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PRESENTED BYStaten Island Council

ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEEGreater New York Council

Boy Scouts of AmericaAt the GNYC Training Extravaganza

January 9, 2010

Adult Leader Adult Leader Advancement Training Advancement Training

SeminarSeminar

IMPORTANT NOTICEOn occasion, BSA requirements change. Be sure to stay

up-to-date with all current requirements.

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Seminar ObjectivesSeminar Objectives To review the basics of Scout Advancement Management To review paperwork and record keeping. Assure records are thorough, accurate and consistent with GNYC policies. Discuss need for accuracy in leading up to Eagle rank. EAGLE RANK DETAILED PROCESS To answer any questions from Scouts related to their advancement. To understand and comply with ALL time requirements.

To Avoid Any Surprises!

EXTRA ADDED ATTRACTION – INTERNET ADVANCEMENT RECORDS

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Unit Unit OrganizationOrganization and and Advancement DutiesAdvancement Duties

Keep Advancement Records On a regular basis, Advise SM of Advancement status and needs of

each Scout. Also consider advising CC, SPL, ASPL and PL’s. (This is very valuable to the PLCPLC and trip/activity planning)

Advise each Scout of his status on a regular basis. Advise SM, CC and SPL of the need for a Board of Review. In addition to the Normal duties, it is advisable for the Advancement Chair to LEAD THE WAY in the Troop Committee to guide and advise about activities and programs that satisfy advancement requirements.

It is strongly advised that each unit have an Advancement Chair with SOLE DUTIES of keeping records and providing advice to adult

leaders and Scouts related to advancement status and needs.

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Tracking Advancement Tracking Advancement and Record Keeping - 1and Record Keeping - 1

By a show of hands, what format of record keeping is used.

A c c u r a t e > C o m p l e t e

R e l i a b l e > Up-to-date

One of the most important things the Advancement Chair can do for a unit is to maintain a clear consistent record for each scout. The records should have the following characteristics:

1. Troop Master 2. Traditional Paper 3. Other

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Good records allow for easy access to a Scout’s status at any time and allow you to answer questions like:

How many merit badges do I need to complete my Life requirements and which ones specifically?

What else do I need for my Scoutmaster Conference? When did I earn my First Aid merit badge? I am transferring to another Troop next Fall. Can I get a full record

on my Advancement and status?

With good records, these questions can be answered quickly - no matter what format is used. Remember the criteria

accurate, complete, reliable and up-to-date,

Tracking Advancement Tracking Advancement and Record Keeping - 2and Record Keeping - 2

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First Class in a YearFirst Class in a Year

This is a policy introduced by National several years ago. It has a primary goal of ENHANCING RETENTION. However, there is some controversy surrounding it among experienced Scouters. On one hand, it can have the benefit of retention if done with sound training principles. On the other hand, it can RUSH a Scout through ranks without having learned basic scout skills. Much is dependent upon the Scout’s interest, abilities and desires, as well as the unit’s program of activities. If included among the unit’s plans, the following guidelines are suggested.

Must have well planned and coordinated programs. Use the Scout handbook as a basic guide.

The Advancement Chair is urged to assist in program planning. Regular camping is a must for Scout Skills development Include Summer Camp.

Reward - with First Class Certificates Service time is required for Second Class as an introduction to future rank requirements.

Be sure overall unit program includes service type activities.

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Merit Badge CounselorsMerit Badge Counselors

MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS

1. MUST be registered as an adult leader.

2. MUST be approved by Council Advancement Committee

3. MUST have proficiency

4. MUST have up-to-date Youth Protection Training (Note: this is not a BSA National requirement but is a requirement of the Staten Island Council)

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EARNING MERIT BADGESEARNING MERIT BADGES

2. However, encourage Scouts to seek Counselors outside the Troop. This has a benefit of the scouts experiencing different adult leaders and a setting outside the troop setting.

3. Summer Camp is a great opportunity to earn merit badges. However, be sure to monitor work of the Scouts, be sure they are prepared to sign up for the badges. Be sure they have done the required prerequisites.

