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Order of the Arrow 10 – 1 Boy Scouts of America

CHAPTER MANAGEMENT

Session Length: 50 Minutes

Learning objectives: ! Understand the fundamentals of Chapter Management ! Understand the foundations upon which decisions about

Chapter Management are made ! Be able to apply the fundamentals learned here to the

participants’ Chapters. Required Materials:

! Flipcharts ! Power Point presentation file

TRAINER PREPARATION

Introduction: 1-3 Minutes

Trainer Tip: The format of this session uses role playing scenarios. These scenarios take place within the context of a Chapter Meeting, as Committee Chairmen make their reports to the Chapter Officers. While it is not necessary to have the room entirely arranged to mimic a Chapter Meeting, it will be helpful to have a table set aside to clearly indicate which participants are playing the roles of the Chapter Leadership.

Trainer Tip: The following introduction may be paraphrased, but be sure to emphasize the last paragraph. This session is not about how to hold a Chapter meeting, the scenarios presented are only samples of a Chapter meeting, and should not be taken as a guideline for how to conduct other Chapter meetings.

Begin PP Presentation “Chapter Management”

Chapter Management encompasses many things. An entire weekend could be devoted to covering all the specific details of what goes into Chapter Management. With only 50 minutes, we could only cover a few of these topics in any detail, leaving many untouched. Instead, we will cover the "Theory of Chapter Management," which will hopefully enable you to identify, analyze, and improve the aspects of management within your particular Chapter. Armed with this knowledge and ability, hopefully you will discover, on your own, the various specifics of Chapter Management, and be able to deal with them in a positive and constructive way. All Chapters are different, and thus a Chapter Management session cannot specifically address the particular needs of all Chapters in the OA. We will present several scenarios in this session, which deal with various aspects of Chapter Management. They may relate to your Chapter very well, or they could be something your Chapter does not deal with. In either case, hopefully you will be able to see the reason behind the situation, and be able to apply the fundamentals elsewhere within your Chapter.

10

Lodge Leadership Development Session 10 Chapter Management


Please keep in mind that this session does not intend to show you the correct way to hold a Chapter meeting, or how to best conduct business therein. All Chapters are different, and have different ways of doing things. The scenarios you will encounter in this session are arranged to provide you with the best view into what is really happening.

SESSION NARRATIVE

Foundation of Chapter Management – What is a Chapter: 5-7 Minutes

Advance PP Slide “What is a Chapter?”

To understand Chapter Management, we must first understand that which we intend to manage. So I ask you, “What is a Chapter?” This may seem like an easy question, with a simple answer, but once we begin to explore that answer, we’ll see that it’s really much more.

How would you define a Chapter?

Trainer Tip: Use a whiteboard or flip chart to record the answers. Keep in mind the discussion below, and try to direct participants to the answers contained therein.

At its most simple level, a Chapter is a subset of the Lodge. They have similar structures. Elected youth leadership, under the guidance of selected, capable Advisers, runs them both.

Advance PP Slide “What does a Chapter do?”

Trainer Tip: Chapters are quite diverse. Be prepared to receive many different answers to this question, depending on the responsibilities of the Chapters participating in this session.

What does a Chapter do?

Chapters carry certain responsibilities. Fundamental among those are the following:

! Camping Promotion ! Unit Elections ! Service

Chapters may also serve as the Service Unit for the local district. They are responsible for promoting the program and policies of the Lodge, including Lodge events.

Other items that may pertain to some Chapters include:

! Maintaining Ceremony Teams and Dance Teams ! Providing hosting services for Lodge events ! Conducting, or helping to conduct, Inductions and Brotherhood events.

Foundation of Chapter Management – What does your Chapter do?: 3-5 Minutes

Advance PP Slide “What does your Chapter do?”



Trainer Tip: Ask participants to write down some of the things their Chapters are doing right now. These things could include events that occur every year, such as Chapter Meetings, Camping Promotions and Unit Elections. They could also include special items, such as District and Council events.

Encourage participants to be as specific as possible. We will return to this list at the end of the session to see how well they are applying the principles of Chapter Management.

