EAGLE PROJECTAPPROVAL - APPOINTMENTS GUIDELINES - PREPARING FOR THE EAGLE SCOUT BOARD OF REVIEW

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1 EAGLE PROJECTAPPROVAL - APPOINTMENTS GUIDELINES - PREPARING FOR THE EAGLE SCOUT BOARD OF REVIEW This Guide breaks down the information about completing the requirements for earning the Eagle Scout Rank Award in the following manner: The Biggest Issue TIME! Eagle Scout Rank Requirements Merit Badge Basics A Guide to the Eagle Scout Service Project & Project Approval Process Letters of Recommendation Eagle Rank Application Creation of Your Eagle Application Book Council / District Approval Your Eagle Application and Book Your Eagle Scout Rank Board of Review Helpful Tips and What to Expect THE BIGGEST ISSUE - TIME! Let s start up front with a quick discussion about the biggest issue that seems to cause the largest problem in the whole Eagle Scout process. Whenever there appears to be a problem with a scout working towards Eagle, it usually seems to come down to the issue of time. Over and over again we get Scouts who are trying to finish the process at the last minute. There is one almost totally unbendable rule in the process - all the requirements must be completed before the Scout s 18 th birthday. The Six and Twenty District Eagle Scout Board of Review may be held within three months after the birth date, but it is NOT recommended as it is too late to add any missing requirements that may be discovered if the scout has already turned 18. There are exceptions made for special needs Scouts and circumstances that are beyond your control, but those are very rare and are granted by the national BSA Advancement Team after consideration from the Blue Ride Council. Look at how much time is left before your 18 th birthday and work with your Scout leaders to determine what needs to be done and plan on how it can be accomplished in the time remaining. Do whatever you need to do to work out your schedule to make it work. Look ahead and take steps now to get to where you want to be. Take this as a warning plain and simple. We cannot request an extension from National BSA solely due to the fact you are quickly approaching your 18 th birthday and need more time. EAGLE SCOUT RANK REQUIREMENTS In order to advance to the rank of Eagle Scout, a candidate must complete all the following requirements. Your unit leader will need to sign your book as you complete each one. Page 1 of 18

2 1. Be active in your troop, team, crew or ship for a period of at least 6 months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout. This is simply a time requirement. A full six months must be completed as a life scout and not one day less. Your Eagle Scout Board of Review date must be at least six months and one day after your Life board of review date. 2. Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. Scouts are tested in this strength every day of their lives. 3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have) including the following: (1) Camping, (2) Citizenship in the Community, (3) Citizenship in the Nation, (4) Citizenship in the World, (5) Communications, (6) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (7) Environmental Science, (8) First Aid, (9) Cycling OR Hiking OR Swimming, (10) Personal Management, (11) Personal Fitness, and (12) Family Life. The other 9 merit badges are your choice. As listed above, twelve of the 21 merit badges you must complete are required. For required badges 6 and 9 on your Eagle Rank Application, you must choose only one badge; place a line through the other badge choices. If you have earned more than one required badge in those areas, list the others as your non-required badges. Make sure you list these other required badges on the application. 4. While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more positions of responsibility. Boy Scout troop: Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, Venture patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aid, instructor, Webmaster, Leave No Trace trainer. Varsity Scout team: Captain, co-captain, program manager, squad leader, team secretary, Order of the Arrow team representative, librarian, historian, quartermaster, chaplain aid, instructor, den chief, Webmaster, Leave No Trace trainer. Venturing crew / Sea Scout ship: President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, quartermaster, historian, den chief, guide, boatswain, boatswain's mate, yeoman, purser, storekeeper, Webmaster, or Leave No Trace trainer. During the time you are a Life Scout you must hold a leadership position for at least six months. You may combine more than one position s months of service to fulfill this requirement. No leadership time before becoming a Life Scout counts toward this requirement. 5. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project should benefit an Page 2 of 18

