Trail to Eagle Prepared by Tahquitz District Advancement Committee California Inland Empire Council
Tahquitz District Advancement Committee Chairman: Ken Radosevich (951) 302-6070 ken767@aol.com Eagle Projects: Greg Gray (951) 698-3250 gggray37@verizon.net Greg Thompson (951) 551-6289 castironweldandrepair@gmail.com Frank Gruendner (951) 265-2039 fgruendner@ca.rr.com Brent Ferguson (951) 440-6140 Ggfire13@aol.com Eagle Review Boards: Board Chairmen Luanne Vicnaire Tom Axline Dave Burandt Greg Rasmussen Kevin Stengel Merit Badges: L Truenow (951) 699-5098 mbccoordinator@gmail.com STEM Advancement: Paul Bowden (951)440-2430 pbowden88@yahoo.com
Earning Eagle Scout Your Eagle is Earned You must meet the same standards as all Eagles who have come before you Anything less cheapens every other Eagle badge ever earned since 1910 You must allow time to complete it Should be a combined effort by the Scout, the Parents and the Troop
Begin Working Toward Eagle as Soon as You become a Scout View it as an ongoing process that really begins in earnest after First Class Most happens after you make Life Scout Life Scout to Eagle is the biggest hurdle More Responsibility on Scout Bad timing as Scout enters High School
Complete Final Steps to Eagle as Soon as You Earn Life Scout You can become an Eagle within 6 months of earning Life Scout You must perform in a listed leadership position for 6 months You can do your Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project anytime after Life Scout
Eagle Scout Mentors Developing a Troop level Mentor program can really help keep Scouts on track Help Scouts set goals and target dates then follow up with them Provides someone other than the parent who Scout may listen too Scouting sees the value of the Mentor by putting an award pin in the Eagle presentation kit See Sample goal sheet
Eagle Scout Progress Sheet Life to Eagle Progress BSA - TROOP 148 Name of Scout: Date Life Scout Earned: Leadership Position Desired Position: Expected Date: Actual Date: Camping Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the World Communications Cooking Emer. Preparedness/Lifesaving Env. Science/ Sustainability Family Life First Aid Swimming/ Cycling/ Hiking Personal Management Personal Fitness MERIT BADGES Project Goal Date Actual Date Concept Community Agency Approval Other Approvals Troop Committee Approval District Approval Funding Materials Scheduling Completion Eagle Process Goal Date Actual Date Troop Scoutmaster Conference Troop Board of Review Eagle Packet to Council District Board of Review Court of Honor
Use the Current Council Guidance http://www.bsa-ciec.org/openrosters/docdownload.aspx?id=104720
Requirements for Earning Eagle Scout Rank 1. Be active in your troop and patrol for at least six months as a Life Scout. 2. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life. 3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges of which 13 are required 4. While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or more of positions of responsibility. 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. 6. Take part in a Leader conference. Requirements #1 through 6 must be completed before the Scout s 18th birthday.
Requirements for Earning Eagle Scout Rank Remember that all but the Project Approval and Board of Review are certified by the Troop Eagle Scout District Board of Review must be completed within 90 days after age 18 Any exceptions to the age requirement must be approved at the National Headquarters Exceptions based on Physical Disability or Physical problems must be verified and serious
Requirements for Earning Eagle Scout Rank If at any point in the process (Project approval, application, or board) there is some special situation that could impact a Scout s performance the Advancement committee should be aware of it as soon as possible
Requirements for Earning Eagle Scout Rank If you anticipate severe special needs may preclude you from completing the normal requirements for rank follow the procedures for alternate requirements early. They cannot be used for an exception after the regular requirements are not completed properly
#1 Be active in your troop for at least 6 months as a Life Scout Troop must establish a reasonable expectation of what active means Active should mean more than merely showing up, and must include Scout Spirit Definition of active for leadership positions has higher requirements Does not have to be continuous 6 months, just total of 6 months after Life Rank Doesn t have to be the 6 months before Eagle Should be considered as an adjunct to the leadership requirement
#3 Earn a total of 21 merit badges (1) Thirteen required merit badges (Silver Borders) Camping Citizenship in Community Citizenship in Nation Citizenship in World Communications Cooking Environmental Science or Sustainability Family Life First Aid Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving Personal Management Personal Fitness Swimming or Hiking or Cycling Some required merit badges take time to complete and cannot be delayed until just before a Scout s 18 th birthday Merit badges earned beyond the 21 required can be applied to Eagle Palms. (1) Italicized merit badges typically require a few months or more to complete.
