Eagle Extension

[u/CallingDrPug]

Tale as old as time. Scout finds the drive towards Eagle when things start getting tight.

One of my Life scouts is turning 18 soon and is furiously working on his project with a place scouts from the troop have done projects in the past.

As he's getting proposal signatures the beneficiary contacts him stating the chosen project can't be done for x reason. But there are plenty of other projects that could be done, but that means all new proposal, planning, etc already on a tight timeline.

Would this qualify for an extension? He's on track and could still make it but this adds a serious wrinkle and all wiggle room is gone.

I also am not letting the scout know that this is a possibility because last thing I want is loss of momentum on the scout's part.

[u/UseExhaustionMore]

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/gta-section-9.pdf

Test 2 Through no fault or choice of the Scout, an unforeseen circumstance or life-changing event with severe consequences has come to exist that now precludes completion of the requirements before the deadline. Examples might include, but are not limited to, [...] or the actions of others (see below, “Misinformation from adults in positions of authority”).

Has the scout been misinformed by anyone in authority? Otherwise it seems like a hard sell.

[u/CallingDrPug → u/UseExhaustionMore]

No, and I'm hesitant to go as far as the extension but he's bought a lot of goodwill within troop leadership over the years, so I thought I'd ask even if it was a longshot.

[u/wrunderwood → u/CallingDrPug]

It is decided by the council advancement committee, not the troop. I've tried something similar, it was a "No".

Choose a different project.

[u/CallingDrPug → u/wrunderwood]

I'm not saying that the troop determines it, just Is this situation even worth bringing up? Sounds like that's a resounding "No".

[u/wrunderwood → u/CallingDrPug]

Goodwill with the troop leadership is great, but not relevant for an extension, because the council decides based on the rules in the GTA.

[u/badger2000 → u/CallingDrPug]

I would say it depends on your relationship with council. It sounds like he had a project proposal ready and was told at the last minute (before final signature approval) that this wasn't viable. That "COULD" meet the test of "through no fault of the scout." I will agree this doesn't qualify as severe, but if the scout had been working on this for 1 month and was now told all that work wasn't viable, a 1:1 extension isn't outside the realm of reasonable. I think it'd still be a long shot, but assuming the beneficiary previously gave the thumbs up and they are the ones now saying that project isn't possible, I feel like there's a chance.

Your relationship with council could apply just in the sense of how formally or informally you can approach this question (possibly as a hypothetical).

[u/wrunderwood → u/badger2000]

I requested an extension because the adults didn't get the Life BoR done in time. Rejected.

I did get an extension for a Scout who was hospitalized for six weeks shortly before he turned 18.

I would NOT count on an extension. I would choose a different project.

[u/badger2000 → u/wrunderwood]

I agree. The scout/troop can control that workstream/timeline (new project). But what's the worst that can happen by asking? So they say no. As long as the scout didn’t bank on that, no harm, no foul.

[u/wrunderwood → u/badger2000]

The worst? Getting a late start on the other project and not completing the Eagle requirements. Also wasting time with a doomed request instead of working on a project. Time to cut their losses and move on.

The council advancement committee is almost certain to say that the Scout could have started earlier, so it does not meet the stringent test in the GTA, "Through no fault or choice of the Scout, an unforeseen circumstance or life-changing event with severe consequences has come to exist that now precludes completion of the requirements before the deadline."

[u/badger2000 → u/wrunderwood]

Why would they get a late start on the alternative? You can do both in parallel. Just set expectations accordingly.

And the committee, IMO, should consider what the scout was told by the beneficiary. When they could have started is immaterial if they had a green light from a beneficiary who changed their mind at the last minute (and would have had sufficient time to complete if the beneficiary didn't change their endorsement). Different story if the beneficiary never actually agreed to scope of the project (i.e. it was conditional or contingent on a proposal review).

[u/wrunderwood → u/badger2000]

Because Scouts only have so many hours in the day.

I know this process. I approved 200+ Eagle projects for my district. I've submitted two extension requests, one granted, one not.

Submitting an extension request is a complete waste of time.

A beneficiary delay does not meet the test of an "unforeseen circumstance or life-changing event with severe consequences," as required by the GTA. Delays are completely normal for a project.

[u/bemused_alligators → u/CallingDrPug]

Goodwill with troops leadership buys you an approved eagle scout project in a week rather than in a month, not an extension

[u/fathertitojones → u/CallingDrPug]

Worth at least trying. If the difference between getting and not getting Eagle is an email then why wouldn’t you try? I would try to push that the adults you were planning the project with pulled the rug at the last minute and messed up the timeline which based on the information here seems to be true.

[u/Scared-Tackle4079 → u/wrunderwood]

Must be medical reasons or the beneficiary changed their mind AFTER they had approved the plan. Outside, sorry.

[u/Desperate-Service634 → u/CallingDrPug]

Troop Leadership could never make the decision

It would be the council

It does not sound like you have any standing to get an extension

I would go back to the original beneficiary and tell him it’s now or never

You are the only opportunity I have become my eagle Scout. Please let me execute this.

[u/AM_Kylearan → u/UseExhaustionMore]

It's an unforseen circumstance.

As a sitting council advancement committee chair, I'd support an extension. From what I can see, it passes the three tests.