The Venturing board of review, start to finish

8.0.5.2. The rank requirements are complete Milestone

The starting point. A Discovery, Pathfinder or Summit candidate has completed the requirements for the rank. What those requirements are is published elsewhere and is not restated on this page.

8.0.5.2. Coach the Venturer beforehand Recommended Task

The crew Advisor, an associate Advisor or a crew committee member should coach the Venturer on boards of review ahead of time, so the review is an enjoyable experience devoted to discussions and stories rather than an ordeal.

8.0.5.2. Every adult present should study the Board of Review Guide and the training Recommended Training

The Guide asks all adults present at a Venturing board of review to study the Venturing Board of Review Guide and complete the leader-specific training, so that they understand a role that is genuinely different from the one they know.

8.0.7.0. A respected community representative is recommended Recommended May not apply Requirement

It is recommended that the board also involve at least one well-respected adult representative of the community, who need not be affiliated with Scouting America. Recommended, not required.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

8.0.5.5. The board may adjourn and reconvene Optional May not apply Event

Where it is thought the Venturer could properly complete the requirements before their 21st birthday, the board may adjourn and reconvene at a later date. It is best, if possible, for the same members to reassemble.

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

8.0.5.2. The Venturer participates in an Advisor conference Event

Once the requirements are complete, the candidate has an Advisor conference. Only then is a board of review scheduled.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.2. The rank requirements are complete.

8.0.5.2. A board of review is scheduled Task

After the Advisor conference, the review is arranged. Venturers must not be denied the opportunity to appear before a board once the requirements are done.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.2. The Venturer participates in an Advisor conference.

8.0.5.2. The chair sets the date, time and place with all involved parties Task

The board of review chair works with everyone involved to fix the arrangements. The place may be the crew meeting site or another convenient and comfortable location.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.2. A board of review is scheduled.

8.0.5.0. Which rank is this board of review for? Decision

The shared procedures are behind you; the particulars ahead differ. Discovery and Pathfinder are handled by the crew. Summit is handled by the council or district, and its gate is a verified application.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.2. The chair sets the date, time and place with all involved parties.

8.0.6.0. Particulars for the Discovery and Pathfinder ranks May not apply Milestone

These apply only to Discovery and Pathfinder. This is the branch where a Scouts BSA leader is most likely to run the wrong meeting, because almost nothing about the room is the same.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.0. Which rank is this board of review for?.

8.0.7.0. Particulars for the Summit rank May not apply Milestone

The highest rank a Venturer may achieve, and the board reflects it: five or six members, a chair from the council or district, and a verified application before anybody sits down.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.0. Which rank is this board of review for?.

8.0.6.0. The board is the candidate's peers, chaired by the crew president May not apply Often forgotten Requirement

Discovery and Pathfinder boards of review consist of the candidate's peers in the crew, and the crew president chairs. The chair selects the other board members from the crew.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.6.0. Particulars for the Discovery and Pathfinder ranks.

Read this twice if you are used to Scouts BSA. The board is the candidate's peers, Venturers from the crew, and the crew president chairs it. Adults are present, but the board is not made of them.

8.0.7.0. The local council must verify the Summit Rank Application first May not apply Often forgotten Approval

A board of review must not occur until after the local council has verified the Summit Rank Application. This is a gate, not a formality, and scheduling around it is how a board gets held that should not have been.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.7.0. Particulars for the Summit rank.

A hard gate and an easy one to trip. The board must not occur until the local council has verified the Summit Rank Application. Booking the room, the chair and five people before the council has finished is how a board ends up held that should not have been.

8.0.7.1. A board under disputed circumstances is available for Summit Optional May not apply Event

Available when a crew Advisor or committee chair will not sign the application, when a crew Advisor conference is denied, when it is thought a crew will not give a fair hearing, or when the Advisor or project beneficiary refuses to sign final approval for what might be a satisfactory project. Volunteers from the candidate's crew are not involved.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.7.0. Particulars for the Summit rank.

