The formative skills and opportunities shared and the adventures experienced have cultivated a relatable commitment to service in OA members and alumni. As the OA’s circle has widened, this deep understanding of others’ needs and perspectives is important. Therefore, many OA alumni are exemplars of leadership inside and outside of that ring.
Eugene Woehrle ’99 is a prime example of what it means to embody service to others at all times, inside and outside of Scouting America and the Order of the Arrow. An Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor Member, and Founder’s Award recipient from Madison, WI, Eugene is currently employed by the City of Madison Police Department as the Captain of Traffic and Specialized Services.
In this role, Eugene oversees the department’s traffic enforcement and safety team, the fatal/serious crash investigation team, emergency management, all special events and dignitary events, digital forensic unit, forensic services unit, property and evidence team and the department’s vast vehicle fleet, in addition to a few other specialized teams and officers.
Although Eugene was interested in becoming a police officer from his early youth, he was influenced by his ability to actively listen and make time for others in a positive way.
“I looked into a variety of different careers. My parents were Kinesiology teachers and always moving and very energetic about work. Therefore, I knew that I didn’t want to sit behind a desk when looking at career choices. Ultimately, the determining factor for my career choice was to have a dynamic functional job that allowed me to be actively engaged. And, as I applied to colleges, I realized most of my life up to that point had been service to others,” Eugene said.
In addition to Scouting, Eugene was very involved with the Special Olympics organization, serving as a coach for several sports from when he was eight years old on through college. But one internship during college is what strengthened his interest in the local police route.
“I was lucky enough to secure an internship with the City of Madison [Police Department], and I think that is what helped me decide that this [Police] Department is who I wanted to work for. I had a variety of different officers who lived in my neighborhood growing up, even some that I babysat for,” Eugene said, hinting that the interactions with the officers helped solidify his decision.
Indeed, as a newly minted officer, Eugene served alongside one of his neighbors in the force.
Scouting provided Eugene with the leadership skills, as well as the background skills and values that are important for his professional career and his lifelong commitment to service for others.
“I really take to heart the Scout Oath and Law, and I try to live both every day. I think the OA is truly what helped cement these both long-term in me: cheerful service to others in my everyday life. It was always there,” Eugene said.
One saying he tries to abide by every day is one that is often associated with Scouting: the Golden Rule.
“You never know what others are going through at any given moment. And being in the emergency response field, showing empathy and compassion are the kind of emotional awareness that I think everyone should have in their daily life,” Eugene said.
“People don’t call the police department or fire department if things are going well. So showing up to a call and treating people how I would want to be treated helps me always look for the best possible resolution so that I can help everyone involved each time,” he added.
“When someone gets in a minor car accident, that IS their bad day. Though it may be super small for us [the department], this may be everything to that person; maybe that car is their livelihood. If this was my family member, I would want to make sure that I am doing everything I can to document and thoroughly work through all investigations, no matter how big or small,” Eugene said.
During his time in Scouting, Eugene touched many facets of the program spanning over three decades. He joined the Scouting America program at the first opportunity he could as a Tiger Cub, and eventually worked his way up to crossing over to his troop. From there, he was inducted into the OA in 1999. Soon thereafter, Eugene was elected to serve as his chapter’s chief. He eventually served on his lodge’s executive committee, and in one of his most impressive roles, served as a three-term lodge chief in which he steered both his lodge and council through a merger in the mid-2000s
Once the mergers were complete, Eugene found his “service to others” role, as he called it, where he served multiple years as a conclave vice chief of training in former section C-3A, and began mentoring newly elected lodge chiefs.
Why does Eugene think young people should join Scouting even in 2025 and beyond?
“[Scouting] provides character development, responsibility, integrity, independence; all of these are beneficial for a young person’s future life as they grow up,” Eugene said.
“No matter what they end up doing in life, those experiences benefit them as a person. It benefits them with relationships, both personally and professionally, and in anything they want to do in life. They get experiences, knowledge and skills that they learn at a young age that a lot of us might take for granted,” he added.
One skill Eugene takes for granted is his communication and public speaking skills, having spoken to audiences of 10,000+ thanks to Scouting trips, conferences, and events.
“Anyone can argue that other youth organizations may provide some of the same skills and experiences, but not the way that Scouting can. I think the way our program is effectively delivered, literally changes lives. And I've seen it. I have seen it truly change lives. And that is one of the things that I think keeps a lot of us involved,” Eugene said.
In addition to serving Scouting America and the OA as a youth, Eugene has continued to give back to both organizations as an adult. He has served as his lodge’s associate adviser, lodge adviser, and as an associate section adviser for former Section C-7 before serving for three years as the section adviser. Eugene is now in his third full year of service as his council’s vice president of program and just recently joined the OA’s Gateway Region Committee.
“I wouldn't still be involved with both programs if Scouting didn't have a profound impact on me. I want to continue to give back what Scouting has given to me.”
Eugene Woehrle currently resides in the Madison, WI area with his wife and two young sons. He is still involved in his childhood lodge and council, and continues to provide service to both organizations in addition to his community.