A Guide to Conducting Boards of Review
 This document was originally written by Ray Klaus when he was District Advancement Chairman for Saddleback District, Orange County Council, BSA (1994-1995). It was designed to assist units in conducting Boards of Review. It is only a guide; units are encouraged to modify it as appropriate to their use. The procedures defined are, for the most part, typical for Saddleback District, Orange County Council, BSA as they were in 1995.
The staff of the US Scouting Service Project, Inc. has modified the document slightly to incorporate their understanding of BSA Standards regarding Boards of Review.
Table
of Contents
Purpose of a Board of Review:
The members of a Board of
Review should have the following objectives in mind:
- To make sure the Scout
has completed the requirements for the rank.
- To see how good an experience
the Scout is having in the unit.
- To encourage the Scout
to progress further.
Additionally, the Board
of Review provides "quality control" on advancement within the unit, it
provides an opportunity for the Scout to develop and practice those skills
needed in a interview situation, and it is an opportunity for the Scout
to review his accomplishments.
The Board of Review is NOT
a retest; the Scout has already been tested on the skills and activities
required for the rank. However, the chairman of the Board of Review should
ensure that all the requirements have been "signed off" in the Scout's
handbook. Additionally, the chairman should ensure that leadership and
merit badge records are consistent with the requirements for the rank.
The Board of Review is an
opportunity to review of the Scout's attitudes, accomplishments and his
acceptance of Scouting's ideals.
Composition of a Board
of Review:
For all ranks (except Eagle) and Eagle palms, the Board of Review consists of three to six members of the Troop Committee. The Troop Advancement Chairperson typically acts as the chairperson of the Board of Review. Relatives or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout's Board of Review.
Unit leaders (Scoutmasters, Venturing Advisors, Team Coaches, Skippers, and their Assistants) also may not participate in a Board of Review.
For the rank of Eagle, the
Board of Review consists of three to six members drawn from Scouting and
the community. The members of the Board of Review are selected by the
District Advancement Committee; at least one member of the District Advancement
Committee must be a member of the Board of Review for Eagle, and serves
as chairperson of the Board of Review. Unit leaders from the Scout's unit,
relatives, or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout's Board of
Review for Eagle. A Board of Review for Eagle may contain members of the
community who are not registered Scouters; however, they should be knowledgeable
of the principles of Scouting. For example, a representative from a chartering
organization, an adult Eagle Scout (even if not currently registered),
or a religious leader are frequently asked to assist with an Eagle Board
of Review. The Scout may request an individual to be a member of his Board
of Review. As a general rule, no more than one member of an Eagle Board
should be associated with the Scout's unit.
Mechanics of a Board of
Review:
The Scout is introduced
to the board by the Chairperson of the board.
The Scout should be in full
uniform (local or unit custom may dictate regarding neckerchief and badge
sash).
However, while preferred, a uniform is NOT mandatory.
The chairman of the Board
of Review should 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 Slan
- The Outdoor Code
For the lower ranks, one
or two (usually the Law and Oath) should be sufficient. For higher ranks,
more may be expected. One or two re-tries are appropriate, especially
for younger Scouts, or if the Scout appears nervous.
The board members are invited
to ask questions of the Scout (see the sections appropriate to each rank).
The questions should be open-ended, offering an opportunity for the Scout
to speak about his opinions, experiences, activities, and accomplishments.
Avoid questions which only require a simple one or two word answer. If
an answers is too brief, follow up with a, "Why?" or, "How can that be
done?" to expand the answer. The questions need not be restricted to Scouting
topics; questions regarding home, church, school, work, athletics, etc.
are all appropriate. The Chairperson should be made aware of any "out-of-bounds" areas; these should be communicated to the board before the Board of Review
begins (e.g., if a Scout is experiencing family difficulties due to a
divorce, it would be prudent to avoid family issues.)
The time for a Board of
Review should be from 15 to 30 minutes, with the shorter time for the
lower ranks. When all members have had an opportunity to ask their questions,
the Scout is excused from the room. The board members then consider whether
the Scout is ready for the next rank; the board's decision must be unanimous.
Once the decision is made, the Scout is invited back into the room, and
the Chairperson informs the Scout of the board's decision. If the Scout
is approved for the next rank, there are general congratulations and hand
shakes all around, and the Scout is encouraged to continue advancing.
