By now each of you are fully enjoying your summer vacations, whether that’s a trip to Scout camp, several hours of back-to-back YouTube videos, or a few extra bucks from a summer job. While there’s still plenty of time left in your summer break, you have three tasks to complete for OA – don’t worry, they’re not “homework”. Each of the three are outlined and explained, below, though you’re encouraged to follow-up with the contact for each, should you have questions or concerns.
Review Proposed Rules Amendments
As you already noticed in the Tail and Feather newsletter, published earlier this month, several lodge rules amendments are proposed for consideration at the business meeting during the upcoming Summer Super Fellowship, August 3-6 at Camp Barstow. Lodge Chief, Grace Franklin, is leading an effort to update the rules to include all lessons learned so far this year, the lodge’s first year in existence. While updates of this magnitude are not expected every year, your lodge leadership is proposing these amendments to better align the rules with the lessons learned over the past six months. There is a second amendment, proposed by Aidan Dong, Lodge Treasurer, and Michael O’Neal, Iswa Chapter Chief, seeking to create a service award that can be earned by each lodge member. Your officers took a lot of time in crafting these amendments, so give them a look before the Saturday lodge business meeting.
Elect New OA Members
It is time for your unit to hold its annual OA Unit Election, where you select new candidates for OA membership – so they can attend the Ordeal. If your unit hasn’t held its unit election, encourage your unit leader (e.g., Scoutmaster) to contact your Chapter’s team at elections@muscogeelodge.org to get an election visit scheduled today! After the Summer Super Fellowship, there’s only one induction event left for this year, the Fall Induction Weekend at Camp Coker, so don’t let your fellow Scouts miss their opportunity to join Scouting’s National Honor Society.
Submit Lodge Award Nominees
At the annual Winter Banquet, Muscogee #116 recognizes those Arrowmen who provided cheerful service, above and beyond the level expected, based on their position or title. To be seriously considered for these awards, nominees must have given significant, outstanding service to Muscogee Lodge #116 and in the name of the Order of the Arrow (whether inside Scouting or in the community). Only those Arrowmen who are nominated will be considered, so it is up to you to complete and submit a nomination. These are the award categories:
- Founder’s Award – the highest recognition bestowed by the lodge, presented to up to one youth and one adult each year in acknowledgement of their distinguished and outstanding service to the lodge. The national-level award is reserved for Arrowmen who personify the spirit of selfless service, as advocated by founder E. Urner Goodman and co-founder Carroll A. Edson.
- Jimmy Duffy and Bernie Moore Legacy of Service Awards – presented annually to one youth member (under 21 at the time of selection) and to one adult member, respectively, who provide exemplary service to the lodge over the previous year and demonstrate the high ideals of Scouting and the Order in their daily life.
Muscogee Lodge #116 proudly serves the Indian Waters Council, BSA, across