GEORGE WASHINGTON COUNCIL
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
December 1,1993



EAGLE SCOUT ADVANCEMENT
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES


Sources:
BSA Advancement Guidelines, Council and District Functions, 1993 (or latest edition);
Boy Scout Handbook, 1990 (or latest edition);
BSA Scoutmaster Handbook, 1990 (or latest edition).



I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

A. The purpose of this manual is to provide policy and guidance regarding the advancement program of the Boy Scouts of America to the districts and local units of the George Washington Council. Policies and Procedures in this manual are subject to review and amendment at any time as necessary by the Council Advancement Committee. These policies and procedures must be administered under the spirit and intent as set forth in the current official publications of the Boy Scouts of America.

B. Education is the chief function of the Scouting movement and it shall be the basis of the advancement program. A fundamental principle of advancement in Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting shall be that the boy's progress is a natural outcome of his activities in his unit. The rank requirements in both of these phases of the Scouting program, as set forth in the official publications, shall furnish the basis of the activities of the unit.

II. GENERAL POLICY

A. The advancement procedures of the George Washington Council comply with the policies and procedures published in the current edition of the Boy Scouts of America Advancement Guidelines.

B. Standards for all advancement are the requirements listed in the latest Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Explorer handbooks, or special change-of-requirement notices as published by the Boy Scouts of America.

C. Advancement standards must be fair and uniform. No Council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add or subtract from any advancement requirements, as published by the Boy Scouts of America.

D. All applications for advancement (including Eagle Scout) must be submitted to the Council on a properly completed Unit Advancement Report. No certificates or awards will be issued without the proper submission of the Report.

E. Each unit of the George Washington Council shall designate an Advancement Chairman. Troops and Posts should also designate an Eagle Advancement Chairman from the Unit Committee. The same person may perform both duties. Report the name, address, and phone number of the designated members to the District Advancement Chairman.

F. All tenure requirements for Scout advancement shall begin on the date of the successful Board of Review of the previous advancement.

G. The George Washington Council Advancement Committee supports the National Standard for Advancement as outlined under the National Honor Unit Award. At least fifty percent of each unit should have achieved one advancement level during the preceding unit charter year.

III. EAGLE SCOUT ADVANCEMENT POLICIES

A. All Eagle Scout advancement requirements must be completed prior to the Scout's eighteenth (18th) birthday. A Scout, Unit Leader, or Unit Committee may file a petition with the National Boy Scout Committee, through the George Washington Council, for special permission to continue work toward the Eagle Award after reaching age 18.

B. Scouts who have completed all requirements for Eagle prior to their 18th birthday may be reviewed and recognized within three (3) months after that date. For Boards of Review conducted between three and six months after the candidate's 18th birthday, a special statement must be attached to the application. Contact the Council Service Center for further information.

IV. EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECT

A. The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (No. 18-927) must be used to meet the requirements of this section. Additional pages may be attached as necessary for the project proposal and project report, with the phrase "see attached pages" entered into the appropriate spaces in the Workbook.

B. For an Eagle Service Project, an Eagle candidate must, while a Life Scout, plan develop, and give leadership to others in a service project to any religious institution, school, community, or charitable organization. The project must also conform to the wishes and regulations of those for whom the project is undertaken.

C. The Eagle Service Project provides the opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate the leadership skills he has learned in Scouting. He must do the project outside the sphere of Scouting. As a demonstration of leadership, the candidate must PLAN the work, ORGANIZE the personnel needed, and DIRECT the project to satisfactory completion.

D. Service to others is a key principle. Work involving BSA properties or activities is not acceptable for an Eagle Service Project. The project also may not be performed for a business, or be of a commercial nature. Fund-raising is permitted only for securing materials or supplies need to carry out the proposed project. Routine labor, or a job or service normally rendered, will not be approved.

E There is no minimum number of hours that must be spent on an Eagle Project. The amount of time must be sufficient enough for the candidate to clearly demonstrate leadership skills. Total time involvement should be considerable, and should represent the candidate's best effort.

F. Eagle Project proposals must be typewritten (or printed), and must include the following information:

1. A complete, detailed description of how the project will be conducted, including safety procedures.

2. A statement describing which group will benefit from the project and how that benefit will occur.

3. The name and title of the contact person from the project beneficiary organization or group.

4. How many people will work on each phase of the project.

5. A detailed estimate of the total man-hours it will take to complete the project.

6. The cost of the project (materials list and cost).

7. A letter from the beneficiary organization approving the proposed project.

 G. Eagle Project proposals must be reviewed and approved by the District Advancement Committee before project work is started, to make sure that they meet the required standards for Eagle Scout Service Projects. The approval of the project proposal does not mean that the Eagle Board of Review will approve the way the project was conducted and completed. Projects shall not be approved when project work (other than planning) is accomplished prior to District approval.

