November 5-7, 2010
Heartland Conference Center, Parkville, MO

National Leadership Seminar

The National Leadership Seminar is a weekend conference on the skills and attributes of leadership. It is intended primarily to enhance the leadership skills of the Order of the Arrow’s key youth and adult members as they seek to improve their services to the Boy Scouts of America and the greater community. The weekend format is designed to complement the longer, more detailed Wood Badge and Junior Leadership Training Programs. Near the end of the seminar, participants make a contract with themselves to apply the skills studied in the seminar on projects in their lodge, council, and community.

National Leadership Seminars run from Friday - 7:00 p.m. to Sunday - 12:30 p.m. They are held at different locations across the Central Region on a rotating basis. See the calendar for specific dates and locations.

Cost: Between $100 and $200 (depending on food and location costs) for youth, $10.00 more for adults includes lodging for two nights, cracker barrels, meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch, seminar handouts, certificate, and seminar recognition(s).

Who Should Attend

It is recommended that youth participants be at least 15 years of age or a lodge officer. Completion of the Lodge Leadership Development Program is desirable. The seminar is an intensive experience in learning about the nature of leadership and practicing some of the skills that a leader uses. While it is designed to be fun, the course challenges participants mentally as well. Participants should be developed mentally, physically, and mentally prepared to actively engage in an exhausting, invigorating weekend.

The course is limited to a maximum of 60 participants; therefore, normally no more than 12 should be registered per Lodge. The course is designed for one-time participation; repeat attendance is not encouraged. More youth (under age 21) than adults should attend. It is understood that these guidelines will have to be interpreted flexibly to solve transportation and youth protection issues. Adults should not attend if they are not driving youth members.

Registration

Registration for any National Leadership Seminar is available through printed form downloaded from this web site or available through the Regional office. Registrations for the first 60 attendees will be accepted; after that, registrations will be returned. A council may send no more than 8 arrowmen, as long as the number of youth is greater than or equal to the number of adults. Excess reservations will be placed on a waiting list, if the seminar is not full 30 days in advance, reservations will be taken from the waiting list. Most lodges pay the fee for officers. Seminars fill very fast.

Registrations will not be accepted at the door.

What to Bring

Sleeping bags or bedding and your own personal items (towels, soap, etc.) will be needed. Bring a flashlight. Full Scout Uniform and OA Sash are required for the weekend. You may wish to bring extra money as the Central Region OA Trading Post with T-shirts, pins, patches, etc., will be available.

National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar

The National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar (NLATS) is a weekend conference focusing on the skills and attributes of effective lodge advisers. It is intended primarily to enhance an adviser's knowledge of and connectivity with the OA's strategic plan, program and resources, while emphasizing personal skills that are essential to the development of effective youth leadership and ultimately the OA's service to the council.

The National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar (NLATS) is a brand new training program. The NLATS is limited to 40 participants. For this first seminar no more than two participants should register from any council. The course is designed for one-time participation. Repeat participation is not encouraged.

Who Should Attend
It is recommended that participants be lodge advisers, staff advisers, chapter adviser, associate lodge adviser, and those with lodge adviser potential, as approved by the local council Scout executive. Prior completion of a Lodge Leader Development Program and the National Leadership Seminar are desirable. The NLATS is an intensive experience in learning about the nature of lodge program, delivery of service to the council, and development of youth leadership necessary to both. While it is designed to be fun, the course is mentally challenging as well. Participants should be open to learning and prepared to actively engage in an invigorating weekend.

No Smoking
In accordance with the 1999 printing of the OA Guide of Officers and Advisers, smoking will not be permitted at this event or on the camp property.

What to Bring
Full Scout Uniform and OA sash are required for the weekend. Sleeping bags or bedding and your own personal items (towels, soap, etc.) will be needed. Bring a flashlight. An Order of the Arrow Handbook and OA Guide for Officers and Advisers may also be useful. You may wish to bring extra money: An OA trading post with T-shirts, patches, etc, will be available.