Eagle Project - Business or Community Benefits

[RMM]

I would like your opinion. Eagle Projects can not benefit a commercial business. They need to benefit the Community, School, not be a fund raiser, not be of commercial nature, or not involve council properties or other BSA activities.

We have a medical group in town that is a 503c. They are located down the road from the town hospital. A Scout went to the group and convinced them to allow an outside area to be completely re-landscaped and a flag pole installed. The District Advancement Committee felt this benefited the community and approved it.

The medical group was very impressed with the scouts initiative in making the presentation to the Medical Group Board, obtaining donations, moving the exisiting plants to other areas, changing the watering system, putting in new sod and a light, and the flag pole. There was a Community presentation / dedication of the new flag pole with the Color Guard of the local AFB doing a flag ceremony - a grand community event.


Agiain, The Medical Group Board was very impressed with the Scout for taking the lead on this project and as they say "getting it done." They have other project ideas they would like to make available for other scouts. These other projects are not as "community involved" as the above project. I am not sure if they could be, it would depend on the project details and how the scouts plan the project. The District Advancement Committee approved the first project given it would benefit the Community with a new flag pole outside a building and bring the Community together.

Would other projects be allowed or should they not be allowed as they are being done for a commercial business - a medical group.

Thank you for your comments.

[Mrw]

If the medical group is a 503(c), then it is a non-profit and NOT a commercial business. Therefore if the project allows the scout to show leadership and provide a lasting value benefit (ie picking up litter would not qualify, but cleaning the garbage from an old dumping ground to restore a parkland would), then it should be a good project. Keep in mind that not all projects will be or even should be as public and visible as the landscaping and flagpole.

One of our scouts several years ago cleaned the warehouse and built racking to help organize a Volunteers of America furniture store room. Only visible to the people at the organization or to someone shopping there, but certainly a lasting value to the organization that allowed them to be more effective in their mission.

[smtroop168]

The new SOON TO BE RELEASED Guide to Advancement will change the rules on EPs for businesses allowing for flexibility subject to the approval of the DAC/CAC. It will basically say that the project beneficiary need not be a registered nonprofit. Some aspect of a business’s operation provided as a community service may also be considered. The test is whether the project primarily benefits the community, as opposed to the profits of the business.

[kwildman]

The new SOON TO BE RELEASED Guide to Advancement will change the rules on EPs for businesses allowing for flexibility subject to the approval of the DAC/CAC. It will basically say that the project beneficiary need not be a registered nonprofit. Some aspect of a business’s operation provided as a community service may also be considered. The test is whether the project primarily benefits the community, as opposed to the profits of the business.

Oh no...spouting off again about some document nobody but you has ever seen.

[smtroop168]

My email traffic suggests that there are many others (not just us reviewers) that have "seen" the GTA.

[Fred Johnson]

GTA? What's that? I think I might have heard rumors about it somewhere. ... but you know rumors ...

[Bill Pitcher]

Yes, and I asked for an autographed copy. Where is it?

[smtroop168]

Yes, and I asked for an autographed copy. Where is it?

GTA? What's that? I think I might have heard rumors about it somewhere. ... but you know rumors ...

It's close...wrapping up 2 changes. Going back to 50 days/nights for Camping MB with no summer camp credit and giving scout the option of earning 75 MBs instead of doing an Eagle project. All MBs must be earned in group settings at Summer Camps.

(hopefully no one believes this)

[RMM]

I think we all would like an authographed copy.

Of the 75 merit badges required if no project -- how many are Eagle Rerquired

[RMM]

Yes, and I asked for an autographed copy. Where is it?

GTA? What's that? I think I might have heard rumors about it somewhere. ... but you know rumors ...

It's close...wrapping up 2 changes. Going back to 50 days/nights for Camping MB with no summer camp credit and giving scout the option of earning 75 MBs instead of doing an Eagle project. All MBs must be earned in group settings at Summer Camps.

(hopefully no one believes this)

It would be a good way to encourage the older scouts to attend summer camp

[Bill Pitcher]

Of the 75 merit badges required if no project -- how many are Eagle Rerquired

Only Chess!

[RMM]

Of the 75 merit badges required if no project -- how many are Eagle Rerquired

Only Chess!

ROFLMAO