In these cases, an experienced assistant Scoutmaster can fill in to conduct the Scoutmaster conference. Remember however, that this first Scoutmaster conference is vital to the new Scout’s development. Even in a large troop, a Scoutmaster should not delegate a conference with any candidate for Star, Life, and Eagle.
Who can conduct a Scoutmaster conference?
Typically the Scoutmaster, but if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent the Scoutmaster from holding the conference themselves, an assistant Scoutmaster (21 or older) can be designated to conduct the conference. What about virtual Scoutmaster conferences?
What can the Scoutmaster do for me?
The Scoutmaster can also encourage a boy’s advancement in Scouting by reviewing with him the requirements for his next rank. The Scoutmaster conference can be used as a counseling tool at any time and for a variety of other reasons. Among its many values, the Scoutmaster conference can accomplish the following goals:
What happens at a Scout 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.
Who organizes a Boy Scout advancement Conference?
If a First Class Scout is continuing his Boy Scout advancement work in Venturing or Sea Scouting, his Advisor or Skipper conducts the conference. If the Scout maintains dual registration, the Scoutmaster and Advisor or Skipper should decide who will oversee his Boy Scout advancement.
Can an ASM do a Scoutmaster conference?
No Scout may give a Scoutmaster Conference, only SM or ASMs. First Class Rank and Above: Scoutmaster Conference shall be given only by the Scoutmaster, following approval of Advancement Chair(s) by signature. ASMs cannot give Scoutmaster Conference for the higher ranks.
Can a parent conduct a Scoutmaster conference?
They can be conducted at troop meetings, during outdoor activities or in the Scout’s home (provided a parent is also present).
Can an assistant Scoutmaster sit on a board of review?
The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters are not members of the board of review. The Scoutmaster can introduce the Scout to the board members and may sit with him to hear the board’s decision, but should not be present during the actual board of review.
What is the role of the assistant Scoutmaster?
Assistant Scoutmaster for Program & Leadership Development – This Assistant Scoutmaster is responsible for working with the Patrol Leaders Council to provide assistance with troop and monthly outing planning to foster the provision of a quality program for all scouts of the troop.
Who can give a Scoutmaster conference?
Who can conduct the Scoutmaster conference? Typically the Scoutmaster, but if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent the Scoutmaster from holding the conference themselves, an assistant Scoutmaster (21 or older) can be designated to conduct the conference.
When can you do a Scoutmaster conference?
The Scoutmaster conference is a visit between the Scoutmaster and a Scout. Typically it is held after the Scout completes all requirements for a rank, but before the board of review. The Scoutmaster conference determines if the Scout is ready to go before the board.
Has anyone failed a board of review?
Often failure to pass a board of review is not the fault of the Scout but of the review board. In my 36 years of Scouting experience, from Scoutmaster to district committee chairman, I have found that over-testing of the Scout was the cause of 99 percent of the failures to complete a rank.
Can a Scout fail a board of review?
Statement. If a Scout fails his Board of Review, that Scout can re-test with the Board after 3 or 6 months (depending on rank) of active participation in Troop and Patrol activities.
Do Eagle Scouts get rank in military?
Military rank: Every branch of the U.S. military allows Eagle Scouts to enter at a higher rank and pay grade than others who are not Eagle Scouts. Career: Many employment recruiters look for “Eagle Scout” on a resume, and the positive traits that achievement represents.
How do you become an ASM?
To qualify, you must have the following:Current ASM membership. Join or renew at www.asm.org/membership.Current enrollment as a student or Ph. D. candidate, or have earned a Ph. D. within the past 5 years.Demonstrated leadership in your scientific or academic community.
Who appoints the junior assistant Scoutmaster?
the Senior Patrol LeaderThe junior assistant Scoutmaster is a young man who is at least 16 — but not yet 18 — and is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader with the advice and approval of the Scoutmaster. The junior assistant Scoutmaster, sometimes called a JASM, functions as an assistant Scoutmaster and reports to the Scoutmaster.
