5yearscouter Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Ok I know what BSA says about the new ranks for 2016+ http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/2016BoyScoutRequirements_8.14.2015.pdf and for transition to the new ranks http://www.scouting.org/filestore/program_update/pdf/Transitioning_New_Requirements_2016.pdf So I read that for those who are currently working on Star from 2015 they can continue to finish star with old requirements thru Dec 2016. Under the old requirements there is no need for Cyber Chip. correct? EXCEPT we have an ASM who is also a district commissioner so he likes to try to pull rank, and he's saying that he got something by email from council/BSA that says anyone going for star in 2016 has to have Cyber Chip. He says the email said that the cyber chip part was going into effect in January for everyone wanting to get Star. I've asked for him to forward this email he received so we are all on the same page, but I don't think it exists. Or maybe it just doesn't say what he thinks it says. He's trying to hold up advancement for the few boys who are finishing Star but haven't completed Cyber Chip. Anyone seen anything that might back up what he's trying to say? Otherwise I'm printing the transition page from BSA and pinning it on the bulletin board and daring anyone to hold up a Star rank due to cyber chit as they'd be adding to the requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RememberSchiff Posted February 21, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted February 21, 2016 You are correct. Those scouts who were FC and started working on Star in 2015 can complete Star under the 2015 requirements. http://usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsrank5.asp But this reminds me of the email from council/BSA that all adult leaders must complete Reading Comprehension in 2016. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwazse Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I've not read anything of the sort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krampus Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 EXCEPT we have an ASM who is also a district commissioner so he likes to try to pull rank, and he's saying that he got something by email from council/BSA that says anyone going for star in 2016 has to have Cyber Chip. He says the email said that the cyber chip part was going into effect in January for everyone wanting to get Star. I've asked for him to forward this email he received so we are all on the same page, but I don't think it exists. Or maybe it just doesn't say what he thinks it says. He's trying to hold up advancement for the few boys who are finishing Star but haven't completed Cyber Chip. Anyone seen anything that might back up what he's trying to say? I'd send him the BSA link about how the 2016 requirements are to be implemented. There's nothing there that says a FC Scout as of 1/1/16 has to even use the 2016 requirements. He can get Star under the 2015 requirements as long as he earns it in 2016. If he waits past 1/1/17 he has to use the 2016 requirements. In fact the requirement can even be waived if a Scout does not have access. Sound like the ASM is full of bull. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5yearscouter Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 You are correct. Those scouts who were FC and started working on Star in 2015 can complete Star under the 2015 requirements. http://usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsrank5.asp But this reminds me of the email from council/BSA that all adult leaders must complete Reading Comprehension in 2016. yeah I'm thinking that he needs to take Reading Comprehension in 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoPenn Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 What is your role in the Troop? This ASM/Commissioner is not interpreting the rules correctly - makes me wonder how effective he can be as a Commissioner. You've asked him to put his e-mail where his mouth is - if he hasn't responded by the next meeting, ignore him. He's an ASM - he can't hold up anyone's advancement since the SM can override any of his sign-off decisions (if he has authority to sign off on requirements) and he can't serve on the Board of Review. It's incumbent on the SM, the CC and the Advancement Chair to make sure the BOR understands the rules so that he doesn't try to undermine any of the Scout's advancements by "poisoning" the board and trying to "pull rank". If you are the SM, the next time he tries to pull rank, your response should be immediate - you are the Scoutmaster - he is an Assistant Scoutmaster - and this is his only warning - if he tries to pull the District Commissioner card again, his services as ASM will no longer be needed. Make sure your CC is on board. This is exactly the reason that the BSA recommends that Commissioners do not hold positions in units. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAHAWK Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Leave aside that he seems clearly incorrect. It is not the DC's role to rule on advancement requirements. That is for the Advancement Committee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwazse Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) Although I agree with CP and HAWK that SMs and CCs should approach these things with a little swagger. They should also respectfully make clear that they are adhering to national guidelines. We just want the boys to be sure that there are no "unwritten rules." Edited February 22, 2016 by qwazse 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5yearscouter Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 I'm taking over advancement for the troop in March and I don't want him spreading rumors. Some are confused enough about the changes in ranks for 2016 they don't need to worry about anything extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwazse Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Folks are always spreading rumors. It doesn't take an advancement chair to stop them. Your strategy of pinning it on the board and directing the boys to it is perfect. I've got in friendly disagreements with scouters over this stuff. All of them were solved by saying "Let's take a look at what is written, and if we disagree, let's have a boy come over and interpret it for us." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5yearscouter Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) I emailed national advancement and didn't expect to get an answer. I basically sent just what the op above says and the answer I got today is "Simply, you are correct and your ASM/District Commissioner is incorrect. The FAQ’s located at www.scouting.org/programupdates under the Boy Scouting category answers this question." Edited February 24, 2016 by 5yearscouter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krampus Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 I emailed national advancement and didn't expect to get an answer. I basically sent just what the op above says and the answer I got today is "Simply, you are correct and your ASM/District Commissioner is incorrect. The FAQ’s located at www.scouting.org/programupdates under the Boy Scouting category answers this question." Love it...validation! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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