For Carl M. Marchetti, M.D., servant leadership has been an important part of his life for years. In recognition of his many years of outstanding service, he received the Legacy of Servant Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award at the History/Recognition Show on Sunday night at NOAC 2004.
The Legacy of Servant Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award was created by the National Order of the Arrow Committee in June 2002 to recognize the Order's second generation "Founders" - Scouters who have built an enduring legacy to Scouting and the Order of the Arrow through a lifetime of cheerful service to others. The award 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 significant values found in the Scout Oath and Law.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is an award that Dr. Marchetti richly deserves. He has been a life-long Scouter, having been registered in Scouting for over fifty-eight years. His service and involvement spans all aspects of Scouting, from Cubs through Boy Scouts as well as Exploring and Venturing. This award is just one of many that Dr. Marchetti has received throughout his distinguished career, including the Distinguished Eagle Scout, OA Distinguished Service Award, the Silver Buffalo and the Silver Antelope.
Dr. Marchetti was elected to become a member of the Order of the Arrow in 1949. In 1962, he became the youngest member of the National Order of the Arrow Committee, and continues to serve on the committee today. Dr. Marchetti was Chairman of the National OA Committee from 1984 to 1993. Of his years on the committee he said, “In the beginning, I was a fish out of water. I was literally surrounded by a group of old men, all of whom were famous, all of whom were bowed to, practically.” But he was welcomed to the committee, and soon played a major role in turning the Order of the Arrow into what it is today.
Clearly, Dr. Marchetti's service as our National Chairman for almost a decade shows his dedication to the Order and service to others. But if you carefully examine all that he has done for the Order, his actions and accomplishments will reach well beyond his years as Chairman and will continue to affect the growth and development of the organization for decades to come. “We basically made a decision that never again would finances be a concern to the Order of the Arrow,” he said. Working with the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, he made the OA a self-funded organization, negotiated for the NOAC trading post and set up the endowment fund. His decision created the lodge service grants and programs such as the OA Trail Crew and the OA Wilderness Voyage.
As chairman of the National Committee, Dr. Marchetti worked to make a one year term of office for the national officers. “That made us build the entire program of treks, Indian seminars, jamborees, and strategic planning sessions so that the youth who were elected in an off-conference year would have something to do,” he said. Those decisions led to more youth participating on a national level and turning this program truly into a youth-led organization.
Dr. Marchetti’s work in the Order of the Arrow has influenced the current leaders of the organization. “He has deeply influenced the Order with his clear vision. He has truly been a servant leader,” said Brad Haddock, the current Chairman of the National Committee. Dr. Marchetti received the award from Brad Hoddock. The award was a one-of-a-kind, signed print by Joseph Csatari.
Dr. Marchetti's wife, Janice, is proud of the work her husband has done in Scouting. "I can't get over his single-minded dedication to the Order of the Arrow and Scouting," she said. She was present at the conference to see her husband honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Their family, including children and grandchildren, also participated in the award signing with Joseph Csatari and were present at the Recognition and History Show to see Dr. Marchetti honored.
Congratulations Dr. Marchetti, and thank you for your many years of cheerful service!
Revised 8/2/2004