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Excerpts from the January 2007 Tayshas
Chiefly Thoughts
Brothers,
My name is Drate B. and I am the newly elected 2007 Lodge Chief for Tejas Lodge. Just to give you some background information on myself, I am an Eagle Scout and am actively involved in Troop 379. I am also a Vigil Honor Member of our Lodge and I will be serving as a counselor for the New Junior Staff Program at George W. Pirtle Scout Reservation this summer.
As the 2007 chief I have already had the privilege of running the training for the 2007 Chapter Officers. At this training we covered everything from how to run a chapter meeting to camp promotions. One of the main sessions conducted at the training was the goal setting session. In this session I went over the Lodge's goals for 2007 and helped the chapter officer's realize what they could do to help us and each other in obtaining these goals.
In 2006 our lodge did not achieve Quality Lodge status as a result of our membership numbers being down. I would remind you that starting this year dues are $20; however, if you pay your dues by March 1 you will receive a $10 discount on your dues. If you know of any Arrowman who has not paid their dues for 2007, encourage them to do so by March 1 so they can receive the $10 discount.
I would also like to remind you about the 2007 candidate elections. Our goal this year, as it has been every year, is to provide a trained election team to every troop in our council that requests an election. If your troop needs an election, remind your scoutmaster to get in contact with the chapter adviser so that an election can be scheduled. Elections will begin on March 5 and end on May 11.
Once again I would like to say that it is an honor to be elected as your 2007 Lodge Chief and I look forward to a successful year
Last Word by Drate B.
"The Order of the Arrow is a thing of the out of doors rather than the indoors... It needs the sun and rain, the woods and the plains, the waters and the starlit sky." These were words spoken by our Order's co-founder Dr. E. Urner Goodman. I feel that these words are true even today as we continue to serve our fellow man in the 21st century.
The Order of the Arrow was once known as a Brotherhood of Scout honor campers and many people still remember us as such. I feel that we as a lodge should promote camping, both short and long-term, to the scouts and the troops that are in our council. Camping is a very important part of scouting and the Order of the Arrow. Without going camping a scout will never be elected to our Order and they will never earn the Eagle Scout rank.
I would encourage you to promote camping to your troop. If you know of a troop that does not plan on going to summer camp, tell them about the new programs at George W. Pirtle Scout Reservation that has something for everyone from a first year camper to a 17-year-old Eagle Scout. Our Lodge will have a more significant role this year at Summer Camp with Friday being called "OA Day". I urge you to think back to the first summer camp you attended and think of the great time that you had spending a week away from home with your troop and encourage every scout you know to attend summer camp and to develop an interest in short-term camping.
Yours in Brotherhood,
Drate B.
2007 Lodge Chief
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