SM refuses EBOR

[donert]

If certain people are on the EBOR can a SM refuse to participate?

[John-in-KC]

????

 

The Scoutmaster, as program officer, does not sit the Eagle Board of Review. It should be comprised of members of the unit committee, the District Eagle Guest, and other Scouters if the youth has someone special he wants to sit his board.

 

The Scoutmaster should be there to introduce the Scout. It's only courteous. The Scoutmaster is the one who takes the Scout through his Eagle SM Conference. I would be asking very serious questions if the Scoutmaster was unwilling to introduce the Scout. In fact, I'd be asking the District Eagle Representative for appeal procedures ... something is very wrong here.

 

Now, the above applies to a unit level EBOR. Many Districts use District level EBORs, where a unit Scouter, typically the CC, sits as the unit rep.

 

What's the backstory here?

[Beavah]

Yah, usetobeafox, yeh need to give us a bit more background, eh?

 

A SM doesn't sit on an EBOR. Doesn't need to be there at all, in fact.

 

A SM can choose not to sign off for requirements for Eagle. A SM can choose not to endorse a boy's Eagle application. Both are fine options if a SM feels a boy is not yet ready/has not yet achieved what he needs to for da rank.

 

A SM can also offer some input into who sits on a boy's EBOR, by workin' through the CC or the district advancement chair. That can sometimes be "strong input," eh? As in "If you send Dick Dunderhead out, we'll be canceling and rescheduling." Most CC's and DAC's will be sensitive to a SM's particular concerns.

 

Yah, so there's ways of approachin' boys who aren't yet ready, and ways of approachin' adults who don't have da skills/personality for an EBOR. Which are we talkin' about here?

 

Beavah

 

[donert]

I know the SM does not sit on the EBOR. But I, the SM do get interviewed by the EBOR and I cannot speak on what I want to say because I think words have come back to the Troop in the past.

The last EBOR I did had the District Eagle Board(2 people), our COR and a CO member what was the Eagle candidate's neighbor. Is that fair?

[packsaddle]

I agree with the need for a little more detail.

 

There was a time when I would try to second-guess or otherwise try to make some kind of pre-emptive decision because of something I suspected. I have learned that for me it is always better to get the issue out in the open. In this case I would state my concerns about confidentiality and ask them directly if anyone 'leaked' past conversations. I would do this in as non-confrontational manner as possible, tact is very important.

 

If they're big enough they'll say 'yes' or 'no' and then, depending on the answer, you can address the problem, if it exists, at greater length. Either way, they'll know your concern and probably be especially careful about confidentiality this time around...assuming they were cavalier with it before.

If I think I can't trust the group with a confidential statement, I will tell them that concern as well. They deserve to know either way.

[scoutldr]

In all the EBORs that I've sat as the District Rep, I can't remember a single time when we "interviewed" the SM. That would be highly unusual. The SM escorts the candidate into the room and introduces him to the board. Then the SM either leaves the room, or sits quietly in the corner...at the Scout's discretion.

[EagleInKY]

Our district follows a similar practice of interviewing the SM before the BOR. It gives the BOR members some insight into the scout. We do the same thing in our troop committee-run BORs, but much less formally.

 

I don't think that you, as SM, have a right to refuse. It's the district's responsibility to put together the board.

[donert]

I guess I will call the District Advancement Committee Chair and tell him about the situation and get his direction on the matter.

 

I don't know who to believe anymore..................

[John-in-KC]

I agree with Packsaddle's call for still more info, and his comments about talking with the board regarding confidentiality.

 

If you cannot trust the EBOR with confidentiality of your comments, that is a matter for you to share with your unit and District Commissioners.

 

As to the COR being on the board, he has every right in the world to a seat at the table. As far as I am concerned, IH's and COR's should have automatic invites to EBORs. The Chartered Partner owns the unit, it's an opportunity for them to sense the quality of program delivery.

[donert]

OK, I will talk to the District Advancement Chair, District Executive and Council Executive to resolove this matter. The COR doesn't know what he is doing and the CO has not a clue what is going on.

[donert]

I forgot to mention our UC has no clue what his roll is and also I will talk to our District Commissioner.....get everyone involved.......shake some trees!!!!

[scoutldr]

"It's the district's responsibility to put together the board."

 

Maybe in your council. In my council, the unit CC schedules the boards, then asks for a District rep to be present. The district advancement chair has a pool of people to call, and he sees who's available for that night.

 

"I don't know who to believe anymore.................. "

 

EBOR is one of those procedures that vary among Councils and maybe even among districts and units. If you are confused, ask your District Advancement Chair what the process is for your District. He is your definitive resource...not us.

 

[John-in-KC]

Ok, Mr usedtobeafox, you want a short answer:

 

Of course, you can refuse to introduce an Eagle Candidate at his Eagle Board of Review.

 

If you select that course of action, though, were I sitting the EBOR, my questions to the Scout would be of a much darker nature. I would be working from the assumption your signature on the Eagle Application is damnation by faint praise. My first question, if not asked by another, would be: "I see your Scoutmaster didn't introduce you. If you were Scoutmaster, would you want an Eagle Candidate such as yourself sitting this Board today? Why or why not?" Is that what you want for your Eagle Candidate? (If you were out of town on business or vacation, and the ASM introduced the Candidate with a "our SM regrets not being here, but..." ... and that's a different story.)

 

If you think the Scout is not ready for Eagle, Beavah has a course of action for you: Don't sign his Eagle Application. I would get with your District Advancement Committee chair and make sure you know how to go forward in these circumstances. Being procedurally right is vital.

 

You've expressed confidentiality issues. You need to take those up with the Board. Packsaddle told you this. If you still have concerns at that point, the Commissioner's Service is the Program side of the District and Council. They are the next step along the path. If your UC is a nonentity, visit with the DC.

 

I wish you well.

[CalicoPenn]

Lots of other "stuff" is starting to roll in on this - issues with UC's, etc. so trying to get back to your original question, with your further information.

 

The Scoutmaster can certainly refuse to be "interviewed" (ie interrogated) by the EBOR. In fact, the Scoutmaster SHOULD refuse to this interview. The unit leader introduces the lad to the Board of Review and MAY choose to sit quietly in the corner if he desires - but he does not participate in the Board. He may be called upon to provide some clarification to a point, but he isn't interviewed.

The Scoutmaster's statement of introduction is all that the Board should need to hear from the Scoutmaster. If the Board attempts to interview you, politely decline, stating that this is the candidates Board of Review, not yours. If the Board insists, ask if your refusal will affect the Boards decision - if the Board answers yes, inform the Board that a negative decision based on your refusal to be interrogated by the Board (beside any basic clarification questions) will result in an immediate appeal to COuncil/National - where such a decision by the Board will likely be overturned, or cancel the Board and demand a new Board of Review be formed of people who understand the process and procedures.

 

To echo Beavah, if, upon entering the Board of Review, you see that "Dick Dunderhead" has been seated, immediately postpone the Board and request that a new Board be formed - and explain why you will not allow your Scout to be reviewed by said dunderhead.

 

Calico

 

[evmori]

Why would the SM need to participate. It isn't his/her EBOR, it's the Scouts. The SM can sit in if he/she wishes but there is no need to participate even if asked.

 

Ed Mori

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