Boy Scouts of America

JOTA Sample News Release

This is a sample media alert/news release that can serve as a model when working with your own JOTA event and getting information to your local media.

For more background on publicity see the very helpful Scouting Publicity Guide at https://www.k2bsa.net/scouting-publicity-guide/ 

 

MEDIA ALERT
Media Contact
Name of Your Contact
Phone Number
Email Address 

 

 

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A FREQUENCY!

DFW Boy Scouts to Speak With NASA Astronaut on Board International Space Station Using Amateur Radio

 WHAT: 

The Boy Scouts of America is hosting the 60th Annual JOTA/JOTI (Jamboree-on-the-Air and Jamboree-on-the-Internet) Extravaganza at the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas. Scouts from all over North Texas are invited to share ideas and Scouting experiences with their Scouting peers around the world using two-way amateur radio and satellite links as well as the Internet.

The National Scouting Museum has been selected to be the only JOTA/JOTI location in the world that will enable local Scouts to communicate directly with NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, a former Star Scout who is currently on board the International Space Station. This communication will be relayed live to all other JOTA stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area using two-way amateur radio connection

The JOTA/JOTI annual event contributes to better understanding and mutual respect between youngsters in different countries. Thousands of amateur radio stations around the world participate.

 WHY: 

More than 500,000 Scouts in 100 countries from Algeria to Zimbabwe participate in JOTA each year, but the Dallas-Fort Worth Scouts have the unique opportunity to communicate with U.S. astronauts in space. As part of the event, all participants will receive free museum admission, food and drink, a special JOTA patch, and a designated QSL card for the JOTA.

The event is open to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and adult leaders, family, and friends.

 WHEN: 

9 a.m to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Between 4:56 p.m. and 5:06 p.m.
(Scouts will be talking live with U.S. astronauts)

 WHERE: 

National Scouting Museum
1329 Walnut Hill Lane
Irving, Texas 75038

 VISUALS:  
  • Hundreds of uniformed Scouts communicating via amateur radio and the Internet with their global peers
  • Twenty DFW area Scouts will talk live with NASA astronaut Jeff Williams on board the International Space Station
  • Three JOTI station locations with two laptops at each location for use by voice and texting
  • Four JOTA ham radio stations 
  • Satellite communication demonstrations
  • The City of Irving’s Emergency Communication vehicle on display

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
  • Scouts from the Circle Ten and Longhorn Councils
  • Jim Wilson, Director, Media Services & Public Relations
  • April Proulx, National Scouting Museum Programs Director

###

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.