Introduction to Advancement for Parents. 9:50 AM – 12:00 noon Introduction to Advancement for Parents 9:50 AM – 12:00 noon November 3, 2018 Michael Merritt Chair, Patriots Path Council Advancement Committee 973 568 7979 There is a lot of material to cover in an hour, so if you have any questions, please ask but we may have to defer until the end of the class. Note that references are made on most slides to the BSA Guide to Advancement and the particular section. A new GTA is anticipated later this year, but the reference sections are expected to remain the same.

Aims of Scouting Eight Methods by which the aims are achieved: Character Development Citizenship Training Personal Fitness Eight Methods by which the aims are achieved: Patrols Ideals Outdoor Programs Advancement Association with Adults Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform

What Is Advancement? Advancement is the process by which a Scout progresses from rank to rank in the Scouting program. It is simply a means to an end and not an end in itself. Everything done to advance and earn higher ranks is designed to help the Scout have an exciting and meaningful experience. The advancement method is designed to encourage a young man to accomplish a progressive series of fun and educational tasks. GTA 2.0

the basics EDUCATION and FUN Advancement is not a competition. Joint effort with members (youth), leaders, volunteers and the family. Scouts need to learn and have fun – leads to success and staying in the program

Basic Rules No council, district, unit or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, any advancement requirements A Scout is expected to meet the requirements as stated – no more and no less When a question comes up about advancement, refer to GTA and/or the current BSA Requirements. If there does not seem to be an obvious answer, there is a hierarchy for seeking information beyond the unit level: District Advancement Committee Council Advancement Committee National Advancement Committee As members of the Council Advancement Committee, these documents are where we first look when WE are asked questions.

Today’s conversation: Ranks through First Class Merit Badges Star, Life, Eagle Positions of Responsibility Service Projects Boards of Review Special Cases

1: Ranks through First Class Scout 3. Second Class Tenderfoot 4. First Class The first phase of Advancement, from joining to First Class, is designed to teach Scoutcraft skills, how to participate in a group and to learn self-reliance. The Scout badge is awarded when the Scout demonstrates a rudimentary knowledge of the Scouting ideals and program.[1] Tenderfoot,[2] Second Class[3] and First Class[4] have progressively harder requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.

1: Ranks through First Class Requirements for all these ranks can be earned in any order. Troops often have special program elements to get boys through these early ranks: Meet ahead of regular meeting Assign Troop Guides and Instructors Advancement camping trips Scouts who make First Class in their first year stay longer and get more from the program. Find out how your Troop works. ASK HOW YOU CAN HELP!

2: Merit Badges Blue Cards. District Merit Badge Lists. Badges whose counselors need special training or certification. District options. Unit and Unit Leader options. Resort to other Districts. Work before Approval, Prerequisites, etc. MeritBadge.org.

MB Changes 2: Merit Badges Newer Badges: Animation, Digital Technology, Exploration, Geocaching, Signs, Signals & Codes, Sustainability (Eagle alternate for Env. Science), Programming, and Mining in Society. Updated Badges: Cycling, Cooking(Eagle required since 2014), Lifesaving, Photography and Snow Sports. Pace of new badges and updates has slowed considerably.

To Become a MB Counselor 2: Merit Badges To Become a MB Counselor 18 years of age or older. Good character. Good rapport with Scout-age boys and their unit leaders. Recognized as having skills and education in the subject(s) area Complete BSA Youth Protection Training at www.myscouting.org Adult Application (position 42 no charge!) Council MB Counselor Application GTA 7.0.1.1

MB Counselor process 2: Merit Badges Local council establishes procedures including, but not limited to: Background check. Current Youth Protection training. Any required certifications current. Approval is for specific merit badges, in Patriots Path managed by District MB Dean. GTA 7.0.1.4

3: Star, Life, Eagle The second phase of Star, Life and Eagle is designed to develop leadership skills and allow the Scout to explore potential vocations and avocations through the merit badge program. These ranks require that the boy serve in a position of responsibility and perform community service.

3: Star, Life, Eagle Eagle: 6 months POR Must be earned in order Star: 4 months POR 6 service hours 6 badges (4 Eagle) Life: 6 months POR 6 service hours (3 C.R.) 11 badges total (7 Eagle) Eagle: 6 months POR service project 21 badges total (13 Eagle)

3: Star, Life, Eagle Eagle Required Merit Badges Camping° Cooking° Cycling, Hiking or Swimming. Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the World Communications Lifesaving or Emergency Preparedness Environmental Science or Sustainability Family Life* First Aid Personal Fitness+ Personal Management^ °Large number of activities, get blue card and log activities in handbook from DAY 1. * 90 day requirement + 12 week requirement ^ 13 week requirement

4: Positions of Responsibility To Achieve Star Rank While a First Class Scout, serve actively in your troop for four months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project to help the troop): Scout troop. Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide. Lone Scout. Leadership responsibility in your school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in your community.

4: Positions of Responsibility To Achieve Life Rank While a Star Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project to help the troop): Scout troop. Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide. Lone Scout. Leadership responsibility in your school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in your community.