3 organization other than Boy Scouting.) The project plan must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and troop committee and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, No , in meeting this requirement. To find the form, go to The guidelines for the leadership project are discussed in the following sections. 6. Take part in a Scoutmaster Conference, obtain signature 7. Successfully complete a Eagle Board of Review. The Eagle Board of Review is managed by the at the District level for. MERIT BADGE BASICS The requirements for Eagle Scout include having 21 merit badges. Twelve of these are required. The nine remaining badges are elective. Chances are, by now, that you have determined which merit badges you plan to finish between now and the completion of all 21 badges. Don t forget that additional merit badges after the 21 for Eagle can qualify you for Eagle Palms. Two areas of concern come up about merit badges. Three of the required merit badges have time restrictions (3 months in Personal Fitness, Family Life, & Personal Management). Make sure you know what needs to be done and plan ahead so you have enough time to get it done before your 18 th birthday. Keep all the rank advancement cards for your merit badges together as well as any rank advancement sheets you might have from summer camps. It will be necessary to include them in your Eagle Book in the order they are listed on the Eagle Rank application, rank advancement card facing front and optional green and white card behind. This keeps the process going smoothly allowing us to quickly verify your records. Make sure all your merit badges are sewn on your sash correct side up, (orientated correctly). Badge orientation can be verified by checking the merit badge book or going to: A GUIDE TO THE EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECT The Requirement While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to your religious institution, school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than the BSA.) The project idea must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader (Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Coach, Venturing crew Advisor), unit committee, and by the 6 & 20 district advancement committee before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, # pdf, in meeting this requirement. No other form will be accepted. The form may be downloaded from the district website at Page 3 of 18

4 or the National Eagle Scout Association s website at Originality Does the leadership service project for Eagle have to be original, perhaps something you dream up that has never been done before? The answer is no, but it certainly could be. You may pick a project that has been done before, but you must accept responsibility for planning, directing, and following through to its completion as it will stand alone as your project. If you are not certain a project qualifies, contact one of the District Eagle Board of Review Chairman below: Limitations Mr. Doug Larson Mr. Jim Culwell Tel (864) Tel (864) Doug.Larson@hanson.com jculwell@palmettoinsurance.com The project selected cannot be for an individual or for a business. It must benefit a community organization other than the Boy Scouts, for example a church, school, or other community based organization. Routine labor (a job of service normally rendered) should not be considered. The only other restriction is that the project cannot be a fund raiser. You may have to do fund rising to obtain money to complete the project but fund raising cannot be the focus of your project. Be sure to understand that as you are selecting a project, you are admonished to go beyond projects that are primarily maintenance in nature. Painting walls for an organization is normally unacceptable. Cutting the grass or weeding a garden may be part of your project, but the scope of your project should go beyond these types of maintenance and should make a significant impact on the organization. Safety All Eagle Scout service projects constitute official Scouting activity and thus are subject to BSA policies and procedures. Health and safety of those working on Eagle projects must be integrated with project execution. As with any Scouting activity, the Guide to Safe Scouting applies. The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety must also be consulted as an appropriate planning tool. Power tools should only be utilized by adults, with safety glasses and gloves, if needed. The scout should know all safety hazards associated with each power tool and address it in the plan. You should also have a first aid kit on hand for minor injuries. Scouting Safely can be found at Project Size The service project must be large enough to allow a scout enough time to properly plan and give ample opportunity to demonstrate leadership while carrying out the project. Though the time spent by everyone connected to your project counts, the amount of time spent by you in planning your project and the actual working time spent in carrying out the project should be as much as necessary for you to demonstrate your leadership to others. Your unit cannot set a Page 4 of 18

5 requirement for number of hours for your project as stated in The BSA Advancement Policies and Procedures Guide Addressing Common Misconceptions 1. No unit, district, council, or individual shall place any requirement or other arbitrary standard on the number of hours spent on a project. Remember that two Eagle Scout applicants cannot work together to get credit for the same project. Getting Your Eagle Service Project Approved Once you have selected what you would like to do as a service project, you must follow the guidelines to get it approved before you can start work on it. You must use the Eagle Project Workbook (Form pdf). No other forms will be accepted. This workbook is available online at the district website or at National Eagle Scout Association. Complete the Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal pages in the workbook (pages 6-10) and Fundraising Application (pages 17-18). If your fundraising effort involves contributions only from the beneficiary or you, your parents or relatives, your unit or its chartered organization, or parents or members in your unit, submitting the fundraising application for approval is not necessary. However, if you will be obtaining money or materials from any other sources, you must submit a completed fundraising application (page 17-18) for approval to the Eagle Board of Review. See page 18 of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook ( ) for procedures and limitations on Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising. It is highly recommended that you type the information but hand writing is permissible as long as it is extremely neat and legible. Use black ink as copies must be made. The information may be computer typed and cut and pasted into the book. If more room is needed, write see attached and add additional sheets where appropriate. The key approval signatures on page #10 are (1) the project beneficiary; i.e., the organization which will benefit from the project, (2) your unit leader, and (3) your unit committee chairman. Key approval signatures for the Fundraising Application are (1) the project beneficiary and (2) your unit leader. Once you receive theses three signatures on approval page #10 of your workbook, and two signatures on page #17, you must obtain district approval from the Six and Twenty District Eagle Board of Review. At this point you will need to go to the Six and Twenty District website and find the Eagle Scout Preparation page to request an official Eagle Service Project approval appointment with the Eagle Board of Review. You will find the online form to complete under the Eagle Candidates - Book Your Appointment Below. (For more info, see Request Appointment with Eagle Board of Review below) At the preapproved time, you will meet with members from the District Eagle Board of Review committee. Have your Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal, neatly packaged and bound, with the necessary approval signatures from you project beneficiary, unit leader and committee chairman, as identified above. Your bound proposal should include photos, drawings, plans, expectations, and frustrations for discussion. Photos and drawings should include descriptive captions. You are allowed, if you choose, to have a parent, or your unit leader, or other adult present to observe and listen to possible suggestions about the project. It goes without saying Page 5 of 18

