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What's New

New Role of the Section:
The Basic Idea

There are now three major parts to the role of the Section in the Order of the Arrow:

• To put on a Section Conclave.
• To make "Lodge Assistance Visits".
• To use the Council of Chiefs meetings as an opportunity for monitoring and mentoring lodges.

The Section Conclave

Section Conclaves in the Order of the Arrow will continue to exist just as they always have up until now. They have proven to be experiences that helped Arrowmen grow, exchange ideas, and have a lot of fun. That won't be changed.

Lodge Assistance Visits

Lodge Assistance Visits are one of the major changes that are coming to the section. At least once every three years, a group from the section will meet with each lodge's key youth and adult leadership. The group making these visits is called the "Section Assistance Team" and is led by the Section Vice Chief. Prior to the visit, the lodge will fill out a Self-Evaluation for and send it into the section. The Section Assistance Team will use that self-evaluation, the lodge's previous Quality Lodge Petition, the length of time since the last visitation, the possible recommendation of the region, as well as the possible request of the lodge, as criteria for which of the section's lodges to visit in any given year.

The visit meeting itself is led by the lodge chief as the lodge's program and support to the council are reviewed by everyone there. The Section Assistance Team, made up of youth and adult Arrowmen with proven leadership ability in the lodge or section, make suggestions and try to share ideas on how certain aspects might be improved. There is no specific follow-up on lodges after a visit. The Section Assistance Team is only there to make suggestions and try to help. The lodge is on its own to decide what they think might be helpful or what needs to be done.

Improved Council of Chiefs Meetings

Traditionally, meetings for the Section Council of Chiefs have been for the sole purpose of conclave planning. Of course, as the role of the section broadens, so does the importance of these leadership meetings. With so many talented Arrowmen gathered in one place, the opportunities for monitoring and mentoring are unmatched.

At each Council of Chiefs meeting, the section leadership will make presentations and arrange roundtable discussions concerning issues facing the Order or its lodges. All of this is designed to help lodges improve their programs and collect feedback that can be communicated to the Order's national leadership. Every lodge has a vital role in helping to choose the future direction of the Order.

Introduction - Why a New role? - The Basic Idea
- Section Officer's Jobs -
The Lodge's Job - Implementation

Revised 11/23/99c.