11-13 Sep 2009

Eight Chumash Arrowmen attend NLS and NLATS?

One of the primary purposes of the Order of the Arrow is to develop leadership among its members. To assist in this effort two National programs have been developed for youth and adults. Over the November 14-16 weekend, eight members of our Lodge participated in advanced leadership training at the Alameda Coast Guard Station.

Taking the National Leadership Seminar (NLS) were Joe Bauer and Zea Bauer. NLS is open to both youth and adults. There were 56 attendees in this program from California, Nevada, and other Western Region territories. This course was presented by young Arrowmen who serve in such positions as National Chief, Western Region Chief, and Section Chief.

Attending the National Lodge Advisers Leadership Seminar (NLATS) were George Michaels, Terry Pew, Kathryn McClure, Emil Mesko, Andrea Mesko, and Wayne Rascati. With 49 participants in attendance this session was called one of the largest in recent history in the Western Region.

All participants came away with copious notes, tremendous handouts, and numerous contacts to help with future improving future Lodge programs and events. When these courses are offered again next year, don't miss the opportunity to participate.

The Bear Claw - October 2008

The Bear Claw is the official publication of Chumash Lodge 90, Order of the Arrow. Click on the link below to obtain the latest issue.

October 2008

Lodge Transfer Form

During the past year several Arrowmen move into our lodge and we received no information on them other than their payment of dues. The lodge has developed a transfer for to help gather the needed information on new lodge members transferring in from other lodges.

Please use this form to send information on new transfers to the lodge. Share this form with news members you may know and with the Arrowmen in you chapters.

Lodge Transfer Form

The election of new lodge officers took place during the Spring Ordeal conducted at Rancho Alegre. Effective October 1 the new officers will be installed in their leadership positions in the Chumash Lodge at the annual Lodge Dinner at Camp French on November 8.

Robert MacKenzie
Lodge Chief - Tuouski Chapter

Keith Avery
Lodge Vice Chief – Canalino Chapter

Travis Hill
Lodge Secretary - Tequepis Chapter

Brian Mandara
Lodge Treasurer – Tuouski Chapter

Thomas Martin
Lodge Medicine Man – Milimol Pa-Khus Chapter

We wish these new officers much success as they lead the lodge forward!

Bear Claw

Tour Permits & Travel Safety

It is important that Arrowmen traveling to and from all Order of the Arrow events abide by the same policies required of units. Within Scouting, the largest number of injuries are from automobile accidents to and from events. Therefore, driver safety is of the utmost importance to keeping Scouts safe.

National and Regional policy is that tour permits are not required only when traveling by yourself or direct relatives. All other travel requires the use of a permit filed with the appropriate council office. Though previously often overlooked for OA events, it should be noted that tour permits must be used for travel to all OA activities, including most lodge, section, region, and national events. Remember, transporting non-family youth members is only permitted by adults over age 21. You can direct any questions concerning this policy to your Section Adviser or Region Vice Chairman for your area.

Download electronic PDF forms of the tour permits here:
Tour permits are formatted for legal size paper. If it is printed on letter size it will be compressed.

Local Tour Permit Application - for travel less than 500 miles from home
National Tour Permit Application - for travel in excess of 500 miles

Lodge Flaps

The Lodge Flap is now available at $5.00 each. The only way to obtain your flap is by attending a Lodge or Chapter function or by mail. The flap is NOT available for sale in any of the Scout stores. To obtain your flap your dues must be current. Flaps ordered by mail are subject to a 50 cent service charge for each order (3 flap maximum per order). Please allow two weeks for delivery of your new flaps.

New Supplemental Training on OA

Supplemental Training Modules
Supplemental training modules are designed to provide orientation beyond the basic training offered in New Leader Essentials and leader-specific training. Each module is a unit of training that can be used as an outline for a group, for personal coaching, or for self-study. Most of the outlines should require about an hour to complete. Consider each unit of study to be an introduction to the subject. Scouters are welcome to download subjects that are of interest for personal or unit use. There are no training credits associated with the completion of these units of study. Additional training units are being developed and will be continually added to this site.

