Common Terms

We know, Scouters have a lingo all our own... Below are some common terms to help you out

Adult Positions:

• Scoutmaster - Unit Leader
• ASM - Assistant Scoutmaster, reports to Scoutmaster
• Committee - Adults behind the scenes helping make the program happen.
• Committee Chair - Leads the Committee and works with the Chartering Org.
• Charter Organization - Roswell United Methodist Church (RUMC) - Owns Troop
• Charter Org Representative - Adult from RUMC that oversees the Unit. Jason Scott is ours

Youth Positions:

• SPL - Senior Patrol Leader - Leads the Troop with guidance from Scoutmaster
• ASPL - Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - Aids the SPL.
• Patrol Leader - Leader of a Patrol
• APL - Assistant Patrol Leader - Aids the Patrol Leader
• Troop Guide - Leads the Bees Patrol

Other Terms:

BoR - Board of Review:

8.0.0.1 Purpose and Timeliness of Boar of Review

• After a Scout has completed the requirements for any rank or Eagle Palm, he appears before a board of review. Its purpose is to determine the quality of his experience and decide whether he has fulfilled the requirements for the rank. If so, the board not only approves his advancement or Palm but also encourages him to continue the quest for the next rank or Palm. Because the board of review date becomes the effective advancement date, boards should be scheduled promptly as Scouts are ready, or set up on a regular basis that assures Scouts are not delayed in beginning time-oriented requirements for the next rank.

Note that Scouts must be registered through the time they are working on advancement requirements, but need not be registered thereafter or when their board of review is conducted.

8.0.0.2 Boards of Review Must Be Granted When Requirements Are Met:

• A Scout shall not be denied this opportunity. When he believes he has completed all the requirements for a rank, including a Scoutmaster conference, a board of review must be granted. Scoutmasters—or councils or districts in the case of the Eagle Scout rank—for example, do not have authority to expect a boy to request or organize one, or to “defer” him, or to ask him to perform beyond the requirements in order to be granted one. In a case where there is concern the Scout has not fulfilled the requirements for a rank as written, it is appropriate to advise the young man that he might not pass the board and to make suggestions about what he might do to improve his chances for success. It is, however, the Scout’s decision to go ahead with a board of review or not.

8.0.0.3 Composition of the Board of Review

• A board of review must consist of no fewer than three members and no more than six, all of whom must be at least 21 years of age. For further specifications, see"Particulars for Tenderfoot Through Life Ranks (or Palms),"8.0.2.0, and "Particulars for the Eagle Scout Rank,"8.0.3.0. Unit leaders and assistants shall not serve on aboard of review for a Scout in their own unit. Parents or guardians shall not serve on a board for their son. The candidate or his parent(s) or guardian(s) shall have no part in selecting any board of review members.

8.0.1.1 Not a Retest or "Examination"

Scoutmaster's Conference:

(Scouting Magazine: https://scoutingmagazine.org/2014/12/understanding-scoutmaster-conference/)

WHAT IS A SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE? It’s simply a visit between the Scoutmaster and a Scout. (In a Varsity Scout team, the Coach conducts the conference.) 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 solicit feedback on the troop program and any challenges the Scout is facing.

HOW LONG SHOULD A SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE LAST? Conferences should last 10 to 15 minutes, although those for Eagle Scouts might last 30 minutes or more.

WHERE SHOULD THESE CONFERENCES TAKE PLACE? They can be conducted at troop meetings, during outdoor activities or in the Scout’s home (provided a parent is also present). Given the relaxed nature of many outings, a campsite can be a good setting. Each conference should be a private discussion between the Scoutmaster and a Scout, but it must be held in full view of other people in accordance with the BSA’s Youth Protection policy.

CAN A SCOUT FAIL A SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE? No, it is not a test. Note that a Scout must participate or take part in a conference, not pass it.

CAN THE SCOUTMASTER RETEST THE SCOUT ON REQUIREMENTS? No (nor may the board of review).

IF A SCOUT SETS A GOAL DURING A SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE, DOES HE HAVE TO ACHIEVE IT? No. However, it makes sense to follow up with him later and to provide encouragement. Some Scoutmasters take notes after each conference and review them before meeting with a Scout again.

DOES THE SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE HAVE TO BE THE LAST REQUIREMENT COMPLETED FOR A RANK? No. While it can make sense to hold a conference after other requirements for a rank have been met, the conference doesn’t have to be the last step before the board of review.

CAN I HOLD A SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE FOR A SCOUT WHO IS NOT ADVANCING? Yes. In fact, that would be a good way to find out if the Scout is having problems.

CAN I DELEGATE SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCES TO ANOTHER ADULT LEADER? Yes, under limited circumstances. For example, if the troop is so large that the Scoutmaster can’t handle them all, he or she might delegate some of them to an assistant Scoutmaster. Keep in mind, however, that if a Scout sees different leaders along his trail to Eagle, he won’t have the chance to develop a relationship with the Scoutmaster, and the conferences can’t build on what has been discussed previously.

CAN I DENY A SCOUT A SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE IF I FEEL HE’S NOT READY? No. Since the conference is not a test the Scout can fail, there’s nothing he needs to be ready for.