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Frequently asked Questions (with answers)
E-1.1 What must be done before the Scout's 18th birthday?
Requirements 1 through 6 must be completed before his 18th birthday. That includes the Scoutmaster conference. While the unit leader and the committee chair may sign after the 18th birthday, there should be as little delay as possible. The application should be turned in as quickly as possible.
E-1.2 What positions in the troop/post/team/crew qualify as "positions of responsibility"?
These are listed in the Boy Scout Handbook for troops and Varsity teams and in the Venturer Handbook for Venturers, including Sea Scouts. Note, though, that when changes are made, they often appear in the Boy Scout Requirements book before they appear in the Boy Scout Handbook. Be sure to use the current edition of the Boy Scout Requirements book.
E-1.3 What must the Scout actually do or accomplish in his "position of responsibility" in order for it to count?
He must "serve actively." Boy Scout Handbook. The Scoutmaster decides and the board of review reviews what service is sufficient, but they are not allowed to add to the requirements nor to reduce them. Duties for Varsity positions are described in the Varsity Scout Leader Guidebook, and duties for Venturer positions are described in the Venturer Handbook. The requirement is not "leadership," but rather "responsibility." (He shows leadership in his project.)
E-1.4 What is the date to use for the date a merit badge was earned?
Use the date on the blue merit badge card -- the date the merit badge counselor signed it as completed.
E-1.5 Is the Eagle Scout Rank Application form available online?
Yes the Eagle Scout Rank Application form can be printed and used.
E-1.6 Is the form for the reference letters available online?
Yes, the Confidential Eagle Scout Reference Form for use in Chief Seattle Council is online. Remember to have it mailed directly to your district advancement chair or district Eagle Scout advancement coordinator.
E-1.7 What happens if a Scout has a disabililty that keeps him from earning all the "required" merit badges?
There is a provision for alternative merit badges for a Scout who is unable to complete all the "required" merit badges. Plans and approvals must be done before the Scout does the alternative merit badges. If he earns a badge before getting approval from the council advancement committee, he may not be able to count that badge as an alternative to one of the "required" badges. Work on this with your district advancement chair immediately when a disabled Scout joins the unit or when a Scout in your unit becomes disabled. (Or do it right now, today.) See the Boy Scout Requirements book for more information. Units cannot make exceptions other than as noted there and in the Boy Scout Handbook. See also the booklet called A Guide to Working Boy Scouts with Disabilities.
Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project
E-2.1 Does it matter what order people sign the project approvals? That is, must the benefiting organization sign off before the Scoutmaster and unit committee? Must the Scoutmaster sign before the unit committee?
It matters, in that the beneficiary organization should sign first, then the Scoutmaster, then the unit committee. They are not required to be in that order, but all three should be there when the plan is presented for district approval.
E-2.2 Must the project be approved before you start work on it?
The Boy Scout Handbook calls for the approval of the project idea before you proceed. The "idea" must be sufficiently developed so the district advancement committee can be sure the work will meet all requirements. Do NOT do the project until AFTER you have the approvals SIGNED in the workbook.
E-2.3 Who may work on the project? May people work on it who are not Scouts?
Anyone may work on it. Recruiting people who are not in Scouting may even reflect good leadership skills. Keep in mind, though, that the Scout is to LEAD the project, not just work on it.
E-2.4 Is the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook available online?
Yes, a package for Eagle Scout advancement, including the workbook, is available online (at the national BSA site). Be sure you download ALL the material. If you look at only the workbook, you will miss important information and may have problems with the Eagle Scout rank advancement process. Look also at the "Twelve Steps from Life to Eagle" and the paper on the project requirements.
After You Turn In Your Eagle Scout Rank Application
E-3.1 Can I get another copy of the council's letter about "policies" on Eagle Scout advancement that was in my Life-to-Eagle packet?
Yes, it is online here, or you can pick up a copy at the council office.
E-3.2 How long does it take for the council to review the application and send it back to the district advancement chair to schedule a board of review?
It usually takes about seven working days. If problems are found, it will take longer. It goes faster if, when you turn in the application, you also turn in copies of the merit badge cards (the blue cards) and rank cards.
E-3.3 Who may be on the board of review for the Eagle Scout rank?
Eagle Scout boards of review are coordinated by the district advancement committee. The membership requirements are different from those for other ranks. There must be at least three members and no more than six. One or more will be from your district advancement committee. All members must be at least 21 years old. For the Eagle Scout board of review, members do not have to be registered in Scouting, but they must understand the importance and purpose of the Eagle Scout board of review. Troop Committee Guidebook; Advancement Committee Policies & Procedures. The Scout's parents or guardians, unit leader, and assistant unit leaders may not be on the board. Advancement Committee Policies & Procedures.
E-3.4 How are the members of an Eagle Scout board of review chosen?
The districts do this in various ways. Your district advancement chair or district Eagle Scout advancement coordinator will explain the process.
E-3.5 After the Eagle Scout board of review, what paperwork actually gets turned in to the Council Service Center?
Only the Eagle Scout Rank Application goes to the council after the board of review. The council staff review it; if all is in order, council staff will send it to the National Council for final approval.
E-3.6 When may the Eagle Scout Rank award or cloth badge be worn?
After the board of review, our council office sends the application to the National Council. If National approves it and sends it back, you or your troop will be notified. You may not wear the award or cloth badge until the National approval has been received. Advancement Committee Policies & Procedures. Adults do not wear rank badges at all, so you may wear it only until your 18th birthday. Adults who are Eagle Scouts wear a square knot over the left pocket showing they are Eagle Scouts or may wear the award on formal or dress occasions.
E-3.7 How long does it take for the approval to come back from National Council, after the board of review has been held and the application has been turned in?
Four to six weeks.
E-3.8 Is there a way to get a faster response from National Council?
Yes. There are three ways
You can just pay $12 to have the application sent immediately via overnight delivery to the National Council. Normally, Eagle Scout Rank applications are forwarded to the National Council by overnight delivery once a week. This is not always done, depending on workload etc. If you want to assure yours is sent in immediately, you need to say so when you turn it in and you need to pay the $12.
You can ask for the National Council to give your application "expedited" handling. You must include a check for $40 payable to "Boy Scouts of America." You can do this only when the application is turned in after the board of review -- after you turn it in you cannot ask for the faster processing. If you ask for this expedited processing, the response will usually come back to the council in about seven working days after National gets it.
You can do both -- have the application sent immediately via overnight delivery, and have it get expedited processing. You have to make the request and pay both fees when your application is turned in after the board of review.
E-3.9 Can I get a replacement if I lose my Eagle Scout certificate or wallet card?
Yes. You can get information on this from the National Eagle Scout Association.
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