Re: BSA scouting image (TV coverage)
Jack Weinmann (aa855@CLEVELAND.FREENET.EDU)
Fri, 23 Dec 1994 02:27:41 -0500
>Just about everyone watches TV and TV is what shapes many peoples
>opinions on most subjects. BSA needs to mount a massive campaign to show
>scouting in a different light. Scouts have been portrayed in the past as
>goody-goody nerds and that image sticks in peoples minds. That image
>needs to be replaced by one that shows intelligent, popular, young men
>as scouts, camping, leading, crafting, biking and all the other
>activities that make scouting FUN!
Kipp, and fellow Scouters,
Why can't we do this on a LOCAL level?
Here in Cleveland, our weather forcasters generally run some sort of a
video in the background while they give the day's stats. One of our local
weather people once had a group of Girl Scouts that were taped at a summer
camp and playing games, etc...
Many councils posess the equipment required to tape in a format that the TV
stations can use in their professional machines. Is it possible that
someone in the council could be persuaded to venture out to a Boys Scout,
or Cub Scout, activity and get some good PR stuff on tape? This could then
be given to the TV station with a request to play it during their weather
forecast.
If your council does not have the equipment, perhaps there is a Scouter or
parent that can get this type of equipment, either from their employer, or
perhaps they are in the advertising industry and own their own equipment.
It should be possible to ask Scouters at a Roundtable to check for someone
in their unit that could help if your council can't.
The other opportunity for TV exposure in a POSITIVE vein is to ask your
local Public Broadcast Station if they would be willing to allow Scouters
from your council to take over the phone duties for one whole day during
their membership drive, or their auction, if they have one. It would be a
great way for Scout Leaders to show their support for Public Television
and, don't forget, that they regularly pan across the phone people during
their "breaks" to encourage people to call in and contribute.
My vision here is a sea of Scout Leaders - * in proper uniform * -
supporting their local PBS affiliate. Frequently, when there is a group
from an organization that is doing the phone work, they briefly interview
the person who is the organizer from that group - to thank them for their
help and also to plug the organization that they are from.
Just a couple of MY thoughts on ways that WE Scouters can help the cause
locally and at little or no cost to our council's budget!
YIS,
Jack W. Weinmann aa855@cleveland.freenet.edu
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