If there are issues which prevent the Scout from advancing to the next
rank, the board must detail the precise nature of the deficiencies. The
Scout must be told specifically what must be done in order to be successful
at the next Board of Review. Typically, an agreement is reached as to
when the Scout may return for his subsequent Board of Review. The Chairperson
must send a written follow up, to both the Scout and the Scoutmaster,
regarding the deficiencies and the course of action needed to correct
them.
Mechanics of a Board of
Review for Eagle Rank
The mechanics of a Board
of Review for Eagle are similar to all other Boards of Review, except
that a Board of Review for Eagle is more in depth, and might last as long
as 45 minutes to an hour. Additionally, the Eagle Scout Rank Application,
Letters of Recommendation (minimum of 3) and Eagle Project Notebook must
be present and reviewed by the board. Questions about these documents
are appropriate, but the letters of recommendation are for the board's
use only; any comments or questions about them should not reveal who wrote
the letters. The letters are retained by the District Advancement Chairperson,
and are never given to the Scout. After the application has been approved
by National Eagle Board of Review and returned to the local council (typically
4-6 weeks), the letters of recommendation are destroyed.
The Nature of the Questions:
On the following pages are
typical Board of Review questions for each rank. The questions for the
lower ranks are simpler and generally deal with factual information about
the Scout's participation in his unit, and his approach to applying the
skills he has learned toward earning the next rank. The questions for
the higher ranks are less factual, and generally seek to aid understanding
of how Scouting is becoming an integral part of the Scout's life. Remember:
it is not the point of a Board of Review to retest the Scout. However,
questions like, "Where did you learn about ..." or "Why do you think it
is important for a [rank] Scout to have this skill?" are valid.
If a Scout appears nervous
or anxious about the Board of Review, it might be appropriate to ask one
or two questions from the list for a lower rank, to help "break the ice"
and establish some rapport. In general, within a rank, the questions are
arranged from "easiest" to "most difficult".
For each rank, there is
a question about advancing to the next rank. The purpose of this question
is to encourage advancement, but it should not be asked in a way that
pressures the Scout. [Note: If the Board of Review is for the Life rank,
and the Scout is at or near his 17th birthday, some pressure towards Eagle
may be in order. At the very least, be certain that the Scout realizes
that his time is running out.]
For higher ranks, there
is a question from The Boy Scout Handbook about basic Scouting history.
For Order of the Arrow members,
there are questions about the role of OA within Scouting.
More questions are provided
than can typically be accommodated in the time suggested. The Board of
Review will need to select the questions which are appropriate for the
particular Scout and his experiences.
These questions are intended
to only serve as a guide. Units should freely add to, or remove from,
these lists as they feel appropriate.
What Every Scout Should
Know
Scout Oath:
On my honor I
will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law:
As Scout is ...
Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
Reverent.
Scout Motto:
Be Prepared.
Scout Slogan:
Do a good turn
daily.
Outdoor Code:
As an American,
I will do my best to --
Be clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation-minded.
Tenderfoot Rank
This is the Scout's first
experience with a Board of Review. The process may require some explanation
on the part of the Board of Review Chairperson.
The first few questions
in the Board of Review should be simple. The Board of Review should try
to gain a sense of how the Scout is fitting in to the Troop, and the Scout's
level of enjoyment of the Troop and Patrol activities.
Encourage advancement to
2nd Class. Point out that the Scout may have already completed many of
the requirements for 2nd Class.
The approximate time for
this Board of Review should be 15-20 minutes.
Sample Questions:
- When did you join our
Troop?
- How many Troop meetings
have you attended in the last two months?
- What did you do at your
last patrol meeting?
- Tell us about your last
Troop campout.
- How would the first aid
skills you must know for Tenderfoot help on a campout?
- Where did you learn how
to fold the American flag? Tell us about your first experience with
this skill.
- How would you avoid poison
oak (poison ivy, sumac)?
- Where did you go on your
hike? How did you choose the location?
- If you were on a hike
and got lost, what would you do?
- Why do we whip or fuse
the ends of a rope?
- What is the "Buddy System"
that we use in Scouting? When do we use it?
- Why do you think there
are physical fitness requirements (push-ups, pull-ups, etc.), and a
retest after 30 days, for the Tenderfoot rank?
