Order of the Arrow news

Ceremonies

We are in the process of putting together ceremony teams. They will be able to do our internal ceremonies, as well as ceremonies for units, such as bridging and dancing at Blue and Gold Dinners.

Upcoming events

• September 9-11 is our Fall Ordeal at Camp Whitsett. Candidates elected earlier will be able to attend this induction weekend.
• September 16-18 is our Section Conclave, at Camp Rancho Allegre, in Santa Barbara (near Lake Cachuma). There will be fun, training, fellowship, and shows. Our lodge is one of six lodges that make up the W4N Section.
• October 29 is our Lodge Summit, in Saugus this year. This year we will be shooting rifles all day, having lunch and fun, and electing next year's lodge officers.
• July 30th to August 7th, 2012 is the National OA Conference (NOAC). It will be held at Michigan State University. Due to the cost, we are putting together a contingent list. Like a Jamboree, this is for OA members from all over the nation. At past NOACs, there have been 4,000 to 6,000 in attendance.
• July 15-24, 2013 is the National Jamboree, at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia. Signups have started for OA staffing.

Help us become a Quality Lodge

Our lodge is trying to become a Quality Lodge. We have been a Quality Lodge for the past three years. This year, we're falling short in the following areas:

• Dues renewal. If you are a past member and haven't paid your dues, it's only $14 for the rest of the year. If you have paid, thank you.
• Conversion from Ordeal to Brotherhood honor levels. Those of you who have been a member for 10 months or more, we need you to seal your membership by becoming a Brotherhood member.

•  Full list of Quality Lodge requirements

Lost Arrowmen

These last two months, we sadly lost two long-time members of our OA chapter.

At the end of July, Randy Stoller passed away, after fighting a serious illness for over six months. He became a member of the OA in 1979. He was a Vigil Honor member, and a recipient of the Silver Shark and Silver Beaver.

On August 24, Vinnie Ruggieri passed away. He was both a Scout and a Scouter. He went through his Ordeal back east. He was a Silver Beaver recipient, responsible for the remodeling of the WLACC office, among many other things.

We extend our deepest sympathy to both of their families. They will be missed by all, both in family and in Scouting. God bless Randy and Vinnie.