What do you call a scout leader?
The Scout Association used the term Scoutmaster originally, but the term Scout Leader is now used. Other adult leaders in the Scout Troop are called Assistant Scout Leaders.
What is a 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.
Where should the Scout conferences take place?
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.
What happens if a Scout sees different leaders along his trail to Eagle?
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 reject a Scout meeting?
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.
Can I hold a Scout meeting for a Scout who is not announcing?
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 a Scout fail a conference?
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.
Does a sprintmaster conference have to be the last step before the board of review?
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.
How to do a Scoutmaster conference?
The Scoutmaster conference can be used as a counseling tool at any time and for a variety of other reasons. Among its many values, the Scoutmaster conference can accomplish the following goals: 1 Establish trust and understanding between a Scout and Scoutmaster. 2 Reinforce the ideals of Scouting. 3 Allow the Scout and Scoutmaster to share ideas and ask questions of one another. 4 Set goals and outline steps for achieving them.
Where can a Scout conference be held?
Conferences can be conducted during troop meetings, during outdoor activities, or at the Scout’s home.
What should a Scout leader discuss with a merit badge?
Preliminary merit badge discussions can lead to conversations about talents and interests, goal setting, and the concept of “challenge by choice.” The benefi ts can be much like those of a well-done Scoutmaster conference. The discussion a Scout is to have with the unit leader is meant to be a growth-oriented and positive conversation. The unit leader should discuss any concerns related to working on the merit badge and provide appropriate counseling. It is then the Scout’s decision whether or not to proceed with the merit badge. The process is intended to inform the Scout about what he may encounter along the way, and perhaps to give him suggestions on how the work might be approached. It also has the purpose of keeping the unit leader up to date with what the members of the unit are doing.
What are some special goals for Scouting?
Special Scouting goals such as Order of the Arrow membership, attending a jamboree, or working on a camp staff. Conclude each Scoutmaster conference by talking with the Scout about goals he would like to achieve, and help him realize he has the ability to accomplish a great deal. Offer praise for his Scout work.
How long is a tenderfoot conference?
Conferences for the ranks of Tenderfoot through Life should be 10 to 15 minutes in length. Those for Eagle Scout might be 30 minutes or more.
Who is the Scoutmaster of Camp Horseshoe?
Clarke has worked with thousands of Scouts and Scouters as a director at his local Scout Camp (Camp Horseshoe), and as a Scoutmaster for 30 years. He is the recipient of a number of awards recognizing his service to Scouting, including the B.S.A.’s Silver Beaver, District Award of Merit, and is a Vigil Honor member of Octoraro Lodge 22. He is author of the blog and podcast at Scoutmastercg.com, The Scouting Journey, and Thoughts on Scouting . An avid outdoorsman and amateur actor, he lives in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania with his wife Teddi.
Is it necessary to hold a rank after other requirements are met?
While it makes sense to hold one after other requirements for a rank are met, it is not required that it be the last step before the board of review.
When can a Scoutmaster conference be scheduled?
It doesn’t have to occur when all the rank requirements are done. It can be scheduled whenever one of the three feels like something needs to be worked out. It can also be done multiple times a rank. It all depends on the situation.
What is a Scoutmaster conference?
Intent: The scoutmaster conference is supposed to be a checkup of how the scout is doing in the patrol, troop, or unit. It’s the “how are things going” or “I noticed… ” type of chit-chat. The requirements have been passed so there shouldn’t be a retest here. In fact, not all the requirements may be done since it could happen at any time.
How to keep troop direction consistent?
