PARENT-SCOUT HANDBOOK OF
TROOP OPERATING PROCEDURES

Advancement

The fundamental principle of advancement in Boy Scouting shall be that the boy's progress is a natural outcome of his activities in his Troop/Patrol. The requirements of rank, as set forth in official publications, shall furnish the basis for the activities of the Troop.

Advancement is an integral part of the troop program - both indoors and out. Every effort will be made to gear Troop and patrol activities toward completion of advancement requirements.

Advancement requirements may be signed off by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, or Junior Assistant Scoutmasters. In addition, with the consent of the Scoutmaster, the SPL or PL may be granted authority to sign off rank requirements with the exception of scout spirit. At no time shall a parent sign off the requirement of their on son.

All merit badges will be conducted by a certified merit badge counselor. At no time will any merit badge class be held with fewer than two Scouts or two adults (one adult observer and the instructor) present at all times. The Scout(s) wishing to take a merit badge will obtain the Scoutmaster's approval prior to starting the merit badge.

At no time shall a parent sign off a merit badge for his/her own son. Individual merit badge requirements may be signed off by the counselor based on a signed note from the parents, teachers, etc., if the counselor is comfortable that the scout has indeed accomplished the requirement.

The Boy Scout advancement program shall be the basis for the Scout's achievement. This program is basically geared toward advancement in an outdoor type program with two basic levels used in the advancement process.

Badges of rank are the advancement route leading to Eagle. Each rank has requirements that the boy is required to complete before he is awarded that Badge of Rank. The Boy Scout handbook and the Boy Scout Requirements book list the current requirements for each rank. When a conflict occurs between the requirements listed in a particular book, the most recent version of the Boy Scout Requirements book (or other BSA published booklet) will take precedence.

Rank requirements may be signed off by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster or Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. In addition, with the consent of the Scoutmaster, the SPL or PL may be granted authority to sign off rank requirements with the exception of scout spirit. At no time shall a parent sign off the requirement for their son. Prior to the Scout being presented to the SM or ASM for sign-off of a requirement the Scout will have demonstrated his knowledge/proficiency to the SPL/ASPL.

For a Scout to be eligible to be considered for the Board of Review, his Patrol Leader must notify the SPL (or ASPL) at least one meeting prior to arrange for the Scoutmaster conference and to allow the Troop Committee to prepare the proper paperwork prior to the board.

The Board of Review for Tenderfoot through Life will be held on the last Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Scout hut and will consist of at least three Troop committee members (but not a parent of a Scout going before the board). All Scouts not considered for advancement (failing the board) will be eligible at the next regularly scheduled Board of Review.

Boards of Review for Eagle Scout will be conducted by the Etowah Creek District.

All Scouts will be in "Class A" uniform with merit badge sash (if applicable), with their handbook, and present at the start of the troop meeting (7:00 PM) when scheduled to go before a Board of Review.