Orange County Council
Boy Scout
Board of Review Training
May 2010
Purpose of the Board of Review

Tracks the progress of a Scout

Determines Scout’s understanding of the ideals of Scouting
and how he applies them in daily life in the Unit

Board satisfies itself that the Scout has done what he was
supposed to do for that rank

Review with the Scout the requirements for the next rank

A board should be held to review a Scout’s accomplishments
or lack of accomplishments

Also a way of reviewing the unit's progress\health
Board of Review Characteristics

An informal, friendly growth experience. Not an interrogation, not
a retesting of a Scout’s competence

In a good BoR, you may listen more than you speak

Determines the Scout’s attitude and acceptance of Scouting’s
ideals, both in the unit and outside of it

An informal conversation between the Scout and a group of
adults who are interested in his welfare and are supportive of his
efforts

Checks on “health of the unit”

Reviews with Scout the requirements for the next rank and
motivates him to continue on the path

Lasts approx. 15 minutes (Eagle BoR is approx. 30 -45 minutes)
Who Conducts the Board of Review?
Tenderfoot through Life, Eagle Palms
Who

At least 3, not more than 6
members
Who Does Not

Scout’s Unit Leader or
Assistant Unit Leaders (SM,
Asst. SM, Coach, Asst. Coach,
Advisor, Asst. Advisor)

Must be over 21 years old

Unit Committee Members

Relatives of the Scout

One member serves as
chair

Parent or Guardian of the
Scout

Other Scouts
Tenderfoot Through First Class BoR

Time to know the Scout better, reviewing his progress in
achievements, and discussing how he felt about the various
steps he has taken on the Scouting trail

Should not be a time of retesting, but rather a time to reflect
on the skills learned and how the Scout has absorbed the
ideals of Scouting

Questions at these ranks could deal with campouts, activities,
etc.

May deal with how he is getting along with other Scouts

How does he exhibit the Scouting ideals outside the unit

Time to ask the Scout how he feels about the unit’s program,
whether he feels he is learning anything and is he having fun

Time to assess his Scout spirit
Star & Life Board of Review

The Star and Life boards of review will be a bit longer than
previous ones

The Scout will have acquired many more skills and will
demonstrate more maturity

Leadership will be one of the significant topics to be
discussed

Each of these ranks involves service projects, and you should
ask the Scout how he felt about the projects

As before, you will also be evaluating his Scout spirit

By this time, you will have reached certain conclusions about
the Scout, but remember that at these ages, the Scout will be
able to change fundamentally much quicker than you would
imagine and the BoR may be an occasion for you to
reevaluate the Scout
Eagle Palm Board of Review

Encourage the Scout to remain connected to the unit in a
visible way. Do not be discouraged if a high school student is
less able to devote his spare time to Scouting

You should be able to tell if a Scout is living up to the ideals of
Scouting outside the unit as well as inside it

Eagle Palm boards of review are opportunities to have a giveand-take discussion with the very best in Scouting

Always conclude these boards of review with words of
encouragement - Enjoy it!
When & Where to Hold a Unit Level BoR
When
 Consider monthly (for larger units, maybe weekly)
 Possibly at the same time as a unit meeting
 BSA training guide suggest “Ideally, a Scout should sit for a
Board of Review every six months, whether he is
advancing or not”
Where
 Where board members and Scout are only ones aware of
what is going on
 Where there is no possibility of embarrassing Scout in front
of others
 Possible locations such as:
- Room in chartered organization's facility
- Conference room at office of a board member
- A campout or summer camp
Mechanics of Advancement BoR





Scout neat in appearance, uniform “correct as possible”
Introductions of Scout to BoR members
BoR Chair can ask the Scout to come to attention, and recite
one or more of the following: The Scout Law, The Scout Oath,
The Scout Motto, The Scout Slogan
BoR members are invited to ask Scout open ended questions
Deliberation
- Scout leaves the room
- Have a discussion that leads to a unanimous decision
- Most stressful part of the process for the Scout, should not take long

Scout notified of Board’s decision
- End BoR by praising the Scout for the positive aspects of:
his character, his skill level, and/or his accomplishments
- Scout holds his new rank as of the date of the BoR

Present the badge of rank as soon as practical after BoR
Advancement Report



The Advancement Report for a rank advancement must be
signed by all BoR members (at least 3 adults)
If a Scout has BoRs for Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st Class on
the same day, they may be all listed on the same report.
Multiple Scouts may be listed on a report, as long as the BOR
members are the same.


Note: For LDS units that have a Troop, Team & Crew, submit separate
Advancement Reports for each unit.
BoRs held on different dates must be submitted on separate
Advancement Reports
At least 2 add’l
BoR members
sign
BoR Chair
signature
Enter each
Scout’s name,
BoR date, &
Rank earned
Enter date of BoR
Challenges for Boards of Review



Some Scouts may freeze up or forget simple items at the
BoR. The board should encourage and support these boys in
a friendly, kind, and courteous manner and help them become
more comfortable.
A Scout who is poorly prepared for the board, one who clearly
has not achieved what his book says that he has, is a product,
as much of his own merits as of the merits of those who have
brought him to the board. This does not grant carte blanche to
the ill-prepared Scout, but it does give the board a way to
understand what must be done and to help the Scout.
Understanding any substituted rank requirements (preapproved for Scouts with disabilities). The board members
should be briefed prior to meeting with the Scout.
Challenges for Boards of Review

(cont.)
Defining and measuring Scout Spirit
It is how a Scout lives and conducts his daily life. He shows
Scout spirit by being a role model to his peers, living by the
Scout Oath and Law. It is not based on how many Scouting
events or outings a Scout attends, but rather by how he helps
bring out the best in others as a reflection of his own
character and attitude in his daily life.

