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2020 Distinguished Service Award Recipients
The Order of the Arrow created the Distinguished Service Award in 1940 in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the Order. Its purpose is to recognize and honor those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a section, area, regional, or national basis. The award is given primarily for dedicated service to the Order and Scouting over a period of years. The first recipients chosen in 1940 were 11 pioneer leaders of the Order of the Arrow. The award is a traditional part of the pageantry and ceremony of each National OA Conference; because this year’s conference was cancelled, these presentations will take place locally. Including these selections, only 1,072 Distinguished Service Awards have been presented. This alone is a testament to the award’s high standard of excellence. The award is a sterling silver arrowhead, bearing an arrow pointing upward and to the wearer’s right, suspended from a white neck ribbon upon which are embroidered red arrows. A white square knot embroidered upon red cloth is available for uniform wear. Presentation of the award is limited. Arrowmen whose service extends most beyond the local lodge are normally selected. Youth and adults, as well as professional scouters, may receive the award. Sean Michael Alewine Sean is from Greensboro, NC and Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge. Sean served as the 2019 Focus Vice Chief for Activation and on the Conference Committee of the 2018 NOAC tasked with the Remote Delegate program, the eNewsletter, and the Website. Sean served two terms as SR-7B Section Chief and one as Section Secretary while also serving on NLS Staffs from 2016 to 2019. Samuel J. Aronson Sam is from Washington, DC and Amangamek-Wipit Lodge. Sam has provided strong leadership as a Key Volunteer for OA training through involvement with the NLS rewrite, the ACT program, as well as the Train the Trainer program. Sam served on 14 NLS Staffs among all four regions. He staffed the 2019 World Jamboree and served on the OA Service Corps for the 2017 National Jamboree. Sam provided his youth OA service in Lenapehoking Lodge. Tracy Ann Atherton Tracy is from Mission Viejo, CA and Wiatava Lodge. Tracy has been a member of the National OA Committee since 2019. Tracy served as Section Adviser of Section W-4S and provided service to ArrowCorps5 in 2008 and SummitCorps in 2011. She also served at numerous national events including the Project Arrow (OA Trek Guides) program at the last two National Jamborees. James A. Barton James is from Charleston, SC and Unali’yi Lodge. James has served on virtually every OA national event staff, working with ceremonies or American Indian Activities, since serving on the 1992 Conference Committee as Section Chief of SE-5. As a youth he served on NLS Staff. His adult service has also included many summers as Camp Director of Camp Ho Non Wah and service on the staff of National Camping Schools. Kenneth Everett Barton III Ken is from Macon, GA and Echeconnee Lodge. Ken has served as a trainer for NLS, NLATS, and DYLC courses and served as a Section Associate Adviser in SR-9. Ken has also served on five NOAC staffs and a National Jamboree Staff and has staffed other national and regional OA events. As a youth in Alpharetta, GA, Ken was Lodge Chief of Egwa Tawa Dee Lodge and served as Section Vice Chief of SR-6S in 2007. Jeremy D. Bedient Jeremy is from Plainsboro, NJ and Ajapeu Lodge. Jeremy served as the CVC of Engagement at the 2018 NOAC and on the Program Committee and as Social Media Lead for Operation Arrow at the 2017 National Jamboree. Jeremy served as a two-term NE-5 Section Chief, plus one term as Section Secretary, and served in several NE Region roles and National Communication roles for the OA. Chadd M. Blanchard Chadd is from Rockwell, IA and Sac-N-Fox Lodge. Chadd has served as the LodgeMaster Project Lead since 2015 and served as a Key Volunteer for the National Subcommittee on Technology. Chadd provided youthful leadership to NEXT in 2016 and the 2017 National Jamboree. Chadd served as Section Chief and Secretary, as well as in other key conclave roles, for Section C-3A. Travis B. Broadhurst Travis is from Weaverville, NC and Tsali Lodge. Travis served as the CVC of Adventure Central for the 2015 NOAC and staffed that area again at the 2018 NOAC. Travis has staffed four NLS events and promoted National OA High Adventure by writing numerous articles for publications and social media. Travis served as Section Chief and Vice Chief for Section SR-5. Shane M. Calendine Shane is from Argyle, TX and Netopalis Sipo Schipinachk Lodge. Shane has served the BSA as NE Region Director since 2019 and previously served as Western Region Director. Shane has served on NOAC, NLS, and National Jamboree Staffs. Shane served as Papago Lodge Chief and Section W-5A Vice Chief as a youth before beginning a professional career in the BSA in 1992 in which he worked in four councils and served as an Area Director in the Western Region. Zachary Warren Callicutt Zach is from Oxford, MS and Chicksa Lodge. Zach served as the 2018 Southern Region Chief and staffed the 2018 NOAC, as well as NEXT in 2016 and the OA programs at the 2017 National Jamboree. Zach staffed NLS events in 2017 and 2018 and provided leadership to the OA Seabreak event in 2018. Zach also served as Section Chief and Vice Chief of SR-6. James G. Castanzo Jim is from Lancaster, PA and Wunita Gokhos Lodge. Jim is a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Financial Services, helping