The primary purpose of a board of review is to review a Scout's advancement record and pass him to his next rank, or -- in rare cases -- to counsel a Scout who has not been advancing. The board process is an important part of the Boy Scout experience and benefits both the Troop and the Scout. It's an important way for the troop committee to gain feedback on troop activities, as Scouts are encouraged to let the Board know what he likes and dislikes about the troop, what ideas he has for activities, etc. It's also an excellent opportunity for a Scout to gain experience in the interview process -- a skill which will come in handy when job hunting a few years down the road. With this in mind, the Troop Committee has established some guidelines for Scouts in preparing for a board of review.
1) Wear your complete uniform. If you were interviewing for a job, you would be expected to be appropriately dressed. The appropriate dress for a Boy Scout Board of Review is the Boy Scout Class A uniform. This means shirt (with insignia in the proper places), pants, belt, and neckerchief with slide.
2) Bring your handbook -- all requirements for that rank should be signed off. Also, bring the paper that shows successful completion of the Spirit Board, and, bring any blue merit badge completion cards that relate to the rank for which you are being reviewed if they have not yet been recorded by the advancement chairperson.
3) When you enter the room where the board is convened you will see a chair waiting for you at the Board table, but before you sit in it:
a) Stand at attention facing the board members. (This means stand straight and take your hands out of your pockets).
b) State your name and the rank for which you are being reviewed. If you are not being reviewed for a rank advancement, just say so.
c) Hand your book, cards, and spirit board completion form to the board chairman.
d) When you are given permission, sit down.
4) The Chairman of the board of review will share the information in your handbook and cards with the other members of the board. This is done as a double-check to make sure you have everything signed off in your book. Of course you should "Be Prepared" -- double check the book yourself yourself before going in to the board.
5) The members of the board will ask you some questions. Some questions will be about the specific skills you have acquired while working towards your next rank. Some will be about how you have made Scouting a part of your everyday life. Some questions will be about how you think the Troop can improve. Here are some sample questions:
a) What have you done today to follow the Scout motto? The Scout slogan? The ___th point of the Scout Law?
b) What service project(s) have you done? Did you enjoy it? Do you have ideas for other service projects?
c) What did you enjoy most about working for this rank?
d) What progress have you made in working towards your next rank?
e) When do you expect to finish your next rank?
f) What are your long range goals in the Scouting program?
Keep in mind that these questions are just samples. The board members will ask a wide variety of questions and, with advancing rank, expect the questions to be a bit more thought provoking.
6) After you have answered the questions, you will be excused while the board members discuss whether or not they feel you are prepared to advance to the next rank. You will then be called back to the room and told what the board of review has decided.
7) While, in most cases, you will not be presented your next rank until the next Court of Honor, your official date of the new rank is the day that it was approved by the Board of Review. The clock for time requirements for your next rank begins ticking when the board approves your advancement, not when you are recognized at the Court of Honor. Just a reminder -- it is very important that you save all of your rank cards and merit badge cards. You will need them when you are before your EAGLE SCOUT BOARD OF REVIEW!!!!!
This links to the MacScouter page that has lots of good information on Boards of Review including sample questions you might be asked. This is recommended reading for both Scouts and members of the Board of Review. (Click here to link to MacScouter)
This page last updated 11 Jan 08