PLACENTIA - Eagle Scout, Past Section W4B Chief, California State University Fullerton student, and Placentia City Councilman Jeremy Yamaguchi was named as the mayor of Placentia on Dec. 6 at a Placentia City Council meeting.

Yamaguchi is the youngest mayor in Orange County history and the youngest serving mayor in the state of California. At the age of 22, he has served as a City Council member for three years, a director for the Orange County Fire Authority, and the founding chairman for the Placentia Community Foundation. In November 2008, Yamaguchi was elected to the City Council at the age of 19 for a term of four years. In a race with six candidates for three open seats, he received the highest total vote count, nearly 30 percent higher than the sitting mayor.

Yamaguchi earned his Eagle Scout award in 2006 and was chosen in 2007 as the California Scout of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 2008, he served as the Lodge Chief and a board member for the Orange County Council. As Lodge Chief, he led Boy Scouts throughout the county to garner in excess of 20,000 community service hours. He continues to volunteer in the scouting program as an Assistant Scoutmaster for his troop in Placentia and as the Associate Lodge Advisor in Wiatava Lodge.

Yamaguchi graduated from Placentia's El Dorado High School in 2007 with numerous honors and distinctions, including a historic record of 3,000 community service hours. He is currently a senior at California State University Fullerton majoring in political science with a minor in music. His last final is on Friday. On campus, Yamaguchi is a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, the CSUF pre-law society, Golden-Key, and the Phi Beta Delta honor society for international scholars. He hopes to continue his education to obtain a master's degree in public administration and a juris doctorate in order to study and practice law.

Congratulations Jeremy, the Order of the Arrow wishes you much continued success in the years to come.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=86 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=86 My Fellow Arrowmen,

I have an exciting opportunity of adventure, personal growth, and brotherhood to offer you! If you want to advance yourself and learn to be strong and steadfast, knowledgeable and self-reliant, confident and undiscouraged, join us on staff at Northern Tier National High Adventure Base. Applicants need no prior training, only a positive mental attitude, strong moral character, and a willingness to learn. We have a variety of staff positions for all types of people. If you are over 18 years old and interested in working with us next summer, send in your application today!

Northern Tier is hiring over 200 employees for summer 2012. About half our staff lead 6-10 day canoe trips of roughly 8 youth/adult into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Minnesota with the other half working on base. The following positions are offered at Northern Tier:

Positions Available
Interpreter: Guides canoe trips; provides outdoor skills training to participants. Acts as a resource for safety, environmental awareness, and local history
Outfitting: Distributes & maintains trail equipment & commissary food Trading Post: Assists with displays, inventories, and sales of the Trading Post
Maintenance: Maintains facilities; must be 21 & have current Driver's License
History: Hosts nightly "Rendezvous" campfire; acts as a living history program guide
Food Service: Works in a state-of-the art kitchen; prepares & serves meals Office: Assists in office, data entry, answering phones, making copies, crew check-in etc.

Benefits and Pay
Starting pay is $215 per week and up depending on position. We provide room and board and gear rental. We offer paid staff training in canoeing and camping skills, Wilderness First Aid, and CPR. Some staff receive internship credit for their school. Most employees come away with friendships, adventures, and memories that last a lifetime.

For more information and an application, please go to our website, www.ntier.org, and also check us out on www.facebook.com/NorthernTier and www.youtube.com/NorthernTier. Feel free to call Keith at 218-365-4811 or email me at USJobs@NTier.org if you have any questions.

You are in the Order of the Arrow because your friends and peers saw in you the skill of leadership. Nurture and sharpen your skills at Northern Tier National High Adventure Base!

Thank you,
WWW

Keith Nelson | Chief Recruiter
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Northern Tier High Adventure Program]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=85 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=85 Andrea D. Van Dreese
July 11, 1961 - October 29, 2011

It is with heavy heart we acknowledge the recent passing of Andrea D. Van Dreese, wife of John Van Dreese our much admired Western Region OA Staff Adviser. Below are few more details about this amazing woman.

BIOGRAPHY
Andrea D. Van Dreese, age 50, passed away on Saturday, October 29 in Orange, CA. She was born July 11, 1961, the daughter of Herbert W. and Dona M. Post in Park Falls, WI. An educator most of her life, Andrea served in the Milwaukee Public Schools for nine years, and school districts in Wooddale, IL, and Germantown & Menominee Falls, WI. A lover of music, Andrea was active in the choir of the Congregational Church in Park Falls, WI as she was growing up, and sang in choirs at the Kenwood United Methodist Church (Milwaukee, WI), the First Congregational Church (Germantown, WI), the Cimarron United Methodist Church (NM), and most recently the United Methodist Church in Gilbert, AZ. She enjoyed sailing, swimming, traveling, and training her two golden retrievers Sunday & Sage. Recently, she had been passionately involved with a golden retriever rescue group in Arizona where she helped transport rescued dogs to new homes.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00PM on Saturday, November 12 at Grace United Methodist Church, N2133 Southgate Terrace, P.O. Box 589, Wautoma, WI 54982. Burial will follow in the Marion Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Rescue A Golden of Arizona, P.O. Box 71987, Phoenix, AZ 85050 are appreciated. The Leikness Funeral Home of Wautoma, WI is assisting the family with the arrangements.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=84 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:00:00 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=84 The Western Region Committee and all Section Officers and Advisers met this past Halloween weekend at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center for the annual Western Region Gathering. It was a weekend of training, fellowship, adventure. Highlights include the four hour simulated conclave training the the youth participated in, as well as the mandatory recreational activities (an Advisers v. Officers water balloon fight, a 100 feet long slip and slide, and a water slide).

The most interesting training of the weekend was 2010 Western Region Chief Fred Gross' training that encouraged Section to 'break the mold' and explore new options for their Conclaves. The results of the training exercise can be found in PDF by clicking this link.

For photos from the entire weekend, please visit the Region photo gallery.

Instead of flowers, the family requests you send a donation in Gene's name to the Maury Clancy Indian Campership Fund. Contributions can be mailed to:
Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America
Attn: OA Team Leader- Clyde Mayer
Maury Clancy Indian Campership Fund
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
Irving, TX 75015-2079

Gene will be greatly missed by all those who knew and worked beside him to increase the presence and success of the Order of the Arrow and all Scouting. Please keep Gene's wife Judy and their family in your prayers.

Here is a link about and dedicated to Gene Wadford and his rich full life.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=81 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:00:00 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=81 Written by National Promotions Team - Trains. Planes. Helicopters. Buses. Cars. Bicycles. Hiking. All ways you can get to NOAC 2012! Some ways are better than others, that is for sure. This fall, each Order of the Arrow lodge will be recruiting Arrowmen to join their contingent for the 2012 National Order of the Arrow Conference. Lodges will provide youth and adult leadership to the contingent while en route and at the conference.

Talk with your lodge leadership about joining the contingent and attending NOAC 2012. Lodges will provide information on joining the contingent, travel plans, patches, and more. The conference fee will be $420 plus travel costs as determined by each lodge. Lodges will develop a travel schedule that may include touring while to and from East Lansing, Michigan. Check with your lodge leadership on the cool stops your contingent will make as you travel to NOAC.

