Staten Island Eagle Scout's

The following 12 steps have been outlined to ensure a smooth procedure for the Scout, the unit leadership, the local council, and the volunteers who are to conduct the board of review. Share these steps with each Eagle candidate so that he can fully understand the procedure that must be followed by the Scout, the district, and the council.

12 Steps From Life to Eagle

1. In order to advance to the rank of Eagle, while a Life Scout, a candidate must complete all the requirements of:

·         Active tenure

·         Scout Spirit

·         Any remaining merit badges

·         Positions of responsibility

·         Planning, developing, and providing leadership to others in a service project

·         The Scoutmaster conference.

2. Using the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, the candidate must select his Eagle service project and have the project concept approved by his unit leader, his unit committee, and the benefactor of the project, and reviewed and approved by the council or district advancement committee (see "Service Projects–-Eagle Scout Rank," page 27). The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, No. 18-927D, must be used in meeting this requirement.

3. It is imperative that all requirements for the Eagle Scout rank except the board of review be completed prior to the candidate's 18th birthday. When all requirements except the board of review for the rank of Eagle, including the service project and Scoutmaster conference, have been completed, an Eagle Scout Rank Application must be filled out and sent to the council service center promptly. (See special requirements for youth members with disabilities, page 43, and the section titled "Time Extensions," page 25.)

4. The application should be signed by the unit leader at the proper place. The unit committee reviews and approves the record of the Eagle candidate before the application is submitted to the local council. If a unit leader or unit committee to sign an application may be considered by the board of review in determining the qualification of the Eagle candidate.

5. The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, properly filled out, must be submitted with the application.

6. When the completed application is received at the council service center, its contents will be verified and the references contacted. The Scout shall have listed six references (five if no employer, and parent if no organized religious association). The council advancement committee or its designee contacts the references on the Eagle Scout Rank Application either by letter, form, or telephone checklist. (The council determines the method or methods to be used.) The candidate should have contacted those individuals listed as references before including their names on the application.

The candidates should not be involved personally in transmitting any correspondence between persons listed as references and the council service center. If the initial reference letter or form is not returned to the council in a timely manner, the council advancement committee must make direct contact with the reference(s) listed on the Eagle Scout Rank Application on its own, by follow-up letter, phone contact, or other methods as it chooses. The candidate shall not be required to make a follow-up contact with the reference or submit other reference names. A Scout cannot have a board of review denied or postponed because the council office or council advancement committee does not receive the reference letter form he delivered.

7. After the contents of an application have been verified and appropriately signed, the application, Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, and references will be returned from the council service center to the chairman of the Eagle board of review so that a board of review may be scheduled. Under no circumstances should a board of review be scheduled until the application is returned to the chairman of the Eagle board of review. Reference checks that are forwarded with the application are confidential, and their contents are not to be disclosed to any person who is not a member of the board of review.

8. The board of review for an Eagle candidate is composed of at least three but not more than six members. One member serves as chairman. Unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout's board of review. The board of review members should convene at least 30 minutes before the candidate appears in order to review the application, reference checks, and service project report. At least one district or council advancement representative must be a member of the Eagle board of review if the board of review is conducted on a unit level. A council or district may designate more than one person to serve as a member of Eagle boards of review when requested to do so by the unit. It is not required that these persons be members of the advancement committee; however, they must have an understanding of the importance of the Eagle board of review.

9. The candidate's unit leader introduces him to members of the board of review. The unit leader may remain in the room, but he does not participate in the board of review. The unit leader may be called upon to clarify a point in question. In no case should a relative or guardian of the candidate attend the review, even as a unit leader. There is no set of questions that an Eagle candidate should be asked. However, the board should be assured of the candidate's participation in the program. This is the highest award that a boy may achieve and, consequently, a thorough discussion of his successes and experiences in Scouting should be considered. After the review, the candidate and his unit leader leave the room while the board members discuss the acceptability of the candidate as an Eagle Scout. The decision must be unanimous. If the candidate meets the requirements, he is asked to return and is informed that he will receive the board's recommendation for the Eagle Scout rank. If the candidate does not meet the requirements, he is asked to return and told the reasons for his failure to qualify. A discussion should be held with him as to how he may meet the requirements within a given period. Should the applicant disagree with the decision, the appeal procedures should be explained to him. A follow-up letter must be sent to the Scout confirming the agreements reached on the action(s) necessary for the advancement. If the Scout chooses to appeal, provide the name and address of the person he needs to contact. (See "Appealing the Decision" page 33.)

Only the Eagle Scout Rank Application is forwarded to the national Eagle Scout Service.

10. Immediately after the board of review and after the application has been appropriately signed, the application, the service project report, references, and a properly completed Advancement Report are returned to the council service center.

11. When the application arrives at the council service center, the Scout executive signs it to certify that the proper procedure has been followed and that the board of review has recommended the candidate for the Eagle Scout rank. The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook and references are retained by the council. The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook may be returned to the Scout after council approval.

