1) Purpose - This policy is to standardize the Eagle Project Review for entire Baden Powell Council. 2) The current Boy Scouts of America Guide to Advancement and Eagle Service Project Workbook must supersede this policy when there is conflict, update, etc. 3) References a) Boy Scouts of America Guide to Advancement Form #33088 2011 Printing Released October 2011. b) Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook #512-927 2011 Printing Released October 2011. 4) Definitions a) ESSP Workbook - Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook #512-927 b) GTA - Boy Scouts of America Guide to Advancement Form #33088 5) District & Eagle Board Coordinator Responsibility (1) Designate an Adult Volunteer to coordinate Eagle Project Reviews and Eagle Board of Reviews. (2) Recruit and Train Project Review and Board of Reviews members and ensure the adults should have working knowledge of Eagle Project and Eagle Board of Review Requirements and Expectations. (3) Schedule & Arrange monthly Eagle Project Review & Eagle Boards of Reviews with a minimum of 3 adults no more than 6 adults. It is recommended that the same facilities be used at all time. (4) All efforts should be made by the Life Scout to attend the monthly Eagle Project Review or Eagle Board of Review. If it is not possible for the scout to attend through extenuating circumstance, alternate arrangements should be made. The Life Scout should attend in person or at least through video conference. (5) If the District schedules specific time slot for each scout, they should be notified at least 3 days ahead of time. (6) For Eagle Board of Reviews, the district can recommend the completed ESSP Workbook, completed Eagle Rank Application, Any Reference Letters, Scout Life Ambition Statement, BP Council Scout Biography & Service Project Summary should be submitted by the scoutmaster or unit leader beforehand preferably 2 weeks before. This is to ensure the board of review is not held up for missing signatures, etc. An Eagle Board of Review can not be held up for any reference letters. If there is not three reference letters included, the district Eagle Board Coordinator or designate must contact the any references that not having submitted a reference letter to remind them and forward letter to Eagle Board Coordinator or Designate. (7) For Eagle Service Project Reviews, the district can recommend the completed ESSP Workbook pages 1-10 and a draft copy of the Eagle Scout Service Project Rev D Page 1 of 6 2/19/12
Final Plan be submitted before the project review. This will assist the scout getting the project approved through 1 meeting. (8) Publish, at a minimum yearly, and at any major changes, the district Eagle Service Project Review and Board of Review Process. It is suggested, but not limited to, that the Council Newsletter, District Roundtable Meetings, Letters and/or Unit Emails be used. (9) Arrange Quarterly, at a minimum, Life to Eagle Training Sessions for Life Scouts and Unit Leadership. Advertise these sessions throughout the council. (10) Train & mentor units where the Projects do not meet BSA Eagle Project and/or Eagle Board Review Requirements. (11) Accept requests for Eagle Board of Reviews & Project Reviews and Life to Eagle Training Session from Life Scouts from other districts. (12) Ensure the Eagle Boards & Projects Reviews are completed in accordance to the latest BSA Advancement Policy. (13) Provide Monthly Reports through the District Advancement Chair the following (a) Number of Projects Approved and Send back for further consideration (b) General Feedback on Project requiring further feedback. (c) Number of Eagle Board of Reviews Approved and Disapproved. (d) General Issues and Feedback for Council Advancement Committee to consider for policy changes. (14) All Eagle Project Reviews, Board of Reviews and related unit/scout communications must be conducted under the BSA methods of positive adult association. 6) The Eagle Project Review - i) The Life Scout must develop, plan, lead and report on the chosen Eagle Project. ii) The latest Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (ESSP Workbook) must be used. iii) The Eagle Service Project must have the following elements to qualify and be approved as Service Project (1) Must be for Community Based organization. Not limited to the following (a) Non Profits Organizations (b) Religious Organizations (c) Schools (d) Community Service Organizations. (e) Unit Charter Organizations (f) Youth Organizations like the Girl Scouts of America, Local Little Leagues, etc. (2) Project must not benefit the following - (a) Commercial Business except where there is a community benefit. See Section 9.0.2.5 of BSA Guide to Advancement. (b) Boy Scouts of America including the local council, district, units, camps, etc. (c) Routine Maintenance See ESSP Workbook & Guide to Advancement. Rev D Page 2 of 6 2/19/12
(3) The Project must be such that the Life Scout must be able to demonstrate leadership, planning & development. (4) The Project does NOT any requirements or expectations for project complexity, amount of hours, or size. (5) No more than 1 Scout can get credit for any 1 Eagle Project. (6) The Eagle Project does not have an original idea. Beneficiary Groups may have similar or extension of previous Eagle Service Project that other Life Scouts can do. If (7) There is no permanence required for an Eagle Project (8) Eagle Project needs to be approved by the benefiting organization, their unit advancement leader, unit committee and district or council before proceeding. If a scout elects to proceed with 1 or more approval missing, the scout is at risk of failing to meet the basic project requirement. (9) The Life Scout must complete the following parts of the ESSP Workbook before scheduling his project review (a) Contact Information (b) Eagle Coach (i) BSA highly recommended that the Eagle Coach be used. (ii) Is recommended that Eagle Coach is not a scout's parent. (iii)it is the scout option whether to use an Eagle Coach or not. (iv) See Baden Powell Council Eagle Coach Job Description. (v) If the Life Scout does not have an Eagle Coach, the District should afford every opportunity to provide an Eagle Coach. (c) ESSP Work book Page 7-10. (d) A Life Scout should be as descriptive as possible for the project details. (e) An Eagle Project Approval requires the Life Scout to demonstrate an understanding of the project complexity and what it will take to complete the project per the ESSP Workbook & Guide to Advancement. The Project Review Board retains the ability to ask detailed questions related to ESSP Workbook Final Plan (ESSP Workbook Pages 11 17). It is recommended that the Life Scout complete pages 11 17 ( ESSP Workbook Final Plan) as a draft to assist the Life Scout during the Project Review per GTA Sec 9.0.2.8, (10) The Eagle Project Approval is based on (a) Providing a service to Community as stated in Section 6.iv and ESSP Workbook. (b) Life Scout can demonstrate Leadership. (c) Life Scout has an understanding of project including feasibility and safety. (d) Project will provide a reasonable chance for a positive experience. Rev D Page 3 of 6 2/19/12
