L421A CHAPTER STRUCTURE 2004 NATIONAL ORDER OF THE ARROW CONFERENCE Session Length: 50 Minutes Learning objectives: The Arrowman will understand the relationship between the Lodge and an effective Chapter Program. The Arrowman will understand the unique strengths of the Chapter Program. The Arrowman will understand the role the chapter plays in Supporting the District at large. Required Materials: Flipcharts & Easel Markers Computer & Power Point projector (preferred method) Posters 3 of clear tape TRAINER PREPARATION Prior to the arrival of the participants, print on the Flip chart or white board: The Session name Your Name Contact information Your hometown, Lodge Name, and Council Name Your position in your home lodge This presentation is conducive to most types of training environments including classrooms, large lecture halls, conference table formats, outdoor settings with some covering etc. Ensure that seating and visual aids are adequate for the projected audience size. There should be sufficient room to allow for a breakout discussion session. SESSION NARRATIVE Introduction: When larger Lodges operate an effective chapter program, each chapter functions like a small Lodge. The chapter program has the ability to provide more opportunities for arrowmen to demonstrate leadership abilities and provide more service to the District and their home units. Order of the Arrow Page 1 of 6 Boy Scouts of America
Trainer Tip: Post chart with the "Purpose of the Order of the Arrow". Draw similarities on how the chapter level can put these four points into action at a District level. The true purpose of the Chapter is to provide servant leadership to the District and the units in your area. Remember that the OA is a supplement to the troop program and is to provide additional programs to keep boys involved longer in the program. In large area lodges, the chapter is particularly effective in this arena, where if no chapter existed the lodge would be stretched and the program would be affected. Chapter Structure: Trainer Tip: Have class participants name officers and committees that the Lodges have and get input from members what positions should be at the Chapter level. Lead a discussion on the Officer Positions that are needed at a Chapter Level and how the positions are similar and how they may differ. Chapter Chief - Presides over the chapter meetings. - Member of the Lodge Executive Board and attends all scheduled meetings - Represents his chapter at all Lodge functions, events, and service projects. - Keeps all chapter members informed of Lodge events. Chapter Program Vice Chief - Assumes responsibility and presides over meetings in the absence of the Chapter Chief. - Develops and assists in the planning of chapter activities, outings, service projects. - Develops camping presentation for each unit at the annual visitation and OA elections. Chapter Service Vice Chief - Coordinates chapter involvement at Lodge camp/service Projects - Promotes and organizes chapter involvement in District service projects - Encourages arrowmen to be on camp staff Chapter Membership Chair - Contacts all units in District and schedule visitations and elections - Trains visitation teams to ensure consistent message and proper procedures are followed. - Processes election paperwork and forwards to Lodge Membership Vice Chief - Maintains Chapter registration materials. Chapter Ceremonies Vice Chief - Promotes and organizes chapter ceremony teams. Order of the Arrow Page 2 of 6 Boy Scouts of America
- Maintains chapter costuming, ceremony props, and other materials. Chapter Secretary - Maintains record of all chapter meetings - Works with chapter newsletter chairman to communicate information to the units and District. - Works closely with Lodge Secretary. Chapter Unit Representative Chairman - Maintains an updated roster of the representative in the District - Keeps all representatives up to date on Lodge or Chapter functions. - Holds annual training for newly appointed Unit Representatives. Break Out Session 15 minutes Break the group into four separate sub groups and have them brainstorm ideas for improving how strengthening the chapter program can strengthen the Lodge and provide a better program for the District and Council in servant Leadership. Trainer Tip: Have flip charts, easel markers and tape available for each group to write their ideas down. Ask each group to present their ideas. Wrap up the session by reviewing what the groups have presented. Ask for questions. Do not forget to have participants fill our evaluation forms and turn them