MEMBERSHIP and UNIT SUPPORT What You Will Find in This Section

MEMBERSHIP AND UNIT SUPPORT

What you will find in this section:

• Growing Your Unit Pg.59 • Registration Event Pg. 60 • Scout Me In Pg.60 • BeAScout.org Pg.61 • Scout Reach Pg.62 • Rechartering Pg.63 • Scouting Terminology Pg.64 • Journey to Excellence Pg.65 • Commissioner Service Pg.65 • Journey to Excellence Service Project Reporting Form Pg.66 • The Eagle Scout Rank Pg.67-69

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 57

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 58

GROWING YOUR UNIT Engaging more youth in Scouting enables us to spread Scouting’s values further into our community and makes a deeper impact. Bringing in new youth also brings in new adults with fresh ideas and willingness to serve. All programs should plan a coordinated membership drive annually. New Scouts can join any time during the year, and there are some points in the year that recruiting efforts can be successful (Fall & Spring).

The Fall Recruiting Season The beginning of the school year is the busiest time of the Cub Scout recruiting season; it is the time of the year when we recruit the most youth and their families into our program. Families have many choices when deciding programs and activities in which to participate; being prepared to present Cub Scouts as a viable choice requires planning, effective marketing and staging a well-organized registration event. Planning Begin planning your Fall Recruiting season in the spring so that you are ready to engage when school begins in the fall. • Update your Annual Pack Calendar to include school visits, marketing outreach activities, Sign-Up Night and parent orientation. • GLAAC provides a variety of resources (including yard signs, youth and adult applications, sticker) to help with your annual recruitment drive, contact your District Executive. • Attend August Roundtable for your district and gather marketing materials and provide your Sign-Up Night. • If your Pack represents more than one elementary school, plan for recruiting at each elementary school on separate days and holding a sign-up night at each of those elementary schools. • Visit both public and private schools in your area to set up dates so that ALL the youth have an opportunity to be in Scouts. Marketing Traditional marketing includes a visit to the local elementary school, public and private, with an opportunity to hand out fliers with information about the upcoming Sign-Up Night. Visits to elementary schools are a vital part of our recruiting efforts and also a great way for families to see who, in their neighborhood, is involved in Cub Scouts. To know how to ex- actly approach a school to visit, please check out the information provided by National about how to make the relationship between Scouting and the school successful. Some elementary schools allow access to the lunch room to speak with the youth or direct access to classrooms. Other schools allow paper fliers, some only electronic fliers. Work with your individual school to determine access. Availability may change each year so be sure to revisit and create an opportunity each year.

Lunch time is a wonderful time for access; it does not interrupt the school day or the classroom. Once your Sign-Up Night is set, work with the school and their procedures to set up and distribute recruitment information during lunch time and advertise your night time registration meeting. • Create a display area in the lunch room. Your display may include pinewood derby cars, rain gutter boats, a scrapbook of activities, or a photo presentation on a lap top or tablet. • Have something fun to give the kids at lunch time to take home that includes the sign-up night information and the name and number of the membership chair. Our Council does provide Boys Life mini-magazines, temporary tattoos, pencils, and flyers to hand out.

No lunch time access? Work with the school to determine how you can best work with them to get fliers to each family. Perhaps you can pass out fliers the kids as they leave school for the day while boarding the bus or greeting their parents as they pick up their kids. You may be asked to participate in the “back to school” function when the kids meet their new teachers. Curriculum night is also an opportunity to distribute information about Cub Scouts.

Suggestions: • If you have a display, make an announcement during lunch letting the youth know that you are there and to stop by your display area. Give fliers, pencils, etc. to the youth as they stop by. If you do not have a display, make an announcement about Cub Scouts at a general assembly. • Encourage current Cub Scouts to wear their uniforms or Pack T-shirts to school on recruitment day. • Do not limit recruiting to any specific grade level, recruit from K to 4th grade. Even if your pack does not have a den for a grade that a youth may be interested in, have them come to Sign-Up Night. Contact your District Executive to find a pack with a den that they can join. • Invite a local Scouts BSA troop representative to join you and recruit Scouts BSA age youth. • With the school's permission, post signs around the school listing the time, date and location of your Sign-Up Night. • Have a Cub Scout make the morning announcements on the intercom and include a plug for Cub Scouts. • Be creative, work within the culture and personality of your community. If you have been doing the same thing for several years, then try something new!