If participants are unsure of events their Chapter is doing, ask them to list things they have been involved with in the past, such as participating in a Unit Election or as a member of a Ceremony Team.

Take a minute or two and write down some of the things your Chapter is doing right now. Be as specific as you can. For instance, instead of listing “Ordeal Ceremonies,” you might want to list, “Spring Ordeal Ceremony next month.” Foundation of Chapter Management – What guides the decisions of Chapter Leaders?: 3-5 Minutes

Advance PP Slide “What guides our decisions?”

The same principles that guide our other Scouting decisions should guide our decisions as Chapter Leaders. What are those principles?

Trainer Tip: Ask for answers. Advance the PowerPoint bullets as answers are given, or to help prompt further answers

Advance PP Slide (bullets) “What guides our decisions?”

The fundamentals of Scouting should be the framework upon which we build our decisions. What are some of the key phrases that might apply to Chapter Management?

Trainer Tip: Ask for answers. There may be several more than those listed here.

! “To help other people at all times” (Boy Scout Oath) ! “Trustworthy… Helpful… Obedient… Cheerful” (Boy Scout Law) ! “… cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant recognition”

(Purpose of the Order) ! “To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirits” (Purpose of the Order) ! “To promote Scout Camping” (Purpose of the Order) ! “… achieve the purpose of the Order of the Arrow through positive youth leadership under

the guidance of selected capable adults.” (Mission of the Lodge) ! “… be unselfish in service and devotion to the welfare of others.” (Order of the Arrow

Obligation)

How to Apply the Fundamentals towards the decisions we make: 3-5 Minutes



It’s easy to list these fundamentals of decision making. It’s much more difficult to apply them to the situations that arise in the course of Chapter Management. By learning to apply these fundamentals towards the decisions you make, you will eventually build a habit of following them, and hopefully decisions will become easier as time goes on.

To help demonstrate how to apply these fundamentals to the management of your Chapter, we’re going to see some of these things in action.

Advance PP Slide “Okay, Chapter Chief, what do you do now?”

Trainer Tip: You will need some volunteers to begin the game. Select three youth members to play the parts of Chapter Chief, Chapter Vice-Chief, and Chapter Secretary. You may also select an adult to play the part of Chapter Adviser, or you may take this role yourself.

You may also decide to select four or five youth members to act as Chapter Committee Chairmen. You can specify which roles they will be playing, if you wish. If you do not have enough youth members to fill all the positions, some may play multiple roles. Do not cast adults in the roles of Chapter Officers or Committee Chairmen.

Alternatively, for relatively small or inexperienced groups, you may choose to play the role of Committee Chairman yourself.

We will be playing out a few scenarios that simulate possible situations that could arise in the course of Chapter Management. These may be similar to things you encounter in your own Chapter, or they may not apply at all. This is not intended to demonstrate how to run a Chapter Meeting, or what programs your Chapter should include, it’s just an example of what may happen, and a tool to help you deal with a similar situation in your own Chapter.

We’ll need some volunteers. One will play the role of Chapter Chief, one will play the role of Chapter Vice-Chief, and one will play the role of Chapter Secretary. We’ll have other volunteers play the role of Committee Chairmen, who will be making their reports to the Chapter leadership during this Chapter meeting. It will be the responsibility of the Chapter Chief to listen to the report presented, and decide what, if any, action needs to be taken.

Once the Chapter Chief, in consultation with the other officers, has made his decision, and communicated it effectively, we will pause to talk briefly about the situation and the possible solutions. Then the participant playing the Chapter Vice-Chief will assume the role of Chapter Chief, the Secretary will become the Vice-Chief, and a new volunteer will step in to act as Secretary. This way we’ll give as many people as we can the chance to be part of the solutions to these situations.

Trainer Tip: Choose an adult participant to play the role of Chapter Adviser at this point, or announce that you will be assuming the role of Chapter Adviser.

Begin the Game: 20-25 Minutes



Trainer Tip: Depending on time, you should have the chance to play out 4-5 of the scenarios included in this session. Choose the scenarios based on the level of difficulty you feel would be appropriate for the class you are leading. The difficulty of each scenario is indicated.

