Signing Off Requirements Who can sign off on

Signing Off Requirements Who can sign off on Scout requirements? If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

Discuss If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

It’s a question every Scout will face: Once I finish requirements for merit badges and rank advancement, who signs off? Is it the Scoutmaster? The merit badge counselor? My senior patrol leader? Mom or Dad? If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

The answer is all of the above. Or at least it can be — if the Scoutmaster says so. If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

“Topic 4. 2. 1. 2 in the Guide to Advancement : “The Scoutmaster authorizes individuals who may test and pass a Scout on rank requirements. ” “The Scoutmaster can choose to designate youth leaders or other adult leaders if [they want] to. It’s really up to [them] to make that decision. ” https: //blog. scoutingmagazine. org/2016/06/09/can-sign-off-boy-scoutrequirements/ If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

4. 2. 1. 2 The Scout Is Tested The unit leader authorizes those who may test and pass the Scout on rank requirements. They might include the patrol leader, the senior patrol leader, the unit leader, an assistant unit leader, or another Scout. Merit badge counselors teach and test Scouts on requirements for merit badges. Once a Scout has been tested and signed off by someone approved to do so, the requirement has been met. The unit leader is accountable for ensuring proper advancement procedures are followed. A part of this responsibility includes the careful selection and training of those who approve advancement. If a unit leader believes a Scout has not learned the subject matter for a requirement that has been signed off, he or she should see that opportunities are made available for the Scout to practice or teach the requirement. Thus the Scout may complete their learning and further develop the related skills. https: //filestore. scouting. org/filestore/pdf/33088. pdf If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

Who signs off on merit badge requirements? “That’s the responsibility of a merit badge counselor, ” Huddleston says, “and only individuals who are registered and approved by the council as a merit badge counselor can sign off on merit badges. Even unit leaders such as the Scoutmaster must be registered as a merit badge counselor and approved by the local council for any merit badges they wish to counsel. They just can’t do it because of the fact that they’re a leader in the unit. ” And that means once a Scout finishes the Family Life merit badge, he can’t turn to Mom or Dad for a signature. Unless, of course, the parent is a registered and approved merit badge counselor. https: //blog. scoutingmagazine. org/2016/06/09/can-sign-off-boy-scoutrequirements/ If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

Mechanics of Advancement in Scouts BSA Both adult and youth leaders approve advancement in Scouts BSA. This permits greater emphasis on standards and more consistency in measurement, but it also places another level of importance on teaching and testing. As Scouts work with one another, learning takes place on both sides of the equation as they play teacher and student in turn. Parents or guardians are involved at home encouraging, mentoring, and supporting, but they do not sign for rank advancement requirements unless they serve as registered leaders and have been designated by the unit leader to approve advancement or are Lone Scout friends and counselors. https: //www. scouting. org/resources/guide-to-advancement/mechanicsof-advancement/scouts-bsa/ If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

As you complete each requirement, you will be tested and signed off in the BACK section of your handbook by the Scoutmaster or by someone he/she designates. This person may be an Assistant Scoutmaster, a Troop Committee Member, or another, more experienced, scout. (In [Scouts BSA], troop leaders, rather than parents, sign off advancement requirements. In order to avoid the appearance of impropriety, in most troops, troop leaders will not normally sign off rank requirements for their own [scouts]. Infrequent exceptions may be made in the case of a leader who is teaching skills to several scouts at once at a patrol or troop meeting or other scouting function, but every effort should be made to have another leader sign off the instructing leader’s [scouts] if possible. ) http: //www. usscouts. org/advance/docs/guidelines. asp If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

Guide To Advancement – 2019 Page 21 4. 2. 1. 2 The Scout Is Tested. The unit leader authorizes those who may test and pass the Scout on rank requirements. They might include the patrol leader, the senior patrol leader, the unit leader, an assistant unit leader, or another Scout. Merit badge counselors teach and test Scouts on requirements for merit badges. https: //filestore. scouting. org/filestore/pdf/33088. pdf If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

Resources • • • Who can sign off on Boy Scout requirements? — is the topic of the June 2016 Scout. Cast. Listen here http: //www. usscouts. org/advance/docs/guidelines. asp https: //filestore. scouting. org/filestore/pdf/33088. pdf https: //www. scouting. org/resources/guide-to-advancement/mechanicsof-advancement/scouts-bsa/ https: //blog. scoutingmagazine. org/2016/06/09/can-sign-off-boy-scoutrequirements/ If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

Questions? If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!

If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen!