You’ve Passed the Board of Review Now What?

1. You’ve Passed the Board of Review Now What? • Once the Eagle Scout has passed his Eagle Board of Review the planning process should start. • The time-frame for planning an Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony Usually takes a minimum of 6- 8 weeks.

2. Who Would Be Good Troop Representatives • SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH SCOUT, HIS PARENTS AND TROOP REPRESENTATIVES (Eagle COH Planning Committee) • Troop Representatives could be Leaders/Committee members i.e. advancement chair, Eagle advisor, scoutmaster & assistant scoutmaster’s also parents that have been through the process with there son’s Eagle COH.

3. NEXT STEPS • Set date and time for Eagle COH • Verify date is clear on Troop calendar & Verify that critical participants are available for Eagle COH date • Eagle Scout and Parent(s) • Scoutmaster • Advancement Chair • Secure location & Visit location to check facilities • Be sure to get a confirmation In writing from Representative of facility in charge of scheduling

4. Awards Needed • Order all awards such as Eagle award kit, which includes Eagle medallion, patch, mother pin, father pin & mentor pin • Also order any other recognitions I.e. US flag, frame for certificate, NESA membership or other recognitions (Possible Gifts from Troop) • You can request a flag to be flown over the US Capital. This is done by going on to one of the Senators WebPages (Usually by one of the troop representatives)

5. National Eagle Scout AssociationNESA • The National Eagle Scout Association serves and supports those who have attained Scouting's highest rank.  • They publish a newsletter that keeps Eagle Scouts informed about special opportunities for scholarships and special recognitions. • Sometimes troops or possibly family members will purchase a $20 special membership for new Eagle Scouts • A lifetime membership is also available which sometimes a family member may be interested in getting for the scout For $250 (Be sure to communicate this with troop to avoid multiple memberships) NESA web link: www.nesa.org

6. Letters of Commendation 1 of 2 It is common practice to write to a variety of government celebrities, and others to request Commendation letters for a new Eagle Scouts. • You will need to have the date of the ceremony along with location, start time and about a quarter page write up describing the scouts Eagle project (The scout is to provide this to the committee) • Usually the Advancement Chair of the Troop Committee will write requesting letters of commendation for the Eagle Scout But sometimes troops ask family members to assist or help with cost . • Usually letters are written to: • President of the United States • Vice President of the United States • Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff • Governor • United States Senator(s) • United States – House of Representatives • If you would like additional letters written to officials other than those listed above (e.g. Minister, Rabbi, Bishop, Pope), please supply the Advancement Chair with the names and address. • A lot of Troops will also send request letters to branch of the military, some corporations and other political or famous figures • It usually takes at least 6-8 weeks to receive these letters back from the various politicians and officials.

7. Letters of Commendation 2 of 2 Some Possible Starting Point • http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm • http://www.eaglescout.org/finale/coh/invite.html#Community/government%20invitation%20list%20ideas • http://www.eaglescout.org/finale/coh/invite.html#Invitations • Here is a link with a good example letter to send requesting a certificate or letter of achievement from our community, state, and federal leaders. • http://www.eaglescout.org/finale/coh/invite.html#Eagle%20Commendation%20Letters

8. Put together the Invitation ListWho Should I Invite • The invitation list needs to be a priority so the materials can be printed and ready to send out • Some ideas of people you might want to consider inviting would be • Your unit • Past leaders, including leaders you had in Cub Scouts • Family: this should include mom, dad, siblings, and could include aunts, uncles, cousins especially if they were part of your scouting career and any of them that you know are Eagle Scouts • Friends • Merit badge counselors that worked with you • Members of your Eagle board of review • Council/District Representatives • Governor • United States Senator • United States –Representative • Mayor • Other local officials such as Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs especially if they have been supportive over the years of the program which most of them usually are

9. Eagle Scout Invitations • Order the Eagle Scout Program Covers for the Court of Honor Ceremony. The one show our official BSA from Scout shop. • Some people prefer homemade which are totally acceptable but need to be well done. • Invitations should be mailed a MINIMUM OF 4 WEEKS before the ceremony. • Electronic invitation can be sent but should be limited to troop members that are used to this type of communication. Everyone else including all participants of the court of honor should receive printed invitations. • Here's a link for a few more official BSA invitations http://www.scoutstuff.org/catalogsearch/result/?q=Eagle+invitations

10. Things to Remember To Put On the Invitation • The (Family Last Name) Family and Boy Scout Troop # Cordially Invite You to Attend The Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony to Recognize (Scout’s Name) Who Has Risen to The Rank of Eagle Scout • Date of Ceremony • Time of Ceremony • Place of Ceremony (complete address) • RSVP Information (Phone, email address) • Reception Following Ceremony (If you're having a reception be sure to list some details i.e. are you going to feed them, should they come hungry)

