Issue 577 – October 4, 2018

________________________________________
The BSA has just published a statement related to new members of SCOUTS BSA and how this will relate to rank advancement. You may already have been alerted to this via direct contact or through your local council, so consider this “back-up” to that notification. Here it is, in full, from the BSA. Please note that words (in parentheses) or [in brackets] are mine and not the BSA’s:

IMPLEMENTION DETAILS on TEMPORARY TRANSITION RULES for
FEMALES ENTERING SCOUTS BSA

On February 1, 2019, the Boy Scouts of America will begin admitting girls into Scouts BSA. One of the characteristics of Scouting—for over a hundred years—is that no matter when you join, however long you stay, or the rank you attain, the Scouting experience prepares you for life. And for some, the pinnacle of their Scouting experience is achieving the highest rank of Eagle Scout.

The policies of the BSA indicate that, except in extraordinary circumstances, a youth desiring to achieve the rank of Eagle must do so before the youth’s 18th birthday. This will continue to be our policy.

It is in the interests of the entire BSA, and in fact our nation, that all girls who join the BSA in 2019 should have an opportunity to earn (the Eagle Scout rank) should they diligently and promptly complete all requirements. Accordingly, after carefully considering recommendations from stake-holders, including feedback from volunteers and professionals at the 2018 Top Hands meeting, the National Executive Committee of the Boy Scouts of America has approved the following temporary transition rules regarding extensions for youth over 16 but not yet 18 years of age on February 1, 2019 to complete the requirements for the Eagle Scout (rank).

To preserve the integrity of the Eagle Scout Award, no exceptions to or waivers of any of the requirements for the Eagle Scout (rank) are permitted under this limited exception, and all requirements must be completed while the individual is a registered member of Scouts BSA, or after achieving the First Class rank in Scouts BSA (as specified in the BSA GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT).

Since the BSA has determined that the minimum period of elapsed time to complete the requirements of the Eagle Scout rank is approximately 19-20 months, the extension is not available to any youth who is under 16 years of age on February 1, 2019 (as they will have adequate time to earn their Eagle [rank] before turning 18) nor to any youth who has already turned 18 years of age on February 1, 2019 (as they will be ineligible to join Scouts BSA).

1. Youth 16 years of age or older, but not yet 18, on February 1, 2019 who register as members of Scouts BSA on or before December 31, 2019, may request extensions to complete the Eagle Scout (rank) requirements after they turn 18 years of age.

2. Requests for extensions must be received no later than thirty (30) days after turning 18 years of age. Extensions must be in writing by submitting the designated form to the National Service Center and the form must be received no later than January 7, 2020. Only the National Council may grant extensions. The actual extension will be based upon the individual’s registration date and age at the time of the request and will provide not more than 24 months from the date of initial registration to complete all requirements.

3. In the interest of fairness, these temporary transition rules apply to all youth joining Scouts BSA during 2019–both girls and first-time joining boys.

Recognition
In keeping with established policy, the Eagle Scout rank is earned when the candidate’s award has been approved by the National Council. The BSA will not recognize a first female Eagle Scout to avoid potentially introducing
incentives for leaders, troops or Scouts to prioritize expediency or engage in behavior counter to Scouting’s values.

Instead, the BSA will officially recognize our Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts in the fall of 2020, providing young women who join Scouts BSA the needed time to complete all requirements. This Inaugural Class will be celebrated nationally and collectively commemorated.

It is our hope and expectation that local units will ensure substantial individual recognition of their first female Eagle Scouts in a manner befitting their great accomplishments.

FAQs
Q: Is the BSA changing the Eagle Scout requirements for girls joining Scouts BSA in 2019?
A: No – the Eagle Scout rank requirements are not changing.

Q: Can troops, districts or councils amend or adjust the requirements/ process?
A: No. Eagle Scout requirements are set by the National Council and cannot be adjusted by a troop, district or council. In fact, the Eagle Scout rank is earned when it is approved by the National Council.

Q: Will work completed while girls participated unofficially before the introduction of Scouts BSA count towards Eagle requirements?
A: No. To preserve the integrity of the Eagle Scout Award, all requirements must be completed while the individual is a registered member of Scouts BSA, or after achieving the First Class rank in Scouts BSA (as specified in the BSA GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT, an individual after earning First Class rank in Scouts BSA may transfer primary membership to Venturing or Sea Scouts and continue to work on Eagle Scout requirements).

Q: Will work that female Venturers or Sea Scouts completed count toward Eagle rank requirements?
A: To preserve the integrity of the Eagle Scout (rank), all requirements must be completed while the individual is a registered member of Scouts BSA, or after achieving the First Class rank in Scouts BSA (as specified in the BSA GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT, an individual after earning First Class rank in Scouts BSA may transfer primary membership to Venturing or Sea Scouts and continue to work on Eagle Scout requirements).

Q: Will camping nights from current Venturing and Sea Scouts that count for requirements for the Order of the Arrow, also count for the Eagle Scout rank?
A: No.

Q: Will this extension always be available for all youth that enter Scouts BSA?
A: No. These are temporary transition rules and will not be available to any youth who is under 16 years of age on February 1, 2019 as they will have adequate time to earn the Eagle (Scout rank) before turning 18.

Q: Can the first female Eagle Scout be identified based on the earliest board of review date?
A: No. The Eagle Scout rank is earned when it is approved by the National Council; that date will be noted to recognize this inaugural class.

If you have any additional questions, be sure to contact your local district or council advancement chair or committee.

Happy Scouting!

Andy

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Write to askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you’d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that’s what we’ll do.)

[No. 577 – 10/4/2018 – Copyright © Andy McCommish 2018]