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 59

Registration Event Now that you have the child interested in Scouting, this is the time to educate the parents and get the family signed up. Ap- proach the night as a Sign-Up Night not a Recruitment event, you have a youth attending your Sign-Up Night, they are interested and ready to go. Your job is to get the family signed up. Go into the night with the approach that no one leaves without filling out an application and paying their initial prorated national/insurance fees.

If your Pack recruits from more than one elementary school, hold a Sign-Up Night at each elementary school. This is the place where they feel most comfortable and want to see other families that are familiar. If Sign-Up Night is held at an elementary school that is not familiar to them, there is the potential that they will not see anyone that they know, that their child recognizes. The goal is to have families be comfortable and engaged.

The Greater Los Angeles Area Council has created a Sign-Up Night Playbook to help each Pack set up a successful event. The Sign-Up Night should include an activity for the parents to do with their child and an “onboarding” piece for the parents. There are several methods for getting families registered and comfortable with expectations.

Option One - Two nights (suggested method) • Night One: Sign-Up Only (collect prorated national/membership fees and applications) • Night Two: Parent Only Orientation Option Two - One night • Welcome everyone. • Separate parents and youth. • Complete registration while doing parent orientation with parents. • Youth entertained with Pack activity.

Spring Cub Recruiting The second busiest time of the year for recruiting is the spring. Look for Kindergarteners to join, experience Summer Day Camp, and start with an established den in the fall. • A Spring recruiting drive or "Roundup" could follow a similar approach to one conducted in Fall. • This is also a good time to advertise at the 1st to 3rd grades also. Talk about Summer Day Camp – archery, fishing, and FUN – what more could a child ask for? • Recruitment may occur during an in-school visit or a community outreach activity or advertisement. • Sign-Up Night can be handled at a regular Pack meeting.

SCOUT ME IN SAYS COUNT ME IN! We’re proud to introduce Scout Me In, the new national marketing/recruitment campaign that invites all kids and families in America to be part of the life-changing experience that is Scouting.

The tagline, Scout Me In, celebrates the BSA’s historic decision to serve families and welcome girls and boys into Scouting so they can experience the character-building fun and adventure the program brings to life in communities across the country.

It’s more than just a tagline, Scout Me In reinforces that the mission and core values in the Scout Oath and Law are important and relevant for both young men and women.

What It Means

For kids, Scout Me In is a call to action. It’s an invitation to take part in the fun and adventure that will help kids to build the confidence to find and forge a path to their own best self – today and in the future. For families, Scout Me In is a call for togetherness. Today’s families are busier than ever. They are looking for options that welcome the whole family – mom, dad, sisters, and brothers – to the adventure of Scouting. For the BSA, Scout Me In is a call for celebration! This is historic! By welcoming boys and girls into Cub Scouts – and into our older youth Scouting program scheduled for February 2019 – even more young people will have the access to the character development and values- based leadership that will prepare them for a lifetime of success. It’s time to celebrate! It’s not just for Cub Scouts – That’s why you’ll see versions of the Scout Me In tagline with the BSA fleur de Lis, the Cub Scout logo, and the Scouts BSA logo. No matter the version, Scout Me In says “Count Me In!” WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 60

BeAScout.org

BeAScout.org is a website application that puts your pack, troop or crew on the map! Potential Scouts and volunteers can go to BeAScout.org to find Scouting in their neighborhood. If your unit's pin is up to date they'll find you! BSA and our council is promoting this website in marketing materials. This means that youth and parents IN YOUR AREA will be using this map feature to find Scout units. Only the following registered leaders in your unit (i.e., Cubmaster, committee chair, COR) have the ability to update your Unit's Meeting Location on the "Be A Scout" Map, and to change to your Unit's. Making sure your “Pin” is up to date takes less than 10 minutes:

