This post is not a news release or story, it is my personal opinion…

I have for the past few months, after seeing a promotion for it on the National Eagle Scout Association website, been excited for the release of myNESA.org. I was a little turned off by the online shadow box format it appeared to be taking, but was excited that it appeared NESA and the BSA had established a social media type website to allow Eagle Scouts to connect. Just think of the possibilities! Unfortunately after seeing the myNESA.org I have once again been disappointed by NESA and the BSA’s attempt at social media.

Being advertised as an online Eagle Scout shadow box, the premiere online showcase for Eagle Scouts and their families, here is the description I received:

As part of the 100th anniversary of Scouting celebration, The National Eagle Scout Association is introducing an interactive website that will allow you to celebrate your Scouting stories and awards and preserve them for family and friends to enjoy. In essence, myNESA.org produces an “interactive shadowbox” for the display and preservation of your Scouting experience. Your participation will help spread the spirit of Scouting to new Scouts while also helping us carry out our mission of service.

Your showcase can be personalized to reflect your personality and interests. Various themes are available and you can choose from over 300 interactive Scouting awards, badges, and insignia to add to your showcase. Not only can background stories be associated with each award, but you can:

Preserve memories
Celebrate Scouting highlights
Customize showcase skin & Design
Upload photos
Print Awards
Invite friends to view awards, badges, stories and more!

Sounds great doesn’t it? Why wouldn’t you want to sign up and share your story and “spread the spirit of Scouting?” For most the answer will be $14.95 (NESA members) or $19.95 (non-members). The signup page forgets to mention it, but according to the FAQ that is only for a year’s subscription to the service.

Why isn’t this service being offered for free? Why isn’t NESA spreading the stories of Scouting for free? Why isn’t NESA allowing Eagle Scouts to reconnect and network for free? Does anyone at the National organization understand that if we share the story of Scouting, it’s easier to recruit new members and its easier for Scouts to fundraise? If we keep Scouting Alumni engaged they are more likely to donate and stay involved in the program?

Just look at the comment left on the Subaru Forester Pinewood Derby Commercial post by ScoutAbout:

Around the campfire at our recent pack family campout we asked new families why they had joined cub scouts. SEVERAL of them said they saw the car commercial with the wooden car race and it sparked good memories and better values. They knew the actors were not real Scouts, they knew the scouts did not drive Subarus, and they were reminded that there was a program out there that emphasized good old fashioned values and fun. Kudos to Subaru for helping my recruiting effort.

I’ve heard similar stories after Councils have held community Pinewood Derbies, or an Eagle Scout project received major media attention. We need to encourage people to tell the story of Scouting as much as possible, and a $14.95/year fee for people who have already paid for a NESA membership just won’t cut it.

That is my two cents, take it or leave it. If you wish to view the stories of fellow Eagle Scouts and to create your own interactive showcase, go to www.myNESA.org. Check it out, you may disagree with me.

Popularity: 5% [?]

If you enjoy the natural beauty of Philmont, you may be interested in this job opportunity that was posted on the Philmont Staff Association Website.

Live and work year round under the Tooth of Time.

Seeking a resident innkeeper for the Casa del Gavilan Historic Inn (The Nairn Place) in Cimarron, New Mexico. Completely surrounded by Philmont the Casa del Gavilan is a place of uncommon tranquility. The owners of the Casa (current and former Philmonters) are seeking a self-motivated individual or couple to operate the inn for 9-11 months per year. This is a hands-on position requiring the innkeeper to cook for up to 15 (with assistance), clean rooms, assist with laundry, and do a little light gardening. Housekeeping staff does most of the room cleaning but innkeeper will be responsible for some as well. Previous hospitality experience preferred but not essential. Non-smoker with no pets preferred.

Applicants must have superior references, excellent people skills, and be detail oriented to provide exceptional hospitality. Private suite is provided for on-site housing. Salary $15,000/year with January off. This position may also be available as an April 1 through October 31 annual contract if preferred by the right applicant. This is not a 9-5 position. Applicant must be comfortable living in a remote setting, and happy to provide hospitality 24/7 as required. It isn’t a lot of work but the work is spread out over the day with free time here and there.

Contact Dave Emery at dave@casadelgavilan.com for more information and an application. More information regarding the Casa del Gavilan can be found at www.casadelgavilan.com

Popularity: 7% [?]

This is the second part (read part one here) of the interview with the Co-Directors of 759: Boy Scouts of Harlem conducted by Joshua R. Godinez. This is Joshua’s first, but hopefully not last, article on Scouting News, his website BoyandGirlScouts.com provides News, Opinion, Advice with the tagline, “Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts under one roof… with proper supervision, of course.”