Arrowmen may also attend NOAC 2012 as a staff member supporting the thousands of Arrowmen attending the conference. Staff registration will open this fall where Arrowmen can express interest in serving on one of the many NOAC committees. The staff fee is $420 plus the cost of travel. Many staff members travel with their lodge to NOAC, but may also plan their own travel schedule.

These are the two ways to get to NOAC. Join in the fun and remember, Next Stop: NOAC 2012!

Go to the NOAC 2012 website to learn more about what NOAC has to offer you next summer!]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=80 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:00:00 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=80 The Fall 2011 Mustang newsletter is now available! The Mustang is the Western Region's official newsletter publication for lodge, section, and region leadership. Download the latest as well as past issues from the Mustang resources page. This issue on the results of SummitCorps and Indian Summer, and features information on NOAC 2012 and 2013 National Scout Jamboree.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=79 Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:00:00 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=79 US Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma - Two Rock, CA - 2011 Western Region Chief Joe Garcia has spent the weekend at the Section W3N Conclave in Two Rock. The weekend consisted of the usual conclave training and fellowship activities, but also featured SCUBA BSA and Redwood Empire Council's climbing wall at the midway--and next to the wall was a CHP Officer who was instructed to do nothing more than 'Go to Two Rock.' The American Indian Affairs activities were a crowd favorite, as well as the sno-cone machine, but those Arrowmen who were bold enough to adventure near the CHP Officer and the climbing wall had a great time.

Featured are pictures of the West is Best Mustang Diecast car posing with the CHP Dodge Charger (click on either image to view the original image). That car is unexpectedly speedy! Below is a video of Region Chief Joe Garcia, past Section Chiefs Mark Ishizu and Ben LeRoy, and Region Webmaster Michael Millerick descend the climbing wall in style.

Make sure you check the Western Region calendar for the dates of your Section's next conclave, and make sure to register for it as soon as possible! Each conclave is different than each of the previous conclaves. Each conclave offers a new experience, and endless friendship and fellowship.

There is a reason the Order of the Arrow is known as Scouting's National Honor Society; its members are elected by their units to honor those Scouts and Scouters who exemplify the very best in our programs.

Through your cheerful service and leadership at the 2011 SummitCorps event, you have once again shown yourself to be worthy of the confidence placed in you by those who believed in you at the time of your induction.

But you have done even more than that. By your commitment, your labor, your dedication, and servant leadership, you have brought honor to the Boy Scouts of America, the Order of the Arrow, and yourself.

The physical contributions you made to improving the New River Gorge National River were huge-in fact, it was the largest youth volunteer project in the history of the National Park Service.

Moreover, the donations you raised to support local charities and the good will you created in doing so have built a climate of trust, gratitude, and bonds of friendship with the people of West Virginia. This will serve as a foundation of friendship from which the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve will benefit for many years to come.

Your hard work and service have been exemplary as we launch the next 100 years of Scouting. I thank you for what you have done and for bringing honor to the Boy Scouts of America.
]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=77 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:30:00 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=77 MT. HOPE, West Virginia, August 1, 2011 - The Order of the Arrow (OA) SummitCorps 2011 project conducted in partnership with the National Park Service and the West Virginia National Guard is completed, and what a month it has been! The combined efforts of the trail work and the overhead to organize this event resulted in 78,544 volunteer hours, which has estimated value of more than $1.6 million.

SummitCorps hosted 1404 Scouts and Scout leaders to West Virginia during the month of July, with a new crew arriving each week to construct more than 12 miles of trail at New River Gorge National River. According to Sam Bellomy, the Youth Incident Commander for week four, "It is amazing to see the willingness of the Scouts to give their time, effort and generosity to this community by building trails for generations of community members and for people across the world who will visit this area. Between the trail work and the charitable donations and everything this project has done for the community, it demonstrates the perfect example of servant leadership."

For the majority of the volunteers, it was their first time in West Virginia. They paid their own way to travel here and perform arduous trail work for free; leaving a legacy for anyone to enjoy for years to come.

However, the Scouts did not stop at just giving sweat equity to West Virginia. Each week, they held a patch auction to raise money for local charities and organizations. Trading patches-a time held tradition in Scouting, enabled participants to turn cloth into cash and patches into possibility.

Leon Brush, the Co-founder and Executive Director of Brian's Safehouse shared his thoughts about the donations. "The connection as I see it is that all of the activities that Scouts are able to participate in with the Boy Scouts of America, are opportunities that addicts do not have. Our ministry is to help those who have fallen by the wayside return back to the activities of life and become contributing citizens to the world we live in. That is our goal. To partner with the Boy Scouts and have them contribute to our organization gives us a feeling of elation, because we know what they represent, and this will help us to help others be productive citizens. We want these individuals who have fallen to return to the values that the Scouts demonstrate."

In total the Scouts raised $15,357.50 through weekly patch auction. The money raised will support Brian's Safehouse, Burlington United Methodist Children's Home, Just For Kids, Mt. Hope Children's Health Council, Three Rivers Avian Center (animal shelter for injured and endangered wild birds), the Women's Resource Center, and the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia, Inc,. Taking the OA motto of Cheerful Service to the next level they also raised more than $1000 through a bake sale. Funds from the sale went to a Raleigh County 911 dispatcher who is suffering from cancer and struggling with medical expenses.

Other organizations that benefitted from the four-week service project included the Pine Haven Homeless Shelter, located in Beckley, where 5600 pounds of food was donated which provided more than 100 people daily with nutritious meals (each meal provided 1700 calories) throughout the month of July. Local organizations that provide community meals and food giveaways also received 4200 non-perishable meals valued at more than $25,000.

The values of the Order of the Arrow members are reflected in the cheerful service they provided to the communities of Southern West Virginia. While the SummitCorps trail project takes the participant along the "Evolution of the leader" in four components, (heart, mind, body, and spirit), the overall experience allowed the participants to engage in a personal connection to the land, the local community, and to one another.

This is just the beginning of an ongoing relationship with the National Park Service, neighboring communities, and the Boy Scouts of America as make their new home at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve.

Click here for some photos from Week 3 of SummitCorps.
Click here for the official SummitCorps website. ]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=76 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:45:08 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=76 ]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=74 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:35:36 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=74 JUST ARRIVED! BREAKING NEWS ON SUMMITCORPS
SummitCorps Information Posted and Participant Registration Now Open!

Attention SummitCorps contingent leaders and participants! The 2011 SummitCorps Contingent Leader and Participant Guide is now posted on the National OA Events website. This Guide contains all the important information that you need to know before attending the 2011 SummitCorps including medical information, transportation, administrative items, and a personal needs list.

Also, individual registration is now available through the OA Registration website. All participants are encouraged to register online as part of their lodge contingent by May 1, 2011. Final payment for participation is due by May 1, 2011. Lodge contingents are asked to submit the final fees using the transmittal found in the contingent leader section of the registration website.

There are still spots available! The caps originally in place for lodge participation were lifted earlier this year. There are over 400 spots still available for SummitCorps. Spread the word to encourage others to join us in West Virginia this summer for any of the four weeks!

Finally, over the upcoming months, we will share additional information with you on the project, recreation activities and program through News You Can Use. We look forward to seeing you at SummitCorps!

