EXPECTATIONS OF THE EAGLE PROCESS

I.                   Communication

A.     With Mentor:  The mentor is to be updated with schedule changes, design changes, etc.

B.     With Troop:  Do not rely solely on e-mails.  Plan for troop announcements at meetings and phone calls in the weeks leading up to the work days, not just during the week of the project. 

      PLAN AHEAD!

C.     Call and Confirm: Know who will be present at work days and who will be bringing which supplies.

D.     Key Aspects of Communication: 1) You - Make the effort.  2) The Other Person - Keep everyone in the loop.  3) The Message - Be clear, be concise and include all necessary information.  4) Feedback - Confirm that the correct message was understood.

II.                Accountability

A.     Project Plans:  The committee is looking for 1) Transportation Plan (transporting scouts to and from the scout building), 2) Safety,

      3) Training, 4) Work Day Schedule and 5) Group Organization (to

      get the work done on project days.)  These aspects are the ones

      commonly overlooked in the planning process. 

B.     To Mentor:  The mentor or a designated committee member back-up must be kept up to date with the most recent changes to the project plans.  The mentor “reports” to the Scoutmaster and to the Advancement Chair to help assess the scout’s candidacy for Eagle.    

C.     Executing the Plan:  The mentor, designated back-up or the Scoutmaster must be present at all work days.  Plan ahead for this in the schedule.

III.             Troop Involvement

A.     The Eagle project is a community service project that can involve all types of people to complete, ie., friends, family, church, school, etc.  However, every effort needs to be made to include a cross section of scouts (older, younger and in the middle) and troop adults in the actual project work days. 

B.     The scouts should be doing the majority of the work, not the adults or just hand-picked friends outside of scouting or in scouting.  (It is much harder to lead younger scouts and people you are not “comfortable” with.) 

C.     A representation of troop adults need to be present at all work days.  This is absolutely necessary to determine if the Eagle process is followed and if leadership, scout spirit, etc. are demonstrated for the Eagle rank to be earned. 

D.     Use the people resources in the troop.  There is a wealth of contacts and information, all for the asking.

IV.              Eagle Rank

A.     The process is more important than the project outcome.

B.     The developing of the plan, the execution of the approved plan, the adaptation of the plan, the communication of the plan, leadership and successful project outcome are equally important in earning the Eagle rank.  All aspects are evaluated.

C.     An Eagle Project is more than a good deed.  In an Eagle project, you are watched, the process is more important and leading younger scouts in doing the work is required.  A good deed alone will not earn you the Eagle Scout rank.

V.                 Project Day

A.     Parental Involvement:  Parents are to be safety monitors, prepare donated food, run errands, take pictures, transport scouts and do minimal work!

B.     Eagle Candidate Involvement:  Lead, direct, encourage, explain and control, but do not do the actual physical work.  Your only tools are your project plans.

C.     Confirmed List of Volunteers: Who do you expect to show up.  This is necessary to help you plan for work groups and for refreshments.

D.     New schedule:  Provide updated plans to show that you have planned for the work day and are not just “winging it.”

E.      New design/installation: Provide new drawings to show others (your “crew leaders”) what you want to accomplish today.  .

F.      Safety and Training:  Plan for the talk and/or reminders at the work site.

G.     Make Sure Adults Understand Their Roles:  The adults are present to provide advice, do the “dangerous” work (defined by BSA policy), but not to run the show.  (That’s your job.)  Troop adults can help you address these issues with the adults, if necessary.