EAGLE ADVANCEMENT THE PARENT’S ROLE CHAIN BRIDGE DISTRICT 2016 LIFE TO EAGLE SEMINAR

Why Earn Eagle Rank? Does your son want to earn Eagle rank? Are you sure? Why do you want him to earn Eagle? What value does it have? 2

The Path to Eagle Active Participation Position of Responsibility Merit Badges Eagle Scout Service Project Eagle Scout Rank Application Eagle Scout Board of Review 3

The Path to Eagle - How Can Parents Help? Accept that your son owns the process. Have an honest discussion about making Eagle. Ask about his planned schedule for completing Eagle requirements. Show interest and encouragement. Avoid “incentives”. Ask about progress, but not too frequently. Be helpful, but not too helpful. 4

Active Participation After achieving Life rank, a Scout must be active in his unit for six months. Each unit has their own standards for acceptable levels of activity. Encourage your son to find out what his unit and unit leader expect. Low participation is a red flag. 5 GTA §

Position of Responsibility 6 While a Life Scout: Successfully serve six months (or more) in an approved Position of Responsibility. For Boy Scouts in a Troop the approved positions are: Senior Patrol Leader Assistant SPL Patrol Leader Venture Patrol Leader Troop Guide OA Troop Rep. Den Chief Scribe Librarian Historian Quartermaster Jr. Assistant Scoutmaster Chaplain aide Instructor Webmaster Outdoor Ethics Guide

Position of Responsibility Each unit has their own criteria for successful performance in a responsible position. Encourage your son to find out what his unit and unit leader expect. Watch for red flags. 7 GTA §

Merit Badge Requirement 21 Merit Badges Required Badges (13) Camping Citizenship in Community, Nation, and World Communications Cooking Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving Environmental Science or Sustainability 8

Merit Badge Requirements Required Merit Badges (continued) Family Life (minimum 90 days) First Aid Swimming, Hiking or Cycling Personal Management (minimum 90 days) Personal Fitness (minimum 90 days) +8 Optional Merit Badges Questions? 9

Eagle Scout Service Project Plan, develop, and give leadership to others in service to the Community. 10 GTA § The Chain Bridge Life to Eagle Guidelines (on Seminar CD) has examples of successful Eagle projects. Most Units have one or more Eagle Advisors or Project Coaches who can offer advice. A Scout can pursue a project of his choice, but he must have a sponsor organization. Or a Scout can contact a community organization and ask if they need a service project.

Project Considerations Avoid routine labor or maintenance Cannot benefit BSA units Cannot benefit a for-profit organization Cannot be a fundraiser ($$$) Not too big - not too small Service projects are OK The BSA Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook must be used to plan and report the project (on Seminar CD & on- line) 11

Read and review this section of the Eagle Project Workbook. It indicates appropriate expectations for Scouts and their parents. “The Eagle Scout service project belongs to the Eagle Scout candidate. His parents and others may help, but the Scout must be the leader.” Message to Scouts and Parents or Guardians 12

What Scouts Can Expect: Project reviews will be conducted in a friendly, kindhearted manner. Scouts may have a parent present as an observer. No one can demand more work than what is described in the Project Workbook. Responsibility for success belongs to the Scout. Scouts have recourse if their project proposal is not approved. Message to Scouts and Parents or Guardians 13

Eagle Project Process 14 Prepare Proposal - Get it Approved Prepare the “Plan” - Show the Sponsor Conduct Preparations - Perform the Project Prepare Report – Get Approvals

PROJECT PROPOSAL A Scout should start his Project Proposal when he has: A good project concept A potential sponsor Discussed his ideas with his unit Eagle Advisor and/or Unit Leader Computer entry is very desirable 15

Description & Benefit Giving Leadership Materials Proposal Page C Pictures and Captions 16 Supplies

Proposal Page D Tools Prelim Cost Estimate, Funding and Donations Project Phases Permits & Permissions – Tour Permit if the location is remote 17 Other Needs

Proposal Page E Safety! – Safety! – Safety! Candidate’s Promise Approval Signatures Final Planning Logistics 18

Project Fundraising If donations from other sources do not exceed $500, the Fundraising Application is not required. The Project Proposal and Plan describe how materials will be obtained and expenses paid. The Project Report describes the disposition of excess donations. No Application is needed for donations from: The Scout or his relatives The Scout’s Unit or Chartered Organization Other members of the Scout’s Unit The Project beneficiary 19 The Workbook includes a Fundraising Application

GTA § ; § ; § Information for Project Beneficiaries Scouts must give this flyer to their Project Beneficiary “Your Scout must develop a plan for implementing the project. Before work begins, you should ask to see the plan.” Beneficiaries can demand changes if the plan is not adequate. They cannot expand the project scope after approval of the proposal. Promised donations from beneficiaries should be in writing. 20

PROJECT PLAN 21 The goal is to ensure that: Critical issues are understood and resolved All preparation tasks are described in detail Leadership roles and responsibilities are defined Clear step-by-step process Level of detail depends on complexity and risks. Any major change may require project re-approval!