6 that you should be in full uniform for this meeting and any time you are conducting yourself with any organization regarding your project. Eagle Scout Service Project Coach After your project proposal is approved by the District, you have available to you, at your option, the use of the Six and Twenty Eagle District s Eagle Project Coach. Mr. Terry King is the Six and Twenty District Eagle Project Coach. He can provide advice AFTER the approval of your proposal as you complete your final detail project plan. Mr. King s address is 1205 Rideau Rd., Anderson, SC His telephone is (864) and his is terry.king@dukeenergy.com. Prepare Final Detail Plan Once your project has District approval, you may proceed to work on your Final Plan (pages 11-16). Eagle Scout requirement 5 says you must plan and develop your service project. The Final Plan is a tool for your use, and it does not need to be approved. However, it is important because it helps you demonstrate to the district Board of Review that you have done the required planning and development. For this reason you are strongly encouraged to share your final plan with a project coach. A Scout who is prepared will complete the final plan and ask a Project Coach or someone else who has agreed to help you to review it with you. A coach can help you avoid many problems associated with service projects, and thus improve your chance of passing the Eagle Board of Review. Be sure to get a Tour Plan for the project date, and any alternate dates. Get started Once your project has district approval, you may proceed in working with your unit in getting the project done. If you find it necessary to make substantial changes in your project or change your project, you must get the changes re-approved at all levels before continuing. Keep track of all your time spent on the project and all the time contributed by others in all phases of your project. Tour plans are required and may be obtained through your unit. Three Warnings to Consider: 1. Start your project only after you have attained the rank of Life Scout. 2. All Eagle Service Projects must, without exception, be approved by an authorized member of the District Advancement Eagle Board of Review prior to their start. 3. Any fundraising must be approved by the benefiting organization, your unit leader and district EBOR before any money or materials are collected. See pages in the workbook for instructions and restrictions. Complete page #17 in the workbook and get signatures from the beneficiary organization and your unit leader. After that is completed, you will need to contact the EBOR for approval for your fundraising plans. After Completion Once finished you must have your project signed off. Be sure page #20 has all the approvals signatures to show that the project was completed. It is nice to have a letter from the benefiting Page 6 of 18

7 organization stating you have completed the project to their satisfaction and/or thanking you for the project. Should you receive one, place the letter at the beginning of the project work book. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION EAGLE RANK APPLICATION The Six and Twenty District EBOR expects to review letters of recommendation from those people you have listed on your Eagle Scout Application: Parents, Religious, Educational, and two other Adult acquaintances (preferably not Scout leaders in your troop as we would like to see that you are a well-rounded person). The letters must be signed and dated. The date needs to be within six months of the date of your application. Please note that Employer is optional. However, the Religious line is not optional and must be filled in, at least with a parent s name. Step 1. To fulfill Requirement #2 for your Eagle Scout application, list named references with all of the necessary contact information (name, complete address, telephone number, and addresses) for each of the 6 references required as by the category specified. The only exception to this is the employer reference if you have not yet been employed. If no employer, type N/A in the employer name area. In this case there will only be five references. All other references are required. Each name must have a descriptive title after the name; for example, Mr. John Smith, teacher, coach, minister, neighbor, supervisor, deacon, etc. You are to personally contact all individuals whom you wish to include as references on your Eagle Scout Award application. Speak to, call, or write to these persons yourself. Do not allow your parents, relative, unit leaders or anyone else to handle this important responsibility on your behalf. Explain your status as an Eagle candidate and specifically request that they serve as a reference for you. Ask them if they will be willing to fill out the recommendation form. Inform them of any deadlines that are approaching, if applicable. This should be done in advance prior to listing names on the Eagle application Note: These recommendations need to be written no more than six (6) months before your District Board of Review. References that are older than six months cannot be considered. Step 2. Step 3. Download reference letters and envelop from District Website. Complete and distribute the reference letter forms with cover letter provided, using the preaddressed return envelope from the Six and Twenty District website. Print out or make copies of the cover letter, Scout Oath and Law page, and the three recommendation pages and fill out candidate s name, phone and Troop number. You will need one copy for every person you are requesting letters from. The letter and form can be found on the district website: under Eagle Scout Board of Review. Prepare a stamped return envelope that has been pre-addressed to the Six and Twenty District Eagle Board of Review Co-Chairman at the address listed below: Page 7 of 18

