By Phil Zeng
Last month, I had the opportunity to participate in the Northeast Region’s first ever Lodge Key 3 Summit at Camp Alpine in New Jersey. As Lodge Chief of Moswetuset Lodge #52 in the Boston Minuteman Council, I looked forward to learning more about best practices and programs from other lodges in the region to improve my lodge back in the Greater Boston area. Throughout the weekend, I learned as much from my fellow lodge chiefs as i did from the amazing staff put together for the event.
When I first arrived at the event with my lodge adviser, it was great being able to revisit the facilities of Camp Alpine and to see both new and familiar faces. We opened up with a showcase of every lodge presenting a prime idea of a program or event highlighting what worked best in their lodge. The following ideas were suggested from different lodges: a free pass to the next following lodge event after the Ordeal for each new Ordeal member, a week of service at summer camp, scholarships for Arrowmen, and much more!
Saturday came and what a great day of training and fellowship it was! We received training from Past Region Chiefs, Patrick Rooney and Ken Hager; Past Section Chief Raymond Cheung; and Northeast Region Chief Tyler Allen! We were able to learn more about our positions as lodge chiefs and the impact we make. We were also able to hear great and inspiring talks from respectful figures in the Order of the Arrow. Some of the arrowman that we heard from included former National OA Committee Chairman Dr. Carl Marchetti, Northeast Region President Hab Butler, Northeast Region Chairman Mark Chilutti, and many more Scouters who operate on the national level.
Of course, what’s a Scouting event without a little recreation? We had the chance to join together in fellowship by playing a bit of competitive dodge ball against each other.
After dinner, past National Chief and Vice Chief, John Rehm and Preston Marquis, got us pumped up to get ready for the 100th anniversary of the OA and how to get our lodges ready for NOAC 2015! It was great to be able to share ideas at our tables on things such as fundraising money, to the “Centennial Challenge” of how to get as many Arrowmen as we can from our lodge to NOAC.
What I love about being in the Order of the Arrow are the connections and friendships that I get to make all around my area and the region, and being able to share great (and maybe not-so-great, yet ridiculous!) ideas with like-minded individuals. It is incredible to see the amount of commitment and service from our leaders around the region, and even better to see the passion that drives our Order. I know coming out of the summit that I will take these best practices from around the region back to my own lodge in order to deliver the impact and service I want.