Be sure to include the first two scenarios, which present basic fundamentals that should apply to all levels of Chapter Leadership.

Remember that you need to leave 3-5 minutes for the conclusion, so try not to start your final scenario any later than 8 minutes before the conclusion of class.

Have the scenarios picked in advance. It will be your responsibility to introduce the next Chairman on the agenda.

Before the game begins, distribute the appropriate materials to the Committee Chairmen you have chosen, so they can begin preparing for their presentation.

(Play the Game)

Conclusion: 3-5 Minutes

Advance PP Slide “Looking Back”

We’ve just seen some of the situations that may arise in the course of Chapter Management, and we’ve discussed the causes of these situations, as well as possible solutions. Take a couple minutes and look back on the list you made at the beginning of class, of the specific things your Chapter is doing right now. Think about the things you’ve seen today, and try to apply them to the items on your list.

Advance PP bullets “Looking Back”

Ask yourself the following questions about those items:

! Are they being managed well? ! What fundamentals of Chapter Management can you apply to make sure they are

successful? ! How would you manage them differently next time?

Keep these fundamentals in mind as you go about the business of managing your Chapter. Try to use them in the decisions you make. You will find, as time goes on, that Chapter Management becomes easier, and more effective… and more fun! Thank you for attending today.

APPENDIX: SOURCE MATERIALS AND RESOUCES

2003 – 2007 Order of the Arrow Strategic Plan http://www.oa-bsa.org/programs/splan/

2003-2007 Order of the Arrow Strategic Plan & Annual Lodge Plan Workbook



Presented at the National Council of Chiefs at the 2002 National Order of the Arrow Conference



Role Play 1: Camping Promotions Bungle 3-5 Minutes Levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced

Course Instructor’s Instructions:

The Camping Committee Chairman is about to report that only 40% of the Chapter’s troops have been visited.

You may want to “remind” the Chapter Chief that the Chapter needs an 80% visitation rate to qualify for the Lodge’s “Golden Chapter” award, which they have won 10 years in a row.

Camping Promotions Chairman:

Your summer camp signup deadline is in two weeks, and you are in trouble! Several months ago, when you accepted the position of Chapter Camping Promotions Chairman, you had high hopes, and a vision of flawless and timely camping promotions. You selected three fellow Arrowmen to serve as coordinators under you. Each one was given 10 troops to contact and arrange a camping promotions visit. They were to schedule the visit with the scoutmasters, arrange a small team of Arrowmen to do the presentation, and conduct the visit.

You have been unable to reach two of them until this past week, when you learned that they have not been as productive as you had hoped. In fact, only two of the twenty troops between them have even been contacted!

Your other coordinator did an outstanding job, contacting the troops assigned to him, arranging and conducting visits, and reporting to you on his progress. He really seems to have a great way of organizing himself, as well as finding people to help with the visits.

You know that you need at least 80% of the troops to be visited to earn your Lodge’s prized “Golden Chapter” Award. Right now, you’re sitting at 40%.

To top it all off, you got a call from your friend, the Camp Ranger. He told you that your district doesn’t have as many troops signed up for camp as they usually do. He wonders why they haven’t signed up for summer camp yet.

Your job is to report this to your Chapter Chief. Give him the details, and see what he suggests you do.

Possible Outcomes:

Hopefully, the Chapter Chief decides to try to visit as many troops as possible in the next two weeks. He has a number of resources at his disposal:

! The Camping Promotions Committee Chairman ! The youth who was successful in contacting a visiting the troops he was assigned ! The Chapter Vice-Chief and Secretary ! Other Chapter Members

Discussion:

Discuss why the situation occurred in the first place. Emphasize:

! The importance of communication and planning ! The need to follow up with those you have tasked with assignments ! The importance of choosing motivated and capable Arrowmen, especially for critical

assignments



Foundations of Chapter Management:

Discuss which of the Foundations of Chapter Management would apply to this situation, and the decision the Chapter Chief made. Possible answers include:

! “To promote Scout Camping” (Purpose of the Order) o It is the Chapter’s job to make sure Camping Promotions occur. Whether they are

late or not, they need to happen. ! “… achieve the purpose of the Order of the Arrow through positive youth leadership under

the guidance of selected capable adults.” (Mission of the Lodge) o This may be the Mission of the Lodge, but the Lodge is composed of Chapters, and

it is their responsibility to make sure the Lodge succeeds in its Mission. ! “To help other people at all times” (Boy Scout Oath)

o Even though it’s the Camping Promotions Chairman’s responsibility, others (including the Chapter Chief himself) should step in and offer to help, especially during critical times such as this.



