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National Order of the Arrow Web Site
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National Events
 

Opening Assembly

The assembly stage

The Summit officially began with an opening assembly of all 1100 plus participants and staff.

A short video highlighting the history of the Order started things off, followed by the traditional bonnet passing ceremony as the 1999 National Officers were recognized as our top youth leaders.

Ryan Pitts

Ryan Pitts, the 1996 National Chief, was presented with the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding service to the OA.

A portion of the new Unit Elections video was shown, to wide applause.

Ryan Pitts

This new video, which will be mailed to lodges this fall, can be used as a resource both in conducting the actual unit election, and in training unit election teams.

Then, Frederick Schmechel, Lodge Chief of Kola Lodge #464, the service lodge for the Summit, welcomed everyone to Colorado and to Fort Collins.  The service lodge has over 60 people working at all hours to support the event.

Frederick Schmechel

Frederick Schmechel

The keynote address of the Summit was then given by Ed Pease, National Chairman of the Order of the Arrow. He noted that all present were now a part of history, and that they had a chance to make history as well. He reviewed where the OA Strategic Plan had come from, and how the Summit participants would be helping to shape the plan's implementation. The event would be a working seminar, he said, unmatched in its opportunity for service. Each member present should strive to respond "I am ready..." He concluded by challenging the audience to "help the torch burn as brightly as possible, before passing it on..."

Each of the four region chiefs then gave some inspiring thoughts on the meaning of the summit, and why we were here.

The assembly ended with challenge from National Chief Will Parker to participate fully in all parts of this first ever National Leadership Summit. As participants left the room to the beat of high energy music, each was presented with a copy of the "History of the Order of the Arrow" as a remembrance of their involvement with this historic event.

Ed Pease signing an OA History Book

Ed Pease, autographing a copy of the History of the Order of the Arrow for a young Arrowman, after the assembly.

 

This page revised 8/6/99.