12. The Eagle Scout Service screens the application to ascertain information such as proper signatures, positions of responsibility, tenure between ranks, and age of the candidate. Any item not meeting national standards will cause the application to be returned for more information. If the application is in order, the Scout is then certified as an Eagle Scout by the Eagle Scout Service on behalf of the National Council. Notice of approval is given by sending the Eagle Scout certificate to the local council. The date used on the certificate will be the date of the board of review. The Eagle Award must not be sold or given to any unit until after the certificate is received by the council service center. The Eagle Scout court of honor should not be scheduled until the local council receives the Eagle Scout rank credentials.

Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project

There are four different sources for the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project requirements:

1. Boy Scout Requirements
2. Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook
3. Advancement Policies #33088
4. Boy Scout Handbook

Unfortunately no two of these list exactly the same requirements. So how do you know which requirements to follow?

The Eagle Project Checklist combines all of the requirements onto one page. Where there are differences, it uses the wording from the more important source:

Also see the Sample Eagle Project Ideas for 100 ideas on one page. "The Scout must secure the prior approval of his unit leader, his unit committee, and the benefactor of the project."

Requirement

Boy Scout Requirements, pp. 20-21
While a Life Scout, a Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project to any religious institution, school, or community.

As a demonstration of leadership, the Scout must plan the work, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to its completion.

The Eagle service project is an individual matter; therefore, two Eagle candidates may not receive credit for the same project.

Eagle Scout leadership service projects involving council property or other BSA activities are not acceptable for an Eagle service project. The service project also may not be performed for a business, be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser.

Routine labor, or a job or service normally rendered, should not be considered. An Eagle service project should be of significant magnitude to be special and should represent the candidate's best possible effort.

The Scout must submit his proposed project plan and secure the prior approval of his unit leader, unit committee, and district or council advancement committee, and the organization benefiting from the effort, to make sure that it meets the stated standards for Eagle Scout leadership service projects before the project is started. This preapproval of the project does not mean that the board of review will accept the way the project was carried out.

Upon completion of the project, a detailed report must be submitted with the Scout's Eagle application to include the following information:

• What was the project?
• How did it benefit others?
• Who from the group benefiting from the project gave guidance?
• Who helped carry out the project?
• What materials were used and how were they acquired?

Although the project plan must be approved before work is begun, the board of review must determine if the project was successfully carried out. Questions that must be answered are:

• Did the candidate demonstrate leadership of others?
• Did he indeed direct the project rather than do all of the work himself?
• Was the project of real value to the religious institution, school, or community group?
• Who from the group benefiting from the project may be contacted to verify the value of the project?
• Did the project follow the plan, or were modifications needed to bring it to its completion?

All the work on the project must be done while the candidate is a Life Scout and before the candidate's 18th birthday.

The variety of projects performed throughout the nation by Scouts earning their Eagle Scout Award is staggering. Only those living in an area can determine the greatest value and need for that area. Determine, therefore, whether the project is big enough, appropriate, and worth doing. For ideas and opportunities, the Scout can consult people such as school administrators, religious leaders, local government department directors, or a United Way agency's personnel.

Advancement Policies

(The following are quoted from: Advancement Policies #33088, page 27-28)

"For a service project to qualify as an Eagle Scout service project, the Scout, while a Life Scout, must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project benefiting any religious institution, school, or community. These projects, of course, must conform to the wishes and regulations of those for whom the project is undertaken."

"The Eagle Scout service project provides the opportunity for the Eagle Scout candidate to demonstrate the leadership skills he has learned in Scouting. He does the project outside the sphere of Scouting."

"As a demonstration of leadership, the Scout must plan the work, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to its completion."

"Routine labor, a job or service normally rendered, should not be considered. There is no minimum number of hours that must be spent on carrying out the project. The amount of time spent must be sufficient for the Scout to clearly demonstrate leadership skills."

The most current Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, must be used to meet this requirement.

"The Scout must secure the prior approval of his unit leader, his unit committee, and the benefactor of the project. The project must also be reviewed and approved by the district or council advancement committee or their designee to make sure that it meets the stated standards for Eagle Scout service projects before the project is started. This preapproval of the project does not mean that the board of review will approve the way the project was carried out."

"Upon completion of the project, the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, properly filled out, is submitted with the Scout's Eagle application to include the following information:"

• What was the project?
• How did it benefit others?
• Who from the group benefiting from the project gave guidance?
• Who helped carry out the project?
• What materials were used and how were they acquired?

"Although the project idea must be approved before work is begun, the board of review must determine the manner in which the project was carried out. Questions that must be addressed include:"

• Did the candidate demonstrate leadership of others?
• Did he indeed direct the project rather than do all the work himself?
• Was the project of real value to the religious institution, school, or community group?
• Who from the group benefiting from the project may be contacted to verify the value of the project?
• Did the project follow the approved plan or were modifications needed to bring it to its completion?

"All the work on the project must be done while the candidate is a Life Scout and before the candidate's 18th birthday, unless a time extension has been allowed (see the section titled "Time Extensions")."

