MARCH 23, 2021

[NO. 671 – 20TH YEAR OF HELPING SCOUTS, SCOUTERS, & PARENTS]

Hi Andy,

A local troop has invited me—their Unit Commissioner—to sit on a board of review for a young man destined to be their newest Eagle Scout. Is there any protocol issue with someone in my position (i.e., UC) to do this? I figure I meet the “fog a mirror” criterion, but is there something else that would prevent me from doing this that I don’t know about. By the way, yes, I’m an Eagle Scout myself (if that makes a difference). (Will Mitchell, Milwaukee Area Council, WI)

I get the humor, but please take the time to 86 that “fog a mirror” reference—it takes a lot more than that to sit on a board of review for Eagle rank. Those who invite you must be assured—whether you’re registered with the BSA or not, or an Eagle Scout or not—that you (1) are age 21 or older (of course you are, or you wouldn’t be a commissioner), (2) understand the significance of the Eagle Scout rank (yes, you are likely to meet this criterion), and (3) understand the purpose and importance of the review (do you?). All of this is quite a bit beyond the “mirror” reference (thank goodness!).

So yes, definitely do this if you meet all criteria—and I’ll bet you do! But be aware that this may or may not be true of all reviewers, so do you best to make sure this review is for the benefit of this Scout and not for the benefit of any reviewer’s ego. And enjoy it—this is the proverbial “top of the mountain”!
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Hi Andy,

I’m really confused by a new apparent “requirement” (although it says it’s not!) for carrying out service projects of any sort, by any Scout and BSA unit, up to and including the service project requirement for the Eagle Scout rank.

A recent “Scouting Wire” broadcast email blast from the national office states: “Prior to any service projects, use the SAFE Service Project Planning Checklist (680-027 2021 Revision) and simplified SAFE Project Tool Use Guidelines.”

The “Tool Use Guidelines” text and chart are essentially the same as what you’ll find in the BSA’s GUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING.

But the “Project Planning Checklist” looks to be brand-new, and it’s weird. It states that it “can” be used, and the BSA defines the term “can” as meaning “optional.” It also states that this checklist “…is not an added requirement for an Eagle Scout service project.” Okay so far. But then the form calls the checklist “protocols,” and this has a very different connotation from “optional.” In fact, the form states: “If it is not practical to meet these protocols, do not conduct the activity or service project.” That seems like pretty strong language for something that’s “optional.”

Further reading doesn’t clear anything up, because there seems to be stuff missing. There’s no place to enter the number or type of unit, or any of the unit leaders, or the planned date(s). More, there’s no indication that this checklist is supposed to be sent to anyone or signed off by anyone.

Also, the document has a check-box for “Supervision” that states: “Youth are supervised by quality and trustworthy adults who set the example for safety.” What? What happened to “Two-Deep Leadership” and the incumbent qualifications for this?

Unless you can help me by telling me different, I have to assume that—once again—the BSA’s left-hands have no idea what the right-hands have already done. Which, to me, makes this form total baloney—just another piece of meaningless paper that we volunteers are supposed to diddle with, to no real purpose. Please straighten me out and tell me I’m wrong. (Chap Ellhille, SM, Winston-Salem Area Council, NC)

I’ve found and read both documents, with particular attention to the checklist. In reviewing your observation relative to that form, I can’t find anything you’ve said that’s based on missing or misinterpreting what that form says (and doesn’t say). This means I have no reason to alter anything you’ve pointed out. Yes, it’s indeed a weird form, and it does contain strange instructions and omissions. Not having a direct resource in Irving, Texas, I can’t offer you a path to pursue this further. I think where I net out is that it’s indeed an optional form that you may find useful, but beyond that, I don’t see any sort of “path” for it to travel except to your troop’s file, perhaps for future reference.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive!
Happy Scouting!
Andy
I personally answer every message I receive. There’s no “writing staff”—just me. When writing, please include your name & council. If you’d rather be anonymous—if published—just tell me and I’ll honor that. Although these columns are copyrighted, you have my okay to quote or reproduce any column or part, so long as it’s attributed: “Ask Andy” by Andy McCommish.

[No. 670– 3/16/2021 – Copyright © 2021 Andy McCommish]