The Northern Lights Council is excited to announce that units will be able to use Internet Advancement to record their youth member advancements from any online location – at home or at the office - beginning January 1, 2007.  This new method for recording advancements is easier, more convenient, and more accurate and efficient because you enter the information, and it will save you the effort of handwriting advancements onto a form.

Internet Advancement makes it easy for your unit to record awards, ranks, and merit badges to youth via an online process.  You can also update information on existing advancements (except the Eagle Scout rank).  This process is similar to that used by Internet Rechartering and by the Good Turn for America service project reporting. 

Click Here To Begin Internet Advancement

Here’s how Internet Advancement works for your unit:


1. Select your unit advancement processor prior to January 1, 2007.  This person must have Internet connectivity and be able to utilize Microsoft Internet Explorer.

2. Obtain a unit ID from the Council.  Your Unit ID can be found on the label at the bottom of the flyer you received.

3. Gather the needed information for entry of advancement, including merit badge applications and advancement records with dates.

4. Click the Internet Advancement link at www.nlcbsa.org.  Follow the instructions in Internet Advancement to process advancements and print an advancement report.

5. Have the appropriate people sign the printed unit advancement report and submit it to the Council

6. Save a copy for your files.

For information or a unit ID number call toll free 877-293-5011 .

We strongly encourage your unit to use the Internet-Based Advancement Reporting.  Thank you in advance for your unit’s participation.  If you have questions please contact your local Council office.

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The Process

• Select one person from your unit to be your unit advancement processor.  This person will have the log in information and be authorized to do on-line advancement reporting.

• Have that person attend a District training session

• Go to the Northern Lights Council’s Web site – www.nlcbsa.org, find the Internet Advancement page, and click on the Internet Advancement link.

• Click on the Internet Advancement link as a first-time user, and then log on with the unit ID, unit type, and four-digit unit number using the information on the label below.  The advancement processor will continue using the unit ID and user-selected password in the future as a returning user.

• After log on, the system will use the information from ScoutNET.  (Internet Advancement will be unavailable the following days for system maintenance:  9:00 pm CST on Saturday thru 6:00 pm CST on Sunday.)

• Follow the instructions on the Screen to enter an award or advancement for the youth in your unit.

• When you complete the process, the system submits the file.  The submittal process updates the youth member records for the unit within ScoutNET and the Council information.

• Print the Advancement Report and acquire the appropriate signatures.  The signatures verify the approval for the advancements reported.  Boy Scout Troops must continue to submit Merit Badge cards with Advancement Report.

• Mail or turn in the Advancement Report to your Scout Service Center.

• Save a copy for your files.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Internet Advancement is supported by Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher.  No other browser provides full functionality.  The system works with a minimum 56-KB dialup modem connection to the Internet.  Faster connection such as DSL and cable will speed up the process.

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