- What does it mean to
a Tenderfoot Scout to "Be Prepared"?
- Do you feel that you
have done your best to complete the requirements for Tenderfoot? Why?
- What "good turn" have
you done today?
- Please give us an example
of how you obey the Scout Law at home (school, church)?
- What do you like best
about our Troop?
- What does it mean for
a Scout to be "Kind"?
- Do you have any special
plans for this summer? The Holidays?
- When do you plan to have
the requirements completed for 2nd Class?
2nd Class Rank
This is the Scout's second
Board of Review. The process should be familiar, unless it has been some
time since the Board of Review for Tenderfoot.
Questions should focus on
the use of the Scout skills learned for this rank, without retesting these
skills. The Board of Review should try to perceive how the Scout's patrol
is functioning, and how this Scout is functioning within his patrol.
Encourage work on the remaining
requirements for 1st Class; many of the easier ones may have already been
completed.
The approximate time for
this Board of Review should be 15-20 minutes.
Sample Questions:
- How many patrol meetings
have you attended in the last 3 months?
- What did your patrol
do at its last meeting?
- Tell us about a service
project in which you participated.
- Where did you go on your
last Troop campout? Did you have a good time? Why?
- Why is it important to
be able to identify animals found in your community?
- Tell us about the flag
ceremony in which you participated.
- What is in your personal
first aid kit?
- What have you learned
about handling woods tools (axes, saws, etc.)?
- How are a map of the
area and a compass useful on a campout?
- Have you ever done more
than one "good turn" in a day? Ask for details.
- Have you earned any merit
badges?
If "Yes": Which
ones? Why did you choose them? Who was your counselor?
If "No": Encourage getting started, and suggest one or two of the
easier ones.
Did you attend summer
camp with our Troop last summer?
If "Yes": What
was your best (worst) experience at summer camp?
If "No": Why not?
Do you plan to attend
summer camp with our Troop next summer?
If "Yes": What
are you looking forward to doing at summer camp?
If "No": Why not?
- What suggestions do you
have for improving our Troop?
- How do you help out at
home, church, school?
- What class in school
is most challenging for you? Why?
- One of the requirements
for Tenderfoot is to participate in a program regarding drug, alcohol
and tobacco abuse. Tell us about the program in which you participated.
- How is it possible to
live the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life?
- What does it mean to
say, "A Scout is Trustworthy"?
- When do you expect to
complete the requirements for 1st Class?
1st Class Rank
By this point the Scout
should be comfortable with the Board of Review process.
The Scout should be praised
for his accomplishment in achieving 1st Class (particularly if he joined
Boy Scouts less than a year ago). In achieving the rank of 1st Class,
the Scout should feel an additional sense of responsibility to the troop
and to his patrol.
The 1st Class rank will
produce additional opportunities for the Scout (Order of the Arrow, leadership,
etc.).
Merit badges will begin
to play a role in future advancement to the Star and Life ranks. Encourage
merit badge work if it has not already begun.
The approximate time for
this Board of Review should be 20 minutes.
Sample Questions:
- On average, how many
Troop meetings do you attend each month?
- What part of Troop meetings
are most rewarding to you?
- What is the Scout Slogan?
What does it mean for a 1st Class Scout?
- Tell us about your last
campout with the Troop. Where did you go? How did you help with meal
preparation? Did you have a good time? (If "No", why not?)
- If you were in charge
of planning and preparing a dinner for your next campout, what would
you select?
- As a 1st Class Scout,
what do you think the Star, Life, and Eagle Scouts will expect from
you on an outing?
- Does your family do any
camping? What have you learned in Scouts, that you have been able to
share with your family to improve their camping experiences?
- Why do you think that
swimming is emphasized in Scouting?
- Why is it important for
you to know how to transport a person who has a broken leg?
- Why is it important for
you to be able to recognize local plant life?
- What did you learn about
using a compass while completing the orienteering requirement?
- What does it mean to
say, "A Scout is Courteous"?
- Why are merit badges
a part of Scouting?
- How frequently do you
attend religious services? Does your whole family attend?
- What is your most favorite
part of Scouting? Least favorite?
- How does a Scout fulfill
his "Duty to Country"?
- How do you define "Scout
Spirit"?
- What is the Order of
the Arrow? What is the primary function of OA?
- Who was Lord Baden-Powell?
