{"id":2234,"date":"2017-09-05T10:06:19","date_gmt":"2017-09-05T14:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/?p=2234"},"modified":"2017-09-05T10:06:19","modified_gmt":"2017-09-05T14:06:19","slug":"issue-543-september-5-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/2017\/09\/issue-543-september-5-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Issue 543 \u2013 September 5, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

________________________________________
\nJust a heads-up\u2026 I\u2019ll be traveling sans computer till September 22nd, so no columns on the 12th or 19th. But when I return I\u2019ll be personally answering every letter and there will definitely be a new column on the 26th!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

==========<\/p>\n

Hi Andy \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

From your August 29th column, I found the term \u201cthird world general\u201d hilarious and I aspire to be one someday! Enjoying your columns very much\u2014thank you. (Donna)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, yeah\u2026It\u2019s pretty funny, until you consider how \u201coffended\u201d those generals are gonna be
\n==========
\nDear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I received an email today from one of our troop\u2019s older Scouts, asking if it\u2019s still possible for him to reach Eagle Scout rank. He\u2019s 17 years old and will turn 18 on July 21, 2018. He\u2019s a Star Scout and needs three merit badges for Life along with a 6-hour service project, time in a position of responsibility, and teaching an EDGE skill to some of the younger Scouts. In addition, he\u2019ll need to complete these nine required merit badges (including three for Life rank): Camping, Cit-Community, Communication, Emergency Preparedness\/Lifesaving, Environmental Science\/Sustainability, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Swimming\/Cycling\/Hiking, and Family Life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So with his very short time-frame, is this doable and, if not, how do I tell him nicely that he has a very slim chance in making Eagle? He had been inactive for over a year and came back to attempt making it to Eagle. If he can’t make this happen, I\u2019ll be emailing him, his father, and several members of the troop committee, to cover all my bases. (Scoutmaster, Name & Council Withheld)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let’s tackle this in two parts: First, we’ll look at tenure; second, what needs to be accomplished…<\/p>\n

With his 18th birthday on July 21, 2018, this Scout will need to have his Life rank board of review absolutely no later than January 21, 2018 or he won’t have the required six months of tenure-in-rank. This means that he needs to have had his Star rank board of review on or before July 21 this year, in order to qualify for Star-to-Life tenure-in-rank. Anything less than these two dates means he won’t meet the tenure requirements for Life and, ultimately, Eagle.<\/p>\n

But even if this happens, there\u2019s no reason to stop learning and doing: he absolutely shouldn’t “abandon” further advancement, acquiring new merit badges, service to others, camping and other outdoor activities, or active participation. It simply means he\u2019ll likely come to the conclusion of his Boy Scout experience as a Life Scout\u2014which is nothing to be sneezed at! (Using the military for comparison, this would be akin to retiring as a Colonel instead of General…and there are an awful lot of very solid retired Colonels out there! In business, it\u2019s like retiring as a COO instead of CEO, which would still be considered a fabulous career!)<\/p>\n

Let’s assume the dates needed are okay, and that, as of the date you wrote to me (August 29th) he’ll have a total of six months’ tenure as a Star by January 21, 2018. If, however, he was inactive for the past year but was active as a Star for at least a couple of months prior to going inactive, he’s okay. If not, but he has valid reasons for his year of inactivity\u2014for example, a family “situation,” a highly demanding sports, music, theater, or other extracurricular activity schedule\u2014he can be offered a “bye” on the inactivity time, since these are perfectly legitimate reasons for Scouting to become a lower-priority activity. So I’m going to make the assumption here that this can be resolved.)<\/p>\n

Between now and a January 21 (or sooner, if possible) Life board of review, he needs to: [1] be active, [2] complete three of the nine merit badges you’ve listed, of which three (Family Life, Personal Fitness, and Personal Management) require three-months, [3] have held a position of responsibility (for six months, which might be a deal-breaker unless he’s already got a couple of months already), [4] complete six hours of service (including three hours of conservation-related service), [5] use the EDGE method to teach at least one Scout any of the eight options available for Life req. 6, and [6] have a conference with his Scoutmaster (which can be done at any time between now and January 21).<\/p>\n

Special note: If this Scout is indeed “short” in tenure in a position of responsibility (see Life req. 5), with his Scoutmaster\u2019s agreement and approval in advance he can “carry out a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project to help the troop.” (This is a sort of “get out of jail free” card that bypasses the six months’ tenure aspect of req. 5, designed for special situations among which this may be one.)<\/p>\n

