RANK ADVANCEMENT STEPS:
Boy Scout Handbook. The official rank requirements are found in the most current Boy Scout Handbook. Check the BSA website for information about the current rank requirements.
SCOUTBOOK. Troop 268 uses the SCOUTBOOK database to record all advancement and activity data. The Advancement Chair is tasked with maintaining SCOUTBOOK. It is important that the Scout keeps his records updated every month or so. This can be done by visiting with the Advancement Chair to have accomplishments recorded in SCOUTBOOK.
If you lose your Boy Scout Handbook, and your records are not current, you will need to repeat those requirements that are not recorded in SCOUTBOOK when you create your new book.
It is ultimately the responsibility of the Scout to take care of his Boy Scout Handbook.
The Scout should also keep a journal of his activities within the Troop; service hours, camping nights, leadership positions, attendance at outings, activities and events and so forth.
The Scout learns. A Scout learns from experience. Experiencing the Scouting program is what allows a Scout to complete the requirements for each rank. As he develops knowledge and skills, he is asked to teach others; in this way he begins to develop leadership. This is the learning phase, therefore the Boy Scout Handbook will not be signed during this phase.
The Scout is tested. The Scoutmaster of Troop 268 has designated that Life and Eagle Scouts may test Scouts working on the ranks of Scout through First Class. The Scoutmaster, designated Assistant Scoutmasters and the Advancement Chair may sign off on Star, Life and Eagle requirements. The exceptions to the rule are the requirement for Scout Spirit, which must be signed off by the Scoutmaster or a designated ASM; and attendance and service hours which are signed off by the Advancement Chair. It is during this phase that a Scout may be asked to practice a specific skill. A Scout often repeats steps 1 and 2 until he has satisfactorily completed all of the requirements for a rank.
Scoutmaster Conference. For each rank, the last requirement to be met before the Board of Review is the Scoutmaster Conference (SMC). The Scout should have all requirements except Scout Spirit, Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review completed before requesting a Scoutmaster Conference. The Scout schedules this conference with the Advancement Chair. The Advancement Chair will typically schedule the Scoutmaster Conference for the next regularly scheduled troop meeting.
In order to schedule the SMC, the Scout will need to have his Scout Records verified in SCOUTBOOK and his Scout Account verified by the Troop Treasurer. Therefore, the Scout will need to have his Boy Scout Handbook checked as part of the scheduling process.
There are at most two SMCs scheduled during a troop meeting.
A Scoutmaster Conference and a Board of Review will not be held on the same night for the same Scout.
The Scout is reviewed. This process is known as the Board of Review (BoR). After the Scout completes his Scoutmaster Conference and all other rank requirements, he may register for a Board of Review with the Advancement Chair. When the Scout registers for a Board, he will be given a BoR Registration Form with the date of his Board, instructions on appropriate uniform and Board of Review procedures. The Board of Review will typically take place at the next regularly scheduled troop meeting.
A Scout may only have one Board of Review at a time.
A Scout may not schedule multiple rank advancement Boards of Review for the same meeting.
At most two Boards of Review are held during any given troop meeting.
The Scout is recognized. If the members of the Board of Review have agreed to award a rank to a Scout, his rank advancement is recognized at the next scheduled troop meeting. At which time the Scout will receive the rank badge and pin. The Rank Certificate is formally presented at the next Court of Honor. This certificate or presentation card is important and should be kept in a safe place. There is a fee to replace lost or missing presentation cards.
A Scout must be current on his dues and other paperwork in order to receive his rank, merit badges or presentation cards. If he is not financially current, he will receive a notice from the Troop Treasurer with a request to rectify his Scout Account. If paperwork is missing, he will receive a notice from the Advancement Chair with a request to hand in the specific documents. Once a Scout is current, he will be presented with his achievements.