year-round with merchandise and marketing designs, and has served on the Special Events staff at the last four NOACs. Jim has staffed DYLC and NLATS courses and served at ArrowCorps5 in 2008. Jim has also served as Associate Adviser in Section NE-6B. Carroll William Coots Will is from Oregon, IL and Wulapeju Lodge. Will served as the 2018 Central Region Chief and staffed the 2018 NOAC, as well as the OA Service Corps at the 2017 National Jamboree. Will staffed five NLS events from 2016 to 2018 and served as Section Chief and Vice Chief of Section C-7. Charles Gregory Coutteau Chuck is from Rochester Hills, MI and Noquet Lodge. Chuck served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Outdoor Adventures and served on Adventure Central Staff at the last three NOACs. Chuck staffed three NLS Events and served as an OA Ocean Adventure Foreman. Chuck also served on the Central Region ArrowTour Staff in 2015 and served as Section Vice Chief of C-2A in 2012. Christopher M. Craig Chris is from Fredericksburg, VA and Amangamek-Wipit Lodge. Chris served as the CVC of Training at the 2018 NOAC and as the JVC of Trek Guides at the 2017 National Jamboree. Chris served as Section Chief of NE-6A for 2017 and subsequently, while in college in Spokane, WA, registered with Es-Kaielgu Lodge and served as Section Chief of W-1E for 2018. Chris has staffed NLS events in both the Northeast and Western Regions. Connor R. Desmond Connor is from Denver, CO and Tahosa Lodge. Connor served as the co-leader of the SPARK wide game program at the 2015 NOAC and as youth leader of the SEEK wide game program at the 2018 NOAC. Connor provided the same leadership skills to the 2019 World Jamboree connectivity team and the Novus program and served Section W-5S as conclave ceremonies coordinator. Nina C. Dukes Nina is from Findlay, OH and Mawat Woakus Lodge. Nina served on every NOAC staff as an AIA instructor since becoming an OA member over 20 years ago. Nina has also served on Indian Village staff at National Jamborees and served as an administrative officer at two OA Indian Summer events and at an ArrowCorps5 site. She serves her section and region as an AIA resource and helped craft AIA guidelines for the participation of young women. John A. Gasink John is from North Chesterfield, VA and Nawakwa Lodge. John has served as Director of Props and Costumes for Shows at each NOAC since 1998 and provided similar service at National Jamborees in 1997, 2001, 2005, and 2010. He has also provided adult leadership to conclave shows over the past twenty years. Susan B. “Sue” Hampton Sue is from Greensboro, NC and Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge. Sue served as nurse and later chief nurse at the last seven NOACs and served on medical staffs and led medical staffs at the last seven National Jamborees and at the 2019 World Jamboree. Sue also served as a safety officer at one of the ArrowCorps5 sites in 2008. Benjamin Lloyd Harper Ben is from Hilton, NY and Tschipey Achtu Lodge. Ben served as the 2019 Philmont OA Trail Crew Director and as Philbreak Director in 2020. Ben has also served three previous summers as a Trail Crew foreman or coordinator and served at Philbreak in 2019. Ben has also worked at Philmont as part of the fall and winter fire recovery teams for the past two years and has served other years on the Philmont Scout Ranch staff. Eric S. Harrison Eric is from Taylorville, IL and Illinek Lodge. Eric served as the 2019 National Vice Chief and served on the ARC Staff at the 2018 NOAC. Prior to that Eric served as the 2018 Section Chief and 2017 Section Vice Chief of C-3B. Eric attended PRISM and NEXT in 2016 and served on the staff of numerous NLS events in 2018 and 2019. Mitchell J. Heisler Mitchell is from Holyoke, MA and Pocumtuc Lodge. Mitchell served as ArrowTour Vice Chief for NE Region PR & Marketing in 2014 and the ArrowTour road crew in 2015. Mitchell served on 2015 NOAC staff and 2016 NEXT staff and the 2017 OA staff at the National Jamboree. Mitchell served on 12 NLS staffs from 2013-2016, trained at four DYLC conferences from 2017-2019, and served as NE-2A Section Chief in 2014 and Vice Chief in 2013. Nicholas Thomas Hessler Nick is from Cincinnati, OH and Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge. Nick has served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Communications and served as National Brand and Identity Lead from 2017-2019 and for the 2018 NOAC. Nick served on the 2015 NOAC Staff and 2017 National Jamboree Staff working with social media. Nick served as Editor of the Central Region OA newsletter, served on several NLS staffs, and served as 2014 Section Secretary for C-6B. David Paul James David is from Cheyenne, WY and Kola Lodge. David served as the 2019 Focus Vice Chief for Election Rate. David served as social media lead for the 2018 NOAC and served for the last few years on the National Communications and Training teams. David served as a THRIVE seminar presenter, NLS trainer, and Western Region OA Communications Coordinator. David served as a two-term Section Chief of W-2N in 2018 and 2019 after a term as Section Secretary. Jordan D. Jefferis Jordan is from Gresham, OR and Wauna La-Mon’tay Lodge. Jordan served as the 2018 Western Region Chief after serving as Section Chief of W-1S. Jordan served on the 2018 NOAC Staff and provided leadership to the 2019 Focus Conclave 2.0 project. Jordan also participated in NEXT in 2016 and served on NLS staff. Anthony Daniel Johnson Anthony is from Elizabethton, TN and Sequoyah Lodge. Anthony provided leadership to the 2016 NEXT event in the Inspiration