Re: New Troop Position
Anthony Mako (ajmako@NLS.NET)
Mon, 16 Aug 1999 02:21:16 -0000
<CzarCasm wrote>
btw.. have you heard about the new "Position of Responsibility" each troop
will have by (they project) the end of the year? It is called "Troop
Representitive" and this will be a Scout who will be the ongoing liasion
between the troop and the OA lodge/chapter... Primary job will be to try
to make sure that troop event and OA event dates do not conflict... so I
guess a scout can participate more...
</CzarCasm>
Stan,
Actually, his primary responsibility will be in line with the new focus of
the OA - Service to the units. His job, essentially will be to act as a
representative of the troop to the OA, and of the OA to the troop. Through
this position, the local lodge can hopefully be of more service to the
individual units. If your lodge only expects the youth in this position to
resolve conflicts between troop and OA calendars, they are doing these young
men a disservice.
Those of us who have experience with OA know that there are many functions
of the lodge that have been neglected over the years. With the OA Troop
Representative, camp promotions projects, membership, elections, and many
other functions will once again receive the attention they deserve. Now, I
can only speak for my lodge, but it's been years since we've published a
useful "Where To Go Camping" book. Our camp promotions presentation hasn't
changed much since I was 11 years old (I'll give you a hint: Nixon was
president). Most troops conduct their own elections and, if there IS an
election visitation team, I've never met them.
Bottom line is, the OA's new focus is service. Their "customers" are the
units and the Scouts in those units. It stands to reason that a troop with
no OA members probably won't have a Troop Rep. In fact, I'm not aware of a
requirement to fill the position (not all the details are out yet). Used
properly, though, the position could be very useful.
YIS
A. J. Mako, ajmako@nls.net , Scoutmaster Troop 381
Home of the Unofficial Win95 Boy Scout Desktop Theme,
http://members.aol.com/Scouts381/
Old Portage District, Great Trail Council, BSA
"I used to be an Eagle (C-7-97), but I'll always be an Eagle (1981)"