8 Six and Twenty District Eagle Scout Board of Review 715 Anderson Street Belton, SC Attn: Mr. Jim Culwell This envelope will allow the person who is writing the recommendation to send the letter quickly and confidentially. To ensure confidentiality, the reviewer is to sign the seal on the back of the envelop. The envelop can be found on the district website under Eagle Scout Board of Preparation Page. Step 4. Hand deliver or mail: (1) the cover letter, (2) the Scout Oath and Law Page, (3) recommendation pages, and (4) the stamped return envelope to the person who is writing the recommendation. Step 5. Do this for each of the references that you have requested, including your parents. Note: If your Eagle Board of Review is to be scheduled during the summer months, you must arrange for the Educator recommendation to be sent before summer vacation begins (school personnel most likely cannot be contacted during summer vacation). Step 6. Your Board of Review cannot be scheduled until the Six and Twenty District, has received at least four of the candidate s recommendations including one parent, an educator, and two others. You are permitted to follow up with the individuals and you may or call Mr. Jim Culwell at jculwell@palmettoinsurance.com or (864) to check if they have been received. Completed references of any kind are the property of the district and are confidential. Note: Completed references of any kind are the property of the district and are confidential. Only the Eagle Board of Review members and those officials with a specific need may see them. References should be sealed and returned to the District Eagle Board of Review, never to the scout, his parents or his unit. For reasons of privacy and confidentiality, electronic submissions will not be accepted. Letters will remain unopened until the board of review. The references will be destroyed after the Eagle Scout Credentials are released or after an appeal is concluded. Only the approved reference letters will be used. Be sure to place a stamp on the preaddressed return envelope. CREATION OF YOUR EAGLE APPLICATION BOOK We recommend that you submit your materials organized in a book format, with labeled outside cover, separated in sections as describe below. Select a binder that will allow you to insert, replace pages easily, such as a 3-ring binder or clear binding report cover with hidden swing clip. If you use a 3-ring binder, it is suggested to place the pages in individual sheet protectors to safeguard Page 8 of 18

9 them. You can place tab dividers in your Eagle Book to make it easier to find the information within. The records contained in this book will need to be in the same order as it is listed on the eagle Rank Application form including the individual merit badges. All dates must be in the following format: Month/Day/Year (i.e. 01/01/10). Signatures must be obtained from all those requested on your Eagle Scout Application. Documents with missing signatures and/or dates will be returned to the Eagle Scout candidate. It is highly recommended that this be done before the scout turns 18 to ensure there is enough time to handle any errors or missed requirements. The four sections to your book should be: 1. Eagle Rank Application with PID number 2. Requirement #3 - Rank Advancements and Merit Badges 3. Requirement #5 - Eagle Project Workbook, with pictures, tour permit, receipts (if applicable) 4. Requirement #6 - Your Ambitions and Personal Life statement, honors, awards, leadership positions held outside of scouting. (Section 1) Eagle Scout Rank Application This is the 2 page color form (not black and white). Be sure to use Form No , the original color application that contains all the original signatures and dates from your, Unit leader, Unit Committee Chairman, and the Registrar. It is highly recommended that the Eagle Scout Rank Application be typed. (Note: For requirement #3., In the Adobe PDF document, to cross out the merit badges in boxes 6 and 9, move the cursor to box 6 or 9. Highlight the text to cross out by left clicking and dragging mouse over text. Next right click on the mouse and select cross out text from the selection box. A line should appear crossing out the text). All Eagle Rank Applications should be typed (handwritten applications accepted only under rare circumstances). (Section 2) Merit Badges and Rank Advancement Reports Req #3 You are asked to provide proof of your advancement for requirement #3. The original rank advancement cards are preferred. However, copies of the Advancement Reports are acceptable as long as they are accurate and legible. Please highlight your advancement on the form. Summer Camp sheets are acceptable. Online advancement forms should be included to verify all merit badges and ranks have been recorded correctly at council. Copies of advancement reports, Unit Troopmaster reports, report, original merit badge rank advancement cards, or troop camping nights and service hour reports are acceptable. You may use baseball card collector style plastic inserts pages for your cards. Please place the merit badge cards in the order they appear on the Eagle Scout Application., You are also asked to provide proof of all your rank changes. This can be the individual advancement cards, and Advancement Report, or a photocopy of your signed scout book. Signatures and dates must be legible on any form you submit. Your troop s online advancement records should be included. (Section 3) Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook Req #5. Use Project Workbook No No other form will be accepted. Remember to include any pages you have added as well as any photographs and illustrations. Ensure all photographs have descriptive Page 9 of 18

