Selecting Your Eagle Leadership Service Project

Transcription

1 Selecting Your Eagle Leadership Service Project Eagle Scout Leadership Service Projects shall be meaningful service not normally expected of a Scout as part of his school, religious, or community activities. 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 Leadership Service Project is an individual matter; therefore, two Eagle candidates may not receive credit for the same project. Any service project involving Marin Council property or other BSA activity is not acceptable for an Eagle Leadership 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 Leadership 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 idea and secure the prior approval of his unit leader, unit committee, and district or council advancement committee*, or their designee, to make sure that it meets the standards for Eagle Scout leadership service projects before the project is started. This preapproval of the concept of your project does not mean that the board of review will accept the way the project was carried out. (*Note: See Preapproval below.) Upon completion of the project, a detailed report** must be submitted with the Scout s Eagle Rank Application and must 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 or 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. Do not wait until the last minute! 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.

2 Preapproval: The Marin Council Advancement and Recognition Committee MUSTdiscuss your proposed project and agree that it meets the established requirements and that it is, indeed, significant before you submit it for consideration by your Unit Committee. Therefore, submit a very brief (half-page) description of your intended project to me by so that I can quickly share it with the Council Committee. Be sure to include your proposed project s location, what agency is to be benefited, and the name of the person who will represent that agency. I should have the committee s decision within two days. Then, you may make arrangements with your Scoutmaster to make a formal presentation of your project to your Troop s Adult Committee and obtain signed approvals from both your unit s committee and from your District Advancement Chairman in your Project Workbook before you start any work on your project. School administrators, religious and community leaders, park rangers, and many others may offer other suggestions. Go to: for The Twelve Steps to Eagle. These are from the official BSA Advancement Policies and Practices. Copy and use the Rich Text Version of the Workbook (Pages 7 through 12 of this document). Input your own information and digital images directly into this document. If you prefer, request the printed version of the workbook. Go to Download and print TWO copies of the Eagle Rank Application. Prepare one application in pencil as your draft. Have your Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster check your draft for accuracy before you prepare your final application in ink. Be sure to review both the NESA (National Eagle Scout Association) Application and the Application for a NESA Scholarship. The Marin Council Advancement Committee is composed of the following: Tony Mei (Chairman) Bill Peterson (Central Marin) Jim Gorder (Southern Marin) Lester Carlson (Northern Marin) If I am unavailable, do not hesitate to call Mr. Mei, Mr. Peterson or Mr. Gorder for information or to submit your application materials. Your Advancement Clock is running. You must complete ALL requirements for Eagle Scout Rank or Palms BEFORE your 18 th Birthday. This includes: your Requirement 6, your own Certification, your Scoutmaster s Conference, and Unit Approval by having BOTH your Scoutmaster and Unit Committee Chairman Sign your Application Ask for help well BEFORE that birthday! It is imperative that you submit all your documentation promptly. Marin Council must CERTIFY your Eagle Rank Application and its supporting documents before we can convene your Eagle Board of Review. I will arrange to convene your Eagle Board of Review after Council certifies your Application and as soon as I have received ALL SIX of your recommendations.

3 COMPLETING YOUR EAGLE SCOUT RANK APPLICATION Congratulations for having attained Life Rank in the Boy Scouts of America! You may feel that you have only a few merit badges and your Eagle Service Project yet to complete before achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Be sure you read and understand ALL the Eagle Rank Requirements. You must serve six months in an approved position of leadership and continue to show Scout Spirit since earning your Life Rank. Be sure your Unit Leader knows that you need to serve in such a Leadership Position. Treat the completion of all your Eagle Scout Rank requirements and Application very seriously. Prepare a draft copy by filling your own information in pencil on one of the downloaded official Applications. Take your time. Remember that many other individuals must read and approve what you write on your application. Read each portion and understand what you ve read before attempting to fill-in any information. Be sure to read all the contents of the blue-shaded box directly beneath the title EAGLE SCOUT RANK APPLICATION. These are instructions for completing date boxes. You ll need to place one number or zero in each box. Do not leave any empty date boxes. Print very neatly or type one capital letter in each box for your full legal name. Leave an empty box between your First Name and Middle Name (or Middle Initial) and an empty box between it and your Surname. Both your Eagle Certificate and Card will bear your name exactly as you indicate in these boxes. Use a separate box for an apostrophe, as in O Donnell. If necessary, attach a special note explaining that your name should have some other special mark, symbol, or punctuation. Complete your Social Security Number. Place only one number in each box provided. If you never registered as a Varsity Scout, Explorer Scout, or Venturer, leave those dates blank. Ask your Unit Leader or Advancement Chairman for any other dates or assistance you need. Mark each box with a check or insert the date near each as your record of completion of each step or Requirement. Requirement #1: Be active in your troop Attend, participate, show Scout Spirit, and lead for a period of at least six months after achieving your Life Rank. Insert the date of Life Scout board of review. Your troop s Advancement Reports and your own advancement record should provide this date. Requirement #2: References. The application specifies (1) Parents/guardians, (2) Religious, (3) Educational, and (4) Employer, if any. It provides two spaces for Other. If you do not have an employer, line-out Employer and use that space for a third Other. YOU MUST HAVE ALL SIX REFERENCES! Ask each individual if he/she would be willing to write a letter on your behalf. If they agree to do so, request and write down the (1) full name and title, (2) correct address, (3) telephone number, and (4) address for each of these; then tell them that Mr. Carlson will contact them soon. If you do not have a religious leader, make an appointment with a local minister, pastor, or priest for an interview for this purpose. Except for your parent/guardian all of these should be individuals who are well acquainted with you out-side-of-scouting. None should be your relatives. None are to be registered as adult leaders of your unit (troop). Simply list the information for each individual as you would in addressing a letter. Give their Full Names--correctly spelled and with proper titles (Mr., Miss, Mrs., Ms., Dr., Rev., Fr., or the appropriate designation of military rank, etc.). Provide complete addresses including any apartment or suite numbers and correct ZIP Codes. Provide the proper Area Code for each telephone number. Provide good Addresses also. (I now request and receive over 80% of these by .) PLEASE, check that each address is absolutely letter-perfect. or deliver your references contact information-- directly to me. I will request evaluations