#4 While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in a Position of Responsibility Eligible leadership positions include: 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, Leave No Trace trainer Varsity Scout team. Captain, CoCaptain, program manager, squad leader, team secretary, Order of the Arrow team Rep, librarian, historian, quartermaster, chaplain aide, instructor, den chief, Webmaster, Leave No Trace trainer Venturing crew/ship. President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, quartermaster, historian, den chief, guide, boatswain, boatswain s mate, yeoman, purser, storekeeper, Webmaster, Leave No Trace trainer
#4 While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in a Position of Responsibility Note that Asst. Patrol Leader and Bugler are not on the list Troop should establish reasonable expectations for leadership positions What active means Your Leadership position and how the Scout worked at it may be a topic at the Eagle Board of Review Does not have to be continuous 6 months, just total of 6 months after Life Rank May consider leadership outside Scouting
The Eagle Scout Service Project Req #5
The Eagle Scout Service Project Greg Gray (951) 698-3250 gggray37@verizon.net Greg Thompson (951) 551-6289 castironweldandrepair@gmail.com Frank Gruendner (951) 265-2039 fgruendner@ca.rr.com Brent Ferguson (951) 440-6140 Ggfire13@aol.com
Eagle Project: Picking a project Before we go any farther: If you have less than a month until you turn 18 and you are looking for a project, You are probably too late
Eagle Project : Understand the purposes Leadership: Service: Skills development: Initiative:
Eagle Project: Picking a project Troop mentoring and parent support at this stage are crucial What makes for a good Eagle project: Should be a project that you are enthusiastic about Must benefit your community outside Scouting Your Community can be the Community of the World Leaves something with lasting value behind which you can be proud of Doesn t have to be a physical item Requires planning and leadership of others to complete
Eagle Project: Picking a project Project scope: This is the critical aspect that will define a approved project and one that isn t No minimum amount of hours Guidelines are about 125 to 250 man hours, including planning Large enough to demonstrate leadership of others At least two other people Do not have to be Scouts
An Eagle Project CANNOT: Be a job normally done as routine labor Be performed for a business or individual unless it benefits the community Be of a commercial nature Be solely a fund-raiser Be shared by another Eagle Candidate Be of benefit to any BSA element
Eagle Project: Picking a project Places to look for a project City recreation departments Schools Religious organizations Non-profit organizations Look to things that interest you
Eagle Project: Picking a project Start by talking with Your favorite teachers Volunteer coordinators at non-profits Your minister or church youth program leader Any non-profit organizations that you or your parents are involved with Other Scouts who have completed their projects www search using Eagle Project will lead to many other ideas Check in the Tahquitz District Project Binder to see what other Scouts have accomplished
Eagle Project: Select a time Decide when you want to get the project completed. Set a deadline for completing the project and stick with it. Your enemy is procrastination.
Eagle Project: Plan the project Current Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook in a fillable PDF format is October 2015 printing available online at : http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/boyscouts/a dvancementandawards/resources.aspx
Eagle Project Workbook Eagle Project: Plan the project Three Sections Service Project Proposal Service Project Plan Service Project Report Project Proposal is all that must be approved
The Proposal Eagle Project: Plan the project The more detail in this section the more probable your project will be approved Accurate costs and funds available Accurate Supplies, Materials, and Tools More detail can then be transferred to the Final Plan Section
Eagle Project: Plan the project Once you have the OK from an Eagle Mentor, prepare an initial write-up using a soft copy (draft) of the Workbook.