10 captions. Verify that page 10 is properly dated and it has the three prior approval signatures from the Project Beneficiary, your Unit Leader, and Authorized District (Council) Representative. Verify the Fundraising Application on page 17 has three signatures and page 20 is properly dated with the two final approval signatures from the Project Beneficiary and your Unit Leader. (Section 4) Ambitions and Life Statement, Leadership, Honors and Awards Req # 6. The Eagle Rank Application form asks you to write a statement concerning your ambitions and life purpose. It reads 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. You should write a letter of ambitions and life purpose and provide a resume listing your involvement in your religious institution, school, camp, and other community organizations where you have demonstrated leadership skills to fulfill that requirement. This requirement gives you an opportunity to share about your life. You can tell us what you want to do next and what your plans in life might be. Your values and ambitions indicate who you are and the impact Scouting has had on your life. Sharing your achievements helps the Board of Review see you outside Scouting and how well you are involved in other organizations. The board will look to your references and to this requirement to learn about the real you so take this seriously. Sign and date your life purpose statement. Your resume of your leadership positions you have held outside of scouting as well as any honors and awards you have received will show you are a well-rounded person in your community. Your ambitions and life statement (minimum three paragraphs) concerning your ambitions and life purpose. You should also provide a resume listing your involvement in your religious institution, school, camp, and other community organizations where you have demonstrated leadership skills. List honors, awards and include dates. Remember to put a page heading on your life statement, for example, My Ambitions and Life Statement or My Leadership Positions Outside of my Troop, Honors and Awards. Sign and date your life purpose statement and Leadership positions/honors and awards. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT YOUR EAGLE APPLICATION BOOK. The Eagle Scout Application Booklet and References Letters will enter the board room at least 15 to 30 minutes prior the Eagle Candidate. The Eagle Application Booklet is a reflection on you as an Eagle Candidate. It is strongly suggested that the Eagle Candidate prepare his Eagle Application Package with the utmost care; paying close attention to detail, quality, format and presentation. The scout should prepare Eagle Application Booklet and not delegate this task to his parents, unit leader or anyone else. The amount of effort that the scout puts into preparing his Eagle Application Package is a reflection on the Eagle candidate and his regard for the Eagle Rank and the Eagle Board of Review process. Copies: Make at least 3 identical copies of your Eagle Application Booklet and one electronic copy. Bring your copies with you to your EBOR to distribute to Board Members. There will be 4 to 6 board members on your EBOR. Page 10 of 18