4 of how well you have been living the Scouting Spirit, etc. from your references by or by letter. The sooner I receive your list the sooner...i can send my letters requesting their recommendations and the sooner I can convene your Eagle Board of Review. Requirement #3: Listing your 21 Merit Badges: Before listing your TWENTY-ONE Merit Badges (no more than those necessary to fill the 21 spaces provided) read the footnote* at the bottom of the Application regarding #6 and #9. Use a straight edge to make one neat line through the names of the badges, which you will not use as required for Eagle. You may list any you lined-out in the spaces following #12 as optional merit badges. The DATE EARNED is the date on which your merit badge counselor signed your BLUE CARD. Include the number of the Troop or Unit with which you were registered at the time you earned each merit badge to assist in confirming each merit badge for Council Certification. Obtain two or three polyethylene/vinyl Card Collector s 9-pocket inserts for 3-ring binders. These are available from our Council s Trading Post. Arrange your BLUE CARDS in the order illustrated below and with the signature sides showing. If any of these 21 BLUE CARDS are missing, substitute a 2.5 x 3.5 piece of paper with the completion date and name of the merit badge. 1 CAMPING CITIZENSHIP in the WORLD ENVIRON- MENTAL SCIENCE CITIZENSHIP in the COMMUNITY 5 COMMUNI- CATIONS 8 FIRST AID CITIZENSHIP in the NATION EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS or LIFESAVING CYCLING or HIKING or SWIMMING 10 PERSONAL MANAGEMENT 11 PERSONAL FITNESS 12 FAMILY LIFE 13 Elective MB 14 Elective MB 15 Elective MB 16 Elective MB 17 Elective MB 18 Elective MB 19 Elective MB 20 Elective MB 21 Elective MB Requirement #4: Leadership position(s) must be from those actually listed on the Application. Do not be creative! Talk this over with your Unit Leader. The tenure of office must total a period of six months after the date of your Life board of review. Be sure to fill-in the date boxes. Requirement #5: Enter the date on which your Eagle Project was signed-off in your Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook. Prepare and submit TWO copies of your completed Workbook with your Application. (One will be archived in the Eagle File.) Requirement #6: (1) Write your statement of your own ambitions and life purpose (on one page). (2) List recognitions, honors, awards and leadership positions you have earned or held out-sideof-scouting (on a second page). Eg. Those you experienced through school, church, other organizations, community, etc. (3) Discuss these at your Scoutmaster Conference. Your Scoutmaster may suggest some additions or changes. Attach your Req. #6 documents to your Application with a paper clip.