Yours in Service,
Mike Bliss
Region Chairman]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=73 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:16:55 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=73 The Winter 2011 Mustang newsletter is now available! The Mustang is the Western Region's official newsletter publication for lodge, section, and region leadership. Download the latest as well as past issues from the Mustang resources page. This issue focuses on OA High Adventure and SummitCorps, as well as the introduction of our 2011 Western Region Chief Joe Garcia and our new National Officers.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=72 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:51:27 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=72 Linked below is a Region update. It is long but full of very important information for your Lodge and Section. It is being sent to all Section and Lodge Key Threes as well as the Western Region OA committee. It is also being sent separately to our Area Directors and Scout Executives. You can click here to access a copy of the Region update. Please share it!

Yours in Service,
Mike Bliss
Region Chairman]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=71 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=71 The summer of 2008 was by far the most fun I have had in one summer so far in my life. This was not because I made the transition from a high school student to a college student, it was not because I turned eighteen, it was because of the amazing experience I had at the Shasta-Trinity site of ArrowCorps5.

I never intended to attend ArrowCorps5. I sat through Chapter meeting after Chapter meeting ignoring the urgings of our contingent leader that I ought to attend. It was only after a member unfortunately dropped out of our Lodge contingent two months before the event that I decided to attend ArrowCorps5. I was glad I did.

National events such as ArrowCorps5 and SummitCorps give us as Arrowmen the wonderful opportunity to be able to serve in capacities that we normally would not be able to in our day-to-day routine. The average person does not have the opportunity to wander around beautiful forests and make those wonderful groves of trees accessible for more people to enjoy.

SummitCorps gives us the opportunity to do this to the New River Gorge National River. This is your one opportunity to be able to partake of the joys of service in this fashion on this land. I encourage each and every Arrowman to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. For more information on SummitCorps (and Indian Summer), please read the new message from our National Chief and National Vice Chief.

Yours in Service,
Michael Millerick
2010 Section W3N Secretary

Dick comes from Wulapeju Lodge, Blackhawk Area Council #660 in the Central Region. He is a Vigil Honor member, Eagle Scout, and is currently studying at Highland College in Freeport, Illinois.

Hillis comes from Tonkawa Lodge, Capitol Area Council #564 in the Southern Region. He is a Vigil Honor member and is currently studying Environmental Studies at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.

How is trust earned in such short a time? What my team chose to do was to go climb, run, or work on skills at least once per week. I feel that the best way to learn to trust one another is by placing your team in a situation where trust is forced upon your team. Trusting my team during trust falls is necessary to trust that they will pull me out of a crevasse.

Why is self-understanding so important to team development? You need to understand how you are going to handle different situations, from dealing with hard advisors to working for a goal with little sleep. A leader must be able to understand himself before he can lead others.

I ask each of you to think about the trust between you and those you work with, and then take time to sit in a peaceful, quiet place so that you can better understand who you are and what you want in life.

Leadership is Love,
Fred Gross
2010 Western Region Chief

DALLAS—Fred Gross has just been elected as the 2010 Western Region Chief at the Order of the Arrow National Planning Meeting in Dallas, Texas.

Fred comes from Yah-Tah-Hey-Si-Kess Lodge, Great Southwest Council #412. He is a Vigil Honor member of Comanche Chapter and Eagle Scout of Troop 57 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fred was previously the Section Chief of Section W-6E.

Congratulations, Fred, from all the Arrowmen of the Western Region. WEST IS BEST!

Congratulations to the other newly-elected 2010 National Officers:

• Brad Lichota, 2010 National Chief
• Will Swingle, 2010 National Vice Chief
• Rich Ferolo, 2010 Central Region Chief
• Brian Ahrens, 2010 Northeast Region Chief
• Don Combs, 2010 Southern Region Chief

Click here to read more about the new National Officers.
]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=57 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=57


In 2011 the 22nd World Jamboree will take place in Sweden and the Western Region Order of the Arrow is sending a contingent. Create lifelong memories and friends with people from around the world!

Click here for more information.

]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=56 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=56


Attention adult advisers! Learn more about the 2010 Philmont OA Adviser Training course being held June 20-26, 2010.

Click here for more information.

]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=55 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=55
The Fall 2009 Mustang newsletter is now available! The Mustang is the Western Region's official newsletter publication for lodge, section, and region leadership. Download the latest as well as past issues from the Mustang resources page.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=54 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:00:00 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=54
Dear Western Region,

While our Chief, David Harrell, is at Philmont on Trail Crew having the time of his life, he asked that I let you know that the long awaited new items in the Region Trading post are now available.

Most of pictures have been uploaded already, so check out the Western Region Trading Post for these great deals:


• New WEST IS BEST T-shirts in blue - get yours now for NOAC!
• WEST is BEST BOXERS - be the best dressed around
• Keychains - very nice
• Beanie Caps


In addition there are TWO new Western Region Chenille collector patches that are available right now in very limited quantities. They won't last long so get yours now.

Please share this information with your lodges and sections.

Summer is half over and we are only two weeks from NOAC. Don't miss the Western Region Gathering from 7-8 PM on Tuesday at Arstron Stadium -south. then hang around for Region Dodgeball!

See you there,
Mike]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=53 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:02:53 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=53
The Summer 2009 Mustang newsletter is now available! The Mustang is the Western Region's official newsletter publication for lodge, section, and region leadership. Download the latest as well as past issues from the Mustang resources page.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=52 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:36:57 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=52
The National Order of the Arrow Committee has released an updated revision to the Field Operations Guide for 2009. The Field Operations Guide (FOG) provides information on OA National and Regional Organization, Section Rules, Lodge Assistance Program, and Section Conclave Guidelines. It is an essential reference for all section leadership and can be helpful for the lodge leadership as well.

The updated Field Operations Guide can be downloaded at the National Order of the Arrow website.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=51 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:02:16 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=51
The Spring 2009 Mustang newsletter is now available! The Mustang is the Western Region's official newsletter publication for lodge, section, and region leadership. Download the latest as well as past issues from the Mustang resources page.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=50 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:00:39 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=50
The recognitions subcommittee of the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow is pleased to announce the selection of two lodges in the Western Region for the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award. The award was established as a tribute and testimonial to the Order's founder, E. Urner Goodman. The lodges being recognized for their 2008 accomplishments are:
• Tsisqan Lodge, Oregon Trail Council #697, Eugene, OR
• Orca Lodge, Redwood Empire Council #41, Santa Rosa, CA
The recognitions subcommittee of the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow is also pleased to announce the selection of two lodges in the Western Region for the National Service Award. The award was established in 1999 to recognize lodges in each region that have performed outstanding service, both in a qualitative and quantitative sense, to their councils. The lodges being recognized for their 2008 accomplishments are:
• Wiatava Lodge, Orange County Council #39, Costa Mesa, CA
• Orca Lodge, Redwood Empire Council #41, Santa Rosa, CA
To view all of the recipients, visit the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award and National Service Award pages on the National Order of the Arrow website.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=49 Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:02:53 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=49
The 2009 Western Region NOAC Patches are now available for purchase at the Western Region Trading Post. Get yours today and show off your Western Region pride!

The 2009 Western Region NOAC Patch was designed last fall during the first ever Region Council of Chiefs. For more information on the design selection, visit our archived story.

