Brothers,
Looking back at everything we’ve accomplished, 2023 was a revolutionary year for our movement. While every success comes with its fair share of challenges, we are confident the impact we shared will be felt for years to come. As our terms come to a close, we want to share the most meaningful moments for us as officers, and for the Order of the Arrow.
This summer we were challenged with showcasing what our organization has to offer by hosting Operation Arrow, for the first time in six years! We started with a lofty goal of bringing in 250 staffers, which through the dedication of our members we exceeded by over 25%. During our time at the Summit, we celebrated over 310 Operation Arrow staff members continuing our legacy of service at the Jamboree.
This year, our experience was unlike any other as we announced the return of the OA Service Corps and the launch of the OA’s newest addition to the Jamboree, the Summit Apex program. The Summit Apex by design was made to inspire everyone to go back home, share the message of our program, and bring scouting forward. With new activities, gatherings, and opportunities like we had never seen before, we joined over 10,000 of our fellow Scouts in celebrating the program in its inaugural year.
2023 served as a defining moment for the Gateway and Eastern regions. Throughout the year we strengthened region brands, collaborated with chiefs across our 43 sections, and held Section Officer Seminars, NLSs, and other fantastic events that solidified the identity of these great regions. The excitement seen from every Arrowman proves that we have moved toward a revolutionary time for our organization, and the future looks bright.
This year we have made incredible strides toward growing our movement. While there have been incredible and exciting moments during our term, we can’t wait to see where the OA will go in the future! Next year, we will unite at the University of Colorado Boulder for our 2024 National Order of the Arrow Conference. Furthermore, at NOAC we will start a new chapter for our organization, by embracing the “Seek New Heights” theme. This is our moment to cultivate a sense of belonging for all of our members, forge a new future for our organization, and move forward into a new era for all of Scouting.
Yours In Service,
Zach Grinvalsky, Grant Kim, Matt Carlson, Michael Whitford