in. APPENDIX: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q 1: A 1: Q 2: A 2: Q 3: A 3: Who decides whether a Lodge has a chapter Program? The decision as to the need for chapters falls to the Scout Executive in consultation with Lodge leaders. How many chapters should a Lodge have? As many as needed to fulfill the mission of the Lodge. Some lodges follow the council and have a chapter for each district. If districts are close and small in area, you could have one chapter for two or several districts. How are officers and advisers selected for chapter service? Chapter Officers are elected like the Lodge officers and need to meet all the requirements set forth by the Lodge. Advisers are appointed by the Scout Executive for a one year term. Order of the Arrow Page 3 of 6 Boy Scouts of America
APPENDIX: RECOMMENDED SLIDES The following is a suggested list of Power Point s that can be used for visual presentation. OA Strategic Plan OBJECTIVES OF THIS SESSION To Understand the relationship between the Lodge and effective the Effective Chapter Program To understand the unique strengths of the Chapter Program To understand the role the Chapter plays in supporting the District at large. What is a Strategic What is the Role of the Chapter? The true purpose of the Chapter is to provide servant leadership to the District and the units in your area. Development of New Strategic Plan The Role Continued The OA is a supplement to the troop program and is to provide additional programs to keep boys involved longer in the program In larger area lodges, the chapter is particularly effective in providing this supplemental program. 1 2 3 Purpose of the Order To recognize those campers-scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily Lives. The Purpose Continued To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit To Promote Scout Camping To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others. Chapter Chief: Officer Positions * Represents Chapter At all functions * Presides over the Chapter Meetings * Member of the Lodge Executive Board * Keeps Chapter informed of all Lodge Events 4 5 6 h The Purpose Chapter Program Continued Vice Chief Assumes To develop responsibilities and maintain the camping absence traditions of the Chapter and spirit Chief Develops To Promote and assists Scout in planning Camping activities/outings To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness Develops camping presentations for each into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful unit visit and OA elections service to others. Chapter Service Vice Chief Coordinates Chapter involvement at Lodge camp/service projects Promotes and organizes chapter involvement in District service projects Encourages arrowmen to apply for camp staff. Chapter Membership Chair Contacts all units in District and schedules visitations and elections Trains visitation teams Processes election paperwork and forwards to Lodge Membership Vice Chief Maintains Chapter registration materials. 7 8 9 Chapter Ceremonies Vice Chief Promotes and organizes chapter ceremony teams Maintains chapter costuming, ceremony props, and other materials Chapter Secretary Maintains record of all chapter meetings Works with Chapter newsletter chairman to communicate information to the units and District Works closely with Lodge Secretary Chapter Unit Representative Chairman Maintains an updated roster of the representatives in the District Keeps all representatives up to date on Lodge or Chapter functions Holds annual training for newly appointed Unit Representatives. 10 11 12 Order of the Arrow Page 4 of 6 Boy Scouts of America
13 Break - Out Session Divide into four approximately equally sized groups - Pick leader Brainstorm ideas for improving how strengthening the Chapter program can strengthen the Lodge and provide a better program for the District and Council. Ten Minutes - Each group to present. 14 Quality Lodge Recognition How many points have we discussed that directly relate to the Quality Lodge Petition? 15 OA Handbook Credits OA Guide to Officers and Advisers Cahuilla Lodge # 127 Plan Book National Order of the Arrow website www.oa-bsa.org Wauna La-Mon tay Lodge # 442 CAP Plan Book A Special note of thanks to Rob Rosamond! Order of the Arrow Page 5 of 6 Boy Scouts of America
APPENDIX: SOURCE MATERIALS AND RESOUCES Order of the Arrow Handbook Guide for Officers and Advisers Handbook National Order of the Arrow Website (www.oa-bsa.orgt) Cahuilla Lodge # 127 Plan Book Wauna La-Mon'tay Lodge # 442 CAP Plan Book by Rob Rosamond Order of the Arrow Page 6 of 6 Boy Scouts of America