Conclave & NOAC 2024 Updates
Good evening, Fellow Wearers of the Arrow.
We hope this message finds you well.
We wanted to let you know some news learned this weekend at the Section Leadership Conference.
Our new Section Adviser, Ken Barton, informed all of the Lodge Advisers in the Section of news he learned in Regional conference call regarding the upcoming 2024 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) at the University of Colorado in Boulder. The Region Chair shared with all of the Section Advisers that there will be no American Indian Activities (AIA) events at NOAC next year. No reason was given for this change.
The Regional Chair did share that this decision will not eliminate AIA events and competitions at Section events and Conclaves next year. Therefore, all ceremonies, DANCE, and DRUM competitions normally held at our Conclave will still be held. No further information about this decision or what may happen in the future was shared.
No doubt, this will come as a disappointment to many. However, it would be even more disappointing to not take every advantage to enjoy these activities at our upcoming Conclave that Ini-to Lodge will be hosting in 2024. This Conclave is important for many reasons. First, one of our own will be serving as the Section Chief and he needs and deserves both our support and our gratitude for leading this event and our Section. Another reason is that we still need to share our pride for our program and what we try to honor in our traditions and execution of this program.
None to say, this changes nothing for our Lodge for the foreseeable future except in our preparations for the 2024 NOAC event. Mowogo Lodge has a proud tradition of service, youth development, and leadership in the Northeast Georgia Council. That remains the same and our shared goal. Our work recognizing honored campers from around our council remains the forefront of our purpose and our work moving forward. And, most importantly, the opportunity to share the experience we uniquely offer to learn what it means to be a servant leader in recognition of living the values of the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan are still both relevant and, honestly, even more important today in our current times than they ever have been.
If more information is shared regarding this change, we will let you know. Thank you for your example to all of the Scouts and Scouters of the Northeast Georgia Council as well as all of the members of your communities, schools, churches, and places of work as we are not just Scouts when we gather or wear our uniforms. We are Scouts and Scouters 24/7 and we impact others through our conduct and example!
We are looking forward to seeing all of you at Pow Wow!
Yours in Cheerfulness,
Rusty Royston
Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge
Northeast Georgia Council, BSA