area and served as National Training Coordinator. Anthony served on shows staff at the 2015 NOAC and served on numerous national OA training staffs and projects from 2017-2020. Anthony served as Southern Region OA registrar for 12 NLS staffs and 3 DYLC staffs from 2017-2020. Anthony served as Section Vice Chief and Section Chief of SR-6. E. Brandon Kelly Brandon is from Pittsboro, NC and Occoneechee Lodge. Brandon served on the OA staff at the 2013 and 2017 National Jamborees and served a similar role at the 2019 World Jamboree. Brandon has been a content writer for the OA communications team and staffed the 2018 NOAC. Brandon served as Section Chief of SR-7B in 2017, and prior to that a term as Vice Chief, among other roles in his section. Robert G. Kennerly, Jr. Rob is from Madison, NC and Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge. Rob has served as the Southern Region DYLC Coordinator since 2017 and previously served on the staff of NLATS courses. Rob served on NOAC training staffs in 2012, 2015, and 2018 and served as Section Adviser of SR-7B from 2014-2017. Michael Thomas Kipp Michael is from Valparaiso, IN and Sakima Lodge. Michael served as the 2018 National Vice Chief, presiding at the 2018 NOAC, and served on the OA Service Corps at the 2017 National Jamboree and staffed the 2015 NOAC. Michael has also worked with the rewriting of the NLS syllabus, staffed NLS courses, participated in Philmont OA Trail Crew, and served as the Section Chief and Vice Chief of C-6A. Shawn M. Knight Shawn is from New Boston, MI and Noquet Lodge. Shawn provided key leadership to administrative services – housing, contingent and staff services, and logistics – at the last two NOACs, as well as at NEXT 2016 and at the 2017 OA Hackathon. Shawn also worked with the Conclave 2.0 task force key staff as part of the 2019 OA program of emphasis. Mitchell Raymond Leonard Mitch is from Clinton, IA and Konepaka Ketiwa Lodge. Mitch has served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Communications and served as Social Media Youth Lead at NOAC 2015. Mitch also worked in the social media arena at the 2017 National Jamboree and at 2018 NOAC. Mitch staffed several NLS events and OA Service Corps at the 2013 National Jamboree. Mitch was the 2015 Section C-3A Chief following terms as Vice Chief and Secretary. Tanner Paderick Maris Tanner is from San Antonio, TX and Aina Topa Hutsi Lodge. Tanner served as National Training Coordinator and as JVC of Recreation for the OA at the 2017 National Jamboree. Tanner served on NLS staffs, on the LLDC Rewrite Taskforce, and as a Crew Guide for NEXT in 2016. Tanner served as Section Chief of SR-3 after having served as Vice Chief and has served in numerous section leadership roles. Bryan A. Melonis Bryan is from Denver, CO and Tahosa Lodge. Bryan served as the co-leader of the SPARK wide game program at the 2015 NOAC and as a leader for the SEEK wide game program at the 2018 NOAC. Bryan provided similar leadership skills to the 2019 World Jamboree connectivity team and the Novus program. Bryan served as a Trek Guide for the 2013 National Jamboree, staffed several NLS events, and served as Section Chief and Vice Chief of W-5S. Collin D. Metscher Collin is from Denver, CO and Tahosa Lodge. Collin served as youth lead to the National Communications Team for the OA and staffed NEXT in 2016, the National Jamboree in 2017, and the World Jamboree in 2019. Collin served as a key trainer in for the Western Region and its NLS events and Collin served three terms as Section Chief of W-2S. Michael K. Minnis Mike is from Chandler, AZ and Wipala Wiki Lodge. Mike has served in a variety of staff roles at NOACs from 1988 to present and is a member of the Western Region OA Committee. Mike has staffed NLS events and served four years as W-1W Section Adviser. Mike also served as a Lodge Chief as a youth. Ethan A. Mooney Ethan is from Zelienople, PA and Kuskitannee Lodge. Ethan served as the 2019 NE Region Chief and staffed the 2018 NOAC, as well as the OA Service Corps at the 2017 National Jamboree. Ethan staffed five NLS events, the Rover Brigade at the 2019 World Jamboree, and served as Section Chief and Vice Chief of Section NE-4B. Jeffrey J. Morley Jeff is from Fairfax, CA and Talako Lodge. Jeff served as Course Director of the National Scouting Historian Summit in 2019 at Philmont and served since 2013 as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Recognition, Awards, History, and Preservation. Jeff served in key leadership roles with the NOAC GEO museum in 2012, 2015, and 2018. Jeff also served on NOAC staffs during the 1980s and was Lodge Chief of Tamet Lodge as a youth. Trinidad Munoz Sr. Trini is from Farmers Branch, TX and Mikanakawa Lodge. Trini has served the OA for over 20 years in the arena of logistics and transportation of properties and supplies at national events. Trini has provided support for a similar tenure at each of the annual OA National Planning meetings in Dallas. Trini has served on staffs of National Jamborees, NOACs, and ArrowCorps5. Ryan Daniel Palmer Ryan is from Rockland, MA and Tantamous Lodge. Ryan served as the 2019 Focus Vice Chief for Conclave 2.0 Content and served on the staff of the 2018 NOAC. Ryan worked with the 2017 Hackathon and the 2016 NEXT event, and staffed NLS events from 2016-2019. Ryan served in several roles for the NE Region OA and served as Section Chief, Vice Chief, and Secretary in Section NE-1. Matthew L. Parsons Matt is from Millsboro, DE and Nentego Lodge. Matt served as the 2019 National Chief and as the CVC of Activities and Recreation at the 