THE THUNDERBIRD

Mikanakawa Lodge 101                                            Volume 8, Issue 2; Summer 2002                                                    Okiciyapi Chapter


 

Okiciyapi Chapter Presents…

A Jared Roberts Production

THE JAMES RAY BASH

 

FUN FOR MICHAEL REDDS OF ALL AGES

 

THEME:

WILD, WILD WEST

 

BE THERE OR B2

 

August 16-18, 2002

Register Early by August 7, 2002

$15.00 at the Sherman Scoutfitter

 

Yee-haw!

If you have never attended a James Ray Bash, you are missing out on the most fun you can have over a weekend!  Saddle up the horses and come on out to James Ray Ranch and join in on the fun!  It’ll be a

 

knee-slappin’, calf-ropin’, grub-eatin’ good ol’ time!

 

don't forget to fill out the registration form on the back!

Hey! Do you receive Chapter e-mails?  If you don't, send a message to jklm@texoma.net!  Lee will get you on the list.


2002 SR-3B Conclave

                                Jared Roberts

The 2002 SR-3B Conclave was a great success.  Everyone that went had a fun time. Conclave was held on April 26-28 at Camp Pioneer in Arkansas.  Michael Redd chugged four Root Beers in 90 seconds. We didn't take a ceremony team to Conclave, but if we did we would have succeeded. 

In the Dance competition, five dancers danced.  Michael Redd, Jared Roberts, Phillip Murtaugh, Drew Wells, and Shane Potter. Sorry if I left your name out.  Michael Redd got Honorable Mention for his straight dance regalia.  Jared Roberts got 2nd in the Grass Dance.  Drew Wells got 2nd in the Fancy Dance, and he also received honorable mention for his regalia.

A lot of classes were held such as patch trading.  The participation award is a Red Conclave ghost patch.  New section officers were elected for our section.  Our 2002-2003 Section Chief is Brian Bridgers from Paris, Texas.  Brian is serving his second term as Section Chief.

I hope to see a ceremony team go to next year’s conclave.

 

Spring Ordeal Season

                                   Lee Nathan

This year, our Chapter has grown by 16 members through three Ordeals in March, April, and May.  At all of these Ordeals, the Chapter was represented by a number of staff members and candidates. Okiciyapi Chapter members served in a variety of areas during these Ordeals, including 12 Elangomats at the James Ray Ordeal! There are two more Ordeals this year: September 6-8 at Camp Wisdom, and November 1-3 at Camp Cherokee.  Not only are these great opportunities to serve the Lodge, but they are also opportunities for you to take your Brotherhood!


Summer Camp

Lee Nathan

The Okiciyapi Chapter played a major part of the great success Camp James Ray enjoyed this summer.  Every week featured 2 Kiwikiman Dance Team performances, including Dancers who were on staff, campers during the week, or Arrowmen who came out to camp just for the evening.  In addition to performing many dances and wowing lots of Scouts, the Dance Team gained experience, and our many different drummers were exposed to songs, which quickly became part of the Dance routine.

Ceremony teams also highlighted Campers’ weeks at Camp.  Every week, Okiciyapi members conducted three ceremonies: Ash on Sunday, Brotherhood on Thursday, and Call-out on Friday.  Hundreds of new campers were given symbolic ashes to remind them of the original Camp Grayson, and their memorable experience at camp.  The Brotherhood Ceremonies went very well, and our NOAC Ceremony team got to practice twice, both resulting in outstanding ceremonies, for candidates and spectators.  21 Brotherhood candidates received their Brotherhood over the 4 weeks of camp.   Even more, nearly 110 campers, were called to the Order during the Call-out Ceremonies. 

During Week 2, Beau Bratcher gave an impressive Allowat Sakima performance before his 21st birthday ended his Ceremony career.  With or without Beau in regalia, the people who got the chance to watch this ceremony were not disappointed.  Ceremonies are successful with help from many people: ceremony team members, set-up helpers, participants, onlookers, and clean-up people.  At Summer Camp 2002, these many different people came together again and worked as a team, and as a result, the impressive performances will remain clear in many minds for a long time.

 


So.  You’re wondering how to get involved in the Chapter, but you don’t want to be up to your ears?  Here’s a job for you: 

Order of the Arrow Troop Representative.

