"Advancement News" Newsletter 
About Advancement News:

Advancement News is the official e-letter of the Boy Scouts of America National Advancement Team. The News is intended to support and clarify procedures found in the Guide to Advancement, announce various changes and updates in advancement, and to assist advancement committees in making decisions that can help increase the rate of advancement."  It is generally a monthly publication.  (from the initial issue of Advancement News, October 2011)  Advancement News is for Council, District, and Unit advancement leadership.  Issues of Advancement News will be posted as they are published.

October 2011; November 2011; February 2012; March 2012;  April 2012; May 2012; August/September 2012; October 2012; November 2012;  December 2012-January 2013; February 2013; April 2013  NEW May 2013

To make this resource even more useful and supportive to Scouters, past editions have been archived and are available at www.scouting.org/GuideToAdvancement/Advancement_News.aspx.

BSA Guide to Advancement (GTA) - 2011
(National Council)
 

The BSA National Advancement Team has published the Guide to Advancement, 2011. The NCAC Advancement and Recognition Committee confirms that this document is mandatory on and after January 1, 2012. This means the procedures, documents, criteria and guidance within the document must be followed  Click HERE or the image to view or right click to download the document. Note: this is a 4.2MB file.

This document contains clarifying information and explanations concerning the advancement program. Please read it carefully since there are several significant changes.

Click HERE to review or right click to download the significant changes contained in the GTA prepared by Alan Deter, Chairman, Advancement & Recognition Committee, NCAC, BSA. If you have questions, please direct them to your District Advancement Chairman.

The text below is a direct quote from the GTA’s Introduction and reflects the position of the National Advancement Team and the NCAC.

“The Guide to Advancement is the official source for administering advancement in all Boy Scouts of America programs: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, and Sea Scouts. It replaces the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures and Advancement and Recognition Policies and Procedures, which are no longer valid.

Be aware that statements or interpretations offered from unofficial websites and other such sources may be out of date or incorrect. They will not be considered in resolving advancement questions and issues. In situations not specifically covered in this guide, advancement chairs, coordinators, or other administrators should make decisions based on the aims and mission of the Boy Scouts of America, as well as the Scout Oath and Scout Law—and common sense.

Regardless the program — Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, or Sea Scouts—where advancement takes place, it is nothing more and nothing less than a method. It is a means toward accomplishing the Boy Scouts of America mission. It is not an end in itself. When as advancement administrators—both volunteer and professional—we recognize this, we can expect success. To see it otherwise is to indicate we have forgotten our purpose.”

The 2010 NCAC Eagle Scout Procedures Guide is currently under revision and will be published when completed.

If you have any questions, please contact your District Advancement Committee Chairman. 

Yours in Scouting,
Alan.

Alan Deter, Chairman
Advancement and Recognition Committee, NCAC, BSA
alandeter@verizon.net 

 5/9/2013 @ 10:45 PM RDK