Blue Elk District Advancement

Although it's not why we do what we do, it's nice to recognize those volunteers that work extra hard to ensure our youth have an amazing program. If you have someone in mind that you would like to see recognized for their hard work, please consider nominating them for one of the awards below.

District Award of Merit

The District/Division Award of Merit is awarded by a District or Exploring Division to volunteer and professional adults for service to youth in the District or Division. Normally, the award is presented for service to youth in excess of five years. A person may receive more than one District/Division Award of Merit, although there are no provisions for the wearing of a device or emblem officially to denote the second or subsequent awards. Unofficially, those Award holders that have received more than one may wear a small Universal device centered on the knot. The BSA has no records of any volunteer or professional earning the Award of Merit in more than two separate Districts or Divisions. Career members of the Boy Scouts of America may receive this award upon concurrence of the Council Scout Executive and the Director of Operations at the National office, BSA.

Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nomination disqualifies the candidate.

Requirements

• A nominee must be a registered Scouter.
• A nominee must have rendered noteworthy service to youth in Scouting, outside of Scouting, or both.
  • Note: The nature and value of "noteworthy service to youth" may consist of a single plan or decisions that contributed vitally to the lives of large numbers of youth or it may have been given to a small group over an extended period of time.
• Consideration must be given to the nominee's Scouting position and the corresponding opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the expectations of that Scouting position.
• The nominee's attitude toward and cooperation with the district, division, and/or council is to be taken into consideration.

Who Can Earn This Award?

Presented to registered adult volunteers by districts in the same manner that the Silver Beaver is, as a national award presented by councils; it is not appropriate to nominate a Scouter who has already received this award.

Note: To manually submit this form, you can fill the form out online and print or print the form and fill out manually, then submit to:

• Blue Elk District
• 10210 Holmes Road
• Kansas City, MO 64131

Nomination Form Online Submission

Scouter's Spirit Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize at the Annual District Dinner, Scouters who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. NOTE: Previous District Award of Merit recipients are not eligible for this award. Each unit may nominate only one individual each year. The suggested minimum criteria are that the individual has given significant and noteworthy service to scouting and is current in their completion of Basic Training.

Note: To manually submit this form, you can fill the form out online and print or print the form and fill out manually, then submit to:

• Blue Elk District
• 10210 Holmes Road
• Kansas City, MO 64131

Nomination Form Online Submission

Silent Service Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize at the Annual District Dinner, individuals who have given of themselves on behalf of the Scouting movement, but behind the scenes. The support should be noteworthy and significant and have required some personal sacrifice. Note: This award is intended to recognize individuals not registered with the Boy Scouts of America. This could include the special support provided by the spouse of a scout leader. Each unit should nominate no more than one individual each year.

Note: To manually submit this form, you can fill the form out online and print or print the form and fill out manually, then submit to:

• Blue Elk District
• 10210 Holmes Road
• Kansas City, MO 64131

Nomination Form Online Submission

Nominations for the Award

• An Eagle Scout, parents, or any registered BSA volunteer (with the Eagle Scout’s permission) may submit Eagle Scout service projects to their local council for consideration.
• On or before January 31 the nomination must be submitted to the NESA committee of the council in which the service project was completed.
• Example: An Eagle Scout who completed an Eagle Board of Review in 2023, must have their nomination in by January 31, 2024.

Evaluation Criterion

• Project planning required
• Effort to develop the project, taking into account challenges overcome by the Scout such as disability or limited financial capacity for the Scout/Scout family
• Extent and character of leadership provided by the Scout
• Extent of achievement of the planned result, including changes or modifications required to complete the project
• Project’s impact on the beneficiary and/or on the community at large
• Did the project create a “leverage opportunity” where it inspires others to expand the scope of the project
• Originality of the project
• Scope of the work
• Time and materials contributed
• Level of skill employed to complete the project

Note: This form cannot be submitted online. You can fill the form out online and print or print the form and fill out manually, then submit to:

• Blue Elk District
• 10210 Holmes Road
• Kansas City, MO 64131

Nomination Form

District Advancement helps units understand the advancement program and processes to ensure that the youth in the program are learning the information properly and being recognized in a timely manner for their knowledge growth in the Scouting program.

Reporting internet advancement is a requirement of the Boy Scouts of America. All units should select an advancement processor who is granted access with a council provided unit ID. It is recommended that units report advancements monthly to ensure timely credit for a youth's achievements.Click Here!

All advancement must be reported to local councils. This is important in keeping member records up to date and it assures an accurate count in the Journey to Excellence performance recognition program.

Visit the council's advancement page for more information on advancements.

When the Scout obtains the Rank of Life, the Troops Eagle Adviser begins providing guidance by discussing additional required merit badges, Eagle Projects, and any time limitations.

Project Approvals

1. When the Scout has a project ready for District review, the Troop Eagle Adviser makes sure the Scout has completed the "Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal".
2. You can access the online version of this form by going to the HOAC web site. Click Here
3. The completed proposal must be reviewed by the Troop leadership and has all three of the required signatures (Unit Leader, Unit Committee and Beneficiary).
4. For comments and approval by the District, the Scout needs to bring their signed and approved "Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal" in a three-ring binder on the fourth Thursday of each month to:
   1. Calvary Baptist Church
   2. 900 NW 22^nd St
   3. Blue Springs, MO 64015
5. It is recommended that the Scout bring their "Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal" between 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Eagle Boards of Review

1. When the Scout completes their service project and all other requirements for Eagle, the Scout completes the Eagle Scout Rank Application. The Scout then takes the Eagle Scout Rank Application to HOAC for final review, approval, and signature.
2. The Scout will complete their written statement of life ambitions and obtain reference letters from: parent; religious leader; principal or educator; two other references; and employer, if applicable. Please click on the link to access this form Life to Eagle Reference Letter.
   The reference letters are to be collected by the Troop Eagle Adviser or Troop Committee to make sure that they are in a sealed envelope. Please mark each envelope with the Scouts name, Troop number and who the reference letter is from, i.e. parent, educator, etc.
3. The Eagle Advisor or Troop Committee gathers all paperwork (Eagle Application, completed and signed Eagle Service Project Workbook, Certificate Return form, life ambitions and recommendation letter) and contacts the District Eagle Advisor.
4. Craig Jones will review all paperwork and will set up a time for the Eagle Board of Review on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00pm at:
   1. Calvary Baptist Church
   2. 900 NW 22^nd St
   3. Blue Springs, MO 64015
5. The troop will provide at least three individuals that are not the Scouts Parents, Assistant Scoutmaster, or Scoutmaster for the set time of the Eagle Board of Review.

Note: Please make sure that you are using the current forms mentioned above.

If you have any questions on the correct date of a form, please contact Craig Jones.