2018 NOAC. Matt served on seven NLS staffs prior to becoming National Chief. Matt also served twice as Section Chief and as Section Vice Chief of NE-6A. Anthony Thomas Peluso Anthony is from Virginia Beach, VA and Blue Heron Lodge. Anthony served as the 2018 National Chief and served as a Crew Guide for NEXT 2016 and served on the Trek Guides committee for the 2017 National Jamboree. Anthony worked on the 2017-2018 NLS rewrite team and served twice as Section Chief of SR-7A. Christopher C. Phillips Chris is from Conway, AR and Quapaw Lodge. Chris served as National DYLC Coordinator from 2017-2019 and served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Training since 2013. Chris also served the Southern Region OA Committee as Vice Chair of Training and staffed numerous Region OA events. Chris is currently the Section Adviser of SR-8 and as a youth was Lodge Chief of Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge. Brett A. Randall Brett is from Houston, TX and Colonneh Lodge. Brett served as CVC of Shows for the 2018 NOAC and served on the Operation Arrow staff for the 2017 National Jamboree. Brett has staffed NLS and served as Section Chief and Vice Chief for SR-3, along with a number of other conclave roles. Travis Matthew Rubelee Travis is from Overland Park, KS and Tamegonit Lodge. Travis served as the Associate Director of the OA from 2016-2018 and provided valuable leadership to the Order for the national and regional events during that time. Travis served as Section Staff Adviser from 2006-2011 and served on the staff of the 2019 World Jamboree. As a youth, Travis served on NOAC staffs and National Jamboree staff and also served as Lodge Chief of Mikanakawa Lodge. Sidney J. Salazar Sid is from Franklin, TN and Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge. Sid served as the 2019 Southern Region Chief and served on staff at the 2018 NOAC and served as a Crew Guide for NEXT in 2016. Sid also worked on the LLD rewrite team in 2017 and served on seven NLS staffs from 2017-2019. Sid served as Section Chief of SR-6 and in other conclave roles for his section. Tracy Michael Schultze Tracy is from San Diego, CA and Tiwahe Lodge. Tracy served on the last three museum staffs at NOAC in key logistics roles and also staffed previous NOACs. Tracy also staffed a site at ArrowCorps5 in 2008 and at SummitCorps in 2011 and served as Section Adviser of W-6W from 2014-2016. As a youth, Tracy was the 1997 W-4B Section Chief, as well as Section Secretary, Lodge Chief, and an OA staffer at the 1997 National Jamboree, all while a member of Cahuilla Lodge. Eric J. Silva Eric is from Birdsboro, PA and Kittatinny Lodge. Eric has served as the National OA Website adviser since 2015 and has worked with National OA Communications team since 2013. In these roles, Eric provided leadership to NEXT in 2016, the OA activities at the National Jamboree and the OA Hackathon in 2017, and to NOAC in 2018. Justin David St. Louis Justin is from Lowell, MA and Pennacook Lodge. Justin served as the 2018 NE Region Chief and served as the JVC of Program at the 2017 National Jamboree. Justin staffed numerous NLS events and served on the National Communications team for the OA. Justin served as the Section Chief, Vice Chief, and Secretary in NE-1. Brandon R. Stahl Brandon is from Mishawaka, IN and Sakima Lodge. Brandon served as the 2019 Central Region Chief, staffed the 2019 World Jamboree, and served at Philbreak 2019. Brandon has staffed NLS courses and numerous other OA events. Brandon served as Section Chief and Secretary of C-6A. Nathanael A. Steele Nate is from New Concord, OH and Takhonek Lodge. Nate served as CVC of Strategy at NEXT in 2016 and served on the staff of the 2017 National Jamboree. Nate served on several NLS staffs and served on the 2017 Wachipi planning team. Nate served on summer staffs at Philmont and at the Summit and served as Aerial Sports program lead at the 2018 NOAC. Nate served as Section Chief of C-4B and provided his youth service in Netawatwees Lodge. Bradley Gray Taylor Bradley is from Clemmons, NC and Wahissa Lodge. Bradley served as the youth Chair for the 2012 NOAC GEO Museum, served in leadership roles for the Museum in 2015 and in 2018, and staffed the National Scouting Historian Summit in 2019. Bradley worked on the OA staff for Exhibits and Display at the 2017 National Jamboree and served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Recognition, Awards, History, and Preservation since 2014. Bradley served as a two-term Section Vice Chief in SR-7B. Richard A. Todd Rick is from Charlotte, MI and Agaming Maangogwan Lodge. Rick has served in the Administrative Services Group, or as the key local resource to that group, for all of the NOACs from 2006 to present. Rick served as Lodge Adviser for 12 years and served his section in numerous roles. Richard A. Whitney Rich is from Los Angeles, CA and Tuku’ut Lodge. Rich served on the NLS rewrite team in 2017 and has served on numerous NLS staffs over the last three years. Rich has also worked with the PILOT training at NOAC in 2018 and with DYLC courses. Rich led the GLOBE leadership program at the 2019 World Jamboree. As a youth, Rich served as Section W-3B Chief in 1986 and as a two-term Lodge Chief of Tannu Lodge. Gary D. Williams Gary is from Mt. Vernon, IL and Nisha Kittan Lodge. Gary has provided lengthy service in security at 7 National Jamborees, 7 NOACs, NEXT in 2016, a site at ArrowCorps5 in 2008, and the World Jamboree in 2019. As a youth in Taleka Lodge, Gary served as a lodge officer, and Gary subsequently served as Lodge Adviser of that lodge.