Eagle Project: Plan the project Take before photos of your planned project Including narrative Can be inserted in.jpeg format into Project Workbook May want to include larger copies as well Include a sketch or drawing of your project What will it look like Include measurements Conceptual and technical
Eagle Project: Plan the project Once you know what to do then develop how to do it What help will you need? At least two other people Scouts Parents Friends Charter Organization Benefiting Organization
Eagle Project: Plan the project A How much will the project cost? What will materials and tools cost for the project: have an itemized list with unit costs The Fundraising Application, how will it be paid for? 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, then you do not need a fundraising application. (Parents cannot be the principal source) If you will be obtaining money, materials, supplies, or donations from other sources, you may need to submit an application.
Eagle Project: Get your plan approved Reviews of your initial write-up; this may take 2 to 3 meetings Project must be formally signed off by each of the following: Unit Leader (Scoutmaster)* Unit Committee (authorized by the unit committee)* Beneficiary (Executive at non-profit sponsoring the service project)* District Project Chairman Be prepared: it often takes a few meetings and 4 to 8 weeks before you have all the approvals to begin. * While it makes sense to obtain approvals in the order they appear, there shall be no required sequence for the order of obtaining those approvals marked with an asterisk (*). Council or district approval, however, must come after the others.
Eagle Project: Get your plan approved Do not begin any work on your project, or raise any money, or obtain any materials, until your project proposal has been approved. This MUST include all four signature blocks in the proposal section
Eagle Project: Get your plan approved Do not begin any work on your project, or raise any money, or obtain any materials, until your project proposal has been approved
Eagle Project: Get your plan approved Troop Involvement in Approval Process is critical Don t rubber stamp every project Don t set Scouts up for failure at the District level Scoutmaster Take a hard look at the project based on the criteria outlined above before sending it on to the Committee Committee Insure the project is a worthy project before you sign and send the Scout to the District for approval
Eagle Project: Carrying out the project Project Final Plan Now fill out the Final Plan section If you used sufficient detail in the Project Proposal section this should be simply cutting and pasting with minimal changes This is where there should be sufficient detail to complete the project A guideline should be that you could hand the project book to any other scout and he could complete it
Eagle Project: Carrying out the project Keep detailed, daily record of project and progress to answer the following in your final write-up: Keep a log of hours by you and your volunteers Make sure to include your time and adults who help with the preliminary planning In what ways did you demonstrate leadership of others? Give examples of how you directed the project rather than doing the work yourself In what way did the religious institution, school or community group benefit from the project? Did the project follow the plan? If changes to the plan were made, explain why the changes were necessary. Include Donation Letter and Thank You letter
Eagle Project: Completing the project Project Final Report Write-up with the same thoroughness as an important term paper Use fillable PDF so it is easy to read Put in a binder that is labeled and well organized, Organization counts Include official BSA hard-copy of Workbook with original signatures Maintain two complete, signed off copies of your Eagle Project book District will keep one for Project Binder
Eagle Project: Completing the project Project Final Report Pictures are worth a 1000 words Include as many pictures as you can They can be inserted in the PDF but also include larger ones since the attached ones are often too small to really get the details They show the scope of your leadership by showing others working with you They tell the story of your project from start to finish Shows the true scope of what you did that words may not Make sure they tell the right story Don t show pics of unsafe practices Don t show pics with un-scoutlike behavior or clothing, i.e. a beer T Shirt
Eagle Project: Completing the project Answer the following in your final write-up: In what ways did you demonstrate leadership of others? Give examples of how you directed the project rather than doing the work yourself In what way did the religious institution, school or community group benefit from the project? Did the project follow the plan? If changes to the plan were made, explain why the changes were necessary.
