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6 Tips for holding a Great Scoutmaster Conference

A Scoutmaster Conference is a visit between the Scoutmaster and a Scout. During the conference, the two discuss the Scout’s ambitions, set goals for future achievement, review the Scout’s participation in the troop and explore their understanding and practice of the ideals of Scouting.

The conference can also provide an opportunity to solicit feedback on the troop program and any challenges the Scout may be facing. These conferences can be fun and easy or scary and awkward.

Here are some tips on how to make them a great experience

List: (or Example or Who,What,Where,When,How)


1. Remember it’s not a test

You are not there to sign anyone off (except for the Scoutmasters Conference), make sure they have achieved all the requirements by testing them or drilling them on Scout skills. It should be a positive conversation about the interests, challenges, and goals that individual Scout has. Allow about 10-15 minutes for the conference or about 30 minutes for the Eagle conference.

2. Make the conference special

Give the Scout your undivided attention throughout the meeting. Make sure that there are no interruptions by having the SPL and the Assistant Scoutmaster handle the meeting if you are having the conference at a regular Troop meeting. If it is at a different meeting, advise all the other people present to give you and the Scout uninterrupted time. Don’t sit behind a desk or have any physical barrier between you and the Scout – two chairs are all you need. If you have the Conference at a campout – feel free to use two logs!

3. Do a lot of listening

“It takes a great man to be a good listener.”― Calvin Coolidge Listening to a Scout empowers him or her to share more with you and open up. Here are some listening tips from Forbes Magazine:

  • Face the speaker and maintain eye contact.
  • Be attentive, but relaxed.
  • Keep an open mind.

  • Listen to the words and try to picture what the speaker is saying.
  • Don’t interrupt and don’t impose your “solutions”.

    • 4. Ask open ended questions

    There are lots of lists of questions on the internet. They all seem to be very goal-related examples “What merit badges did you enjoy and why?” I think that those questions are more suited to the Board of Review as they relate more to the rank and requirements. Here are five open-ended questions that should get the conversation rolling:

    1. Tell me about the best time you’ve had so far in Scouting.
      2.  
    2. Tell me about something that made you think about the Scout Law, or the Oath, or something that had to do with Scouts.
      3.  
    3. Tell me about something messed up about our Troop.
      4.  
    4. Tell me about something that you wished that you could do better — in or out of Scouting.
      5.  
    5. Tell me something about yourself that has NOTHING to do with Scouting.
    These have no “right” answers but are great for starting conversations. In the end, you will have a good idea if Scouting has had a positive effect on the Scout.

    5. Have a plan

    OK, I know what you are thinking – That’s a lot of stuff to cram into 10-15 minutes. It’s not so bad, as long as you have a plan for your Scoutmaster Conference. I suggest a checklist that you use BEFORE the conference begins. Be sure these items are on your list:

  • Youth Protection concerns are addressed.
  • Conference area is prepared.
  • Other members were notified of the upcoming conference.

  • Review of talking points complete.
  • Review of “things not to talk about” complete.

    • 6. Avoid these traps

    There are some traps in holding a Scoutmaster Conference that need to be avoided. Here are some common ones and ways to avoid them.

    1. The meeting is running long –Just say something like  “Man, I’m glad that we got to talk a bit. Anytime you want to talk again, let me know and I’ll set aside some time for you. And good luck on your Board of Review!” That ends the Scoutmaster Conference and lets the Scout know he can reserve time with you in the future.
    2. A sensitive topic has come up – some topics are outside the area of the Scoutmaster Conference. Politics, sex, race, and so forth need to be deferred. Bring it back to the Scouting ideals. Turn the conversation back towny you two are here.
    3. Talking about other Scouters. The conference is between you and the Scout. Cut off the conversation with something like “Well, he is a good Scouter, and I’m glad to have him here…but I don’t think it’s fair that we talk about him without him being here….”
    If this is your first Scoutmaster conference, relax and enjoy it! If all this is old hat, think about ways to make it a better experience for the Scout. About all, remember that positive interactions with our Scouts will help us grow into responsible adults.

    References:

    Understanding the Scoutmaster conference
    Scoutmaster’s Conference FAQ
    SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE GUIDELINES
    10 Steps To Effective Listening
    Scoutmaster Conference Questions
    Scoutmaster Conference

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