This year the OA Center for History will offer three training cells dealing with OA History as follows:
All training will be offered in the morning hours on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of NOAC. Questions about historical training may be sent to the OA Center for History Chairman, Mark Orgeron, bgblrmark@aol.com. A brief synopsis of each cell follows.
The History of the OA Training Cell
Session #1 - Know your OA History
An Overview of the history of the OA - A little bit of everything about
the who, what, where, when and why. This session will cover a progression of
the OA through time. It will also cover the change in the OA Structure, Conferences,
Training, and changes in Insignia and other paraphernalia associated with the
OA.
Session #2 - The OA in the Beginning
How and why the OA started - how it got organized, the early lodges and
how it grew; covers the years 1915 - 1948. This session will start with
the Wimachtendienk and how that influenced the Founders at Treasure Island.
This will cover the early growth of the OA and the formation of the early lodges.
It will also talk about the Grand Lodge and why it started and how it influenced
summer camp programs of the day.
Session #3 - Understanding Your Re-Dedication
This session will cover the history of "Brotherhood" and why it
was created. It will cover the original and current Brotherhood including the
"2nd Degree". Also covered will be new member Ordeal Orientation
and the addition of the Elangomat. Traditions of the OA and how Brotherhood
makes a difference will conclude this session.
The History of the Ceremony
Session #1 - History of the Ordeal Ceremony
Come with us back to 1915 at Treasure Island Camp and learn what really happened
in that first ceremony. Then move one year later to 1916 and summer camp at
Treasure Island; encounter the first written ceremony - characters, speeches,
and symbolism. Who were the ceremonialists and what role did they play in the
beginnings of the Wimachtendienk. The move through the years and see the changes
in the ceremony, but maybe more important; see what has not changed.
Session #2 - History of the Brotherhood Ceremony
(Open only to Brotherhood and Vigil members)
This is a unique opportunity to look at the Brotherhood Ceremony from its inception
on the typewriter of William Hinkle to the modern day. How was it started? Has
it changed? All the copies of all the Brotherhood Ceremonies will be available
to be seen and worked with. This is a new and exciting opportunity at NOAC.
Session #3 - The History of the Vigil Ceremony
(Open only to Vigil members)
This class will guide the participants through the Vigil Ceremony from Goodman's
night at the Devils Tea Table to the present. The content of the first Vigil
will be revealed, as will all of the rest of nuances and changes that have taken
place over the 90 years of the Vigil. All the scripts for the ceremonies from
1916 to the present will be available. This is a first at NOAC.
Don't miss it!!
Your OA "Time Machine" - Tools for the Lodge to Preserve
Their History Training Cell
Synopsis: This training cell will provide lodges with the tools to capture and preserve their local lodge history. Included in the cell will be a discussion of the process, potential resources, preservation activities and a "hands on" activity using the OA NOAC Museum for a working classroom. The participants will take with them ideas and templates for preserving and telling their story.
Session 1: "Catch" Your Past
This session will explore the process by which a lodge can capture their history,
methods of preservation and documentation, resources to explore, collection
and historical significance and end with developing display/preservation criteria
to use as a guideline.
Session 2: Take a Ride!
This session will use the OA NOAC Museum as a working classroom. This will be
a behind the scenes exploration and evaluation of displays and methods used
to present history. These evaluations will be compared to the criteria developed
in Session #1.
Session 3: Take the Throttle
Here the focus is on how a lodge can tell their story. This session will contain
oral, written and other permanent methods by which the story can be presented.
The participants will take away suggested templates to begin their process.
Individuals need to pre-register for these cells online at the NOAC event registration web site.
[Special Events Committee Info]
Revised 04/27/04.