The Western Region Trading Post is located at http://western.oa-bsa.org/tradingpost/.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=48 Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:55:07 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=48
The Western Region is proud to announce that Del Loder will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Order of the Arrow Conference in August 2009. The National Committee describes the award as that which "is intended to recognize only those extraordinary Arrowmen who have deeply influenced and significantly contributed to the vision, direction, and growth of the Order of the Arrow, faithfully demonstrated a lifetime of servant leadership, and, through their daily example, illuminated and reinforced the significance of the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law."

The requirements for the award are few, but arduous. A nominee must be a Vigil Honor member who has been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award ("DSA") and has continued service to the organization on the national, regional or sectional level since receiving the DSA. In addition, the nominee must have been a member of the Order for no less than 25 years. The only the recipients of the award, to date, are Thomas McBride (PA), Carl M. Marchetti, M.D. (NJ), and Dabney Kennedy (TX).

---

Del Loder's Scouting career and OA history are lengthy and distinguished.

In May 1948, Del Loder met E. Urner Goodman. A teenager at the time, Loder's Scouting career would begin to flourish when the young Scouter came to Seattle. Del decided that he wanted to meet Goodman to learn how the man went about organizing the first Jamboree. After 19 year-old Loder received the answers he sought, Goodman asked him a life-changing question. Goodman inquired about Loder's knowledge regarding the Order of the Arrow. Goodman walked Del through the Ordeal and Brotherhood process including his Vigil on the Devil's Tea Table. "That was my beginning," said Loder.

Del was very interested in the election process. He brought the idea back to his Scout troop. After four to five years, the OA took foot in his council. The first members of the lodge were members of the pre-existing Camp Honorary Society. In 1954, the first members were inducted into the Order following the ceremony outlined by Goodman. Del, a Scoutmaster at the time, made sure that his Scout Troop was registered for the first week of camp when OA began in his council. Members of the camp staff came to Del and made inquiry about holding an OA election. The first member of the OA in his council came from his unit that summer. He was inducted July 3, 1954.

The first meeting of the lodge was in December 1954, where the first officers and lodge name were selected. Del started as Adviser to the Historian, later becoming the Adviser of the Brotherhood Committee. Del was very active and knew how very significant the Order was in the lives of scouts. Del underwent the Brotherhood ceremony in 1955.

In 1956, his Lodge's Adviser was appointed to the National Committee, thus creating a void that needed filling. Loder's Scout Executive asked him to take over, but he turned it down. Del's commitment was to his Scout Troop, and he made it clear to his scout executive that he wished to continue service to his troop. In July 1958, Del was recognized with the Vigil Honor. Nearly 10 years and multiple requests to be Lodge Adviser later, Del took over the role of Lodge Adviser in 1965, where he served for 10 years. Meanwhile, Del attended the National Conference in Bloomington, Indiana where he realized that, though his lodge was in great shape, there were some problems. He instituted an effective training program for his youth lodge leaders and ensured that all his leaders knew the "ins and outs" of the OA.

Del later served as Associate Adviser for his section from 1971-73, and served as Section Adviser thereafter.

In August of 1973 Del was appointed to serve the National Council on the OA Committee by the BSA President. Del was surprised that he was appointed (a testament to his character). At the first meeting, Del was asked to become the Chairman of Ceremonies for the OA. Del, always having been interested in OA ceremonies, was thrilled to take on that position. As a member of the National Committee, Del inherited what he deemed to be "a group of dedicated thinkers for ceremonies" (the ceremonial advisory group). Del's committee solved a great many of the problems in ceremonies that existed at that time. In 1975, Del was recognized for his unselfish service to the Order with the Distinguished Service Award. Meanwhile, Del served as the Western Region Area 1 Adviser concurrently with the National Committee. Del left the Ceremonies Committee in 1981 to become the Western Region Chairman. He "loved the position and the people with whom he worked," said Loder. "I traveled everywhere, and loved every minute."

Leadership and training has always been a passion for Del. In 1975, Del was concerned that there was no existing national OA Training program for lodge officers and advisers so he convinced the National Committee to re-institute the National Training Course and to create a new and improved training program (Brad Haddock spearheaded the effort as National Chief, while he was chief). In 1979, the program was functioning; the National and Region Chiefs would meet with Del to go over the draft and plan, which Del ensured was enforced. This program developed into the National Leadership Seminar, and later the Lodge Leadership Development program. Not yet done with his service, Del then assisted in the reformation of NLS and the creation of NLATS.

Upon suffering a heart attack in 1989, he was appointed to the Founder's Council by then National Chairman Marchetti. He served on the Council for two years, after which he was appointed National Vice Chairman of Lodge operations in 1993. This was also the first time he served the OA at a National Jamboree. Del returned to the Founder's Council as Chair of the Goodman Society one year later, and serves there presently.

Of the great many highlights in his career, Del was given the opportunity to work with Goodman on the Ceremonies Committee during the last 10 years of Goodman's life.

In addition to his extensive list of accomplishments, Del noted that he has worked with OA Shows at the last three national jamborees, worked on the OA training program where he has trained three of the four regions in the NLATS program for the last few years.

Del Loder has attended almost every National Conference since 1959, making a total of more than 28 National Events.

--

For more information on the Lifetime Achievement Award, and other national awards, please visit the National Order of the Arrow website at www.oa-bsa.org.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=47 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:28:36 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=47
The 2009 Western Region Quality Lodge Assistance Planbook and 2009 Western Region Quality Lodge Assistance Pocketbook are now available for immediate download.

The planbook is designed as a tool for lodges, officers, and advisers of all levels to better understand and plan for becoming a National Quality Lodge. Whether you are a new officer trying to help your lodge complete the requirements for the first time, or a seasoned adviser looking for new ways to continue your lodge's streak of Quality Lodge awards, the planbook below can help.

The 2009 Quality Lodge Assistance Pocketbook is also available. It is a 1/4 size condensed version of the planbook designed for officers and advisers to conveniently carry with them.

Get both from the Quality Lodge Resources page.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=46 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:42:32 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=46
Last month section chiefs and key NOAC staff from across the nation descended on Dallas, Texas to kick-start the planning and preparation for this summer's conference. To facilitate this process NOAC planning was delegated to eleven committees, each responsible for a specific aspect of the conference (much like a conclave is normally planned by various committees). To provide leadership to the committees, eleven section chiefs were elected to serve as conference vice chiefs. Five of the 2009 conference vice chiefs hail from the Western Region:

• Jack Chinn, Training
• Dylan Ellsworth, Chiefs Corps
• Freddy Gross, Outdoor Adventure
• Jake Knudsen, The Experience
• Robert Lukoviak, Founder's Day
Serving as a CVC for a national conference is a tremendous honor, but also comes with significant responsibility and service. More than 7,000 Arrowmen are expected to travel from all around the world to attend the conference in Indiana this summer, and all come with high expectations. These CVCs, along with all of the other Western Region section chiefs who took on key roles within the eleven committees, are tasked with delivering a quality experience for every NOAC participant.

We would like to congratulate the five Western Region section chiefs who were elected to lead a committee, and wish the best of luck to all of the Western Region section chiefs as you provide leadership to one of the largest, most anticipated events in the history of the Order.