Role Play 1: Camping Promotions Bungle 3-5 Minutes

Camping Promotions Chairman:

Your summer camp signup deadline is in two weeks, and you are in trouble! Several months ago, when you accepted the position of Chapter Camping Promotions Chairman, you had high hopes, and a vision of flawless and timely camping promotions. You selected three fellow Arrowmen to serve as coordinators under you. Each one was given 10 troops to contact and arrange a camping promotions visit. They were to schedule the visit with the Scoutmasters, arrange a small team of Arrowmen to do the presentation, and conduct the visit.

You have been unable to reach two of them until this past week, when you learned that they have not been as productive as you had hoped. In fact, only two of the twenty troops between them have even been contacted!

Your other coordinator did an outstanding job, contacting all the troops assigned to him, arranging and conducting visits, and reporting to you on his progress. He really seems to have a great way of organizing himself, as well as finding people to help with the visits.

You know that you need at least 80% of the troops to be visited to earn your Lodge’s prized “Golden Chapter” Award. Right now, you’re sitting at 40%.

To top it all off, you got a call from your friend, the Camp Ranger. He told you that your district doesn’t have as many troops signed up for camp as they usually do. He wonders why they haven’t signed up for summer camp yet.

Your job is to report this to your Chapter Chief. Give him the details, and see what he suggests you do.



Role Play 2: Camporee Chairman – Upcoming Camporee 3-5 Minutes Levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced


The Distict Camporee Chairman is going to report that all is well. There is nothing intentionally wrong about this situation – it is intended to demonstrate good Chapter Management techiniques. An astute Chapter Chief may find things that are not covered by the Camporee Chairman’s part, and may find things that remain to be done. Encourage this, but keep in mind that nothing is intended to be wrong with this scenario.

District Camporee Chairman:

Your Chapter is hosting the upcoming District Camporee, which is three weeks away. You were asked several months ago to be the Camporee Chairman, and you eagerly accepted the position. Since then, you have recruited sub-chairmen to handle registration, events, camp site management, awards, promotions, and even parking. You’ve held bi-weekly meetings to get updates on their progress, and you’ve been attending the District Committee Meetings to report on your progress. You’ve arranged for the National Guard to provide tents, the Forest Service is providing water and bathroom facilities, and the Navy SEALS will be doing a special demonstration for the participants. You had a slight problem getting food for your staff, when your supplier went out of business. You contacted a local deli, and got breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and hamburgers donated for your meals. Signups have gone smoothly, and you have almost reached the capacity of the campground. All your programs are in place, and everyone reports that they are ready to go. Your job is to report this to the Chapter Chief, who will determine what to do next.

Possible Outcomes:

This is an example of good Chapter Management. Hopefully the decision is “carry on!” Discussion:

Discuss why the situation exhibited good Chapter Management:

! The importance of communication and planning ! The need to follow up with those you have tasked with assignments ! The importance of choosing motivated and capable Arrowmen, especially for critical

assignments Foundations of Chapter Management:


! “To promote Scout Camping” (Purpose of the Order)



Role Play 2: Camporee Chairman – Upcoming Camporee 3-5 Minutes

District Camporee Chairman:




Role Play 3: Unit Elections – Reluctant Scoutmasters 7-9 Minutes Levels: Intermediate, Advanced


The Unit Elections Chairman is going to report that he is unable to meet the Chapter’s 90% Unit Elections goal, due to unwilling Scoutmasters. The Chapter needs to conduct two more unit elections to reach the 90% requirement for the Lodge’s “Golden Chapter” Award. District Camporee Chairman:


Possible Outcomes:

The Chapter Chief has several choices in front of him.