"The Eagle Scout service project is an individual matter; therefore, two Eagle Scout candidates may not receive credit for working on the same project."

"The variety of service projects performed throughout the nation by Scouts earning their Eagle Award is staggering. For ideas and opportunities regarding service projects, the Scout can consult people such as school administrators, religious leaders, local government department directors, or a United Way agency's personnel."

"The district or council advancement committee also can be helpful by identifying possible projects."

Examples

From the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook No. 18-927E

A look at some projects other Scouts have done for their Eagle Scout Award illustrates that your project can be to construct something or can be to render a service. Scouts have

• Made trays to fasten to wheelchairs for veterans with disabilities at a Veterans Administration hospital.
• Collected used books and distributed them to people in the community who wanted and needed, but could not afford, books.
• Built a sturdy footbridge across a brook to make a safe shortcut for children between their homes and school.
• Collected and repaired used toys and gave them to a home for children with disabilities.
• Organized and operated a bicycle safety campaign. This involved a written safety test, equipment safety check, and a skills contest in a bike rodeo.
• Surveyed the remains of an old Spanish mission and prepared an accurate map relating it to the present church.
• Built a “tot lot” in a big city neighborhood and set up a schedule for Boy Scouts to help run it.
• Set up a community study center for children who needed a place to do schoolwork.
• Trained fellow students as audiovisual aides for their school. Arranged for more than 200 hours of audiovisual work.
• Prepared plans for a footbridge on a trail in a national forest. Worked with rangers to learn the skills necessary to build the structure, gathered materials and tools, and then directed a Scout work group to do the construction.

History

Here is the history of changes to the Eagle Scout Service Project requirement. For other BSA history see the Boy Scouts of America Historical Highlights.

• Prior to 1952 – There was no Eagle Scout Service requirement.
• 1952 – "Do your best to help in your home, school, church and community."
• 1961 – "Do your best to help in your home, school, church or synagogue, and community."
• 1965 – "3. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and carry out a service project helpful to your church or synagogue, school, or community approved in advance by your Scoutmaster."
• 1972 – "4. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and carry out a service project helpful to your religious institution, school, or town. This project must be approved by your Scoutmaster and troop committee before you start."
• 1994 – "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 idea must be approved by your Scoutmaster and troop committee and approved by the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook in meeting this requirement."
• 1999 – "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 should benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) The project plan must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and troop committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA Publication No. 18-927, in meeting this requirement."
• 2002 – "5. …You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA Publication No. 18-927B, in meeting this requirement."
• 2003 – "5. …You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA Publication No. 18-927C, in meeting this requirement."
• 2004 – "5. …You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA Publication No. 18-927D, in meeting this requirement."
• 2008 – "5. …You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA Publication No. 18-927E, in meeting this requirement."

Eagle Scout — Board of Review

The Boy Scouts of America has placed the Eagle Scout board of review in the hands of either the troop, team, crew, or ship committee or the district or council committee responsible for advancement. The council will decide and promulgate which method or methods may be used.

The board of review for an Eagle candidate is composed of a minimum of three members and a maximum of six members, 21 years of age or older. These members do not have to be registered in Scouting, but they must have an understanding of the importance and purpose of the Eagle board of review. At least one district or council advancement representative shall be a member of the Eagle board of review, when conducted at the unit level, and may serve as chairman if so requested by the unit.

Because of the importance of the Eagle Scout Award, a unanimous decision must be reached as to the Scout's qualifications. If a unanimous decision is not reached, a new review may be convened at the request of the applicant, the unit leader, or the unit committee. The review should take approximately 30 minutes.

Two sets of circumstances may lead to the appeal of a decision.

First, if the unit leader or unit committee does not recommend the Scout for a board of review, or if the unit leader or unit committee does not sign the Eagle Scout application, the Scout or other interested party may appeal the decision at the next level.

Second, if the appropriate board of review does not recommend the applicant for the rank advancement, the decision may be appealed to the next higher level. The Scout, his leader, or his parents may appeal the decision. With all appeal applications, the final decision rests with the national Boy Scout Committee. In ascending order, levels are unit, district, local council, and national Boy Scout Committee.

On receipt of an appeal, the district or council committee responsible for advancement will provide for a prompt review to determine the facts. All parties must be interviewed either individually or as a group, but a confrontation should be avoided. A written report with all details must be prepared for the committee responsible for a decision or for forwarding to the national Boy Scout Committee, if necessary.

All appeals to the national Boy Scout Committee must be processed through the Scout's local council. A copy of the Scout's Eagle Scout Rank Application must be included when petitioning at the national level.

To Contact the Staten Island Committee, E-Mail for:

To Request an Eagle Packet or ask a question  eaglekit@statenislandeagle.org

To Request a Member of the Committee attend a Board of Review  eaglebor@statenislandeagle.org

To Inform the Committee of the date of Your Project and  Completion Notification  project@statenislandeagle.org

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