5 Have your Scoutmaster Conference. Your Scoutmaster should check your Application for accuracy and also read your Requirement #6 documents. He/She may suggest some changes. After he/she has approved it, use a clean-writing BLUE or BLUE-BLACK ballpoint pen to very neatly complete a final Eagle Rank Application. Insert the date of your Scoutmaster Conference. Sign and insert the date of your own Certification by Applicant. Ask your Scoutmaster (Unit Leader) to sign and date your Application. (This shows that he/she approves your qualifications for the Rank of Eagle Scout).* Ask your Troop s Committee Chairman to sign and date your Application. (This shows that your unit s Adult Committee approves your qualifications for the Rank of Eagle Scout).* NOTE: At this point, your have completed your Application. Proceed immediately to the next step. Submit the following completed documents to Mr. Carlson or to a member of the Marin Council Advancement and Recognition Committee (See these listed below): Eagle Scout Rank Application, No (1999) TWO copies of your Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, No A (1999) as downloaded and completed using a computer or as you have completed by hand. Both pages of your Requirement #6 documents Your 21 Applications for Merit Badges, Your Blue Cards, No TWO copies of your Scout Advancement Record BOTH SIGNED by the Chairman of your Unit (Troop) Advancement Committee or by your Scoutmaster or his/her designee. If you have not already done so, submit your completed list of references to me at this time. Plan to stay minutes while I review these with you. I shall deliver your documents to the Marin Council Service Center for Council Certification. I will contact you regarding any dates or other information which are still missing or which need correcting. (This usually requires less than five working days.) After Council certifies your application, I shall be responsible for your documents until your Eagle Board of Review is completed. I will notify you, your Scoutmaster, and your Troop Committee Chairman promptly and shall arrange to convene your Eagle Board of Review. Your Eagle Board of Review will convene within 2 to 3 weeks. You MUST appear in complete uniform. (Arrange to borrow any missing components.) Your Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster will introduce you to the members of the Board. One member of the Board will represent your Troop. No parent or immediate family member may attend your Eagle Board of Review. The Board must unanimously approve your application. If the Board approves your application, I shall submit it promptly for the Council Scout Executive s signature and file an Advancement Report with the Council. Eagle Rank Applications are now submitted to the National Eagle Scout Board of Review electronically. Approval by the National Eagle Scout Service may now take only 4-5 weeks. Eagle Palms may be earned for each five merit badges you earn beyond those required for Eagle. Only one Palm may be earned following your Eagle Board of Review and completions of subsequent Palms during each three months you continue to be active with your unit, show Scout Spirit, demonstrate your leadership, participate in a Scoutmaster s Conference, and be reviewed for each Palm at the unit level. Complete an Application for each Eagle Palm. Be sure you remain active in your unit. Completing Your Eagle Scout Rank Application is provided for your convenience. They are stepby-step directions. Please follow them. (* Note: You have the right to appeal failures by any of these. Contact me for details.)

6 I, Lester S. Carlson, am a member of the Marin Council Advancement and Recognition Committee. I chair the Northern Marin ( Novato ) District Advancement Committee. I serve as your Eagle Advisor and will mentor you through the entire process while you advance from Life to Eagle. Contact me whenever you need advice or clarification anytime by before 9:00 p.m. by telephone. If you are unable to contact me, phone Tony Mei, Chairman, Marin Council Advancement and Recognition Committee at , Bill Peterson (San Rafael) at , or Jim Gorder (Larkspur) at Before you come to my home to deliver materials or to confer with me regarding your application, please call ahead to be sure that I will be available. You will also need to bring along a parent or a buddy. You may find the directions (below) useful in finding my residence. Coming from U.S. 101 or Redwood Blvd. and San Marin Drive Travel west along San Marin Drive and turn south onto San Carlos Way. Immediately after San Carlos turns west, turn right onto San Luis Way. Find 355 San Luis Way on your right (North) between Estrella Way and Romero Court. Coming from San Marin High School Take San Carlos Way East and cross San Andreas Drive. Pass three Courts on your left. Just beyond the rise of the roadway, turn left (North) onto San Luis Way and find 355 San Luis Way on your left between Ramero Court and Estrella Way. The following pertains to completing the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, No A (or a more recent version of it) which you MUST use in meeting this requirement.. (1999 Boy Scout REQUIREMENTS, No B, ISBN , 1999 Boy Scouts of America, Revised 1999, pp ) Omit references to the other two types of agencies. Ie. If your project is to be done for a school, do not even mention church or community. You may input your own information and digital images directly into this Rich Text document using your computer and Word. Make sure you SAVE this to a file for safekeeping and possible future use. Insert blank lines to provide spacing necessary to assure that ALL the SIGNATURES both those, which approve the concept of your project, and those which indicate that your project has been completed and approved appear at the bottoms of their respective pages. (Keep them from spilling onto other pages.) You may use as many pages as you wish. If possible, include descriptive captions for digital images and include the names of those who appear and the pictures and who have volunteered to help you complete your Project as well. You may have Before, During, and After pictures. You may provide a Presentation Page for the front of your Work Book. Do not provide any sort of folder for the copy, which you will submit for the Eagle File at Council. Merely staple its pages together instead. BTW Use Southern Marin, Central Marin, or Northern Marin as your Unit s District.

7 Yours in Scouting, ~Lester S. Carlson Telephone: San Luis Way Novato CA to: NOTE: I no longer use foureser.lc@verizon.net