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Electronic Advancement Reporting

Reporting advancement is a requirement of the Boy Scouts of America, and entering it directly into the BSA system through an internet portal is the most straightforward way to get it done.

6.0.0.1 Importance and Benefits of Electronic Advancement Reporting

Internet Advancement has been available for reporting ranks, advancement awards, merit badges, and many other awards available across BSA programs. The next generation of reporting software will also allow the reporting of individual requirements for ranks and awards, with the portal accessible through a computer, tablet, or smartphone. See topic 6.0.0.3, “The Next Generation in Electronic Advancement Reporting.”

As stated in “Reporting Advancement,” 4.0.0.2, all advancement must be reported to local councils.* This is important in keeping member records up to date, and it assures an accurate count in the Journey to Excellence performance recognition program. “Unit Advancement Responsibilities,” 3.0.0.3, suggests the unit advancement coordinator should use the BSA’s internet portal to accomplish the reporting. When this is done, it alleviates issues in documenting progress as Scouts submit Eagle applications or transfer from one unit to another within a council. Consistent and constant reporting also assures accurate records for use by commissioners, other district and council volunteers, and the National Council.

These are critical in evaluating unit health, adjusting service delivery, and reviewing changes in programs and requirements. It is recommended that units report advancement at least monthly with a final annual report each December. These reporting cycles are important because they support local and National Council data collection for the Journey to Excellence program as well as statistical analysis.

Benefits of Electronic Advancement Reporting

  • Provides straightforward and direct method of reporting
  • Eliminates issues with deciphering handwriting
  • Helps in local council verification of Eagle Scout Rank Applications
  • Records ranks, badges, and awards in accordance with BSA advancement rules
  • Consolidates data files to reduce or eliminate record gaps when Scouts transfer units
  • Supports national data analysis for advancement statistics
  • Assures advancement is counted in the Journey to Excellence

6.0.0.2 About Internet Advancement

With Internet Advancement, units select an advancement processor who is granted access with a council-provided unit ID. Because of documentation requirements, the Eagle Scout rank, and nominated recognitions such as meritorious action awards, are not entered electronically. Internet Advancement is accessed through the local council’s website or from my.scouting.org . When first-time unit processors enter, they are greeted by a welcome page with instructions and invited to log in and accept a confidentiality agreement. Once they have provided some registration information, they move to an overview page with additional instructions. Returning users skip these steps and go directly to selecting members for advancement.

In Internet Advancement, units may choose to upload advancement files from third-party software or to enter information manually. The best resource for working with Internet Advancement is “Getting the Most From Internet Advancement.” It can be found here under Advancement Educational Presentations. This PowerPoint presentation provides orientation for both unit and district volunteers on functionality and covers the operating systems and browsers with which Internet Advancement works or does not work.