The task is simple, but very crucial.  All of Texoma Valley District’s Troops are important in our Chapter.  In order to pass along important information and dates from the Chapter to the Troop, a link is needed.  This link is you.  Learn more about the Troop Representative program by calling David Tarvin at (903) 892-3142.

 


Vigil Honor Notes

                                Beau Bratcher

It is with great pleasure that I have a hand in once again recognizing the Vigil Class of Okiciyapi Chapter for 2002.  Brothers Don Petrash, Travis Steel, Michael Redd, Charles Compton, Al Steel, Laura Petrash, and Markie Nathan joined the Vigil membership of Okiciyapi Chapter and Mikanakawa Lodge in April at Camp Constantin.  Okiciyapi Chapter has a lot to be proud of in this class.  This is the largest class Okiciyapi has had in recent memory. The proud tradition of excellence that Okiciyapi has established is epitomized in the Vigil Class of 2002. 

In addition to recognizing our newest Vigil members, I would also like to recognize our two Vigil candidates once again. Brothers Keith Nathan and Matt Key will have the opportunity to keep the Vigil in 2003.  We will have an opportunity to recognize the Lodge's Vigil Candidates for 2003 at the Vigil Callout at Fall Fellowship at Camp Constantin the third weekend in September.  All Vigil members that can come out and help are encouraged to do so.  All members of the Order are invited to see the Vigil Callout ceremony, so all who can come out to the Fall Fellowship and enjoy the fellowship with brothers from across the lodge.

 

Notes from our officers…

Chapter Chief - Lee

Once again, the year is halfway over.  The Chapter has done some amazing things at e vents this year, and once again sets the standards for everyone to follow! However; looking at our ambitious goals, there is still much to do.  Why do we set such high standards?  It’s not to be an Honor Chapter, or to impress someone.  The Order of the Arrow is an organization for advanced Scouts to stay active, and give back to their Troops in the Texoma Valley District.  So, the goals we set at the beginning of the year are aimed towards the betterment of the District and the Chapter.  You, as a member of both, can help us achieve our goals.  Attend an event; find out where you’d like to serve an put on your label of Honor Camper.

Progress on my 2002 Goals:

o     Improve staff and chapter attendance at OA functions

o     OA representative at Boy and Cub Scout Roundtables, District Committee meetings

o     At least one Chapter Representative at all LECs to present Chapter Report

o     Chapter Officers and Advisers attend at least 2 LECs

o     Scout leads for all committees

o     Key 3 Meeting every quarter

o     Officer’s meeting every quarter

o     Positive Chapter membership Growth

þ     Provide Staffers for Circle Ten Summer Camps

o     Chapter members earn the Arrowman’s Service Award

þ     Attend Lodge Leader Development Conference with at least 75% of Chapter leadership

þ     Chapter contingent attends Section SR-3B Conclave on April 26-28 at Camp Pioneer

o     Chapter Members participate in a National OA activity other than NOAC

o     Plan and execute a Chapter Leader Development Conference on January 5

o     Provide Winter Camp staff members for Circle Ten Council Winter Camp

o     Chapter members attend NOAC at Indiana University on July 27- August 1

 

Vice Chief of Service – Jared Roberts

So far we are having a great year but right now our Brotherhood conversion rate is 0%.  So I need your help, if any one in your Troop is eligible for Brotherhood please advise them to take their Brotherhood.  I achieved the goal of having Chapter Service Corps members help at Beaver Day and Tree Plant.  We need as many members as we can go to the Ordeals for help.  You all do not have to be Elangomats but you can also help with ceremonies or Service Corps.  James Ray Bash is coming soon on August 16-18.  Register by August 7.  Hope to see you at the upcoming events. Take advantage of the opportunities in 2002 to complete your Brotherhood and seal your membership. Brotherhood Hikes and ceremonies will be offered on Saturday at the following events: ·

·        James Ray Bash – August 16-18

·        Ordeal and Brotherhood at Wisdom - September 6-8, 2002 ·

·        Fall Fellowship at Constantin - September 20-22, 2002 ·

·        Ordeal and Brotherhood at Camp Cherokee - November 1-3, 2002 ·

·        Winter Camp - December 27-31, 2002

The cost to take your brotherhood is $10.00 for the sash in addition to the event's registration fee. Anyone interested in helping with the brotherhood ceremony and/or brotherhood hike should contact Tony Gregg at 903-813-0704 or Don Petrash at 903-892-3916. You may help with both if you wish.

