To Board of Review Volunteers:

Thank you very much for giving your time in this particular way to our Scouts. Those of you who have done this before know that while it is a relatively small time commitment, the “payback” is large. Leading a Board of Review is a wonderfully unique way to encourage these scouts and assist our scoutmasters; while learning a great deal about the requirements and challenges of earning merit badges and rank advancement. You will also enjoy getting to know some of the other boys in the troop.

Here are a few guidelines for you to remember when you lead your Board of Review:

1. The Board of Review should take place in one of the back rooms where you can have a quiet environment. There MUST be at least two adults present with each Scout. If you arrive and another Board of Review volunteer is not present, you must ask another adult to assist you, or ask one of the Scoutmasters to sit in. It is almost never a problem finding someone to sit in with you.

2. One of the Scout Masters (usually Tom Gester) will give you an Advancement form. There are lines for each Scout’s name and rank achieved. If a Scout comes to you for more than one rank advancement, please write each rank achieved in on a separate line. It is very important that both adults leading the Board of Review sign the form at the indicated spaces on the bottom.

3. Scouts needing a Board of Review will typically sign up immediately following the meeting opening ceremony.

4. When the Scout comes in for the Board of Review, stand up and shake his hand, gain eye contact and introduce yourself. (This may seem obvious but many of our boys could use a little practice.) Ask him to introduce himself and identify the rank he is trying to achieve. You should ask him to find the relevant page in the handbook and then hand the book to you for you to be able to see the rank requirements.  You should verify that a Scout Master has signed off on each of the rank requirements, including a Scoutmaster conference.

5. The Scoutmasters of Troop 320 feel very strongly that our Scouts understand the importance of wearing the full Scout uniform. As described in the Scout handbook: “The complete official uniform includes the Scout shirt, Scout pants or shorts, Scout belt and buckle, and Scout socks.” While encouraged for all the meetings, this is required for the Board of Review. If a Scout shows up for his Board of Review and is not in full uniform (emphasis on full - this includes shirt, pants, belt and socks) please send him back out to the general meeting to find the missing articles and return dressed. This usually takes only a few minutes but they may lose their place in line, a good lesson to come prepared. It is interesting to watch how resourceful these young men can be in borrowing one another's clothing.

6. Also from the handbook (underlining added):

Boards of Review are made up of adults associated with your troop who want to learn more about you and to better understand what Scouting is doing for you. Their purpose is not to retest you, but rather to be certain that you have passed the requirements for a higher rank, to get a sense of the value Scouting has for you, and to clear the way for your further advancement. They will be interested in discussing your service to others, what you have learned from the merit badges you have completed, and ways you are acting as a leader in your patrol and troop. (P.175)

7. Knots: The Scoutmasters have decided that each boy should demonstrate his ability to perform one of the basic functions of scouting, knot tying. Therefore each boy, beginning with those going for Star, should be asked to tie the following 10 knots:

1. (1) Square knot
   

2. (2) Two half hitches
   

3. (3) Taut line hitch
   

4. (4) Clove hitch
   

5. (5) Overhand knot
   

6. (6) Bowline
   

7. (7) Timber hitch
   

8. (8) Surgeon’s knot
   

9. (9) Sheet bend
   

10. (10) Slip knot
    

Some other specific questions that you might want to ask:

•What do you feel you have learned from your Scout experience so far that you might not have learned otherwise?

•What do you think are some of the strengths of Troop 320? The weaknesses?

•What do you think is the most important quality listed in the Scout Law? Why?

•What was the most challenging or difficult part of earning this particular rank?

•How are you progressing towards your next rank?

You will think of other questions in each situation.

7. Finally, please remember that our role is to support these Scouts in their efforts. Praise is vital so look for opportunities to compliment them on their achievements. We cheer them on, encouraging them because we know that the values and skills that they learn through Scouting are important.

Thank you for your part in this.

Revised 2007/04/17