Participation Chapter/Lodge Events

1. By Jonathan Lindsey Tortugas Chapter Adviser jlindsey@omegakira.net (575)-649-3911 Participation Chapter/Lodge Events

2. Common Problems • Kids know what the ordeal is, and assume that's all we do. • Scoutmasters think we steal their older boys. • Scouts and Scouters don't see our work. • Boring meetings make for reduction in scouts • Uneducated Arrowmen Sash n Dash • No rewards for effort

3. Youth chapter meeting run by youth Summer event – bbq, water baloon fight, druming and singing party Fun outtings Inter chapter events Filling Chapter Positions Training Adviser cooperation OA membership adoptions OA Orientations OA Summer Camp Involvment LLD Presented Ideas • Chapter Campout • Comradere • Ownership in teams • Patch on attendance • Forcing through parents • Recruitment • Fun • Something to eat • Communication • Steal the bacon with OA questions

4. The Categories • Incentives – Bribes • Structure – Organization Of Chapter • Fun – no explanation needed • Interpersonal Relationships – Being Friends • Recruitment / Awareness – Being Visable

5. Incentives • Food • Medicine Bags – with significant meaning • Patch on attendance • Beads for attendance • Chapter Level Awards

6. Structure • Youth Run Organization • Filling Chapter Positions • Advisers making sure youth do not feel alone • Limitations on who can serve (adding prestige) • OA Orientation** • OA Membership Adoptions • Communication • Meeting Planning • Training

7. Fun • Chapter Camp Out • Summer Events • BBQ • Water Balloon Fights • Drumming / Singing Parties • Swim Parties • Games at meetings • Steal the bacon with OA questions • Fun Outings • Inter Chapter Events

8. Interpersonal Relationships • Camaraderie • Ownership in teams (Ceremony, Dance, Drum) • Recruitment

9. Recruitment / Awareness • Chapter Service Projects • Arrow of Light Ceremonies / Bridging Ceremonies • Participation at District Events

10. What Wapaha Chapter is doing right • Introduction to the Order of the Arrow, Your Chapter and what it means to you! • Chapter Camp Outs • Ownership in Ceremony Gear • Incentives – Patches for Vice Chiefs and Teams • Strong Interpersonal Relationships

11. Where Wapaha Came From • 3 youth • 5 adults • Poor leadership • No activities / participation

12. Where Wapaha is now • 15 youth active • 10 adults • Leadership with succession plan • Dedicated Ordeal • Dedicated Pre-Ordeal Team • Starting a Dance Team

13. What Tortugas Chapter is doing right • Chapter Service Projects • Strong Interpersonal Relationships • Involved in District Functions • Brand New Incentive Programs • Arrowman of the Year • Legacy Sash Program • OA Coins for Elections Team • Recogition for Chapter Adviser/Chief Plaque (still being worked on) • Chapter Identification: Chapter Neckerchiefs

14. So how do we get there? • Through planning meetings, we can make them fun. • Through training, we can make sure the youth and adults know what to expect from each other • Through training, youth can understand the roles and positions which will persuade them to take up a position of responsibility • Through friendship, creating that close bond between existing members. • Through ownership and competition between chapters. • Through exposure on the district level • Friendly competition between chapters at lodge events

15. It may not start with the letter U, but it does start with YOU! Participation