In this email you will find:

SERVICE: IT'S WHAT WE DO

STAFF POSTIONS STILL AVAILABLE ON CHIEFS CORPS

We want you for the Chiefs Corps! We are looking for a few good Arrowmen who have experience as a chief in the Order of the Arrow to serve on the NOAC Chiefs Corps. Members of the Corps will have the responsibility for ensuring that NOAC happens. We will provide the additional manpower that NOAC committees need to set up, take down, staff Founder's Day and handle hundreds of other tasks, while enjoying access to almost all aspects of NOAC. As a member of the Chiefs Corps, you will be able to work alongside other chiefs from across the nation and learn about Scouting's great leaders.

If you have not yet signed up for NOAC staff, but are still interested, if you have friends who might want to serve with us, or if you just have questions, then please contact the Chiefs Corps CVC, Dylan Ellsworth, at lemhiboyscout@gmail.com for more information. The Chiefs Corps is like no other NOAC staff opportunity, and we hope you will consider joining us!

re:MIX IS GO!

www.NOACreMIX.org

Enter NOAC re:MIX, the official social networking site for the National Conference. re:MIX is a great way for all conference guests and staff to connect, interact and share. It is designed specifically to allow you, your friends and everyone attending NOAC to interact before, during and after the conference.

On May 20th re:MIX was released to all NOAC guests via an email invitation. This email was sent directly to all delegates with an address listed in their registration profile. If a delegate email was not available, the invitation message was delivered to the contingent leader for manual distribution.

re:MIX becomes more powerful and useful as guests log-in and connect. This dynamic site changes daily with new groups, forums and resources. The possibilities are endless, and the connections unprecedented. If you have any questions or have not received an invitation please contact support@noacremix.org. re:MIX is open to all approved NOAC staff and all participants. If you're not re:MIXing, you're missing out.

Feature Program: 100th Anniversary Celebration Focus Groups

As the centennial birthday of the Order of the Arrow approaches, several focus groups will be hosted during NOAC to gather Arrowmen's ideas on how to best celebrate our 100th anniversary. Arrowmen will be able to comment on potential celebratory ideas as well as share their own. If you are interested in participating in one of the afternoon focus groups, be sure to enroll via the NOAC registration website.

Discussions regarding our centennial plans will also occur at the section officers' dinner, VIA dinners, the new lodge advisers' coffee, and the NCOC. All guests will be able to text their responses to a daily conference-wide question and participate in a post-conference survey. Analysis of the feedback gathered during the focus groups in conjunction with multiple survey results will guide the development of celebration plans in the coming years. So, put on your thinking cap, get your creative juices flowing, brainstorm with your buddies, and come share your best ideas with us.

Feature Program: The OA Center for History Records our Legacy

The Order of the Arrow Center for History is gearing up for another successful conference. In 2006, the museum was one of the best-attended events, but do not think that just because you visited once that you have seen it all. With over a 50% increase in the number of displays, 2009 promises to be unlike anything witnessed before. In addition to learning about our history, you will also be able to spend some time learning about how the Power of One idea collectively from many different individuals has developed our Brotherhood into what it is today.

We kick off the week on Sunday, with a reception for recipients of the Founders' Award. Invitations will be placed in your Lodge registration packet. The museum officially opens at 2:00 PM on Sunday. Be sure to check the conference schedule and daily NOAC newspaper for the latest museum information.

Unique to this conference, Arrowmen will have a chance to record their own personal history and put it on display. The purpose of this is to help prepare a more comprehensive history of our Order that can be displayed during the 2015 NOAC, the 100th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow, and beyond.

One final call - the OA Center for History invites participants to assist in showcasing their lodge's history through two competitions: either the Lodge Historical Display competition and/or the Lodge Oral Presentation Symposium, both of which will be showcased in the NOAC Museum. To participate, the Lodge contingent leader must register your lodge on-line through the NOAC registration portal. Some details can also be found in the “competition rules” section within the NOAC registration portal. If you have any questions, contact us at NOACMuseum@gmail.com.

