NESA Eagle Scout Directory

A message from:
National Assistant Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock:

We have experienced an overwhelmingly number of positive responses to our initial requests for updated personal information from Eagle Scouts to be included in the NESA Eagle Scout Directory. As you know, we have partnered with Harris Connect to conduct this project that will result in locating thousands of Eagle Scouts for councils. Harris Connect reports that 151,381 Eagles have responded thus far resulting in 28,997 new memberships to the National Eagle Scout Association. Only 799 respondents indicated they would not like to be included in the directory, and Harris Connect has sold 48,217 directories to date. These are impressive early results.

However, we have also received reports of misunderstandings by respondents. Generally, these are along the lines that some people do not understand that the information they are updating and approving for print will be published in a directory format designed to be sold to fellow Eagle Scouts and used for individual alumni contacting purposes. Only people who respond and approve the information for print will be included in the directory.

Harris Connect employs hundreds of people to take the phone calls from responding Eagle Scouts. They are trained to follow a carefully constructed script designed to ask respondents about information to place in the directory. Unfortunately, reports of confusion indicate there could be problems with the way this information is being confirmed and approved for print. When Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca was made aware of these issues, a meeting was scheduled with Bill Harris, CEO of Harris Connect, to address them.

In addition to clarifying language on the initial mailings to Eagle Scouts in our database yet to be sent, the telephone script Harris Connect employees use with responding Eagle Scouts has been revised. It now more clearly informs the respondents that they are authorizing the printing of their information in the final directory. Also, each respondent will be sent a final notice offering them the opportunity to edit, change, or remove information they previously approved for print. You may find the attached “frequently asked questions” document useful for briefing and informing your staff.

For years local councils have struggled with the challenge of searching for adult Eagle Scouts. Utilizing new technologies and years of experience in the alumni search field, Harris Connect and the Boy Scouts of America are within arm’s reach of attaining the visionary objective of locating thousands of our Eagle Scout alumni. The process of searching for lost Eagles, gathering contact information and producing a directory, allows the Boy Scouts of America to score a huge win for councils. Through the resources of Harris Connect, we are building a huge manpower pool of potential new Scouting supporters and volunteers, which should result in dramatic increases in our ability to serve more youth with the benefits of Scouting.

More information is on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

This is the official site of the Des Plaines Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America

This page was last modified on Friday, April 25, 2008 @ 08:09pm