OA TroopTeam Representative Program

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OA Troop/Team Representative Program
Eric Lissner 2008 Wiatava Lodge OA Representative
Chairman ericliss1042_at_yahoo.com 714-639-5440 Brian
Yamaguchi Adviser to the Lodge OA Representative
Chairman
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Let it be remembered that the Order of the Arrow
was created to help the unit - to help it present
its membership a better ideal of the inner
qualities of the good scout camper. Qualities of
character, cheerfulness and service are hard for
a boy or a man to understand in the abstract.
They come easier when seen in human life. Let us
realize the significance of the Order in the unit
- for the unit is our best hope in
scouting. Dr. E. Urner Goodman
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Session Objectives

• Job Description and Duties
• The benefits for the unit/chapter/council
• How the OA Representative will fit into the
  lodge/chapter
• How to sell the program back home
• How to train the new Representative
• How to support the new Representative
• Why OA Troop Rep Programs Fail

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OA Troop Representative Job Description

• An Order of the Arrow Troop Representative is
  a youth liaison serving between the local OA
  lodge or chapter and his troop. In his troop, he
  serves as a communication and programmatic link
  to the Arrowmen and adult leaders and Scouts who
  are not presently

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OA Troop Representative Job Description Continued

• members of the Order. He does this in a fashion
  that strengthens the mission of the lodge and
  purpose of the Order. By setting a good example,
  he enhances the image of the order as a service
  arm to his troop.

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OA Troop Representative Duties

• Serves as a communication link between the lodge
  or chapter and the troop
• Encourages year round and resident camping in the
  troop
• Encourages older Scout participation in high
  adventure programs

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OA Troop Representative Duties

• Encourages Scouts to actively participate in
  community service projects
• Assists with leadership skills training in the
  troop
• Encourages Arrowmen to assume leadership
  positions in the troop

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OA Troop Representative Duties

• Encourages Arrowmen in the troop to be active
  participants in the lodge and/or chapter
  activities and to seal their membership in the
  Order by becoming Brotherhood members
• Participates in the Induction of new Arrowman
• Sets a good example
• Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform
  correctly

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OA Troop Representative Duties

• Lives by the Scout Oath, Scout Law and OA
  Obligation
• Shows Scout spirit

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OA Troop Representative Qualifications

• Troop
• Under 18 years old
• Appointed by SPL with SM approval
• OA Member in good standing
• Reports to the ASPL

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OA Team Representative Qualifications

• Team Represenative
• Under 18 years old
• Appointed by Varsity Team Captain with Coach
  approval
• OA Member in good standing
• Reports to the Varsity Team Captain

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Additional Information

• Wiatava Lodge Website
• http//wiatava.org
• Order of the Arrow Homepage -
• http//www.OA-BSA.org

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Training

• LLD
• OA Troop / Team Representative Chairman Train the
  Trainer Seminar
• OA Troop/Team Representative Training Seminar
• Registration Form
• Resource List

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Resources - BSA Program

• Boy Scout Handbook
• Scout Fieldbook
• Senior Patrol Leader Guidebook
• Junior Leader Training syllabus
• Boys Life
• Scouting

• Woods Wisdom
• WWW
• Merit Badge Books
• Passport to High Adventure
• Varsity Scout Leader Guide
• Scoutmaster Fundamentals

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Resources - OA Program

• OA Handbook
• OA Guide for Officers and Advisers
• OA Field Operations Guide
• OA Guide to Inductions

• Lodge Planbooks
• LLD syllabus
• People
• Membership rosters
• Newsletters - National through Chapter

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Checklist - Information Exchange
Lodge/Chapter to Troop/Team

• Lodge Chapter Calendars
• Unit Election/Camp Promotion visit
• Service to America Program
• Community Service project opportunities
• Brotherhood conversion
• Resource lists
• OA Representative Registration forms

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Checklist - Information Exchange
Troop/Team to Lodge/Chapter

• Does the unit conduct monthly campouts?
• Does the unit attend a long-term camp?
• Do the units older Scouts participate in high
  adventure programs?
• Does the unit need help with its outdoor program?
• Does the unit need help with community service
  programs?