- When do you think you
might be ready for Star Scout?
Star Rank
With the Star rank, emphasis
is placed upon service to others, merit badges, and leadership. Scout
skills remain an important element for the Star Scout; however, the emphasis
should be on teaching other Scouts these skills.
Explore how the Star scout
can assist with leading his patrol and troop. Attempt to understand how
the Scouting philosophy is becoming part of the Scout's life.
Often the Star rank is a
place where Scouts "stall out". Encourage the Scout to remain active,
and participate fully in his patrol and troop. If the Scout appears to
be looking for additional opportunities, suggest leadership positions
such as Den Chief or Troop Guide.
The approximate time for
this Board of Review should be 20 minutes.
Sample Questions:
- How many Troop outings
have you attended in the last three months?
- Tell us about the last
service project in which you participated.
- What does it mean for
a Star Scout to "Be Prepared" on a daily basis?
- How have the Scout skills
that you have learned helped you in a non-Scouting activity?
- How many merit badges
have you earned? What was the most difficult (fun, challenging, expensive,
etc.)?
- Which is more important:
Becoming a Star Scout, or learning the skills prescribed for a Star
Scout?
- Why do you think a Scoutmaster's
Conference is required for advancement in rank?
- What is the most important
part of a Troop Court of Honor? Why?
- What leadership positions
have you held outside of your patrol? What challenges did they present?
What are your personal leadership goals and objectives?
- How would you get a Scout
to do an unpleasant task?
- What extracurricular
activities do you participate in at school?
- What responsibilities
do you have at home?
- What is our "Duty to
God"?
- What does it mean to
say "A Scout is Loyal"?
- How are the Scout Oath
and Law part of your daily life?
- What is the Outdoor Code?
Why is it important?
- If the Scout is a member
of the Order of the Arrow:
When did you
complete your "Ordeal", "Brotherhood"?
What does membership in the OA signify?
- Have you received any
special awards or accomplishments in school, athletics, or church?
- Baden-Powell's first
Scout outing was located on an island off the coast of Great Britain;
what was the name of that island? [Answer: Brownsea Island]
- When do you plan on achieving
the Life rank?
Life Rank
The Life rank is the final
rank before Eagle. The Life Scout should be fully participating in the
Troop, with emphasis being placed on leadership in the unit, as well as
teaching skills and leadership to the younger Scouts.
Merit Badge work should
be a regular part of the Scout's career. Scouting values and concepts
should be an integral part of the Scout's daily life.
At this point, the Scout
is starting to "give back to Scouting" through leadership, training of
other Scouts, recruiting, keeping Scouts active in the program, etc.
Explore suggestions for
improving the program.
The approximate time for
this Board of Review should be 20 - 30 minutes.
Sample Questions:
- What is the most ambitious
pioneering project with which you have assisted? Where?
- What has been your worst
camping experience in Scouting?
- How many patrol meetings
has your patrol held in the last three months? How many of them have
you attended?
- Have any of the merit
badges you have earned lead to hobbies or possible careers?
- What are your hobbies?
- Of the merit badges you
have earned, which one do you think will be of greatest value to you
as an adult? Why?
- Why do you think that
the three "Citizenship" merit badges are required for the Eagle Rank?
- What is your current
(most recent) leadership position within the Troop? How long have you
held that position? What particular challenges does it present? What
is Leadership?
- Do you have any brothers
or sisters who are in Scouts (any level)? What can you do to encourage
them to continue with Scouts, and to move forward along the Scouting
Trail?
- How do you choose between
a school activity, a Scout activity, and a family activity?
- Why do you think that
Star and Life Scouts are required to contribute so much time to service
projects? What service projects are most rewarding to you? Why?
- Why do you think that
a Board of Review is required for rank advancement?
- How has Scouting prepared
you for the future?
- What does it mean to
say, "A Scout is Reverent"?
- What does "Scout Spirit"
mean to a Life Scout?
- Why do you think that
Scouting for Food is referred to as a "National Good Turn".
- The Scout Oath refers
to "Duty to Self"; what duty do we have to ourselves?
- If the Scout is a member
of OA:
What role does
OA play in Scouting?
What honor do you hold in OA?
What is the difference between Scout "ranks" and OA "honors"?
- In what year was Boy
Scouts of America founded? [Answer: February 8, 1910 - BSA Birthday]
- Have you begun to think
about an Eagle Service Project? What are you thinking about doing? When?
