The Order of the Arrow’s Southern Region provides annually 3 National Leadership Seminars (NLS) training events. The dates and locations are listed on their website by clicking here (southern.oa-bsa.org/nls). If you are interested in attending, please refer to the information below.
Also, don’t forget to download and complete the Training Scholarship Form and return it to the Old Hickory Council Office.
Purpose of NLS:
The National Leadership Seminar (NLS) is a weekend conference focusing on the skills and characteristics 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 service to the Boy Scouts of America and the greater community.
The NLS will provide participants with:
- A challenging, inspiring, and enjoyable learning experience
- A better understanding of the skills of leadership, and how to apply them
- A better understanding of themselves and of other people
- A realization that, with practice and work, everyone can improve their leadership skills
- An understanding that leadership skills work in tandem with one another
- An understanding that different situations require the application of different leadership skills
- A model with which to evaluate themselves and others in the use of leadership skills
Each NLS is delivered by a training team selected and approved by the Region Key 3, and includes former and current Section and National Officers of the Order of the Arrow.
Comments from past participants:
“I enjoyed this very much, and will take a lot of great info back home.”
“It was awesome!”
“The best training event ever!”
“This was amazing! I learned a lot!”
Who Should Attend:
Lodge officers, key youth lodge committee chairs, and up-and-coming lodge youth leadership are encouraged to attend. It is recommended that youth participants be at least 14 years of age and have completed the LLD program, but not mandatory.
In addition, selected adults with key roles in lodge leadership are encouraged to attend, as they will better understand their role as advisers to youth leadership after studying the leadership skills presented.
The course is designed for one-time participation, and is limited to 60 participants per NLS. As such, the Region recommends limiting adult participation to 1 adult per 3 youth participants. It is understood that this recommendation may require flexibility due to transportation and youth protection issues; the important point is to make every attempt to provide priority to lodge youth leadership with this valuable learning opportunity.
NLS Weekend Schedule:
The NLS is a full weekend course designed to impart understanding of leadership skills in a “building block” fashion. As such, participants are expected to be in attendance for the entire weekend – missing the beginning or any other part of the weekend would significantly detract from the overall learning experience.
Each NLS begins with Registration on Friday, between 6 – 8 PM. Participants are expected to arrive during that time interval. There will be a crackerbarrel Friday night, but no Friday evening meal will be served, so make your meal plans accordingly for that evening. The NLS weekend will not be complete until 1:30 PM on Sunday, after the Closing Banquet / Lunch. Please make travel plans accordingly.
How to Register:
If you are interested in attending an NLS, please refer to the Registration Form, and contact your Lodge Adviser for approval.
Please note the registration deadlines for each NLS, as noted on the region’s website along with the dates and locations.
As space is limited, registration forms may be submitted to hold participant slots, with payment to follow, provided that the payment reaches the Region Office by the deadline date. Please understand that, by submitting a registration form, you have reserved a participant slot in a seminar where slots are limited. As such, you will be expected to pay the fee for each slot reserved. If payment for the reservation is not received by the deadline, your lodge/council will be billed for the amount, whether or not the participant chooses to attend.
What to Bring:
The official uniform for the weekend is the Class A uniform, with OA sash. As usual, personal items will be needed. Each location will have different lodging requirements, thus if linens, towels, etc. are needed, that information will be provided to participants after their registration forms are received.
A BSA Class 1 Physical Form will be required at on-site Registration Friday. This “Personal Health & Medical Record” will not be returned to the participant at the conclusion of the weekend. Any approved and signed BSA Class 2, Class 3, Philmont or Jamboree Health and/or Medical form may also be submitted.
During the “Scout’s Own” worship, an opportunity to donate to the Maury Clancy Indian Campership Fund will be offered.
A Southern Region OA Trading Post will also be available during the weekend, where participants will have an opportunity to purchase special Southern Region OA items, such as t-shirts, belt buckles, fleece jackets and vests, special NLS golf shirts, and other patches and unique OA items.
In accordance with the OA Guide for Officers and Advisers, smoking will not be permitted at this event.