Eagle Project

[Hubert]

I am currently working on an Eagle project. It entitles collecting money donations to purchase 186 smoke detectors for thos students at my school.
We lost a student earlier this year, to a house fire. They didnt have a smoke detector. So now, I am trying to decrease the chance of that happening again.
Now my question is this, do you htink publicity for an Eagle project is bad? My school set everything up, and I was interviewed by four newspapers and one tv station. Do you tihnk its too much? All in all, it was what has helped me out so far, I need $3300 and in the first week, I have recieved 300$ and 12 new smoke detectors. Ao, I have to admit, it helped a lot. lol. But I would like to know what you think, please feel free to respond with anything, questions, comments, anything.

Thanks, yours in scouting,
Justin

[WeeWillie]

Justin

It is not what we think that matters, it is what your district Eagle Project Coordinator thinks that counts. Has your project been approved. It is certainly a worthy goal.

[riverwalk]

As a fireguy, I know that any publicity reaches more people. If they're served by the information, then it's a helpful thing. And yes, it's having your Project approved that will answer your question.

[Hubert]

My project has been aproved, and my school sprung the press up on me. I was just wondering if it was bad or not. I am getting mixed reactions from other troop members.

[mom2twoscouts]

usually for a project that is current and people can understand the benefit to the community. Given the loss your school suffered, I'm not surprised that they want to publicize this. Something along the lines of "didn't die in vain."

Good publicity is not only publicity for your project, it's a great way for the community to get to know scouts better. Yo uare representing not only yourself, but all scouts.

[coneyraven]

...and to comtinue the thought, if the press helps to enable you to reach your $3300 goal....then everybody wins.....

Mark

[FrankJ]

If the Eagle project stands on its own merits, then publicity is good. As the fire guy says anything to raise public awareness on this issue is good. When you do your project summary that would be a good side benefit to mention.

As for as the publicity try to steer it towards the goals of the project and not the fact that it is an eagle project.

[RWSmith]

My project has been aproved, and my school sprung the press up on me. I was just wondering if it was bad or not. I am getting mixed reactions from other troop members.

Justin,

First, welcome to the board.

Second, as you indicated, your project has been approved... If the school/press thing was not part of you original "master plan" [Mo-oo-oo-aa-ah-hh!], then you should show that in your final report. Show where your leadership skills enabled you to take advantage of an unexpected turn of events in relation to your project... Lemonade from lemons. You are to be congratulated, not criticized, for your mature handling of the school springing the press on you, and for handling the press as well as you did. [I'm assuming that, of course.]

Besides, it's your Eagle project. Unless the person criticizing your actions has already completed his Eagle project, --or, in the case of a UL, hatched an Eagle, or two-- he'd do well to keep his mouth shut... and learn from those who are walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

P.S. IAW the policies of this board, I have removed your last name from your signature file... once you turn 18, you can put it back, if you wish.

[jr56]

Sounds like a winning situation to me. The free publicity helps your cause, your project, and the BSA.

[Hubert]

OK, I was critized for it, but I did not let it bother me. I am taking this project head on, and am looking forward to a great project. I have been contacted by many groups, including the local radio stations, they wish to partner up and make this project bigger. They wish to help the whole county, that was a huge thing for me and am looking forward to it.

Thanks everyone for your input,
Justin

[Lynda J]

One word of caution. Don't let your project get so big you can't handle it.
Don't let it overpower you.

Like eating at the buffet. Our eyes can overrun our stomach

[jhawk]

I don't want to sound like this idea isn't a good one, but I was under the impression that a fundraiser as an Eagle project was not allowed....

[Hubert]

My council said because this is not for one person, its ok. BUt I am not letting this get too big, the project is still small, sticking with the school. Now, the radio station is teaming up with me, thats for them, my project is not changing for it, I will be assisting them in it. Thank you everyone for your input.

[Chief J]

I don't want to sound like this idea isn't a good one, but I was under the impression that a fundraiser as an Eagle project was not allowed....

You can perform fundraisers to earn the cash to fund your project, but they must meet BSA guidelines and be approved in advance (Our Council requires a Unit Money Earning Application) to be submitted as part of the Eagle Project if you are going to hold a fundraiser.

Chief J

[jhawk]

I thought the fundraiser WAS the project. He was raising money to buy smoke detectors. Again, I think it's admirable to provide detectors to save lives, but I just thought something like that couldn't be done as an Eagle project. Maybe a great service project to participate in, but it seems like raising money to buy something to hand out doesn't really show the leadership expected to be demonstrated in an Eagle project. Some projects are excellent for service hours but not really Eagle project material. Maybe that's why he is getting flack from others. Maybe since the local media is taking the project on, the scout is no longer seen as providing any leadership. It seems like Hubert was bouncing things off the board because he was getting some negative feedback. I'm just saying that maybe that is why.

[Hubert]

I am the one doing the project, and this was all discussed at my council, when the project was brought up. They tossed that idea around, that that was an issue, but they also said because this is not for one person, but for a group, its different. Also, I am working with other groups, who have said they will do anything. So far, we have 350$ in donations, and 46 detectors, a business has pledged to give me 100 more in the next week. Well folks, thanks for your input, please, keep them comming! It all helps me in the end, I can make the project better from this, thank you everyone.

[FrankJ]

One, if your council approved your project, that is all you need.

Two, My concern would be the 'show leadership' part. The project shouldn't be one scout contacting various organizations to raise money, but directing a group of people. Once again a question I sure was covered in the project application & will be asked during the BOR

[Hubert]

Yes, I understand the second one, but I am working with two groups, they are helping me with this. They are going around and asking, they are also assisting me in a bottle drive for this. So Im not doing everything, they do some part, and it helps a lot.

[Quailman]

I figured the leadership part would come into play when all the smoke detectors were acquired and the scout coordinated the effort to go to 186 houses and install them.

[Hubert]

That is the second half, because many people will be needed to install them, I will be leading them in doing so.