E-mail: FisherSP@twcny.rr.com

Last updated 4/9/2008

The Onondaga District Advancement Committee meets at the DeWitt Community Church on Erie Boulevard East across from the entrance to Shoppingtown in DeWitt. These sessions are usually conducted in the Church Library beginning at 7:00 PM normally on the 3^rd Thursday of each month, except in July and August.

Remaining dates for 2007/8 are Apr 17; May 15; and June 19

Additional sessions may be held as required to meet the needs of our District Scouts.

The District Advancement Committee conducts Eagle Boards of Review, Eagle Project Reviews, and administrates the District’s Merit Badge Counselor approval process.

Policies and Procedures of the Advancement Committee are issued by the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America and can be obtained at the Scout Office by requesting Guidebook #33088C “Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures.” This guidebook covers all aspects of the Advancement Process from Cub Scouts through to Venturing and should be used by all units.

Eagle Projects

Each Eagle Scout Candidate must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook No. 18-927. The workbook is available at the Scout Office or on the WEB at:

http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/eagleproject/dload.html

All projects must be approved by the District Committee prior to starting the actual work.

The project review, as conducted by the District Advancement Committee, is a process to determine if the project is “Eagle” caliber and if the candidate has an understanding of what he is undertaking and what steps are required for implementation. Much emphasis is placed on the fact that the role of the Eagle Candidate is to Plan the work, Organize the personnel needed, and Direct the project to its completion. His job is to give instructions, provide guidance and encouragement, assure the work is conducted safely, adjust schedules and requirements, and document the whole process. Documentation means maintaining detailed records of activities, manpower and expenses, plus a photographic record that will be used in his Project Write-up. There is no specific time (man-hour) requirement. However, the amount of time spent carrying out the project must be sufficient for the Eagle Candidate to clearly demonstrate his Leadership skills.

Eagle Board of Review

The Board of Review for an Eagle Candidate is composed of at least three but not more than six members of the District Advancement Committee. One member serves as chairman. The candidate’s unit leader may remain in the room, but does not participate in the Board of Review. In no case should a relative or guardian of the candidate attend the review, even as a unit leader.

There are no set questions that an Eagle candidate is asked. However, the Board must be assured of the candidate’s participation in all aspects of the Scouting program. This is the highest award that a boy may achieve and, consequently, a thorough discussion of his experiences and successes in Scouting should be considered. The decision of the Board of Review must be unanimous. If the candidate does not meet the requirements, he is told the reasons for his failure to qualify and asked to return at a later date.

Life to Eagle Seminar

Twice per year the Council sponsors a Life to Eagle Seminar, usually held at Council offices on Twin Oaks Drive. Life Scouts should attend this informative session to learn what is expected to become an Eagle Scout, and to get a "Ten Steps from Life to Eagle" booklet which includes an Application and a Service Project workbook.

Merit Badge Counselor Program

In order to become a Merit Badge Counselor you must submit a Merit Badge Counselor Information Sheet. This form is available at the Scout Office or on the Council Web Site.

http://www.cnyscouts.org/PDF%20Forms/mb_couns_inst.html

Also, a requirement of the Boys Scouts of America, National Headquarters, is that all Merit Badge Counselors must submit an Adult Application. This Application is required even if you are currently registered as an Adult Scouter.

If you are already an approved Merit Badge Counselor and are in the approved counselor database, then the only form that is required is the Merit Badge Counselor Information sheet. If you are not in the approved counselor data base, your request to be a Merit Badge Counselor will be returned with a letter explaining the registration requirements and an adult application for you to complete. If you have a question on your status as a merit badge counselor please contact Walt Shepard at:

woshepard@verizon.net

Requirements for each Merit Badge are available at the Scout Office or on the Web at:

http://www.meritbadge.com/home.htm

This site has Merit Badge work sheets, links for background and research, and guidelines for merit badge counselors.

Merit Badge Counseling guidelines and requirements are available at the Scout Office, through the District Advancement Committee, or on the Web at:

http://www.meritbadge.com/bsa/info/cnsling.htm

Important Considerations for Merit Badge Counselors:

ü Never meet alone with a Scout. Have at least one other person present (either another Scout or another adult) with each Scout at all instructional sessions.

ü Follow the requirements of the merit badge, making no deletions or additions (no more / no less), ensuring that the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all Scouts.

ü The Scout is to do exactly what is stated. If it says "show or demonstrate," that is what he must do. Just telling about it isn't enough. The same thing holds true for such words as "make," "list," "in the field," and "collect, identify, and label."

ü Talk with the Scout rather than examine him. There is a big difference, yet you can find out what the boy knows. Express honest enthusiasm for the things he has done, particularly if projects are involved. Your approval will give confidence to the Scout.

ü The skills of a subject can be taught to several Scouts at one time. This has a time advantage for you. However, the completing of the requirements always must be done on an individual basis.

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