Life to Eagle Conference

The Eagle Application

Rick Mondick Sandia District Advancement Committee Chairman Mike Cox Co-Chairman

Requirement #1 Be active in your Troop, Team, or Post for at least 6 months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.

Requirement #2 Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf.

Recommendation Letters: 6, minimum 5 if not employed The only option is written letters from: A religious or church affiliated leader An educator or teacher An employer Parents Adult friends and neighbors If a scout requests a letter and is not responded to, he will not be penalized

Great Southwest Council Eagle Scout Application Reference Letter Policy The Eagle candidate will fill out the Eagle Rank application and will provide the names and addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses he has chosen for his references. The scout needs to contact his/her reference to ask if he/she will be willing to be a reference before putting their name on the application. The scout will then send a letter to each reference asking for their letter of reference/recommendation for Eagle. The scout needs to also provide a pre-addressed stamped envelope addressed with each letter to one of the following: • Unit Advancement Chair (1st choice) • Unit Committee Chair (2nd choice) • Unit Leader (3rd choice) • District Advancement Chair or Eagle Coordinator for the District (4th choice) • Council Advancement Chair (5th choice) (the choice will be determined by the unit’s advancement chair or unit committee chair)

The scout needs to provide the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of the references to the BSA member who is to receive the reference letters. The BSA member who receives the references will be responsible for following up on references, which are not received in a timely manner. This member will also be responsible for the reference letters being available at the Eagle candidate’s Board of Review. BSA policy states that the Eagle candidate at no time will be allowed to read or receive a copy of the reference letters. The members of Eagle board of Review are the only individuals allowed to read and discuss the reference letters. The BSA member who received the letters or his/her designee will be responsible for bringing the reference letters to the Board of Review. Post Board of Review – Whether the Board is successful or unsuccessful, the reference letters are sent to the local council office for immediate or future destruction.

Earn 21 merit badges (13 required and 8 optional) Requirement #3 Earn 21 merit badges (13 required and 8 optional)

Required Merit Badges Camping Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the World Communication Cooking Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving

Required Merit Badges Environmental Science or Sustainability First Aid Swimming or Hiking or Cycling Personal Management Personal Fitness Family Life

Merit Badge Requirement You must be able to document your earning the merit badges that you list with Blue Cards. Merit badges may be earned in any sequence and at any time after joining BoyScouts*. Merit badges do not need to precede the Leadership Project. 21 is the minimum number of merit badges. It’s OK to earn more. * If you change your registration to a Venturing Crew, Varisty Team, or Sea Scout – you must first have earned First Class Rank while registered in a troop to continue completing Merit Badges that will count towards Eagle.

Requirement #4 While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility: (All acceptable positions are listed on the application)

Boy Scout Troop Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, Webmaster, outdoor ethics guide

Varsity Scout Team Captain, co-captain, program manager, squad leader, team secretary, Order of the Arrow team representative, librarian, historian, quartermaster, chaplain aide, instructor, den chief, Webmaster, outdoor ethics guide

Venturing Crew President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, den chief, quartermaster, historian, chaplain aide, outdoor ethics guide

Sea Scout Ship Boatswain, boatswain’s mate, yeoman, purser, storekeeper, crew leader, media specialist, den chief, chaplain’s aide

Lone Scout Leadership responsibility in his school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in his community

Requirement #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. (Guide to Advancement 9.0.2.5. for more detailed explanation.)

The Eagle Scout LEADERSHIP Service Project The SCOUT MUST obtain approval from all parties including their District Eagle Project Coordinator prior to beginning the project, No Exceptions!

Project Documentation

Eagle Workbook The fillable .pdf file can be downloaded and opened by using Adobe Acrobat version 9. Photos can be added form your computer to the planning document. Use of the electronic form permits electronic review, quick and easy corrections. Keep signatures on a separate page.

Project Selection It must benefit a religious institution, school or the community (and be approved by the benefiting organization before you seek approval from your District Eagle Project Coordinator). It cannot benefit a business, your Troop, or the BSA. Must it have “Lasting Value” – why not?

Project Scope Total time is usually 100 or more man-hours, however, there is no official minimum or maximum. It requires the direction of others. LEADERSHIP It must be challenging. It must be within the skills of the Scout.

Project Proposal Proposal approval MUST precede starting the project. Proposal must be approved by: Scoutmaster Benefiting organization Troop Committee District representative Appearance counts; use proper grammar and spelling.

District Approval – requires answers to the following: Can I hand your proposal to another Life Scout and expect the project to be completed appropriately without you? Are design/engineering approvals needed, legal/health permits required? How many people will participate – how will you keep track of work hours? When do you propose to do the project?

