1. Life to Eagle A step-by-step guide for Scouts, Parents and Scouters
Don Victory, Advancement Chair, North Star District
Drawing on Materials From:
David Nalley, Advancement Chair, Thunderwolf District
Dan Harvey, Advancement Chair (retired), North Star District
Jerry Fochtman & Deb Grun, Sam Houston Area Council
Welcome & Introductions
All information, including this presentation is on the website!

2. How many Cub and Boy Scouts have the potential to earn the rank of Eagle Scout?
I have yet to meet one who could not.

3. Eagle Rank Requirements
Be active six months after achieving Life.
Demonstrate you live Scout Oath and Law in daily life.
Earn 21 merit badges (12 specific ones required).
While Life, serve 6 months in position(s) of responsibility.
While Life, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project.
Take part in a unit leader conference.
Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review. (Only this requirement may be met after age 18.)
Note: These are the only requirements. The troop or district cannot add more or take any away (unless it’s a modification for a specific disability and approved by council). Eagle Rank is pass or fail. If you do these, you will earn the rank of Eagle.

4. Key Documents Eagle Scout Rank Application Read them. Follow Them.
Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook
2012 Printing (2013 printing soon?)
Eagle Scout Rank Application
Read them. Follow Them.
You’ll need both of these documents (hold them up)

5. All Forms also on SHAC web site

6. Leadership Service Projects
“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.
(The project must benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.)
A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start.
You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No , in meeting this requirement.
The project should be truly valuable.
The project should stretch the scout.
It helps if the Scout is passionate about the project or the organization it helps. Does it feel good in the gut?
This presentation will mainly go over the Project and the Project Workbook.

7. Leadership Service Projects
Get workbook from web site only
Hand-me-downs can get out of date.
Must start with most recent versions.
Can finish with version with which you started.
This presentation will mainly go over the Project and the Project Workbook.

8. How to get started on Project:
Download Workbook:
Fillable/Savable PDF
Read "Message to Scouts and Parents or Guardians“, page 4-4.
Sign and Date “Candidate's Promise”, page 2-4.
Pick Project
Hint: You can get three steps done before picking project!

9. Leadership Service Project
Purpose of the Project
Helpful to the community
Demonstrate leadership
Learn project planning and management
Develop confidence to make good things happen
Learn project planning and management
Dealing with change
Develop confidence to make good things happen
- That you the scout can make good things happen in your community

10. Suggested Project Steps
Candidate signs pledge in workbook.
Select project.
Discuss with Eagle Coach and or Troop Advancement Chair.
Discuss with benefitting organization.
Project proposal approved by: 1) Unit Leader, 2) Unit Committee, 3) Benefactor, and 4) District/Council Advancement Committee.
If fundraising or receiving donations, complete / submit fundraising application if required.
Complete planning for project.
Complete project.
Obtain Signatures: Unit Leader & Benefactor.

11. Your Project Idea 1. Someone else did it a while back
2. An adult in the troop suggested it
3. Suggested by the benefiting organization
4. Agreed to by the Scout and the benefiting organization
5. Scout’s idea
How do you come up with a project idea?
If you need help –
What do you like to do – sports, outdoors
-What groups would be most important for you to help

12. Limitations for Projects
Routine labor (a job or service normally rendered) should not be considered.
Projects involving council property or other BSA activities are not acceptable.
Projects may not be performed for businesses or an individual.
Projects may not be of a commercial nature.
The project can not be for a for profit business.
- You should ask for a 501(c) (3) certificate of Non-Profit Status
Examples – Nursing Homes, Hospitals

13. Limitations for Projects
No minimum number of hours is required
The project is an individual matter; therefore, two Eagle Scout candidates may not receive credit for working on the same project
Projects may not be a fund-raiser. Fund-raising is permitted only for securing materials needed to carry out the project.
Talking about raising funds . . .

14. Fund Raising Approval
Necessary except when all contributions are from the candidate, his parents or relatives, his unit or chartering organization, parents or other members of his unit, or the beneficiary of the service project.
to SHAC online fillable PDF version of Fund Raising Approval form in Eagle Workbook. Response in 2 business days or less.
Attach approval from SHAC as a part of the project plan documentation.

15. Leadership Service Projects
Project Types
Construction
Repair
Landscape or Planting
Collection or Drives
Other
Construction
Bridges
Benches
Shelves
Flagpoles
Animal houses or cages
Fences
Collection or Drives on next page

16. Project Types Collection / Drives
Should be an “Active” collection method rather than a “Passive” method
There must be a clearly defined goal and it must be significant
Must be well thought out - planned
Active means going door to door, going to places of businesses. It does not mean putting out collection boxes – can be a part of the project.
Significant in terms of (# of Items, Weight, $ value)

17. Service Project Proposal
To be approved, it must show:
Opportunity to meet Eagle Scout service project requirement.
Planning, development, and leadership will take place
How the three factors will benefit a religious institution, a school, or your community.
It appears to be feasible.
Safety issues will be addressed.
Action steps for further detailed planning are included.
You are on the right track with a reasonable chance for a positive experience.
Candidate’s Promise – one part is you have read this workbook and proposal
Approvals – you must have the 3 signatures before you come to the District for approval

