Q: What role should the adults have in our Lodge's NOAC contingent?
A: Acoording to the 2002 Lodge Contingent Leader Guide, adults should make a conscious effort to fulfill their Adult Role. Have a plan but be vigilant for opportunities. The guide goes on to address several important areas:
A youth at NOAC should: Learn skills in leadership and organization through experience in order to develop self, strengthen the home lodge, and the Order. Lead other youth (and adults) and be an active participant in contingent planning and training activities. Meet new people and learn from them new ideas to carry home. Share his own skills and knowledge with others. Try new experiences. Have fun!
An adult at NOAC should: Ensure that all youth you come into contact with have ample opportunity to fulfill their role. Be a coach and an encourager. Work from the background to assure that youth get into the foreground. Look for leadership opportunities - they are everywhere - and find youth to fill them - they are everywhere. Have fun!
Learn about the NOAC training process, which includes training cells, workshops, team evaluations, and competitions. Encourage the youth from your lodge to compare the needs of their lodge to opportunities available at NOAC. A lot of questions work well here, but let the youth have an opportunity for true self-evaluation. Don't wait until you're getting on the bus to start this - give the youth contingent leader a nudge early on, and maybe some pointers on how to get things going. Remember, organizing the contingent is part of the learning process, so be a resource and let the youth learn through leadership.
Don't shortcut the registration process. This is the only way to obtain information about time and location of classes! No shooting from the hip!
This campus is a big new place for most Scouts, even the older ones. Help them get comfortable with getting around, finding their own way.
Be aware that most cells are oriented for youth, with skills taught that youth need. The instructors are very experienced and prepared for them. They will lead the session in a manner tailored for youth participation. Much of what these Scouts will learn will come from the WHOLE EXPERIENCE, not just from lectures or handouts. This is where YOU have a great opportunity to contribute. Help the instructor capitalize on the power of learning through active youth participation. You will really make a difference with comments like "that was a great idea" or "you'll make a good leader for this breakout group." Help the instructor by making sure that youth dominate the discussion and get affirmation when they say or do good things. Help them feel comfortable to participate - be the encourager.
Help the contingent leader if someone from your lodge is having problems getting to classes. If you registered properly, follow-up for the youth leader is easy and teaches a valuable skill.
Encourage Swapping! Yes, you heard right! But we mean swapping ideas, names, emails, phone numbers, and resources. Encourage youth to network with other youth to bring home even more to your lodge. Those contacts will come in handy later and in some cases, become lifelong friendships. Swapping lodge flaps 1:1 is a great icebreaker and a lot of fun as long as we don't forget why we're here.
Be sure to support those lodge members that are participating in dance competitions or ceremony evaluations. They need lots of help to overcome the physical/time demands. But they also need to be encouraged not to miss out on other opportunities by being too focused on one activity.
The youth and the lodge contingent leader still have a job to do. Getting all the new skills and ideas home won't just happen. They get all the ingredients at NOAC, but there is still a cake to bake. The bus ride home might provide some great opportunities!
Revised 04/28/02