I am a merit badge counselor, and I also put together a matrix for the Scouts. Right after the upgrade I could look for merit badge counselors (all the cities were wrong, but at least I could see them), now I have to have all their info to move forward. The reference sheets indicate there should be 3 options, the 3rd option is ‘advanced search’. I no longer have an advanced option. I have no way to look for counselors for a badge.
I have:
Option 1 is that I know their last name and BSA ID.
Option 2 is I know their first name, last name and email. If I don’t have all that info I cannot move forward.
I can no longer see anything and just don’t know what to do next.
@HeatherSilva - the advanced search is present if you work from the merit badge on a scout record.
But it isn’t. I saw that in the video too, but it is not there. I tied on my sons account and no option 3.
@HeatherSilva - do you haveva position in the troop ? If so what is your registered position? Do you see the left side menu option of MB Counselors.. that is your primary search.
If you are in the parent profile in the upper-right that could be your issue
I am an ASM and Merit Badge Counselor. I am also the MB Coordinator for our Troop. I have looked at my profile and at my son’s (youth profile). I don’t know how he could ever get a counselor since he cannot search for one. Like I explained, when I am on the youth profile there is only option 1 and 2. I’m digging so hard because he needs a lifesaving MB counselor and we can’t see who that may be.
Youth are not supposed to search for counselors directly. Youth are supposed to meet with their SM to request contact information for MBCs. This is explained in detail in the Guide to Advancement.
As has been noted several times, ASMs do not by default have access to the MBC search functionality, and must be assigned such by one if the unit’s Key 3 (SM, CC or COR). The process for such assignments is in the links Ed and Jennifer have posted above.
@HeatherSilva - you may want to read the section on merit badge process
@HeatherSilva - I can set up a screenshare if you wish to show you the process.
I think part of the issue is that our Troop decided to do it differently and has resisted having the unit leader assign the MBC. They make the Scout look at an excel sheet for the MBC, etc. Maybe the shift to Scoutbook Plus will be the push they need to move off paper blue cards and to align to the process in the guide. I’ll see if they will consider modernizing.
@HeatherSilva - if you use your parent profile in the upper right you should be able to assign a counselor if you have the contact information.
Scouting America frowns on using printed or copied MBC lists because they can be out of date. By getting the desired MBCs out of Scoutbook Plus at the time the Scout needs an MBC, you are sure to get a list that is current and that all MBCs have current Safeguarding Youth Training.
