2012 NOAC Contingent Leader Update

TO: 2012 NOAC Lodge Contingent Leader

FROM: Clyde M. Mayer, OA Director

This "NOAC UPDATE" is to keep contingent leaders informed of preparations being made for the National Order of the Conference to be held at Michigan State University, July 30 - August 4, 2012. If the contingent leader has any questions about the following information, please contact Clyde Mayer at the national OA office.

  1. NOAC REGISTRATION: When your contingent arrives at the conference, at its assigned time*, the contingent leader should report to the registration area at the Breslin Student Events Center. The lodge chief or his representative should report to register the lodge contingent for the week's activities and receive important information. ONLY THESE TWO LEADERS SHOULD ENTER THE REGISTRATION AREA UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED. The remaining members of the contingent should attend their region's NOAC orientation outside the Breslin Center.

    The contingent leader should have in his possession copies of all medical forms, hold harmless agreements, conference registration forms, and a list of contingent participants. (It is important that the contingent leader maintain a copy of all medical forms, hold harmless agreements and a contingent list throughout the duration of the NOAC and while traveling to and from the conference.)
  2. The 2012 NOAC does not have an early arrival day for participants. All lodge contingents MUST arrive on Monday, July 30 at their assigned time.

  3. EXPRESS SERVICE CHECK-IN: The 2012, NOAC registration, housing and training teams will operate an EXPRESS SERVICE CHECK-IN station at the Breslin Center on Monday, July 30 with the goal of completely processing within 15 minutes all lodge contingents meeting the following criteria:
    1. All conference fees were paid to the national Order of the Arrow office by the April 30, 2012 deadline with no on-site changes necessary.
    2. All roommate assignments accomplished on the NOAC Registration site with no on-site changes necessary.
    3. A key deposit of $50.00 is made during Express Service Check-in for the lodge contingent.
    4. All Individual Registration forms, with full payment, were submitted by April 30, 2012 deadline with no on-site activity, competition or training changes necessary.

    A large poster listing the eligible express service lodges will be posted at the entrance to the Breslin Center.

  4. IMPORTANT CONTINGENT LEADER MEETING: A mandatory meeting for all contingent leaders or their representative will be held at Anthony (MSU Classroom Building) on Monday, July 30 immediately following the Opening Show (Approximately 9:45 p.m.). Your attendance is important and will assure that the conference administration and management operates a smooth and successful NOAC.

    A SPECIAL ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFT WILL BE PRESENTED TO EACH CONTNGENT LEADER ATTENDING THIS IMPORTANT MEETING!
  5. FOOD SERVICE: The first meal for all lodge contingents at the 2012 NOAC will be dinner on Monday, July 30 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at your assigned cafeteria. The last meal served to all conference participants is breakfast on Saturday, August 4 from 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.

  6. CONFERENCE CLINIC: NOAC participants will have a full-time health care staff available at the conference. A medical staff with first aid capabilities will be available. The conference clinic will be located at Butterfield Hall, located within the Brody Complex and will be open 24 hours each day of the conference. The MSU emergency phone number is 517-355-1855 (Campus Operations/24 hours per day). This phone number is to be used for emergencies ONLY!
  7. TRADING POST PRE-ORDER PICK-UP: Trading post pre-orders must be
    picked up by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30. The pre-order pick-up location is in the Brody Complex. Lodges that have their key 3 attending the NOAC can also pick-up their free conference golf shirts. (The NOAC Trading Post will accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards.)

  8. CAMPUS BUS SERVICE: Campus bus service is available primarily for NOAC participants and staff that will have difficulty walking from one NOAC venue to another. For most Arrowmen (youth and adult), most venues can be reached by walking in 10 to 15 minutes. Please be considerate of those Arrowmen with disabilities! The NOAC bus route and stops will be highlighted on the campus map that all participants will receive during check-in on Monday, July 30.

  9. SCOUT UNIFORMING: Participants attending seminars, shows, and training sessions will be expected to be in full Scout uniform. The activity uniform is for use during recreational events only. Contingent leaders are expected to set the example!