11 COUNCIL APPROVAL OF YOUR EAGLE RANK APPLICATION Prior to making your appointment for your Eagle Scout Board of Review (EBOR) and AFTER you have completed your Scoutmaster s Conference for Eagle, you are required to take your completed Eagle Scout Rank Application in Full to the Office for signature verification by the registrar. This review is necessary so that all records are verified and entered into the BSA database. The Office will expect the following original signatures to be already in place on your Eagle Scout Rank application when you request Council approval: 1. Eagle Candidate / Applicant, Signature & Date 2. Unit leader (Scoutmaster), Signature & Date 3. Unit Committee Chairman, Signature & Date Important. Protect your official signed and dated copy of your Eagle Application form # Store it dry safe place. Use a plastic sheet protector to protect it so it is not damaged, destroyed or lost. Make a copy. DISTRICT APPROVAL OF YOUR EAGLE APPLICATION BOOK After the Council Office signature and date have been obtained, the Eagle candidate must deliver one to three copies of his completed Eagle Rank Application Book to the address listed below prior to receiving an appointment confirmation for his Eagle Board of Review. Six and Twenty District Eagle Scout Board of Review 715 Anderson Street Belton, SC Attn: Mr. Jim Culwell jculwell@palmettoinsurance.com (864) REQUEST APPOINTMENT WITH THE BOARD OF REVIEW Once your application has been signed by the registrar, you will need to go to the district website s Eagle Scout Preparation page to request an appointment with the Eagle Board of Review. You will find the online form to complete under the heading Eagle Candidates -Book Your Appointment Below. Please do not procrastinate, especially if you are approaching their 18 th birthday. Slots are limited each month and fill quickly so the sooner you schedule the better. For EBOR Appointments: Go to the Eagle Preparation Webpage: District Website: Click Eagle Scout Page 11 of 18

12 Preparation; Or go direct to the District Eagle Scout Preparation Page: The Board meets Monthly at the Suntrust Bank Building on the Second Floor of the Foothills Community Foundation office Board Rooms as follows: The last Thursday of each month (except for November and December) starting at 7:00 pm (Board Members convene at 6:30pm). Eagle Service Projects Approvals are held prior to Eagle Boards of Review. Actual Board of Reviews are held on a predetermined scheduled based upon the time a candidate has submitted his request. Slots are limited each month and fill quickly so the sooner you schedule the better. Note: The dates will vary for November and December due to holiday schedules each year. Be sure to anticipate this and check the dates well in advance. EBOR Meeting Location is: Foothills Community Foundation / Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce Suntrust Bank Building, 907 North Main Street, 2 nd Floor Anderson, SC (864) Once the Eagle Application Booklet is received by the District Committee, and it s determined that the Eagle Application submission is complete with at least four reference letters returned, the District Eagle Board of Review Committee will notify the Eagle Candidate, by letter or by , when his Eagle Board of Review will be held. Notification letters will be mailed 7 to 10 days prior to the regularly scheduled EBOR. It s important that the Eagle candidate ensure he delivers his Eagle Application Booklet to the District Committee at least two weeks prior Eagle Board of review meeting; otherwise, there is a risk that his Eagle Board of Review may be delayed to the following month. Copies: Make at least 3 identical copies of your Eagle Application Booklet and one electronic copy. Bring your copies with you to your EBOR to distribute to Board Members. There will be 4 to 6 board members on your EBOR. THE EAGLE SCOUT BOARD OF REVIEW (EBOR) Composition of the Eagle Board Of Review - The Board of Review for an Eagle candidate is composed of at least three but not more than six members, age 21 or older. These members do not have to be registered in Scouting, but they must have an understanding of the importance and purpose of the Eagle Board of Review. Committee Page 12 of 18

13 members include various leaders from Business, Religious, non-profit organizations, elected public officials, as well as Scouters throughout the surrounding area. One member serves as Chairman. Unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives, or guardians of the scout may not serve as members of that Scout s board of review. Please come to your Board of Review in best, complete, full uniform with all of your badges and unit patches current; otherwise, you will be asked to reschedule. Confidentiality. The contents of the Board of Review are confidential and the proceedings are not disclosed to any person who is not a member of the Board of review. Prior to the EBOR Meeting The Board members will convene prior to interviewing the candidate (20-30 minutes.) The purpose of meeting before the actual interview is to: 1. Review the prospective Eagle Scout's application. 2. Read his reference letters and other important documents. 3. Become familiar with his service project by assessing his final report and any available pictures. 4. Review these guidelines to help formulate pertinent questions. During this initial meeting, the Chairman makes sure everyone is introduced to one another, sees that everyone has an opportunity to review all the candidates paperwork and determines that all board members understand the goals of the Eagle Board of Review, listed below: 1. The Board will determine if the Eagle project was successfully carried out. a. Did the candidate demonstrate leadership? b. Did he indeed direct the project himself, rather than do all the work himself or allow someone else to direct the project? c. Was the project of value to the institution, school or community group? d. Who from the benefiting group may be contacted to verify the value of the project? e. Did the project follow the plan, or were modifications necessary to complete it - what did the candidate learn from making the modifications? 2. The Board should be assured of the candidate's participation in and understanding of the Scouting program. 3. A thorough discussion of the candidate s successes and experiences in Scouting must take place. As the documents are making the rounds, the Chairman should add any relevant data of which he is aware. It is best if the Chairman has personally viewed the completed project - if that is not possible, a phone call to the benefiting group's representative to discuss the merits of the project will do. Page 13 of 18

