The OA and Your Troop Matt Slimowicz Lodge Service Chairman / Section NE-3B Vice Chief service@otahnagon.org / sectionvc@ne3b.org Baden-Powell Council University of Scouting March 25th 2006

Overview Introduction to the Order of the Arrow The OA/Troop Relationship The Local Lodge Program The OA Troop Representative Program

What Does the OA Mean to YOU? What have you heard about the OA? What is your past experiences with the OA?

Scouting’s Brotherhood of Cheerful Service Video

Purpose 1: Recognition of Scouts who set a good example. Purpose of the OA To recognize those campers – Scouts and Scouters – who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such a manner as to warrant recognition. Purpose 1: Recognition of Scouts who set a good example.

Purpose 2: Preserve and create programs centered around camping. Purpose of the OA To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit. Purpose 2: Preserve and create programs centered around camping.

Purpose 3: Promote Scout camping with direction from the council. Purpose of the OA To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as part of the unit’s camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council. Purpose 3: Promote Scout camping with direction from the council.

Purpose 4: Instill the value of helpfulness in Scouts. Purpose of the OA To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others. Purpose 4: Instill the value of helpfulness in Scouts.

Mission of the Lodge The mission of the lodge is to achieve the purpose of the OA as an integral part of the BSA in the council through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.

Our Principles Brotherhood Cheerfulness Service

The OA/Troop Relationship How We Achieve our Purpose and Mission

Unit Elections The troop selects those among them who should be candidates for OA membership One adult may be nominated if at least one boy is elected

Unit Elections Why do them? Recognition of your troop’s best examples of good Scouts Reinforce to the troop members who should be looked up to and emulated

How the OA Benefits the Scout Provides advanced leadership opportunities Provides a forum for the Scout to interact with the best Scouting has to offer from troops all over the Council, Section and the Country Reinforces highly-valued character traits: helpfulness, service and cheerfulness

OA Members Give Back – Troop Provide a positive leadership example for younger Scouts through personal actions Increase awareness of the value of the Order of the Arrow in the troop program Promote the correct wearing of the Scout uniform through personal example Incorporate experience gained in the Order into the planning of a quality troop program Assure Arrowmen within the troop are informed of upcoming Lodge and Chapter functions

OA Members Give Back – Council Provide monetary support to Council Aid the Council in the retention of older Scouts Promote council summer camp and its program to each of the units Furnish a service corps for council events Enrich council summer camp through property improvements and camp staff recruitment

OA Members Give Back – Packs Help with cub recruiting Help with cross over ceremonies Help with Pack Events The Lodge can help the pack grow! If you wish to receive more information on OA use your contact handout

Locally, in 2005, the OA… provided over 1,500 hours of service to our Scout camps, our council and our community donated over a thousand dollars of supplies and building materials to our council’s camps recognized over 100 Scouts and Scouters for the example they set in their unit promoted camping to thousands of Scouts provided advanced leadership opportunities for many youth

Local OA Program Administration How Does It Work?

The Lodge Analogous to the council Baden-Powell Council  Otahnagon Lodge Led by the Lodge Executive Committee Lodge Officers Chapter Chiefs Lodge Committee Chairmen Executes the OA program – service projects, inductions, recognition events

The Chapter Analogous to the district Led by Chapter Officers Executes the OA program locally – unit elections, camp promotions, district service projects All OA members are encouraged to be active with their chapter

The Chapter Chenango District  Ochenang Chapter Delahanna District  Tatchen Chapter Hiawatha District  Naxiyoke Chapter Taughannock District  Ka-Na-Kon Chapter

The Chapter Ka-Na-Kon: Second Sunday of the month 2:30 PM at the Moose Lodge Route 13 in Ithaca Tatchen: Second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the LDS Church in Montrose, PA Naxiyoke: First Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM at Vestal High School, Woodlawn Drive in Vestal Ochenang: First Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM at the United Church of Christ, West Main Street in Norwich

OA Troop Representative A Leadership Position in Your Troop

OA Troop Representative The Troop/Team Representative program was begun in 1999, and is a program of the Order of the Arrow that has been officially adopted by the Boy Scouts of America. The OA Representative is now an official leadership position within the troop or team, and boys can earn time towards their leadership rank requirements, just as with Den Chief, Troop Scribe, or any of the other leadership positions.

OA Troop Representative Serves as a communication link between the lodge or chapter and the troop Encourages year round and resident camping in the troop Encourages older Scout participation in high adventure programs Encourages Scouts to actively participate in community service projects Assists with leadership skills training in the troop

OA Troop Representative - Continued Encourages Arrowmen to assume leadership positions in the troop Encourages Arrowmen in the troop to be active participants in the lodge and/or chapter activities and to seal their membership in the Order by becoming Brotherhood members Sets a good example Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly Lives by the Scout Oath, Scout Law and OA Obligation Shows Scout spirit

Summary The Order of the Arrow: Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, Service What is the purpose of the OA? The OA/Troop Relationship How does the OA help Council / Troops / Packs Otahnagon Lodge What does the Lodge Represent? How is it run? The OA Troop Representative How does this program help your unit?

Handouts 2006 Lodge Calendar of Events Who’s Who in Otahnagon Lodge OA Troop Representative Information

Lodge Service Committee Chairman and Section NE-3B Vice Chief Questions? Matt Slimowicz Lodge Service Committee Chairman and Section NE-3B Vice Chief 607-427-2083 or 607-797-6516 usaslim@stny.rr.com