-----------

Jack Chinn is the Section Chief of W-4N and is a member of Topa Topa Lodge of the Ventura County Council #57. He has attended NLS, NOAC, OA Ocean Adventure, OA Trail Crew, and ArrowCorps5. His service to the Order has included offices such as chapter chief, lodge chief, and section vice chief. Jack Hails from Simi Valley, CA, and studies Fire Technology at Oxnard College.

Dylan Ellsworth is the Section Chief of W-2N and a Vigil Honor recipient from Shunkah Mahneetu Lodge of the Grand Teton Council #107. Dylan has attended NLS and ArrowCorps5 and has served as lodge chief. He hails from Idaho Falls, ID, and attends Skyline High School.

Freddy Gross is the Section Chief of W-6E and a Vigil Honor recipient of Yah-Tah-Hey-Si-Kess Lodge of the Great Southwest Council #412. He has attended OA Trail Crew, NLS, and has served as chapter chief, lodge vice chief, lodge chief, and section vice chief. Fred hails from Santa Fe, NM and studies outdoor leadership at Western State College of Colorado.

Jake Knudsen is the Section Chief from W-3N and is a Vigil Honor recipient from Tannu Lodge of the Nevada Area Council #329. Jake has attended NLS, OA Trail Crew, OA Wilderness Voyage, and NOAC. He has served as chapter chief, lodge chief, section vice chief, and region high adventure coordinator. Jake hails from Reno, NV where he studies finance at University of Nevada-Reno.

Robert Lukowiak is the Section Chief of W-6W and is a Vigil Honor recipient from Wipala Wiki Lodge of Grand Canyon Council. Robert has attended NOAC and has previously served as lodge vice chief and chapter chief. He hails from Peoria, AZ and attends Arizona State University where he studies theater and acting.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=45 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:34:53 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=45
Have you ever wondered what flavor of ice cream the Region Chief prefers? Want to know what his most unusual Scouting experience is, or his career aspirations? How about embarrassing moments? Well, the Western Region Web Team has obtained an exclusive interview with the new Region Chief, David Harrell.

Check out the new Meet the Chief page and get to know our new Region Chief!]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=44 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:46:41 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=44
The 2008 National Officer Report is now available for download.

The report is an overview of the events and activities in which the national officers have taken part, their suggestions for improving the Order in the years to come, and how they have made a positive impact across the nation during the past year.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=43 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 09:03:32 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=43 David Harrell was elected 2009 Order of the Arrow Western Region Chief at the 2008 National Planning Meeting in Dallas, TX.

David Harrell hails from Fort Collins, Colorado and is a member of the Kola Lodge, Longs Peak Council. David is a first time section chief from W-5 at the age of 19. He is studying business with a minor in economics at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. We are confident that he will server the Order well.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=42 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:30:44 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=42 Dan Higham was elected 2009 Order of the Arrow National Vice-Chief at the 2008 National Planning Meeting in Dallas, TX.

Dan Higham hails from Binghamton, New York, and is a member of the Otahnagon Lodge, Baden Powell Council. He is a two term section chief from the Northeast Region. Dan was the program chief for the Shasta-Trinity project this summer for ArrowCorps5. We are confident that he will serve the Order well.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=41 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:15:52 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=41 Jack O'Neill was elected 2009 Order of the Arrow National Chief at the 2008 National Planning Meeting in Dallas, TX.

Jack O'Neill hails from St. Louis, Missouri, and is a member of Shawnee Lodge, Greater St. Louis Area Council. He is a two term section chief from the Central Region. Jack served as a member of the Instructor Corps this summer for ArrowCorps5. We are confident that he will serve the Order well.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=40 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:22:27 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=40
If prizes and fame appeal to you, then you should enter the first ever NOAC Patch Design Competition. One lucky Youth Arrowmen, with a talent for designing patches, will win a seat in the SkyBox--the `Very Important Arrowman` seating area at NOAC shows--as well as a $100 gift certificate to the NOAC trading post. Three honorable mentions will each receive a $40 gift certificate to the NOAC trading post. Do not delay – submissions are due by December 20, so get designing today!

For more information on the competition, click here.

NOAC 2009: I`m There!]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=39 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:35:01 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=39
Jeremy Yamaguchi, Section W-C2 Chief, was elected to the City Council for the City of Placentia in Southern California's Orange County. At the age of 19, he is one of the youngest elected officials in the city's history. Jeremy brought in the largest percentage of votes at 22.7% and will take one of three open council seats. He will be serving on the council while continuing enrollment at California State University Fullerton nearby.

For more information, visit http://www.ocregister.com/articles/yamaguchi-percent-year-2218320-nelson-campaign or Jeremy's campaign website at http://www.jeremyyamaguchi.com/.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=38 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:45:22 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=38
The leadership of the Western Region descended upon the Heard Scout Pueblo in Phoenix, Arizona for the annual Gathering of Chiefs the weekend of October 24-26. This event was an opportunity for the chiefs to get to know and learn from each other, as well as a chance for the Region to set its direction for the next year.

The weekend started off with a trip to the local minor-league hockey game, the Phoenix Road Runners, as a team-building experience. Not only did the Chiefs get free foam fingers, but they were able to grow in unity as a leadership team. Saturday was spent in intense breakout sessions, covering topics including the Lodge Assistance Program, Quality Lodge attainment, and NOAC promotion, among others. The weekend concluded with an 80th birthday celebration for past Region Chairman and National Committee Member, Del Loder.

The Gathering also included the first Region Council of Chiefs, in which all of the section chiefs called their lodge chiefs and discussed some important information. Following this, the section chiefs convened and voted on behalf of all of the lodges in the region. The most important outcome of the RCOC was the NOAC patch design for the region, pictured above. The patch is already in the process of being ordered, and will be available for purchase shortly. The other patch designs that were submitted in the contest can be seen here.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=37 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:22:24 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=37
The first Region Council of Chiefs will be held October 25th, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. mountain standard time (click for time in your area). This event will enable lodges in the West to have a voice in the decisions made by the region, including the selection of the Region's 2009 NOAC patch design. Each section chief in the region will be calling their respective lodge chiefs (or their designee) during this time frame to conduct a poll. The results of the Region NOAC Patch Design Contest will be tallied and the winner announced. Please make plans with your section chief to be available during this time slot.

Make every lodges' voice count: help ensure 100% participation in the first RCOC!]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=36 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:19:01 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=36
Update: The deadline for patch submissions has been extended to October 19th.

NOAC 2009 is coming up fast, and in order to prepare the Western Region is holding a patch design contest. Every NOAC the region produces a round patch that is sold to thousands of Arrowmen, and this year it could be your design.


The rules are simple – send a digital design of a 3 inch round patch to westernregionoa@gmail.com by October 19th. The patch also has to include the phrases "Western Region" and "NOAC 2009." Use of the region's mascot, a Mustang, is suggested but optional.

Every design will then be posted to the region website to be voted on by the Region Council of Chiefs during the region gathering (more information to follow). So even if your design isn't selected, it will be posted on the region website, and you will get to see the competition. Get out the paper, pens, and scanner, or start up Photoshop: we need some awesome designs!

