Troop 824 Portola District

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Life to Eagle Seminar

• Troop 824
• Portola District
• Orange County Council
• Boy Scouts of America

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Notice

• This presentation is NOT an official
  publication of the Boy Scouts of America nor the
  Orange County Council however the contents have
  been reviewed and approved by three members of
  the the National Council Advancement Committee.
• This presentation was prepared to assist
  Scouts, Parents, and Scout Leaders.

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Introduction

• Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is a special
  achievement. Fewer than 5 of Scouts earn this
  distinction each year.
• Two million Scouts have earned the Eagle Rank
  since 1921 in the United States of America.

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To Achieve the Eagle Scout Rank a Scout Must

• Earn five prior Scouting Ranks
• Meet 60 achievement requirements
• Satisfactorily complete 1,255 different tasks
• Be reviewed by Adult Scouters at the Unit,
  District, Council and National level at least 70
  times

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Purpose of this Seminar

• Review the 12 steps from Life to Eagle.
• Review the Requirements for the Eagle Scout Rank.
• Explain the procedures used by our District and
  our Troop.
• Review the Eagle Service Project Requirements.

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Target Audiences

• Life and Star Rank Boy Scouts
• Parents
• Scout Leaders
• Scoutmasters
• Advancement Chairpersons
• Committee Members

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Who Sets Eagle Requirements?

• Set by BSA National Committee
• Orange County Council Advancement Committee
  implements policies and procedures of BSA
  National
• Portola District Advancement Committee implements
  policies and procedures of BSA National and OC
  Council.
• Troop 824 Advancement Committee implements
  policies and procedures of BSA National, Council
  and the Portola District.

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The Seven Eagle Requirements

• Be active for six (6) months after Life rank.
• Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Earn at least 21 Merit Badges (including those
  required for the Eagle Rank).
• Hold a position of responsibility for a period of
  six (6) months.
• Complete an Eagle Scout Leadership Service
  Project.
• Take part in a Scoutmaster Conference.
• Successfully complete Eagle Board of Review.

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Be Aware

• NO Council, District, Unit or Individual has
  the authority to ADD to or SUBTRACT from any BSA
  advancement requirement

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Twelve (12) steps to progress from Life to Eagle
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12 Steps from Life to Eagle

• Complete all of the 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.
• Complete the Scoutmaster conference.
• Using the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project
  Workbook, select a service project and have the
  project approved by
• Scoutmaster.
• Troop Committee Chairman.
• Benefactor of the project.
• Council Eagle Advisor.

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12 Steps from Life to Eagle

• Complete the above two steps prior to the
  candidates 18th birthday.
• Includes providing the Eagle Scout Rank
  Application to the District Eagle Advisor.
• Use the current application form available from
  the Council Office or Website.
• All dates must be correct.
• Excludes the board of review.

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12 Steps from Life to Eagle

• Complete the Eagle Scout Rank Application
• Write your statement of ambitions life purpose
  and create a listing of positions held which
  demonstrate leadership skills.
• Obtain signature from Scoutmaster.
• Obtain signature from Troop Committee
  Chairperson.
• The Troop Committee reviews and approved the
  record of the Eagle candidate before the
  application is submitted to the District Eagle
  Advisor.
• Submit completed application to your assigned
  Portola District Eagle Advisor.
• Request three letters of recommendation and have
  them sent directly to your assigned Portola
  District Eagle Advisor.

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12 Steps from Life to Eagle

• Your application is hand-carried to Council for
  verification (by your District Eagle Advisor).
• O C C informs the District Eagle Chairman that
  application is ready.
• Board of Review is authorized.
• District actions at same time as Council
• Maintain critical path information.
• Verify Eagle Project Workbook.
• Collect Letters of Recommendation.

