LIFE-TO-EAGLE In 12 Easy Steps

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LIFE-TO-EAGLEIn 12 Easy Steps

• The complete guide to advancing the
• Life Scout through the
• Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project
• and the
• Eagle Board of Review
• In the Transatlantic Council

On the left side of the following pages you will
find the 12-Steps from Life-to-Eagle as listed in
the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project
(ESLSP) Workbook. On the right side you will
find the detailed step-by-step process that must
be followed to meet these requirements. Prepared
by Ryan Newman, Advancement Chairman,
Charlemagne District
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• STEP 1
• In order to advance to the rank of Eagle, a
  candidate must complete all requirements of
• Tenure
• Scout spirit
• Merit badges
• Positions of responsibility
• While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and provide
  leadership to others in a service project

• This step is very much self-explanatory. It
  falls upon the Life Scout to complete all the
  requirements
• Tenure - 6 months as a Life Scout
• Scout spirit - Judged by the Scoutmaster
• Merit badges - Minimum 21, with 12 Eagle required
• Positions of responsibility
• 6 months as Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior
  Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide,
  Order of the Arrow Troop Representative, Den
  Chief, Librarian, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster,
  Troop Quartermaster, Troop Scribe, Historian,
  Chaplain Aide, Instructor, or Venture Patrol
  Leader
• Service Project The only part of the project
  that can commence prior to District / Council
  approval is planning and developing. This means
  NO fund raising, NO material acquisition, etc
  See Step 2 on the next page for the detailed
  project approval process
• Scoutmaster Conference After Eagle Project
  completion, just prior to the application to
  Transatlantic Council for the Eagle Board of
  Review (BOR) approval.

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• STEP 2
• Using the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project
  Workbook, the candidate must select his Eagle
  service project and have the project concept
  approved by his unit leader, his unit committee,
  and the benefactor of the project, and reviewed
  and approved by the council or district
  advancement committee. The workbook must be used
  in meeting this requirement.

• Using the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project
  (ESLSP) Workbook, the Life Scout must select and
  plan his project. Approval to start the project
  requires four signatures in the workbook
• Benefiting institution representative
• Scoutmaster
• Unit committee (Committee Chairman or
  Advancements representatives signature
  preferred)
• District or Council Chairman or Advancements
• Before approving the ESLSP, the Scoutmaster and
  Troop Committee should be checking to ensure that
  it meets the requirements of an Eagle Project
  (see page two of the workbook for originality,
  limitations and size), that it addresses the
  present condition, materials, helpers, time line
  and safety (see page 6, of the workbook, Project
  Details).
• The ESLSP (copy only) is sent to the District
  Advancements Chairman, with the first three
  signatures, for approval (address/fax information
  is located on page 14 of this guide). If
  approved, a letter will be sent to the Life
  Scout. This letter constitutes the District
  signature on page 6 and must become a permanent
  part of the workbook. (District Eagle Project
  Approval Checklist Page 15)
• The Scout can now begin his project!

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• STEP 3
• It is imperative that all requirements for the
  Eagle Scout rank, except the board of review, be
  completed prior to the candidate's 18th birthday.
  When all requirements except the board of review
  for the rank of Eagle, including the leadership
  service project, have been completed, the Eagle
  Scout Rank Application must be completed and sent
  to the council service center promptly.
• (Youth members with disabilities should meet with
  their troop leader regarding time extensions.)

• The following should now be complete
• Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project
• Project summary
• Listed as Changes in workbook
• Signatures on Page 8 of workbook
• Scout
• Scoutmaster
• Benefiting organization
• Application, including
• References
• Applicant signature
• Scoutmaster signature

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• STEP 4
• The application should be signed by the unit
  leader at the proper place. The unit committee
  reviews and approves the record of the Eagle
  candidate before the application is submitted to
  the local council. If a unit leader or unit
  committee fails to sign or otherwise approve an
  application, the Eagle candidate may still be
  granted a board of review. The failure of a unit
  leader or unit committee to sign an application
  may be considered by the board of review in
  determining the qualification of the Eagle
  candidate.

• The Unit Committee Advancements or Life-to-Eagle
  Coordinator will send the following items
  (copies) to TAC requesting an Eagle BOR
• TAC Supplemental Info Sheet
• Attached page 17
• Eagle Scout Rank Application
• Attached page 19
• Statement of life ambitions
• Requirement 6 on the application
• The best method is to FAX these items to DSN
  375-4002 or commercial 49 (0)621-487-4002.
• All addresses and phone numbers are on the TAC
  Supplemental Information Sheet.
• Do everything in step 1 through 4 prior to the
  Scouts 18TH Birthday.
• You can send the application materials to TAC
  after the 18th birthday, but then you have to
  include a letter explaining that the Scout did
  all his stuff before turning 18, but the Unit
  Committee did not. There are some valid
  situations where this may be necessary, but if
  you can FAX it before the 18th birthday, you
  avoid the additional paperwork.
• Go right into Step 5
• These two steps just flow together.