Progress on my 2002 Goals:

o     70% Brotherhood Conversion rate

o     20% of total Chapter members serve as elangomat or Ordeal ceremony team member

o     Utilize the Journey to Brotherhood program as a tool for Brotherhood conversion

o     Serve the lodge through the “One Day” service project, and, if need be, plan and carry out our own Chapter service project.

o     Chapter Service corps serves at District functions throughout the year

þ     Provide Service corps members to support the Council’s annual Tree Plant

 

Vice Chief of Indian Lore – Travis Steel

Hallo! Es ist Travis aus Deutschland. (wirklich schreibt Lee dieses, das vortäuscht, ich zu sein), möchte ich gerade zum Sagen, daß wir eine Vor-Pre-Ordeal, Bruderschaft- und Vigilmannschaft haben, die an NOAC durchführt. Gutes Glück zu ihnen! Unsere Tanz- und Zeremoniemannschaften führten gut am Sommer-Lager durch und bildeten viele Pfadfinder und scouters Bewachung im Awe. Ich sehe Sie am heftigen Schlag!

What? Can’t read German?

Hello!  It is Travis from Germany (actually its Lee, pretending to be Travis)  We have a Pre-Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Team performing at NOAC.  Good luck to them!  Our Dance and Ceremony teams performed well at Summer Camp, making many scouts and scouters watch in awe.  I'll see you at the Bash!

Progress on my 2002 Goals:

o     20 member Kiwikiman Dance team performs at 20 events

o     Ceremonies teams perform at least 6 ceremonies

þ     Perform ceremonies and dance at the Lodge Pow-Wow on February 15-17 at Camp Wisdom

o     Two ceremonies teams each for Pre-Ordeal, Ordeal, and Brotherhood Ceremonies

þ     Perform ceremonies during Summer Camp at Camp James Ray, and for Cub Scout events

 

Recording Secretary – David Tarvin

Hello brothers, I would like to thank you again for allowing me to hold this position within our chapter.  Since the last newsletter we have finished up unit elections and got those all turned in to the lodge.  Thanks to Patrick and Bobby Littlefield who were in charge of unit elections this year. We still have some troops needing OA Representatives, so if you need information about that talk to me at the next chapter meeting or event or give me a call.  Dan Schmoker is doing a good job as our trading post lead this year, and he doesn't bite.  So don't be afraid to stop by and buy something from him!  Let's continue to make this an outstanding year for our Chapter.

Progress on my 2002 Goals:

þ     Complete Unit Elections for all District units desiring one before April 1, 2002

þ     Submit Chapter Unit Election Status Report to Lodge before April 15, 2002

o     Troop representatives in all units

o     Throughout the year, work on Annual Report to present to the Lodge

o     Troop Representative Training sessions at meetings throughout year

 

Corresponding Secretary – Don Petrash

Brothers,

Another exciting season has passed us by, with many new awards and accomplishments.  Stuart England, website lead, has been hard at work to provide everyone with a quality Chapter website, which has previously not been taken care of for four years.  I am proud to announce that due to Stuart’s diligence and thanks to the help of Chris Jennings, the Chapter website is ninety-five percent complete, and should be finished before September.  You can check this out by going to the Texoma Valley District website, clicking on “links”, and using the Okiciyapi link.  Also busy this season was the Camping Team, which attended unit elections and helped to spread excitement about camping to every unit visited.  Many thanks to everyone who helped make this a success; without your help there might have been fewer Scouts with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, especially at summer camp.