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12 Steps from Life to Eagle

• District Eagle Advisor receives the verified
  application from Council and prepares the Eagle
  Board of Review Packet.
• Reference checks or forms are confidential and
  may not be shared with anyone except the board of
  review members.
• Board of Review arranged by District Eagle
  Chairman
• Total of 3 to 6 members.
• Scout is asked to invite 1 to 3 members.

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12 Steps from Life to Eagle

• The Eagle Character Board of Review is held.
• Scoutmaster introduces candidate to the members
  but is not a board member.
• A thorough discussion of the Scouts successes
  and experiences in Scouting are be discussed.
• Requires unanimous decision.
• A Pass is a Recommendation to BSA National
  for the Scout to be advanced to the Eagle rank.
• Board of Review signs-off if the candidate is
  passed.
• Application and Advancement Form is taken to
  Council for processing

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12 Steps from Life to Eagle

• Council Scout Executive signs Application.
• Certifies that the proper procedure has been
  followed and the board of review has recommended
  the candidate for the Eagle Scout rank.
• Application sent to BSA National which verifies
  and authorizes award.
• Date of Eagle rank will be the board of review
  date.
• Eagle Award must not be sold to or given to the
  Troop or Scout prior to the council receiving the
  certificate.
• The Eagle Court of Honor should not be scheduled
  until the local council receives the certificate.

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Seven Requirement to earn Eagle
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Requirement 1 Be Active

• Be active in your troop, team, or crew for a
  period of at least six (6) months after you
  achieve the rank of Life Scout.
• Any six (6) month period since obtaining Life
  Rank, not necessary for it to be consecutive.

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Requirement 2 Scout Spirit

• Demonstrate that you live by the principles of
  the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life.
• This IS about your everyday life
• Do you abide by the principles of the Oath and
  Law in your everyday life?
• This IS NOT limited to your Scouting life
• and
• Dont forget to do a good turn every day!

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Requirement 3 Earn 21 Merit Badges
Earn a total of 21 Merit Badges, 12 of which must
be Eagle Required (list below)

• First Aid
• Citizenship in the Community
• Citizenship in the Nation
• Citizenship in the World
• Communications
• Personal Fitness

• Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
• Environmental Science
• Personal Management
• Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling
• Camping
• Family Life

If you have earned more than one of the
merit badges in category 7 or 10, choose one as
the Eagle Required merit badge for that category
and the others contribute to the total of
21. For Star and Life Ranks, all merit badges
earned in categories 7 and 10 count toward the
requirement of Eagle Required Merit Badges
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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 Keep your MERIT BADGE ADVANCEMENT CARDS
  (Blue Card). They are your proof of completion!
• There are special exceptions for Scouts with
  disabilities. Contact the Troop Advancement
  Chairperson for guidance.

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REQUIREMENT 4
Position of Responsibility

• While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period
  of six (6) months in one or more qualified
  positions of responsibility. List only those
  positions served after your Life Board of Review
  Date.
• Note The Eagle application accepts only those
  positions specifically listed in the handbook and
  on the Eagle Scout Application. (See next page
  for acceptable positions). No others are
  acceptable.

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Boy Scout Troop Eligible Positions

• Senior Patrol Leader
• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
• Patrol Leader
• Troop Guide
• Order of the Arrow Troop Representative
• Den Chief
• Scribe
• Librarian

• Historian
• Quartermaster
• Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
• Chaplain Aid
• Instructor

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Serve Actively in your Position of Responsibility

• You will be asked to demonstrate that you have
  actually done your best to fullfill this
  position. It is not enough to merely hold the
  position.
• You do not have to hold one position for six (6)
  months.
• You do not have to hold the position for six (6)
  consecutive months.
• You may meet this requirement any time while a
  Life Scout.

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Performance in the Position of Responsibility

• Each unit shall have a clearly prescribed
  standard of performance that is known to each of
  its scouts.
• The standard of performance used to measure this
  requirement shall be the same as that applied to
  other Star, Life or Eagle Scout candidates.
• A Scout may not be held to an extraordinary
  standard of performance.