Review of the Plan: The project is approved based on the Project Proposal. The Project Plan must be reviewed by the Beneficiary who can demand improvements before the project proceeds. The Scout’s Eagle Advisor or Project Coach should review the Plan to ensure it is adequate. The Scout’s Eagle Board will evaluate the Plan, how the Scout demonstrated leadership, and the successfulness of the project. 22 PROJECT PLAN

CONDUCTING THE PROJECT The Eagle candidate must be the project leader. The project is about leadership and service to others. Preparation tasks before the day of the project are the hidden keys to success. Most projects should have a management team with duties assigned by the project leader. Scouts should record notes and observations immediately after each day of project activity. 23

CONDUCTING THE PROJECT Adult duties can include: Use of power tools and motor vehicles Two-deep supervsion and safety monitoring Logistic support (food, sign-in table, security, photo documentation) Other tasks, provided the work is directed by the Eagle candidate Adults should avoid directing project activities. Adult suggestions should be offered for consideration by the project leader. 24

RISK MANAGEMENT Eagle projects are official Scouting activities and must conform to applicable BSA policies and procedures. The Scout’s unit has the same safety responsibilities as any other unit activity. BSA safety standards include Youth Protection, two-deep leadership, tool safety, and other provisions in the Guide to Safe Scouting. An “approved” Eagle Project may be stopped by any adult if required based on safety concerns. 25 GTA §

PROJECT REPORT Describes what was accomplished and what lessons were learned. Project Beneficiary and Unit Leader sign to document the project is satisfactory and complete. The Scout’s Eagle Board will review and evaluate the Project Report. 26

Project Report Page A Project Description Successful and Challenging Aspects Changes 27 Project Date(s):

Project Report Page B 28 Leadership Issues Materials Service Hours

Project Report Page C 29 Funding Issues Photos and Other Documents Completion Approvals

Eagle Scout Rank Application 30 Prepared after all Eagle requirements have been accomplished. Must use current BSA Form No Computer entry is very desirable. Accurate information is essential. Detailed guidance is on the Seminar CD

Requirement 2 - References The Scout must demonstrate he lives by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life. He must list the names of certain individuals who know him and can provide a recommendation on his behalf. The Unit will request and receive the reference statements. They are confidential and neither the Scout nor his parents can be involved Eagle Scout Street, Bethesda, MD Mr. & Mrs. Proud Parent xyz.com 1 Eagle Scout Street, Bethesda, MD Mr. & Mrs. Proud Parent xyz.com N/A or 1 Eagle Scout Street, Bethesda, MD Mr. & Mrs. Proud Parent xyz.com 3 Eagle Scout Street, Bethesda, MD Mrs. Proud Neighbor xyz.com 4 Eagle Scout Street, Bethesda, MD Mr. Proud Neighbor xyz.com 2 Eagle Scout Street, Bethesda, MD Mr. Proud Teacher xyz.com List a previous employer; N/A is used only if the scout never had a paying job

Requirement 3 – Merit Badges 32 Record a total of 21 merit badges (13 required badges). The dates are important and must match BSA records. Reconcile any differences using blue card records.

Requirement 6 – Scoutmaster (Unit Leader) Conference 33 The Unit Leader conference (and all other rank requirements) must be accomplished before the Scout’s 18th birthday. Scouts who procrastinate run the risk of remaining Life for Life. To prepare for the conference, the Scout should prepare: A statement of his ambitions and life purpose A listing of positions held in and out of Scouting, honors received and other accomplishments (similar to a resume).

Application Verification After all unit-level signatures have been obtained, the Scout meets with his District Eagle Board Representative. The Scout’s Eagle Package is reviewed to ensure it’s ready for the Scout’s Eagle Board of Review. A Unit representative submits a copy of the application to Council for review. Council annotates the application to certify it is acceptable and the Scout may have his Eagle Board. 34

Eagle Scout Board of Review The Guide to Advancement sets the standards for conducting an Eagle Board of Review. Eagle Boards are organized by the Scout’s unit. A Chain Bridge District Eagle Board Member must be included. Reference letters must be available for review by the Board. May be held after a Scout’s 18 th birthday, but there are deadlines. 35

Eagle Scout Board of Review 36 The Board has a two-fold purpose: To discuss the quality of the Scout’s character and experience To decide whether the Scout has fulfilled the requirements for Eagle rank The Scout will be asked to describe and evaluate his Eagle project, his career in Scouting, and his plans for the future. The Board’s decision must be unanimous.

Eagle Scout Board of Review 37 After a successful Eagle Board, the Eagle package is transported to Council for processing and approval at BSA Headquarters. Once approved, Council will receive the Scout’s Eagle Certificate. The Scout and his parents may then plan his Eagle Court of Honor.

The Court of Honor Each unit has their own traditions, but the Scout and his parents usually organize this ceremony. There are many different formats, but two program items are essential: The Scout is read the “Eagle Charge” The Scout recites the Eagle Promise The Chain Bridge Life to Eagle Guidelines contain lots of helpful information (on Seminar CD). 38

Questions? 39