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• STEP 5
• When the completed application is received at the
  council service center, its contents will be
  verified and the references contacted. The
  council advancement committee or its designee
  contacts the person listed as a reference on the
  Eagle Scout Rank Application either by letter,
  form, or telephone checklist. The council
  determines the method or methods to be used. The
  candidate should have contacted those individuals
  listed as references before including their names
  on the application. The candidates should not be
  involved personally in transmitting any
  correspondence between persons listed as
  references and the council service center.

• The Application
• The application must be perfect. (See attached
  application checklist page 18)
• TAC will accept the copies and, if everything is
  in order, send you written approval to conduct
  the Eagle BOR. When the BOR is complete, the
  original application goes to the council and they
  will replace the written approval with an actual
  signature in the Council Certification space.
• References
• The Unit Committee Advancements or Life-to-Eagle
  Coordinator will contact the references on the
  application and receive responses. The scout
  only provides the contact information and should
  not see any responses from the references (see
  Step 7 for the detailed explanation).
• Attached is a Form that is useful for the
  references, page 16. Include a letter with this
  form to explain why they are being sent this form
  and instructions on how to return it to you.
  Encourage them to include a letter with the form.

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• STEP 6
• The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project
  Workbook, properly filled out, must be submitted
  with the application.

• This is where the TAC Eagle Scout Rank
  Application Supplemental Information Sheet comes
  in. This sheet, completed by the Unit Committee
  Advancements or Life-to-Eagle Coordinator,
  replaces the ESLSP Workbook for TAC approval to
  conduct the Eagle Board of Review.
• What a great deal, a single sheet of paper,
  instead of the entire workbook going to council.
• Here it is again, same as in Step 4
• The Unit Committee Advancements or Life-to-Eagle
  Coordinator will send the following items to TAC
  requesting an Eagle Board of Review
• TAC Supplemental Info Sheet
• Attachment page 17
• Eagle Scout Rank Application
• Attachment page 19
• Statement of life ambitions
• Requirement 6 on the application

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• STEP 7
• After the contents of an application have been
  verified and appropriately signed, the
  application, Eagle Scout Leadership Service
  Project Workbook, and references will be returned
  from the council service center to the chairman
  of the Eagle board of review so that a board of
  review may be scheduled. Under no circumstances
  should a board of review be scheduled until the
  application is returned to the chairman of the
  Eagle board of review. Reference checks that are
  forwarded with the application are confidential,
  and their contents are not to be disclosed to any
  person who is not a member of the board of
  review.

• Make a note of the sentence that states Under no
  circumstances should a BOR be scheduled until the
  application is returned to the Chairman of the
  Eagle BOR. This is to protect the Scout from
  disappointment if the board approval does not
  come back in the time frame expected or if the
  approval is denied.
• Although the references are listed on the
  application that goes to TAC, it remains the
  responsibility of the Unit Committee Advancements
  or Life-to-Eagle Coordinator to solicit
  recommendations from the references. This is a
  TAC unique requirement because of the geographic
  size and international composition of the
  council.
• Once the approval is received from TAC and the
  references have been received, you are now ready
  to schedule the Eagle BOR.
• Lets go to Step 8 and discuss who sits on the
  Eagle Board of Review.

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• STEP 8
• The board of review for an Eagle candidate is
  composed of at least three but not more than six
  members. One member serves as chairman. Unit
  leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives, or
  guardians may not serve as members of a Scout's
  board of review. The board of review members
  should convene at least 30 minutes before the
  candidate appears in order to review the
  application, reference checks, and leadership
  service project report. At least one district or
  council advancement representative must be a
  member of the Eagle board of review if the board
  of review is conducted on a unit level. A council
  or district may designate more than one person to
  serve as a member of Eagle boards of review when
  requested to do so by the unit. It is not
  required that these persons be members of the
  advancement committee however, they must have an
  understanding of the importance of the Eagle
  board of review.

• The Eagle BOR is composed of three to six
  members.
• Board members are not
• Unit leaders
• Relatives
• Guardians
• That leaves a lot of people who can sit on the
  BOR. One member of the board serves as the
  Chairman, but it isnt specified who will fulfill
  this role. A requirement is that a Council or
  District Advancement representative be on the
  BOR. Again, because of the geographic size of the
  council, district may utilize other people for
  this purpose. The local unit cannot take it upon
  themselves to conduct the BOR without council or
  district representation.
• Good BOR candidates are
• School administrators
• Religious leaders
• Charter organization officials
• Eagle Scouts
• U.S. expatriate businessmen
• Convene the BOR 30 to 45 minutes before the
  Scouts scheduled arrival. Review the Scouts
• Application
• Advancement History

