1. WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION DO YOU WANT TO PRESERVE? Information on the founding of your Lodge, Camp, or organization? Early years and significant events in the history of your organization?

2. WHO ARE YOU GOING TO INTERVIEW AND WHO IS DOING THE INTERVIEWING? Decide who the best person to be interviewed is. Make sure that the person doing the interviewing understands that the object is to get as much good information from the person being interviewed on tape and not to hear the interviewer talk.

3. WHEN AND WHERE ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO THE INTERVIEW? Time and location are critical. It's best when the people are fresh, not after a long drive or long day. A place without noise, interference, kids talking, animals barking, or other interruptions or distractions is ideal. It should be comfortable for all.

4. WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU WANT THEM TO SHARE? You must prepare ahead of time. What is reasonable in the time available? What information might they have? Check to see if they have journals, photos, etc. Use open-ended questions that will draw them out and get them reminiscing. Watch to make sure that you keep to the topic. A rambling discourse may not be what you need.

5. HOW WILL IT BE DONE? You need quality recording equipment. Good quality tapes are needed for both video and audio. Two cameras are better than one. Do an audio recording at the same time. Practice with your equipment before you start. Hitting the wrong button during the taping is not desirable. Store the originals in different locations. Make a copy for use. Digital may be great if the equipment and programs are available in 25 years.