By Michael Shostek
Each year, the regions' key OA leadership invite their respective section officers and advisers to a Section Officer Seminar (SOS). Run by the region chief and his support staff, which consists of valuable trainers from across the country, this event is focused on enhancing programmatic offerings for each section, developing each officer and adviser’s goals and strengthening the relationship between key leaders across each region. Often, an SOS consists of training, fellowship and a forum to interact with and share best practices on a section, region and national level. While the idea of this event is similar in design across the four regions, each adheres to several unique traditions. As we approach our 100th anniversary, each region has been ardently planning its weekend event.
From August 8th-10th at the Marriott Hotel in Huntsville, Alabama, 2014 Southern Region Chief Wesley Seaman and his staff will examine the importance of originality in each section’s journey into our next century of service, a pivotal moment for the OA. Although our organization will always stand on the principles of brotherhood, cheerfulness and service, there is always need to innovate and stay significant in our time. By recognizing each individual section’s capability, while subsequently exploring evaluation and change, the Southern Region will challenge section leadership to navigate into our organization’s future, into its second century and beyond. From meetings, training, year-round promotions and conclave, "Sections in the Second Century" will challenge Arrowmen to think above and beyond the conventional.
From September 19th-21st at Camp Alpine in New Jersey, 2014 Northeast Region Chief Kyle Piper and his staff will convene for the Gathering of Leaders (GOL). The theme for the event is “Charting the Course, Navigating our Future” and will develop throughout the weekend as participants map out their goals in office while the staff define landmarks and the essential items section officers and advisers need in their toolkit to set sail into the next century of our organization. During the seminar, a guide to section training programs will be distributed to section officers to provide them with more resources in planning such vital events. Furthermore, all of the attendees will learn to reflect on the journey we have taken thus far and identify the course down which they wish to proceed. Ultimately, the GOL’s goal is for all to share and reminisce in fellowship in order to execute meaningful programs and conclaves during our 100th anniversary.
From October 24th-26th at Heard Scout Pueblo near Phoenix, Arizona, 2014 Western Region Chief Michael Kintscher and his staff will assemble for the Western Region Gathering. With a mix of fellowship and training, this weekend in the desert will allow the region’s thirteen section chiefs to bond with one another through a variety of special activities and initiatives. Training will primarily focus on the development and implementation of communications plans. As a special ambition this year, the Western Region will test a brand new program to provide training materials to lodges in order to cultivate a more dynamic and successful program with section leadership.
From November 14th-16th at the Geneva Center in Rochester, Indiana, 2014 Central Region Chief Ricky Angeletti and his staff will host the Central Region's SOS. Focused on sharing best practices at the section level, the seminar’s aim is to develop new support programs for its lodges. Additionally, the weekend’s events will focus on raising the bar in section and region operations in order to deliver quality programing and support during our centennial celebration and beyond.
While each region chief earnestly prepares his seminar, it is up to section leadership to attend and arrive ready to engage in an open dialogue on how we as an organization can further advance our mission and purpose while supporting our lodges. Section officers and advisers are strongly encouraged to attend these events. For information on registering for your region’s SOS, please contact your section adviser. For more information on your particular seminar’s schedule, please contact your region chief.
Contact information:
Western Region Chief Michael Kintscher 2014chief@western.oa-bsa.org
Central Region Chief Ricky Angeletti 2014chief@central.oa-bsa.org
Southern Region Chief Wesley Seaman 2014chief@southern.oa-bsa.org
Northeast Region Chief Kyle Piper 2014chief@northeast.oa-bsa.org