Transcript WELCOME, EAGLE CANDIDATES! Congratulations, Life Scout. In attaining the rank of Life Scout, you have had the opportunity to learn and master many.

WELCOME, EAGLE CANDIDATES!
Congratulations, Life Scout.
In attaining the rank of Life Scout, you have
had the opportunity to learn and master
many skills. You've hiked and camped in
good and not-so-good weather. You've
learned to take care of yourself and others
in the out-of-doors, as well as in your home
community….
Before you now is the opportunity to master
yet another set of skills. These skills are
encompassed in the requirements for the rank
of Eagle Scout. One of these requirements is
your demonstration of leadership skills. You do
so by planning and carrying out an Eagle
Scout Leadership Service Project….
- Robert J. Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive
Step 1.
• Understand the requirements for Eagle
– In order to advance to the rank of Eagle, a candidate
must complete all requirements from Scout to Eagle,
prior to his 18th birthday, including;
•
•
•
•
•
Scout skills / Scoutcraft
Scout spirit; (do not take this one “lightly”)
Community Service hours (2nd Class, Star, Life)
21 merit badges, 12 of which are Eagle designated
positions of responsibility (Bugler is not an acceptable leadership
position to satisfy the Life to Eagle requirement)
• while a Life Scout, plan, develop, and provide leadership to
others in a service project
• Scoutmaster Conferences
• Boards of Review
Step 2.
• Begin the “process” of your Eagle Project by
using the BSA Eagle Scout Leadership Service
Project Workbook:
– Read the workbook completely and know the
requirements
• the Life Scout must
– select his own Eagle service project;
• Project can not be chosen/directed by an adult or institution
• Project concept must be approved by the Scoutmaster (and
consult the DER if in doubt) prior to detailing the project in the
workbook
• Project can not benefit a for-profit business or private
individual, or the BSA
• Provide presentation to designated Troop Committee
members
Recommend explaining your project in writing – a couple of paragraphs
Step 2.
• Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project
Workbook continued:
the candidate must
– have the project workbook signed by all 4 of the
following adults prior to performing the work
•
•
•
•
the Scoutmaster (does your Scoutmaster know who you are?)
the Unit Committee Chairman
the Benefactor of the project, (do they really want it?)
the Council or District Eagle Committee or
Representative. (do you know your DER?)
Step 2.
• The “Project” work MUST NOT be started
PRIOR to collecting all four of the stated
signatures.
– Failure to comply with this requirement can
VOID the entire project, requiring a NEW
project to be chosen and new cycle of
signatures to be acquired!
Step 2.
• Planning your workdays (Troop 10 rules)
– No Sunday mornings – absolutely forbidden.
– A Troop 10 adult must be present during workdays.
– Your Eagle Mentor or the Scoutmaster must physically inspect your
worksite when you are finished.
– Plan accordingly – do not procrastinate
• Finish the project
–
–
–
–
–
Clean up the mess – the work site will be immaculate!
Finish all touch up work.
Complete the post-project portion of your workbook.
Get all your signatures.
Anything less than the above is not a finished project.
• Time Management
– Do not procrastinate!
– No Troop 10 adult will be inconvenienced because of your lack of
planning.
Step 3.
• Understand the timing of the Eagle Project, all
Eagle rank requirements, and the Eagle Board
of Review
– The BoR should be conducted no later than 3 months
after the scout’s 18th birthday, and must be completed
within 6 months of 18th birthday, or special approval is
required from Council.
– The Eagle Application must be reviewed by the NCAC
prior to the BoR
• Recommend fax a copy – usually returned with signature the
same day
• Forward original and fax copy in package – get signatures on
both
Step 4.
• Start filling in the Eagle Application now, and continue as
you progress through the requirements for Eagle rank.
• The Eagle Application will be signed by
– The unit leader at the proper place, after the Scoutmaster
Conference (SMC) for Eagle rank
– The unit committee chairman (UCC)
• The unit committee reviews and approves the record of the Eagle
candidate.
– If a unit leader or unit committee fails to sign or otherwise
approve an application, the Eagle candidate may still be granted
a board of review
• The failure of a unit leader or unit committee to sign an application
may be considered by the board of review in determining the
qualification of the Eagle candidate
Step 5.
– Gather Your References: Eagle Application
• Generate a list of 5 people who know you well enough to speak
about your character, your work ethic, your religious affiliation,
your scout spirit.
» Neighbors, religious teachers, school teachers, coaches,
employers
» Not unit leaders, generally
» Not the Scoutmaster
• Contact these references personally, by phone AND by letter,
asking if they will supply a “letter of reference” to your
upcoming “Eagle Board of Review”.
– With the letter request, include a self-addressed stamped
envelope, pre-addressed to the Troop Advancement Chairman
– Reference letters are confidential, and their contents
are not to be disclosed to any person who is not a
member of the board of review.
Step 6.
• Write a “Life and Ambition Statement”:
– As stated on the Eagle Application,
“Attach to this application a statement of your ambitions
and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your
religious institution, school, camp, community, or
other organizations during which you demonstrated
leadership skills.
• Include honors and awards received during this service.
• This is a chance to blow your horn. Do not hold back!
Step 7.
• Plan and Coordinate a Board of Review.
