1. Advancement and Scoutmaster Conferences
Paul Meehan
Scoutmaster, Troop 751
Sammamish, WA
With thanks to Walter Beauchamp

2. Advancement 2/3 of the word SCOUTING is OUTING
Bi-Annual or Annual Planning Process
Studies have shown that if a boy makes it to 1st Class within approx 1-year to 1 ½-years, he is more likely to stay engaged

3. Mission of the BSA
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law

4. Vision of the BSA
Character development and values-based leadership training
Train young people in citizenship, service and leadership
“Scouting is a game with purpose” Lord Baden-Powell

5. Scoutmaster’s Vision for T 751
It is the vision of Troop 751 to foster a commitment to scouting and its ideals, as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law, through a diverse and challenging program. 
By participating in outdoor activities and weekly meetings, the scouts will develop respect for each other, for scout and adult leadership, and for the environment.
The scouts will be trained to be both leaders and servants to the community.

6. Methods of Scouting The Ideals – Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan
Patrol Method
The Outdoors
Advancement
Association with Adults
Personal Growth
Leadership Development
The Uniform

7. Troop Structure - Scouts
Patrols and Patrol Leaders
Senior Patrol Leaders and Assistants
Patrol Leaders Council
Leadership opportunities:
Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Scribe, Historian, Chaplain’s Aide, Librarian, Order of the Arrow Representative, Den Chief, Instructor, Troop Guide, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster…

8. Troop Structure – Adult Support
Scoutmaster
Assistant Scoutmasters
Troop Committee & Chairman
Multiple Volunteer Roles
Support committees (finance, service…)
Merit Badge Counselor
Court of Honor
Newsletter Editor

9. Expectations for Scouts
Read your Scout Handbook and make goals for yourself
Read the Troop Handbook
Attend meetings, bring Scout Handbook, wear appropriate uniform
Be involved
Have Patrol Meetings and Attend Troop Outings
Attend Summer Camp
Listen to the announcements, read and respond to s when needed
Be an advocate for yourself – ask for sign-offs, schedule SM conferences and Boards of Review, speak up

10. Expectations - Adults
Step back from teaching him, let the Scouts teach each other – Youth leadership is the key to a Scout-led troop & the BSA program
Help to set up a binder with your son for him to track his achievements (use card holders)
Encourage him:
– To attend ALL meetings
– To go on ALL outings
– To advocate for himself
– To do Patrol Outings with his Patrol
– To stay engaged / involved

11. Expectations - Adults Be informed Read and respond to e-mails
Attend parent meetings
Ask questions
Visit the Website
SM/ASM & TCOM Meetings are open to all of you
Roundtables – 2nd Thurs of each month at Iss LDS

12. Expectations - Adults Become involved behind the scenes
Many hands makes light work
Look for opportunities to contribute, help out however you can
Get TRAINED as an Adult Leader (ASM or TCOM)
It’s important that we all “walk the walk and talk the talk”
It’ll be the most rewarding experience you do
Become Mr., or Mrs., or Ms. LAST NAME on the outing and not Dad or Mom

13. Advanced Training – Wood Badge
Teaches many skills applicable to business and Scouting
6-Day Course (over 2 weekends)
Life Changing Skills

14. Advancement
Requirements for each rank listed in Scout Handbook (new book as of Jan 1, 2010)
& the current version of the BSA Requirements Book #34765 for the official requirements
2011 BSA Guide To Advancement #33088, SKU#
All Scouts are encouraged to reach 1st Class

15. Advancement Sign off for requirements determined by troop
Star rank or higher, patrol leader, two ranks above
Demonstrate Scout Spirit
Demonstrate leadership for Star on up
Have Scoutmaster Conferences
Have Boards of Review
Earn Merit Badges
Attend Courts of Honor

16. The Guide to Advancement finally (and clearly) states some of the requirements, such as Leadership - which must relate to the unit where the Scout is registered and active, for advancement. For example, “SPL” would not be used by a crew member. "Active" per the new Guide to Advancement has been expanded will now mean the following: Use the following three sequential tests to determine whether the requirement has been met. The first and second are required, along with either the third or its
alternative.
1. The Scout is registered. The youth is registered in his unit for at least the time period indicated in the requirement, and he has indicated in some way, through word or action, that he considers himself a member. If a boy was supposed to have been registered, but for whatever reason was not, discuss with the local council registrar the possibility of backregistering him.
2. The Scout is in good standing. A Scout is considered in “good standing” with his unit as long as he has not been dismissed for disciplinary reasons. He must also be in good standing with the local council and the Boy Scouts of America. (In the rare case he is not, communications will have been delivered.)
3. The Scout meets the unit’s reasonable expectations; or, if not, a lesser level of activity is explained.