The Museum offers several opportunities for involvement. Perhaps the most in depth is service as an OA Center for History Volunteer Docent. This role allows Arrowmen to gain first hand the experience of how the Museum works, and gives history enthusiasts a unique opportunity. All we ask is for you to sign up for a couple of hours of service when the museum is open (each afternoon and most of the day on Wednesday) and attend an orientation session prior to the start of your shift. In appreciation for your work, you will receive a special memento from the museum and Docents are considered special members of the staff, all while ensuring time to enjoy all the aspects of National Conference. Consider joining our team in this capacity. Find out more by emailing us at NOACMuseum@gmail.com

Recap Time—Top Five Reasons to Visit the OA Center for History:

  1. Experience the Lodge competitions and Interactive displays
  2. Record your legacy
  3. Meet living OA Legends
  4. Experience the ArrowCorps5 Exhibit

As if that is not enough, then just drop by and enjoy the energizing air conditioning.

Featured Program: Arrowman Conservation School still has availability

The Arrowman Conservation School (ASC) is still seeking applicants to fill this 150 person program. As the follow-up to the training provided during ArrowCorps5, you will receive specialized training and certification to develop and lead a localized conservation initiative. ACS graduates will be provided with access to an advanced level of conservation training and with resources to train fellow council members in program planning and execution.

While everyone that participated in ArrowCorps5 received ConservationUSA training provided by the InstructorCorps, this training was meant to only lead small groups carrying out large service projects. Arrowmen Conservation School provides the comprehensive tools needed to plan, develop, lead and maintain conservation initiatives both within a council and in conjunction with resource managers on US federally owned lands.

Every Arrowman is eligible to attend ACS, you must however attend this school as part of an ACS team. Each ACS team consists of two (2) youth members and one (1) adult. In order for there to be a complete team it must consist of three people.

We are encouraging either a single contingent or three members of the same section to create a team to bring this advanced training back home.

Do not hesitate to contact acs@instructorcorps.com with questions and information requests. Our goal is for each section to send at least one ACS team.

Feature Program: Founders Day Pow-Wow: Bring Your Dance Clothes

On the afternoon of August 5th, the American Indian Activities committee will present the Founders Day Pow-Wow. Held adjacent to the Founders Day booths and festivities, this is a celebration of the American Indian culture that has been made available to all Arrowmen for the week.

Witness the pageantry of the grand entry, as dancers from across the country carry in their state flags, as well as those from the various branches of the military. See men and women, young and old dancing, singing and having a great time.

The NOAC Pow-Wow is open to all NOAC participants - youth and adult, male and female - so make sure you bring your dance clothes and join us at the 2009 Founders Day Pow-Wow.

Feature Program: Lights, Camera, Action: NOAC Short Film Festival Submissions Needed

The NOAC Shows Committee needs your help! Do you or someone you know have a desire to make short films? If so, the NOAC Shows Committee wants you to enter into the NOAC Short Film Festival. The best videos will be shown on the big screen at shows during this summer's NOAC. If you want the chance for over 7,000 people to see your work, please check out www.noacshowsfest.com for more information.

To register for the film festival, please visit http://www.noacshowsfest.com/reg. For questions, email NOAC Shows CVC, James Tarbox, at shows@noacshowsfest.com. We look forward to seeing your work!

2009 Distinguished Service Award And Red Arrow Recipients Announced

At the May National BSA meeting the National OA Committee announced the 2009 recipients of the Distinguished Service Award and the Red Arrow Award. These awards will be presented at the 2009 National Order of the Arrow Conference. Please click the award name to view a description of the award and a full listing of all recipients.