4. Blue cards MUST be signed by an adult leader – preferably the SM. The Advancement Chair is an alternative.

1. Establish a program at the beginning of the year to have merit badge

work at troop meetings.

BE ALERT: Many merit badges offered at summer camps are done in 5 days but in fact really require much more time to be done properly. Without proper monitoring by adult leaders, especially the Advancement Chair, a dis-service can be done for the Scout.

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STAR AND LIFE RANKSSTAR AND LIFE RANKS

Up through First Class rank, the emphasis is on Scout Skills.

As a Scout advances, the Star and Life ranks, the emphasis changes to:

LEADERSHIP

TEACHING YOUNGER SCOUTS

SERVICE

In addition, The Staten Island Council Advancement Committee offers, each year, a training course for Star and Life Scouts to teach them these steps and timing

related to earning the Eagle rank. It has been well received by the boys and their adult leaders as well.

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OTHER AWARDS AND OTHER AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS - 1RECOGNITIONS - 1

There are a number of other awards that are not required for Scout advancement but serve to recognize special

accomplishments – for both Scouts and adult leaders,

Reference is BSA booklet entitled “Advancement Committee – Policies and Procedures” – BSA publication #33088.

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OTHER AWARDS AND OTHER AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS - 2RECOGNITIONS - 2

MILE SWIM (Scout) - A terrific accomplishment at Summer Camp.

TOTE N’CHIP (Scout) – Recommended for new cross-over Cubs to be earned on their first camping trip.

WORLD CONSERVATION AWARD (Scout) - AUTOMATICALLY Earned when a Scout earns Environmental Science, Citizenship in the World and either Water Conservation or Fish and Wildlife merit badges.

DISTRICT AWARD OF MERIT (Adult) – one per 25 units. “Noteworthy service to youth”

LIFESAVING and MERITORIOUS ACTION (Adult or Scout) – Three levels of recognition. Lifesaving, Meritorious Action (issued by National) Local Council Certificate of Merit. (Discuss detailed requirements and process)

SILVER BEAVER (Adult) – noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth. (issued by National)

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Eagle Eagle Leadership Leadership Service ProjectService Project

Project Ideas Plan / Proposal

Approvals Working Project

Final Report

LEADERSHIP

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Eagle Leadership Eagle Leadership Service ProjectService Project

Purpose is to “Demonstrate ability to LEAD Others” Must benefit community organization

other than Boy Scouts and not on Boy Scout Property May NOT benefit a commercial business May NOT be purely a “fund raiser”. Must be planned and carried out by one Scout

no joint projects Approval process and project completion may take up to 6

months to complete - plan ahead! May begin planning project immediately after passing Life

Board of Review – work book can be requested. (not necessary to earn all 21 merit badges before project.) Time-line handout.

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Sample Eagle ProjectsSample Eagle Projects

Build a church sign Landscaped church grounds Repaired church playground Built church janitor closet Repaired & cleaned out storage shed for a community group Collected eye glasses for Lions Club Build “patrol boxes” for Girl Scout Troop Did repairs at a home for aged & sponsored social event for

residents. Built newspaper re-cycling bins for an Elementary School Re-landscaped and fixed up church sign Built bull-pens for a High School baseball field Built cabinets for Sunday School rooms Repaired, re-roof a church gazebo, landscape grounds Build a bridge in a Park. Build a set for a local theatre group.

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Eagle Leadership Eagle Leadership Service Project PlanService Project Plan

Meet with an adult advisor before doing too much planning. Draft a project plan write-up.

Must use official BSA Workbook to submit plan and final report (electronic version OK)Download from BSA National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) website) http://www.nesa.org/trail

Approvals required with signatures and dates. Scoutmaster / Project Advisor - signatures and dates. Troop Committee - signatures and dates Organization served - signatures and dates District Advancement Committee - signatures and dates

Must have Council approval BEFORE starting work! (To begin earlier could invalidate the entire project)

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Eagle Application ProcessEagle Application Process Complete all requirements Write project final report – with pictures. Complete Eagle Scout Application Submit Application & Project Final Report to:

Troop Committee & Scoutmaster Council verifies Scouts records Returned to District for Board of Review Conduct Board of Review with signatures and dates

(this date becomes the actual date of eagle rank) Council approval with signatures and dates National approval Conduct Court of Honor (not a requirement) See handout for detailed steps and time-line NEW APPLICATIONS MUST BE USED AS OF AUGUST 2009.

