By Dale McCann, Section Chief of G18N
At the January Council of Chiefs, we voted on our conclave patch. At the December meeting, we chose a theme. But in both rooms, something more important was happening. We were learning how to tell our story.
At the Malibu LLD, I facilitated a training called Pitching the OA. It wasn’t just about hand gestures or how to modulate your voice (though both matter more than you’d think). It was about this truth: if we can’t tell people what the OA is, they won’t understand what it can do.
And that matters—because this program changes lives.
When we speak about the OA, we’re not pitching a club. We’re offering belonging. We’re inviting someone into a moment that could define their leadership, their friendships, even their future. That’s why how we communicate matters. Whether it’s a chapter meeting, a training weekend, or a lodge Instagram post—it all tells a story. So let’s tell it well.
Here’s what I challenge every Arrowman reading this to do:
- Talk about your experience. Not just your title, but the why behind your journey.
- Make it real. A good pitch isn’t about perfection—it’s about passion.
- Use your platform. Every lodge chief, every chapter officer, every member has one.
Our section is building momentum. We’ve got a stellar team of Conclave Vice Chiefs. We’re planning a one-of-a-kind experience for “When Scouting Ruled the Earth.” And thanks to your feedback, our shows, activities, and training are already leveling up.
But we won’t hit our potential unless we bring people with us.
So when someone asks, “What’s the OA?”—don’t shrug. Don’t say “it’s hard to explain.” Say “Let me tell you what it’s done for me.”
That’s the story that matters. That’s the story only you can tell.