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Requirement 5 Eagle Scout Leadership Servi
ce 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

More to follow later..
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Requirement 6 Scoutmaster Conference

• Take part in a Scoutmaster conference with your
  unit leader.
• A Scoutmaster conference is a positive
  experience, the objective of which is to help a
  Scout evaluate his accomplishments and set new
  goals. Even goals beyond the rank of Eagle and/or
  the age of 18
• A Scoutmaster conference may be conducted at the
  request of an Eagle candidate or be initiated by
  the unit leader.

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Requirement 6 Scoutmaster Conference

• When there is a reason to believe that an Eagle
  candidate will not be qualified to achieve the
  Eagle Scout award within the six month period
  prior to his eighteenth birthday, the unit leader
  is obligated to initiate a counseling session, on
  a timely basis, so as to give the Eagle candidate
  every reasonable opportunity to become qualified.

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Requirement 7 Character Board of Review

• 3 to 6 members over 21 years of age.
• (1 District and/or Council Member must
  participate).
• Unanimous decision must be reached.
• If the candidate is not approved then an appeal
  process is available.

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What if the Scout has a Problem?
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What if the Scout has a problem?

• Get HELP (Quickly, do not wait for it to get
  better on its own)
• Talk to your Scoutmaster.
• Talk to your Troop Advancement Chairperson.
• Talk to your Troop Committee Chairperson.
• Talk to your District Advancement Chairperson.
• If the Scout is having a problem with a
  Scoutmaster or other adult leader, contact
  another adult leader as listed above.

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What if the Scout has a problem?

• All Scouts have the right to
• Be treated fairly.
• Appeal any advancement decision.
• NOT be held to extraordinary standards.
• Note Do not delay, the more promptly problems
  can be resolved, the better.

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What if the Scout has a problem?

• Remember, NO Council, District, Unit or
• Individual has the authority to add to or
  subtract
• from any advancement requirements.
• Ignorance is no excuse for imposing
• Old requirements,
• Self created requirements, or
• Unit created requirements, or
• Waiving existing requirements.

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The Eagle service Project(Requirement 5)
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Requirement 5 Eagle Scout Leadership Servi
ce Project
This is foremost a Leadership experience for the
Candidate.

• While a Life Scout,
• Plan, develop, and give leadership to others
• In a service project
• Helpful to any religious institution, school, or
  your community.

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Start Planning After Achieving Life rank

• Planning the Eagle Scout Service Project may
  start anytime after achieving the rank of Life
  Scout.
• All work on the Eagle Service Project must be
  undertaken while the Scout is a Life Scout and
  completed before his eighteenth (18th) birthday.

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1. The Project

• An Acceptable Eagle Scout Leadership Service
  Project will
• Contribute lasting value to the beneficiary
  organization.
• Help the Scout develop planning and leadership
  skills.
• Help the Scout discover the sense of well being
  that comes from helping others.
• The size and nature of the project must meet the
  following criteria
• Must be a project that conforms to the wishes and
  regulations of the beneficiary.
• Must be where the Eagle Scout demonstrates
  leadership skills learned in Scouting.
• The Scout must plan the work, gain the needed
  approvals, recruit and organize the appropriate
  personnel and resources, and direct the project
  through completion.
• Be done outside the sphere of Scouting (not a
  Troop function).

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1. The Project

• The Eagle Project must stand on its own
• An Eagle Service project may not be combined with
  any other project.
• Originality
• The project may be original.
• The project may have been done before. The Eagle
  Candidate must take responsibility for planning,
  directing and following through to its successful
  completion. (You may not copy the plans from a
  prior project.)
• Limitations
• There is NO minimum or maximum number of
  volunteers, hours or cost required for a success
  Eagle Service Project.
• Type of projects that are NOT acceptable include
  routine labor/maintenance, organizing blood
  drives, or fund raisers.
• Must have a qualified beneficiary.

