Guide To Advancement - HalfEagle.com

Issue 310 May 22, 2012

Rule No. 77: A clear conscience is usually the sign of a faulty memory. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, First off I'd like to thank you for all your hard work and the great service your columns provide. Many times, your advice... From Ask Andy 2 days ago

Issue 309 May 18, 2012

Rule No. 76: You can tell some Scoutmasters there are four billion stars in the universe and he believes you, but tell him the Senior Patrol Leader is supposed to be running the troop meeting and he looks at you like you've just had frogs leap... From Ask Andy 6 days ago

Issue 308 May 11, 2012

________________________________________ Rule No. 75: You can fix the blame, or you can fix the problem; take your pick. ________________________________________ Do we have great readers here? You bet we do! Here's a note by Chris, from the BSA's... From Ask Andy 1 week ago

Methods- Personal Growth

Now don't let the word personal get you. Yes we want each and every Scout to grow, but we want them to find this growth within the context of Scouting's values (found in the Oath and Law). Personal growth is a tricky method in that it will sneak... From The Scoutmaster Minute 2 weeks ago

Issue 307 May 6, 2012

Rule No. 73: Learn a subject or skill so well that you can teach it; by teaching it you'll understand it and it'll stay with you for life. Rule No. 74: Commissioners: If you want to learn a unit's greatest weakness, listen to what they brag about... From Ask Andy 2 weeks ago

Ask the Expert: The BSA's 'Active' Requirement, Revisited

Can a unit set attendance requirements? Can Scouters mandate, for example, that Scouts show up for at least half of all meetings and outings? When I first received this question in 2009 , the answer was no. But that was back when Bryan on Scouting... From Scouting Magazine 3 weeks ago

Issue 306 April 30, 2012

Rule No. 72: The BSA trainer's motto: "Look Prepared." ________________________________________ Dear Andy, Some of the finest leaders in Scouting are female, and we want to find more! I'm a male District Commissioner; one of our district's best... From Ask Andy 3 weeks ago

Issue 305 April 24, 2012

Rule No. 71: Procrastination can always be solvedeventually. ________________________________________ SHOWDOWN TIME! Here are the answers to Sunday's quiz, and the BSA sources behind the answers. How did YOU do? Did any surprise you? 1. Packs... From Ask Andy 4 weeks ago

Issue 304 April 22, 2012

________________________________________ Rule No. 70: Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people look intelligentuntil you hear what they have to say. ________________________________________ GOOD NEWS! That little email hack... From Ask Andy 1 month ago

No. 302 April 11, 2012

Rule No. 68: When contemplating the replacement or removal of a volunteer, make the decision with surgical precision, then carry it out with compassion. ________________________________________ The 6 Inescapable Phases of All Projects: 1... From Ask Andy 1 month ago

Recognition v. Advancement

I'm working on a presentation about the Venturing Silver Award for round table this month, which got me thinking about the Venturing method of recognition. And I decided I've been wrong. Sort of. In the past I have tried to emphasize the difference... From Adventures and Accidents 1 month ago

Issue 301 April 5, 2012

Rule No. 67: "No" and "Let me think about that" have identical meanings. Dear Andy, I'm a pretty new-out-of-the-box Assistant Scoutmaster for a troop that's been around for some seven decades, with a Scoutmaster who acts like he's been around even... From Ask Andy 1 month ago

Guide to Advancement 2011 Online Version

The Guide to Advancement 2011 is now available online with helpful internal links. There's also a PDF version of the guide. Related resources at ScoutmasterCG First thoughts about the new guide and a Podcast on the subject Mandated... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 1 month ago

Issue 299 March 25, 2012

________________________________________ Rule No. 66: Anything told to you "for your own good" isn't. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, We have a Scout whose Eagle project is re-building an animal enclosure that was destroyed... From Ask Andy 1 month ago

The Easiest Way to Cover Safe Swim Defense Part D: Qualified Supervision (Part 2)

Ok so up to this point about the first principle which is Qualified supervision we covered a introduction to Qualified Supervision what it is and why its important to keep your awareness level high and also to continue further learning about what... From Scouting Maniac 2 months ago

No. 298 March 20, 2012

Rule No. 65: Anyone who must tell you he always tells the truth, is lying. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, On merit badges, I can't find anything written by the BSA about how long a Scout has to complete a merit badge once... From Ask Andy 2 months ago