4: Positions of Responsibility To Achieve Eagle Rank While a Life Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility: Scout troop. Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide. Lone Scout. Leadership responsibility in your school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in your community.

4: Positions of Responsibility If a Scout completes his service in one or more positions of responsibility for the required time, he must be approved. Service in two positions simultaneously does not reduce the time. Gaps are acceptable. Responsibility is not the same as leadership, and leadership is not required. If a Scout is not meeting his established expectations in the position, or has done no work at all, this must be clearly expressed early on, and guidance for success must be clearly communicated to the Scout. In the absence of this procedure, credit must be given for the time the Scout reasonably believed he was performing satisfactorily. If a Scout does not perform after appropriate guidance, then removal is acceptable.

5: Service Projects The Eagle Scout Service Project, or more simply the Eagle Project, is the opportunity for a Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community.

5: Service Projects New requirements January 2017 1 Hour service project Tenderfoot 2 Hours service project Second Class 3 Hours First Class (different projects) 3 Life hours must be conservation-related New handbooks have tracking pages Ask your unit HOW YOU CAN HELP

6: Boards of Review Objectives Not an examination; Does not retest To make sure Scout has done what is required for rank To see how good an experience the Scout is having To encourage the Scout to progress further Not an examination; Does not retest For rank advancement & those not showing progress Vital for evaluation of the unit’s Scouting program GTA 8.0.0.0

6: Boards of Review Timeliness. No fewer than three members or more than six. No parents, relatives, assistant unit leaders from the scout’s unit may serve or observe. Members must be 21 years or older. The candidate or candidate’s family can have no role in selecting the Board. A full and neat field uniform is preferred, but cannot be required. The unit’s unit leader may observe, but not participate. If requested, the scout may exclude the unit leader.

6: Boards of Review Boards are generally celebrations, and not re-tests, examinations, or challenges of knowledge. Troop Committee Guidebook, No. 34505 has appropriate questions and topics. Decisions to approve must be unanimous. If approval does not seem assured, and the unit leader is present, he may be consulted as to his opinion. At the conclusion, Scouts must either be congratulated for their rank advancement or told why they were rejected and how they can improve. Alternatively, a Board may adjourn to a later date with the Scout’s permission, in special circumstances. However, such an adjourned Board may not extend Eagle requirements beyond a Scout’s 18th birthday. Remote video conference boards may take place. See Guide to Advancement 8.01.6. Boards should last approximately 15 minutes, but no longer than 30 minutes.

Specifics as to Eagle Boards 6: Boards of Review Specifics as to Eagle Boards At least one District Advancement Committee representative must be a member. If requested by the unit, more may be provided. No Eagle Board may convene until the Council has verified the application. Boards are often held in more formal settings than a home or troop meeting site. Boards cannot delay or deny rank due to unresponsive references. If a Unit Leader or Committee Chair refuses to approve an application, the candidate must still be granted a Board. See Guide to Advancement 8.0.3.2.

6: Boards of Review Boards should last at least 30 minutes, but not more than 45 minutes. Eagle candidates may have only one Board of review, although it may be adjourned and reconvened. Anything beyond this is subject to Guide to Advancement 8.0.4.0. Boards may take place as a matter of course within three months of the candidate’s 18th birthdate, but all requirements must be completed before that date. Specific provisions also exist relating to Venturing Boards of Review, Discovery and Pathfinder Awards, and the Summit Award.

7: Special Cases Interpreting requirements Youth with special needs Time extensions

What does “be active” mean? A Scout is considered to “be active” if: Registered in unit (registration fees current) Not dismissed for disciplinary reasons Meets unit’s reasonable expectations regarding attendance and participation; or a lesser level of activity is explained. GTA 4.2.3.1

Youth members with special needs Scouts – 4 steps for lower ranks do as many standard requirements as possible secure a medical statement prepare a request for alternative requirements Council advancement committee reviews request GTA 10.2.2.2

Alternate merit badges for Eagle physical or mental disability of a PERMANENT nature candidate must earn as many of the required MBs as his ability permits BEFORE applying for alternate MB application for alternative MB must be completed PRIOR to qualifying for MB application must be approved by Council Advancement Committee GTA 10.2.2.3

Time Extensions How – by filing a petition in writing with National Scout Committee through the local council Who – Scout or unit leader or unit committee Standard - must show good and sufficient evidence and detail the extenuating circumstances that prevented the Scout from completing the requirements prior to his 18th birthday.  Extenuating circumstances are defined as conditions or situations that are totally beyond the control of the Scout. When – before Scout is 18, unless extenuating circumstances prevent Scout from requesting the extension before he is 18, but then petition must detail the extenuating circumstances that prevented him from completing the requirements and from requesting the extension before age 18. GTA 9.0.4.0

Available Resources Guide to Advancement 2017 at scouting.org 2018 Scout Requirements Advancement News at scouting.org Bryan’s Blog Advancement Committee webpage at ppcbsa.org/committees/advancement/ Your Troop Committee Advancement Chair Your District Committee Advancement Chair Your District Executive Your Council Advancement Committee

the basics EDUCATION and FUN