The winning patch designs from the 2006 and 2004 NOAC patch design contests are provided for reference.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=35 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:10:47 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=35
Attention all lodge and section leadership: an opportunity is fast approaching! The National Order of the Arrow Committee provides grants annually to help fund lodges' council service projects. The application deadline for the grants is at the end of September, so if you have not started yet, now is the time.

This year the Region has established a committee of Arrowmen experienced with the application process, led by past region chief Chad Wolver. Please do not hesitate to contact the committee by emailing Chad if you any questions or want some help or direction with the process. This is free money to support your lodge and council, so please take advantage of the opportunity and get started now.

More information on the grants can be found here.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=34 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:34:04 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=34
The National Leadership Seminar is our Order's premier leadership training experience. Organized by the region in various locations around the country annually, there are two more opportunities to attend this event in 2008:

- October 10-12, 2008 Lost Valley ($135)
- November 14-16, 2008 Coast Guard Station Alameda ($130)

Anyone in the region who satisfies all of the requirements to attend the NLS is invited to any seminar. The requirements include holding a leadership position within the OA or the potential to hold one in the future, to be mature enough to handle an intense 3-day course in leadership dynamics, and to have lodge adviser approval. If interested in attending either of the seminars this fall, please begin the registration process as soon as possible.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=33 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:41:20 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=33
The Western Region is proud to announce the appointment of three new region committee chairmen: Alex Braden, Brian Gray, and Steven Heimark.

Braden (right) will serve as Communications Committee Chairman. The Region Communications Committee is responsible for the region newsletter, the Mustang, as well as the region website. Both of these mediums are used to inform the members of the Western Region of what has happened around the region and what is around the corner.


Gray (left) will chair the High Adventure Promotion Committee. The Region High Adventure Promotion Committee's job is to keep the Arrowmen of the West informed and excited about OA High Adventure opportunities. These life-changing experiences occur every summer at Philmont, Northern Tier, and Sea Base; and we want to make sure that Westerners don't miss out. The committee also administers any region high adventure scholarships available.


Heimark (right) will lead the NOAC Promotion Committee. The Region NOAC Promotion Committee is charged with ensuring that every Arrowman in the West hears about NOAC 2009 and understands how awesome the next conference is going to be. A lot of us are already saying, "I'm there!"

The new appointment for the Region Program Committee chairman will be announced shortly.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=32 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:25:59 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=32 Posted: August 14, 2008 by Kevin Renfrow

The Western Region of the Order of the Arrow has been affected by the recently announced plan by the Western Region BSA to reorganize councils into new geographic areas. This is a very exciting time for the Region as this reorganization will allow us to better serve the Boy Scout program.

The Region has experienced many changes, but the region and section leadership is ensuring that everything transitions as smoothly as possible.

The most noticeable of these changes is the realignment of our current areas and sections across the region. Every section except for one will experience change. Some sections will lose lodges and some will gain; for some these changes will be small, and for others the changes will be very significant. After the realignment we will increase the total number of sections from 12 to 14 which will be contained within 6 physical Areas rather than 4 previously.

The following changes are effective immediately for sections which have completed their 2008 conclave.




Section A 61 - Tahosa 62 - Kola 695 - Crazy Horse 638 - Tatokainyanka	60 - Ha-Kin-Skay-A-Ki 63 - Tupwee Gudas Gov Youchiquot Soovep 64 - Mic-O-Say
Section B1 106 - Tukarica 107 - Shunkah Manteetu 111 - Mai-I-Shu 315 - Apoxky Aio	Section B2 589 - Awaxaawe' Awachia 590 - El-Ku-Ta 591 - Tu-Cubin-Noonie
Section C1 30 - Yowlumne 32 - Non OA (Tribe of Tahquitz) 33 - Siwinis 51 - Malibu 53 - Chumash 57 - Topa Topa 58 - Spe-Le-Yai	Section C2 39 - Wiatava 40 - Ta Tanka 45 - Cahuilla
Section D1 606 - Sikhs Mox Lamonti 609 - T'Kope Kwikwis 610 - Nanuk 612 - Nisqually 696 - Toontuk	Section D2 611 - Es-Kaielgu 604 - Wa-La-Moot-Kin 614 - Tataliya	Section D3 491 - Lo La 'Qam Geela 492 - Wauna La-Mon'tay 697 - Tsisqan
Section E1 102 - Maluhia 104 - Na Mokupuni O Lawelawe 803 - Achpateuny	Section E2 10 - Wipala Wiki 49 - Tiwahe 328 - Nebagamon	Section E3 11 - Papago 573 - Gila 412 - Yah-Tah-Hey-Si-Kess 413 - Kwahadi
Section F1 23 - Ut-In Sélica 35 - Talako 41 - Orca 47 - Amangi Nacha 329 - Tannu	Section F2 22 - Kaweah 25 - Esselen 27 - Tah-Heetch 28 - Achewon Nimat 31 - Ohlone 42 - Hungteetsepoppi 55 - Miwok 59 - Toloma

Please note that the section designations used above are temporary and will be replaced with permanent designations in the near future.

Because sections are being realigned, the section leadership will need to adapt to these changes.

• Section officers will serve in the position in which they were elected in the new section that their home OA lodge is assigned. Their term of office will be until the next conclave.
• Sections that still need to complete their 2008 Conclave will proceed as planned with conclave. This includes normal elections with all current lodges participating. Youth from any lodge in the current section may run for office regardless of the status of their lodge at the end of the conclave. However, no youth shall use the reorganization as part of his platform for office and it is the responsibility of the Section adviser to ensure adherence to this policy. At no time should the reorganization remove the opportunity for a youth to run for office or vote as provided in the Field Operations Guide.
• A special Council of Chiefs with appropriate advance notice will be held to elect officers for any vacant offices which may be caused by the reorganization. The process will be similar to filling a vacancy caused by election to a National office as provided by the Field Operations Guide. All elected Section Chiefs (through conclave election or the Council of Chiefs election) will be invited to Texas, may run for national office, and serve on a NOAC committee.
• In some cases sections will have co-chiefs, co-vice chiefs, and/or co-secretaries. They will share the duties in that capacity until the 2009 Section Conclave of the new sections.

Section Advisers and Section Staff Advisers will be appointed by the Area Directors in consultation with and concurrence by the Region OA Chairman and the Region OA Staff Adviser.

A listing of the Section Chiefs following realignment and newly appointed advisers is listed below. It is the responsibility of the chief and adviser to confirm current vice chief(s) and secretary(s) in a given section.


Section	Section Chief	Section Adviser
A1	David Harrell (Jayson Renforth, current W5B chief completes his term Aug 22)	Neil Gabriel
A2	Vacant	Joan Armstrong
B1	Vacant	John Jensen
B2	David Petersen	Ken Jeppeson
C1	Jack Chinn	Howard Kern
C2	Jeremy Yamaguchi	Pending selection
D1	Sam Giacalone	Nick Spenserberger
D2	Trentin Ramsey	Peter Kruse
D3	Brian Gray (Conclave and elections in Sept)	Pending selection
E1	Ted Dodson	Ed Chunn
E2	John Kondziolka (Conclave and elections in Nov)	Tim Malaney
E3	Frederick Gross	Jaime Rendon
F1	Randy Pares (Conclave and elections in Sept)	Keith Coombs
F2	Daniel Salet	Mark Matthews

The full text of the Western Region Section Reorganization plan (including Section/Lodge assignments, Section Chiefs and their new sections, Section Adviser appointments, a detailed Action Plan for implementation, and a map of the new sections) is available for download.