H. Eagle candidates must comply with the following project approval process:

1. Discuss, plan, and write a project proposal with the assistance of the unit Eagle Advancement Advisor.

2. Show and discuss the written plan with the beneficiary group contact person. Have this person sign the application form, and submit a letter approving the proposal.

3. Show and discuss the written plan with the unit leader. Have the unit leader approve and sign the proposal.

4. Show and discuss the written plan with the Unit Committee. Have the Unit Committee representative approve and sign the proposal.

5. Contact the District Advancement Committee. Make arrangements for a review of the proposal for final approval. Allow sufficient time for District approval before planning for project work to begin.

6. After the project application form has been approved and signed by the District Advancement Committee and returned to the Scout, actual work on the project may begin.
 I. Completion of the Eagle Scout Project:
1. A major portion of the project should be performed by Scouts (Cubs, Scouts, Venture, Varsity, or Explorer) if possible.

2. Adults, family, friends, and other Scout Troops may also be involved in the project work.

3. The Eagle Scout candidate must clearly demonstrate leadership during the project completion.

4. Any significant reduction in the planned scope of the project must be approved in writing by the District Advancement Committee.

5. All candidates should keep a day-to-day log book with the dates, names, work performed, and total hours expended by each person involved on the project. The time to be included should begin with the first planning session and end with the completion of the project report.

6. The Eagle candidate must direct the project to a successful completion in an orderly and responsible manner. He must demonstrate his BEST EFFORT in the completion of the Eagle Project.
 V. EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECT REPORT

A. A detailed final report (in narrative form) shall be prepared to describe the entire Eagle Scout Service Project. The report should be typed or neatly printed. Typing or computer word processing is recommended. (NOTE: Grammar, spelling, and neatness are an integral part of the overall impression of an Eagle candidate's best effort.)

B. The report should include:
1. A complete detailed description of the project and the manner in which it was completed.

2. A description of how the project was of benefit to others.

3. A detailed statement as to the people who worked on project, and the man hours necessary to complete the project.

4. A statement as to who provided the candidate with guidance during the project.

5. A detailed list of materials that were used in the project, their costs, and how they were acquired.

6. A description of how planning, development, and leadership were demonstrated by the candidate.

7. A summary of lessons learned by the Eagle candidate, including any modifications to the plan necessary to bring the project to completion.

8. The report should include all supplementary materials related to the project, including before and after photographs, diagrams, maps, equipment lists, and work schedules to provide a clear picture of the work done.

9. A letter of completion must be included from the beneficiary group contact person, confirming the satisfactory completion of the project, and the value of the project to the group or organization.
 VI. EAGLE SCOUT APPLICATION

A. The Eagle Scout Application must be completed by the Eagle Scout candidate prior to the Eagle Scout Board of Review.

B. The candidate should type (or print) all required information on the application form. Remember that this is the only document forwarded to the National Advancement Committee of the Boy Scouts of America. Typing is strongly recommended.

C. Enter the exact dates for all rank advancements and merit badge compilations on the application. These dates must be confirmed by the Council Registrar. Draw a line through the non-applicable merit badges for numbers six and nine. If these badges have been earned, they may be entered as optional badges. Submit the completed application to the Registrar at the Council Service Center, and allow sufficient time for record confirmation prior to the Eagle Board of Review. The Council Registrar will sign the reverse side of the application to certify that all dates are correct.

D. Provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least five personal references in the spaces indicated. Ask each reference listed to write a personal recommendation on the candidate's behalf, providing evidence that the candidate lives by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life. Letters of reference from the parents or guardians, religious advisor, educational advisor, and two others are mandatory. A letter from the employer is necessary if the Scout is employed. All letters should be mailed directly to the Scout's Eagle Advancement Advisor or Unit Committee Chairperson. The Scout should not have any contact with these letters.

E. List the last two positions of responsibility held in the unit, listing only those held after the Life Scout Board of Review. The combined tenure in these positions must be at least six months.

F. Eagle Scout Application requirement #6 is a three-part requirement. The candidate should prepare a statement of his ambitions and life purpose. The statement should be sufficient so as to allow the Board of Review the opportunity to assess the candidate's approach to his life and future. The candidate should also prepare a listing of positions of responsibility held in his religious institution, school, community, camp, or other organizations during which he demonstrated leadership skills. The list should include honors, awards, and recognition received during this service. Finally, the candidate must take part in a Scoutmaster conference with his unit leader. The unit leader will review all of the completed Eagle Requirements and documents at that time, including the Project Final Report, and recommend approval to the Unit Committee.