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Checklist - Information Exchange
Troop/Team to Lodge/Chapter

• Does the unit need help with training?
• Junior Leader Training (Troop Level)
• Does the units OA members participate in lodge
  and chapter activities?
• Names of the new OA Troop/Team Representative
• Does the District need help with Training?
• Baloo
• Den Chief

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OA Troop/Team Representative Program

• How to make it fit in the lodge structure -
• Your OA Troop/Team Representatives are depending
  on the lodge to give them the support they need

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Structure
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Mega Lodge

• Chapter Chief has appointed OA Troop
  Representative Chairman
• Lodge Chief should appoint OA Troop
  Representative Chairman to coordinate Chapter OA
  Troop Representative Chairman to make sure that
  Troop Level OA Reps receive current information
• Lodge OA Troop representative Chairman
  troubleshoots, keeps program healthy, provides
  support material
• Lodge OA Troop Rep trains Chapter OA Reps how to
  train unit level OA Troop / Team Reps on duties
  and responsibilities

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Small Lodge

• Lodge Chief should appoint two Chairmen to run
  program
• One to run program
• One to create materials
• Lodge OA Troop Rep Chairman trains unit OA Troop
  / Team Representatives on duties and
  responsibilities

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All Lodges

• Consider making a database so OA Representative
  Roster can be kept up to date
• Send registration forms twice a year
• Consider making a short installation ceremony
• Conduct Training Seminars at least twice a year
  for newly appointed Troop / Team Level OA
  Representatives, OA Troop / Team Rep Advisors,
  and Scoutmasters

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Success

• Ultimate success depends upon the OA Troop/Team
  Representative Program being a two-way
  communication link. Information needs to flow
  from the lodge to the unit and the unit to the
  lodge. The lodge must be responsive to the needs
  of the troop/team.

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• Keep all Troop/Team Representatives informed
  and make them feel that they are needed and
  critical aspect of the lodge administration

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Who Benefits? -Scouting

• With the Troop/Team Representative as a liaison
  between the Order of the Arrow and the troop or
  team, the camp promotions process will be
  smoother, leading to greater numbers of scouts at
  summer camp.
• Creates a vehicle to strengthen the ties between
  the OA and the individual BSA troops or teams.
  This helps with the retention of the older Scouts

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Who Benefits? -Scouting

• With the organization of service projects, Boy
  Scouts and Varsity Scouts will be seen actively
  helping others in their communities

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Benefits - Lodge/Chapter

• With an easier camp promotions process, the lodge
  can increase the number of units visited,
  increasing the effectiveness of this program in
  the Council
• Eases the unit election process by having a
  person in the troop or team whose job is to
  ensure that elections are held (ie. Troop Rep
  makes appointment with VC Camping Promotions
  Chief for Troop visit)

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Benefits - Lodge/Chapter

• With positive OA leadership on the unit level,
  lodges will experience greater membership
  retention and higher Brotherhood conversion
  rates
• A units OA members will have someone to organize
  transportation to OA events, increasing
  attendance at chapter/lodge functions

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Benefits - Troop/Team

• The coordination of OA calendar with that of the
  troop and team will prevent OA members from
  having to choose between OA functions and unit
  events
• With the organization of service projects, there
  will be greater opportunity for community service
  hours that are required for rank advancement

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Benefits - Troop/Team

• Experienced Arrowmen from other units who may be
  able to share their knowledge can be sought out
  by the OA Representative to augment the troop
  program
• Creates more opportunities for leadership in the
  troop or team for both youth and adults,
  effectively increasing membership retention

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Question

• With all the benefits, then why is the Western
  Region having a difficult time making the OA
  Troop Representative Program a Success?

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Barriers to Success

• Need to get Troop / Scoutmaster Buy-In
• Lack of Training for OA Troop Representatives
• Lack of OA Troop Representative Advisors at the
  Local Level
• Lack of Training for Local OA Troop
  Representative Advisors

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OA Troop/Team Representative Program
Thank you for attending. Refer to cheat sheet or
Lodge Chairman for more information.