8.0.7.2. Beyond the 21st birthday, read the Eagle Scout topic with 21 for 18 May not apply Requirement

For a Summit board of review after a Venturer's 21st birthday, the Guide does not write out a separate procedure. It points at the Eagle Scout topic and says the procedures are the same, with references to the 18th birthday replaced by the 21st.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.7.0. Particulars for the Summit rank.

8.0.6.0. Two registered adults aged 21 or over must be present as advisors May not apply Requirement

Two adults, age 21 or older and registered with the crew, must be present. The Guide prefers them to come from the crew committee, though the crew Advisor or associate Advisors may also fulfil this responsibility.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.6.0. The board is the candidate's peers, chaired by the crew president.

8.0.7.0. Five members minimum, six maximum May not apply Requirement

The Summit board of review must consist of at least five but no more than six members. Both ends of that range are stated.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.7.0. The local council must verify the Summit Rank Application first.

8.0.6.0. Parents, relatives and guardians should not attend in any capacity May not apply Requirement

The Guide states this plainly for Discovery and Pathfinder boards, and "in any capacity" closes the door on attending as one of the two required adults.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.6.0. Two registered adults aged 21 or over must be present as advisors.

8.0.7.0. The chair comes from the council or district advancement committee May not apply Often forgotten Requirement

The chair must be an adult at least 21 years of age who is a Venturing-certified member of the local council or district advancement committee, or their designated Venturing-certified representative, selected according to local council practices.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.7.0. Five members minimum, six maximum.

The chair does not come from the crew. It is a Venturing-certified member of the council or district advancement committee, or their designated representative, chosen by local council practice. A crew cannot appoint one of its own and proceed.

8.0.6.0. About 30 minutes May not apply Requirement

The review should take approximately 30 minutes, long enough to give the candidate and the board a chance to explore the subjects being discussed.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

8.0.7.0. At least two Venturers, one of them from the candidate's crew May not apply Requirement

The board must include at least two Venturers, and at least one of those must come from the candidate's own crew.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.7.0. The chair comes from the council or district advancement committee.

8.0.7.0. One more registered adult besides the chair, who works regularly with Venturing May not apply Requirement

The board must include at least one adult in addition to the chair who is registered with Scouting America: preferably in the candidate's crew, and who works regularly with the Venturing program at any level.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.7.0. At least two Venturers, one of them from the candidate's crew.

8.0.7.0. The crew president and the chair must agree the final membership May not apply Approval

The candidate's crew president and the board of review chair must agree upon the final membership of the board. If the candidate is the crew president, the crew's vice president of administration takes that part instead.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.7.0. One more registered adult besides the chair, who works regularly with Venturing.

8.0.7.0. Members convene at least 30 minutes early to read the application and workbook May not apply Task

The board should meet at least half an hour before the scheduled review to go through the Summit application and the service project workbook, so the review itself is not spent reading.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.7.0. The crew president and the chair must agree the final membership.

8.0.7.0. 45 minutes or somewhat longer May not apply Requirement

Summit boards generally last 45 minutes or somewhat longer. It is acceptable for the review to run on if the discussions are positive and enjoyable. This is the highest rank a Venturer may achieve.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

8.0.5.3. The board of review is held Event

Where both branches meet. The purpose is to review the quality of the candidate's experience and, through discussion, to decide whether the Venturer has fulfilled the requirements. Venturers must not be denied this opportunity.

Usually comes after 8.0.6.0. About 30 minutes, 8.0.7.0. 45 minutes or somewhat longer and 8.0.7.1. A board under disputed circumstances is available for Summit.

8.0.5.3. It must NOT be a retest or an examination Often forgotten Requirement

A Venturing board of review must not become a retest or an "examination", nor a challenge of a Venturer's knowledge. That is stated as a prohibition, not as a preference.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.3. The board of review is held.

Stated as a prohibition. A Venturing board of review must not become a retest, an examination, or a challenge of the candidate's knowledge. If somebody on the board starts checking whether the Venturer can still do a thing they did last year, the review has gone wrong.

8.0.5.3. Discussions and stories about the fun, adventure and benefits Requirement

What replaces the questioning. A board of review gives Venturers the chance to relive the thrills, the accomplishments and the lessons, and in listening, the board uncovers how the candidate achieved the requirements.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.3. It must NOT be a retest or an examination.

