2012 National Order of the Arrow Conference

Have you ever heard of a Hodag? A Hodag is a mystical creature with the head of a frog, the grinning face of a giant elephant, thick short legs set off by huge claws, the back of a dinosaur, and a long tail with spears at the end. Well, here at NOAC the Grand Hodag is a party with food, fun, games, and root beer! Miss Michigan will also be in attendance to take pictures with some lucky guests.

A DJ will provide entertainment along with The Vintage, a live cover band that will perform at the event. Large inflatables, an obstacle course, and games such as ladder golf and bean bag toss will keep you entertained all night long. A branding station will also be available if you wish to have the brand of a Hodag on any of your hats, boots, etc.

To celebrate this year’s Eagle Centennial, there will be a professional sculptor to carve an eagle that will be auctioned off in a silent auction. The live patch auction will also occur and all proceeds from the auction will go to the local area council for campership funds for at risk youth.

Food and drink will be the star of the show, so come on out and eat as much pizza and drink as much root beer as you can. You will also get a free cozie with your root beer!

NESA will also be in attendance with some famous Eagle Scouts who will be on hand to sign autographs.

The Hodag will be located on Munn field directly following the Reunion of Regions.

The bonds of brotherhood through the Order or the Arrow bring to life the human spirit, supporting by Scouting’s idealism. Since the Order’s founding in 1915, election and induction procedures have uniquely entwined the observation of good character and the expectation of future service in ways that enhance individual success and cooperative fellowship.

Those that have answered the call of cheerful service have not been limited to one racial or socioeconomic group. Indeed, through membership in the OA and a common experience, barriers have been broken down that have led to greater understanding and tolerance. The work of African-American brothers in the Order emphasizes that.

By understanding the African-American experience in the Order of the Arrow, a larger American concept is revealed – that true brotherhood is not defined by color or race. Better knowledge of this fact and of other interracial aspects of the Order of the Arrow’s history is explored through the Order of the Arrow’s museum exhibit Called to Serve, Bound in Brotherhood.

As early as 1930, the first known African-American Arrowmen were inducted into the Owasippe Lodge of the Chicago Area Council and became members of the Takodah Chapter. Nationwide only 20 lodges existed at that time.

By 1932 at an OA regional gathering held in Illinois, Dr. W. H. Benson, Emerson James, and Horatio Isbell were inducted along with 12 other Arrowmen into the Brotherhood membership. Just four years later Emerson James became the first African-American Vigil Honor recipient in the nation.

Other OA African-American brothers followed. For example, World War II historians note that Arrowmen Joe Merona and Theodore Moran served as decorated Tuskegee Airmen. Ron Temple served as the 1961 National Conference Chief and in 1969 Randolph Scott became the first African-American to receive the national Distinguished Service Award.

John Brown and Norville Carter, who have ben active Arrowmen for over 40 years, will be at the OA Museum located in the MSU Union to share their Scouting experiences. NOAC guests should make plans to learn about this important legacy of our Order’s history during the conference.

David Joyner, the 2012 Southern Region Chief, is thrilled to be here at NOAC. “It’s great to see the arrowmen forming new friendships and having a great time, it makes all the hard work worth it.” For Joyner, this fellowship is a crucial part of the NOAC experience. “I know the people I have met and worked with have had a huge impact on the decisions I made. My friends in the Order have really influenced who I am today.”

David’s favorite thing about his job as region chief is “being a part of this event, making things happen… I want to make an impact…I hope that I can make a difference in the lives of other scouts like others did for me.”

David says some of his greatest Scouting experiences have been the fellowship of working at his local Camp Tuscarora and national experiences with the OA at Summit Corps, Indian Summer, NLS, and OA Ocean Adventure. “These experiences have developed some of the most meaningful relationships, every time I attend a national event, I leave with a new group of close friends.”

An Eagle Scout who has served three years on his council’s summer camp staff, David has an extensive history with Scouting and the Order of the Arrow. David began his service in the OA holding multiple lodge offices, before being elected chief of Section SR-7B. He was elected Southern Region Chief in December of 2011, “I am both honored and excited to be elected as the 2012 Southern Region Chief,” says David. “This year is filled with opportunities for our Arrowmen. Most importantly, we are coming together at Michigan State for NOAC and see brotherhood at its best as we realize that ‘United, We Leave A Legacy.’”