11. Eagle Scout Ceremony Scripts1 of 2 • The scout needs to determine what program he wants at his Eagle Court of Honor • There are predesigned Court of Honor ceremony Templates that can be used as a starting point for designing your individual ceremony. • To locate simply do a web search for Eagle ceremonies and you will come up with many to choose from. • You can find some good templates at: http://www.eaglescout.org/finale/coh/coh.html

12. Eagle Scout Ceremony Scripts 2 of 2 • Your troop may also have a binder of previous courts of honor that you could look through as well ( something I recommend all units put together) • The Scout can combine parts from several templates into a custom one for himself. • These templates come complete with ceremony scripts, poems, prayers, etc. already added.

13. Features of A Good Eagle Ceremony 1 of 3 • The ceremony should have a crisp definitive opening. • A proper introduction of the Eagle Scout candidate should be made by someone or some group the Scouts in the Troop respect. • A complete and easy to understand explanation should be made regarding what must be accomplished to Earn the Eagle Scout rank. • Details from the Scouts Eagle project should be included) • The Eagle candidate should reaffirm his belief in the ideals of Scouting by reciting the Scout Oath and participating in the Eagle charge.

14. Features of A Good Eagle Ceremony2 of 3 • The presenter should be someone of special significance to the Eagle candidate. • The presenter should be given a few moments to speak concerning the individual Scout or the Eagle Award. • Both the mother and father should receive some recognition from the Eagle Scout himself. • The Eagle Scout should receive congratulations from all people involved

15. Features of a Good Eagle Ceremony3 of 3 • Some of the letters of congratulations may be read to those present • The Eagle Scout should be given the opportunity to say a few words if he is inclined to do so. • Eagle Scout needs to have a prewritten speech for presenting his mentor pin/pins • The ceremony must have a definite closing.

16. Now your location & program so you can determine what supplies are needed • Some supplies you may be looking at • Table covers/ buntings(Check with Council) • Eagle box/display, Wall hanging, Podium decoration and so forth (Check with Council) • Candles, Candleholders • Other ceremony details, props, public address system, decorations & refreshments • The Eagle candidate and his family should designate an award presenter who should then be contacted and there participation firmed up. • Don’t forget to designate a Photographer / Videographer for the event!

17. Time to Start Recruiting • Determine the positions you need to fill the roles • I recommend starting with finding a really good MC • Determine how many presenters you will need and recruit them • Most ceremonies involve other scouts. Decide on which roles you will be using scouts then it’s time to recruit them • Talk directly to the scout your asking to participate one-on-one to see if he is willing to take part in your ceremony • Confirm with all participants a couple weeks before ceremony ( the parents of the scouts that are participating should also receive the reminder)

18. Creating anEagle Scout Publicity Plan 1 of 3 There are basic steps to follow in publicizing an Eagle Scout BIOGRAPHY: Obtain detailed biographical material of the Eagle scout and create a 4"x 5" (or larger) black and white Glossy & color photo, (some newspapers take their own photos.) Include Scouting honors and leadership positions, education, church, civic and school activities, and include the troop number and the Scoutmaster's name. Don't forget to list What the Eagle project was!

19. Creating anEagle Scout Publicity Plan 2 of 3 CONTACTS: Prepare a mailing list of the newspapers in your council, district, and unit area. Think of daily, weekly, religious, school newspapers, business and church organizations in your area. PREPARE PRESS RELEASE: Prepare a one page double-spaced news release from the biographical material. This should be typed on a standard 8 1/2"x11" sheet of white paper.

20. Eagle Scout Publicity Tips3 of 3 • Always use exact dates, give age of the Scout, name the chartered organization and above all spell every word correctly. • Remember the six points to emphasize : Who... What... When... Where... Why... and How. Get all those points into the first two or three sentences. • Address and mail all news releases to the editor of your local newspaper and newsletters at least two weeks in advance of the presentation. Some News outlets may ask for more or less time, work with them not against them

21. Court of Honor Reception1 of 4 • Plan for the reception to be 1 – 2 hours in length. • Make reservations for a reception area far enough in advance. • Arrange to have Troop adults assistance in serving refreshments. • No more than cake and drinks are necessary • The scout & his parents can have as much or as little as he wants with the understanding that the financial responsibility falls to the scout and family.

22. Court of Honor Reception2 of 4 The reception is a good time and place to show all recognitions and awards that were handed out at the ceremony. And any other awards/projects throughout his entire scouting career yes this includes Cub Scouts if available

23. Court of Honor Reception3 of 4 Also display a 'memory board' of the honoree’s involvement with Scouting as well as the book detailing his Eagle Project work.

