Life to Eagle Workshop For Leaders Jeff Campana Pacifica District June 9, 2011 1
Purpose of this Workshop Review the steps from Life to Eagle, including the requirements for the Eagle Rank and the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Ensure that leaders understand the process and are properly advising our Scouts 2
Who Sets Eagle Scout Requirements? The Eagle Scout Award is the highest award in Scouting. It is not based on seniority it must be earned Requirements are set by the BSA National Committee The Orange County Council Advancement Committee implements policies and procedures of BSA National and Council No Council, District, Unit, or Individual has the authority to add to or subtract from any BSA advancement requirement Nothing more, nothing less 3
The Scout is Responsible for his Advancement Scouts (not parent or leader) should contact District Eagle committee members regarding their Eagle process Questions from parents and leaders are welcome, but they should be for informational purposes only 4
The Process Begins with the Life Rank If you have any concerns with the Scout s character, behavior, or attendance, you should address these before awarding him the Life rank Once the Scout passes his Life Board of Review, he should be given the Life to Eagle Packet immediately This includes all forms and a checklist of requirements Orange County Council conducts Life to Eagle Workshops every one to two months Good source of information for Scouts, parents, and leaders 5
The 7 Eagle Scout Requirements 1. Be active for six months after earning Life rank 2. Live by the Scout Oath and Law 3. Earn at least 21 Merit Badges, including the 12 required for the Eagle Scout rank 4. Hold a position of responsibility for a period of six months after earning Life rank 5. Complete an Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project 6. Take part in a Unit Leader Conference 7. Successfully complete a District Board of Review 6
Requirement #1: Be Active Be active in your troop, team, ship or crew for a period of at least six months after you earned the rank of Life Scout Active means registered and not suspended for discipline Address attendance issues immediately don t wait 7
Requirement #2: Scout Spirit Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life This requirement is not only for how you act in your Unit, but how you live your life! 8
Requirement #3: Earn 21 Merit Badges Earn a total of 21 Merit Badges, including the following: 1. First Aid 2. Citizenship in the Community 3. Citizenship in the Nation 4. Citizenship in the World 5. Communications 6. Personal Fitness 7. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving ** 8. Environmental Science 9. Personal Management 10. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling ** 11. Camping 12. Family Life (** If you have earned more than one of the badges listed, choose one and list the others as electives) 9
Merit badges must be.. APPROVED in advance by the Unit Leader EARNED with approved Merit Badge Counselors REPORTED to Council by the Unit Representative NOTE: Encourage Scouts to keep their MERIT BADGE ADVANCEMENT CARDS (blue cards). They are their proof of completion! 10
Requirement #4: Leadership While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or more qualified positions of responsibility. List only those positions served after Life Board of Review date Only those clearly indicated in the handbook and on the Eagle Scout Application are acceptable You do not have to hold one position for six months You do not have to hold the position for six consecutive months You may meet this requirement any time while a Life Scout 11
Eagle Scout Rank Eligible Positions 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 aide, instructor, Webmaster, or 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 aide, instructor, den chief, Webmaster, Leave No Trace trainer Venturing crew/ship. President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, den chief, quartermaster, historian, den chief, guide, boatswain, boatswain s mate, yeoman, purser, storekeeper, Webmaster, or Leave No Trace trainer 12
Requirement #5: Leadership Project 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 You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook in meeting this requirement 13
The Project The project must be performed for a non-profit organization not a business, individual, or the BSA Must allow the Scout to demonstrate leadership skills The Scout must plan the work, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to completion Routine labor, a job normally rendered, is not permitted There is NO minimum or maximum number of volunteers or hours of work needed to carry out the project Approvals by the recipient, Unit Leader, Unit Committee Chair, and District Project Advisor must be obtained IN WRITING before beginning the project 14
The Scout Must Do Their Own Project A candidate may not use his participation in the project of another Eagle candidate to satisfy the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project requirement The Scout may not copy or otherwise share your responsibilities for planning, developing or providing leadership to others It s all about showing LEADERSHIP Unit leaders are responsible for verifying that the Scout (not his parents or his unit) leads the project 15
A Few Words about Fund Raising Fund raising is permitted only for the purpose of acquiring the materials and supplies needed to carry out your project Fund raising is not a requirement. Fund raising must not be a part of the objectives of the project itself Fund raising must conform to the Guide to Safe Scouting (Tour Permits, parental consent, supervision and most important is safety) 16
Who can Help? Other Scouts, family, friends and classmates, church members, other youth groups, etc., of any age or type may volunteer. They do not have to be Scouts You should recruit, train, organize, and schedule the personnel needed Proper planning includes preparing for appropriate adult participation and safety concerns 17
