Steps for Rank Advancement
Are you ready to show your skills and rank advance? Here is the info you will need in order to make that happen!
Your last two requirements for each rank, except Scout rank, are for you to participate in a Scoutmaster Conference while working on that rank and to successfully complete a Board of Review. Please click on the tabs below to learn more about each of these meetings. You can also review the flow chart to determine your next steps!
This message is intended to be read as a Scout who needs understanding of the advancement process. All verbiage of "You" is referring to the Scout! Our hope, as Leaders, is this puts the advancement responsibly on the scout and not the parent(s). See below for additional detail on sending emails.
So what is a Scoutmaster Conference? It’s simply a visit between the Scoutmaster, Mr. Hall and a Scout. During the conference, the two can discuss the Scout’s ambitions and life purpose, set goals for future achievement — both in Scouting and beyond — review the Scout’s participation in the troop and explore his understanding and practice of the ideals of Scouting. The conference also gives the Scoutmaster an opportunity to ask for feedback on the troop program and any challenges the Scout is facing. Mr Hall will also ask if there are any requirements the Scout is struggling to understand or demonstrate in preparation for the Board of Review. This is a great opportunity to ask for help from Mr. Hall or Assistant Scoutmasters.
So what is the purpose of the Board of Review? The goal is to determine the quality of the Scout’s experience and decide if he or she is qualified to advance to the next rank.
The board consists of three to six Troop committee members. A candidate’s Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters and parents or guardians may not sit on his board. Although the Scoutmaster, at request of the candidate, may attend as an observer.
Board members might ask the candidate where he or she learned their skills, who taught them and what he or she gained from fulfilling the requirements. Other good questions would explore how they have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their home, unit, school and community.
Scouts should come dressed in their full Class A uniform with their handbook. A typical Board of Review lasts 45 minutes to an hour.
Once the members are finished asking questions, the board will ask the candidate to leave the room at the end of the meeting while they discuss the Scouts' responses. It is appropriate to call the candidate back if additional questions may provide clarification. After discussion, the board takes a formal or informal vote. The board must agree unanimously for the Scout to receive the rank or Eagle Palm
Once you are ready for a Scoutmaster Conference or Board of Review, you will need to send an email to request each. For a Scoutmaster Conference, please email Mr. Hall at matt.hall@bsatroop65.org and for a Board of Review, please email Mrs. Adams, our Advancement Chair, at advancementchair.troop65@gmail.com.
For both requests, please include a few dates and times that work best for you. You also must include another adult, whether a parent/guardian or another leader in the Troop, to comply with Scouting America Safeguarding Youth policies.
*Parents: Your scout will be using an email address for communicating advancement needs. We are happy for them to use your email address or their own. Please keep in mind that Troop 65 leaders do not provide instruction on how to properly set up, send, or reply to emails. We will leave that task up to you. However, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out.
To help everyone navigate the steps, please check out the flowchart below (note - if viewing on your phone, please turn your phone to landscape to view flow chart)