Eagle Rank
The Board of Review for
the Eagle Rank is different from the other Boards of Review in which the
Scout has participated. The members of the Board of Review are not all
from his Troop Committee. Introductions are essential, and a few "break
in" questions may be appropriate.
At this point, the goal
is to understand the Scout's full Scouting experience, and how others
can have similar meaningful Scouting experiences. Scouting principles
and goals should be central to the Scout's life; look for evidence of
this.
Although this is the final
rank, this is not the end of the Scouting trail; "Once an Eagle, always
an Eagle". Explore how this Eagle Scout will continue with Scouting activities,
and continued service to his home, church, and community.
The approximate time for
this Board of Review should be 30 - 50 minutes.
Sample Questions:
- What would you suggest
adding to the Scout Law (a thirteenth point)? Why?
- What one point could
be removed from the Scout Law? Why?
- Why is it important to
learn how to tie knots, and lash together poles and logs?
- What is the difference
between a "Hollywood hero" and a real hero?
- Can you give me an example
of someone who is a hero to you? (A real person, not a character in
a book or movie.)
- Why do you think that
the Family Life merit badge was recently added to the list of required
merit badges?
- What camping experience
have you had, that you wish every Scout could have?
- Have you been to Philmont
or a National (International) Jamboree? What was your most memorable
experience there?
- What is the role of the
Senior Patrol Leader at a troop meeting (campout, summer camp)?
- If you could change one
thing to improve Scouting, what would you change?
- What do you believe our
society expects from an Eagle Scout?
- The charge to the Eagle
requires that you give back to Scouting more than Scouting has given
to you. How do you propose to do that?
- As an Eagle Scout, what
can you personally do to improve your unit?
- What will you be doing
in your unit, after receiving your Eagle Rank?
- Tell us how you selected
your Eagle Service Project.
- From your Eagle Service
Project, what did you learn about managing or leading people? What are
the qualities of a good leader?
- What part of your Eagle
Service Project was the most challenging? Why?
- If you were to manage
another project similar to your Eagle Service Project, what would you
do differently to make the project better or easier?
- What are your future
plans (high school, college, trade school, military, career, etc.)?
- Tell us about your family
(parents, siblings, etc.). How do you help out at home?
- What do you think is
the single biggest issue facing Scouting in the future?
- How do your friends outside
of Scouting react when they learn that you are a Boy Scout? How do you
think they will react when they learn that you have become an Eagle
Scout?
- Why do you think that
belief in God (a supreme being) is part of the Scouting requirements?
- How do you know when
a Scout is "active" in his unit?
- You have been in Scouting
for many years, sum up all of those experiences in one word. Why?
- What one thing have you
gained from your Scoutmaster's conferences over the years?
- How does an Eagle Scout
continue to show Scout Spirit?
- If the Scout is a member
of the Order of the Arrow:
What does OA
membership mean to you?
How does OA help Scouting and your unit?
- Who brought Scouting
from England to the United States? [Answer: William D. Boyce]
- [Traditional last questions]
Why should this Board of Review approve your request for the Eagle Rank?
or Why should you be an Eagle Scout?
Eagle Palms
Eagle Palms are awarded
for continued leadership and skills development (merit badges) after the
Eagle Rank has been earned. The purpose of this Board of Review is to
ensure that the Eagle Scout remains active within the unit, contributes
to the leadership of the unit, and assists with the growth of the other
Scouts within the unit.
The approximate time for
this Board of Review should be 15 minutes.
Sample Questions:
- As an Eagle, have the
Scout Oath and Law gained new meaning for you? How?
- Why is it important to
developing and identify leadership? How do you do this?
- Since earning your Eagle,what
merit badges have you earned?
- Since earning your Eagle
(last Palm), in what service projects have you participated?
- How do you plan to continue
your involvement with Scouting?
- What would you say to
a Life Scout who is only minimally active within his unit, and who does
not seem motivated to continue along the Scouting Trail?
- If a Life Scout was having
difficulty selecting an Eagle Service Project, what would you suggest
to him?
- What is the primary role
of the Scoutmaster?
- How have you begun to
"... give back to Scouting more than Scouting has given to you".
- In what year was the
first World Jamboree held? [Answer: 1920]
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