Eagle Candidate Seminar

1. Gill Gilliland Life to Eagle Coordinator Troop 525 gill@gilliland.net 770-242-6566 Eagle Candidate Seminar

2. Seminar Objectives To review the requirements for Eagle rank To discuss the Eagle Leadership Service Project To review Eagle application process To discuss the Eagle Court of Honor To answer any questions from Scouts & parents To understand time commitment Presenter notes: Set the tone for the seminar and put both parents & Scouts at ease. Remind them that the process & procedures for the Eagle is different from the lower ranks because the district, council, and national BSA have approval requirements. Note that in the past there may have been problems because everyone did not understand the process and some pitfalls so that is the reason for this seminar � to avoid any surprises. Note that the troop wants all Scouts to be successful and if they want to earn the Eagle rank, you will help them. Also point out that it is ultimately the Scout�s responsibility (not his parents or the troop leaders) to have a plan for how he will meet all the requirements them follow through to reach his goal. The Scout gets to wear the Eagle rank for the rest of his life, therefore he should be the one to earn it.Presenter notes: Set the tone for the seminar and put both parents & Scouts at ease. Remind them that the process & procedures for the Eagle is different from the lower ranks because the district, council, and national BSA have approval requirements. Note that in the past there may have been problems because everyone did not understand the process and some pitfalls so that is the reason for this seminar � to avoid any surprises. Note that the troop wants all Scouts to be successful and if they want to earn the Eagle rank, you will help them. Also point out that it is ultimately the Scout�s responsibility (not his parents or the troop leaders) to have a plan for how he will meet all the requirements them follow through to reach his goal. The Scout gets to wear the Eagle rank for the rest of his life, therefore he should be the one to earn it.

3. Troop 525Eagle Scouts Jim Borders - November 1987 Micah Andrews - June 1989 Steven Medendorp - September 1989 Jason Hurst - May 1990 Bobby Sands - November 1990 Kevin Weeks - November 1990 Ryan Brewer - July 1991 Kevin Lockard - January 1992 Jason Chastain - October 1992 Kenny Craft - December 1992 William Valentine - March 1994 Kevin Camp - August 1994 Brian Otte - February 1995 Geof Rhodes - June 1995 Jarad Johnson - November 1995 Jeremy Proffitt - February 1996 Josh Gallman - June 1996 Randy Smith - July 1996 Billy Lawder - July 1996 Andrew Flaherty - September 1996 Brian Gibbs - September 1996 Garrett Vonk - November 1996 Dallas Austin - December 1998 Ben Lawder - August 1999 Gavin Hart - January 1999

4. Eagle Requirements Merit Badges * 21 minimum (12 Eagle Required) Leadership Position * 6 mo. active Active as Life Scout * 6 mo. minimum Eagle Service Project * Demonstrate live by Scout Oath & Law * Scoutmaster Conference * Complete Eagle Board of Review Presenter notes: This is a overview, each topic shown here will be discussed in detail in later slides. The key point here is that the requirements must be completed before the 18th birthday. It is possible (but very unlikely) to get an extension from National BSA in very special circumstances. Don�t count on this.Presenter notes: This is a overview, each topic shown here will be discussed in detail in later slides. The key point here is that the requirements must be completed before the 18th birthday. It is possible (but very unlikely) to get an extension from National BSA in very special circumstances. Don�t count on this.

5. Eagle rank is more than just 21 merit badges & a project!The primary emphasis is LEADERSHIP! Presenter notes: So many Scouts and parents think that if the Scout just earns the 21 merit badges and completes a project, the rest is just a given. This is just a reminder that there are other requirements and a boy can be denied Eagle if he does not satisfy all of them. The most common problem is the leadership position � they either assume a position will count, when it is not on the approved list, or they just hold the title, but don�t do any of the required work. Then they are mad when the SM will not sign their Eagle application.Presenter notes: So many Scouts and parents think that if the Scout just earns the 21 merit badges and completes a project, the rest is just a given. This is just a reminder that there are other requirements and a boy can be denied Eagle if he does not satisfy all of them. The most common problem is the leadership position � they either assume a position will count, when it is not on the approved list, or they just hold the title, but don�t do any of the required work. Then they are mad when the SM will not sign their Eagle application.

6. 12 Required Merit Badges Environmental Science Family Life Communications Camping First Aid Personal Fitness Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the World Personal Management Swimming or Hiking or Cycling Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving Presenter notes: Review the list of current required merit badges. Since these change from time to time, please verify this list before making this presentation (every time). Carefully explain that only one of the options (example: Swimming or Hiking or Cycling) will satisfy this required merit badge. If the Scout has more than one of these, the others may count as non-required merit badges.Presenter notes: Review the list of current required merit badges. Since these change from time to time, please verify this list before making this presentation (every time). Carefully explain that only one of the options (example: Swimming or Hiking or Cycling) will satisfy this required merit badge. If the Scout has more than one of these, the others may count as non-required merit badges.