• · Step 1. Log onto your account at “MyScouting.org”. Select “BeAScout” from the Unit Tools section on the left- hand menu. A new page will be displayed. There are two "tabs" on this window, and you should be on "Unit Pin Man- agement". If not, then click the "Unit Pin Management" tab. • · Step 2. Take a moment to look over the Unit Pin Management screen. If at any time you are lost, look for the "Help" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page for help. Also, note that the "Google Pin Preview" section, in the bottom right area of the page, will display what will appear on the Google Map. It will change as you enter/edit information in these steps. • · Step 3. Check the "Unit Description". This box contains a combination of your unit name & your chartered organization. If that the information is incorrect, then reach out to your district executive (DE) for assistance. • · Step 4: If your Scout unit has a website, then enter the web address (URL) here. Otherwise, enter www.samhoustonbsa.org, so they will be directed to the Sam Houston Area Council website. You can always edit this field later if your unit establishes a website. • · Step 5. Update the Alternate Unit Description. Many units opt to type their unit type & number, followed by their meeting location (example: "Pack 867 - Lincoln Elementary") • · Step 6: Make sure the Pin Status says "Active". This will keep your pin visible to perspective Scouts and parents on the Google Map. • · Step 7a: Select your Primary Contact. This person will receive all emails from prospective Scout parents, so be sure to let the person know that they will be responding to all parent leads. If the fields in this section are gray, then you must check the "Contact Person" box in the "Fields Displayed on Google Pin" section at the bottom-left side of the page. If the person is already a registered adult leader in your Scout unit, then their name will be selectable from a list. Once selected, all information is automatically provided in this section's fields. • · Step 7b: Be sure to check all the information with the Primary Contact Volunteer - Edit fields that are no longer current (Example: a phone number or email address changes). It is very important that you keep this information up- todate as volunteers & contact information will change over time. • · Step 8. Enter the location where your unit holds its meetings (address information). This address will dictate where your unit pin will appear on Google Maps. Note that it may be helpful to enter the name of your meeting location "address 1" and the street address on "address 2". • · Step 9. Check the Google PIN Preview. - This is a preview of what will appear on the map. Parents will only be able to see what is in this box, so please review it carefully for accuracy. • · NOTE: There is an option to change the icon from a Scouting map symbol representing your unit type to something else. Please DO NOT change the unit logo icon. • · Step 10. Once you are done, click the “SAVE” button. Your information will be uploaded.

That’s all you need to do to set up your unit for BeAScout.org. Be sure to do this as soon as possible, so your unit will get recruiting leads.

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 61

SCOUT REACH

Scouting aims to build upon the strengths of youth in underserved markets and increase positive youth development by reducing barriers to participation. Scoutreach is the tool to accomplish this goal. Scoutreach is more than placing a program in a community. It is Scouting’s commitment to plant roots within communities, creating vested leaders interested in positive youth development. The Greater Los Angeles Area Council ensures all youth and communities, regardless of backgrounds and socio-economic status, have a high quality Scouting experience. Support may include: uniforms, registration, program materials, program and summer camp fees, transportation, and leadership. Existing programs in the Greater Los Angeles Area provide strong evidence that strategically applying funds and support to underserved, disadvantaged communities successfully impacts youth and families. We have witnessed first-hand, the transformative impact of Scouting in our youth, families and communities.

SCOUTREACH BENCHMARKS

2016 2017 2018 goal 2019 goal 699 youth, 43 units 734 youth, 60 units 1,000 youth, 65 units 1,200 youth, 75 units 5 Program Specialists 256 trained adult leaders 1 Scoutreach Director 1 Scoutreach Director 75% retention 6 Program Specialists 10 Program Specialists 15 Program Specialists 57% cub scout advancement 77% retention 80% retention 80% retention 52% boy scout advancement 59% cub scout advancement 61% cub scout advancement 63% cub scout advancement 451 camp scholarships 54% boy scout advancement 56% boy scout advancement 58% boy scout advancement awarded 488 camp scholarships 550 camp scholarships 600 camp scholarships $600,000 budget $700,000 budget $1 million budget $1.2 million budget 10 Eagles

2020 goal Over 60% of families in the Greater Los Angeles Area live 1,400 youth, 85 units in poverty. 1 Scoutreach Director We’re committed to making sure every eligible youth 20 Program Specialists has an opportunity to join Scouting. 80% retention *In addition to the Scouts and units directly supported through Scoutreach, 65% cub scout advancement the Council invests significant resources to provide community-based field staff support for both traditional (volunteer-led) and Scoutreach units in low- 60% boy scout advancement income communities. 650 camp scholarships

