The purpose of the NESA Distinguished Service Award is to recognize those who have given a lifetime of extraordinary leadership and service nationally to NESA, resulting in a significant impact on a national or territorial level. It is awarded for dedicated service over a sustained period of years to NESA, promotion of Eagle Scouting, staying active or returning to Scouting, and/or promoting/helping young people earning the rank of Eagle Scouts. Awards are limited in number and are normally presented during BSA’s Annual National Meeting.  Unused quotas may not be rolled over to later years.

Reintroduction of the Distinguished Service Award by NESA
In 1976 NESA created this award for service to NESA, which resulted in 25 honorees between 1976 and 1989, after which time the National NESA committee was substantially reorganized. This resulted in the suspension of the award until its reintroduction in 2020. Nationally, there has been an outpouring of support to reinstate the award to better recognize those Leaders (Volunteer and Professional) that further NESA and the Eagle Scout Award, national.