Organizations only grow when they allow as many people as possible to feel welcome, and the OA is no different. The OA is a community driven that provides opportunities for all members. This commitment truly enriches the experience for all the members involved.
Training and workshops focused on fostering inclusion are vital. At various events, such as section conclave, the OA offers sessions that educate members about unconscious bias, inclusive practices, and the importance of representation. These workshops help create a more empathetic environment where members are mindful of the challenges faced by others and allow them to understand how they can contribute to a more inclusive environment. Another great training for practicing inclusion in the lodge is the National Leadership Seminar (NLS). NLS is primarily a leadership training, however, it also helps teach Arrowmen how to include people that they may be unfamiliar with, as NLS uses the patrol method to teach its methods. If you are interested in learning more about NLS, you can visit their website here.
Besides training, another way to cultivate belonging within the lodge is to reach out to new lodge members to help them stay involved. By showing that you care about their involvement, they will feel motivated to return to more lodge events and they will be confident that they have a friend in the lodge. Consider methods of communication that you know youth are more familiar with. Many lodges utilize social media posts to advertise and promote events rather than email to reach a larger audience.
Explaining how newer members can obtain leadership roles within the lodge, they will feel like more of a part of the lodge community. At first, acquiring a role in the lodge can be daunting, because when members first join, they may be nervous to reach out to others that they don't know. However, if people who are already well-established in the lodge are the ones to reach out to and inspire them, then they will feel more wanted and they will have reason to follow up with those leaders. Being a leader in the lodge is one of the best ways to connect with other members and show that you care about getting more involved. The OA is a completely youth-led organization, so by serving in a leadership position, you will gain real-world experience such as learning to plan events, managing lodge members, and organizing OA ceremonies.
In conclusion, you can foster belonging in your lodge by:
- Attending training sessions, such as NLS
- Maintaining contact with membership
- Encouraging interested members to become leaders
- And more!