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Talk With Brad Haddock
Chairman of the National OA Committee

NOAC 2002 Communication Committee staff members had a chance to ask some questions of Mr. Brad Haddock, National Chairman of the Order of the Arrow.

Question: What is happening in the OA right now that excites you?

Answer: What really excites me is the way the New Strategic Plan seeks to integrate the Lodge into the Council. It is in the current Strategic Plan, but the New Plan goes even further with how the Council and Lodge relate.

Question: Who has greatly influenced your life in Scouting?

Answer: First, my Scoutmaster, Phil Mellor, who really taught me about what Scouting meant and gave me a chance to serve as Senior Patrol Leader. Ed Reeves, my Lodge Adviser when I was Lodge Chief, saw to it that the youth led the program. This also greatly influenced me. Also, George Feil, who was my adviser when I was National Chief, greatly influenced my life in Scouting. He was the best Adviser ever. He would tell you something so you would start thinking about an idea and then come to your own conclusion. It was out of this train of thought that the NLS was developed. There were many others I could mention, but I would have to mention my parents. If it wasn't for my mother's gentle reminder I would not have gotten my Eagle.

Question: Where do you see the Order in 10 years?

Answer: In the next ten years I see the OA much more involved in Council operations. I see the Council and Lodge more integrated. I also see a lot more opportunities for youth leadership. We've seen the possibilities grow during the last eight years with the Trail Crew and Wilderness Voyage, but I see the opportunities continuing to grow.

Question: What is your most memorable moment in Scouting?

Answer: Most memorable moment in Scouting: when I realized that the day before I was a Section Chief and now I'm suddenly the National chief. It seems there's no difference in time, but now I'm in a role where I have to subordinate my desires and truly practice servant leadership.

Question: Did you have Scouting heroes? Who were they?

Answer: George Feil is one of my Scouting heroes. Tom McBride, who we honored at this conference, is another. Tom has done so much for the order. There are a lot of others I could mention, some are here at the conference, such as Dr. Carl Marchetti.

Question: How can Lodges improve their service to their Council?

Answer: It is critical that there is open dynamic communication between the Lodge and the Council. Just talking about calendars and priorities, and planning together would greatly improve things.

Question: What Question are you most frequently asked about the Order?

Answer: The Question I get asked the most? That's a hard one. I would have to say "What direction is the Order headed?" That, and I get asked why I serve as the volunteer chairman of the OA. I do this job because of the youth and the leadership opportunities it provides. I've been involved with sports and other clubs. Nothing compares to the potential of this program.

Question: Which point of the Scout Law is the most important to you?

Answer: Trustworthy, if you have no integrity you have nothing at all. Everything else comes out of that - courteous, and cheerful, for example.

Question: When NOAC is over, what one thing do you want the participants to take back from their experience?

Answer: I want the participants to be encouraged and enthused about youth leadership in their Council.

Revised 7/31/02.