Changes in Eagle Service
Project Requirements for
2012
James Ball
•
Scoutingislife@cfl.rr.com
Joe Larkin
Jlarkin@cfl.rr.rom
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Objectives
 Highlight Requirement Changes
 Introduce New Workbook Structure &
How to use it
 Role of Project Coach
 Explain Changes in the Review Process
 Significance for Eagle Service Projects &
Scouts
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
3 New Documents
Eagle Scout Service
Project Workbook
(#512-927)
Eagle Scout Rank
Application
(#512-728)
Guide to
Advancement 2011
(#614-448)
All available from:
www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/Advancementand
Awards/resources.aspx
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
The Requirement
(from p. 4 of the new workbook)…
“While a Life Scout…
The Project Proposal must be
approved by the organization
benefiting for the effort, your unit
leader and unit committee, and the
council or district before you start. You
must use the Eagle Scout Service
Project Workbook, No. 512-927, in
meeting this requirement.”
 New for 2012, optional for rest of 2011
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Additional Guidelines on
Choosing a Project
 “Project Purpose” Explanation
(New)
“In addition to providing service…” (p. 4)
 Leadership Skills:
Demonstrate, Hone, Learn, Develop
 Lessons in Project Management
 Lessons in Taking Responsibility
(Welcome & instructive addition)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Additional Guidelines on
Choosing a Project
 “Choosing a Project”
(p. 4) (New)
 Redefined “your community” to include
“community of the world”
 Emphasis on “…opportunity for Planning,
Development, and Leadership”.
(this is a “MUST”!)
 New guidance on “canned” instructions type
projects. (references “5 Tests” used in the approval
process, p.5)
(very good addition, long overdue!)
 “…presents a challenge that requires leadership”
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Additional Guidelines on
Choosing a Project
 “Restrictions”
(p. 4) (similar to old)
 Expanded definition of “routine labor”
 Expanded definition of “commercial” nature of
projects
Not meant to disallow work for community
institutions…that would otherwise be acceptable
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
New Workbook
Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook (old)
Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (new)
(same #512-927)
New Workbook has (4) sections:
I Project Proposal
II Final Plan (development)
III Fundraising Application
IV Project (closeout) Report
(even though “Leadership” is dropped
from title, Leadership is emphasized
throughout)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
New Workbook also includes:
 “How to use this workbook”(p. 5)(new)
 Good explanation of each section
 Overview of what to expect during approval
process (“5 tests”)
 New “Contact Info” page w/more
information requested (p. 6)
 “Message to Scouts & Parents or
Guardians” (p. 21) (new)
 New open communications philosophy let’s
everyone know what the “rules” are
 Overview of what to expect
 Introduces a revised appeals process
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
New Workbook also includes:
 “Excerpts & Summaries from Guide
to Advancement”(p. 22) (new)
 Replaces old “12 Steps…” page
 Introduces concept & importance of
“Project Coaches”
 Expanded definition of “Give Leadership to
others…”
 Some guidance given for Eagle Boards of
Review evaluation (Good, could be more)
 Discusses Risk Management & Insurance
issues
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
I Project Proposal
(pp. 7-10)
•“It is an overview, but also the beginnings
of planning.”
•“…proposal need only be detailed enough to
show… you can meet the (5 tests).”
•New Council/District approval stage
Parts include…
1) Description & Benefit (old “Project Description”
+ helpful drawings, sketches, details to visualize)
2) Giving Leadership (new)
“What…will be most difficult about leading them?”
3)
4)
5)
6)
Materials
Supplies (new clarification of terms) (new)
Tools (…and equipment) (new)
Permits & Permissions (new)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
I Project Proposal
(pp. 7-10)
Parts include…
7) Preliminary Cost Estimate
(+ Fundraising expectations)
8) Project Phases (AKA: a “Work Plan”) (new)
9) Logistics (new)
(Transportation, labor, restrooms, etc.)
10) Safety Issues
11) Further Planning (Action Steps) (new)
12) Signatures (significant revisions)


New “Scout’s Promise”
New explanation of “What” each is agreeing to
(Very good, long overdue)
(Lots of “What types”, “What kinds”, “Where”, “How”,
“Explain”, “Describe”, “List” type questions)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
II Final Plan (Development)
(pp. 11-16)
•“This is a tool for your use - no one
approves it…”
• (However) “…you are strongly encouraged to
share… with a Project Coach”
• (Requirement) “…must also be evidence of
planning and development” (“Evaluating” p.22)
Parts include…
1) Comments from your Proposal Review
2) Description & Benefit - Changes
3) Present Condition or Situation
4) Project Phases (Changes + more detail) (new)
5) Work Processes (Old “Methods”, step-by-step)
Attach drawings, diagrams, maps, pictures, etc.
6) Permits & Permissions (new)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
II Final Plan (Development)
(pp. 11-16)
Parts include…
7) Materials (Table)
8) Supplies (Table) (new)
9) Tools (Table) (new)
10) Expenses & Revenues (Details)
11) Giving Leadership (new)
(Table w/job assignments + leadership role)
12) Logistics (How + How + How…) (new)
13) Safety (Hazards, precautions, safety briefing)
14) Contingency Plans (new)
15) Comments - Project Coach (new)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
III Fundraising Application
(pp. 17-18) (all new section)
•Only required if raising money/donations…
(not required if beneficiary/family/unit funded)
•“Procedures & Limitations” explanation
•“All money left over… goes to beneficiary”
•Requires Council/District approval
Parts include…
1) “Describe how funds will be raised”
2) Proposed start of Project
3) Proposed dates for Fundraising
4) “How much do you expect to raise?”