$1.4 million budget Target outreach communities include: Compton, Watts, South LA, East LA, Lynwood, Hawthorne, Baldwin Park, El Monte, Pomona, Azusa and Rosemead

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 62

RECHARTERING

The objective is to register packs, troops, crews, and posts on time with no, or minimal, losses in membership and adequate leadership. The Greater Los Angeles Area Council is committed to having all unit’s recharter online. Because this process is not as familiar to many units and their volunteers, here are some suggested Tips and Traps to be aware of:

TIPS

• Re-charter online @ www.glaacbsa.org/rechartering

• Get the name, email and cell phone number for each volunteer from each unit who will be doing the re-chartering. This allows you to know who they are and to easily contact them.

• BEFORE you start your online re-chartering, collect all the current contact and parent information on your unit, spon- sor, and members. Confirm that key leadership, including chartered organization representatives and committee chairs, have their primary email address entered in the PAS system. Email addresses will be needed for the online acceptance of youth and approval of volunteers’ applications.

• Charter Renewal Applications must be fully signed. The only way to get a SIGNED Application is to have a paper copy. So, after you hit the “submit” button to fully submit your online Charter Renewal Application, you ARE NOT DONE. You must print it off on paper in order to then get the proper signatures.

• The Charter Renewal Application lists the Chartered Organization Representative and the unit’s Executive Officer. THESE are the people who MUST sign the Application. Please do not have some other person sign.

• If you should run into any issues please contact your District Executive. Contact information can be located at the back of this book.

TRAPS

• The Online system is Microsoft based. It does not work with Apple’s Mac systems. We suggest that the person rechartering the unit use a PC or laptop that uses Microsoft software. If you must use a Mac, it is suggested that you download the browser Internet Explorer (IE) version 6.0 or greater.

• The online re-charter process has a sequence – (1) First, your additions and deletions of adults and scouts, then towards the end of the process (2) your modifications or changes to your adults and scouts.

• Once you have submitted your Charter Renewal Application online with your updated information, if you discover that there are additional changes and modifications DO NOT GO ONLINE to make these changes. The system will not allow it. ALL subsequent supplemental changes should be hand written onto page1 of your printed paper application.

• The Charter Renewal Application will NOT fully calculate your total fees. We would suggest that when you turn in your Charter Renewal Application to the Council, that you bring with you a signed BLANK check. Confirm the amount to be paid when you turn in your Charter Renewal Packet.

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 63

SCOUTING TERMINOLOGY Scouting is an impressive program with many facets, new innovations, and great traditions. Over the past 100 years, Scout- ing has also developed a vast inventory of abbreviations, acronyms, and special terms. Here is a guide of the most common to help you speak the Scouting language:

GLAAC: Greater Los Angeles Area Council DE: District Executive; A full-time professional responsible BALOO: Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation; an intro- for supporting volunteer Scout leaders ductory outdoor skills training for Cub Scout leaders FOS: Friends of Scouting; Annual Council fundraising BSA: Boy Scouts of America; the national Scouting organi- campaign zation of the United States of America FSR: Firestone Scout Reservation Charter: Written permission for an organization to form, HESR: Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation organize, and maintain a Scouting Unit IOLS/ITOLS: Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills; an Chartered Organization: An organization that has permis- Introductory outdoor skills training for Boy Scout leaders sion to own and operate a Scouting program NESA: National Eagle Scout Association; organization for Commissioner: A volunteer who is a quality control person Eagle for the Scouting program Scouts: both past and present C.O.P.E.: Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience; NYLT: National Youth Leadership Training; an advanced Scouting’s ropes course program week-long leadership training for Boy Scouts and Venturers COR: Chartered Organization Representative; the liaison OA: Order of the Arrow; Scouting’s National Honor Socie- between your Unit and your chartered organization ty Council: The incorporated local Scouting organization that OWL: Outdoor Leadership Skills for Webelos Leaders exists to support volunteers and chartered organizations Roundtable: Monthly meeting to help adult leaders plan Cracker Barrel: A get together or informal meeting at and organize night after an event that includes refreshments YPT: Youth Protection Training CCV: Camp Cherry Valley District: A geographic territory that a Council uses to ad- minister Scouting in communities

