An aftereffect is a change in the brain’s recognition of touch. For instance, if a person happens to be sitting in a chair while reading this article, he will notice that, until reminded he is sitting in a chair, he won’t sense the feeling of touching the chair without this reminder. The feeling of touching the chair has faded away. On the other hand, if he stubs his toe or hurts himself, he will feel an increase in pain if he continues to bother the wounded area. Every touch that occurs for an extended period of time causes aftereffect, which will either cause the contact to diminish from memory, or rise in magnitude and intensity.
The OA’s centennial inspires a similar aftereffect. The centennial celebration of the Order of the Arrow is not just a festivity, it is a springboard into a greater century. Will the aftereffect from the centennial cause this organization to fade into obscurity? Or will it bolster a greater commitment to the mission and purpose?
Each year, the regions’ key OA leadership invite their respective section officers and advisers to a Section Officers’ Seminar (SOS). The seminar is run by the region chief, who is assisted by a support staff that is made up of valuable trainers from across the country. SOS is focused on enhancing programmatic offerings for each section, developing each officer and adviser’s goals and strengthening the relationship between key leaders across each region. Often, an SOS consists of training, fellowship and a forum to interact with and share best practices on a section, region and national level. In an effort to power a greater second century for the Order of the Arrow, the 2015 regions chiefs have jointly themed their Section Officers’ Seminars, “The Aftereffect”.
2015 Southern Region Chief Alex Leach will have the first chance to showcase this theme and tap into the potential of section officers from the Southern Region the weekend of September 11th-13th. Section chiefs of the Southern Region will gather at the 4H Retreat Center near Little Rock, Arkansas. At the Northeast Region Gathering of Leaders, 2015 Northeast Region Chief Matt Bell will prepare his section leadership at Camp Alpine on October 2nd-4th. Just outside of New York City, the quiet Alpine, New Jersey, will serve as an excellent location to plan and chart the course into our next century. The Western Region Gathering held in Phoenix, Arizona on October 23rd-25th will not be an event to miss, either. 2015 Western Region Chief Nathan Lee will host an old southwestern Scouting paradise from the Heard Scout Pueblo. Finally, the Florida Sea Base will be home to the Central Region’s SOS from November 19th-22nd. From this seaside paradise, 2015 Central Region Chief Joey Dierdorf will train section officers to prepare for the next century.
This year, section leadership have both the rare privilege of rounding out this centennial year and the great responsibility of steering this celebration to a revitalized commitment to the values of cheerful service. So much opportunity lies ahead but only the section leadership can choose how to use it. Each team should ensure that they arrive at their region seminar poised to transform the effects of the centennial into an aftereffect that will grow throughout the next century.
While each region chief earnestly prepares his seminar, it is up to the section leadership to attend and arrive ready to engage in an open dialogue on how we as an organization can further advance our mission and purpose into our next century of service. Section officers and advisers are strongly encouraged to attend these events. For information on registering for your region’s SOS, please contact your section adviser. For more information on your particular seminar’s schedule, please contact your region chief.
Contact information:
Central Region Chief Joey Dierdorf | @email | @OACentralChief
Northeast Region Chief Matt Bell | @email | @OANorthChief
Southern Region Chief Alex Leach | @email | @OASouthChief
Western Region Chief Nathan Lee | @email | @OAWestChief