A New Direction for the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Hank Voegtle wrote: I've finally taken the time to look at Fall 1998 "Eagletter." In that issue National Eagle Scout Association ("NESA") President Robert Gates wrote of three initiatives that NESA plans to undertake. First, NESA plans to undertake a program to locate Eagle Scouts both on a local and national level. This program has two major aspects, an effort to compare council lists with national lists and vice versa. Also NESA plans to undertake computerization of existing Eagle records--"from deteriorating microfilm and paper records...." The second initiative will be "to establish NESA committees in those councils lacking one, and to strengthen committees that already exist." Mr. Gates continues by stating that the purpose of council committees is two-fold: recognition and resources. Recognition comes from assisting the local council in honoring new Eagles. As a resource NESA is to provide support for council programs. Finally, NESA proposes a program entitled "Eagles Helping Eagles." This is essentially a mentoring program, complete with a parenthetical notation concerning youth protection guidelines. To me, the "problem" with this three part initiative is the second part. I realize that NESA is not and should not be a second Order of the Arrow. I am also aware of the problems that led to disbanding of local chapters and the deemphasis of NESA. And I feel strongly that NESA should stand for something more than the National Eagle Scholarship Awards. But the questions are who runs NESA and whether its role should be decided nationally or locally? Currently, the "leadership" of NESA is (or appears to be) in a Board of Regents consisting "of more than 400 holders of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award." In the time I've been a member I've not seen any announcements of meetings of the Board of Regents, which I would presume would be open meetings, not closed meetings. From what I've gathered, the Board of Regents, if it meets, serves as a rubber stamp for the desires of the National professional staff. To the extent that NESA is neither a boy led organization (compared with the Order of the Arrow) nor not an adult organization, this seems to be the best solution. But it would seem that the National NESA leadership should let the organization develop locally as the members see fit. To reduce a local organization to a "committee" continues the oligarchical leadership. Recognition is a laudable goal, but how is it to be done. In 1968, when I received my Eagle my council had about 150 Eagles. It was possible for the council advancement committee to have an annual dinner. The council that I'm in now has nearly 400 Eagles per year, and my district has well in excessive of 50 Eagles per year. Under those circumstances it is much more practical for Eagle recognition to occur as reception on a council-wide basis or as a dinner on a district basis. With all respect to Mr. Gates, proposing initiative is one thing, but to me first NESA needs to know where its going. Rather than the initiatives, I would have preferred to see a strategic plan. Not having seen one, I have prepared one, borrowing heavily from the Order of the Arrow's. Let me know what you think THE NATIONAL EAGLE SCOUT ASSOCIATION'S BLUEPRINT FOR GREATER SERVICE TO SCOUTING OUR VISION: To recognized and utilize Scouting's "Best" To be an integral part of every council To maintain our service, activities, adventures and training for youth and adults as models of quality programming and leadership development that enrich, enhance and support Scouting To help extend Scouting to more of America's youth. OUR STRATEGY: INCREASED ORGANIZATION WIDE SERVICE In support of its vision, the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) intends to dramatically increase the level of service provided to councils and the national organization to assist the BSA in fulfilling its mission to serve our nation's youth. For more than 25 years the NESA has provided opportunities for service to Scouts and adults who have earned Scouting's highest rank. NESA intends to call upon these individuals to do substantially more to assist councils in helping our young people better understand and "live" the Scout Oath and Law. In addition, the organization will expand its scope beyond scholarships in the years to come to include greater emphasis on leadership development, membership extension, and adventure related programming, as well as broader assistance to Scouting and the local community. Consistent with this philosophy, the phrase "Scouting's Best." will be adopted. Such a slogan is intended to broaden the perception of NESA's commitment of service to Scouting NESA's operational effectiveness will be enhanced to better serve our councils and membership. Specific initiatives will help strengthen and focus the work of sections to better support councils, improve communication throughout our organization and provide additional program resources to our members. OUR IMPLEMENTING ACTIONS: To achieve its vision, the National Eagle Scout Association intends to implement specific actions. To be recognized as and to recognize "Scouting's Best" To better position NESA and its members as "Scouting's Best" we will strengthen our focus on the achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout, as related to the individual and to leadership. We will structure activities within local councils in a manner that provides the most utility of NESA members to the council in order to enhance our program. We will initiate publications and training to reflect our vision and the various components or this plan. A new Program Resource Book will be produced annually, with suggested training sessions and ideas focused around BSA and NESA priorities and program emphases. We will expand NESA's presence on and use of the Internet. To be an integral part of every council We will take the lead in developing meaningful, significant service projects to support Scouting in every council. We will design recognition awards focusing greater attention on the members' relationship with the council and overall support of the council's mission of service to youth, in addition to the current recognition for life achievements. We will redefine and enhance the role of the national organization to include a monitoring/ mentoring relationship with councils designed to promote greater service to councils. We will improve the information and communication about NESA provided to professional Scouters, from entry level to Scout Executives. To maintain our service activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults as models of quality programming and leadership development that enrich, enhance, and support Scouting. Broader Service to Scouting and the Community We will establish programs to mentor Scout troops, assisting them to develop better quality and more creative programming, especially outdoor, high adventure experiences. We will give leadership to significant national, regional and local Scouting and community service projects We will expand the financial grants provided to local councils. We will assist Scouts with financial need to ensure their participation in Scouting's experiences, including long term camp Leadership Development We will develop and present a new interactive course in Leadership skills targeted at younger Scouts, to be introduced nationally, for presentation in every council as a special program offered by the Order. We will assist in the recruitment of the best possible adult leaders for Scouting.. To help extend, Scouting to more of America's youth We will implement a membership growth program nationwide, helping councils in reaching and serving more boys. We will provide resources to help councils, mount a public relations campaign conveying the many positive attributes of Scouting. (My Followup to Hank's great posting is here) Settummanque!