Eagle Project: Obtain signoffs Beneficiary (Executive at non-profit sponsoring the service project) Unit Leader (Scoutmaster) Recommend you obtain signatures on two hard copy Workbooks. Your leadership service project will ultimately be reviewed at your Eagle Board of Review by the Tahquitz District.
Preparing for the Unit Leader conference Obtain Most current Eagle Scout Rank Application and complete the form accurately Download the Form from: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/boyscouts/advancement andawards/resources.aspx Complete the form accurately PDF form is fillable, this is preferred to a handwritten form Obtain current Individual Advancement Summary from Internet Advancement Web Site Unit Advancement Coordinator
Use the Current Application 2017 Printing Available Online: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/boyscouts/advancementandawards/resources.aspx
Use the Current Forms When you download forms from Scouting they come up as a numbered form (i.e. 512-927_fillable) File names are without a date Download the latest and replace any on your computer to insure you have the latest form Then save as with date (i.e. 2017 Eagle App)
Preparing for the Unit Leader conference Complete the Advancement Dates for Ranks and Merit Badges accurately (requirements #1 & 3) Should be checked against printout of your advancement history from the council records available online from your Unit Advancement Chair All dates for advancement, merit badges etc. on Eagle application must tie to the council records. If the council records are incorrect, work with the Unit Advancement Chair to get them corrected. Blue Cards are your proof of completion so don t lose them If you moved from another Council you will need your records from there too DO NOT USE TROOPMASTER OR OTHER TROOP RECORDS
Preparing for the Unit Leader conference You are required to supply references (requirement #2) who know you personally and can attest that you live by oath and law Names and data for all lines Exception: employer if any Make sure Leadership is accurate (requirement#4) List only those positions served after Life board of review date Project Section information (requirement#5) Project Name from Workbook Grand total of hours: (from Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook for statistical purposes only)
Preparing for the Unit Leader conference: Life Statement Take part in a unit leader conference (requirement #6) Note: In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank 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 Give it the time and attention you would any important document such as a school paper Should be printed, NOT hand written
Take part in a Unit Leader conference: Procedure Scoutmaster conference will be conducted by Troop May want to include more than one Scoutmaster Goals of the conference: Confirm that ALL requirements for Eagle rank have been completed other than the board of review Review of Scout s experience in Scouting and knowledge gained Assessment of preparedness for Eagle rank Have Application, Life Statement, Project Workbook and Scout Handbook and review them for accuracy and completeness Scouts should prepare as they would for an important final examination and appear in full class A uniform.
Preparing for the Eagle Board of Review Suggest the Scout meet with Troop Committee and/or chair before scheduling a District Board Committee Chair can insure Scout is ready before signing Eagle Application A prepared Scout has a better chance of success at District A prepared Scout reflects credit on his troop
Preparing for the Eagle Board of Review Submit your application to the council Advancement dates will be checked and references may be contacted prior to scheduling the board of review. The Council Advancement Clerk conducts reviews on Monday and Tuesday Suggest you personally take it to Council in case there are problems The Council Advancement Clerk will sign for the Council and provide contact information for the District Board Coordinator If you send it make sure and send it to the Council PO Box NOT the physical address
Preparing for the Eagle Board of Review If you sent in your application to Council or someone else took it in for you don t sit around waiting to be notified. The Scout and his unit should be aware and check the status if the application is not returned in a timely manner Application should be processed and returned within two weeks Boards of review are conducted at the district level
Eagle Scout District Board of Review Luanne Vicnaire Eagle Board of Review Coordinator
Scheduling the Eagle Board of Review You must contact the District Eagle Board of Review Coordinator to schedule your Board Do Not contact Mrs. Vicnaire until you have your application signed at council Boards are scheduled twice monthly First Wednesday Third Thursday Contact Mrs. Vicnaire at least 2 weeks in advance