Regarding service (see [4] above), keep in mind that the six hours of service need not be a single service project, or\u2014for the conservation part\u2014two projects. The requirement absolutely does not suggest or imply that this or these are “mini-Eagle projects.” It’s simply “six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster,” meaning that he can accumulate time helping out on other Scouts’ Eagle service projects, or a broader troop service project, or service through his school, religious institution, student service club (e.g., Interact, Key Club, etc.)…just so long as his Scoutmaster provides a go-ahead in advance.<\/p>\n

As for the merit badges, my own recommendation would be that he tackles the three 3-month merit badges immediately!<\/p>\n

Back to the timetable\u2026 He has almost five months to get items [1] through [6] completed before January 21, 2018. Even though he’s likely entering his junior or senior year of high school, THIS ISN’T IMPOSSIBLE! It does, however, demand MAKING A PLAN and STICKING TO IT.<\/p>\n

If he can do this and make it to Life rank in time, he has only a few merit badges to go, plus a leadership position (see Eagle req. 4), and, of course, a significant service project (see Eagle req. 5). For his service project, it’s important for him to know he doesn’t have to wait till, for instance, he’s completed all merit badges before starting his project. He can start work on his project the very morning after his successful Life rank board of review. (And, even right now, he can certainly start thinking about what he might like to do!)<\/p>\n

Bottom line: Yes, if the dates are okay this is eminently doable, and I’d absolutely encourage this Scout to go for it.<\/p>\n

Just one caveat: While I’ve come to know a heck of a lot about advancement and such, I’d strongly recommend that you find a local fellow Scouter\u2014like the chair of your district or council advancement committee\u2014and go over what I’ve outlined here, just to be sure that what I’ve said is accurate and in accordance with BSA policies and procedures.
\n==========
\nHi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

My Life Scout son just came home from a troop meeting, where he preliminarily described what he\u2019d like to do as an Eagle service project. He\u2019s already hit two roadblocks. His Scoutmaster told him that there needs to be \u201cconstruction\u201d of some sort involved, so that his project has lasting value. Then the troop\u2019s advancement chair told him that he needs to include a fund-raiser for the materials he\u2019ll need to build whatever he decides on.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As an Eagle Scout myself, I\u2019m pretty sure neither of these demands\u2014\u201cconstruction\u201d for lasting value and fund-raising\u2014are mandatory for a Scout\u2019s Eagle project. But I don\u2019t know where to find the right documentation (except for supporting my son and his younger brother\u2014a Webelos at the moment\u2014I\u2019m not an \u201cactive\u201d Scouter) or how to advise my son on how to overcome these obstacles\u2014if I\u2019m right about them, of course. Can you help me out here? (Phil Zastrow)<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a darned shame that the two people in a troop who should know better are both one hundred percent wrong! (When I think about how many Scouts before your son have been misdirected by these two ignorant yokels, smoke starts coming out of my ears!)<\/p>\n

As his father, you can be his advocate at the next meeting with that Scoutmaster and advancement guy or gal. Here\u2019s how to proceed\u2026<\/p>\n

Go online to www.scouting.org\/filestore\/pdf\/33088.pdf<\/strong> –then download and save it to an easily accessible file.<\/p>\n

Now, start by printing pages 67 and 68, with special attention to the top-left of 68: \u201cHe will be allowed, if he chooses, to have a parent, unit leader, or other adult present as an observer at any time he is discussing his proposal or project with someone who is reviewing it.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> This shows that it\u2019s your right to enter into a conversation, as your son\u2019s advocate, and to show these raisin-brains what\u2019s correct (and what isn\u2019t).<\/p>\n

Next, print page 72, and highlight this statement (left side, about the middle of the page): \u201cFundraising for an Eagle Scout service project shall not be required of any candidate.\u201d<\/strong> <\/em>Showing this in the meeting will kill the \u201cmust have a fund-raiser\u201d nonsense.<\/p>\n

Then print page 73, and highlight statement 3 in Topic 9.0.2.12: \u201cThere is no requirement a project must have lasting value.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> End of story on this one.<\/p>\n

Finally, print page 2 and highlight POLICY ON UNAUTHORIZED CHANGES TO ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM: \u201cNo council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, advancement requirements.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> This will silence any sort of \u201cwell in this troop…\u201d baloney.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the whole ball o\u2019 wax. Go for it \u2013<\/p>\n

Happy Scouting!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Andy<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Just to me at: askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you\u2019d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

[No. 543 \u2013 9\/5\/2017 \u2013 Copyright \u00a9 Andy McCommish 2017]<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

________________________________________ Just a heads-up\u2026 I\u2019ll be traveling sans computer till September 22nd, so no columns on the 12th or 19th. But when I return I\u2019ll be personally answering every letter and there will definitely be a new column on the 26th! ========== Hi Andy \u2013 From your August 29th column, I found the term \u201cthird […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2234"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2238,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2234\/revisions\/2238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}