Utilize the S.I Eagle web site to guide you, to get forms, announce your project,

solicit help/bodies and get a list for

letters of recognition.

statenislandeagle .org

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Eagle Application Eagle Application Process – Time lineProcess – Time line

Month Step

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Activity

1 1. A Completed Project Book is submitted to Council Advancement Committee for

review.(1) Be sure all signatures are included.

2Council Committee reviews the book and either accepts the project or notifies the Scoutmaster that additional information or clarification is required.

3When the project is approved, the Scout carries it out to completion. Note: Any project

not approved by the Council

Committee will not be considered a

valid project.

After the project is completed, the Scout writes it up noting any changes. He then

writes his "ambitions" letter, prepares an Eagle application(2a) and gets appropriate signatures. These include sign-off by the sponsor organization. He then submits the application to the Council Eagle Coordinator At that time, the Coordinator sends a

letter to those designated by the Scout for recommendation letters.(2b) Simultaneously, a merit badge check is requested from GNYC by the coordinator.

4

5

6Upon receipt of all letters of recommendation and completion of the merit badge verification by GNYC, the Scoutmaster is advised that a Board of Review needs to be

scheduled. The SM contacts the BOR coordinator making a request for a BOR date. (3)

7Upon completion of the BOR and appropriate signing of the application, the application

is returned to the Eagle coordinator to send to National. (4)

8Application is sent to National which takes about three months. It is usually returned approved unless there is a question or procedural issue.

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INTERNET INTERNET ADVANCEMENT - 1ADVANCEMENT - 1

How to use BSA Internet Advancement tool. Must use Internet Explorer WWW.bsa-gnyc.org Click on Volunteer & Parent Resources left hand column Click on internet advancement Go to Internet Advancement If you are a first time user click first time user button and follow

set up procedure. You must have a Login number which is supplied by GNYC, not the same as re-chartering login number.

If you are already registered click on returning user. Enter user ID and password

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Step one – load unit roster Click load roster or upload advancement file. If you use

packmaster, troop master, rank n file, scoutmate or scoutsoft there is an option in these software packages to create the file to upload.

Once your roster is loaded you can add advancement for your scouts. You can add rank, merit badges or awards. There are also buttons to review unit roster, unit advancement summary, Member Summary or review Advancement Report. You may also print member cards or do a multi person entry

INTERNET INTERNET ADVANCEMENT - 2ADVANCEMENT - 2

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When you are finished adding advancement click next Review your advancement report Click Send to GNYC When you send to GNYC it will print your 3 copies of the

Advancement report for you to sign and turn in to scout shop and buy awards. There is also an option to order awards on line.

By using this tool, you can help to shortenthe turn-around time when Eagle

applications are processed. It also keeps your records in good order.

INTERNET INTERNET ADVANCEMENT - 3ADVANCEMENT - 3

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SUMMARYSUMMARYask questionsask questions

Who would like an additional course on Troopmaster use?

1. Unit Org. – Dedicated Advancement Chair

2. Tracking records – Accurate, complete Reliable, Up-to-date.

3. First class in a year.

4. Merit Badge Counselors and merit badge guidelines.

5. Skill ranks vs. Leadership/Teaching/Service rank.

6. Other awards and recognitions

7. Eagle rank – LEADERSHIP

8. Eagle Rank – SERVICE PROJECT

9. Eagle rank – PROCESS TIME LINE

10. What is missing that you want to see.

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DiscussionDiscussion

QuestionsQuestions& &

Answers.Answers.

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FINAL REQUESTSFINAL REQUESTS

Be sure you have signed in.

Complete questionnaire.

Complete evaluation sheet.