14 THE EAGLE SCOUT BOARD OF REVIEW Once the Scout's Eagle Application, service project paperwork, letters of recommendation and these guidelines are reviewed by the Board, the Candidate is invited into the Board Room and the Unit Leader is asked to introduce the candidate to the Board. The unit leader is then excused but has the option to remain as an observer and may be called upon to clarify a point in question. The candidate will be asked to begin the Board by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Oath, the Scout Law and the Outdoor Code. Un it Representative each Eagle Candidate is required to bring to their EBOR a registered Adult Leader from their Unit to introduce the Eagle Candidate to the Eagle Board of Review. The introduction should include a robust description about the Eagle Candidate s background and scouting experiences and include other items such as where he goes to school, hobbies and other interests and accomplishments. The Unit leader or Representative is invited to remain as an observer and may be called upon to clarify a point in question. The unit representative may remain in the room, but only to observe, not to participate unless called upon in terms of making clarifications and serve as a personal reference for the Eagle Candidate. The Scout s parents, relatives, or guardians may not be in attendance in any capacity not as members of the board, as observers, or even as the unit leader. Their presence can changed the discussion dynamics. When you complete the appointment registration form on the Eagle Preparation Webpage, please inform the District 6 & 20 Eagle Board Chair who this person will be and the contact information for this person. The unit representative may remain in the room, but only to observe, not to participate unless called upon. The Scout s parents, relatives, or guardians may not be in attendance in any capacity not as members of the board, as observers, or even as the unit leader. Their presence can changed the discussion dynamics. Your Interview. The board members have already read your application, your references, and your personal resume. There is no set of standard questions that an Eagle candidate will be asked. They may ask questions about your scouting experiences. You need to be prepared to share with the board all about your service project. They will ask you questions about what you did and how it went. They will also want to know what you learned through the experience. Having photos in your Eagle Application booklet or anything else will help you tells the story of how well your project went. This is the highest award that a Scout may achieve and the board needs to get to know you. They will ask you questions about your overall Scouting experience. They also may ask about your future involvement with Scouting, your understanding of current events, or anything they see in your Eagle book. The board s decision must be unanimous. 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 Page 14 of 18

15 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 follow as to how he may meet the requirements within a given period of time. After your Eagle Board of Review, your book will be returned to your unit leader at the next Scoutmasters Roundtable. The Eagle application and advancement report will be forward to Council/National Boy Scouts for review. This process will take about four to six weeks to get the Eagle certificate from National. Your Unit Leader is responsible for contacting the council office to pick-up certificate and packet when it arrives. While the application process and Board of Review take place at District, Council, and National levels, the award is presented to the new Eagle Scout by the Scout s unit. When the unit receives the award they should work with the family to conduct a Court of Honor. Work with the unit and others to make this a great celebration. Enjoy the event and make it a memorable one. You worked hard to get there and everyone is proud of your accomplishment. This is a great reason to celebrate! Helpful Tips and What to Expect 1. When completing the official Eagle Scout Rank Application (no ), Pay Attention to the following Red Flags that would cause a delay. Dates: Joining, birth, First Class through Life Boards of Review, all merit badges, positions of responsibility with FROM and TO, Eagle Service Project final signatures, Scoutmaster (unit leader) conference, Eagle Board of review, and other signatures called for below. Signatures: Applicant, unit leader, unit committee chair, and. References: Must list all six (five if not employed). If not affiliated with an organized religion, then the parent or guardian provides this reference. Merit Badges: Dates as mentioned above; check the unit number in which each badge was earned. Attach the application for Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badge, if applicable. Positions of responsibility: Must be one of those listed for the Eagle Scout rank, and must relate to the unit where the Scout is registered and active. For example, SPL would not be used by a crew member. Attachments: Service project workbook, statement of ambitions and life purpose, and listing of positions, honors, and awards. 2. Know the Scout Oath and Law better then ever before in your life! I can't believe how many candidates I've seen who got stuck on these-- Page 15 of 18

