S&B Launches Oral History Project

Did your time with the Scabbard & Blade Honor Society in ROTC shape your character in a memorable way? Did you make friends or mentors for life, discover your career path, or learn important insights into your personality?

All Scabbard and Blade alumni have a story, and a new S&B Memories hardcover book project from the Society seeks to capture them for future generations.

The S&B Alumni Association has partnered with Dallas, TX-based Publishing Concepts, the same company that produced the popular hardcover Scabbard & Blade 2016 Member Album. As with that project, alumni will receive postcards inviting them to call a 1-800 number listed on the card. The company’s staff is trained to capture your memories, and will lead alumni through the process of telling their S&B and military service stories. Each story will be recorded, transcribed, and, along with submitted photos, published in a book that will be available for purchase.

The project was launched on May 12 and the response by our alumni has been impressive.  A S&B line to call for information on how to share stories and purchase a book is 1-405-377-2237. A purchase is not required to share a S&B memory. The Alumni Association will receive the audio recordings as well as the transcriptions, with the goal of making them available electronically. Alumni should have received a postcard announcing the effort.

“We believe this is a great opportunity for us to preserve the special memories of our alumni for future generations, while offering a one-of-a-kind keepsake for alumni,” says Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Douglas Dollar, national executive director. “All of our collective alumni memories make up the story of our remarkable society. I hope all alumni participate in this special project.”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS

1. I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about the National Society of Scabbard and Blade. Tell me more about the project.

We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for the National Society of Scabbard and Blade. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX, that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. They have published two directories for us, the last in 2016. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at the National Society of Scabbard and Blade and how the organization helped to shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.

2. Does the National Society of Scabbard and Blade benefit from this at all?

Yes, in a few different ways:

• Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage members.
• Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our organization.
• Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our organization.

3. How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?

PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. 

4. I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?

• If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at the National Society of Scabbard and Blade. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to the National Society of Scabbard and Blade at the conclusion of the project. 
• If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story. 
• If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated National Society of Scabbard and Blade update line at 1-855-912-2390. 
• If you are living internationally or are unable to call the update line, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

5. How can I participate if I am deaf/hard of hearing?

If you would like to participate and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

6. Can I choose what information prints in the publication?

The only information we plan to include in the publication is your name, year joined, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your member record for the organization. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before November 10, 2023, by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. 

7. I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share. 

You can call back at any time before November 10, 2023, to share your story.

8. I shared a story and the representative said I could send a photo. How do I do this?

You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption. If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

9. Can anyone purchase a book?

The National Society of Scabbard and Blade Oral History Publication is available for sale only to National Society of Scabbard and Blade members.

10. When will I receive my book?

The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12-14 months. Since we began the project in May 2023, the books will be distributed in May-July 2024.

11. I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?

Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.

Check back soon for updates. Five Stars to all of our alumni!