! Just let it go. Don’t pressure the Scoutmasters to hold OA Elections. ! Ask the Chapter Adviser, or Unit Elections Committee Adviser to run interference between

the Chapter and the Scoutmasters. Ask them to help smooth things over, so the Scoutmasters are okay with OA Elections in their troop.

! Ask the District to become involved, asking the Scoutmasters to allow the OA to conduct elections in their troop.

! Having the Committee Chairman (or himself, or a delegate) call the Scoutmasters again and attempt to persuade them to let the Chapter hold OA Elections.

Discussion:

Hopefully the “Golden Chapter Award” will motivate the Chapter Chief. This is intended as a diversion, to get him thinking about the Chapter’s Accomplishments, rather than the Fundamentals of Chapter Management. The interests of the troops should come before the interests of the Chapter. However, it could be argued that the Scoutmasters could be persuaded that OA Elections are in the best interests of his Troop, by providing his youth with more leadership opportunities and experience, enhancing their camping skills, and providing them with a network of other Scouts to exchange ideas. Generally, it’s best to ask Adults to deal with other Adults. In this situation, choice #2 (Ask for Adult intervention), followed by choice #1, would probably be the best solution.



Role Play 3: Unit Elections – Reluctant Scoutmasters 7-9 Minutes

You are to report on the progress of the Chapter’s Unit Elections. The Unit Elections have gone fairly well to date. You have contacted all the troops in your District. Most of them were very receptive to the Order of the Arrow, and welcomed their annual elections. Most elections been completed, and you have two which are scheduled to be done this week. However, you have encountered some Scoutmasters who do not wish to have OA elections conducted for their troops. Two of the troops in question are relatively young troops, with no eligible scouts. Five others have eligible Scouts, but still the Scoutmasters want nothing to do with the OA. Some have told you that the OA just takes away their older leaders. Others don’t want some of their Scouts to be selected, while others are not. After the scheduled Unit Elections this week, you will still be two units short of the 90% goal you need to reach to be eligible for the “Golden Chapter Award,” which your Chapter has earned the past 10 years straight. You have two more weeks left before the Lodge Unit Elections deadline. You are to report your status to the Chapter Chief, who will determine what to do next.



Role Play 4: Brotherhood Chairman 7-9 Minutes Levels: Intermediate, Advanced


The Brotherhood Chairman is going to introduce some ideas for change. While change is not necessarily bad, these changes fly in the face of guidelines and policies. Brotherhood Chairman:

You have been the Brotherhood Chairman for almost a year now, and you recently accepted the invitation to continue for another year. You really know what you’re doing, and you’ve seen quite a few Brotherhood Candidates seal their membership in the Order. Your Chapter has been meeting the goal of 40% Brotherhood Conversion – good enough to earn your Lodge’s “Golden Chapter” Award.

For the most part, you’ve been impressed with the Candidates your Chapter has seen… but there have been some exceptions.

You feel that some of the Candidates were not sincere in their commitment to the additional obligations of Brotherhood Membership, nor do you feel they really met the Challenges of Brotherhood Membership outlined in the OA Handbook. Basically, they just glided right by the Challenges, without really understanding what they’re all about. You feel that they are setting a bad example for those in the Chapter, as well as setting a poor example for your Chapter in the rest of the Lodge. You worked hard to earn your Brotherhood Membership, why shouldn’t they?

Therefore, you’d like to propose the following changes to the way Brotherhood Candidates are processed by your Chapter:

! An oral test of their memorization of the signs of Arrow membership will be required. This includes flawless recitation of the Obligation, correct pronunciation of the Admonition, demonstration of the correct Ordeal handshake, and being able to sing the OA song in key.

! A test of their knowledge of the legends and traditions of the Order of the Arrow. You feel that memorizing the Pre-Ordeal and Ordeal ceremonies is a good way to prepare for this test.

! A letter of commitment, in addition to the one they currently write to the Lodge Secretary. This letter would be a firm commitment to serve at least two more years in some capacity within the Lodge or Chapter

! To make sure these additional challenges are met, you propose instantiating a check-sheet, to be signed by a Brotherhood or Vigil member, preferably their Chapter Chief, once the tests have been completed.

