Regions to host Section Officer Seminars around the country

Every year, each of the four regions' OA leadership invite section officers and advisers from their territory to a Section Officer Seminar (SOS for short). Conducted by the region chief and assisted by current and past national officers and staff, this weekend event is designed as a time for sectional leaders to gather together for fellowship, fun, and training for their positions within the Order. It also gives sitting section chiefs the opportunity to meet one another prior to the December National Planning Meeting. Each region's seminar is unique, and customs and traditions differ from one to another.

Central Region
Parkville, Missouri will be the host of the Central Region's SOS. From November 22-24, the section officers and advisers from the Midwest will gather for a weekend full of training and fellowship. Led by 2013 Central Region Chief Mike Gray, a staff comprised of the best of the best in trainers will lead a weekend focused on educating these section officers on how best to cheerfully serve their brothers in their area. For example, they will learn how to better promote OA High Adventure, NOAC 2015, and other region events to their section. Gray said, "We will have great people on board, trainings to enjoy, and a fun recreational activity in Kansas City. It is sure to be an amazing time for all."

Northeast Region
The Northeast Region will host its event on September 20-22. Their section leadership will gather for the "Gathering of Leaders," the Northeast Region's SOS, at Camp Alpine in New Jersey. This year, the event is going in a different direction under the leadership of 2013 Northeast Region Chief Tyler Allen. The theme of the event is "Your Piece of the Puzzle." Each day, participants will learn how they fit into the region's program and goals. This theme is further reinforced by three different recreational and ceremonial activities at the end of each day highlighting the skills learned. A closing show will inspire the attendees to truly bring their knowledge back home to better their sections. All of the attending officers and advisers will learn to look in a broader perspective and see what they are expected to do to help the region. The ultimate goal is for all to come together as a close knit group ready to execute great programs and Conclaves. Allen commented: "I want this event to tighten the bonds of brotherhood that our region has. This is what I love most about our region."

Southern Region
In the Southern Region, the Section Officer Seminar is a grand affair as well. All section officers and advisers are invited to the event. This year, it will be September 13-15 at a training center in Dallas, Texas. The 2013 Southern Region Chief, Brad Torpey, and his staff of national officers and past section chiefs have a specific goal at this SOS. Working together with all of the section officers from across the region, they will develop a regional resource guide for chapters, lodges, and sections within the region. This guide will outline what the region can provide at all levels of the OA. It will have twelve parts each focusing on a different area of lodge or chapter operations and how to improve them. Each section's slate of officers will be responsible with developing a part of the guide and the region will leave the event with a draft document to be released at a later date. Torpey commented: "I hope this will educate lodges and chapters on how the region can help them, and that it will bring the group of section officers together." After all of their hard work, the officers will deserve a break and everyone will enjoy a barbecue and rodeo at Fort Worth.

Western Region
The Western Region SOS, commonly called the Western Region Gathering, will be October 25-27 at the Philmont Scout Ranch Training Center in New Mexico. The program focuses on fellowship and training for the fourteen section chiefs from the Western Region. The staff is led by 2013 Western Region Chief David Dye. "It's not all training for these section chiefs and advisers. The gathering promises to take full advantage of being at Philmont, a special occasion no matter what the event." It's sure to be a great event!

Each Section Officer Seminar is unique in its own way, by name and by tradition. Under the leadership styles of the 2013 region chiefs, each event is sure to shine. Don't miss out on your seminar, and be sure to learn as much as you possibly can. No matter what, section officers and advisers will leave these events better prepared to serve Arrowmen in their area and the national OA program as a whole.