No. 297 March 13, 2012

Rule No. 64: The length and complexity of PowerPoint presentations are most often in inverse proportion to their value. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, I just read your column about the unit with adults "allowed" able to carry... From Ask Andy 2 months ago

Issue 295 March 6, 2012

Rule No. 62: Beware what a new acquaintance tells you he's best at This usually turns out to be his Achilles' heel. ________________________________________ Hi Andy, About that Scout who was kicked out of his troop for mouthing off Our troop... From Ask Andy 2 months ago

Advancement, Parents and Pressure

I recevied this question recently via the website contact form. The email address given did not work so I am publishing the question and answer here. -Clarke I'm a assistant scoutmaster and was recently contacted by a dad of a scout that after one... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 2 months ago

Issue 293 March 1, 2012

Issue 293 March 1, 2012 ________________________________________ Rule No. 60: The extent of "politics" in any organization is inversely proportional to its ability to show results. ________________________________________ MARLINSPIKE SKILLS A... From Ask Andy 2 months ago

Issue 292 February 24, 2012

Issue 292 February 24, 2012 ________________________________________ Rule No. 59: When your good work speaks for itself, don't interrupt. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, You noted, recently, that the new EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE... From Ask Andy 2 months ago

Issue 291 February 19, 2012

Rule No. 58: If "the fine print" were your friend, it would be printed in large. ________________________________________ Hi Andy, I'm starting work on my College of Commissioner Science doctoral thesis. One idea I got from reading your column... From Ask Andy 3 months ago

Issue 290 February 14, 2012 _____________________________

Issue 290 February 14, 2012 ________________________________________ Rule No. 57: One troop in town will constantly struggle to stay afloat; two troops in town will both succeed. ________________________________________ HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!... From Ask Andy 3 months ago

Issue 289 February 6, 2012

Rule No. 55: In phone conversations with fools, say whatever will make them pause; then hang up. Dear Andy, Do the Scouts themselves need to raise whatever funds may be needed for their Eagle Scout Leadership Service Projects? (Name & Council... From Ask Andy 3 months ago

Avoiding Advancement Clinkers

I heard somewhere that a Unit Commissioner read the new Guide to Advancement and said: 'Council and National expect us to set requirements for being active and if they eventually find them too strict OR too lax they will step in and start setting... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 3 months ago

Issue 287 January 22, 2012

Rule No. 54: The more logical and simple the Scouting procedure or policy, the more it will be ignored. Dear Andy, I'm a pack Committee Chair struggling with the definition of an Arrow of Light Scout visiting "a troop meeting with his den." Our... From Ask Andy 4 months ago

Issue 285 Jaunary 16, 2012

Rule No. 52: Conscience is what you do when nobody's looking. Rule No. 53: The Scouting units that actually thank their commissioner are often the ones for whom he's done the least. ________________________________________ "SUPER 8" Every now... From Ask Andy 4 months ago

Issue 284 January 8, 2012

________________________________________ Rule No. 50: Beware excess enthusiasm. It often masks incompetence. Rule No. 51: It's lonesome at the bottom, too. It's just more crowded. ________________________________________ Hi Andy, About the... From Ask Andy 4 months ago

Issue 285 January 8, 2012

________________________________________ Rule No. 50: Beware excess enthusiasm. It often masks incompetence. Rule No. 51: It's lonesome at the bottom, too. It's just more crowded. ________________________________________ Hi Andy, About the... From Ask Andy 4 months ago

Issue 284 January 2, 2012

Rule No. 48: Want to create half-hearted Scouts? It's easy: Just wear a half-hearted uniform. Rule No. 49: No boy can be saved from his own parents. My "Winter Tale" must have struck home for many readers Thank you for your responses! I've... From Ask Andy 4 months ago

Advancement Changes

The more things change the more they stay the sameâ¦ I am referring to the new Advancement guide of the BSA. You can download now at the Scouting.org or here is a direct link GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT 2011 . In it you will find much of the same... From The Scoutmaster Minute 4 months ago

Issue 281 December 22, 2011

Rule No. 46 : Despots can't be cured; only overthrown. Before they hurt yet another Scout, rise in overwhelming force and throw the rascals out. Rule No. 47 (for Scouts): The probability that your Scoutmaster happens to be looking your way is... From Ask Andy 5 months ago

Podcast 97 Interview With the National Advancement Team

IN THIS PODCAST Interview with members of the National Advancement Team about the new Guide to Advancement and Eagle Project Workbook LINKS IN THIS PODCAST B.S.A. Advancement Resources Guide to Advancement 2011 (PDF) Eagle Project Workbook Email... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 5 months ago

Ask the National Advancement Committee

I'll be interviewing three members of the National Advancement Committee this week about the Guide to Advancement for Scoutmaster Podcast 97. Now's your chance to send me questions about the guide that you'd like to have answered. There was a... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 5 months ago

Issue 279 November 30, 2011

Rule No. 44 : Never argue with idiots. They'll drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. Dear Andy, I'm a member of the National Scout Council in my country, Liberia, Africa. Scouting says, "We are volunteers, and... From Ask Andy 5 months ago

What Makes an Eagle Scout?

