perdidochas

In terms of the references, it differs by Council. Some councils expect the references to send in a letter, others will send out a letter for the reference to send to the Scoutmaster. In terms of the donations, I doubt that will be checked up on, unless the Scout didn't do the fundraising part of the Eagle app. I wouldn't be surprised if the DE didn't pull out the information about the sponsor to hit up later. At least in my council, the workbook is looked at during the EBOR, not before.

Are you a SM? I thought you were an ASM? In our troop (around 30 boys give or take), the SM does all the SMCs, except for his two sons' SMCs, in which case one of the ASMs does it. January campout, he did three SMCs. We have done BORs on campouts as well.

Well, if it weren't for BSA regulations, I would agree. A SM isn't needed at meetings. In terms of the SMC, in our troop, more often than not, a scout can get one the week after they request it. Not twice a month, but a week after they request. Of course, that depends on the SM's schedule, but more often than not it happens. SMCs in our troop usually happen in a corner of the meeting area or in a side room that has no door. Adults are always in sight, although not always in earshot. BORs the same way. More often than not, we can get together a MC and a combination of two parents and/or MCs the week after the SMC. Of course, there are exceptions, based on individual schedules (primarily the monthly committee meetings which happen at the same time as troop meetings), but with a possibility of 30 parents including about 9 MCs, it's usually possible except for committee meeting night. I don't understand, besides individual non-scouting schedules and troop activities, why you shouldn't be able to have SMCs and BORs as needed.

I don't understand the objection to SMCs and BORs happening as soon as possible. If the Troop is running correctly, what is the SM needed for during meetings besides conducting SMC's? What are the MC's doing during meetings that's more pressing than having a BOR? The Scouts should be doing most of the work and running the meetings. I'm not saying that a Scout should be able to have a SMC the same minute or meeting he asks for one, but what's wrong with a week's notice to the SM? (again, in an average or small sized troop, big troops working much differently). Why shouldn't a BOR be scheduled the week after the SMC? Again, I understand if the individuals can't make one week, but at least in our troop, we have probably 9 or 10 MC's/parents who can be part of a BOR.

IMHO, yes, or more importantly, it will burn out the leaders. I was a DL from Tiger Cub to Webelos 2nd year. I was very close to burnt out in Webelos 2nd year. I don't see this as a good thing.

I agree with you. At least with small troops (under 30), it's easy to try to work things out. I can see how in a large troop strict scheduling might be needed, but other than that, it should be for the boys--that is why we volunteer this "one hour a week."

Well, our district has EBORs once a month on the third Thursday of the month. You have to ask for an EBOR from the District Advancement chair by the Monday before at the latest. Our Troop tries to do BORs the week after the SM conference, and usually accomodates it (sometimes even the day of the SMC), but it can take a week or two longer. We have had BORs on campouts (as well as SMCs).

I agree. I actually think it's a good thing for the SM NOT to be at the Eagle project (unless the SM has a particular technical skill needed). With both of my sons' Eagle projects, the only SM or ASM present was me, and I was there as a parent, primarily. We did have a couple of other parents and MCs, but no leaders. It's the Eagle candidate's job to lead without adult interference. I didn't interfere, I was a gofer for my sons.

That's what we've found--the more parental involvement, the greater chance of making Eagle. I think it's two things: 1) the scout is more often present; and 2) the scout realizes that scouting is important to his parent(s), and much more by volunteering than just by saying it's important.

Well, in the centralized model EBOR that our district does, there are one or two district representatives (usually two), and two to four Troop representatives (usually committee members, but in a lurch we have used parents). The only difference between this and organizing our own is that we don't have to find district reps, and have no choice about dates (always the third Thursday of the month, although, I'm sure something could be arranged differently if needed). So, the people making judgement are a combination between district and troop, just like in a troop scheduled EBOR. I was with the troop before we had the district EBORs, and the only real difference is scheduling and location. The troop EBORs also had two district reps, and three committee members. What's good about the centralized model is that a district rep can do two EBORs in an evening.

We don't have nearly the size district you do, so the centralized option works for us. A local law firm allows us the use of their conference rooms in a centralized location one Thursday evening a month. Usually there are 5-10 boys each month (at least in the 5 or 6 times I've gone to it).

That's what our SM does. He goes out with the Eagle candidate during the deliberations.

We also have the centralized district EBOR model. I frankly like it better than the old way, which is to convene it ourselves, inviting a district rep. I think we couldn't get a district rep to do it.

Well, does the beneficiary really need to know how the project is done? I do think it would be a good idea for the Scout to get the Unit leader's approval on this part. I DON'T want the district/council to be involved in that stage.

There is none. My youngest finished his Eagle project workbook this summer (finished the project last spring), and he brought the workbook to the CC after the beneficiary and SM had signed it, and then realized that he was done with the signatures.

Funny, but I think my sons would say the opposite. "I know you will be hard on me, Mr. Scoutmaster, because my Dad is your buddy and your right hand man, and because I've known you since I was 7."

SM signs at two different times--at beginning and when completed. As a former advancement chair, I never submitted any blue cards to council--only internet advancement reports. Nowhere in GTA does it say that the council is to take up blue cards.

Well, one more sig on the proposal--in addition to unit leader, beneficiary, and committee chair, they also need Council or district approval. At the end, only the beneficiary and unit leader sign. I

What final four signatures? There are only two--the beneficiary and the unit leader. There are four signatures required on the proposal, but only two on the final project.

Well, if you haven't read the project proposal, you are being dishonest signing it. Here is the verbage from the actual proposal in the Unit Leader approval section. Unit Leader Approval* I have reviewed this proposal and discussed it with the candidate. I believe it provides impact worthy of an Eagle Scout service project, and will involve planning, development, and leadership. I am comfortable the Scout understands what to do, and how to lead the effort. I will see that the project is monitored, and that adults or others present will not overshadow him.

We are talking two different things. The SM has to sign at two different times--one for the proposal (the last page of the proposal), and the second time after project completion. I was talking about when the SM signs AFTER the project is actually completed (i.e. after everything but the paperwork is done). The beneficiary and the Scoutmaster (unit leader) sign after the proposal is done, and then again when the workbook is finished. The CC and district people only sign at the proposal phase.

Well, in my troop, it's after the workbook is filled in full. We get the sponsor to sign first, and then the SM and CC. I hope that the SM signed off on the project before it began, and you're talking about the final SM signature.

Well, you should have the Part A and B medical form for all scouts, and it has the photo release on it (on part of Part A).

Well, I like them, but then it may have to do with my proportions. At one time, Magellan (Academy's house brand) had good zip-offs. They might have a good pair of cargo pants.

Pretty much the same. I haven't heard any bad reports, and haven't seen it in the other leader's sons. BTW, by leader, I mean SM and ASM, not MC.