Guidelines for Conducting Virtual Lodge Officer Elections
Many times, difficult situations lead to innovative solutions. COVID-19 has given lodges across the country the tough decision of whether to postpone Lodge Officer Elections or to hold them virtually. If local restrictions preclude in-person gatherings, the following guidelines are provided to enable a virtual lodge election to be conducted. How to Get People There It is beneficial to maintain the same date for the election that you otherwise would have had to minimize confusion. Plan some sort of draw in besides the elections (e.g., O-Shot-Caw lodge had a lodge rededication ceremony that lasted about 20 minutes). You may also have lodge trivia on Kahoot or another activity that can easily be performed via a videoconferencing service. An additional benefit of having a program before the election is that it gives the administration team time to check the dues status of each member on the call. Determining Dues Status of Members The first challenge you will encounter is how to determine who on the call is a dues-paid youth and who is an adult. To solve this, you may have everyone turn on their cameras and give instructions to include “youth” or “adult” in their name on the Zoom call. For example, a voting member would be “Johnny Arrowman – Youth,” whereas an adult would be “Johnny Arrowman – Adult.” This will help you gauge how many youth are on the call. As the election takes place, your Membership Team can check every youth’s name with Lodgemaster to ensure they are a dues paid youth in the lodge. This audit system will allow you to ensure that only youth are voting while protecting the privacy of their vote. If a youth has not paid dues, it is up to you if you would like to let them vote with the stipulation of paying within the week or simply not let them vote. In the experiences of lodges so far, the vast majority of people who had not initially paid dues who were allowed to vote, did pay their dues in a timely manner. Conducting the Election Conduct the election as you normally would: accepting nominations from the floor, accepting petitions electronically before the election, etc., then allowing them to speak for the standard amount of time in your lodge. You may also allow for runoffs with additional speeches if your lodge leadership elects to do so. Once all nominees finish speaking, the voting link and password (if applicable) should be sent in the Zoom (or other video conferencing software) chat. We recommend allowing 2-3 minutes for voting, and once the results are collected, a photo of the results can be sent to the Adult Lodge Adviser, for authentication purposes, who will then let the Lodge Chief know the result. This allows the specific results of the election to only be seen by adult advisers but gives the Lodge Chief the opportunity to announce the results. However, if your lodge utilizes chapter caucuses, you may choose to create breakout rooms to which you can assign specific members. Five to seven minutes should be adequate time for a chapter caucus. If your lodge typically verbally announces votes by chapter rather than by ballot, we encourage you to do that as well. Vote Counting We recommend utilizing your video conferencing service to hold the election itself but tally the votes via a polling platform. There are several polling platforms available that could accomplish this such as Google Surveys, Survey Monkey, and Zoom which has the ability to vote within the platform if you have a paid account. Research each of these platforms to find the best fit for your lodge. Key Takeaway The more changes that are introduced to the election procedure, the more confused your members are likely to become. Maintain as much of a sense of normalcy as possible while conducting your virtual elections.
Momentum Launch: Everything you need to know!
Welcome to Momentum Launch Fellow Arrowmen: it’s the week we’ve all been waiting for. It might not be happening in the place we thought it would or in the mode we expected, but we are gathering together as an Order to celebrate, to learn, to deepen our brotherhood, to serve, and to have fun. Those who chose you, need you: join us at Momentum Launch. For the first time, our Order’s summer event is free to all. Starting tonight at 8:30 p.m. EDT, join us for our free livestream and wide game activities, and engage with us and other Arrowmen on social media. Registered Delegates also receive a patch, access to the livestream archive and our community platform (Slack), an OA-themed mask, and the opportunity to earn the participation patch. If you're not registered yet, you can register at any point at registration.oa-bsa.org. It’s been a tough summer: living through a pandemic presents us daily with a set of irksome tasks and weighty responsibilities, and never more has it been so important to preserve our cheerful spirit and to be unselfish in service and devotion to the welfare of others. This is our time. Those who chose you, need your Momentum. Help us Launch the Order of the Arrow into a new era of service and fellowship where we face the challenges of the future. Through Momentum Launch, you will develop the skills necessary to lead your lodge into an uncertain future. Each session will help you build the momentum our organization needs to engage virtually, and we have many fun and engaging events that connect you with other Arrowmen as we join in fellowship and brotherhood. As we look forward to a future marked with uncertainty, each of us must use this event to launch brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service within ourselves and our lodges. Reflect on your experiences as an Arrowman and how you can recreate these same experiences, these same feelings, for our fellow Arrowmen despite the uncertainty of a “new normal.” As the event begins, reflect on how we can launch the future of our Order. Event-Wide Game and Slack What’s the event-wide game? The event-wide game is a great way to experience as much of the Momentum Launch event as possible, while earning points and competing with friends. There are badges for all sorts of things, from attending a training or watching the opening show, to running a 5k at home or even sharing a video of you rocking out to your favorite tune. Each of these badges earns you a certain number of points, anywhere from 50 to 600! While anyone can view the badges and requirements to guide their participation in Momentum Launch, only registered delegates will be able to log their progress in NOAERS and receive the participation award. Registered delegates who earn 15,000 points and complete the 8 core requirements listed in the wide game website by 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 9th will receive a special participation patch. Already knocking out requirements while participating for free and want to receive credit? Go to registration.oa-bsa.org to register today. What about the community platform, Slack? Registered delegates will have the opportunity to interact with one another and the Momentum Launch program on Slack. With channels for each activity and training, as well as special interests and small group conversations, Slack is the hub for fellowship between registered delegates. Lodge leaders can collaborate on common issues. Ceremonialists can share best practices. Delegates can even share their favorite OA memes and patches. Want to join in on the fellowship and interaction? You can still register today! Delta Delta is a leadership experience that will be broadcast during Momentum Launch from 12:00PM to 1:30 PM EDT on August 6th. Tune in and learn more about how you can change your chapter, lodge, and section for the better. Get the mission plan for Delta here. Schedule and What to Expect Momentum Launch starts today, August 4th, and the schedule is packed with great activities over the next few days. Tomorrow, August 5th begins our interactive programs with exciting training opportunities. Training will kick off each morning at 10am EDT. Certain training sessions will focus on lodge officers, running unit elections, opportunities for new members, as well as boosting OA membership. As a reminder, anyone can view the streamed content live on the website or on social media. Don’t forget to tune in tonight, August 4th, at 8:30pm EDT for our Opening Show to kick start Momentum Launch. You won’t want to miss it! During the next two days, a variety of engaging activities will be offered, ranging from the Chef’d Cookoff to the Onward and Upward Painting Special. You won’t want to miss this! Do you have what it takes to beat fellow Arrowmen from around the country in a competitive game of Kahoot? How about Tried and True Trivia?Don’t forget to tune in to the Finding Momentum sessions featuring Robert Gates, Col. Doug Wheelock, Roger Mosby, Al Lambert, and Rex Tillerson. Trading Post Looking for some Momentum merchandise? Check out the online trading post to preorder some Momentum memorabilia that will surely make your patch collection stand out. You can pre-order a limited edition 2020 Momentum patch or the 2020 Momentum patch set, which includes a Momentum Launch patch, a Momentum On-Site Participant patch, a Momentum On-Site Staff patch, and a Momentum back patch. The costs for these items are: 2020 Momentum Patch - $7.00 2020 Momentum Patch Set - $55.00 Act fast! Preorders will be accepted until August 8, 2020, and the items will not be available for purchase afterward. Included within the price are shipping, taxes, and fees. All orders will be shipped out in September. Get your patches today!