Here's what makes an Eagle Scout; A Scout completes the requirements as issued by the B.S.A. and is approved by a duly constituted board of review. That's it. So what about those oft discussed and argued qualities like maturity and leadership... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 6 months ago

Issue 278 November 22, 2011

Rule No. 43 : Never give a Commissioner a weak cup of coffee. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Andy, How do I create my own website for the Communications merit badge? (Scout's Name & Council Withheld) You start by asking your... From Ask Andy 6 months ago

Issue 277 November 19, 2011

Rule No. 41 : In a confrontation between emotion and logic, emotion will win. Rule No. 42 : Either employ the Scout sign or simply shout, "Sign's Up!" To do both is pointless. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Andy, Let me be the... From Ask Andy 6 months ago

Issue 275 November 8, 2011

Rule No. 39 : Knowledge and intelligent can be faked; clever and witty can't. Rule No. 40 : On any campout, the gadget most needed will be the one left in a trunk in the parking lot. First things first. Let's fix an error Dear Andy, About those... From Ask Andy 6 months ago

More Advancement Changes

Here are a few other advancement-related items that have been changed or clarified in the recent Guide to Advancement that affect the troop committee: If you've ever been caught short on a board of review night without enough committee members on... From Bobwhite's Blather 6 months ago

Podcast 92 Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Relationship

IN THIS PODCAST Scoutmaster panel discussion; three new documents from the B.S.A. Phone-in question: "Where does the Scoutmaster's responsibilities end and the Committee's responsibilities begin? LINKS Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 6 months ago

PTC and Not the Podcast

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be a trainer at our Councils Program and Training Conference.. PTC. I was asked to help teach a class on using Social Media and Websites with my Wood Badge buddy Adam. Then Jackie this years Coordinator asked if... From The Scoutmaster Minute 6 months ago

Fulfilling Responsibility

The new BSA Guide to Advancement lays out and clarifies what it takes for a troop to evaluate whether a Scout has satisfactorily served in a position of responsibility as required for the ranks beyond First Class. While this is â¦ Continue... From Bobwhite's Blather 6 months ago

Podcast 91 3 Tests for Active: Rank Requirements, Brick Mason

Three tests for "active", signing rank requirements, Brick Mason's fire building demonstration. Guide to Advancement 2011 Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 6 months ago

Changes to the Eagle Process

My son passed his Eagle board of review in late September and I was invited to join the district advancement committee to review Eagle projects in mid-October. A few days later, the new advancement book was released, so I've been reviewing it in... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 6 months ago

Issue 274 October 28, 2011

Rule No. 38 : Wealth doesn't assure happiness; neither does poverty. Dear Andy, Do you happen to know where I can find the requirements for the "Commissioner Excellence in Service to Units Award"? (We were told about it by De Nguyen, from the BSA... From Ask Andy 6 months ago

The New Definition Of "Active"

The BSA raised our eyebrows recently with the publication of the new Guide to Advancement, which replaces the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures book that had been in use for several years. There are thirteen significant changes in the... From Bobwhite's Blather 6 months ago

Guide to Advancement Mandated Procedures and Recommended Practices

In my work with our local planning commission we are charged with interpreting and applying standards in the Zoning code. These interpretations often turn on little words; in fact one becomes adept at finding the little words because they usually... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 6 months ago

Evaluating Scouting Positions of Responsibility

The new Guide to Advancement repeatedly emphasizes that we are charged with helping individual Scouts succeed. Mentoring, coaching, advocating for the Scout, establishing and defining reasonable expectations are all aspects of Scoutmastership the... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 6 months ago

Issue 273 October 23, 2011

Rule No. 36 : Any Commissioner who believes Commissioners out-rank unit leaders should be immediately taken outside and shot. Rule No. 37 : Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water; the remainder is covered by FOS chairs and Popcorn colonels... From Ask Andy 7 months ago

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