Workbook Signature Pages Before Scout can start the Eagle Project Beneficiary (need first) Unit Leader Unit Committee Chair District Eagle Project Advisor After the project is completed Scout sign and date Beneficiary sign and date Unit Leader sign and date (do not sign if the project workbook is incomplete) 18
Requirement #6: Unit Leader Conference Take part in a conference with Unit Leader A Unit Leader conference is a positive experience, the objective of which is to help a Scout evaluate his accomplishments and set new goals Leaders - do your job. Your signature means that the Scout has completed all requirements for Eagle. If the Scout is not done, DON T SIGN OFF! When there is reason to believe that a candidate will not be qualified to achieve the Eagle award within the six month period prior to his 18th birthday, the unit leader is obligated to notify the candidate 19
Requirement #7: Board of Review Conducted by the District Eagle committee 3 to 6 members over 21 years of age Unanimous decision must be reached If the candidate is not approved, then an appeal process is available Candidates may not repeat a board of review. An adverse decision can only be overturned by appeal Please make sure your Scouts are prepared for their Board of Review 20
Steps from Life to Eagle Complete Eagle Scout rank requirements #1-6 Complete Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project and workbook Fill out Eagle Scout Application Form Obtain the most current application form from the Council Website http://advan.counciltraining.net All dates must be correct Must be completely filled out (with signatures of Unit Leader and Unit Committee Chair) - no exceptions Submit completed application to the District Eagle Process Chair this stops the clock 21
Steps from Life to Eagle (continued) Five reference letters (six if the Scout has an employer) are requested and are to be sent directly to the District Eagle Process Chair (Jeff Campana) Must use the Orange County Council confidential appraisal form Application is forwarded to Council for certification District Board of Review is held. If candidate is approved, application is sent to Council for processing Council Scout Executive signs application Application sent to National which verifies and authorizes award (6-8 weeks) 22
Complete the Eagle Scout Application Fill it out completely List references as requested Be sure all dates are correct Include unit numbers for merit badges List only 21 merit badges Complete and sign the back side Have Unit Leader and Committee Chair sign Attach to your Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project workbook Always make sure you are using the current version of the application! 23
Life Ambitions and Outside Activities Part of requirement 6 on Eagle application. Make sure the Scout completes this requirement before signing his application. Attach to Eagle Scout application a statement of ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in religious institution, school, camp, community or other organizations which demonstrated leadership skills. Include any honors and awards received during this service. 24
What if no Religious reference? On the Eagle Scout application, the Scout must list parents on the line for Religious reference, since it was their parents responsibility to expose them to religion The Scout must write a Statement of Religious Belief. This is a letter explaining how they practice a belief in a Supreme Being. Submit this along with the Eagle Scout Application. 25
The 18 th Birthday Problem Most people receive about 18 years advanced warning of the date on which they will turn 18. It is not an emergency or an unexpected event. Scouts turning 18 should contact Mr. Jeff Campana at least 30 days before their 18th birthday to discuss timing even if paperwork is not completed A Scout is Courteous Orange County Council Advancement Committee 26
Scouts Must Do the Following BEFORE 18 th Birthday: Complete all merit badges Be active as a Life Scout for six months Serve actively in a qualified position of responsibility for six months while a Life Scout Complete Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Complete Eagle application Complete Unit Leader Conference Submit application to District Eagle Process Chair 27
Scouts Can Do the Following AFTER 18 th Birthday: Have reference letters submitted to Mr. Campana Eagle Scout Board of Review (must be within 90 days of 18 th birthday) Eagle Scout Court of Honor Orange County Council Advancement Committee 28
Can the Scout get an Extension? The Scout may file a petition in writing for special permission to continue to work toward the award after reaching age 18 But The petition must show good and sufficient evidence and detail extenuating circumstances Extenuating circumstances are defined as conditions or situations that are totally beyond the control of the Scout Late is Late. Late is NOT an excuse!! 29
Scouts with Disabilities There are special exceptions for Scouts with disabilities Contact the District Advancement Chairman for guidance Orange County Council Advancement Committee 30
Key Resources Eagle s Nest page on Pacifica Website http://pacifica.ocbsa.org/eaglesnest.htm Mr. Jeff Campana: District Eagle Process Chair jeff.campana@gfk.com 949-302-1050 Mr. John Bower: District Eagle Project Chair 714-842-3750 Mr. Ed Hill: District Advancement Chair edwardbhill@verizon.net 714-842-5642 31
Eagle Timeline Tasks Earn 21 Merit Badges Show Scout Spirit Active Scout (6 Months) Leadership Position (6 Months) Eagle Project District Approval Eagle Project Conducted Project Workbook Completed Eagle Application Completed Unit Leader Conference Unit Committee Chair Approval Submit Application to District Eagle Chair Reference Letters to District Eagle Chair District Eagle Board of Review Final Approval by National BSA Eagle Court of Honor Life Board Of Review Stop the Clock No Later than Day Before 18 th Birthday District Eagle Board Of Review