759: Boy Scouts of Harlem Interview – Part Two (Read Part One Here)
By Joshua R. Godinez
For ScoutingNews.org

Boy Scouts typically joke around a lot with each other and film sets are notorious for having things not turn out they way they were first planned. What were the unexpected and funny moments you can recall while making this film?

JAKE: After the first few weeks of shooting Justin and I realized pretty much nothing was going as we had planned or expected. So we threw out the plan and went along for the ride–which made it very true and very unexpected. But we’re not going to tell you about it–you’ll have to watch the film.

Who are you hoping sees this film?

JUSTIN: I hope a lot of people see the film–active Scouts, alumni, and especially people who don’t have first-hand experience in Scouting and may not understand what it is all about. It is a good chance to get a view into a real live Troop.

Do you hope your film will generate interest and participation in the Boy Scouts of America?

JUSTIN: I hope so. I like what Will Rogers had to say: “There’s only one thing wrong with the Boy Scouts, there aren’t enough of ‘em.”

Documentaries can have different styles of storytelling. What is the style you use and how does that help the way the movie is received?

JAKE: Most of the film is shot using methods of cinema verite (or direct cinema). We hoped to have the camera have as little effect as possible on our subjects. We wanted the boys to come off naturally – not say what they though we wanted to hear or act in a way appropriate for the camera. We did shoot interviews with our subjects – and use clips from these interviews occasionally. But most of the film is made up of scenes capturing the reality of scouting in Harlem and at Camp Keowa. By getting to know our subjects well and spending a lot of time with them they were comfortable when we were shooting. Thus we were able to capture some unexpected, surprising moments on camera.

When will people have an opportunity to see the film?

JUSTIN: Good question! We are trying to work out a way to show the film in New York. It is especially important for us to show the film in Harlem and we expect to have a “community premiere” there in mid-March. We have also been approached by several Councils about setting up community screenings. The concept is that the local Council would be responsible for finding a venue, promoting the event and handling logistics; we’d provide a copy of the film and fly out to do Q&A. Any Council interested in this kind of thing can just give me a ring. We are also in the process of figuring out a way for Troops to get a copy of the film so they can build an event around it (e.g. a recruiting event). Of course we hope to get in to some film festivals and get it on TV. We expect to have DVDs available for order on our website this spring. Anybody interested in what is happening can sign up for our emailing list on our website (http://harlemscouts.com)and we will keep you posted.

How long did it take to make the film?

JAKE: We started planning and doing some initial work on the film in March 2007–so about two years of on-and-off work.

What was the process that made it take that amount of time?

JUSTIN: First, getting our subjects comfortable around two strangers with cameras took awhile. We spent weekend after weekend with Troop 759–at meetings, camping, at their homes around the neighborhood. Sometimes the camera was on; most of the time it was off. Over time we built up a good relationship with the Troop and everyone could just be themselves around us and the camera. But it is a slow process–that trust is something you have to earn.

Next, all that shooting meant there was a lot of footage to edit–over 180 hours. Turning that into a seventy minute film is no small task–and takes a lot of time in the edit room.

Music can strongly impact the way a film is perceived. How did your soundtrack influence your film?

JUSTIN: We lucked out. Ms. Ann Dozier and Joy Willis (Keith’s Mom) sing in a gospel choir in Harlem. We recorded them as part of our soundtrack. Joy also did some solo work for us for the film–including a beautiful version of the Scout Grace that you may remember singing before meals up at summer camp.

Patrick Byers, whose son KC is in Troop 759, is a classical composer and KC’s Mom, Jennifer Byers is a cellist. They put together the film’s theme song based on the tune of the Scout Grace which is an old Protestant hymn. Several other musicians from Harlem are part of the film–including Nik Munson, a gifted guitarist and Master Drummer Charli Persip who played for Dizzy Gillespie and happens to live in Jake’s building in Harlem. So it is a community thing.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!

As a Scouter I’m incredibly excited that Justin and Jake have made this documentary. The opportunity to see a positive film about Boy Scouts, in just about any form, is great. I look forward to having the film shown in my area and I hope Scouters around the country do the same.

Learn more about 759: Boy Scouts of Harlem by visiting http://harlemscouts.com. Be sure to sign up for the email list to receive up to date information about the film.

This was a guest post by Joshua R. Godinez of BoyandGirlScouts.com.

Check out Harlem Interview Deleted Scenes over on Joshua’s website to read his commentary on conducting the interview, some additional questions and answers, and how the film is about a Troop, and not an overarching social cause.

Popularity: 6% [?]