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 64

JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCE “Scouting’s Journey to Excellence” is the BSA’s council performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success and measure the performance of our Units, districts, and councils. It is meant to encourage excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA. How the Journey To Excellence Program Works Each criterion has a point value for bronze, silver, and gold. As you achieve at one of those levels, you earn those points. Each criterion will be scored and you’ll have a total score. You will need a prescribed number of total points to achieve bronze, and the same for silver and gold. These point values may change from year to year. As you earn more points, you’ll achieve a higher level. Journey To Excellence in Your Unit Journey to Excellence gives Units a framework for planning their year, a method of evaluating Unit success, and a way to recognize your Unit for great Scouting. Unit metrics include: • Planning & budgeting • Membership growth and retention • Program including advancement, outdoor activities/camping, and service projects • Leadership recruitment and training Journey To Excellence in Your District & Council Councils and districts are recognized within the categories of finance, membership, program, Unit service, and leadership and governance. For councils and districts to become gold, there is a requirement that you also must have a prescribed number of points in each of the five categories. This is the reward for having a balanced program. As an example, you may have achieved the required number of points in four of the five categories, but missed on one category. Even if you have enough total points to achieve gold, since you missed the total points needed in one of the five categories, you will only be recognized at the silver level. For a complete list of requirements for all programs, visit https://www.scouting.org/awards/journey-to-excellence/

COMMISSIONER SERVICE Led by the Council Commissioner, the Commissioner team is a group of volunteers that provides service to the council, districts, chartered organizations, and Units. These leaders are appointed by the Council Commissioner with the approval of the Council Board of Directors and the recommendation of the District Committee. Service to others is regarded as an important description of Commissioner Service. What Do Commissioners Do? Commissioners are an extension of the council’s professional staff in service to chartered organizations and to the Units in the Greater Los Angeles Area Council. Commissioners provide help and guidance for Unit Renewal and the Journey to Ex- cellence program. They provide supplemental training and Unit support at monthly Roundtable meetings. This group of Scouters offers updated district/council/ national information to the local Units to help leaders provide the best program available to our youth in the Greater Los Angeles Area Council. What is a Unit Commissioner? A Unit Commissioner is a volunteer Scouter who, through monthly Unit visits, works directly with Units to help them provide the highest quality Scouting program possible. Unit Commissioners represent the ideals, principles, and policies of the Boy Scout program while providing the resources of the district and council to the Units they serve. What is Roundtable? Roundtable is the best source of leader education and information for local Scouting. It is a monthly meeting conducted by the Roundtable Commissioners in each district with the goal of providing resources, knowledge, and skills to leaders to ena- ble and motivate them to deliver outstanding program to their Units. Roundtable provides a forum for Leaders in the Scout- ing program to: • Meet and exchange ideas and information with other leaders from their district. • Discuss topics of interest, both formally and informally. • Learn about upcoming district and council events and programs. • Increase knowledge of the Scouting program, policies, and procedures. • Develop exciting new programs that significantly affect the agendas of each Unit in the Scouting program.

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 65

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 66

The Eagle Scout Rank

9.0.1.0 The Eagle Scout Rank Application Process Since Arthur Eldred became the first Eagle Scout in 1912, the rank has represented a milestone of accomplishment—perhaps without equal—that is recognized across the country and even the world. Men who have earned the Eagle Scout rank count it among their most treasured posses- sions. “Eagle Scout” is not just an award; it is a state of being. Those who earned it as boys contin- ue to earn it every day as men. That is why an Eagle Scout IS an Eagle Scout—not was. Over the more than 100 years since the first Eagle, a formal application process has evolved that is important in maintaining the award’s well-recognized prestige. Topics 9.0.1.1 through 9.0.1.10, below, are intended to aid in reviewing and submitting the application and accompanying materials. It is hoped this will help Scouts, parents or guardians, or any adult leader or advancement administrator from the unit, district, or council to prevent delays in securing National Council approval and verification.

9.0.1.1 Complete All the Requirements Confirm that the following requirements have been completed before the 18th birthday: active participation, Scout spir- it, merit badges, position of responsibility, service project, and unit leader conference. Note that the unit leader (Scoutmaster) conference need not be the last item accomplished. The board of review may be conducted after the 18th birthday. For details, see “Boards of Review,” 8.0.0.0. A candidate must be registered through the time he is completing requirements but need not be registered thereafter or when his board of review is conducted.