These changes are exciting and are going to take the efforts of all of us to ensure that the transition goes smoothly.

]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=31 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:57:47 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=31

On a surprise visit to Redding, California, President George W. Bush presented Order of the Arrow National Chief Jake Wellman, Western Region Chief Mark Hendricks, and Youth Incident Commander for the Shasta-Trinity project Alex Braden with the President's Volunteer Service Award on Thursday, July 17, 2008.

"This recognition is a strong testament to the incredible work Arrowmen have been doing all summer long and the impact we have already made on America," said Wellman, "West is Best!"

The Volunteer Service Award was presented to the three leaders for their influential role in ArrowCorps5 – the largest service project the Order of the Arrow has ever undertaken. Over the course of 5 weeks in the summer of 2008, nearly 5,000 Arrowmen from across the nation will provide more than 250,000 hours of volunteer service to our National Forests.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President's direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

The official press release from The White House is available here.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=30 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:36:50 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=30
Participants are beginning to arrive at the Shasta-Trinity project of ArrowCorps5 – the fourth site this summer. Based at the Mt. Shasta Ski Resort, the headquarters is quite literally located in the shadow of Mt. Shasta. Despite the numerous fires south of the project, the U.S. Forest Service is still supporting the endeavor with about 15 personnel.



Training is off and rolling, and, starting this morning everyone will be moving into the back-country to begin work on this magnificent project. Last evening marked the official opening with a campfire gathering, including a guest appearance from Smokey Bear.

The project includes over 75 miles of trail work, including work on the Pacific Crest Trail, one of the National Scenic Trails. Other projects include 150 square miles of illegal dumpsite cleanup, as well as comfort station and lookout tower repairs.

"Everyone involved in this project is prepared for the experience of a lifetime, and we anticipate that all expectations will be exceeded," said Mark Hendricks, Western Region Chief and member of the ArrowCorps5 Instructor Corps.

Stay tuned for an update at the end of the week.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=29 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:50:27 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=29
The first three ArrowCorps5 sites have all been a resounding success, and each have exceeded the expectations of the Order of the Arrow and the US Forest Service. Everyone involved has had a great time, and we expect the next two sites (Shasta-Trinity and Bridger-Teton - both in the West) to be just as successful.

The first three sites have all received significant local and regional media coverage - which is awesome. We can take it to the next level and get national coverage at Shasta, but we need your help. If you have any personal stories about youth Arrowmen who will be at Shasta, maybe stories about significant hardship in becoming Scouts, Arrowmen, or getting to Shasta, or just about really cool people that deserve recognition, please contact us ASAP. If you're not sure if the story is worthwhile, respond anyways. Just give a brief summary of the Arrowman's story, and your contact info, and we'll follow up.

The OA is attempting to set an example for the rest of the nation regarding conservation and youth involvement in our national resources, and the media is probably our best method of telling our story. Please help!

If you have a story to share, please let us know ASAP.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=28 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:45:23 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=28
ArrowCorps5 is over half complete, and thus far it has been a resounding success. The last two sites, Manti-La Sal in Utah and George Washington-Jefferson in Virginia, both exceeded expectations. Work in Utah consisted of clearing Tamarisk, an invasive tree, out of the most beautiful southwestern canyons imaginable. Buckhorn Wash, the focus of the project, was completely cleared and all together nearly 13,000 acres were cleared of Tamarisk. The majority of the projects in Virginia involved trail construction and restoration, and the Forest Service announced that it was naming a 19-mile loop of trail the ArrowCorps Trail in our honor. One of the other projects in Virginia involved building campsites, which were in use before participants even left the forest.

All three completed sites have been life-changing experiences for many, and everyone has had a great time. The upcoming two sites, Shasta-Trinity and Bridger-Teton (both in the West!), will exceed this tradition of success. We hope to see you there!

For more information on ArrowCorps5, click here.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=27 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:15:28 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=27 The Order of the Arrow just completed the first of the ArrowCorps5 projects this summer at the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. The site was a huge success; it exceeded expectations by clearing over 110 acres of the invasive cedar trees. Although the majority of the participants hailed from other regions, the West was represented by members of the InstructorsCorps (the crack team of Philmont staff traveling to every site) as well as a few staff and participants.

The Manti-La-Sal project in Utah, the first in the West, is off and rolling. The Western Region is well represented in Utah, and further updates will follow. If Mark Twain is any indication, anyone who is lucky enough to participate in an ArrowCorps5 site this summer will be in for the experience of a lifetime.

For more information on ArrowCorps5, click here.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=26 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:32:17 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=26 Tomorrow marks the completion of the first of five week-long service projects held at several national forests this summer. All together, work at these five sites comprise ArrowCorps5 (pronounced Arrow Corps Five), the Order of the Arrow's largest service project since World War II. With only hours remaining at the site in the Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri, Arrowmen finish up a week of conservation work, removing invasive Red cedar from glade regions and restoring up to 150 acres of native grass areas.

Arrowmen will be participating in similar conservation work in the forests at Manti-La Sal, Utah June 14-21; George Washington-Jefferson, Virginia June 21-28; Shasta-Trinity, California July 12-19; and Bridger- Teton, Wyoming July 26-August 2. By the end of the summer, volunteers will have contributed an estimated 250,000 man-hours to the conservation of our nation's forests.

Photos from the Mark Twain, Missouri site are now available for viewing in the Photo Gallery. Additional photos may be added as they become available. Photos 16-84 are courtesy of the USDA Forest Service.

For more information on ArrowCorps5, click here.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=25 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:50:14 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=25 Arrowmen Judy Kay Wadford, Dennis Downing, and Mike Perkins were awarded the Silver Antelope for unselfish service and dedication to Scouting in May, 2008. They belong to a distinguished group of 11 volunteer Scouters from across the region.

Wadford is a member of Wipala Wiki Lodge in the Grand Canyon Council, Arizona. She will serve as the Office Manager/Trading Post Manager for the Shasta-Trinity project at ArrowCorps5 this summer.

Downing and Perkins both have extensive OA backgrounds and have been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award (DSA). They have served as Lodge and Section Advisers in Western Region and have staffed many National Order of the Arrow Conferences (NOAC) and National Leadership Seminars (NLS). Like Wadford, Perkins will be serving as a member of the Staff for ArrowCorps5 at Manti-La Sal National Forest.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=24 Sun, 18 May 2008 05:51:42 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=24

The location for the National Leadership Seminar (NLS) scheduled for November 14-16, 2008 will be held at the Coast Guard Station at Alameda. As Coast Guard Island is an active military base, all staff and participants must be pre-registered and bring some form of photo identification (driver's license, student ID). All drivers are required to provide registration and proof of insurance to enter the base.

Additionally, the Western Region has added a new National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar (NLATS) program, contingent on minimum registration goals, to coincide with the same NLS program in November.

The registration form for NLS/NLATS is now interactive to help make the registration process even easier for participants. This means that participants can now type their information directly into the form before printing. All entry fields are highlighted for ease of visibility, and, since it's digital, participants can save a copy of the form on their computer to print later if needed.