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2. Have Measurable Goals Show Leadership

• The end result of the project must be specific,
  with a defined objective that requires thoughtful
  planning and development.
• The amount of time spent must be sufficient for
  the Scout to demonstrate leadership skills.
• The project will be reviewed at completion and
  again during the Scoutmaster Conference and Board
  of Review to validate the leadership experience
  and the manner in which the project was carried
  out.

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3. Plan, Develop, Carry Out

• You are expected toplan, develop and give
  leadership to others
• Once a project idea is identified, the Project
  Plan Approvals will be needed
• Beneficiary must request and approve project.
• Scoutmaster and Unit Committee Chairperson
• Portola District Eagle Advisor
• Only after approvals are obtained, the
  fundraising and project work may commence.
• Completion approvals are required from
• Scoutmaster
• Beneficiary

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3. Plan, Develop, Carry Out

• Requests for Project Plan Approvals must answer
  the following questions
• Who will benefit from the project?
• How will they benefit?
• What official from the group will provide
  guidance?
• What resources will be needed (materials, labor,
  funds)?
• What is the schedule or process for carrying out
  the project?
• Photographs of the Before condition
• Requests for Completion Approvals must address
• Hours spent by candidate and others in carrying
  out the project (detailed by individual and
  date).
• Materials utilized and their cost.
• Discussion of changes to the project plans why
  they occurred.
• After Photographs.
• How you demonstrated leadership of others.

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A few words about Fund Raising

• Fundraising is permitted only for the purpose of
  acquiring the materials and supplies needed to
  carry out your project.
• Fundraising is not a requirement.
• Fundraising must conform to the Guide to Safe
  Scouting (Tour Permits, Parental Consent,
  Supervision and Safety).
• The beneficiary of the project shall not benefit
  from the funds raised. (Excess funds should be
  returned or held by the troop for subsequent
  Eagle Projects).

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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.

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What if things Change?

• Even the best planned activities sometimes need
  change.
• The Eagle Candidate will be evaluate on his
  ability to manage change during the project.
  Changes are expected and may be required during
  any of the approval or review processes, or while
  carrying out the project.
• All changes should be documented.
• The reason for the change should be understood.
• On the other hand, if your project does not
  substantially follow your plan . . . then have
  you truly demonstrated the leadership skills
  expected of an Eagle Scout?

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What about adult supervision?

• An Eagle Service Project is not an official Troop
  activity, it is an Eagle Scout Leadership
  Project.
• Proper planning, however, includes arranging for
  appropriate adult participation and anticipating
  safety concerns. See the Guide to Safe Scouting.
• Adults may supervise the activity, but the Eagle
  Candidate must supervise the project.

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4. Documentation

• The project is to be documented, with all
  approvals, using the Eagle Scout Leadership
  Service Project Workbook.
• Additional documentation may include
• Presentations used to seek approvals.
• Time records.
• Material receipts.
• Pictures the more the better.
• Troop 824 suggests that the scout prepare a
  PowerPoint presentation to share the project
  plans with large groups such as the Troop
  Committee as well as the beneficiary and District
  Eagle Advisor.
• The presentation should address all requirements
  outlined in the above workbook and may be
  referenced in the workbook for final
  documentation.

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5. A Qualified Beneficiary

• Service to others is an important philosophy to
  the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project.
• Your Eagles Service Project may be performed for
  the benefit of
• Any religious institution,
• Any school, or
• Your community.
• A community organization is defined as
• Any government agency, or
• A not-for-profit charitable, educational or
  religious organization qualified, under Section
  5013(c) of the US Internal Revenue Code.

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5. A Qualified Beneficiary

• Your Eagle Service Project must be done for the
  benefit of an organization outside of Scouting.
• Projects can not be done for BSA National, or any
  BSA Council, District or Troop.
• You may do a project for your Troop Sponsor if it
  meets other requirements of a qualified
  beneficiary.
• Your Eagle Service Project may not be performed
  for a business, be of a commercial nature or be a
  fund-raiser.
• Fund raising is permitted only for the purpose of
  acquiring the materials and supplies needed to
  carry out your project.