9.0.1.2 Prepare the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook The most current workbook must be used. It can be found at http://www.scouting.org/Advancement. The workbook shows the project proposal was approved ahead of time, and then properly accepted by all parties when finished. Ideally, it will be a proud reminder of a significant accomplishment. See “Use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook,” 9.0.2.8.

9.0.1.3 Complete the Application Scouts must submit the official Eagle Scout Rank Application, No. 512-728, found at www.scouting.org/ advancement. No other form or application is permitted. Special worksheets or spreadsheets have been created in some councils that when filled out electronically produce a completed application. Because the official application changes from time to time, and because submitting out-of-date applications can cause confusion and delays, Scouts must not be required to use these tools. If they do use them, they still must complete and submit the official Eagle Scout Rank Application. The Scout must complete the official Eagle Scout Rank Application, No. 512-728. No other form or application method is permitted. The application can be found at www.scouting.org/advancement. It can also be printed and completed by hand. Careful review and thorough proofreading will help prevent delays. Remember, everything is verified by the local council; discrepancies and errors will lead to a form’s return. Unnecessary delays can be avoided by working with the unit advancement coordinator and obtaining the Scout’s personal history profile from the council office. Pay special attention to the following red-flag items. 1. Dates: All applicable date fields will be verified by the council. Missing or incorrect dates will lead to unwanted delays and the application being returned for correction. The best way to avoid these delays is to use the date information from the Scout’s personal profile, which the unit advancement coordinator can obtain from the council office. 2. Signatures: Applicant, unit leader, and unit committee chair. (Remaining signatures come later.) Note that signatures need not be dated before the Scout’s 18th birthday. 3. References: Must list all six (five if not employed). If not affiliated with an organized religion, then the parent or guardian provides this reference. There are no restrictions on who the Scout may list for his two other references. He can list anyone he chooses, including parents or guardians not previously listed, other relatives, Scout leaders including those from his unit, or other Scouts and friends. There is no requirement that any of the references be 21 years of age or older. 4. Merit badges: Dates as mentioned above; check the unit number in which each badge was earned. Attach the Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges, if applicable. Scouts must not be required to attach blue cards with their application. If a discrepancy is discovered, the blue card may be requested to confirm the completion date.

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 67

9.0.1.3 Complete the Application (continued) 5. Position of responsibility: Must be one of those listed in Eagle Scout rank requirement 4, and must relate to the unit where the Scout was registered and active at the time service was rendered. For example, “SPL” would not be used by a crew member unless he was, or is, also registered in a troop. For a Scout who has transferred from a troop or team to a Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship, any qualifying position(s) held after the Life rank board of review in the troop or team shall count, and the six-month element of the requirement may be met through a combination of nonconcurrent positions served in the troop, team, crew, or ship. See also “Boy Scout Advancement in Venturing and Sea Scouts,” 4.3.1.4. 6. Attachments: Service project workbook, statement of ambitions and life purpose, and listing of positions, honors, and awards. Other attachments, such as unit records or individual history reports, shall not be required to process the application unless a discrepancy is discovered

Once a Scout has been advanced in rank, advancement errors subsequently discovered must not be held against him for any future advancement, even if the requirements were not properly completed. As an example, if after a Scout was advanced to Life rank it was discovered he had less than the required six months between Star and Life, that would not be cause to deny his advancement to Eagle.

9.0.1.4 Obtain Required Signatures If either of the approvals from the unit leader or the committee chair is withheld, the Scout, if he desires it, must still be granted a board of review. For details, see “Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances,” 8.0.3.2. The unit leader and committee chair signatures represent approval for the candidate to move on to a board of review. In providing them, the signers carefully check the application. It may be helpful to compare the application to the Scout’s current advancement profile obtained through the BSA system or to a printout obtained from the local council service center. If there are “red-flag” issues (see 9.0.1.3), such as time spans between ranks that don’t meet the requirements, then the dates should be confirmed. If they are correct but do not fit the requirement, then the Scout, parent or guardian, or unit leader should contact the district advancement chair for guidance. Usually, as with unavoidable discrepancies, a letter of explana- tion will be helpful in addressing the issue. Note there is no requirement that the signatures of the Scout, unit leader, and committee chair must be dated before the Scout’s 18th birthday.