Chiefly Speaking: Redefining 2020's Impact
Brothers, It is hard to believe that we already find ourselves more than halfway through the year. This week, we are supposed to be gathered together for the 2020 National Order of the Arrow Conference. We may be physically distant, but we aren’t alone. This week as we come together for Momentum Launch, we all must look ahead to delivering our programs in this new normal. In any leadership role, specific moments arise that seek to define your term. Less than four weeks after our organization started experiencing a period of rapid change and restructuring, we began facing an unprecedented pandemic that would test each of us immensely. The spread of this virus has led to more tough decisions in our organization, like events from the local to the national levels. We know many of you are adapting your chapter or lodge’s programs to reach our members safely. That is no easy undertaking—we’re grateful for your leadership in these trying times. It is tempting to believe these moments can overshadow this year. At Momentum Launch this week, we will chart a new course for the Order of the Arrow for the remainder of 2020. Our joint commitment to bold, decisive action will enable our organization to emerge from this crisis stronger than ever before. The instant we let these tough moments define this year and our legacies as leaders, we seal our movement’s fate. This year will be remembered for each day that we take the opportunity to advance our organization. As we move through the second half of 2020, we invite you to join us in staying true to that promise. Together, here’s how we’ll make it happen: Providing each eligible Scout an election opportunity by visiting every remaining unit before December 31. Encouraging each candidate to complete their induction through upscaling our individual outreach. Inspiring all existing members to become active Arrowmen through regular virtual and/or in-person events. Last October we committed to thrive, setting up this year as our greatest opportunity for growth to-date. By fulfilling this promise, 2020 will be defined by the leaders who kept the momentum going. Our top priority as a national organization continues to be supporting lodges and chapters in these efforts. On behalf of the National Committee, we are publishing our plan as a national organization to join you as we redefine 2020. Don’t let the tough moments control your year, for your abilities are far stronger than any obstacle you encounter. The challenges of the moment seek to define your term, but your character and resolve will leave a legacy. With eyes to the sky, Zach Schonfeld Noah Smith 2020 National Chief 2020 National Vice Chief
Induction Guidance to Lodges Under COVID-19 Restrictions (Virtual Inductions)
New guidelines have been issued to provide lodges in areas under COVID-19 restrictions to proceed with induction events. The objective is to build membership growth and maximize the number of completed inductions while under COVID-19 restrictions and particularly between now and December 31, 2020. Read the Guidelines Here
Reemerging from COVID-19 Resource Portal
As our communities begin to emerge from sheltering in place and we adjust to our new “normal,” the Order of the Arrow will seek to help Lodges re-engage in their activities, support their local council, and provide cheerful service to their communities. Goals and Objectives of this plan: Provide lodges with suggestions and support to maintain an active, robust program that will attract membership participation Maintain a priority for compliance with BSA and local health and safety guidelines Focus on meeting the needs of the youth membership by providing structured activities that appeal to their desire for fellowship and fun while remaining consistent with our core principles and purpose. Continue our focus on enhancing membership. Maintain a sense of optimism as we develop a pathway that will ensure the future growth and relevance of the OA within Scouting and our nation. In addition to the portal posted on our webpage, we’ve launched a Facebook group for lodge-leaders to connect and share comments and suggestions regarding best-practices and resources developed by the national organization. You can view and join this group here. Please note: The Order of the Arrow will share these ideas via posts, and you will have the ability to create conversation regarding them in the comments. Only group administrators are permitted to create new posts or conversation topics. For more information, visit oa-bsa.org/resources/reemerging.
Increasing Induction of Adult Unit Leaders
We’ve made some key changes to the process by which adults can be selected by the lodge adult selection committee. For unit-level adult leaders, the requirement that states at least one youth must be elected in a unit for any adults to be chosen remains. However, instead of the usual one adult per three youth ratio, we are now permitting two adults to be selected per three youth elected. As an example, if a unit holds an election in which 10 youth are elected, they would be entitled to nominate 6.67 adults. Rounding up means they can nominate up to 7 adults. As a reminder, an unlimited number of council and district-level adults can be nominated to join the Order. As always, nominees must serve to provide a positive example to the youth and benefit the OA program. In terms of camping requirements, unit-level adults must have at least 15 nights of camping while registered with a troop, crew, or ship within two years prior to the unit election. The 15 nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping, approved by the standards set by the BSA. For council and district-level adults, however, the camping nights requirement may be waived by the lodge adviser or scout executive. We’d also like to remind your lodge adult selection committees to time your meetings to include late year nominees. If your lodge is experiencing unusual circumstances or has any questions regarding unit elections for youth or adults, please email membership@oa-bsa.org.