7. Warning: Several merit badges require specific, extended periods of time to complete. If the requirement says: Meet with your counselor � Keep records for three months � You must meet with your counselor AT LEAST three months prior to your 18th birthday or you cannot complete the merit badge in time! You cannot keep a record of your budget and spending for three months in only three weeks. Presenter notes: This is a serious pitfall that has often caught Scouts after it is too late to recover (without cheating � which should never be tolerated under any circumstances) Presenter notes: This is a serious pitfall that has often caught Scouts after it is too late to recover (without cheating � which should never be tolerated under any circumstances)

8. Leadership Position Scoutmaster assigned or elected Minimum of 6 months (one or more positions) Must do the job - Not just wear the patch Approved positions are:

9. Eagle Leadership Service Project Project Ideas Plan / Proposal Approvals Working Project Final Report Presenter note : Have enough hardcopies of my Eagle Scout Project Planning Guide (http://home.flash.net/~smithrc/eagleprj.htm) to handout to each Scout. I ask that you do not revise this guide, just handout as is. This presentation has limited information on the project (this + next 3 slides) due to time constraints. I do have a full presentation on just the Eagle Project, which I�ll send you upon request.Presenter note : Have enough hardcopies of my Eagle Scout Project Planning Guide (http://home.flash.net/~smithrc/eagleprj.htm) to handout to each Scout. I ask that you do not revise this guide, just handout as is. This presentation has limited information on the project (this + next 3 slides) due to time constraints. I do have a full presentation on just the Eagle Project, which I�ll send you upon request.

10. Eagle Leadership Service Project Purpose is to �Demonstrate Leadership of Others� Must benefit community, school or church Cannot be for the benefit of the Boy Scouts May NOT benefit a commercial business May NOT be a �fund raiser� Must be planned and carried out by one Scout no joint projects Will take up to 6 months to complete - plan ahead! May begin planning project immediately after passing Life Board of Review (not necessary to earn all 21 merit badges first.)

11. Sample Eagle Projects Built outdoor classroom for school/church Landscaped school/church grounds Repaired/built school/church playground Built school/church storage shed Built cabinets for school/church rooms Built walkway for school/church Painted US map for elementary school Built reading lofts for elementary school Don�t restrict yourself to YOUR school Other schools in the area may not have as many scouts doing projects as the ones near us. Other charitable organizations are also looking for scouts to do projects.Don�t restrict yourself to YOUR school Other schools in the area may not have as many scouts doing projects as the ones near us. Other charitable organizations are also looking for scouts to do projects.

12. Eagle Leadership Service Project Plan Meet with Life to Eagle Coordinator before doing much planning. Use �Eagle Scout Project Planning Guide� on troop website The project plan write up: Must use official BSA Workbook to submit plan and final report (electronic version OK) Download from BSA National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) website) http://www.nesa.org/trail We will use checklist on troop website! Approvals: Organization benefiting from your project Troop Life to Eagle Coordinator Scoutmaster District Advancement Committee

13. Eagle Application Process Complete all requirements Write project final report Complete Eagle Scout Application Write statement of ambition and life purpose Submit Application & Project Final Report to Scoutmaster at Eagle Scoutmaster Conference Scoutmaster approves, copies and takes to council Council verifies Scouts records Returned to District for Board of Review District conducts Board of Review Council approval (by district) National approval Conduct Court of Honor

14. Board of Review Scheduled after all requirements complete and Council verifies records. Conducted by Button Gwinnett District Advancement Committee District Advancement Committee checks references Troop Committee Members Should Participate Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster may not participate, except to introduce the Scout Eagle date of rank is date Board of Review is completed. Important if earning Eagle Palms Scout should be in full Scout uniform, which consists of shirt,  pants, belt, socks, neckerchief, and all appropriate insignia. It is not a retest of knowledge or skills However, should know the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan and be ready to discuss how you live by them. See troop web site for more information on how to prepare

15. Eagle Court of Honor Special ceremony to recognize only Eagle Scout(s) Conducted only after National approval ~4-6 weeks after Board of Review Planned and carried out by Parents with the support of troop There is no required format -- tailor to please Scouts and parents Some items to consider: Who to invite - up to the family Date and time to accommodate schedule of special guests Reserve church or other location in advance Reception decorations & refreshments - family responsibility Letters from public officials - family�s choice Photo album of Scouting career at reception �Eagle Box� � See the family of the last eagle to get these

16. Discussion&Questions