8.0.5.4. The Venturer waits out of hearing while the board deliberates Event

After the review the candidate waits outside the room, or out of hearing, while the board decides. Every effort should be made to deliberate carefully and in enough detail to avoid factual misunderstanding.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.3. Discussions and stories about the fun, adventure and benefits.

8.0.5.4. A unanimous vote is required, and the chair votes Often forgotten Approval

Approval of Venturing advancement requires a unanimous vote. The chair is a voting member. If any member dissents, the decision cannot be for approval.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.4. The Venturer waits out of hearing while the board deliberates.

Unanimous, with the chair voting. One dissent means the decision cannot be for approval, and the candidate must never learn that there was a dissent, let alone whose. Before voting on a disagreement, check it is not a misunderstanding; calling the candidate back in is explicitly appropriate.

8.0.5.5. Did the board approve? Decision

The fork that decides what happens in the next five minutes and the next five months. Both routes have things that must be done and things that must not be said.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.4. A unanimous vote is required, and the chair votes.

8.0.5.5. The candidate is called in and congratulated May not apply Milestone

Where the board votes to approve, the Venturer is brought back in and congratulated. That is the whole of the ceremony the Guide describes at this point.

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.5. Did the board approve?.

8.0.5.5. The candidate is told what to do to pass the board May not apply Task

Where the board decides the requirements have not been fulfilled, the candidate must be told so, and told what to do about it. Being turned down without being told what would have worked is not one of the options.

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.5. Did the board approve?.

8.0.5.5. The board of review date is the rank's effective date May not apply Often forgotten Requirement

Not the date the paperwork is filed, and not the date of the court of honor. The date the board sat is the date the rank takes effect.

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.5. The candidate is called in and congratulated.

The rank is effective the day the board sat, not the day the paperwork was processed or the court of honor was held. Getting this wrong shifts tenure and can affect what the Venturer is eligible for next.

8.0.5.5. A follow-up letter must be sent promptly May not apply Often forgotten Document

In all cases where advancement is denied, a follow-up letter must be sent promptly to the Venturer who was turned down, suggesting actions that could help them complete the requirements successfully.

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.5. The candidate is told what to do to pass the board.

Not optional and not satisfied by the conversation in the room. In all cases where advancement is denied a follow-up letter must be sent promptly, suggesting what would help the candidate succeed. For Summit it must also explain the appeal procedures.

8.0.7.0. A Summit candidate gets only ONE board of review May not apply Often forgotten Requirement

The Summit candidate may have only one board of review, though it may be adjourned and reconvened. Subsequent action falls under the appeal process. There is no second board to arrange.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.5. The candidate is told what to do to pass the board.

There is no second Summit board of review. It may be adjourned and reconvened, but once a board has concluded against the candidate, everything after that is the appeal process. A crew waiting to arrange another review is waiting for something that is not coming.

8.0.6.0. The chair reports the result May not apply Task

For Discovery and Pathfinder the Guide names who hears it: the chair conducts the review according to Scouting America procedures and reports results to the crew Advisor and the advancement coordinator.

You have not answered "Has the board been held, and how did it go?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.5. The board of review date is the rank's effective date.

8.0.7.0. A Summit denial may be appealed Optional May not apply Task

Negative decisions of a Summit board of review may be appealed. The Guide does not write out a separate procedure: it says to follow the Scouts BSA appeal topics and replace the Scouts BSA references with the Venturing ones.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.5.5. A follow-up letter must be sent promptly and 8.0.7.0. A Summit candidate gets only ONE board of review.

8.0.6.0. Discovery and Pathfinder: nothing is presented until the report reaches the council May not apply Requirement

The rank must not be presented until the signed advancement report has been submitted to the local council.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.6.0. The chair reports the result.

8.0.7.0. Summit: no medal, no patch, no court of honor until the certificate exists May not apply Often forgotten Requirement

The Summit medal or patch must not be sold or otherwise provided to any crew or to the Venturer, and the court of honor should not be scheduled, until after the certificate is created at the National Service Center.

You have not answered "Which rank is this board of review for?" yet.

Usually comes after 8.0.6.0. The chair reports the result.