Digital Engagement Toolkit
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to maintain the bonds of brotherhood that we share as Arrowmen as a result of widespread health restrictions for in-person programming. Many chapters, lodges and sections have adapted to the new situation by hosting virtual meetings and other activities. This newly-created guide provides best practices for virtual programming compiled from local chapters and lodges nationwide. Together, we will inspire all existing members to become active Arrowmen through regular virtual and/or in-person events as one of three laser-focused objectives as we navigate this new normal. Some of the programming listed in this guide includes communication between Arrowmen. All events should be held in accordance with Youth Protection guidelines and the Guide to Safe Scouting. To access the guide, visit oa-bsa.org/resources/publications#online-engagement-toolkit.
Updated Unit Elections Video
This video contains a brief summary of the Order of the Arrow and its programs as well as an explanation of the election procedures. We’ve recently re-filmed the video to accurately reflect the recent membership updates. For questions related to the video usage, please email ICE@oa-bsa.org.
Innovations During Covid-19
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus brought with it national and global implications. At home and abroad, industries have been undertaking intensive measures to mitigate the spread of the virus, including ceasing operation. Naturally, the Scouting community has been impacted by this as well. The Order of the Arrow has been no exception. Across the country, events spanning from lodge to national scales in magnitude have been cancelled and/or postponed to keep Arrowmen safe. That being said, the spirit of innovation has shown itself once again within the OA, with lodges throughout the country adapting to the circumstances in these challenging times. This has materialized in a variety of ways, including the adoption of Zoom and other services for remote communication, the use of social media to engage and connect Arrowmen, and the creation of lodge resources to guide in the successful transition to online functions. The use of Zoom, an online conferencing platform, has increased dramatically in schools, businesses, and of course, Scouting. As lodge functions transition to online, strategies are being implemented to not only engage active Arrowmen, but to also welcome in potential candidates. On March 25, the OA approved lodges to hold virtual unit elections, which can be located here, and lodges have been quick at adapting to these new possibilities. In Kansas, the Tamegonit Lodge hosted their first virtual unit election, electing seven brand new ordeal candidates who will soon begin their path of cheerful service. This demonstrates that although mitigation measures may be preventing in-person elections from occurring, the OA still has the potential to grow and welcome new members. For those who are currently members, lodges have also been devising strategies to connect Arrowmen in an online setting. Orca Lodge in California held their first of many game nights via Zoom, playing a variety of online games and providing much needed fellowship for Arrowmen separated by distance. While these examples demonstrate successful initiatives using online conferencing, social media platforms have once again proved beneficial in providing unique ways of engaging Arrowmen in these trying times. Lodges have consistently employed social media as a tool for outreach and sharing information. With the transition to virtual operations, lodges have found creative ways of utilizing various platforms beyond traditional use. Nampa-Tsi Lodge in Missouri, for example, has exemplified certain innovative practices. In early April, the Lodge held a live Fortnite tournament, using the popular online battle royale game, with a cash prize for the winner. Open to youth Arrowmen throughout the country, this demonstrated the possibilities of engaging Arrowmen not just in a single lodge, but across the country as well. The Lodge will be holding a similar function at the end of April, this time being their first ever online Jeopardy competition. Similarly, Nampa-Tsi has joined other lodges, including Ittawamba Lodge from Western Tennessee, in hosting Facebook Live events for lodge members. Simple yet effective, Ittawamba in particular held a livestream hosted by their Lodge Chief, providing the over 200 hundred who viewed it a much needed chance to simply interact with each other virtually. Finally, both in and out of Scouting, Instagram Bingo has been materializing, with lodges - including some sections - creating virtual Bingo cards with a variety of activities for Arrowmen to tick off if they’ve done them, and then pass along to their friends. Lodges such as Tuku’ut and Amangi Nacha in California have also created Bingo cards, including card tiles such as “Danced at a Lodge event”, “Served as an Elangomat” and “Forgot your sash”. This novel method of utilizing social media platforms demonstrates the plethora of unique options available in keeping the OA an active part of Arrowmen’s lives. To assist with the transition to online Scouting, some lodges have created resources and guides for unit elections and other virtual functions. Recently, California’s Malibu Lodge created a document detailing guidance for holding virtual chapter meetings. This comprehensive guide they created features everything from how to host a Zoom call, various online games a lodge or chapter can play, to recent publications from the BSA and the OA. Some of the activities outlined in the guide include holding Netflix parties for your lodge, playing an online drawing game, and conducting a virtual scavenger hunt. Similarly, Madockawanda Lodge up in Maine created an informational video with resources for conducting online unit elections. Key elements include an email template for unit leaders, a form for the election ballot, and guidance for coordinating and conducting the actual elections. While this resource in particular is directed for usage in Madockawanda Lodge, it can certainly serve as a model for other lodges and chapters to utilize to their benefit. Providing guides and information on how to best adapt to this new situation can not only support one’s own lodge, but also prove to be an asset for other lodges to take advantage of and generate successful practices across the country. Innovation, however, has not been limited to just the lodge level. Not only have unit elections and fellowships been moved online, but virtual section conclaves have been emerging as well. While most spring conclaves have been postponed or cancelled, Section C-5B decided to adapt to the circumstances and in mid April, held the section's first ever virtual conclave - The Tornado Alley Rally. This online event featured all the aspects of a normal conclave, including shows, leadership training, and national and region chief addresses. Beyond the section, the regions have also been engaging the lodges within their boundaries, with the Central and Northeast Regions initiating social media spirit weeks. These spirit weeks challenge Arrowmen to show off their Scouting pride with a diverse set of themes pertaining to NOAC and other OA functions. It is clear that innovation is seen throughout all levels of the Order of the Arrow. When lodges, sections, and regions step up to the challenge of providing a meaningful and successful program, the numerous capabilities of the OA can shine through. These innovations truly attest to our collective ability to adapt to challenging circumstances and continue to thrive in and out of our lodges.