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• STEP 9
• The candidate's unit leader introduces him to the
  members of the board. The unit leader may remain
  in the room, but does not participate in the
  board of review. The unit leader may be called on
  to clarify a point in question. In no case should
  a relative or guardian of the candidate attend
  the review, even as a unit leader. There is no
  set of questions that an Eagle candidate should
  be asked. However, the board should be assured of
  the candidate's participation in the program.
  This is the highest award a Scout may achieve
  consequently, a thorough discussion of his
  successes and experiences in Scouting should be
  considered. After the review, the candidate
  leaves the room while the board members discuss
  the acceptability of the candidate as an Eagle
  Scout. The 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 rank.
  If he does not meet the requirements, he is asked
  to return and told the basis for his failure to
  qualify. A discussion should be held with him as
  to how he may meet the requirements within a
  given period.
• Should the applicant disagree with the decision,
  the appeal procedures should be explained to him.
  A follow-up letter must be sent to the Scout
  confirming the agreements reached on the actions
  necessary for the advancement. If the Scout
  chooses to appeal, the board will provide the
  name and address of the person he will contact.
  (See "Appealing a Decision" in the National BSA
  Policies and Procedures, No. 33088A.)

• Unit leader is the Scoutmaster / Crew Advisor or
  Assistant. It is not recommend that the Unit
  Leader remain in the room.
• Begin with the Scout leading the Pledge of
  Allegiance, then the Scout Oath. Make
  introductions and take seats to begin the
  interview.
• Page 20-23 is a guide to conducting the BOR and
  sample questions for the board members.
• The interview should go 30 to 45 minutes.
• Have the Scout wait outside while the members
  deliberate. If the Scout passed, signatures are
  required by the Board Chairman and the District /
  Council Representative on the application and the
  advancement report. Give the Scout the results.
• HAND SHAKES ALL AROUND!
• Lets go to Step 10

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• STEP 10
• Immediately after the board of review and after
  the application has been appropriately signed,
  the application, the service project report,
  references, and a properly completed Advancement
  Report are returned to the Council Service Center.

• Do exactly what it says in Step 10.
• (Except References-see below)
• SEND
• The application signed by
• Board Chairman
• District / council representative
• TAC Supplemental Info Sheet
• Advancement Report signed by
• Unit Committee Advancements
• Board Chairman
• District / council representative

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• Step 11
• When the application arrives at the Council
  Service Center, the Scout Executive signs it to
  certify that the proper procedure has been
  followed and that the board of review has
  recommended the candidate for the Eagle Scout
  rank. This workbook and references are retained
  by the council. The workbook may be returned to
  the Scout after council approval.
• Only the Eagle Scout Rank Application is
  forwarded to the National Eagle Scout Service
  Center.

• This step is all completed at TAC.
• Lets move on to Step 12.

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• STEP 12
• The Eagle Scout Service screens the application
  to ascertain information such as proper
  signature, positions of responsibility, tenure
  between ranks, and age of the candidate. Any
  item not meeting national standards will cause
  the application to be returned for more
  information. If the application is in order, the
  Scout is then certified as an Eagle Scout by the
  Eagle Scout Service on behalf of the National
  Council. Notice of approval is given by sending
  the Eagle Scout certificate to the local council.
  The date used on the certificate will be the
  date of the board of review. The Eagle Award
  must not be sold or given to any unit until after
  the certificate is received by the council
  service center. The Eagle Scout court of honor
  should not be scheduled until the local council
  receives the Eagle Scout rank credentials.

• Again, there should be no questions for Step 12.
  BSA National completes a verification process and
  returns the Eagle Scout Certificate to Council.
  Once TAC has received the certificate, an Eagle
  Court of Honor may be scheduled.
• The Eagle Court of Honor
• This is not a part of the 12-Step process, but I
  chose to use this space to offer some resources
  to those troops that dont frequently have Scouts
  attain the Eagle rank.
• The Eagle Court of Honor comes in many styles.
  There are Eagle Court of Honor books on
  Amazon.com, and several web sites that describe
  appropriate and meaningful ceremonies that you
  can plan. Just do a search on Google or Yahoo
  and you will be well on your way.
• Only a small segment of our youth become Boy
  Scouts, and only about 4 of every 100 Scouts
  become Eagles. Parents are strongly encouraged
  to make the Eagle Court of Honor an event that
  will be remembered for a lifetime because once
  their son is an Eagle Scout, he will always be an
  Eagle Scout.
• To the person who used this guide
• Congratulations on the achievement of helping to
  grow an Eagle Scout!

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Help me to make this guide better!

• I hope that this guide has been useful in getting
  an Eagle Project / Board of Review approved.
• I also hope to make this guide better for future
  Advancement and Life-to-Eagle Coordinators.
• Your suggestions can make a difference. Tell me
  what information missed the mark, or could be
  better explained for the user.
• Contact me at Ryan Newman
• Unit 21409, Box 137
• APO AE 09705
• ryan.newman_at_us.army.mil
• DSN 361-5262
• COMM 32 (0)68-27-5762
• FAX [phone]

Yours in Scouting, Ryan Newman Advancement
Chairman Charlemagne District
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