Lake Minnetonka OA Chapter Call to Action

Dear Scoutmasters, Committee Chairmen, Crew Advisers, and OA Members of Lake Minnetonka

I am the Scoutmaster of Troop 283 in Wayzata. I’ve met and worked with many of you as part of the district training team, roundtable presenter, and Scouter for the past 10+ years. I’m writing to you in hopes of getting both your attention and assistance. Our Order of the Arrow Chapter is at a cross-roads, and in order to keep it going into the future, we need your help. At the March Chapter Meeting (same time and place as the Roundtable at the Wayzata Community Church), we will be re-configuring the youth leadership as well as working on the Fall Conclave. We need to fill many positions, everything from service coordinators to ceremony team members. We need to find these participants within our midst.

Why does this matter to me and why do I think it matters to you? I find my sense of purpose in the Order of the Arrow in the words of the founder, E Urner Goodman, “From the beginning it has been our hope that the Order of the Arrow would server a useful purpose in causing the Scout Promise and Law to spring into action, especially in the Scout Camps in all parts of the Nation. We are still dedicated to that high purpose . . . The Order of the Arrow is a thing of the spirit rather than of mechanics . . . Brotherhood – in a day when there is too much hatred at home and abroad. Cheerfulness – in a day when the pessimists have the floor. Service – in a day when millions are interested only in getting or grasping rather than giving.”

So, as you see and hopefully remember, the important work we do at our Conclave supports our council camps with service that would not happen without us (e.g., we were the only volunteers in over 10 years to pull the dock out at Camp Stearns – so if we don’t go and do, it doesn’t happen.) This day of service in the Ordeal not only helps our camps, it connects our Scouts better to the Ccamps and to themselves. They grow as individuals and are then given opportunities in years to come to lead like individuals forward in their quests. As part of the Boy Scouts, the OA truly helps our Scouts grow and mature.

You are wondering how you can help? Please get your OA Representative, his Adviser, and 1-2 additional OA members from your Troop. If every Troop brought 2-3 Scouts, we will have a great Conclave!

Stu Smith
SM Troop 283, Wayzata, MN & Associate Chapter Adviser
[email protected]
612.281.7501