– Work with your Scoutmaster (SM), Troop Advancement
Chairman, Mentor AND District Eagle Representative
• Your Troop will choose who will be on your BoR besides the Troop
Advancement Chairman and the District Eagle Representative
– Max 6 people on the BoR
• A Troop representative will contact them personally, by phone, to
request their participation, explaining to them the significance and
their role on the Board, and providing the time and location
– The Troop will schedule the facility with the appropriate
personnel.
• Call the facility 2 weeks in advance or more
– Plan to wear complete Class A uniform and bring your
Eagle workbook, complete with all details, Life and
Ambition statement, and completed and signed eagle
application (SM, UCC)
Step 8.
• Have a Board of Review
• The board of review (BoR) for an Eagle candidate:
– Unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives, or guardians may not
serve as members of a Scout's board of review.
– The board of review members should convene at least 30 minutes
before the candidate appears in order to review the Eagle
application, Life and Ambition Statement, 6 reference letters, and
complete leadership service project workbook.
– At least one district or council advancement representative must be a
member of the Eagle board of review if the board of review is
conducted on a unit level.
– A council or district may designate more than one person to serve as
a member of Eagle boards of review when requested to do so by the
unit.
• It is not required that these persons be members of the advancement
committee; however, they must have an understanding of the
importance of the Eagle board of review.
Step 8.
• The candidate's Unit leader (SM) introduces him to the members of
the board of review.
• The unit leader may remain in the room, but does not participate in
the board of review.
• The unit leader may be called on to clarify a point in question.
• In no case should a relative or guardian of the candidate attend the
review, even as a unit leader. (discretion of the DER)
• There is no standard set of questions that an Eagle candidate should
be asked.
– However, the board should be assured of the candidate's participation in
the program.
– This is the highest award that a Scout may achieve and, consequently, a
thorough discussion of his successes and experiences in Scouting
should be considered.
• After the review, the candidate and his unit leader leave the room
while the board members discuss the acceptability of the candidate
as an Eagle Scout.
Step 8.
• The decision (of the board) must be unanimous for approval.
• If the candidate meets the requirements, he is asked to return and is
informed that he will receive the board's recommendation for the
Eagle Scout rank.
• If the candidate does not meet the requirements, he is asked to return
and told the reasons for his failure to qualify.
– A discussion should be held with him as to how he may meet the
requirements within a given period.
– Should the applicant disagree with the decision, the appeal procedures
should be explained to him.
– A follow-up letter must be sent to the Scout confirming the agreements
reached on the action(s) necessary for the advancement.
– If the Scout chooses to appeal, the board should provide the name and
address of the person he is to contact. (See "Appealing a Decision" in the
National BSA Policies and Procedures, No. 33088A.)
Step 9.
• Immediately After BoR Approval is given:
– the Eagle Application is appropriately signed by the
Eagle Board chairman and DER
– The Eagle BoR Advancement Report is signed by
three persons: the Unit Advancement Chairman
(usually), the BoR Chairman and another board
member (such as the DER)
– Letters of reference are given to the AC or
Scoutmaster, but are destroyed after BSA National
informs SM of approval. Letters do not go to the scout
Step 10.
• Actions of the Scout after a successful BoR :
– Candidate makes two (2) copies of the Workbook. One
copy is for the scout and one copy is for the DER
– Candidate should make and keep one (1) copy of the
Eagle Application (both pages) and one copy (1) of the
Life and Ambition statement (L&A)
– Candidate should make three (3) copies of the completed
BoR Advancement Report and insert into workbook for
council use
Step 10.
• Actions of the Scout after a successful BoR :
– Candidate assembles the council “package” which
includes the original Service Project Workbook, original
Eagle Application, L&A Statement and the three (3)
copies of the (just completed) BoR Advancement Report
• (form 34403)
– Candidate either hand delivers or mails (certified receipt
recommended) the “package” to:
National Capital Area Council, BSA
9190 Rockvile Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814
– The Scout should provide a copy of the Service Project
Workbook to the benefiting organization for their records.
Step 10.
• The application arrives at the council
service center:
– the front desk will give you a receipt for the
package, if hand delivered.
• Hours are 8:30 to 5:00, M-F
– Council will review all documents and forward
the Eagle Application to National
Step 10.
• When the “package” with the application and
workbook arrives at the council service center:
– the Scout executive signs it to certify that the proper
procedure has been followed and that the Board of
Review has recommended the candidate for the
Eagle Scout rank. The workbook is retained by the
council during the Council approval process. The
workbook may be returned to the Scout after National
Council approval. Only the Eagle Scout Rank
Application is actually forwarded to the National
Eagle Scout Service office.
Step 11.
• National will approve the EA and reply to Local
Council.
• Local Council will mail a post card to the
Scoutmaster informing that the candidate has
been approved by National and is formally an
Eagle Scout.
– Often takes 2-3 weeks
• Note: the date that a Life Scout becomes an
Eagle Scout is the BoR date. Consider this when
the new Eagle Scout starts earning Eagle
Palms.
Step 12
• Scoutmaster will notify scout of national
council review.
– Candidate must pick up the workbook directly
from local council office.
– Council will also give several documents,
along with an Eagle badge, medal, 1 parent
Eagle pin, and Eagle ID card.
– Candidate starts planning and coordinating an
Eagle Court of Honor with Troop Eagle CoH
Coordinator.