1 Blackhawk Area Council Advancement Committee Dr. Roland J. Barnes, Committee Member Michael R. Lumpp, Committee Member Revised 04/26/13 Click to advance

 The Boy Scouts of America has placed the Eagle Scout board of review in the hands of the local council to decide how reviews will be conducted; i.e., the unit, district, or council level. 2

 The Council Advancement Committee of the Blackhawk Area Council has decided that Eagle Scout reviews will be conducted on the unit level under the direction of the Council Advancement Committee. 3

 Complete all merit badges  12 required and 9 elective  Complete 6 month position of responsibility  Complete Eagle Scout application  Complete Eagle Scout service project  Complete Life Ambitions Statement  Complete Scoutmaster conference 4

 All Eagle Scout paperwork must be sent to council for review.  Completed Eagle Scout Application  Completed Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook  Completed Life Ambitions Statement  Eagle Scout Reference Letters (unopened)  Council verifies that all requirements have been met.  Once completed the Scout is entitled to a board of review. 5

 The Eagle Scout application requires that 6 letters be listed.  Parents or Guardians  Religious  May be signed by parent if the Scout does not belong to an organized religion.  Educational  Employer (if any, otherwise omitted)  Two other references 6

 Letters from references are confidential information and their contents are not to be disclosed to any person who is not a member of the board of review.  If the Eagle Scout rank is approved, the district representative will collect and destroy the letters.  If the Eagle Scout rank is denied, all reference letters are to be filed at the council service center until a final decision is reached. 7

 The board of review for an Eagle Scout candidate is composed of a minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 6 members, 21 years of age or older.  With the exception of the District or Council Advancement representative the remaining members do not have to be registered in Scouting, but they must have an understanding of the importance and purpose of the Eagle Scout rank and the Eagle Scout board of review. 8

 At least one district or council advancement committee representative, approved by the district advancement chair, must be a member of the Eagle Scout board of review and may serve as chairperson if so requested by the unit.  The unit leader may be present in the room, but does not participate in the board of review.  The unit leader may be called upon to clarify a point in question. 9

 A parent, guardian or relative of the candidate should not attend the review, even as a unit leader.  Unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, or individuals representing the group for which the Eagle service project was performed may not serve as members of the board of review.  It is generally not recommended that, an individual who has written a letter of recommendation, sit on the board of review.  The Scout his parents or guardians may have no input into the selection of the board of review members. 10

 Be active in your troop and patrol for 6 months as a Life Scout means exactly that!  To serve as a Life Scout in a leadership position for 6 months.  The approved definition of “Active” is found in section on pages of the Guide to Advancement 2011 (#33088).  Units may not create their own definition of active. 11

 A Scout will be considered “active” in his unit if: 1. The Scout is registered. The youth is registered in his unit for at least the time period indicated in the requirement, and he has indicated in some way, through word or action, that he considers himself a member. 2. The Scout is in good standing. A Scout is considered in “good standing” with his unit as long as he has not been dismissed for disciplinary reasons. He must also be in good standing with the local council and BSA. 3. The Scout meets the unit’s reasonable expectations; or, if not, a lesser level of activity is explained. Time counted as “active” need not be consecutive. 12

 Alternative to the third test if expectations are not met:  If a young man has fallen below his unit’s activity- oriented expectations, then it must be due to other positive endeavors—in or out of Scouting—or to noteworthy circumstances that have prevented a higher level of participation.  Would the Scout have been more active if he could have been?  It is not so much about what a Scout has done but what he is able to do and how he has grown. 13

 There is no standard set of questions that an Eagle candidate should be asked.  It is not appropriate to ask questions that probe a Scout’s political, ethnic, or religious beliefs.  Questions such as; “Are you under any scrutiny from any law enforcement agency, your school, or any other such entity that the board may be aware of?”, are fair in helping the board determine the character of a questionable candidate. 14

 Because of the importance of the Eagle Scout Rank, the decision of the board must be unanimous.  If not, a new review may be convened at the request of the applicant, his parents or guardians.  Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review under disputed circumstances, or,  Appeals process  The review process should take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete. 15

 To make sure that the Scout has done what he was supposed to do.  To see how good an experience the Scout has had in Scouting.  To encourage the Scout to remain active in Scouting and provide mentoring to younger Scouts. 16

 The review is not an examination!  The board does not retest the candidate!  The board should attempt to determine the Scout’s attitude and his acceptance of Scouting’s ideals with respect to:  Experiences with project,  Leadership provided,  Changes needed,  Obstacles encountered and solutions. 17

 To make sure that good standards have been met in all phases of the Scout’s life.  To make sure the candidate understands and lives daily the Scout Oath and Law.  To make sure the candidate recognizes the value of Scouting in his home, unit, school, and community. 18

 The board should meet 30 minutes before the candidate appears to review:  The application,  The service project report  The life ambitions statement, and  The references.  The board should be held in a relaxed atmosphere. 19

