Arrowmen in Virginia are blazing a new trail toward service to their units. Every OA Troop Representative and Adviser in each of the six councils headquartered in Virginia were invited to attend the SR-7A Section Conclave and the first-ever OA Troop Representative Summit.
Modeled after the highly successful 2013 Chapter Leadership Summit orchestrated by 2014 National Vice Chief Taylor Bobrow, the “Troop Rep Summit” consisted of a four hour interactive training block held on Saturday morning of Conclave. Topics included a focus on building a Unit of Excellence, analyzing strengths and weaknesses of current practices, and the ever-popular ‘Jack of All Trades’ session, which emphasized the various roles an OA Troop Rep plays in his unit.
“Planning began about nine months out,” said Aaron Stewart, outgoing SR-7A Section Vice Chief and chairman of the event. “We mailed every Scoutmaster a postcard informing them of this event, and then followed up with additional invitations in a variety of ways.” Ultimately, every OA Troop Representative and Adviser was invited to participate with resounding success. The Conclave, held in April 2014 at Camp Shenandoah in Swoope, Virginia, boasted more than 1,080 participants, more than sixty of whom attended the Summit.
In addition to the qualified staff members from within the section, the OA Troop Rep Summit included guest staffers from around the nation. These active instructors included 2014 Southern Region Chief Wesley Seaman, NE-6B Section Chief Brant Portner, NE-5B Section Chief Michael Shostek, NE-6A Section Secretary Kyle Brendel, and Arrowmen from Amangamek-Wipit Lodge of the National Capital Area Council.
“As Arrowmen, our first priority is service to units. The Arrowmen who participated in the Troop Rep Summit now have the tools to see that vision through,” remarked Southern Region Chief Wesley Seaman. “SR-7A will see the results of this program for years to come as these OA Troop Representatives return to their units in service.”
For additional information about the OA Troop Representative Summit, send an email to @email.