If a candidate can meet these additional tests, you feel confident he or she is truly worthy of Brotherhood membership, will set a good example to those behind him or her, and will be an excellent representation of the quality Arrowmen in your Chapter. Sure you may not meet the 40% requirement for the Lodge’s “Golden Chapter” Award, but what’s really important here: the Chapter getting an award, or the Chapter making sure it’s producing quality Brotherhood members? Your job is to present this proposal to the Chapter Chief, who will decide what to do next. Possible Outcomes:

There are basically two outcomes. Either the Chapter Chief accepts the proposed changes, or rejects them.



Discussion:

There are several factors at work here. The Chapter Chief may decide not to adopt the changes because of the reduction in number of Brotherhood Candidates – a reaction to the percentage required for the “Golden Chapter” Award. While this would be the correct decision, it would be for the wrong reasons. A thorough understanding of Brotherhood Membership is essential to understand this situation. While the Brotherhood Chairman may have very good intentions, his policies would not correlate with guidelines published by the National Order of the Arrow Committee. From the Order of the Arrow Handbook, 1998 revision:

You must meet five challenges before you can enter the Circle of the Brotherhood. The first of these you should meet now. The next three require steady effort over a period of months. The last challenge you must meet after you are satisfied that you are meeting the first four.

(Italics added for effect) It is made very clear in the Order of the Arrow Handbook that it is for the Brotherhood Candidate alone to determine when he or she has met the Challenges of Brotherhood membership. Current Brotherhood and Vigil Members should always be willing to offer their support. However, placing any additional burden upon the Brotherhood Candidate, including demonstrating his completion of the Challenges would not be consistent with the purpose of Brotherhood membership, “An opportunity for members to evaluate their past service to Scouting (camping and unit involvement) and to the Lodge since their Ordeal induction.” Just as Lodge Members do not choose who will become Ordeal members, nor do they choose who will become Brotherhood Members. But they are committed to helping those who have chosen (or been selected by their fellow scouts) to do so. Foundations of Chapter Management:


! Order of the Arrow Handbook



Role Play 4: Brotherhood Chairman 7-9 Minutes

Brotherhood Chairman:

You have been the Brotherhood Chairman for almost a year now, and you recently accepted the invitation to continue for another year. You really know what you’re doing, and you’ve seen quite a few Brotherhood Candidates seal their membership in the Order. Your Chapter has been meeting the goal of 40% Brotherhood Conversion – good enough to earn your Lodge’s “Golden Chapter” Award.

For the most part, you’ve been impressed with the Candidates your Chapter has seen… but there have been some exceptions.

You feel that some of the Candidates were not sincere in their commitment to the additional obligations of Brotherhood Membership, nor do you feel they really met the Challenges of Brotherhood Membership outlined in the OA Handbook. Basically, they just glided right by the Challenges, without really understanding what they’re all about. You feel that they are setting a bad example for those in the Chapter, as well as setting a poor example for your Chapter in the rest of the Lodge. You worked hard to earn your Brotherhood Membership, why shouldn’t they?

Therefore, you’d like to propose the following changes to the way Brotherhood Candidates are processed by your Chapter:

! An oral test of their memorization of the signs of Arrow membership will be required. This includes flawless recitation of the Obligation, correct pronunciation of the Admonition, demonstration of the correct Ordeal handshake, and being able to sing the OA song in key.

! A test of their knowledge of the legends and traditions of the Order of the Arrow. You feel that memorizing the Pre-Ordeal and Ordeal ceremonies is a good way to prepare for this test.

! A letter of commitment, in addition to the one they currently write to the Lodge Secretary. This letter would be a firm commitment to serve at least two more years in some capacity within the Lodge or Chapter

! To make sure these additional challenges are met, you propose instantiating a check-sheet, to be signed by a Brotherhood or Vigil member, preferably their Chapter Chief, once the tests have been completed.

If a candidate can meet these additional tests, you feel confident he or she is truly worthy of Brotherhood membership, will set a good example to those behind him or her, and will be an excellent representation of the quality Arrowmen in your Chapter. Sure you may not meet the 40% requirement for the Lodge’s “Golden Chapter” Award, but what’s really important here: the Chapter getting an award, or the Chapter making sure it’s producing quality Brotherhood members? Your job is to present this proposal to the Chapter Chief, who will decide what to do next.