 It is preferred a Scout be in full field uniform for any board of review. If wearing all or part of the uniform is impractical for whatever reason, the candidate should be clean and neat in his appearance and dressed appropriately, according to his means, for the milestone marked by the occasion. (Guide to Advancement 2011, section , page 44.)  The board should encourage the Scout to talk so that the review can be a learning experience for him and the members of the board.  The Scout reviews what he did for the Eagle rank. 20

 The board should determine the Scout’s ideals and goals.  The board should make sure that a good standard of performance has been met.  At the conclusion of the board the Scout and his unit leader are asked to step out while the board deliberates. 21

 The decision of the board is arrived at through discussion and must be unanimous.  Once the board is satisfied that the Scout has qualified he is called back in and congratulated.  He is encouraged to continue his advancement in earning Palms (if time will permit).  He is informed that it is not final until approved by National. 22

 The completed Eagle Scout application and the Advancement Report are sent to council.  Council forwards to National.  The Scout cannot be recognized until National approves.  Do not plan the Court of Honor until application returns from National. 23

 Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances, section , page 48 of Guide to Advancement  Held at the District or Council level.  Initiated by Scout, parents or guardians. A letter is written and attached to the Eagle Scout Application and the complete Eagle Packet is sent to Council.  Indicated when:  A unit Leader or Committee Chair does not sign the application.  A Scoutmaster Conference is denied.  If it is thought a unit will not provide a fair hearing.  If the unit Leader or Project Beneficiary refuses to sign final approval for what might be considered a satisfactory service project.  Background and facts are researched including written statements and interview summaries.  Can be denied if deemed frivolous. Scout may then appeal the decision. 24

 If the board decides that the Scout has not earned the Eagle Scout Rank, the Scout has to be told why.  The members of the board should specify what must be done to rework his weaknesses and reconvene the board of review at a later date.  A follow-up letter must be sent to the Scout confirming the agreements reached on the actions necessary to satisfactorily complete his work. 25

 Should a Scout disagree with the decision, he has the right to appeal.  The appeals process should be explained.  Guide to Advancement 2011, section , page 49.  The Scout and his leader should not be aware of who voted negatively. 26

 The decision may be appealed to the next higher level.  District Advancement Committee, then  Council Advancement Committee, then  National Advancement Team.  Only the Scout, his parents or guardians may appeal. 27

 A letter requesting the appeal is to be mailed to the:  Blackhawk Area Council  Council Program Director  2820 McFarland Road  Rockford, IL  The letter should give as much detail as possible explaining the reason for the appeal.  There will be an odd number of appeal board members, either 3 or 5.  An appeal board is not another board of review. It focuses only on the issues that brought about rejection at the lower level(s). 28

 Scouts who have completed all requirements prior to their 18 th birthday should submit their application and be reviewed within 90 days after that date.  Boards of review conducted between 90 to 180 days after the Scout’s 18 th birthday require a statement explaining the reason for the delay.  This letter is attached to the Eagle Scout application when it is submitted to council.  If accepted by council they will grant the extension and the Council Eagle processor will proceed with processing the application. 29

 If an Eagle Scout board of review will be held after the 180 days following the Scout’s 18 th birthday, the candidate must petition the National Advancement Team for an extension.  The petition must be processed through the council detailing the extenuating circumstances.  The petition is attached to the Eagle Scout Application.  If approved National will inform the Council Scout Executive of a timeframe by which the Board of Review is to take place. 30

 Guide to Advancement 2011, No  Scoutmaster Handbook, No  Boy Scout Handbook, No  Boy Scout Requirements Book (Latest Revision), No  Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook (Latest Revision available only online), No  Eagle Scout Rank Application (Latest Revision available only online), No  BSA National Website:  NESA Website: 31

 Arrowhead  Sycamore  Wanchanagi  Wetassa  White Eagle 32

ARROWHEAD DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION  Arrowhead District Advancement Chair  Daniel M. Frommelt  Phone:   Arrowhead District Life to Eagle Coordinator  Chris Brunette  Phone:  33

SYCAMORE DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION  Sycamore District Advancement Chair  Grace Esche  Phone:   Sycamore District Life to Eagle Coordinator 34

WANCHANAGI DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION  Wanchanagi District Advancement Chair  Connie Snyder  Phone:   Wanchanagi District Life to Eagle Coordinator  Ida Bolen  Phone:  35

WETASSA DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION  Wetassa District Advancement Chair  Liz Hollis  Phone:   Wetassa District Life to Eagle Coordinator  Liz Hollis  Phone:  36

WHITE EAGLE DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION  White Eagle District Advancement Chair  Ray Gruber  Phone:   White Eagle Life to Eagle Coordinator  Deb Slager  Phone:  37

38 rjb (SCTEF) 2008 Revised 04/26/12