National Eagle Scout Association

National Eagle Scout Association
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Country United States
Founded 1972
National Director Bill Steele
National President Glenn Adams
Website
http://www.nesa.org/

The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA, pronounced nee sah) is an organization of men who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. NESA's stated purpose is "to serve Eagle Scouts and, through them, the entire movement of Scouting."

Origins

The Knights of Dunamis was an honor society of Eagle Scouts founded in San Francisco on April 19, 1925 by Scout Executive Raymond O. Hanson. The Knights of Dunamis, named after the Greek power or spirit. served as a service organization for local Scout councils and also hosted occasional social events. To gain admittance to the Knights of Dunamis (KD), the Eagle Scout had to participate in a large or significant service project, in addition to the one that the Scout had to perform to gain his Eagle Scout award. The Knights awarded a special honor of their own, the Knights Eagle Award. For about forty years after its founding, the national leadership of the BSA had an ambivalent attitude toward the Knights. From a peak of 110 chapters, there were only 37 chapters by 1971. In 1972 the Knights of Dunamis was merged into the BSA and became the National Eagle Scout Association.

Programs

Membership is available on a yearly or lifetime basis to all Eagle Scouts. NESA cross-checks applications to ensure all applicants are Eagle Scouts. Eagle Scout Magazine (formerly The Eagletter) is a quarterly magazine published by NESA that helps keep its members informed of NESA activities and functions.

Scholarships

NESA administers several scholarships for Eagle Scouts. As of January 2006, these scholarships ranged from $1000–$48000. Specific requirements vary for each scholarship, but all require the recipient to be an Eagle Scout. Membership in NESA is not required to be a scholarship recipient.

Awards

Eagle Scout NESA life membership knot

In 1973, NESA created the NESA Scoutmaster Award to recognize Scoutmasters who promoted Scouting and Eagle Scouts; this was replaced by the Scoutmaster Award of Merit in 1987 and the Unit Leader Award of Merit in 2009.

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) was created in 1969 and is awarded to an Eagle Scout for distinguished service in his profession and to his community for a period of at least 25 years after attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Other requirements include significant accomplishment in one's career and a solid record of continued community volunteer involvement. NESA also administers nominations for this as well as the NESA Scoutmaster Award of Merit.

In 2008, NESA introduced a knot recognizing those Eagle Scouts who are life members of NESA; it uses the standard Eagle Scout square knot emblem with a silver border.

The Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award (ESSPY) was created in 2010 to "recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by a Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity." It is presented at council, regional, and national levels.

The NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) was created in 2010 to recognize Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated outstanding achievement at the local, state, or regional level.

Chapters

Local NESA chapters may be formed to promote social activities and service opportunities. Chapters often conduct Eagle Scout and Distinguished Eagle Scout recognition events and Scouting Alumni outreach.

References

    External links