Role Play 5: Ordeal Chairman – An additional test 3-5 Minutes Levels: Beginning, Intermediate


The Ordeal Chairman is going to propose adding a test to the Ordeal. This proposal is out of genuine concern for the safety of the Candidates, but it should be obvious to everyone this suggestion should not be taken seriously.

Ordeal Chairman:

Your Chapter, being a very large Chapter, has been hosting Lodge Ordeals for quite some time. You have served as Ordeal Chairman for the past two years, and love your job. You spend all your spare time planning for the next Ordeal, and during the Ordeal weekends, you hardly sleep at all. There’s just too much to do, looking out for the welfare of the Ordeal Candidates. After all, you do live in New Mexico, and it’s often hot and dry during the days. Dehydration is common, and you’ve even seen Heatstroke a couple of times. Despite being “Honor Campers,” the Candidates just don’t seem prepared for desert camping.

To help avoid problems like this in the future, which is in the direct interests of the Candidate’s safety, you’d like to propose the following addition to the tests of the Ordeal:

Desert Camping Skills

In addition to sleeping alone, maintaining silence, arduous labor, and scant food, you would like the Candidates to demonstrate desert camping survival skills. You will send them out into the desert with an empty paper cup, which they must fill with water (somehow) and return.

You will, of course, supply their Elangomats with emergency water supplies, so nobody is ever in any real danger.

You feel this will improve the quality of Ordeal Candidates your Lodge produces, which should lead to better-equipped troops, as they take their skills back with them.

This additional test will apply to Ordeal Candidates from your Chapter only, for now. But you feel that by approving this change, your Chapter will be able to persuade the Lodge to adopt the change as well.

Your job is to make this proposal to the Chapter Chief, who will decide what to do next.

Possible Outcomes:

This should be obvious. It is not for the Lodge to decide to add an additional test to the Ordeal, no matter how sincere the intentions.

Discussion:

What determines the tests of the Ordeal?

! “The Ordeal Ceremony” ! National Policy (“The Induction Principals”)





! “The Ordeal Ceremony” ! “The Induction Principals”



Role Play 5: Ordeal Chairman 3-5 Minutes

Your Chapter, being a very large Chapter, has been hosting Lodge Ordeals for quite some time. You have served as Ordeal Chairman for the past two years, and love your job. You spend all your spare time planning for the next Ordeal, and during the Ordeal weekends, you hardly sleep at all. There’s just too much to do, looking out for the welfare of the Ordeal Candidates. After all, you do live in New Mexico, and it’s often hot and dry during the days. Dehydration is common, and you’ve even seen Heatstroke a couple of times. Despite being “Honor Campers,” the Candidates just don’t seem prepared for desert camping.

To help avoid problems like this in the future, which is in the direct interests of the Candidate’s safety, you’d like to propose the following addition to the tests of the Ordeal:

Desert Camping Skills

In addition to sleeping alone, maintaining silence, arduous labor, and scant food, you would like the Candidates to demonstrate desert camping survival skills. You will send them out into the desert with an empty paper cup, which they must fill with water (somehow) and return.

You will, of course, supply their Elangomats with emergency water supplies, so nobody is ever in any real danger.

You feel this will improve the quality of Ordeal Candidates your Lodge produces, which should lead to better-equipped troops, as they take their skills back with them.

This additional test will apply to Ordeal Candidates from your Chapter only, for now. But you feel that by approving this change, your Chapter will be able to persuade the Lodge to adopt the change as well.




Role Play 6: Web Site Chairman 5-7 Minutes Levels: Intermediate, Advanced


The Chapter Web Site Chairman is going to propose setting up a new website. While he is full of good intentions, there are some flaws with his plan.

Web Site Chairman:

You were recently selected to be the Chapter’s Web Site Chairman. You think you’ll fit this role well, because you already know all there is to know about web sites – you’ve been doing them for years!

