The Board of Review, Start to Finish

Stage 1 of 11 Can start now

• 8.0.0.2. The requirements are complete, Scoutmaster conference included

  The starting point for every rank except Scout, which has no board of review. What counts is that the Scout believes the requirements are done — a leader who disagrees may say so, but may not use that view to stop what follows.

  Milestone

• 8.0.0.3. Keep the wrong people off the board Often forgotten

  Unit leaders and assistants must not serve for a Scout in their own unit. Parents, guardians and relatives must not serve for their own child. Neither the candidate nor the family has any part in choosing the members.

  Requirement

  Board members who cannot be fair and impartial should recuse themselves. Where a member has already decided before the board that the Scout should be turned down, they should first talk it through with the unit leader or others who know the Scout.

• 8.0.2.0. Tenderfoot through Life: unit committee members Applies to you

  Three to six registered unit committee members, no more and no less. Where fewer than three are available it is permissible to use knowledgeable parents — not the candidate's — or other adults 21 or over, but that must be the exception rather than the rule.

  Requirement

• 8.0.1.0. Decide who is in the room

  The unit leader may stay to observe but not to take part unless asked, and the board may exclude them or any other observer. Youth observers are not permitted. Parents and guardians should not attend in any capacity; if they insist, they must be allowed in as observers.

  Requirement

• 8.0.1.1. It is not a retest Often forgotten

  Never an examination, and never a challenge to what the Scout knows. In most cases it should be a celebration. A Scout must not be turned down for anything unrelated to the requirements — not for forgetting a handbook, and not for being late.

  Requirement

• 8.0.1.2. What the board talks about

  Where skills were learned, who taught them, and what the Scout got out of meeting the requirements. How the Scout has lived the Oath and Law at home, at school, in the unit and in the community. Questions about specific requirements may only be about the rank under review.

  Task

• 8.0.1.2. Notes: optional, confidential, destroyed afterwards Recommended

  Minutes are not required but are a good idea, and are recommended for Eagle. They stay confidential to the board and to administrators who need them, and are destroyed once the review or any appeal is finished. Voice and video recording is prohibited.

  Document

  Recording a board of review, by voice or video, is prohibited. Notes are destroyed after the Scout passes, or after the national decision where an Eagle appeal is running.

• 8.0.1.5. Or the board adjourns, to be reconvened Optional

  Where the board thinks the Scout can properly finish a requirement, and the Scout is still eligible, it may adjourn and meet again — the same members if possible. It needs the Scout's agreement; without it the board must decide there and then.

  Decision

• 8.0.1.5. Not approved Optional

  The Scout is told, and told what can be done to improve. Nothing about the deliberation itself is passed on.

  Milestone

Stage 2 of 11

• 8.0.0.2. The Scout asks for a board of review

  Unit leadership is meant to be tracking advancement and encouraging Scouts to ask as soon as they are ready, rather than waiting to be chased.

  Task

  Usually comes after 8.0.0.2. The requirements are complete, Scoutmaster conference included.

• 8.0.1.5. The board reconvenes and decides Optional

  The adjourned board meets again once the requirement has been properly completed, and reaches one of the same two outcomes. An Eagle candidate has only one board of review, though it may be adjourned and reconvened like any other.

  Event

  Usually comes after 8.0.1.5. Or the board adjourns, to be reconvened.

Stage 3 of 11

• 8.0.0.2. The board is granted and scheduled promptly Often forgotten

  It must not be denied, deferred, or delayed for anything unrelated to the requirements — uniforming, dues, fundraising, or a view that the Scout should do more. Nobody may make the Scout organise it.

  Approval

  Where there is real concern the requirements have not been met, the right response is to tell the Scout they might not pass and suggest what would improve the chances. It is still the Scout's decision whether to go ahead.

Stage 4 of 11

• 8.0.2.0. The chair sets the date, time and place

  Somewhere comfortable — the unit meeting place or a camp setting for most ranks; Eagle boards are often held somewhere more formal. Boards may also be held for Scouts who are not advancing.

  Task

• 8.0.0.3. Three to six members, every one of them at least 21

  No fewer than three, no more than six. One member serves as chair; how the chair is chosen is up to the unit committee.

  Approval

Stage 5 of 11

• 8.0.0.4. Wear the uniform, or be clean and neat Recommended

  The full field uniform is preferred — as much of it as the Scout owns, worn as correctly as possible. Where that is impractical, clean and neat and dressed appropriately according to the Scout's means is enough.

  Task

• 8.0.1.0. Hold the review

  Some formality and real questions, but a relaxed atmosphere and the Scout Law in mind. About 15 minutes for most ranks and no longer than 30; Eagle boards run 30 to 45.

  Event

Stage 6 of 11

• 8.0.1.4. The board deliberates out of the Scout's hearing

  The Scout waits outside or out of hearing range. The board may call the Scout back if another question would clear something up.

  Decision

Stage 7 of 11

• 8.0.1.4. Approval must be unanimous

  Every member must agree. If one dissents the decision cannot be approval — and the Scout is never told what was said or who said it, only what needs to improve.

  Approval

  Usually comes after 8.0.1.4. The board deliberates out of the Scout's hearing.

Stage 8 of 11

• 8.0.1.5. Approved

  The Scout is called back in and congratulated.

  Milestone

  Usually comes after 8.0.1.4. Approval must be unanimous and 8.0.1.5. The board reconvenes and decides.

Stage 9 of 11

• 8.0.1.5. The board of review date is the rank's effective date Often forgotten

  Not the court of honour, which may be months later. Time-based requirements for the next rank run from this date, which is why boards are meant to be held as Scouts become ready rather than saved up for one evening.

  Milestone

  Usually comes after 8.0.1.5. Approved.

• 8.0.1.5. The unit leader is told the decision

  After any board of review, whichever way it went.

  Task

  Usually comes after 8.0.1.5. Approved and 8.0.1.5. Not approved.

Stage 10 of 11

• 8.0.2.0. Report the rank to the council

  Through Scoutbook Plus or on the official Advancement Report form. The chair reports the result to the unit advancement coordinator, who submits it.

  Task

  Usually comes after 8.0.1.5. The board of review date is the rank's effective date.

Stage 11 of 11

• 8.0.2.0. The rank is presented

  Ranks must not be presented until the advancement has been submitted to the local council.

  Milestone