9.0.1.5 Submit to Council Service Center Councils may suggest service project workbooks (only) be sent or taken to a different person or location, such as a district advancement committee member. This has the potential for cost savings in sending it out for the board of review. An Eagle Scout candidate, however, should confirm that any related instructions are correct and up to date. If there is any concern the workbook will go to the wrong place, it should accompany the Eagle application to the council service center. A copy should be made of the application; service project workbook; the Scout’s statement of ambitions and life purpose; and listing of positions, honors, and awards. Once copies are in safekeeping, the originals should be delivered promptly to the council service center. The candidate should not be delayed. Timeliness is especially critical if he is approaching, or has already turned, 18. Sending materials late can imply the work continued afterward. If possible, everything should be hand- delivered. Otherwise it should be sent by registered or certified mail or as instructed by the local council. There is no requirement that the application must be completed or submitted before the 18th birthday. Councils do not have the authority to reject applications submitted on or after that date.

9.0.1.6 Council Verifies Application and Board of Review Scheduled Everything is checked against council records. If information in the BSA system or council files is incomplete, the Scout or the unit will be asked to provide certificates, blue cards, or other suitable proof that merit badges and ranks were earned and that dates are accurate. The regular use the of the BSA internet portal for reporting advancement as described in section 6 will help expedite this process. If everything is correct, the council provides a verification signature, files a copy of the application, and sends the original with the service project workbook and other items (such as reference letters received) to the board of review chair or other designated volunteer. The board should be scheduled only after the council-verified application is received.

WWW.GLAACBSA.ORG Page 68

9.0.1.7 References Contacted Council advancement committee members—or others designated—have the responsibility to secure recommendations from the references appearing under requirement 2 on the Eagle Scout Rank Application. This may be done by letter, form, or phone call. For reasons of privacy and confidentiality, electronic submissions are discouraged. It is acceptable to send or deliver to the references an addressed envelope with instructions, and perhaps a form to complete. The Scout may assist with this, but that is the limit of his participation. He is not to be responsible for follow-through or any other aspect of the process. It is up to the council’s designated representatives to collect the responses. If after a reasonably diligent effort no response can be obtained from any references, the board of review must go on without them. It must not be postponed or denied for this reason, and the Scout shall not be asked to submit additional references or to provide replacements. Completed reference responses of any kind are the property of the council and are confidential, and only review-board members and those officials with a specific need may see them. The responses are not to be viewed by or returned to the Scout. Doing so could discourage the submission of negative information. For the same reason, those providing references do not have the option of giving the reference directly to the Scout and shall not be given the option of waiving confidentiality. Once a review has been held, or an appeal process conducted, responses shall be returned to the council, where they will be destroyed after the Eagle Scout credentials are released or the appeal is concluded. In Boy Scouting, advancement references are required only for Eagle Scout rank. The council determines methods of contact.

9.0.1.8 Application Returned to Council Service Center If a board of review approves a candidate, the signed application, reference letters, and any information that might be consid- ered confidential are returned to the local council. Unless otherwise directed, the service project workbook and statement of ambitions and life purpose can be returned to the Scout. If approval is denied, all materials are returned to the council.

9.0.1.9 Council Sends Application to National Advancement Team At the council the Scout executive signs the application, certifying proper procedures were followed. The application is then entered into the BSA system, filed locally, and then extracted from the BSA system by the National Advancement Program Team. In special cases, such as those for Lone Scouts or Scouts more than six months past their 18th birthday, councils must submit applications via mail, email, or fax for manual processing.

9.0.1.10 National Advancement Team Returns Credentials The National Advancement Program Team validates all applications received. Then the National Distribution Center gener- ates the credentials and prints, packages, and mails the certificate, pocket card, and congratulatory letter to the council. Ap- plications sent for manual processing go to the National Advancement Program Team and take several weeks to complete. Upon receipt of the Eagle credentials, council service center personnel should alert unit leadership immediately.

Questions regarding the Eagle Scout process can be directed to your District Executive, who will coordinate with your Dis- trict Advancement Chair.