You’d like to propose the following:

! That your Chapter start a web site called: “www.OurRockinChapter.org” ! You can host the web site on the server you big brother keeps in his garage – it’s up most

of the time, unless he’s working on it. It’s got all kinds of space and bandwidth – he uses it to share his music files!

! You’d like to link to the Chapter Membership database, so anyone can look up names and addresses of Chapter Members – what a great communication tool!

! You can publish all kinds of resources, like the OA Handbook, clipart, and all the parts for all the ceremonies!

! You can even publish pictures of Chapter Events, for all the world to see! Your job is to make this proposal to the Chapter Chief, who will decide what to do next.

Possible Outcomes:

Hopefully the Chapter Chief sees the flaws with this plan.

Discussion:

For this discussion, it will be very helpful to be familiar with current National OA and BSA policies regarding OA and Scouting web usage. It would also be very helpful to be familiar with any Council or District policies.

There are a few fundamental problems with this scenario, however, that should be apparent no matter what the policies in place.

First of all, it is important to think about reliability. Hosting it on his big brother’s server might be good for cost and ease-of-access, but it doesn’t sound like a very reliable machine. It also doesn’t sound very secure, and is possibly involved with illegal activities.

Secondly, be very careful about what information is shared on the web. Members names and addresses, as well as pictures, should never be published without prior consent, and even then only if allowed by Local or National policies.

Similarly, OA resources, such as the ceremonies, are meant to be safeguarded – not shared openly with everyone who visits your web site.





! Local and National Policies regarding web usage. ! OA Ceremonies – “It is pledged that the ceremony shall be safeguarded,” “safeguard this

pamplet”



Role Play 6: Web Site Chairman 5-7 Minutes

Web Site Chairman:

You were recently selected to be the Chapter’s Web Site Chairman. You think you’ll fit this role well, because you already know all there is to know about web sites – you’ve been doing them for years!

You’d like to propose the following:

! That your Chapter start a web site called: “www.OurRockinChapter.org” ! You can host the web site on the server you big brother keeps in his garage – it’s up most

of the time, unless he’s working on it. ! You’d like to link to the Chapter Membership database, so anyone can look up names and

addresses of Chapter Members – what a great communication tool! ! You can publish all kinds of resources, like the OA Handbook, clipart, and all the parts for

all the ceremonies! ! You can even publish pictures of Chapter Events, for the entire world to see!




Role Play 7: Ceremony Team Chairman 5-7 Minutes Levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced


The Ceremony Team Chairman is going to ask for funds for new equipment. The Chapter Chief will have to do some money management to decide what to afford.

Possible Outcomes:

There really is no right or wrong answer to this scenario. The decision rests on the Chapter Chief, and what he determines are in the best interests of the Chapter. Obviously, spending all the money on pizza would not be a good decision, but neither would spending nothing on the Ceremony Team regalia.

Discussion:

Chapter Management often involves managing budgets and money. It is important to be familiar with Council or District policies regarding the use of monies by the Chapter. Some allow Chapters to have special accounts at the Council Office. Others group the Chapter and Lodge accounts together. Be sure you know how your Council or District handles monies for the Chapters you are training.

Knowing how to budget and manage money could be another training session itself. The factors to keep in mind in this situation are:

! The best interests of the most members of the Chapter ! The interests of those campers who will be helped by the Campership Fund donation ! How important is it to the Chapter that their Ceremony Teams look good





Role Play 7: Ceremony Team Chairman 5-7 Minutes

Ceremony Team Chairman:

You are the Ceremony Team Chairman. You’ve been a part of Ceremonies for as long as you can remember, and you love it! Your Chapter has excellent Ceremony Teams, and you regularly place at Lodge and Sectional competitions.

But recently, you’ve begun to notice that your Chapter’s Ceremony Team equipment and regalia is beginning to fall into disrepair. It’s not through abuse, quite the contrary! You take very good care of your stuff, but it’s used so much that it’s just wearing out.

You’ve done some research, and found that you can obtain replacement parts for very good prices from a local dealer. You’d like the Chapter to use some of its funds to purchase new Ceremony Team equipment.

You need the following:

10 chapter management - order of the arrow, bsatraining.oa-bsa.org/content home/lodge leadership...

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