To learn more about the National Leadership Seminar, click here.
To learn more about the National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar, click here.

]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=21 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:15:00 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=21 Photo Gallery. We have also moved the photos from the December 2007 National Planning Meeting that were on the meeting's mini-site to the Photo Gallery as well.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=20 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:12:10 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=20 E. Urner Goodman Camping Award. The award was established as a tribute and testimonial to the Order's founder, E. Urner Goodman. The lodges being recognized for their 2007 accomplishments are:
• Cahuilla Lodge, California Inland Empire Council #45, Redlands, CA
• Wipala Wiki Lodge, Grand Canyon Council #10, Phoenix, AZ
The recognitions subcommittee of the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow is also pleased to announce the selection of two lodges in the Western Region for the National Service Award. The award was established in 1999 to recognize lodges in each region that have performed outstanding service, both in a qualitative and quantitative sense, to their councils. The lodges being recognized for their 2007 accomplishments are:
• Shunkah Mahneetu Lodge, Grand Teton Council #107, Idaho Falls, ID
• Wiatava Lodge, Orange County Council #39, Santa Ana, CA
To view all of the recipients, visit the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award and National Service Award pages on the National Order of the Arrow website.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=19 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:46:40 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=19 NOAC (National Order of the Arrow Conference) will be held at Indiana University from August 1-6 2009.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=18 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:50:20 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=18 The following are the dates for the National Leadership Seminar (NLS) and National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar (NLATS) programs in 2008:



March 14-16, 2008	Philmont Scout Ranch (NLS & NLATS)
April 11-13, 2008	Hawaii (NLS)
October 10-12, 2008	Lost Valley (NLS & NLATS)
November 14-16, 2008	Camp Bothin (NLS)


Registration is now open to all arrowmen, invitation is not needed, you only need approval from your lodge. The registration form for any of the the above training weekends is now available for download.

To learn more about the National Leadership Seminar, click here.
To learn more about the National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar, click here.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=17 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:43:52 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=17 Chiefly Speaking article for January. Hear what the the Chief has to say. We have many exciting opportunities in our Region and across the nation this year.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=16 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:28:18 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=16 The Winter 2007 Mustang newsletter is now available! The Mustang is Western Region's official newsletter publication for lodge, section, and region leadership. Download the latest as well as past issues from the Mustang resources page.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=15 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:07:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=15 The 2007 National Officer Report is available for download.

The report is an overview of the events and activities in which the national officers have taken part, their suggestions for improving the Order in the following years, as well as how they made a positive impact across the nation during their terms.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=14 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:17:02 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=14 Ted Dodson has been elected the 2008 Youth Chairman of the National Events Promotion Committee. Ted Dodson is a two-term W-3C Section chief from Maluhia Lodge in Wailuku, Hawaii.

Sam Fife has been elected the Youth Incident Commander of the Bridger-Teton ArrowCorps⁵ Project. Sam Fife is from Shunkah Mahneetu lodge in Blackfoot, Idaho, and is the W-5D Section Chief, as well as the Region ArrowCorps5 Coordinator. He is attending Brigham Young University (Idaho) and is majoring in Business Management.

Alex Braden has been elected the Youth Incident Commander of the Shasta-Trinity ArrowCorps⁵ Project. Alex Braden is from Ta Tanka Lodge, and is the W-4A Section Chief. He is a Junior at the University of La Verne, majoring in Public Administration. His past offices include Region Newsletter Editor.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=13 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 07:49:38 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=13 Jake Wellman is the new National Chief. The Western Region has the honor, once again, of having one of our own as the National Chief for the year 2008. He was formerly the Section W-5A Chief, and was also a Summit Vice Chief at NCLS. Jake Wellman is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member from Albuquerque, NM. Jake was inducted and became a brotherhood member of Ini-to Lodge #324 in Georgia. Now, he is a Senior at Cibola High School in Albuquerque, NM, and is a member of Yah-tah-hey-si-kess Lodge #66. Congratulations Jake!

Mark Hendricks is the new Western Region Chief for the 2008 year. Formerly the Section W-1C Chief, Mark is from Wa-la-moot-kin Lodge and has had three non-consecutive terms as section chief. Other positions held include Lodge Chief, Region Leadership Development Chairman, and Features Editor for the National Bulletin. He has been an OA Trail Crew and Wilderness Voyage participant, and is a sophomore at Harvey Mudd College majoring in physics.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=12 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:01:23 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=12 The Fall 2007 Mustang newsletter is now available! The Mustang is Western Region's official newsletter publication for lodge, section, and region leadership. Download the latest as well as past issues from the Mustang resources page.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=11 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:34:23 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=11 The 2008 Quality Lodge Planbook is now available.

Also available this year is the 2008 Quality Lodge Pocketbook which is a 1/4 size so you can carry it with you.

Get both from the Quality Lodge Resources page.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=10 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:44:17 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=10 The Summer 2007 Mustang newsletter is now available! The Mustang is Western Region's official newsletter publication for lodge, section, and region leadership. Download the latest as well as past issues from the Mustang resources page.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=9 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:00:30 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=9 March 14-16, 2008, instead of Easter weekend which it was initially scheduled for. Please make your plans accordingly.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=8 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:27:33 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=8 Click here to view the interview.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=7 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:50:39 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=7 here. You may also use the same order form to purchase name tags with various other emblems on them.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=6 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:12:21 -0400 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=6 2007 National Conservation and Leadership Summit (NCLS) will take place July 28 through August 1, 2007 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

This summit has a twofold purpose. The first will be to train key site leadership and squad leaders for the 2008 ArrowCorps5. The second purpose of the NCLS is to introduce to key leaders of lodges and sections the 2008-2012 Order of the Arrow Strategic Plan. It will be the first summit-type event held since the National Leadership Summit of 1999.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=5 Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=5 Congratulations to the 27 Lodges from the Western Region who earned Quality Lodge for their performance in 2006! Click here to view the list of those lodges.

These lodges are eligible to order the new Quality Lodge pin for their lodge flap. An order form is available here and in the Lodge Program Support Pack.

If your lodge is not on this list, now is the time to begin working on those operating standards that will ensure your success as a lodge in supporting your council in 2007.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=4 Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=4 Region Communications Chairman - Joshua Bryan
      Webmaster - Alex Begg
      Mustang Editor - Eric Svingen
Region High Adventure Chairman - Jake Knudsen
Region Training Chairman - Case Barden
Region Quality Lodge Chairman - AJ Meyers
Region Events Promotion Chairman - Jake Wellman]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=3 Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=3
Congratulations to the following lodges in the Western Region that have been selected as the service grant recipients for 2007:

• Tahosa Lodge, Denver Area Council 61 received $5000 to retrofit the Creede Campsite at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch to be accessible to persons with disabilities.


• Wal-La-Moot-Kin Lodge, Blue Mountain Council 604 received $5000 to restore camp property so that it can be used for camping and high adventure.
]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=2 Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=2 Click here for information on the new National Chief, Vice Chief, and all four Region Cheifs.

The summit theme for the 2007 National Conservation and Leadership Summit (NCLS) to be held at Indiana University is 'Building the Path to Servant Leadership'.]]> http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=1 Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://western.oa-bsa.org/article.php?id=1 Quality Lodge Resources page.]]>