G. The Unit Committee Chairperson must sign the application, indicating to the Eagle Board of Review that the Scout has successfully completed all requirements for the Eagle Award.

H. The members of the Eagle Scout Board of Review will sign the application upon successful completion of the review.

VII. EAGLE SCOUT BOARD OF REVIEW

A. Procedures for the Eagle Board of Review:
1. The Eagle Board of Review will be conducted by the Unit Committee.

2. The Eagle Board will have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 members. Unit Leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives, or guardians shall not serve as members of a Scout's Eagle Board of Review.

3. Board members are not required to be registered in Scouting, but they must clearly understand the importance and purpose of the Eagle Board of Review.

4. At least one District or Council Advancement representative shall be a member of the Board, and may serve as the chairperson if so requested by the unit. Schedule the District Advancement Representative through the District Advancement Committee. Provide the representative with a photo-copy of all documents for the board, at least one week prior to the review date. The Unit should preserve all original documents for the Board of Review.

5. The Board should convene at least 30 minutes before the candidate appears to review the application, references, project proposal, project report, and all original paperwork and signatures.

6. The candidate's parents, guardian, or unit leader may make a statement or ask questions of the Board of Review, prior to the Scout Interview if they desire. However, the Eagle Candidate is the only person required to appear before the Board of Review.

7. The candidate's unit leader may remain in the room, but may not participate in the review. The leader may be called upon clarify a point in question. In no case should any relative or guardian of the candidate attend the review, even as a unit leader.
 B. Objectives of the Eagle Board of Review:
1. The review is not an examination to test the Scout; rather, the Board should attempt to determine the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals.

2. Discuss the Scout Oath and Law to make sure the Scout recognizes and understands the value of Scouting in his home, unit, school, and community. The Board should confirm that the morals and ethics proscribed by the Boy Scout Oath and Law exist in all phases of the Scout's life.

3. A thorough discussion of the Scout's success and experiences in Scouting should be considered.

4. Review and provide final approval of the Eagle Scout Service Project. Although the project idea must be approved before work is begun, the Eagle Board of Review must determine the manner in which the project was carried out. Questions that must be addressed include:

a. Did the candidate demonstrate leadership to others?

b. Did he indeed direct the project rather than do all the work h himself?

c. Was the project of real value to the religious institution, school or community group?

d. Did the project follow the approved plan, or were modifications needed to bring it to completion?
5. Discuss the Scout's demonstrated leadership in has Eagle Scout Service Project, within the Scout's unit, and outside of Scouting. Use the list of leadership positions, honors, and awards from application requirement #6, and the unit leadership positions listed in application requirement #4, as a basis for this discussion.
 C. Decision of the Eagle Board of Review:
1. The Board must deliberate in private. The candidate and unit leader will leave the room prior to the deliberation. The Board may ask the unit leader to stay for a brief discussion after the candidate leaves the room.

2. A unanimous decision is required for approval during all Boards of Review.
 D. Conclusion of the Eagle Board of Review:
1. If approved:

a. After the unanimous approval decision is reached, the Board members must sign the Eagle Application, invite the candidate back in the room and formally announce the results to him. Parents, guardians, and unit leaders should be invited in for the announcement.

b. The District Advancement representative should explain the process of paperwork through the George Washington Council and the National BSA Council for "Official" confirmation of the Eagle Award. All of the original documents reviewed by the Board must be forwarded immediately to the council service center for certification by the Scout Executive. A properly completed Unit Advancement Report must accompany the successful Eagle Scout application package.

c. Unit Leaders of successful candidate's are strongly encouraged to enroll their new Eagle Scout in the National Eagle Scout Association for an initial 5 year membership. This membership can be a gift from the Scout's unit or leaders.

d. The Eagle Presentation Kit may not be purchased, or the Eagle Scout Court of Honor may not be scheduled, until the Eagle credentials are received at George Washington Council from the National Eagle Scout Service. The Council office will notify the unit leader when confirmation is received.
2. If disapproved:

a. The Board Chairperson must tell the candidate the reasons for his failure to qualify, and exactly what must be done to meet the requirements in a given period. The appeal process as described in the BSA Advancement Guidelines. Council and District Functions must be explained to the Scout.

b. A follow-up letter must be sent to the Scout confirming the agreements reached on the actions necessary for the advancement.

c. A new review may be requested by the applicant, the unit leader, or the unit committee.

d. Appeal of Eagle Board decisions must go to the District Advancement Committee, the Council Advancement Committee, and the National Advancement Committee in turn. Refer to the special rules for Appeals in BSA Advancement Guidelines.