How to get the signatures
- 1Finalize the proposal in the current workbook.
- 2Get the beneficiary's approval — confirm the organization wants it and have their representative sign.
- 3Get the unit leader's (Scoutmaster's) approval.
- 4Get the unit committee's approval — the committee chair can sign for the committee.
- 5Get council/district approval — contact your district or council for the final sign-off.
- 6Only now begin fundraising and work — never before all four are in.
The four approvers
- The beneficiary — a responsible representative of the organization the project helps; often the sensible first signature.
- The unit leader (usually the Scoutmaster) and the unit committee (the committee chair may sign on its behalf).
- The council or district — the final approval, usually obtained by contacting your district/council after the first three. No required order for the first three, but council/district is last.
Notes & integrity
- All four approvals before any work or fundraising is a firm rule — skipping or back-dating approvals can invalidate the project.
- Start the approvals early — the council/district review and committee scheduling take time; leave weeks of margin.
- Keep the signed proposal — it's part of the workbook the board of review examines.
- Only the Proposal needs these four — the Final Plan is developed after and reviewed by a project coach, not formally re-approved.
Going deeper
- Four signatures, one rule: before you start. Beneficiary, Scoutmaster, committee, council/district — all of them before a single work hour or fundraising dollar.
- Council/district is last. The first three can happen in any order, but the official gate comes last and can take the longest.
- Approvals ≠ the final plan. Only the proposal needs these signatures; the detailed final plan comes after, reviewed by your coach.
Official source
Eagle Scout — Scouting America →The approval process is paraphrased. Verify the exact approvers and the "before any work including fundraising" rule against the current Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook and Guide to Advancement; local procedure varies.