2019 E. Urner Goodman Camping Award Recipients
In 1969, the Order of the Arrow established the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award as a tribute and memorial to the founder of our Order. Its purpose is to encourage and challenge Order of the Arrow members and lodges to improve their effectiveness in promoting and supporting Scout camping in their councils. Each year, two lodges in each region are recognized with the award. In its 51-year history, the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award, which is the Order’s oldest national lodge award, has been presented to 233 different lodges. Unali’Yi Lodge of the Coastal Carolina Council is one of the eight lodges being presented the award for their accomplishments in 2019. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the lodge’s largest service project was carrying out their Cub Haunted event last October. The event, which included 94 Arrowmen among its staff, involved carnival events, shooting sports, crafts, a haunted house, hayride, and a haunted trail. During the event, the Lodge raised $14,500 to support their council’s program budget. Although this year’s Cub Haunted event was the largest, the lodge has supported this event for years, and many of its Lodge Executive Committee members were past Cub Scouts who attended the event and are now excited to give back to the Cub Scout and Scouts B.S.A. programs. Another of Unali’Yi’s successful camping promotion efforts was their annual winter camp program at Camp Ho Non Wah. One of their efforts was an ambassador program, in which the lodge sent promotional materials to unit leaders across their council. Each letter included wooden nickels and promotional cards, which unit leaders could share with others when camping away from their home camp. The promotional cards alone resulted in 18 new contacts for information about summer camp, winter camp, and year-round camping opportunities. In addition, the lodge provided 98% of the volunteer staff for the winter camp program, which had 442 campers, leaders, and staff in attendance. The following lodges are being recognized with the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award for their accomplishments in 2019. Central Region Dzie-Hauk Tonga Lodge Jayhawk Area Council #197 Topeka, Kansas Lowaneu Allanque Lodge Three Fires Council #127 St. Charles, Illinois Northeast Region Lenapehoking Lodge Northern New Jersey Council #333 Oakland, New Jersey Passaconaway Lodge Daniel Webster Council #330 Manchester, New Hampshire Southern Region Shenandoah Lodge Virginia Headwaters Council #763 Waynesboro, Virginia Unali’Yi Lodge Coastal Carolina Council #550 Charleston, South Carolina Western Region Cahuilla Lodge California Inland Empire Council #45 Redlands, California Tuku’ut Lodge Greater Los Angeles Area Council #33 Los Angeles, California
Arrowman Spotlight - Captain of the USNS Mercy
For many Arrowmen, the Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in canceled Scouting events and staying at home. For United States Navy Captain John Rotruck, his Coronavirus pandemic experience has been quite the opposite. He has led a team of doctors and medical professionals aboard the USNS Mercy to the frontlines of the pandemic. The Mercy is stationed in the Los Angeles harbor providing medical treatment to non-COVID-19 patients. When not deployed for pandemic response, the USNS Mercy has participated in humanitarian aid partnerships across the Pacific Ocean. The San Diego-based ship provided medical treatment to tsunami victims in South East Asia in 2004 and has since visited countries throughout the region. The USNS Mercy is one of two floating hospitals maintained by the US Navy. Weighing over 65,000 tons and measuring 894 feet long, the two ships are the third-longest type of vessel in the Navy fleet surpassed only by our nation’s aircraft carriers. The onboard hospital is equipped with 1,000 hospital beds, eleven operating rooms and 80 intensive care beds. Captain Rotruck is the commanding officer for the hospital unit. Rotruck is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He earned his Eagle Scout award in 1987 as a member of the BSA’s Central Florida Council. John was inducted into the OA one year prior in November 1986 and his involvement in the Order has included serving as a section chief and NOAC conference vice chief. As an adult, he has served on the national committee and now works as a key volunteer. When asked how being a member of the OA has impacted him, Capt Rotruck referenced planning a conclave and running the council of chiefs as great experiences. “Those early lessons in governing and group directing have transitioned to a much larger scale.” He explained, “I continue to manage the same group dynamics but in a different way.” Captain Rotruck offered an important message about Scouting and applying our ideals to the global pandemic. “This pandemic is facing the entire world. We need to band together to get through it. The OA specifically teaches us about brotherhood,” he said. “It is amazing to see youth and adults come together to interact with each other [in Scouting]. If we expand that to the world, we would be in a much better place.” Mike Hoffman, Chairman of the National Order of the Arrow Committee, also reflected on Rotruck’s service as a youth translating to today’s events: “John’s leadership as a youth in the Order of the Arrow as a lodge and section officer clearly paved the way for his command of the Mercy.” Ray Capp, former national Chairman, described John as “a terrific human being.” Service to one another is a key theme within the OA. Rotruck lives by this daily helping and leading others onboard USNS Mercy. Before his current position, Rotruck served as Chief of Staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He was commissioned in the Navy Medical Corps in 1996 and has served twenty-four years as a physician. When asked his favorite OA memory, Captain Rotruck put others before himself. “The OA as an organization focuses on service to others. One of my highlights was when Jason Wolz was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award. He was a section chief as well who did an amazing job.” Rotruck’s contributions to the OA have included work on the national inductions guide and serving on induction staff at NOACs. When asked which ceremonial principle he best relates to, he answered “Meteu. The principle is contemplated and perspective. He spends time listening.” He continued, “I like to pull in the material and relevant information and make sure everyone around me is heard. I certainly want everyone to have a chance.” In closing, Capt Rotruck provided Arrowmen a special message as they adapted during the pandemic: “Take care of each other. Take care of family, friends and yourself. If you live by the principle of love one another, everything else will fall into place.” He also offered to Los Angeles residents, where the hospital ship is deployed and providing treatment, that ”[the USNS Mercy represents] the power of NAVY medicine on behalf of our country.”