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Here’s an comprehensive look at the Scoutmaster’s conference. All of the references below are official publications of the BSA (the Guide to Advancement 2013 and the Scoutmaster’s Handbook). I have refrained from adding any commentary or opinion because I think the resources can speak for themselves.
I will note this explanation included in the beginning of the Guide to Advancement 2013 –
Mandated Procedures and Recommended Practices
This publication clearly identifies mandated procedures with words such as “must” and “shall.” Where such language is used, no council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to deviate from the procedures covered, without the written permission of the national Advancement Team. Recommended best practices are offered using words like “should,” while other options and guidelines are indicated with terms such as “may” or “can.”
I think that this also applies pretty well to any of the other resources, and clearly delineates between what’s a suggestion and what’s a policy mandate.
What is a Scoutmaster’s Conference?
The Scoutmaster conference is a visit between the Scoutmaster and a Scout…
Scoutmaster’s Handbook 2010 Printing
Why Do We Have Conferences?
The conference is a valuable opportunity for a Scoutmaster to discuss with each Scout his activity in the troop and his understanding and practice of the ideals of Scouting. Together they can set goals not only in Scouting but also in his family, school, and community.
A Scout taking part in a Scoutmaster conference will be able to determine if he is ready to go before the board of review. The Scoutmaster can also encourage a boy’s advancement in Scouting by reviewing with him the requirements for his next rank.
The Scoutmaster conference can be used as a counseling tool at any time and for a variety of other reasons. Among its many values, the Scoutmaster conference can accomplish the following goals:
- Establish trust and understanding between a Scout and Scoutmaster.
- Reinforce the ideals of Scouting.
- Allow the Scout and Scoutmaster to share ideas and ask questions of one another.
- Set goals and outline steps for achieving them.
These pointers will help make every Scoutmaster conference a success:
- Make the conference special. Give the Scout your undivided attention throughout the meeting.
- Invite the Scout to share in the discussion.
- Keep the setting relaxed. Don’t sit behind a desk or across a table from the Scout.
Scoutmaster’s Handbook 2010 Printing
When Are Conferences Held?
While it makes sense to hold one after other requirements for a rank are met, it is not required that it be the last step before the board of review.
Ultimately, conference timing is up to the unit. Some leaders hold more than one along the way, and the Scout must be allowed to count any of them toward the requirement.
Guide to Advancement 2013 – 4.2.3.5 Unit Leader (Scoutmaster) Conference
The Scoutmaster conference can be used as a counseling tool at any time and for a variety of other reasons.
The Scoutmaster conference for the Eagle Scout rank may be held at any time. The conference can occur in several informal conferences. It does not necessarily have to be held after the Scout completes his Eagle Scout leadership service project.
Scoutmaster’s Handbook 2010 Printing
How Long Should the Conference Be?
Conferences for the ranks of Tenderfoot through Life should be 10 to 15 minutes in length. Those for Eagle Scout might be 30 minutes or more.
Scoutmaster’s Handbook 2010 Printing
Who Participates in A Scoutmaster’s Conference?
A conference should be a private discussion between the Scoutmaster and a Scout, but held in full view of other people.
Scoutmaster’s Handbook 2010 Printing
Where are Conferences Held?
Conferences can be conducted during troop meetings, during outdoor activities, or at the Scout’s home.
Scoutmaster’s Handbook 2010 Printing
What is Discussed?
It is a forum for discussing topics such as ambitions and life purpose, goals for future achievement, and also for obtaining feedback on the unit’s program. In some cases, work left to be completed—and perhaps why it has not been completed—may be discussed just as easily as that which is finished.
Guide to Advancement 2013 – 4.2.3.5 Unit Leader (Scoutmaster) Conference
Keep the tone positive. If there are areas of improvement to discuss, be sure to bring up behavior and achievements you can praise, too.