A Scout is to “be active in your unit and patrol”, consider:
•
Is he currently registered in the unit (has paid registration fees)
•
Has he been dismissed from the unit for disciplinary reasons
•
In communication with the unit leader on a regular basis, such as:
• Phone calls
• E-mail invite to activities
• Scout Master Conference

Units may not create their own definition of active;
- this is a National standard
Duty to God




Discussion of a Scout’s religion may be appropriate at a BoR,
but it should be done with respect and appreciation for the
variety of faiths and beliefs in the United States
Scouting maintains that no member can grow into the best
kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God
The BSA recognizes the religious element in the training of
the Scout, but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude
toward that religious training
A Scout may fulfill this duty without being a member of a
particular denomination or religion
“Non-Advancement” BoR

Reasons to have a Board of Review may include
- Scout's lack of advancement
- Perceived trouble in the unit
-A
certain event at the last campout or unit meeting

Guidance and care should be shown to encourage
advancement

Ask the kind of questions that may reveal why Scout is not
advancing

If resolving a problem, should be non-confrontational
BoR & Health of the Unit
The Board of Review can contribute to maintaining a healthy unit. It
is the ideal place to encourage leadership, to check on problems the
Scoutmaster sees arising, to head off future problems, and to make
sure the Scout is on track to accomplish the goals and methods of
Scouting.
The Board of Review should:
 Be a way of encouraging the individual Scout
 Assess the needs and desires of a Scout
 Encourage and support the Scout
 Help the Scout to see himself in the greater context of
Scouting
 Encourage personal growth, both in skills and in living up to
the ideals of Scouting
The Board of Review should NOT:
 Be a heavy-handed interrogation
 Be an attempt at disciplining a wayward Scout
 A retesting of a Scout’s competence
 A marathon session
Denying Advancement

BoR training guide states “having a Scout deferred for
advancement by the Board of Review is unusual. If there is a
problem (has not met the requirements) with a Scout,
normally he will not be presented to the Board of Review”

Board should give the Scout the opportunity of learning what
he needs to do to advance

Scout should be given a definite time for a subsequent Board
of Review

Follow-up letter from the committee must be sent confirming
agreement and necessary actions

Scout should be given appeal procedure information if he
disagrees with BoR decision
Appealing a Decision
Appeals of BoR decisions will be made, principally because the Scout
believes his opportunity to achieve Eagle are diminishing.
When can appeals occur?
 Unit leader or unit committee does not recommend a Scout for a
BoR or fails to sign an Eagle rank application
 If a Board of Review does not find favorably for the candidate
Appeal can be made by the Scout, his leader, or the Scout’s parent\guardian.
The “Appeal Chain” is to the next highest level:
Unit
 District
Council
National Boy Scout Committee
Committee to whom the appeal is addressed will promptly review the facts:
 All parties must be interviewed by the committee, hopefully without
confrontation
 A written report with all details will be prepared by the reviewing
committee and forwarded to the National Boy Scout Committee.
(Appeals to the National Boy Scout Committee are made only through
the local council. There is no direct appeal by a Scout or Unit)
Varsity and BoRs
Boy Scout Rank Advancement for Varsity Scouts
 All Varsity Scouts may continue to work towards all Scout ranks
up to his 18th birthday
 He must meet the requirements as prescribed in the official Boy
Scout Handbook and the current Boy Scout tequirements.

The Varsity Scout fulfills leadership requirements by serving as
Captain, Co-Captain, Program Manager, Squad Leader, Team
Secretary, OA Team Rep, Librarian, Historian, Quartermaster,
Chaplain Aide, Instructor or Den Chief for his Team

The Scoutmaster conference will be conducted by the Varsity
Coach

As the Varsity Scout meets requirements for the Star and Life
ranks, a Board of Review will be conducted by the Team
Committee

The Eagle Scout BoR follows the procedures established by the
local Council
Venturing and BoRs
Boy Scout Rank Advancement for Venturers
 Any male Venturer who has achieved the First Class rank as a
Boy Scout in a Troop or Varsity Scout in a Team may continue
advancement toward the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks up to
his 18th birthday

He must meet the requirements as prescribed in the official Boy
Scout Handbook and the current Boy Scout requirements.

The Venturer fulfills leadership requirements by serving as
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Den Chief,
Quartermaster, or Historian of his Crew.

The Scoutmaster conference will be conducted by the Advisor.

As the Venturer meets requirements for the Star and Life ranks, a
Board of Review will be conducted by the Crew Committee

The Eagle Scout BoR follows the procedures established by the
local Council
Who Conducts the Board of Review?
Eagle Scout Rank



Who
O.C. Council decided that
Eagle BoR is at District level
Minimum 3, Maximum 6
members, age 21 or older
Do not have to be
registered in Scouting but
must understand
importance and purpose of
Eagle BoR

Who Does Not
Unit Leader or Assistant
Unit Leaders (SM
introduces Scout to BoR)

Relatives of Scout

Parent or Guardian of the
Scout
Resources for Board of Review:

Every aspect of advancement procedures is discussed in the
Advancement and Recognition Policies and Procedures (No.
33088), which is updated and reprinted annually

Committee members should have a copy of the Troop Committee
Guidebook (No. 34505)

Supplemental Training module “BoR Training” publication 18625
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/TrainingModules/BoardofReviewTraining.aspx

Boy Scout Requirements online
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards.aspx

BoR District Guide with sample questions
http://www.macscouter.com/Scoutmaster/BoR_Guide.asp
(while useful this is not an official BSA site)
Questions? contact: Pat Robinson, Saddleback District Adv. Chair
E-mail: jeptr@aol.com