Advising Eagle Scout Candidates Course BS-34 Paul A. Nolte, Chairman Great Plains District Advancement Committee University of Scouting--SMU 10 January 2009

Points to Consider Guiding Your Life Scouts to Eagle Scout What does your troop do when your Scout earns the Life Rank? Should you: Assign an adult advisor who will work with the scout Assign an adult advisor who will work with the scout Conferences to inform the Scout AND the parents what the next steps are. Conferences to inform the Scout AND the parents what the next steps are. Discuss Leadership Position Discuss Leadership Position Discuss Merit Badges and deadlines for meeting certain merit badges, e.g. personal mgmt. Discuss Merit Badges and deadlines for meeting certain merit badges, e.g. personal mgmt. Project Project Letters of Recommendation—who will he select to write the letters. Letters of Recommendation—who will he select to write the letters.

The Application NESA Site— NESA Site— Council Site— Council Site— – Link will take you to the NESA site Do Not include applicants SSN Do Not include applicants SSN – The application no longer requires Dates Dates – Accuracy – Leadership position for Eagle MUST start on or after the Life board of review MUST be one listed on the Eagle Application – Project MUST be completed PRIOR to 18 th birthday

The Application Letters of Recommendations Letters of Recommendations – Each district has its own process Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose – Done prior to 18 th birthday – Needs to have some quality thought put into this requirement, not just a single sentence. Scoutmaster’s Conference Scoutmaster’s Conference – Done prior to 18 th birthday NEAT, preferably typed, if possible. NEAT, preferably typed, if possible.

The Project Workbook Strongly suggest that you download a MS Word version from NESA Strongly suggest that you download a MS Word version from NESA MUST USE THE WORKBOOK when planning the project. MUST USE THE WORKBOOK when planning the project. –There should be no exceptions to this. May not be routine labor or a job or service normally rendered May not be routine labor or a job or service normally rendered –E.g. providing labor for the sponsor on a project already planned and/or directed by the sponsor.

The Project Workbook Original signatures should be in the workbook PRIOR to coming to district for review. Original signatures should be in the workbook PRIOR to coming to district for review. – benefiting organization – SM/Advisor – Troop Committee Member coordinate with CC on how your unit handles this. – Your district advancement rep should NOT sign prior to having all signature. Acid Test—can the project be run by someone else if the Scout did not show up that day. Acid Test—can the project be run by someone else if the Scout did not show up that day. – if yes, there apparently is enough detail – if no, more detail is needed to accurately plan the project.

The Project Workbook Elements to the Workbook Elements to the Workbook – Project Description—keep it to a simple description – How will it benefit your sponsor—keep it simple – Project Details—here is where the rubber meets the road. Present Condition The Method (we’ll take about this in a minute) Materials to be used Project Helpers Time Schedule Cost? How will the project be funded? How will the Scout ensure the safety of other?

The Project Workbook The Method The Method – This is where the details of the project MUST be written down. – How will the Scout get from point A to point B BOM Labor How will he demonstrate Leadership? – Completion of the Project does not equate to demonstration of Leadership. The board of review will determine that.

The Project Workbook Before Pictures Before Pictures – nice to show the district rep and other who will be signing off on the workbook what you are trying to solve. Bill of Materials Bill of Materials – list all materials and supplies you plan to purchase or need – costs – supplier Once project plan is fully written up, contact your district advancement rep to schedule a review. Once project plan is fully written up, contact your district advancement rep to schedule a review. – If you’ve done your homework, the review should only last 15 minutes or so.

The Project Workbook Record Keeping Record Keeping – how much time did you spend planning and carrying out the project. – how much time did others spend helping you carry out the project names, dates, time worked This is now needed to complete the Eagle Application Changes Changes – what changes were made from the original plan. good learning tool. After Photos of carrying out the project. After Photos of carrying out the project.

Letters of Recommendations Responsibility of the troop adult leadership to secure the letters for the board, not the Scout Responsibility of the troop adult leadership to secure the letters for the board, not the Scout Scout should not be involved with the transmitting any correspondence between his references and the advancement committee of the troop Scout should not be involved with the transmitting any correspondence between his references and the advancement committee of the troop Letters are Confidential and should be handled that way. Letters are Confidential and should be handled that way. All notes and letters, forms and checklists pertaining to contact with the references should be retained by the district advancement committee or destroyed. All notes and letters, forms and checklists pertaining to contact with the references should be retained by the district advancement committee or destroyed. If you have trouble getting all of the reference, contact the District Rep for opinions. If you have trouble getting all of the reference, contact the District Rep for opinions.

Board of Review Timing of the Board Timing of the Board – Up to 3 months after the 18th birthday, no special steps – 3 to 6 months after the 18th birthday, letter REQUIRED by an adult explaining the reason for the delay MUST be attached to the application when it is submitted for the board of review and provided to Council – After 6 months, the Scout MUST petition National for extension of time to HOLD the board. process through the district advancement chairman and council for approval explaining the extenuating circumstances that prevented the board from being held within 6 months of the 18th birthday. must be accompanied with a copy of the application

Summary It takes a lot of assistance from the advisor It takes a lot of assistance from the advisor Plan, plan and more planning Plan, plan and more planning Let the Scout do the work but guide him Let the Scout do the work but guide him