Direction: To keep the troop/unit direction consistent, the scoutmaster should do the scoutmaster conference. That is the benefit, privilege and duty of being the scoutmaster. It’s awfully hard to keep a solid direction of the troop focused when other people than the scoutmaster conduct the scoutmaster conferences. It’s nearly impossible to convey the same things in the same way with multiple people leading these meetings. Troops with really big numbers may need to have to delegate this to assistant scoutmasters just out of time concerns. Those scoutmaster delegate (s) should be in absolute lockstep with the scoutmaster in the direction of the troop. There may be times where a scout has a better relationship with an assistant scoutmaster and that’s ok. That assistant scoutmaster and the scoutmaster should confer over it. That doesn’t change the fact that the scoutmaster is the one who has to see how the wind is blowing and a scoutmaster conference is how s/he measures it. I would recommend not to short your scoutmaster by taking that away or diluting it.
What does it mean when a scoutmaster says something funny?
Confidentiality: As a scoutmaster, you may hear some pretty funny stuff coming out of your scout’s mouth! And then you may hear some stuff which could be very personal, private, or scary…basically, content that needs to be followed up with the appropriate people (Youth Protection Training covers this). To the point: if your scout catches you chit-chatting about what was said in the scoutmaster conference then you will surely have some trust issues to mend with that scout.
What should the Scoutmaster do?
Direction: To keep the troop/unit direction consistent, the scoutmaster should do the scoutmaster conference. That is the benefit, privilege and duty of being the scoutmaster. It’s awfully hard to keep a solid direction of the troop focused when other people than the scoutmaster conduct the scoutmaster conferences.
Did my Scoutmaster employ a perfect “by the book” conference?
Did my scoutmaster employ a perfect “by the book” conference? Nope… not by a long shot. But there are a lot of great nuggets to discover by this example. Add some training insights in the mix and you’ve got a recipe for a timeless format for scoutmaster conferences that will work for most young scouts today.
Was my Scoutmaster a good guy?
My scoutmaster was a great guy. He was tired a lot because he would come straight from work, stay with us for a couple hours, and then head home afterwards. When I first met him he appeared gruff, strict, knowledgeable, and no-nonsense. He loved camping. He was a “get it done, boys” kind of leader, setting up his own tent and getting his coffee on the fire. When he said lights out…it was lights out!
Buffalo Skipper
I have some questions about SM Conferences. Our troop is small (but growing). We will be up to about 20 scouts by the end of the crossover season, all but 2 or 3 of whom are fairly active. As such I intend to do all my own SMCs. I do have 2 questions relating to this.
acco40
The Scoutmaster Handbook uses the term “Scoutmaster” very loosely. Sometimes it has the meaning of the Scoutmaster and other times it means the Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmasters.
OldGreyEagle
this is what is stated in the Advancement Committee Guide, Polices and Procedures:
cheffy
Our Troop doubled in size in two years. I learned real quick that as SM I couldn’t do all the SMC’s. I assigned 2 ASM’s to each patrol. Now when the boys need a SMC they go to thier ASM’s. I’ll get a report back from the ASM or many times I’ll sit in. I usually do Satr and up myself.
CNYScouter
Take a look at the Supplemental Training module on Scoutmaster Conferences found at:
Stosh
I concur with the thought that delegating out the SMC is not the best option to follow. With a boy-led program, the SM shouldn’t be so busy so as to not be able to do them. Of course this opens the whole can of worms to just exactly what gets covered in a SMC. Does jaw-jacking around the campfire with a scout about scouting, family, school, etc.
Buffalo Skipper
As always, thanks to the peanut gallery for their frank and open remarks.
Basics about the Scoutmaster conference
The Scoutmaster conference requirement was announced in 1963 and became mandatory in 1965. It has been a requirement ever since.
Tips for your next Scoutmaster conference
The best advice might be this line in the Guide to Advancement: The Scoutmaster conference “is a forum for discussing topics such as ambitions, life purpose, and goals for future achievement, for counseling, and also for obtaining feedback on the unit’s program.”
20 questions to consider asking at your next Scoutmaster conference
We asked those who follow Scouting magazine’s Facebook page to share what questions they like asking at a Scoutmaster conference. Here are some of our favorites:
What the Guide to Advancement says
We’ve covered the basics above, but some readers prefer to get their information from the Guide to Advancement itself. This is from section 4.2.3.5 of the Guide.