Communications at NOAC

The number of opportunities available to Arrowmen at the National Order of the Arrow Conference is tremendous. No matter what their interest, there is something for them. Everything from learning how to be a better Lodge Chief and How to Run a Section Conference to Making a Bustle, patch trading, and even SCUBA. Knowing when and where all the fun is happening can be a daunting task. That's where the Communications Committee comes in.

It all starts every morning at breakfast when each participant receives a copy of NOAC Today with articles about the day's upcoming events, a detailed schedule for that day, and any new instructions the participants need to receive. The staff of NOAC Today works diligently to highlight all areas of concern for NOAC participants and keep them informed with any changes to the publicized schedule. However, the paper does have a print deadline the night before and can not include all of the up to the minute information. Enter the NOAC Radio Committee.

NOAC Radio broadcasts casting from 7:00A.M. to Midnight each day on 94.1 FM with the call sign WWWW. Besides playing a wide mix of music, the eleven DJs broadcast the most current news and information about events changing location, special visitors to NOAC and the all important weather update. 94.1 WWWW even airs advertisements for activities such as TOAP, the nightly shows, and the trading post.

The Communications Committee doesn't stop at simply broadcasting to the masses. No, they go even further to by having four information booths strategically located around the campus to aid distressed Scouts and Scouters. The information booths, equipped with large maps, thick notebooks, and a great personal knowledge can always point their brothers in the right direction. This year, the information booths have taken it to the next level by supplying each booth with a wirelessly networked notebook computer that can access the registration database in case a participant has lost their printout. The booths also use the laptops to monitor a chat page that is running in vital offices throughout the campus to keep on top of the newest information.

The Communications Committee, realizing that there is too much to do at NOAC for anyone to do it all, has created a website team that covers it all. The web team is dedicated to capturing everything that goes on at NOAC, for those who were unable to attend as well as for posterity seeing that NOAC Live! will remain up and running for years to come. The web team is walking the streets, interviewing participants, capturing photos, and writing the stories in order to get you up close to the action without ever having to leave your home. Those who did join us at Iowa State University will also enjoy reliving NOAC all over again when they return home. Find out more about the Web Site Team.

The Communications Committee also oversees the Arrowman Press Corp (APC) which is composed of NOAC participants form around the country writing stories for their home town news media and e-mailing it back. Find out more about the Arrowmen Press Corp.

Everyone on the Communications Committee, from the Conference Vice Chief Andrew Kuhlman down to the lonely staffer coding the last update to NOAC Live! at 2:30 AM, is here to make your NOAC experience memorable, pleasurable, and safe. If we can enhance your experience in anyway, stop by and see us.

Revised 8/03/04.