24. Court of Honor Reception4 of 4

25. Gift Giving • Court of Honor guests should not feel obligated to come with Gift in hand. • Family members and close friends may turn to you for advice on what to bring, Emphasize their presence is all that's needed • If someone insists they want to get a gift here are some good places to start looking for gift ideas, BSA Council Scout shop or they can go online at www.scoutstuff.org • Once your Eagle Scout application is processed you will more than likely receive various solicitations directly from BSA National for various Eagle mementos.

26. Ceremony Pit Falls To Avoid1 of 2 Remember the small items that are often overlooked • Get a supply of fresh candles. The Eagle ceremony is a big enough event to warrant fresh candles. • Make sure you have matches or a working lighter available. • Check the PA system immediately before the start of the ceremony. • Did you designate a photographer / videographer?

27. Ceremony Pit Falls to Avoid2 of 2 • Check all props before the start of the ceremony. • Remind the Eagle parents that their son will be pinning awards on them also. They should dress in a way to facilitate this. • Be sure Eagle award kit is ordered right away. Remember these come from National Via Scout shop. • Prior to the ceremony, DETACH the badge and pins from the presentation box.  This can be a little tricky, and trying to figure it out for the first time in the middle of the ceremony interrupts the flow and pacing of the ceremony. • PLEASE REHEARSE THE CEREMONY, You want people to walk through and read their lines ahead of time so they are more comfortable so the ceremony runs smoothly

28. Little Reminders • When the planning is complete, it is essential that all key people understand their roles in the arrangements and in the ceremony itself. • Periodic rechecking to make sure that preparation in all assignment areas are progressing on schedule is a good idea. • The presenter and any other guests who will have a speaking part in the award presentation should be contacted directly. • Presenters all should have their own copy of the program where they can highlight their area so they are not stumbling around looking for when it’s time to speak • Those who are participating should know precisely how the entire Court of Honor is to take place. • Everyone should understand where and why they fit in.

29. Court of Honor Step-By-Step 1 Time-frame for planning Ceremony should take a minimum 6- 8 weeks. 2 Schedule A Meeting With Scout, His Parents And Troop Representatives 3 Set date and time for COH 4 Verify date is clear on Troop calendar 5 Secure location & Visit location to check facilities 6 Make reservations for a reception area, Especially if different location than ceremony 7 Send confirmation letter to person in charge of location 8 Order all awards 9 Order Awards i.e. NESA membership, plaque, engravings 10 Optional: Request flag to be flown over the US and/or State Capital 11 Solicit congratulatory letters from public officials, etc. 12 Put together an invitation list 13 Order or make invitations

30. Court of Honor Step-By-Step 14 Pick out program and prepare script (samples on web) 15 Order needed supplies from council (awards, program covers, Eagle box etc.) 16 Recruit master of ceremonies and presenters 17 Recruit volunteers to coordinate any other support functions 18 Designate a Photographer / Videographer for the event 19 Mail invitations four weeks prior to ceremony 20 Scout and family needs to prepare display usually at Set up at reception 21 Begin promoting the event within the Troop 22 Recruit parents and Scouts to serve I clean up at reception 23 Order cake for reception 24 Order reception supplies i.e.. Food, punch, mints, nuts, paper products 25 Order any additional refreshments 26 Have programs printed

31. Court of Honor Step-By-Step 27 Mail press releases. Include black & white photo. 28 Distribute scripts to presenters 29 Call Troop families to promote attendance at COH 30 7 days prior to ceremony verify all props, materials & awards etc. are in hand 31 One week prior have a complete walk-through practice 32 2 days out Confirm access to building & check facilities 33 2 days Eagle Scout and Parent(s) Confirm attendance of all presenters 34 Position greeters at the door(s) 35 Check with all presenters one last time 36 Set up and decorate room(s) 37 Make sure all awards and other props are in place 38 Check all audio visual equipment & microphones 39 Reserve seats for presenters, the honoree and VIPs

32. Court of Honor Step-By-Step 40 Set up refreshments 41 Practice day of event, To be completed at least one hour prior to ceremony 42 THE DAY! I ENJOY YOUR SPECIAL DAY! THE COURT OF HONOR 43 Clean up 44 ‘1 to 7 days after Eagle Scout and Parent(s) write-ups (with pictures to paper 45 7 days after Eagle Scout and Parent(s) Send thank-you notes

33. Awards & supplies Possibly Needed

34. This Concludes the Eagle Court Of Honor Presentation Presented by: Tom Cline zamman@mhtc.net