Scheduling the Eagle Board of Review Do not wait until the last minute!!!! Council must have referred you to contact Mrs. Gruendner You may not be able to get it done in time if you wait Scheduling is not instantaneous It can take up to 2 months if we are back logged! If it cannot be done it will be no one s fault but yours
Completing the Eagle Board of Review Notify your Scoutmaster once your Board of Review is scheduled Unit Leader should introduce you to the Board of Review Parents should also plan to attend All Eagle paperwork must be at Board of Review location at the time specified in the confirmation email ORIGINAL: Eagle Application, Personal Statement, Project Workbook, Scout Handbook Additionally you will need to provide 4 Copies of each If the paperwork is not there on time you will be rescheduled
Completing the Eagle Board of Review Last evaluation of Scout s worthiness for Eagle Rank Must be completed within 90 days of 18 th birthday If it isn t completed by then a letter from the Scout and/or adult leader and/or parent must be submitted to the Council Advancement Committee The letter must outline in detail the reasons for the delay The committee will then decide if an extension will be granted based on the explanation in each individual case DO NOT ASSUME AN EXTENSION IS AUTOMATIC
Complete the Eagle Board of Review: The Board Conducted by 3 to 4 people Advancement Committee member, Scouters, prominent members of the community Be on Time! Be in full Uniform! Reviews are wide ranging and typically encompass: Review of Scout Oath and Law, their meaning and application in the Scout s life The history of scouting, the scout badge Proper display and handling of the American flag The Eagle Leadership Service Project with focus on leadership Attitudes about Scouting and life in general How Scouting has affected the Scout and his outlook on life Typical duration is about 30 minutes after which the board meets privately to decide whether the Scout meets the requirements for Eagle rank. Decisions must be unanimous.
The Final Steps Once the board of review is successfully completed Paperwork will be submitted to the Council Office Council certifies and forwards to BSA national office for final approval, which may take a few weeks. Process typically takes 2-4 weeks unless there is a problem May be expedited, there is an extra fee, returned in around a week after National gets it (credit card only, contact Council office) Date of the Eagle Scout Award is the date of the Board of Review DO NOT ASSUME YOU WILL PASS THE BOARD OF REVIEW AND SCHEDULE YOUR COURT OF HONOR UNTIL YOUR APPLICATION
Continue Your Commitment Eagle Palms After you complete your Eagle Rank you can continue to be recognized for your hard work and leadership by earning Eagle Palms New Palm procedures as of August 17 allow you to receive palms for all your earned Merit Badges up to that point at your Eagle Court of Honor First 5 Bronze Second 5 (10) - Gold Third 5 (15) -Silver After the Eagle Court of Honor any subsequent Palms must be earned as per the requirements for leadership and tenure and include a Unit Leader Conference
Continue Your Commitment Eagle Palms CIEC July 16 Version Available Online: http://www.bsa-ciec.org/resources/printable-forms/9973
Concluding Comments The key elements in reaching Eagle rank are your initiative, active involvement and perseverance The troop and your parents can help but ultimately the achievement and recognition are yours Plan on reaching Eagle within two years of achieving Life Scout rank. Create a plan and: Remain active in troop and patrol activities Identify and complete an Eagle Leadership Service Project Identify and complete a leadership role that is interesting to you Complete your merit badges
Concluding Comments Units and Parents need to be the Scouts most valuable asset They also need to be the Tahquitz District Advancement Committee s most valuable asset We are here to help every Scout receive what he has earned Make sure that every Scout, parent, and Leader knows and follows the process Don t put the Advancement Committee in a tough spot Don t send Scouts into the process who have not properly completed the requirements Don t let Scouts wait so long that they don t have time to fix discrepancies because they are older than 18 Projects Leadership Paperwork
A Final Reminder You now have a responsibility to give back to Scouting all that it has given you. This is not the end of the road but the beginning You must now be a mentor and example for all those Scouts looking up to you to reach where you have
Once an Eagle Scout, Always an Eagle Scout