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Eagle Project Myths

• The Scout can not receive help from his parent
• The Parents may provide encouragement, reminders,
  discuss problems and suggest solutions. Parents
  may not do the planning or organizing.
• The project must involve wood construction
• The requirement is a Service Project, very
  broadly defined and with many options.
• Detailed drawings to scale with CAD must be
  included
• Drawings to communicate plans are helpful and
  should be based upon the scouts talents.
• Must include multi-media presentations
• While not required, this may be the most
  effective way to share the project plans with a
  Beneficiary, Troop Committee and Scout leaders.
  This is based upon the Scouts talents.
• The Project must be completed as the last
  requirement
• Project may be completed anytime while a Life
  Scout, before turning 18.

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Eagle Project

• Some Examples

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Develop a five mile Trail to benefit Yosemite
National Park

• This example is a worthy project because
• it is a significant effort,
• with a measurable goal and a defined objective
  that requires thoughtful planning and
  development,
• provides an Eagle candidate with an adequate
  opportunity to provide leadership to others, and
• is undertaken for a qualified beneficiary.

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Develop a new hiking trail at Lost Valley Boy
Scout reservation

• This example is not an acceptable project
  because
• it does not set forth a measurable goal, and
• is to be performed for an unqualified beneficiary.

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Make and install 4 benches and plant 12
different varieties of plants in the courtyard of
Oakbrook Elementary School

• This example is a worthy project because
• it is a significant effort,
• with a measurable goal and a defined objective
  that requires thoughtful planning and
  development,
• provides an Eagle candidate with an adequate
  opportunity to provide leadership to others, and
• is undertaken for a qualified beneficiary.

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Clean up and remove the trash at Santiago Park

• This example is not an acceptable project
  because
• it is not an extraordinary effort,
• does not set forth a measurable goal,
• requires no meaningful planning or development,
  and
• can be performed by an Eagle candidate without
  any need to give leadership to others.

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Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook
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Use the Workbook..

• You may use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service
  Project Workbook in meeting this requirement.
• Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook
• No. 18-927
• (Note Always check to see if you have the
  current version)
• www.scouting.org
• www.ocbsa.org - Resources/forms, Boy
  Scouts/Varsity

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Workbook Sections

• Cover page
• Name, Unit, District
• Plan
• Project Description
• Identify beneficiary how they will benefit
• Documentation dates

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Workbook Sections, continued

• Develop
• Create a detailed plan
• Material, time, labor
• Before Pictures
• Approvals before you start to carry out the Eagle
  Project
• Beneficiary
• Scoutmaster
• Troop Committee Chairperson
• District Advancement Advisor

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Workbook Signature Page

• Carry out
• Describe results
• Show logs of your efforts
• How did the project go (did it follow your
  plans)?
• After Pictures
• Discuss changes
• After the project is completed
• You Sign
• Beneficiary Signs
• District Eagle Advisor Signs

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The Eagle Scout Application
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Complete the Eagle Award 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 on the back side
• Attach to your project workbook
• Always check to see if you have the current
  version

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Your Life Ambitions

• Attach to your Eagle Scout Award Application
• Statement of your ambitions and life purpose.
• Listing of positions held in your religious
  institution, school, camp, community or other
  organizations during which you demonstrated
  leadership skills.
• Include any honors and awards received during
  this service

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Letters of Reference

• Your Life to Eagle packet contains three forms
  for you to use in completing this requirement.
  You must get at least three letters of reference
  from adults (over the age of 21)
• Educator
• Friend
• Religious leader

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What if no Religious reference?

