Re: Starting an EOA
William H. Sills (whs@idcnet.com)
Mon Apr 27 18:05:28 1998
X* For a council with a lot of posts, would you form District EOAs similar
to OA Chapters? NO
How large would you have to be to warrant that? Something similar to one of
the Central Region Councils such as Bay Lakes in Northern Wisconsin and
Upper Michigan or the Councils in North Dakota and South Dakota where it is
physically impossible to get to the meetings in one day.
EOAs require the participation of ALL the ships and posts to be successful.
Sea Scouts often have their own Squadron (local council) Quarterdeck and/or
Wardroom ("Skippers & Boatswains Association"). They often are in addition
to or in lieu of an EOA.
The problem is the wide disparity of interests in posts as opposed
to the commonality found in ships. Really, the only common theme is the age
of the members. That requires the EOA to find some non artificial functions.
Ships plan their specialized training, regattas, rendezvous, squadron Long
Cruises, sail-offs, etc.at their council squadron quarterdeck. The posts
involved in EOAs also have to find useful functions in order to justify
spending a school night at a meeting!!!
* Who are the officers, advisors, and members of the EOA? Formerly, EPAs
were common. They were for the post presidents and ship's boatswains. Now,
most EOAs welcome any warm body registered as an Explorer.
How are they chosen? Any Sea Scout, Explorer, and/or Venturer is welcome.
EOAs select their own officers. They normally serve single year terms. There
are usually several officers. Offices in an EOA normally include a
president, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
* How often does the EOA meet? Most EOAs meet quarterly.
* What kind of things does the EOA do? The successful ones plan events for
all Explorers and Sea Scouts. "Lock-ins (eight to eights), ski trips,
bowling parties, golf outings, beach parties, POTS, planning for PACE, etc.
are activities in which typical EOA's engage.
* Will Council EOAs need to split in two (like the National EOA reportedly
will) after the LFL-Explorer/Venturer split this summer? My own local
council is a 52. We can't afford a full time EE, let alone two!!! <VBG> We
intend to maintain our EOA for all. However, we do have a Squadron
Quarterdeck which is very active. (Our EOA was supposed to meet tonight.
Only our council Sea Scout Squadron commodore <ME>, two skippers and all but
two of our boatswains were in attendance. Not one post kid or adult dropped
by the meeting. Sadly, that makes three quarterly meetings in a row that
only the Sea Scouts attended.)
* What BSA publications provide info about the EOA? * In my opinion, the
Council/District Exploring Manual has the most complete, detailed and clear
material.
How does the Council EOA fit into the District, Council, and Region? Our EOA
formerly worked well. Then, it nominated candidates for Area offices,
planned our attendance at PACE, set up fun & games and organized training
events for everyone in the council.
Yours In Sea Scouting
Commodore
Sea Scout Squadron
Sinnissippi Council (626)
Area 3 Task Force
Central Region Sea Scout Flotilla
Sea Scout Fleet, BSA
| 
