Board of Review

The Board of Review is the last step before a Scout advances in rank. It is separate from the Scoutmaster Conference, which comes first. The board is required for every rank from Tenderfoot through Eagle and for the Eagle Palms.

What it is

A board is a panel of parent volunteers, at least three and up to six. Any parent can volunteer; it does not have to be a Troop Committee member. It is not a retest of skills; Scouts were already tested on those. The board talks with the Scout about what they did, what they learned, how it helped them, and whether they enjoy the program. It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, longer for higher ranks.

When the questions are finished the Scout steps out while the board decides. The decision must be unanimous. The Scout is then called back in, and the date of the board is the date the rank takes effect. If a board decides not to approve, the Scout is told what to work on and the board talks with their leaders. A Scout who passes is advanced in Scoutbook by the Advancement Coordinator and gets the badge at the next Court of Honor.

Wear your Class A uniform and know the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto and Scout Slogan.

How to sign up

1. Finish every requirement for the rank except the board, including your Scoutmaster Conference, and check that it is all recorded in Scoutbook (the Scoutbook tutorial for parents shows how). First-year Scouts should work with the First-Year Program leaders. Older Scouts should check their own record.
2. Fill out the sign-up form at borsignup.troop33.org. There is no sign-up window; you can sign up any time you are completely ready.
3. Watch the calendar for board dates, and plan ahead for the one you want to catch.

The sign-up closes a few days before each board, usually the Friday evening before a Tuesday board. The date is shown on the sign-up form. In that time the Board of Review Coordinator confirms who is ready, finds and confirms volunteers, schedules interviews and briefs the panels. A Scout who is not completely ready by then is not on that board and must sign up again for a later one. Scouts are not moved to the next board automatically.

Readiness is the Scout's responsibility, and the rule is strict: no signing up first and finishing a requirement later, even if it is the last one. If your Patrol Advisor is slow to respond, any trained uniformed leader can sign off. Please have the Scout make requests rather than a parent.

Exceptions to the deadline are very rare and only the Scoutmaster can grant one.

Why every parent is asked to volunteer

Boards are held during Tuesday Troop meetings, after the opening assembly, so there is only about an hour (roughly 7:50 to 9 pm). One panel can comfortably see about four Scouts, so several panels run at once, and a board may be cancelled if there are not enough volunteers. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters cannot sit on a board, and a parent cannot sit on the board for their own child. That means the boards depend on parents who are not Assistant Scoutmasters, and those parents are asked to volunteer regularly, not only when their own Scout is going before a board.

No experience is needed. You are grouped with other adults, and you get a question book and instructions. Many parents say it is the best way to see how much a Scout has grown.

Questions

Use the contact page and your question will reach the Board of Review Coordinator.