From Life to Eagle

The Cross Timbers District Advancement Committee, in conjunction with the Longhorn Council, has published guidelines for Scouts, their parents and unit leaders to follow on the trail to eagle. These guidelines will help you as you prepare for some of the final steps in your youth Scouting career. Any questions regarding these guidelines should be directed to Clyde Gormley, the advancement committee chairman for 2007-2008.

The Eagle process begins when a Scout earns his Life rank. At this point he should review all Eagle rank requirements and develop a timeline for accomplishing them prior to his 18th birthday. All requirements except the Board of Review MUST be completed prior to a Scout's 18th birthday.

There are several areas that require particular attention on the part of the Scout as he finished the last few merit badges and other loose ends.

• A 6 month leadership position within the unit
  
• Merit badges that may still need to be earned which have time requirements. For example: Personal Management, Personal Fitness and Environmental Science
  
• Eagle Leadership Service Project
  

Choose an Eagle service project. This should follow the requirements found in the current BSA Handbook. If you would like a "general idea" concept approval before working up the idea, members of the District Advancement Committee will be available at the Boy Scout Roundtable meetings or you can contact the District Advancement Chairman.

Cross Timbers District Advancement Chairman
Clyde Gormley
214-926-5846
advancement@xtdistrict.org

* NOTE: Do not begin any work on your project until you have received approval and a signature from the Advancement Committee.

• Get A Current Eagle Scout Leadership Service Workbook
  1. As a Life Scout, obtain the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, No 18-927. Use either the gray form from the Longhorn Council office, or the same form available in PDF or RTF format online at http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/eagleproject/dload.html (RTF is preferred).
  2. DO NOT USE your own structure for the project workbook.
  3. Follow ALL the directions in the workbook.
  4. Using the workbook, write up the project plan in detail before getting it approved.


• Get Benefiting Organization Representative Approval of Project Plan
  • You MUST obtain a signature.


• Get Unit Leader and/or Eagle Advisor Approval of Project Plan
  • You MUST obtain a signature.


• Get Unit Committee Approval of Project Plan
  • You MUST obtain a signature.

You must have all three (3) signatures before you can get approval from the Advancement Committee.

• Get District Approval of the Project Plan
  1. Members of the District Advancement Committee are available at the Boy Scout Roundtable meetings to review and approve your project plan. Roundtable is held the second Tuesday of the month.
  2. Scouts will receive a first review or approval signature at the meeting. District Advancement Committee members will be assigned for the Scout to follow up with and receive a final approval.
  3. See attached checklist for suggested criteria that should be included in your plan.
  4. Please bring two copies of your plan and be prepared to discuss the project details and planning process.
  5. If you are unable to attend the roundtable meeting please contact the District Advancement Chairman. The alternate location will vary per situation. You will generally be given feedback within two weeks.

• Complete the Eagle Scout Project
  • Complete the Eagle Project Workbook and get signatures from 1) The Eagle Candidate (You), 2) The Unit Leader and 3) the Benefiting Organization Representative


• Complete a current, up-to-date Eagle Scout Application
  • The dates of ranks and merit badges need to be accurate
  • Make sure tenure in rank is correct and meets BSA requirements
  • Make sure that all leadership positions and tenure zre valid and correct
  • Contact the individuals you use as references before you include their name on the application
  • Get signatures from your Scoutmaster (ar the Scoutmaster's Conference) and Committee Chairman on the form


• Seek Council Certification of Application
  • Eagle candidates must make an appointment for certification of their Eagle Application. Candidates should contact the Council office at 817-231-8500 for details. Scouts turning in their applications, without an appointment, will be given a receipt, which will indicate when it will be available (usually 3 business days). Once the application has been certified, the Council office will provide the Scout with a printed copy of the electronic application.
  • Make sure that all leadership positions and tenure zre valid and correct
  • It is a good idea for the Scout to bring his copies of his Blue Cards with him
  • Make a copy of the Eagle Application before you turn it in to Council


• Schedule an Eagle Board of Review
  • Prior to or at the time of scheduling the BOR, the Scout needs to do the following:
    1. Make two copies of the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook
    2. Make two copies of the Eagle Scout Rank Application - original Red, White and Blue
    3. Make two copies of the Electronic Eagle Scout Application
    4. Make two copies of the Eagle Scout Rank Application Route Sheet
    5. Make two copies of your "Life's Ambitions" statement from requirement 6
    6. Separate the copies into two sets that will be given to the District Advancement Committee
  • The Scout should bring both copies to the Boy Scout Roundtable to schedule your Board of Review. Please contact the District Advancement Chairman to arrange for alternative delivery options.
  • Appointments for an Eagle Board of Review will NOT be taken without the proper paperwork being submitted at the time of the request.
  • Eagle Boards of Review will be held on the same night that your unit meets, at your meeting location (unless other arrangements are made with the District Advancement Committee).


• Eagle Scout Board of Review
  • The Scout will need to be in full Scout uniform.
  • The Scout will need to bring the original Electronic Eagle Scout Application, Eagle Scout Rank Application (Red, White, and Blue), his complete Eagle Project Workbook (with any supporting documents and pictures), the Council Registrar's form, and his Scout Handbook.
  • The Candidate will also need to invite two adults to serve on his Board of Review. The two adults may NOT be related to the Scout in any way or be a present or past Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster from his troop. They do not have to be from the troop's committee or registered Scouters, but they must know the Scout and understand the importance of the rank of Eagle in Boy Scouting.
  • The Eagle Board of Review consists of 4 people; two from the district and two chosen by the candidate. The Scoutmaster may be invited to introduce the Scout, but then sit quietly behind him.


• After the Board of Review
  • Make a photocopy of both the original and the Electronic Eagle Scout Rank Application and retain them for your records.
  • Take the application to the Longhorn Council Service desk. It will take several weeks to process the application before you receive your final approval and can plan for your Court of Honor!!!

Revised March 13, 2007