Centennial Celebration plans well underway
The Centennial Celebrations Committee, the group charged with delivering all
programs associated with the OA’s 100th anniversary at NOAC 2015, has been hard
at work planning a number of once-in-a-lifetime experiences unique to our
centennial conference. At the recent onsite meeting at Michigan State
University, key conference leadership set into motion all final planning
associated with the Centennial Celebrations Committee. While it’s very clear
that several aspects of NOAC will be unlike any conference in our history, this
NOAC committee will provide lodges an array of experiences that are not to be
missed.
Lodges can take certain steps to maximize their centennial NOAC experience and
ensure complete participation. Here’s how:
- If you haven’t yet completed your
lodge’s
legacy lid & lodge
history book, get to it (there is still time)! You don’t want
to be that lodge with an incomplete display, which will allow lodges
throughout the country to show off their unique legacies. And don’t forget
to bring these items with you to NOAC (we will collect them during
orientation).
- Bring wood to be placed on the Centennial Fire as part of the
Centennial Rededication Ceremony. At orientation, you will exchange
wood for your contingent’s centennial red sashes, so don’t be left
empty-handed! Wood received should be kiln-dried, be free of disease &
insects, not consist of bark, ash nor pine and not be pre-burned. For more
information, see details
here. The wood crate (given to lodges at the 2012 NOAC) should contain
more than one piece of wood such that the crate is full (but not
overfilled). If you don’t have your crate anymore,
please see additional details here. Special recognition will be given to
each lodge that completes all four milestones of the "Legacy Project" (rock,
lid, history book & wood). In addition, special recognition will be given to
the best rock, lid & history book examples as determined by the national
chief & national chairman.
When program registration opens on April 1st, lodge contingent leaders will be able to schedule a time for their lodges to participate in an acceptance ceremony during which wood will be placed on the fire. The ash from this wood will be commingled with that of all the other lodges, Dr. Goodman’s Brotherhood Barn, the OA’s ceremonial grounds at the Summit Bechtel Reserve and Treasure Island Scout Reservation. Ash will be collected, bottled, and sealed (only lodges who participate by bringing wood will be entitled to receive the commemorative ash vial). While we don’t encourage entire contingents to attend the acceptance ceremony, the Centennial Fire will be open throughout the week for viewing, contingent photographs, reflection and rededication. Don’t miss it!
- The Centennial Gala is the premier banquet at NOAC 2015
and is by invitation only. When program
registration opens on April 1st, lodge contingent leaders will be encouraged
to sign up two Arrowmen (one youth and one adult) from their lodge to
participate. These Arrowmen should be chosen (in consultation with the Lodge
Key 3) as “change agents” who are expected to shape the future of the lodge
& the Order (think: your next lodge chief and next lodge adviser who will
have a significant impact). We strongly encourage lodges to cover the cost
of their two selected guests. This special event will take place at the
Lansing Convention Center, which is located off-campus.
- The Centennial Festival will be an all-day affair the last day of NOAC, replete with a stadium-sized card stunt, lodge displays, live music & variety-act performances and silk screening. Lodges who participate by bringing wood for the centennial fire will also be able to collect their commemorative ash vials, lids and history books to be returned home. We want you to spend your final day of NOAC in a relaxed environment where you can feel free to wander around, check out some cool displays with local flavor and take in some good music. Also during the Centennial Festival, you will get a chance to experience programs that you may have missed earlier in the week, including Adventure Central programs, activities & recreation programs and The Experience tent. The festival will ensure that your NOAC experience is complete, so that you can look back and reflect on a life-changing experience found nowhere else!
This is just a preview of many of the exciting experiences that will take place only at NOAC 2015. The Centennial Celebrations Committee (led by CVC Michael Swalberg) is looking forward to hosting you.
Last revised on May 6, 2015