16 3. Know your basic knots. All Eagle Scouts should know Square Knot, Bowline, Two Half Hitches, Taught Line Hitch, Clove Hitch, and how to whip rope. 4. What to wear or not to wear: Be in complete AND CORRECT uniform. Get a uniform inspection sheet (available from your unit or Council office) and check. Also have your Scoutmaster inspect. It's worth it...you're an Eagle candidate! Complete Class A Uniform as outlined below: Class A Uniform Shirt with all of the proper patch placements, rank insignia, and leadership positions. Neckerchief & Slide (if part of your Unit s Uniform) OR BSA approved Bolo Tie (Optional) Merit badge Sash with all of the merit badges earned and awarded sewn in place. The Sash should be worn and never folded over the belt. BSA Class A Scout Pants BSA approved Scout Belt and Belt Buckle BSA Scout Socks Scout Hat please leave at home, this meeting is inside. OA Sash please leave at home, OA Sash should only be worn at OA events. 5. Items to bring to your EBOR: BSA Scout Manual (a.k.a. Boy Scout handbook) It is not required that the manual be filled out with your rank advancement. Instead the manual may be used as a useful reference guide during the EBOR. Pad and pen 6. For questions or advice; an Eagle candidate may call or send an prior to requesting an EBOR meeting using the form on the 6&20 District Website Eagle Preparation Page. 7. T h e Eagle Candidate is responsible to make the EBOR appointment, not the Scoutmaster, Adult Troop Leader or the Parent or Legal Guardian of the Eagle Candidate. 8. Do not just show up. You need to make an appointment in advance and receive a letter from the Eagle BOR Committee indicating what your scheduled date and arrival time will be. Failure to do so will result in a delay. 9. Re a d your Eagle Scout Service Project write up. Know your project inside and out. Be ready to answer any question about why you did something, why it took so long, what were Page 16 of 18

17 the changes, why you had to make changes, how did you raise the money, etc. If your project is something that would require maintenance, be prepared to tell the Board what your plans are to keep it maintained. 10. S in c e you will be wearing your full class A uniform with all of your patches and merit badges current. Be ready to identify any of your merit badges or award if a Board member points to it. Be ready to answer any question about a given merit badge or award. Be able to answer what was your favorite merit badge and why as well as your least favorite and why. 11. Be ready to answer questions about your camping experiences, summer camp, and especially if you went to a National Jamboree, Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base Camp or Order of Arrow activities 12. What was your favorite camping or Scouting experience as well as your least favorite? 13. If you could change one thing in scouting, what would you change and why? 14. If you could add to the Scout Law, one additional point to the Scout Law, what would it be and why? 15. What does the Scout Law mean to you and why? 16. If you in the Order of the Arrow be prepared to answer: Are you active in the OA? If you are not active, why? Why is it an honor to be a member of the Order of the Arrow? What does the Order of the Arrow focus on? 17. What is the significance of the Arrow of Light patch on your uniform if you earned one as a Cub Scout? 18. Be ready to explain the Patrol Method and what a PLC meeting is and how it is the key to a Boy Run Unit. 19. Be prepared to explain how being an Eagle Scout has prepared you for life and how you are going to use what you have learned to be a better citizen the rest of your life. 20. Be ready to detail what some of your future plans (College? Career?). 21. Have you earned any Religious Awards if so which ones. 22. Be ready to discuss your religious beliefs and why they are an important part of your life. 23. Do you plan on supporting Boy Scouts when it is your turn to be a leader? 24. Be prepared to explain what you did in your Positions of Responsibility and OA activities and maybe some of the problems and tough decisions that you experienced in being in a leadership position. What is your definition of leadership? Page 17 of 18

18 25. If there are any questions not on this list, don t worry about it. The Board changes some questions as they talk to you based on what you are telling them. Just relax and be yourself. Speak clearly, and look at the Board members in the eyes as you speak. DON T LOOK DOWN at the floor or table!!! The EBOR is not out to get you. The main purpose of the Board is to find out who you are and determine if you have developed the qualities of an Eagle Scout and will be a good representative of Scouting. 26. Be able to answer the question, Why you think you should you be an Eagle Scout? 27. For questions regarding Eagle Rank processing go to Six and Twenty District s Advancement page or contact the Six and Twenty District Eagle Board of Review Chairmen below: Mr. Doug Larson Mr. Jim Culwell Tel (864) Tel (864) Doug.Larson@hanson.com jculwell@palmettoinsurance.com Page 18 of 18