• On your Eagle application, you must list your
  parents on the line for Religious reference since
  it was your parents responsibility to expose you
  to religion.
• You must also write, in addition to the life
  ambition, a Statement of Religious belief.
  This is a letter stating that you believe in a
  supreme being and submit this along with the
  Eagle Application.

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The Dreaded 18th

• Birthday Problem

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If you are 17 PAY ATTENTION
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Your 18th Birthday!!

• 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.
• You know the date.

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You Must Do the Following

• BEFORE your 18th Birthday
• Complete all your merit badges.
• Complete your Eagle Service Project.
• Complete your Scoutmaster Conference.
• Be active as a Life Scout for six months.
• Serve actively in a position of responsibility
  for six months while a Life Scout.

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You CAN DO the Following

• AFTER your 18th Birthday
• (not recommended, do it early)
• Submit your final Eagle Scout Application.
• Have your Eagle Scout Board of Review.
• Have your Eagle Court of Honor.

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Time Limitations after turning 18

• As indicated on the Eagle Scout Rank Application
• Age Requirement Eligibility. 
• Scoutswho have completed all requirements prior
  to their 18th birthday may be reviewed (board of
  review) within three months after that date
  (their 18th birthday) with no explanation. 
• Boards of review conducted between three and six
  months after the candidates 18th birthday must
  be pre-approved by the local council. 
• A statement by an adult explaining the reason for
  the delay must be attached to the Eagle Scout
  Rank Application when it is submitted to the
  Eagle Scout Service. 
• The Boy Scout division at the national office
  must be contacted for procedures to follow if a
  board of review is to be conducted more than six
  months after a candidates 18th birthday.

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Time Extensions??

• Can I get a Time Extension to complete my Eagle
  requirements?

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Can I get an Extension?

• You may file a petition in writing for special
  permission to continue to work toward the award
  after reaching age 18
• But

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Extensions..

• 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.
• Leadership is all about planning, lack of
  planning is not an excuse!!

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If you are almost 18.

• Work hard to complete your requirements.
• Talk to your leaders now so that they can help
  you and warn you of problems.
• Remember that adult leaders have busy lives.
  Dont ask a leader to give up a vacation because
  you forgot your 18th birthday.
• Know your deadlines in advance.

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In Summary

• Your GOAL is to soar as an Eagle.
• Keep your eye on your goal.
• Accomplish your goal
• Plan ahead (with a calendar) and you will Soar as
  an Eagle.

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How to Identify a Potential Project?
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Help Choosing a Project

• Question 1
• What are your current interests outside
• of Scouting? (i.e. football, hockey, chess,
  speaking, building, computers, teaching, hiking,
  boating, theater, etc.
• Question 2
• What are your best skills? (i.e. organizing,
  books, technology, physical, planning, leading,
  acting, writing, etc.

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Help Choosing a Project

• Question 3
• What schools, churches and community
• groups have influenced your life? (Are they
  non-profit and non-BSA?)
• Question 4
• What needs to be done for these groups?
  (Excluding maintenance or fundraising)

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Help Choosing a Project

• Question 5
• Who would you contact to identify opportunities
  to help? (School Principal, Church Minister/
  Grounds Keeper, Superintendent, Ranger,
  Administrator)

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Credit where Credit is due

• Original slide content from this presentation
  were taken from the South Florida Council and
  modified for layout, content and redeveloped for
  use.
• (This was developed by Karl H. Johnson,
  ADC, Lakes District, as part of a Wood Badge
  Ticket, WE1-612-1-03, Fox Patrol Member)
• ( again updated in 2004 by Lou Hardin, OCC,
  District Advancement Committee, and is also a
  Wood Badge member of the Beaver Patrol
  WE4-51-2-01)
• This 7/1/05 edition was completed with the aid
  of the National Councils Advancement Committee
  members John Ertel, Ed Mercer and its
  Professional Staff advisor, Terry C. Lawson.
• Updated November 2006 for Troop 824, Portola
  district maintaining adherence to BSA National
  Policy.