Progress on my 2002 Goals:

o     Quarterly Thunderbird Newsletter printed and distributed to Chapter

o     Chapter Clip in every Mikanakawan

o     Visit 75% of the District’s units for camp promotion presentations

o     Maintain a “Camping Team,” a group of Arrowmen able to help scouts in new or inactive units learn basic scout skills on a campout

o     Create 5 new, or revise 5 out of date entries in the Lodge’s Where to Go Camping book

o     Update the antiquated Okiciyapi Chapter Web Site

 


 

 

 

 


Date

Event

Location

July 25 - August 2, 2002

National Order of the Arrow Conference

University of Indiana, Bloomington, Indiana

August 1, 2002

Vigil Honor Nomination Deadline

 

August 4, 2002

Okiciyapi Chapter Meeting

GCC 2-4 pm

August 17, 2002

Council-Wide Ordeal Call Out Ceremony

Camp Wisdom, 7:00 pm

August 25, 2002

Okiciyapi Chapter Meeting

GCC 2-4 pm

September 6-8, 2002

Ordeal and Brotherhood

Camp Wisdom

September 20-22, 2002

Fall Fellowship Lodge Elections

Camp Constantin

October 6, 2002

Okiciyapi Chapter Meeting

GCC 2-4 pm

November 1-3, 2002

Ordeal and Brotherhood

Camp Cherokee

November 3, 2002

Okiciyapi Chapter Meeting

GCC 2-4 pm

November 16, 2002

Cherokee Lodge Leadership Development Conference
Annual Business Meeting

Circle Ten Office

December 27-31, 2002

Winter Camp

Camp Cherokee

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Meeting August 4

Don’t miss out on all of the new exciting NOAC stories, along with final James Ray Bash planning, a Scout Skill, and, as always, FOOD!

 


OKICIYAPI CHAPTER’S JAMES RAY BASH

PERMISSION SLIP

Scout's Name:  ________________________________________________

An occasion could arise that you will need to be contacted while the Scouts are involved in the James Ray Bash activity. In case of injury, sickness, violation of BSA policy, etc., the adult leaders and Okiciyapi Chapter Executive Committee require that telephone numbers where you can be reached during the duration of this activity be given below.

Telephone:  __________________________________________________

Telephone:  __________________________________________________

In consideration of the benefits to be derived and in view of the fact that the Boy Scouts of America is an educational institution, membership in which is voluntary, and having full confidence that every reasonable precaution will be taken to ensure the safety and well­being of my son/ward in this activity, I hereby agree to his participation and waive all claims against the leaders of the Chapter and officers, agents, and representatives of the Boy Scouts of America. In case of emergency, I understand that every effort will be made to contact me. In the event I cannot be reached, I hereby give my permission to the physician selected by the adult leader in charge to secure proper treatment, including hospitalization, anesthesia, surgery, or injections of medication for my child.

Parent or Guardian Signature:  ___________________________  ______

                                                                                                                                                Date

 

This permission form, the medical form, and the required fees must be returned to the Sherman Scoutfitter or submitted during event registration.

Note:  no one will be allowed to remain at Camp James Ray without the required medical form and permission slip.

 

Okiciyapi Chapter of Mikanakawa Lodge 101

5th Annual James Ray Bash

August 16-18, 2002

 

Mikanakawa Member Number:                                                                                             $15.00 per person

                                                                                                                                        (if received by August 14)

                Name:                                                                                                                          $20.00 at the door

           Address:                                                                                                                               

City, State, Zip:                                                                                                             

        Telephone:      (          )                                          Chapter                                            o Check if Above Address is New

2002 Dues must be paid!

Make Checks Payable to:   Order of the Arrow, BSA

Mail or hand deliver Reservation Form to:              Okiciyapi Chapter of Mikanakawa Lodge

                                                                                        202 S. Sam Rayburn

                                                                                        Sherman, TX 75092

Turn this page (front and back) in to the address above to register for the James Ray Bash


Mikanakawa Lodge 101 – Medical Release Form

Member Name:                                                                                                                                                                                   

Medical Insurance:                                                                                                                                                                             

                                             Insurance Company Name                                           Policy or Certificate #                                                      Policyholder’s Name

 


Have or had difficulty with (check if yes):

o  Asthma / Lungs               o  Fainting spells

o  Convulsions                     o  Diabetes

o  Heart trouble                    o  Bleeding disorders

o  Digestion                          o  Sleep walking

o  Eyes, ears, nose, throat

o  Any other condition that may require special care, medication, or diet

      If yes, explain:                                                                      

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                     

o  None of the above applies

 

Any condition now requiring medication?o Yes o No

If yes, name of medication(s)                                              

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                     

 

Allergy to any medication, food, plant, animal or insect toxin?

o Yes  o No

If yes explain:                                                                             

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                     

Any restrictions of activity for medical reasons?

o Yes   o No

If yes, explain