17. 3. The Scout meets the unit’s reasonable expectations; or, if not, a lesser level of activity is explained.
If, for the time period required, a Scout or qualifying Venturer or Sea Scout meets those aspects of his unit’s pre-established expectations that refer to a level of activity, then he is considered active and the requirement is met. Time counted as “active” need not be consecutive. A boy may piece together any times he has been active and still qualify.... In considering the third test, it is appropriate for units to set reasonable expectations for attendance and participation. Then it is simple: Those who meet
them are “active.”
But those who do not must be given the opportunity to qualify under the third-test alternative above. To do so, they must first offer an acceptable explanation. Certainly, there are medical, educational, family, and other issues that for practical purposes prevent higher levels of participation. These must be considered. Would the Scout have been more active if he could have been? If so, for purposes of advancement, he is deemed “active.” We must also recognize the many worthwhile opportunities beyond Scouting. Taking advantage of these opportunities and participating in them may be used to explain why unit participation falls short. Examples might include involvement in religious activities, school, sports, or clubs that also develop character, citizenship, or personal fitness. The additional learning and growth experiences these provide can reinforce the lessons of Scouting and also give young men the opportunity to put them into practice in a different setting.

18. What Can a Troop Provide?
“Scout Generated Calendar” from Bi-Annual Planning Meeting
Active program with an outing each month
Youth-Led Troop
Additional activities in the Troop
District Events such as Camporee / Klondike / JOTA
Faith Emblems
Order Of The Arrow
Camp Staff
Brinkley, Pigott
Eagle’s Nest

19. High Adventure High Adventure Events and Requirements
Requirements For Scout & Scouter Attendance In The Troop Handbook
Be an active member to participate
Based on rank, number of events attended, involvement – those that go above and beyond
Troop and National High Adventure events
Philmont, Sea Base, Northern Tier, long term backpacks

20. Troop Web Page Calendar Current Events Documents and Forms
Training links
Outings – Descriptions and Recaps
Order of the Arrow Information
Troop Handbook
Life to Eagle – Info and Resources

21. What is (and is not) the SMC?
It is NOT a Test or Re-Test of what the boy has already completed.
It is a comfortable conversation where you:
learn more about the Scout
his thoughts and ambitions
what’s going well (or not)
his goals
how his Patrol is doing
his life outside of Scouting

22. What is the SMC?
A good conference should be unhurried. It helps the Scout evaluate his accomplishments and set new goals with his Scoutmaster. This can be accomplished at a troop meeting, camping trip, or in the Scout’s home.

23. What is the SMC?
Goal setting by the Scout makes it possible for the Scoutmaster to help the Scout with his weaknesses and encourage him to use his strengths. The Scout (joining) conference is probably one of the most important associations the Scout will have in his Scouting career. It is at this conference that the Scoutmaster illustrates to him the adult-youth relationship that is unique to Scouting.

24. What is the SMC?
All through the ranks, it is rewarding for the Scoutmaster to observe the Scout grow in responsibility and maturity. It is through this association and example that a young man grows and matures, and the Scoutmaster conference accomplishes that aim. (See Scoutmaster Handbook, chapter 10.

25. Where can we do these?
“Scouting” is mostly the word “OUTING” – do some rank advancement in the outdoors when possible.
Always follow YPT…no exceptions!
At Troop Meetings / outside of Troop Meetings
1st Class – Focus on “Basic Life Skills”
Scout-Led Troop is paramount - reinforce this

26. The “NEW” Boy Scout SMC The Joining or Scout Scoutmaster Conference
What did you like about Cub Scouting?
What do you think you will like about Boy Scouting?
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
What are your interests outside of Scouting?
Why did you join our troop?
Do you have any questions about Boy Scouting or the troop?
What does the Scout Oath mean to you? The Scout Law?

