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Humorous door prizes add laughter to annual affair The opinions of those who attended this year's Lodge Banquet are virtually identical- it was the best banquet they had attended in a long time. Members and guests from all over Chester County, Pennsylvania, and beyond took the trek up to Kimberton Fire Hall on March 13th for the Annual Lodge Banquet. The attendance soared above last year's mark to reach 335 people- an astounding feat considering the late mailing. New features at the banquet included a demonstration by the new lodge Drum/Dance Team and the sale of the Lodge Jacket Patch. In a new program feature that the lodge hopes to institute, Nick Abraham gave a short speech on his views of the Order as a newer member, while Mr. Bob Matje Sr. reflected on the impact of the OA on him as an "experienced" member. To coincide with the "Materials" part of the new Lodge Strategic plan, member resource surveys were passed out at the banquet to assist with the recruitment of help for future projects in the lodge. Before the festivities began, the Lodge Committee had their picture taken on the stage to commemorate a very succesful year. "Unique" door prizes at the banquet provided a good laugh for all in attendance . These gag prizes ranged from a length of carpet to a metal rod, although most door prizes were store bought by members of the Vigil Honor. The keynote speaker of the evening, George P. March, spoke on his memorable experiences as a youth member of Chester County Council and he emphasized the importance of the Order of the Arrow and the Boy Scout program. Mr. March is an Eagle Scout with 2 palms from Downingtown Troop 2, and is a Brotherhood member of Octoraro #22. In his professional life, Mr. March spent time serving in the U.S. Army but has lead a successful career as a Law Enforcement officer. He has been chief of the Chester County Detectives and is also a graduate of the National FBI Academy. Mr. March spoke of the huge impact the Order of the Arrow had on his life and career, and he re-inforced how important it is for the Boy Scouts to continue as one of many stabilizing forces in an increasingly tumultuous world. |
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the conclusion of the evening, fourteen brotherhood members were called-out
in a solemn ceremony to make them new candidates of the Vigil Honor.
This is the largest Vigil class since 1996 when sixteen brothers were called
out. The following members were called-out into the Vigil Honor:
Jacket Patches Sell Well Fifteen dollars was a small
price to pay for one of the best products that Octoraro #22 has ever offered.
Around 280 of the new jacket patches The jacket patch will now be a regular at the trading post during lodge service weekends along with the two degree segments that can be sewed adjacent to the large jacket patch. |
Special Section: 1999-2000 Lodge Officer Candidates
The Lodge Chief is the heart of the Lodge. In order to be eligible to run for the office of Chief, a candidate must have previously been elected to a vice-chief position. The Chief is responsible for running the Lodge Committee and ensuring that the Lodge will continue to run in a smooth fashion." The Candidates Clee Brun Clee became a member of the lodge in September of 1994 when he passed his Ordeal. One year later in September of 1995, he earned the Brotherhood degree. In June of 1998, Clee became a Vigil Honor member of Octoraro #22. Clee holds the Life rank and is a member of Troop 53. In his troop, Clee has served as APL, PL, Scribe, Quartermaster, ASPL, and SPL. Clee currently serves the lodge as the Program Vice Chief of the Lodge, but has previously been the Convention Committee Co-Chairman, a position he held for three years. Clee was recently presented with the Founders' Award along with his twin brother, Kyle. Matthew Griffin Matt joined Boy Scouting in 1992 and has served both his troop and lodge in many positions. Matt earned his Ordeal in June 1994 and received his Brotherhood degree in April of 1995, both at Camp Horseshoe. Matt was called-out recently as a Vigil Honor candidate. Matt is an Eagle Scout, now with Troop 181, and has served as an APL, PL, Troop Guide, Bugler, and ASPL. He is now a JASM with his troop. Matt was previously the Camp Promotions Chairman for the lodge and is currently serving his second term as the Administrative Vice-Chief. Matt has attended 5 Conclaves and the 1 NOAC, and he has served on the Camp Horseshoe staff in 1998 and will return again this year.