5) If asking for donations, “how”, “who”
(MUST attach list of prospective donors)
6) “Any contracts to be signed?” (details)
7) Approvals (Beneficiary, unit leader, council)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
IV Project (Closeout) Report
(pp. 19-20)
Parts include…
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
Summary
Changes
Leadership (demonstrate, experiences) (new)
Materials, Supplies, Tools
Service Project Data (hours) (new)
Funding (specifics)
Photos & Other Documentation
Candidate Promise (“On my honor…”) (new)
Approvals (Beneficiary, unit leader)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Project Coaches
New formalized position for someone many
units, districts, councils already use.
Optional, but highly recommended…
 …especially those from council/district level who
are knowledgeable & experienced.
 “Their greatest value comes in the advice they
provide… as a candidate completes his planning”
 “…does not have authority to dictate changes,
withdraw approval, etc.”
 Reinforce “method” of positive adult association
 “…up to the council(district) to determine who
may serve”
(selection process to be determined by each council)
 must be registered & YPT
Project Coaches offer a Scout
the best way to ensure a “successful outcome”
and should be encouraged!
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Changes in Review Process
Signatures required…
I Project Proposal
(Scout’s “Promise” + 4 signatures - similar)
*** Council/District review at this stage
II Final Plan (development)
(Project Coach review & comments - optional) (new)
III Fundraising Application
(Beneficiary, unit leader, council/district) (new)
IV Project (closeout) Report
(Scout’s “Promise” + beneficiary, unit leader)
Eagle Board of Review
(similar but MORE responsibility)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
New explanation of “what” each signatory
is agreeing to… (more accountability!)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Changes in Review Process
New Review Guidelines: “5 tests” (p. 5)
1) Provides significant opportunity to meet Eagle
Scout Service Project (requirement #5)
(“…must show that planning. Development,
& leadership will take place”)
2) It appears to be feasible
(“…must show project is realistic for you to complete”)
3) Safety issues will be addressed
(“…must show you have an understanding of
what must be done…”)
4) Action steps for further detailed planning are
included
(“…must make list of key steps…(to ensure) your
plan has enough details to be carried out successfully”)
5) On right track w/reasonable chance for positive
experience
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Changes in Review Process
New Guidelines for Eagle BORs (p. 22)
1) “…evaluated primarily on impact - the extent of
benefit”
2) “…and on leadership provided by candidate”
3) “…must also be evidence of planning &
development”
(“However… must not require more planning &
development than necessary to execute the project.”)
In Summary…
 Initial approval at Project Proposal stage (new)
 Introduces (formalizes) Project Coach role (new)
 New signature pages w/explanations of “What”
each is agreeing to (more accountability) (new)
 Fundraising Appl. processed by Council (new)
 More review responsibility for Eagle BORs (equals
more time, more knowledged & experienced members!)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Changes in Review Process
Revised Appeals Process:
New open communications philosophy let’s
everyone know what the “rules” are.
If candidate feels Proposal wrongfully rejected… (p. 21)
 Opportunity for 2nd opinion & Approval
 Process to be determined by Council
If a signatory chooses not to approve a project… (p. 22)
 Scout must be granted a Board of Review
 Candidate may submit his paperwork & project
workbook without final approval and request a BOR
 If it is thought a unit board may NOT provide a fair
hearing, a “BOR under disputed circumstances” may be
initiated.
(More detailed info on appeals in the new “Guide to
Advancement” sections: 8.0.3 & 8.0.4)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Significance & Consequences
Good Points…
 Expanded Guidance on:
 Choosing a Project
 Reviewing a Proposal (for unit leaders & district)
 Eagle BOR project evaluation
 More detailed & comprehensive
workbook
 Lots more explanations sprinkled throughout
 More “opportunity” for oversight
 New explanation of “What” each signatory is
agreeing to
 New emphasis on Project Coaches
 New Fundraising oversight/approval
 Better appeals/dispute process
 equals less potential for unreasonable approval
hurdles & abuses (“gatekeepers”)
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Significance & Consequences
What does this all mean for the Scout…
Easier/faster Proposal approval, but:
 Although it might appear less detail required up
front, Scout still must prepare Proposal with
enough detail to convince all parties he has a
handle on what is required to execute successfully
(reference the 5 “tests”)
 Opportunity for 2nd opinion/approval keeps
everybody honest & reasonable
More responsibility on Scout to
perform
 Treats Scout more like an adult, BUT…
 Increases potential risk of failure IF unit leaders
don’t mentor & support the Scout in his efforts
(no Project Coach, little unit support = less oversight)
 If Scout submits too close to 18th b-day, may not
have time to finish planning & execute project
Eagle Service Project Changes for 2012
Significance & Consequences
What does this all mean for the Eagle Project…
Increased responsibility for Eagle
BORs
 More to review implies more time, more
knowledgeable & experienced members (especially
from district/council)
 More responsibility to ensure integrity of Eagle
Project & process.
However, remember…
“If an approved proposal and subsequent
effort represents planning & development
that was adequate to the project, and the
project was well lead and carried out to the
satisfaction of the unit leader and project
beneficiary, only in very rare cases would
rejection result.”
-- (Guide to Advancement: 9.0.2.13)
May all your Scouts
become Eagles!
James Ball
•
Scoutingislife@cfl.rr.com
Joe Larkin
Jlarkin@cfl.rr.rom