By John Mazurie
Adult advisers serve the Order of the Arrow in countless ways. Many will serve as a committee adviser, chapter adviser and even lodge adviser. However, another avenue of adult service is that of membership on the national committee. Scott Beckett has filled many roles in the Order, both as a youth and adult. Now, he currently serves as the vice chairman of special projects on the National Order of the Arrow Committee.
In Scouting, Scott has been involved in the program for decades. While a Scout, Scott achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was elected to serve as national chief in 1994. As an adult, Scott has served as a lodge adviser, as a member of the national committee and, now, as a committee vice chairman. As the vice chairman of special projects, Scott and his team are beginning to develop the next strategic plan as well as guide the national committee in an assessment of how the Order allocates its resources as it celebrates its centennial.
While he describes being on the committee as a tremendous honor, he also states that it is an equally tremendous amount of work. Scott summarizes the mission of the committee stating, “We are regularly looking for how to provide tools and resources to help serve the mission of the Boy Scouts of America which is about empowering youth as well as to help lodges and chapters support the work of their councils and districts.” Scott notes that being a member of the committee requires dedicating an extensive amount of time and resources to support several cross-country trips each year which includes two face-to-face committee meetings, the national event of the year and several pre-event meetings. “Like everyone else, we pay all the costs of being a part of this awesome program,” Scott says.
Scott reminds us that, like an Arrowman’s responsibility is to his unit, it is highly encouraged that all National OA Committee members remain very close to the day-to-day activities and service of their local lodge. Scott offers some advice that anyone can benefit from.
“Stay grounded in your lodge. Attend Ordeal weekends, serve as an elangomat, help serve food at events and going to chapter meetings will remind you every day of what the OA is all about. If you forget that, then we are in trouble,” he said.
Scott naturally leads by example, furthering his service in the Order of the Arrow by serving as a past lodge adviser of Tahosa Lodge of the Denver Area Council. He describes his time as their lodge adviser as the best experience he has ever had.
“I would not exchange those four years for anything,” he said of his time as lodge adviser.
Beyond the OA, Scott also serves on the executive board of Denver Area Council and is the vice chairman of program for the national jamborees in 2013 and 2017. Scott cannot wait for the 2017 National Scout Jamboree. “Working with the OA to help make this extraordinary event happen is a true joy. It is humbling to know that jamboree would not be the success it is without the Order of the Arrow.”
Scouting isn’t all Scott does; he also has a full and exciting professional career. Living with his wife, Adrienne, in Minneapolis, MN, Scott is currently working for an international consulting firm, Insigniam, where he is currently the youngest person to be named a partner. Scott’s company biography says, “Scott’s vast expertise and results-driven strategies have put him in high demand during his 16-plus years with the firm. Scott focuses on providing insight and innovation to spur clients to exceed expected management results. He is a member of Insigniam’s design & innovation team and a member of the management committee, responsible for consultant talent acquisition.”
Before beginning his career with Insigniam, Scott taught at a school for a year after he attended the University of Denver where he earned a bachelor's degree in English as well as a masters of arts in education. He is currently working toward a doctorate of education in organizational leadership at Pepperdine University. Outside of his career and education, Scott also serves as the vice chairman of the American Hiking Society and he has been the keynote speaker at numerous colleges, universities and various other major conventions.