(e) The Project Approval can not be denied solely based on the time remaining before his 18 th birthday. (11) In cases where the Life Scout jumps ahead on his project by fundraising or worked on the project itself despite the approval requirements being well published, normally a new project should be selected. If circumstances are compelling, however, indicating lenience can be extended and a lesson learned without significant detriment to fulfilling the project s purpose the scout can be allowed to carry on and have his project and it approved after the fact. Reference GTA 9.0.2.7 (12) In rare cases where the project becomes a safety issue, violation of BSA safety or local laws, then the Life Scout, his parents, and unit leader is notified that a suspension on work is in order until deficiencies are corrected. (13) In the rare case that the beneficiary stops work an approved project, the project can be accepted as complete if enough has been done such the requirement s intent has been met. (14) The Life Scout can have an observer whenever his project is being reviewed, approved or coached. This observer can be a parent/guardian, unit leader, or other adult. 7) Eagle Project Fundraising Application a) Eagle Project Fundraising must following the latest Baden Powell Council Policy on Eagle Project Fundraising. b) Eagle Project Fundraising Applications are approved by Council Professional Staff. 8) Eagle Board of Review a) The Eagle Scout Candidate completes all requirements before his 18 th birthday. b) The Eagle Scout Candidate must supply a completed Eagle Rank Application completed up to the Council/District Advancement Signature. This must include the Council Register Verification of Rank Advancements and Merit Badge. c) The Eagle Scout Candidate should notify the District Eagle Board of Review Coordinator as soon as possible upon completion of all requirements. This is especially true if around his 18 th birthday. d) The units should request reference letters based on the Eagle Scout Candidate application. This should be done at least 30 days before his Eagle Board of Review. It is recommended that a Need by Date be stated in the reference request letter. e) The completed ESSP Workbook, completed Eagle Rank Application, Any Reference Letters, Scout Life Ambition Statement, BP Council Scout Biography & Service Project Summary should be submitted by the scoutmaster or unit leader beforehand preferably 2 weeks before. This is to ensure the board of review is not held up for missing signatures, etc. f) The Reference Letters are never returned to the scout or his family. The reference letters must be destroyed after the BoR by the District Coordinator. g) An Eagle Board of Review can not be held up due to the lack of reference letters. Unless there is extenuating circumstances, there should be adequate time allowed for the response to be submitted. Rev D Page 4 of 6 2/19/12
h) It is acceptable for the Eagle Board of Review to occur within 3 months of his 18th birthday. After 3 months, a statement explaining the delay is required from the candidate, his parents/guardians, or Unit Leader/Committee Member to initiate local council approval. To hold Eagle Board of Review beyond 6 months of the candidate s 18 th birthday, the candidate, his parents/guardians, or Unit Leader/Committee Member must petition the National Advancement Committee for authority to conduct the board of review though the local council office. Some potential delays could be health, accidents, or Military /College Entrance. i) The Eagle Board of Review must have a least 3 & no more than 6 adults who understand the significance of the Eagle Rank and the Board of Review Expectation. This per GTA Section 8.0.3.0. j) The Eagle Scout Candidate Service Project is reviewed based on Leadership and Beneficiary Impact by the Project. The Eagle Coach involvement or their opinion and how detailed the ESSP Final Plan is must have no bearing on the Eagle Board of Review. k) The Eagle Scout Candidate can not have his unit leaders, parents/guardians, unit leader, and relative sit on an Eagle Board of Review in any capacity. (GTA Section 8.0.3.0). If parent insists on being present, they must be allowed to stay (GTA Section 8.0.3.0). 9) Uniforms for Project & Eagle Board of Reviews a) Per GTA Section 8.0.0.4, Districts can NOT require the Eagle Scout Candidate to where the scout uniform to a project review or Eagle Board of Review. GTA does state the Scout should come in Neat of Appearance. If possible, it is preferred that the Scout appear in full uniform of his unit type. If this is not practical, then neat in appearance is acceptable. Districts must NO T mandate Uniforms ie Required Scouts Pants, etc or Neat in Appearance Dress Codes ie Dress Clothes Blazers, Shirt and Tie, etc. 10) District Eagle Project and Board of Review under Disputes & Appeals a) The parent or Life Scout should write a letter explaining the situation to the Council Advancement Committee. b) The Council Advancement Committee will review and research the situation per GTA Section 8.0.3.2 and 8.0.4.0 Rev D Page 5 of 6 2/19/12
Rev Description Date By <name> A Initial Release 2/10/2012 Greg Shepherd B Changes per Council Advancement 2//15/12 Review 2/17/2012 Greg Shepherd C Added Review Uniforming Section 9 2/19/2012 Greg Shepherd D Under District & Eagle Board Coordinator Responsibility, Added District and Coordinator Reports. 2/19/12 Greg Shepherd Rev D Page 6 of 6 2/19/12