Arrowmen In Action: Not Your Typical Day At The Beach

Every Arrowman's ordeal involves arduous labor in service to their camps. Few Arrowmen, however, spend their ordeal saving a life. But that's what Stephen Kuhlke did one rainy day during his ordeal in Taiwan. Instead of performing trail maintenance, like what was originally planned, candidates worked on cleaning a local beach because of the bad weather. Stephen, who is an American living in Taipei, Taiwan, was working on at the beach when a group of Taiwanese surfers found themselves stranded in the ocean. "The depth of water suddenly became very deep and we couldn't reach the bottom," one surfer said.

The surfers fought the waves and tried to float on their boards for several minutes. One of the surfers, who is a trained lifeguard, even managed to pull his friend in. But the hard work of staying afloat while saving his friend was just too much to handle. "At that moment, I had no more strength to return to the water,” Su Yu-Lin, the trained lifeguard, said. That left his friend, Han Zheng-Wei, stranded alone in the ocean.

"I broke the foot strap tied to the surf board and was left without any floating device. I swam very hard forward but remained at the same place,” said Zheng-Wei. As Zheng-Wei used all of his strength to stay above the water, his friend were trying to get help. When the beach patrol arrived, they didn't have a life raft, which meant Zheng-Wei was still stranded. "I was completely exhausted and felt an enormous pain at the back of my head, and I struggled to breath,” he said.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the surfers saw a foreigner come to the rescue to save their friend. That foreigner was Stephen, a trained swimming instructor. "He asked about the general situation and rushed into the sea with our surf board. He reached Zheng-Wei within short amount of time and brought Zheng-Wei back to the shore quickly and ended the horrible drama,” said Yu-Lin. Stephen swam out to the stranded surfer repeatedly saying, "you are OK, you are fine!” He then grabbed the surfer's hand and led him back to shore. "I used the tiny strength left in me and said ‘thank you’,” said Zheng-Wei.

For the group of surfers, their trip to the beach could have turned deadly. But thanks to Stephen, who used the Power of One, Zheng-Wei's life was saved.

Correction: Lodges Encouraged To Register Three Participants For NCOC

The last edition of News You Can Use stated that each contingent would be allowed to send one youth and one adult to the National Council of Chiefs. This information is incorrect. Each lodge is encouraged to register and send the Lodge Chief, a future lodge leader, and an adult to the NCOC at NOAC 2009.

Featured Trading Post Item: NOAC DRI-FIT SHIRT

One thing that you can count on is that there will be a few humid days at NOAC. This fashionable Nike Dri-FIT short sleeve shirt is made of 100% lightweight polyester fabric and it moves moisture from the skin to the surface of the garment where it evaporates quickly to keep you comfortable and dry. The shirt will be screen printed with a sleek version of the NOAC logo on the sleeve.

Since NOAC items with the conference logo are not release until the conference, a Dri-Fit shirt from the 2007 NCLS is pictured here. The NOAC Nike Dri-Fit Shirt can be found here.

Featured Resource: The Power Of One Playlist

As promised the Power of One playlist is now available. The playlist features a wide variety of artists such as Tim McGraw, The Foo Fighters, U2, and Daughtry. Hook up your i-pod and download these hot tunes now. These songs are bound to make your summer and road trip to NOAC that much more enjoyable.

Reminder: Full Payment Deadline Passed…Late Fees Are In Effect

The $395 conference fee was due to the national office by May 31, 2009 (postmarked date). Conference fees paid after May 31, 2009, will incur a $55.00 late fee (total $450.00). All late fees must be received by the OA Director no later than June 30, 2009. The conference fee includes five night's housing, 14 meals, program, and support materials, registration materials, and recognition items during the six-day conference.

Remember the Power of One

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” - Robert Kennedy, 1966

Questions?
The answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" are on the NOAC Website at http://event.oa-bsa.org/events/n2009/faq.htm. Please send any questions regarding NOAC to nept@oa-bsa.org. Questions regarding your lodge contingent should be directed to your lodge contingent leader.
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