Conference for Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class
Congratulate the Scout on completing the advancement requirements, then explain what he can expect when he meets with the board of review. Look over the requirements for the next rank and make sure he understands them. The following are some subjects that might lead to further understanding. Bring up a few or all of them.
- His school (favorite and least favorite subjects)
- Sports and hobbies he enjoys
- What he liked best about the last troop outing
- Changes he would like to see in troop meetings
- How he deals with older boys in the troop
- Activities with his family
- How he defines concepts such as Scout spirit, being morally straight, and duty to God
- What he does in his free time
- When appropriate, his interest and ability in handling a patrol job such as scribe or quartermaster, or a position of greater responsibility such as patrol leader
Conference for Star, Life, Eagle
Scoutmaster conferences with Scouts completing requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle can be every bit as meaningful and important as those meetings conducted with younger boys. Consider asking experienced Scouts questions that explore some of these subjects:
- How he feels the troop as a whole is doing, and what he can do to enhance it
- Troop leadership positions he sees for himself
- His view of himself as a role model for younger Scouts
- How he deals with issues of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
- His part-time jobs or extracurricular activities
- Required and elective merit badges he is interested in earning
- Special Scouting goals such as Order of the Arrow membership, attending a jamboree, or working on a camp staff
Conclude each Scoutmaster conference by talking with the Scout about goals he would like to achieve, and help him realize he has the ability to accomplish a great deal. Offer praise for his Scout work. Close the meeting with a handshake as you remind the Scout that you always welcome the chance to visit with him, and that he can talk with you anytime he has a question, a problem, or a success he wants to share.
Scoutmaster’s Handbook 2010 Printing
Should Conferences be a Test of the Scout’s Skills?
The conference is not a retest of the requirements upon which a Scout has been signed off.
Guide to Advancement 2013 – 4.2.3.5 Unit Leader (Scoutmaster) Conference
Can Scouts Pass or Fail a Conference?
Note that a Scout must participate or take part in one; it is not a “test.” Requirements do not say he must “pass” a conference.
Guide to Advancement 2013 – 4.2.3.5 Unit Leader (Scoutmaster) Conference
Can a Scout be Denied a Conference?
Unit leaders do not have the authority to deny a Scout a conference that is necessary for him to meet the requirements for his rank.
Guide to Advancement 2013 – 4.2.3.5 Unit Leader (Scoutmaster) Conference
Are There Other Opportunities for Discussions?
Before (a Scout) begins working with a merit badge counselor… he is to have a discussion with his unit leader. That a discussion has been held is indicated by the unit leader’s signature on the Application for Merit Badge, No. 34124, commonly called the “blue card.”
A unit leader should consider making more of the process than just providing a signature. The opportunity exists, then and there, to provide inspiration and direction in a young man’s life. Preliminary merit badge discussions can lead to conversations about talents and interests, goal setting, and the concept of “challenge by choice.” The benefi ts can be much like those of a well-done Scoutmaster conference. The discussion a Scout is to have with the unit leader is meant to be a growth-oriented and positive conversation. The unit leader should discuss any concerns related to working on the merit badge and provide appropriate counseling. It is then the Scout’s decision whether or not to proceed with the merit badge. The process is intended to inform the Scout about what he may encounter along the way, and perhaps to give him suggestions on how the work might be approached. It also has the purpose of keeping the unit leader up to date with what the members of the unit are doing.
Guide to Advancement 2013 – 7.0.0.3 The Scout, the Blue Card, and the Unit Leader
There is an extensive appendix on this subject in last December’s release of the Scoumaster Leader Specific Training. First official text I’ve seen that says it’s not a test. Guessing the upcoming Troop Leader Guidebook will have updated info.
The Guide to Advancement has indicated very plainly that the conference is not a test for several years now.
Thanks, I didn’t know it was there. It’s odd that the Scoutmaster Handbook has not been as explicit on this matter, however it is explicit about the Board of Review not being a test. The new Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training is explicit about it, and I’m guessing the new Troop Leader Guidebook will be too.