The Order of the Arrow and Your Troop
This session discusses the benefits to the individual, troop, district, and council as a result of the Order of the Arrow's influence in your troop.
Download a printer-friendly PDF of this module

New Lodge Adviser Appointed

We are pleased to announce the selection of a new Lodge Advisor for our Chumash Lodge 90, Order of the Arrow. Lynn Johnson, Vice-President of Program, and Ron Walsh, Staff Advisor extend a warm welcome to GEORGE MICHAELS, as our new Lodge Advisor.

George has a great background in Scouting. He earned his Eagle as a youth, is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, served as a Lodge Chief, and as a Section Vice-Chief. He also spent 8 seasons on the staff at Philmont Scout Ranch.

As an adult Scouter, he has been a Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Assistant Scoutmaster and currently serves as the advisor to the Canalino Chapter of our Lodge. Both of his sons are active members of the Order of the Arrow.

George is committed to the betterment of our Lodge and will do an excellent as our new Lodge Advisor. 

We would ask that all of our Arrowmen give George their full support and help as he assumes this new responsibility.

In Brotherhood,

     Lynn Johnson, Vice President Program
     Ron Walsh, Program Director

Guide for Officers and Advisers

The Guide For Officers and Advisers was revised for 2006. You can download the new version at http://www.main.oa-bsa.org/resources/pubs/index.html#goa This guide is an excellent resource for any leader in the Order of the Arrow and if you haven't seen it yet I highly suggest you take a look!

Chumash Lodge Ceremonies Team

The Lodge Ceremony Team is gearing up for an exciting year. We encourage any of you who are interested in joining the team to give me your contact information. The Team needs your help, both for performing ceremonies, but also for doing the "tech crew" set-up and support.

The Team is planning on holding one "rendezvous" per quarter to work on ceremony lines, building regalia, and learning how to set up the ceremony site and teepee. Generally, we plan on fun around Native American themes. We are planning our first "rendezvous" to coincide with the Fall Fellowship at Camp French on November 8.

For those who are interested, there will be a Chumash (the Native American tribe indigenous to our area) Pow-Wow at Live Oak Camp on October 4. This would be a great opportunity to observe real Native American dancing and regalia.

Our Team has chosen the turtle as the team totem. We are working on a turtle totem that only Ceremony Team members may wear on their chokers. We are also designing a special patch for the Ceremony Team. So please come join us in the fun!

Logan Michaels
Chair, Ceremonies

Posted 09-21-08.

Section W4N and Chumash Lodge

Due to a National Reorganization of Lodges and Sections, Chumash Lodge is now part of Section W4N (originally W-C1). Basically this is almost the same section we belonged to about five years ago. Lodges belonging to Section W4N are

• Siwinis - Los Angeles Area Council
• Malibu - West Los Angeles Area Council (San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys)
• Spel-ye-ai - Verdugo Hills Council (Burbank/Glendale)
• Yowlumne - Southern Sierra Council (Bakersfield/Ridgecrest)
• Topa Topa - Ventura County Council
• Chumash - Los Padres Council

The new Section Council of Chiefs met recently. The next meeting will be on Saturday, November 1 at the Ventura County Council Office in Camarillo. The first Section Conclave is scheduled for next September at Camp Verdugo Oaks.

2009 Dues Form

Dues can now be paid for calendar year 2009. Dues are still only $10 per year. Please pay before December 31, 2008 so that you will not be delinquent.

2009 Dues Form

2008 Dues Form

Jumpstart for New Arrowmen

With the realization that the lack of an effective new member orientation might be a cause of low membership retention and Brotherhood conversion rates across the nation, it was decided to offer a resource that would help lodges confront these issues.
More . . .

Troop Representative

The Order of the Arrow Troop Representative or Team Representative is a youth liaison serving between the local OA lodge or chapter and his unit. In his unit, he will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order. He will do this in a fashion that strengthens the mission of the lodge, purpose of the Order and the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. By setting a good example, he will enhance the image of the Order as a service arm to his unit.
More . . .