18. Service Project Proposal
Contact Information
Project Description and Benefit
Giving Leadership
Materials
Supplies
Tools
Permits & Permissions
Preliminary Cost Estimate
Project Phases
Logistics
Safety Issues
Further Planning
Candidate’s Pledge
Approval Signatures (4)
Page 8 and 9 and 10

19. Project Approval Signatures
After you have the first three signatures – Unit Approval is last – THEN contact …
District for Project Review and Approval
I check this every weekend.
Project proposal reviews: Monday’s only, 7 or 8 PM, typically at my house. Must arrive with parent or guardian.
Please bring entire workbook, not just the proposal pages. Before photos are suggested (not required)
After the first 3 – THEN contact District Advancement Chair

20. Eagle Proposal Process
with:
Scout name
Troop / Unit number
Your text / mobile number
Name of parent or guardian who will accompany you (YPT)
Desired Monday & time slot, 7 or 8 PM.
If after a week again & text Please no text for routine matters.
Proposal reviews typically at my house.
The address will be provided by return .
If you arrive without parent or guardian the meeting will not take place.

21. Eagle Proposal Process
Wear Class A uniform
A Scout is Courteous. Please be on time else – if not operating a motor vehicle! - text or call.
Mr. Victory may be held up at work, will text or call if he must cancel.
Be prepared! Bring all pages of work book. Additional planning okay to bring (e.g., design drawings, photos), helps show feasibility, though not required.
Bring tools to take notes! Eagle Workbook Page 3-2 with, “Comments From Your Proposal Review.”
Parent / guardian should not volunteer comments

22. Service Project Final Plan
Comments on your Project Proposal
Project Description and Benefit Changes
Present Condition or Situation
Project Phases
Work Processes
Permits and Permissions
Materials
Supplies
Tools
Expenses / Revenue
Giving Leadership
Logistics
Safety
Contingency Plans

23. Planning Considerations
Benefiting Organization Approval
Design
Sourcing Tools
Skill Level
Source of Help
Work Hour Estimate
Length of Work Day
Location of the Project
Project Cost
Source of Funds
Media Coverage
Benefiting Organization: Approval process is their own
Design: Simple hand drawings to professional quality plans
Tools: No tools to heavy equipment
Skill Level: No skill to license required
Man Hours: Less than 50 to more than 150
Sources of Help: Family, Troop, Friends, Benefitting Organization
Time per Day: half day, whole day, more than 8 hours is not recommended
Location of the Project: can be done in two places – built at home then delivered.
Project Cost: Less than $100 to more than $1,000
Source of Funds: Scout/Family, Organization, another Charity, separate fundraising
Media Coverage: Scout Spirit – let the world know

24. Working the Project Keep track of all those who worked on the project
Scouts, Adults, Non-Scouts, Non-Scouters
Take lots of pictures!
Keep your workers happy
Food, water, breaks
And Safe!
Personal protection gear (e.g., safety glasses, sun screen, etc.)

25. Service Project Report
Summary
Changes
Leadership
Materials, Supplies, Tools
Entering the Service Project Data
Funding
Photos / Other Documentation

26. Scoutmaster Conference
Final opportunity to impart knowledge
Ask for a commitment from the Scout for continued involvement
Ask for suggestions on how to improve the program
Try to put the Scout at ease concerning the Board of Review

27. Eagle Rank Application
Make sure all dates are accurate
Identify individuals to write letters of recommendation
Write a “Statement of Life Purpose”
Requirement 6.
Get all unit leader signatures
Letters of Recommendation
Do not wait!
Identify people when you start planning your Leadership Service Project
All signatures must be before Scout’s 18th Birthday.
Full Legal Name!

28. Eagle Rank Application
Unit Committee (not Scout!) obtains five Letters of Recommendation
Parent/Guardian
Religious - Parent may provide
Educational
Employer (if any)
Other Reference(s)
Must be Received in a Timely Manner or Unit Must Follow-Up.
If still not provided, proceed with application.
Must know the Scout well enough to comment on his qualifications to be an Eagle Scout
Religious letter should comment on Scout’s faith can be written by parents
Employer should comment on Scout’s work habits

29. Obtaining Council Approval
Unit Submits The Eagle Scout Application Packet to Council Eagle Scout Processor.
Eagle Application
Eagle Service Project Workbook
Eagle Candidates Statement for Req. 6
Letters of Reference
Certificate from Recording Project in Journey To Excellence Service Hours (Will Not Prevent Council Approval)
Once Certified by Council, Eagle Board of Review Can Be Held.
This is for information only

30. Eagle Scout Board of Review
Held Within 90 Days of 18th Birthday (unless authorized).
Unit Organizes the Board, contacts the District Advancement Chairman to schedule
Composed of at least 3, but no more than 6 members:
At least 1 District/Council Representative.
All Members at least 21 years of age.
Members not Required to be Registered in Scouting but Must have Understanding of the Importance and Purpose of the Eagle Board of Review.
No Family Members Can Serve.
Unit Leaders from Youth’s Unit Can Not Serve.
Youth/Family Have No Input to Selection of Board Members.

31. Final Paperwork Take the following to the Scout Service Center
Application
Eagle Project Workbook
Advancement Report
Letters of recommendation
Statement of Life Purpose
This is information only

32. Court of Honor
Allow six weeks from the time the paperwork is submitted
Typically parents’responsibility to plan
Send Pictures/News article to the local newspapers

33. Questions / Discussion