What about a name change?

[ASM7]

I think that the name Board of Review leads a lot of committee members to believe that an all out grilling of the scout is in order. The scout has learned his skill and has been examined! Maybe a name change would affect their behavior. Something like "Confirmation Hearing" or "Affirmation Board". Anybody have any other names?

Doug

[yaworski]

We had a discussion about this last night at a committee meeting. Our old timer (former Rountable Commissioner, former District Commissioner, yada-yada) was commenting that our BORs had become little more than "what do you think about Scouting?" gab fests and that some actual review needs to take place. Our SM recounted that when he had his Eagle BOR they handed him a rope and asked him to tie a bowline. Maybe a bit more review is needed to make sure that these boys have actually learned the skills that have been signed off.

 

 

[OldGreyEagle]

I agree scouting skills need to be emphasized, but I dont think the BOR is the place to do it. It should be done as part of the troops overall program, the scout teaching other scouts the knots or any other skill that is required for the rank. The program should be set up so there is no doubt the scout knows his skills before the BOR takes place.

 

Now, lets say you do throw the scout a rope during a first class BOR and he can't tie the bowline and you tell him the BOR is in recess until he can tie it, will you also find out who signed the scout off and review his/her understanding of the requirement? And be sure the signer knows the knot as well?

 

Otherwise its like College football where the school gets probation while the coach who was there during the infractions skates free.

[ASM7]

The Advancement Committee, Policies and Procedures states that a Board of Review is a periodic review of the advancement of the scout, whether he is benefiting from the program. The unit leader can use the review as a measure of his/her effectiveness as a leader. The review is not an examination, the board does not retest the candidate. Rather the board should attempt to determine the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals.