Boards of Review (15 min.) 2) Boards of Review Under Disputed Circumstances (6 min.) 3) Boards of Review Appeals (4 min.) 4) The Eagle Scout Application Process (8 min.) 5) Eagle Scout Boards of Review (4 min.)