    FOUNDERS' DAY DRESS (Friday, August 3, 2012): NOAC participants and staff may wear a NOAC or Scout T-shirt or golf shirt with their Scout shorts or trousers on Founders' Day. All participants and staff will be expected to be in full Scout uniform for the Friday evening theme show.

  10. NOAC MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES: Conference management and support services staff will be located in the Michigan State University Kellogg Center.

    The LOST AND FOUND DEPARTMENT will be located at the NOAC Administrative Office in the Kellogg Center.
  11. CONFERENCE DEPARTURE: All conference participants and staff must depart from their MSU housing on Saturday, August 4, 2012 by 10:00 a.m.
  12. MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MAP: All participants and staff members attending NOAC will receive a map of the MSU campus in their registration packet that will provide the following information: Campus bus route; information booth locations; medical services; university facilities; parking lots; and trading post locations.

  13. YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING: All Arrowmen 18 years of age and older attending the 2012 NOAC, must complete the Boy Scouts of America one-and-a-half hour "Youth Protection Guidelines: for Volunteer Leaders and Parents" Course Training.

  14. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT REMINDER: All NOAC participants should review the recommended personal equipment list found on page 12 of the Lodge Contingent Leader Guide. Remember to bring your personal medications and a small portable fan, resident halls are not air-conditioned.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

  1. LODGE FLAP SIGN: All lodges are being asked to bring a wooden/fabric lodge flap sign for Monday night's Opening Show. One youth representative from each lodge will carry and display the sign in the show. The lodge representative should report with the sign to the back stage entrance of the Breslin Center at 7:00 p.m. (Instructions on how to construct the flap sign can be found on the OA Web Site.)

  2. FOUNDERS' DAY EXHIBIT: Don't forget to have your lodge contingent make an application to have a Founders' Day exhibit on Friday, August 3 of the conference. Information about Founders' Day can be found on the OA Web Site. This is a great way to promote your lodge and area of the country and have a lot of FUN at the same time!

  3. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHIEFS (NCOC): A MUST for all Lodge Key 3 leaders (Lodge Chief, Adviser and Staff Adviser) attending the 2012 NOAC is the National Council of Chiefs that will be held on Tuesday, July 31 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Kellogg Center. During the conference session the most current resources, programs and plans of the OA will be shared with your lodge key three leadership.

  4. 2012 NOAC TRADE-O-REE: On Monday, July 30, lodges are invited to participate in Trade-O-Ree at Munn Arena. Lodges will have FREE areas where they can sell lodge memorabilia. Check the ISCA website(www.scouttrader.org) for the latest table reservation and lodge Free sale area information.

  5. MEET AND GREET THE BSA KEY THREE:  For the first time, in a long time, the Key Three of the Boy Scouts of America will attend the National Order of the Arrow Conference. As part of the Legacy Speaker Series, make plans to meet them on Tuesday, July 31 in Wells Hall, auditorium B115, at 1:00 p.m.

  6. GO CAVE EXPLORING WITH DISTINGUISHED EAGLE SCOUT BILL STEELE: If you love to explore caves or would just love to hear a great story, plan to attend Distinguished Eagle Scout Bill Steele's presentation on cave exploring in Southwest China. Bill is well known in the U.S. and world caving community; and is the author of two books on the subject. His interest in caves goes back to early boyhood; but it was an experience while a Boy Scout that sparked him to be an avid spelunker for more than 50 years. Don't miss his special presentation on Wednesday, August 1 in Wells Hall, auditorium B115, at 3 p.m.

  7. MARKETING YOUR CAMP PROGRAMS: Western Region Director Tom Fitzgibbons will be conducting a very informative session on the important subject of marketing your council camp programs. If your lodge/council is interested in new ideas and information about this important topic, plan to attend Tom's session on Thursday, August 2 in Wilson, auditorium C102, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Revised 7/19/2012