"The Treasurer keeps accurate records of Lodge inventories, insignia, emblems and supplies. He arranges for the payment of bills and maintains financial records for the Lodge." The Candidate Dale Mast
"The Responsibilities of the Corresponding Secretary include all aspects of published communication among the lodge. He is responsible for the publication of the newsletter, as well as any pamphlets, lodge-troop relations, and thank-you notes or other letters that must be sent by the lodge." The Candidate Michael Arles |
"The responsibility of the Vice-Chief is to help the Chief in all areas possible. There are two Vice-Chiefs, Administrative and Program. Both Vice-Chiefs make sure that each committee does its job responsibly and well. Both are responsible for the duties of the chief, should the chief be absent." The Candidates Kyle Brun Eric Kimmel Eric joined Scouting in June of 1993 and took his Ordeal in April of 1997. Eric sealed his membership by becoming a Brotherhood member in June of 1998. Eric is a Life Scout in Troop 78 where he currently serves as an APL. Eric has been the Regalia Committee Chairman over the past year and is heading the Lodge Open House Committee for the upcoming June Service weekend. Eric has worked on the Camp Horseshoe staff for the past two years as a C.I.T. and Handicraft instructor, and will return again this summer for a third year. Chris Truitt Chris is a Brotherhood member of Octoraro #22 and is a member of East Greenville Troop 108. He is a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster with his troop and will receive his Eagle wings soon. Chris has spent the last year in the lodge as the Winter Camp Staffing Co-Chairman. Chris is a recipient of the J.B. Rettew Staff member of the Year for his outstanding work as a counselor at Camp Horseshoe. Chris has worked at Horseshoe four previous years and will return this year as the Campcraft Director.
"This secretary’s duties include keeping accurate and simple minutes of meetings, as well as keeping track of lodge attendance." The Candidate Vince Piotti All candidates must be
under 21 years of age at the conclusion of their office term, should they
be elected.All candidates must be active members of Octoraro #22, but there
are no stipulations on degree or experience. Anyone who would like
to run as a "write-in" should talk to Matt McLaughlin.
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Founders' Award Goes Out to 3 Brothers
In an unusual gesture, only reserved for larger lodges such as Octoraro #22, the past Founders' Awards recipients chose three brothers to be conferred the Founders' Award. Kyle Brun, Clee Brun, and Harold Weber were honored at the annual lodge banquet for their distinguished and dedicated service to Octoraro Lodge.
Kyle Brun, in the wake of financial turmoil within the lodge, was able to set straight a delicate situation by reorganizing the lodge's budget in order to have a better record of the money flow. The finance committee has also blossomed under his term of office along with the direction of Mike Patton.
Clee Brun brought forth new innovate ideas for the Lodge Banquet as well as spearheading the Program Committee to go out to Roundtable meetings to spread the word about Octoraro. All the committees under his office flourised in one way or another, bringing Octoraro to the next plateau of excellence.
Mr. Harold Weber, affectionately knows as "Web", has done heaploads of work for the lodge in recent years. An excellent carpenter and all-around craftsman, "Web" has spent endless hours working on the Lodge Building and doing crafts for special events such as the 1997 Conclave at Camp Horseshoe. Rarely does one find a person as devoted to service as Harold Weber, and some have said that this Founders' Award has been due for quite some time.
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The 1999 Order of the Arrow National Officers were elected in Dallas, Texas recently. Will Parker, a Vigil Honor member and Founders' Award recipient, was elected Chief while Andy Oh, also a Vigil Honor member and Founders' Award from Amagamek Wipit Lodge, was elected to the position of Vice Chief. Ken Jenkins, a member of Allemakewink Lodge, was elected the Northeast Region Chief. You can contact these officers at the following email addresses: National Chief Will Parker: wparker274@aol.com National Vice Chief Andy Oh: ohas@jmu.edu NE Region Chief Ken Jenkins: kjen9202@postoffice.uri.edu The Chief's Bonnet Brothers, As we close our 1998-99 Lodge Year, we would like to take the time to thank all of you. This Lodge Year has been extremely successful. We have soared to new heights and set new precedents. Yet all this could have never been done without all of you. As we all know, this is a time of farewells and thank you's. It is also a time for new beginnings and challenges. Our new officers will be elected, and new committee chairs will be appointed. We will say goodbye to some officers and chairs for college or age. These new beginnings will hopefully bring out more youth to serve. We have many positions to fill, so if you are interested, please see one of the officers to sign up. Our challenges are many, our goals so great. We as a lodge can achieve these goals. At the end of this weekend, two of us will no longer be in office, but we would like to thank you all for giving us the opportunity to serve you for this past year. In closing, we would like to encourage all of you to work your hardest this weekend; we have many parents to impress in June, so lets make our Camps look in the best shape ever! Yours in Brotherhood, John M. Callahan Lodge
Chief
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were sold at the banquet, which means over eighty percent of those in attendance
bought one. This raised $4200 for the lodge and the combined trading post
sales soared above all past banquets and the average Ordeal weekend.
