Choosing Your Eagle Project And The Eagle Project Approval

Getting Your Scouts Through theEagle Project&Eagle Board Process1

Eagle ScoutLeadership Service Project The Eagle process may be daunting for someScouts .but it does not have to be!– Adequate resources are available, but Scoutsneed to know where to find themwww.alamoareabsa.org/diamondback/eagle– Scouts need some guidance in selecting a project Troop should provide a review of project concept andproject report before Scout goes to district board Also need to educate Mom and Dad; not too much, nottoo little, but just right– Troops need a Project Coach2

Choosing A ProjectProject Caveats– No minimum or maximum requirements– Must be of enough magnitude for the Scout todemonstrate leadership– Project itself cannot be a fundraiser; cannot benefitBSA or a commercial business– Scout does not have to build something– The project cannot be general maintenance– Anyone can work on the project but don’t makeit a “family” project3

Choosing A Project Step 1: Scout should pick a category ofservice he is really interested in––––––Helping the PublicHelping ChildrenHelping AnimalsHelping Your ChurchHelping Your SchoolHelping City/County/ParksEncourage the Scout to pick something hereally feels passionate about. If he isinterested, he will wantto do the project.4

Choosing A Project Step 2: Narrow the Categories– Helping Children XYZ Children’s ShelterABC Children’s HospitalLocal Youth GroupPlayground in a City Park or Church– Helping Animals Bark Loud Animal Shelter City or State Park ZooExample: Business owned park open to the public5

Choosing A ProjectBenefiting organization must be a Non-ProfitOrganization with one caveat. Test is whether the project benefits the public asopposed to a business owner. Need some community focal point for approval. Cannot be an individual. Cannot be fundraiser for BSA.

Choosing A Project Step 3: Identify specific organizations, makecalls and visit– Helping Children Children’s Shelter Children’s Hospital Playground at My ChurchContact the organizations, identify purpose asEagle project, and make an appointment tovisit. Go in uniform prepared to discuss theirneeds and potential projects to address.7

Choosing A Project Step 4: Get the Project Proposal Approved– Determine exactly what the benefiting organizationneeds– Talk with Scoutmaster and/or Project Coach about theproject– Develop the Project Proposal (Part One of the EagleProject Workbook), visit with the organization andmake sure Scout and organization agree on scope anddetails of the project8

– Give the Benefiting Organization a copy of Navigating theEagle Scout Service Project (last two pages of the EagleScout Project Workbook or as a separate document on thewebsite)– Take sketches and/or pictures to help visualize the ideaGet Scoutmaster Approval of the Project Proposal– Take Proposal to the Eagle District Project Approval Boardbefore beginning workAverage Diamondback Project 241 hours, 1169

PROJECT CHECK LIST17

COMMON PROBLEMS Not enough detail– Scout knows what he needs to do, but hasnot captured the task on paper Resources/Materials/Tools list incompleteProject phases & schedule inadequateWork hazards and Safety issues not addressed“As is” and “to be” not clearly demonstratedFood/water/restroom facilities not addressedFunding details not developed18

Eagle Scout Service Project FundraisingApplication Must be used in obtaining approval for service projectfundraising or for securing donations of supplies or materials Found in the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook after theFinal Plan or on the website as a separate document Not needed if funds/materials are to be obtained from thebeneficiary, the candidate, his parents or relatives, his unit, or hischartering organization The Fundraising Application is submitted to the Council ServiceCenter after the project has been approved All proceeds left over whether money, materials, or suppliesgo to the beneficiary

Complete The Project Complete the Project– Record everything--participants time daily, work hours,problems– Take photos to illustrate the project– Fully document changes required to complete theproject– List actual materials and equipment used– Get completion signature from benefitting organization20

PREPARE REPORT Complete Project Write-up–––––Statement of Ambitions & Life PurposeNarrative of project from plan through completionSpecifically address changesDocument with before and after photosInclude time spent by Scout and all others; compare toplan– Detailed cost report with sources of revenue; compareto plan– Total Hours Required, Total Project Cost & Value– What did the Scout learn about leadership, himself, &others21

MOST COMMON PROBLEM22

MEET THE BOARD Be Prepared:– Class A uniform with merit badge sash .no OAsash– Scout Handbook signed by Scoutmaster– Project report original and three or four copies(protective sleeves not required). Attach copies ofLife Ambition Statement and copies of the EagleScout Rank Application (certified by CouncilRegistrar)– Letters of recommendation– Troop representative to introduce Scout23– Mom/Dad for “victory” photo

KEY POINTS Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Following the Eagle Scout Project ApprovalChecklist and Eagle Scout Process Checklist helpsassure success Success at Eagle Board: Troop review before board– Did the scout describe how he demonstratedleadership?– Does his write-up adequately describe his projectand how he carried it out?24

HOW CAN TROOPS HELP WITHEAGLE BOARDS? We always need adult leader help at Eagle Boards!!– Troop committee members can serve on boards and projectapprovals It’s a great way to learn first hand about the process– Scoutmasters and assistants can’t be on a board for theirtroop, but can serve on a board for another troop– Typically have 6 projects and 6 boards each month Boards require at least three adults Project approvals require one or two adults25

RESOURCES Key , meeting time, forms Diamondback Eagle Board Chairman:Joel Albert jalbert@satx.rr.com, 210-342-771026

Questions?Comments?Helpful suggestions ofthings that you do to helpyour Scouts?

Choosing A Project Step 4: Get the Project Proposal Approved –Determine exactly what the benefiting organization needs –Talk with Scoutmaster and/or Project Coach about the project –Develop the Project Proposal (Part One of the Eagle Project Workbook), visit with the organization and make sure Scout and organization agree on scope and details of the project