District Approval – Must Haves Complete, step-by-step details Drawings, diagrams or photographs Detailed list of tools and materials needed Plan for acquiring tools and materials Plan for transporting materials from the supplier to the worksite

District Approval You must describe in detail how you will demonstrate LEADERSHIP during the execution of your project. How will you lead and manage your volunteers? You must provide a time log detailing the amount of time invested in planning the project to date. Continue to keep track of time until the project is complete.

Why We Worry About Safety

Safety Questions How can somebody get hurt during this project? How do you plan to prevent these injuries? How do you plan to deal with these injuries when they occur despite your plans to prevent them?

Practical Questions How will you use your workers? Consider work teams Consider rotating tasks Adult must be present at all work sites Are rest periods, food, drink, and toilets available? Transportation to and from worksite.

Alternate Plans What will you do if the proposal needs changes before it can be approved? What will you do if unforseen changes must be made to the Project during Project completion? What will you do if your Beneficiary or another adult asks/tells you to stop working. What will you do if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

Your Role During the Project You must execute the plan. You are in charge - all questions come to you, all direction comes from you. All adults work for you - sometimes as consultants. You do what needs to be done in order to make the project a success.

After the Project Make sure that the project meets the expectations of the benefiting organization. Thank those who helped - send thank you notes. Complete final report. This document will be reviewed at your Board of Review.

Project Report The report is a detailed description of what happened during the project. If something went wrong, that’s OK - How did you deal with it, what did you learn from it? Include pictures both during and after completion, Include your workers. List all workers and their time. It must be approved by Scoutmaster and benefiting organization.

Requirement #6 Participate in a Scoutmaster Conference prior to your 18th birthday.

Certification By Applicant Prepare a Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose – Typed 2 page double spaced, grammar and spell checked. List any positions held in outside organizations (religious, school, camp, community or other organizations) where you demonstrated leadership skills; Include honors and awards you received for your service. Sign and Include these statements with your Application and Workbook.

After All 6 Requirements Are Met Certify the application is True and Correct by signing and dating it yourself. Get Unit approval by having the Scoutmaster and Committee Chair Proofread, Review and Sign the application.

After All 6 Requirements Are Met (continued…) Take your completed application, statement of ambitions and life purpose, and completed Eagle Project Workbook to the GSW Council Service Center for Verification. Wait for their review and verification, ~ 40 minutes if there are no discrepancies.

Council Verification If there are discrepancies – you will be informed by the reviewer what you need to do to rectify the errors (Only a clean application with no errors will be verified). If there are no discrepancies – the reviewer will send notification to your District Advancement Chair and someone of your designation within your unit of your eligibility for a Board of Review.

ONLY a Non-Related, Unit Registered Adult may schedule a Board of Review. Requests for a BOR made by the Eagle Candidate and/or family will be denied/ignored. Allow 2 weeks for scheduling after calling Mr. Mondick or Mr. Cox The District will provide a qualified representative to be present at the board.

Paperwork Checklist for Board of Review Eagle Scout Application Verified and Signed by the Council Eagle Coordinator. Eagle Scout Project Workbook in entirety with 8 Required Signatures Sealed Letters of Recommendation Letter of Ambition. Two pages, double spaced typed, grammar and spell checked Paper Unit Advancement Form Envelop from Council for Post BOR items.

The Board of Review Is coordinated by the Unit. May not contain Scoutmasters or Assistant Scoutmasters, relatives, couples. Requires a District Representative (allow 2 weeks for one to be assigned) Before convening – ALL BOR members must print and sign their names to the return envelope. Positive decision to promote to Eagle must be unanimous ALL BOR members must sign the Advancement form Any Palms earned prior to BOR must be recorded on the Advancement form.

Board of Review (continued…) If successful, your Date of Rank will be the BOR date (Eagle Rank is not official until receipt of your Eagle Credentials and Certificate from BSA National.) If unsuccessful, there is a mutual Board/Scout arrangement that can made or an appeals process through the council. (Guide to Advancement 8.0.1.5 and 8.0.4.0-2)

After a successful Board of Review The BOARD CHAIRPERSON will take the Signed Application, Signed Statements, Signed Advancement Form, and Letters of Reference to the Council Service Center in the Signed and Sealed Envelope. It may up to 4 weeks for the official certification from BSA National – you may not schedule a Court of Honor until the Credentials have been received by local Council.

WARNING Will Robinson You must complete all 21 merit badges before your 18th Birthday. You must complete your Service Project before your 18th Birthday. You must complete a Scoutmaster conference before your 18th birthday. Council Verification and the Board of Review may occur after your 18th birthday – BUT within 3 months of your B-Day!

Contact Information Mr. Cox – For ALL Project Approvals: Phone: 259-4234 cell email: sandiaeagle@yahoo.com Mr. Mondick – For Board of Review Scheduling: Phone: 239-1590 cell 299-9172 work email: distarrick@yahoo.com

QUESTIONS? Power Point 2018 By Mike Cox Available on request by email