2017 Guide to Advancement released

[T2Eagle]

The problem with Boy Scouts is that we let people run it who aren't BOYS.

 

Stand for the whole BOR is a new one on me.  If you asked me what the ideal setting for a BOR was I would say some folks sitting around a campfire having a good discussion with a boy about his scouting experience.  My troop rarely achieves that, but it seems the further away from that we are the less well we're doing it.

[Cleveland Rocks]

The Uniform BOR discussion made me think back to my Eagle BOR eons ago (1988). The advancement chair who ran Eagle BORs in my council was a stickler for full, complete uniform at his Eagle BORs.  It was such that there was an unofficial uniform closet for Scouts going for EBOR. It was not uncommon if there were multiple EBORs on one night for a Scout who just completed his BOR to take something off his uniform and hand it to the next Scout up if he was missing a part.  The Scoutmasters would work with each other to make sure their Scouts had uniform parts available for EBORs if they were missing something.

 

I had a complete uniform so I didn't have to worry, but I remember my Scoutmaster reminding me before the meeting that I'd better make sure I had all my uniform parts and that everything was in its proper place, which it was.

 

No one that I am aware of ever questioned or challenged it. Everyone thought it was a good idea to be in complete uniform.  GTA and Methods of Scouting aside, it sure sounds like a good idea!

 

He never failed anyone that I know of, but he would give you a good lecture if you came in an incomplete uniform.  A friend of mine, who was in a troop that wore bolo slides instead of neckerchiefs, got questioned about why he wasn't wearing a necker. He explained that his troop chose the bolos instead, but that didn't sit well, apparently. 

 

His rationale for it was, you've been in Scouting for X years, you should have purchased all the components for a complete uniform by now; you buy a shirt when you first join, add the pants a year or so later, add socks later, add headgear later, and before you know it you've got a complete uniform (he rationalized it that way to counter-argue the "uniforms are expensive" argument).

[NJCubScouter]

When I was a Scout (60's/70's) nobody would even think about showing up for a BOR not in full uniform.  Of course at the time there probably was no National rule saying that a Scout does not have to wear a uniform at a BOR.

 

I think a number of units have a "rule" requiring uniforms at BOR's, and they either don't know or don't care what National has to say on the subject.  Our troop has what I guess would be called an "expectation" that a Scout will be in full uniform at their BOR, and everybody knows that is the expectation, and there is almost never a problem. Has a BOR ever been postponed because the Scout did not show up in the expected attire?  Well, maybe a few times, but nobody has ever challenged it.  We have BOR's "on demand" so if you don't have it this week you can have it next week or at the latest in two weeks.  Hopefully the issue will never come up again while I am doing BOR's.

[Stosh]

Uniforms are not required, but if they have one they are encouraged to look nice for the BOR and they can sit down.  Our BOR's are very informal and have been held during camping weekends...around the fire.  When we didn't have enough people at the outing to make up a board, we asked neighboring troop leaders to do it for us.  We usually run with only 2 adults, both leaders (SM/ASM), neither qualify to be on the board.  So far we haven't had any problems with the process. 

 

I do as SM assist the boy in gathering up adults when asked, otherwise many of the boys will go to other campsites and enlist enough adults to to a board for him.  I don't know of any adults that ever refused them.

[blw2]

I should have added earlier, that I'm fairly sure (but can't recall an exact case) that we have had times where a board was delayed because the scout was not in full uniform at the meeting.  It's not like the meeting started, just that the SM or someone would have just told him that he can't go for a BOR like that, let's do it next week....

Just when I thought I'd heard everything.  We ask the Scout to stand at the beginning, give the Scout sign and recite the Oath and/or Law, but other than that the Scout is seated.  It doesn't sound very reasonable to require the Scout to stand during the entire BOR.

  

I looked at the GTA (section 8.0.1.0) and it does not say anything about making Scouts stand during a BOR - though now that this has appeared in "print" maybe it will find its way into the 2019 version - but it does say this:

 

 

 

 

Having the Scout stand does not sound like a very "relaxed atmosphere" to me.  Well, unless EVERYBODY is standing, but I assume that is not the case.

 

No, that's not the case.  Typical set-up is 3 or sometimes 4 board members seated behind a table.  SM or ASM escorts scout front and center, and is introduced.

For young scouts, the CC or Adv chair will usually give them a little coaching schpeel about standing up straight, being formal and respectful, etc... try to make them understand that they can be relaxed, but they should remain formal.... not in so many words, but that is the gist

then ask them if they can recite the oath, law, outdoor code

then the questioning begins...

 

The problem with Boy Scouts is that we let people run it who aren't BOYS.

 

Stand for the whole BOR is a new one on me.  If you asked me what the ideal setting for a BOR was I would say some folks sitting around a campfire having a good discussion with a boy about his scouting experience.  My troop rarely achieves that, but it seems the further away from that we are the less well we're doing it.

exactly my thoughts as well.  

It wouldn't be sittin' around with feet propped up, munchin' on smores...

but comfortable and relaxed

 

for the less than ideal indoor setting, if it were up to me, I'd have the scout stand for the oath, etc.... then everyone would be seated, no table forming a symbolic wall, unless maybe if we were all just sitting around a table

 

I believe this practice was started as the troop norm long before the current folks were involved..... but they disagree with the idea of more relaxed settings.  They think it should be like a job interview.... to which i say I never had a job interview where I stood the whole time....  no matter, they don't get it....

 

regardless....while I don't agree with the practice, don't let this picture I've painted make it seem like the scouts are standing at attention getting dressed down military style....  It's approaching that in concept but it's not that rigid.  Not that bad.