27. The “NEW” Boy Scout SMC The SM should explain:
The advancement process, including who will be approving and recording his progress
The purpose and timing of Scoutmaster conferences
How the Scout-led troop works and his advancing role in it
The patrol method and the new-Scout patrol
Make sure you give the Scout handshake and see that the Scout can demonstrate the sign and salute.
This meeting sets the tone for the future

28. The Trail to 1st Class SMC
The Tenderfoot Through First Class Scoutmaster Conferences
Who is your patrol leader, and what do you think of him?
What do you think of the challenges you are facing?
How have you progressed on first aid and your other skills?
What are your goals for the next few months, and how do those goals meet advancement requirements?
What do you think would make the troop better?

29. The Trail to 1st Class SMC
You can review what a Scout should have learned in his signed off achievements and see how he has absorbed the skills. For example: Ask a Second Class candidate about his service project—how he felt about it, how he felt he had done, did he believe he was successful, and how he measured that success.

30. The Trail to 1st Class SMC
The SM should explain:
That a Scout does not always keep a skill by simply doing it for advancement; that he must repeat it, and in some cases, teach it, to really have the skill
The value of planning to achieve his goals
How setting advancement goals involves looking ahead to see what must be accomplished and in what order
How the Scout can use the merit badge program to explore interests and accomplish advancement
This provides the foundation for the future
youth leader

31. The Star & Life SMC What merit badges did you enjoy, and why?
What merit badges did you get the most out of, and why?
How did you feel about your leadership position, and why?
How did you feel about how you exercised that position?
Did you feel you accomplished anything in that position?
What were your frustrations?
Who do you think is doing a good job in the troop? Why?

32. The Star & Life SMC
Have you decided what merit badges you will be earning next?
Have you thought about achieving Eagle?
Have you thought about a service project for Eagle?
The SM should explain:
The progressive nature of service projects from Star to Eagle
The nature of ―Eagle required‖ and ―elective‖ merit badges

33. The Eagle SMC How did you feel your Eagle project went?
Did you run into any rough spots? Or did everything go as planned?
Did you plan enough to get you over the rough spots?
How did you work with the agency (sponsor) for which you did the project?
Was that agency (sponsor) clear in its goals for you?
Would you do the project differently now? How?

34. The Eagle SMC How do you think the troop is doing?
How do you intend to help the troop after you become an Eagle Scout?
Do you have any goals for the troop?
What are your goals for yourself?
Do you feel you are an Eagle Scout?
Do you believe you have accomplished all you need to in order to become an Eagle Scout?

35. The Eagle SMC The SM should explain:
That his Scouting career is not over; that Eagle Palms, leadership, and adult leadership await him
That other opportunities exist in the Order of the Arrow, Venturing/Explorer, Sea Scouting, ―Eagle’s Nest‖ & JASM role

36. The Eagle Palm SMC How do you plan on contributing to the troop now?
What are your goals for the troop?
What are your personal goals?
How will your Scouting experience help you?
What are your interests outside of Scouting?

37. Scouting Opportunities for Older Scouts
National Youth Leadership Training
Leadership in the Order of the Arrow (Chapter or Lodge Officer)
Camp staff opportunities
The Hornaday Awards – conservation award
Venturing
What happens when a Scout turns 18; potential service as an assistant Scoutmaster
Remaining active in Scouting in college, or when one moves

38. Deferred Advancement
The Scout should have had plenty of warning and guidance prior to the Scoutmaster conference. This is not a time to shut the door on advancement, but rather to work with the Scout to create goals that will allow him to succeed.
When advancement is going to be deferred, the Scout should not come to the Scoutmaster conference thinking that everything is OK and then be surprised that his advancement is deferred.
However, even after a negative Scoutmaster conference for the ranks of Tenderfoot to Life, if the Scout desires a board of review, he should be granted his request.

39. Key SMC Points to Remember
Among its many values, the Scoutmaster conference can accomplish the following goals:
Establish trust and understanding between a Scout and Scoutmaster.
Reinforce the ideals of Scouting.
Allow the Scout and Scoutmaster to share ideas and ask questions of one another.
Set goals and outline steps for achieving them.

40. Key SMC Points to Remember
These pointers will help make every Scoutmaster conference a success:
Make the conference special. Give the Scout your undivided attention throughout the meeting.
Invite the Scout to share in the discussion.
Keep the setting relaxed. Don’t sit behind a desk or across a table from the Scout.
Keep the tone positive. If there are areas of improvement to discuss, be sure to bring up behavior and achievements you can praise, too.

41. Key References