If you stopped Marty Opthoff on the street and asked him which region was best, he would have only one answer for you: the great midwest.
As Central Region Chief, Marty had a large role in the planning of this year’s NOAC at Michigan State University. But the thing that most excites him about NOAC 2012 has not been the quality of shows, the many activities to be done, or even knowing that over 7,000 people will witness the work he helped put together.
So, what is the most exciting thing to Marty?
“The idea that 7,000 people are showing up to the same place that I go to school,” says Marty.
Marty is a sophomore in Applied Engineering Sciences at the very school whose campus you are standing on right now. So, if you are lost on campus this week, he is the man to ask for directions.see Marty on the street, you will be better off asking him if you are headed in the right direction.
Marty joined Scouting in first grade as a Cub Scout and worked his way up through the ranks of Troop 51 in the Great Lakes Council to attain Eagle Scout, serving along the way as Senior Patrol Leader and a member of the Camp Staff at Lost Lake Scout Reservation. As a member of Noquet Lodge 29, he worked his way up from Chapter Chief to Ceremonies Chairman to Lodge Chief. He ultimately became C-2A Section Chief, which led to his election as region chief. Marty ran for region chief for one reason. “I wanted to give back to the organization that has given so much to me,” he says.
Outside of Scouting, Marty enjoys an active lifestyle. He enjoys skiing, sailing, and rock climbing. Overall, though, he enjoys hanging out with friends and having a good time.
Marty has two different role models. One of them is past Central Region Chairman R.D. Dunkin, who had a real impact on Marty’s life even though the two never met. “It really inspires me to work harder after seeing how big an impact he made on so many people’s lives,” he says.
Marty’s other role model? The Swiss Army knife-carrying television character Angus MacGyver.
“MacGyver is just awesome. I just think he can use what he has to get out of any jam. That’s what Scouting should be like,” says Marty.
Marty strives to be down-to-earth and approachable; he wants to be someone that people can talk to, and not let the elevation of titles get in the way. “I try to make myself easy to talk to as much as I can,” he says.
Marty has been pleased with his first six months as Central Region Chief and looks forward to six more months. He strives to lead by a quote he found on the inside of his chapter chief sash: “Leadership is the motivation to do what is not asked of you.”
