Ajapeu Lodge 33 Year End Report

For the sixth year, Ajapeu Lodge has completed all requirements for Quality Lodge.  This distinction recognizes Ajapeu's commitment to its members, the units they serve and to the Council's camping program.  A total of 33% of eligible Ordeal members - 74 in total - made their commitment to the Order by becoming Brotherhood members (a lovely numerical coincidence unlikely to befall Chumash Lodge 90).  Membership has also grown by 57 members to 676 Arrowmen - in large part due to the Dues Invoices that were used for the first time this year; a program that will also be used in 2008.  These invoices will be issued in early 2008 and members who'd like to update their contact information should contact the Associate Lodge Adviser for Administration Chris Fosmire.  The lodge still needs 607 members to pay for 2008 to achieve positive membership growth.  Make sure you're one of them!

On the back of achieving Quality Lodge as well as the success of the August Super Service Weekend, Ajapeu has submitted a Service Grant Application to receive from the Order of the Arrow half the funds to build a new chapel at Lions Camp Kirby.  If the application is approved, this will mark the first time Ajapeu has received this recognition from the region and hopefully wouldn't be the last.

Changes have occurred to the schedule and format of Unit Order of the Arrow Elections.  In the past, the end of the election season often came near the camporees, not allowing candidates to properly schedule for their Ordeal Weekend.  Elections will now take place in January and candidates will be notified in writing before the Call Out that he has been elected into the Order of the Arrow.  If you haven't scheduled an election or have not been contacted about scheduling a unit election, please contact your District's Chapter Adviser, as listed below to schedule one.

Chapter Adviser (Pennsbury)          Mark Wassum           215 547-3743

Chapter Adviser (Playwicki)            Kathy Lutz               267-455-6752

Chapter Adviser (Lenape)              Alan Folsom             215-343-6851

Chapter Adviser (Tohpendel)          Fred Ritter, Jr.          610-749-2044

In addition, Adult New Member Nominations will now be done in accordance with National Policy, which requires review of applicants by the Lodge Adult Selection Committee.  Applicants that are not approved may appeal to both the Lodge Adviser and Supreme Chief of the Fire (Council Executive Dave Hasel).  Units are also reminded that nominated adults must meet the same camping requirements as youth nominees of 15 days of camping in the past two years of which six must be from a single camp experience.  As with youth candidates, membership is not an honorific but a commitment to further serving Scouting and the Lodge through the Order.

Ockanickon Scout Reservation will once again host the Annual Lodge Family Banquet on Saturday March 8^th, 2008 which will be catered by Blooming Glen Catering.  This event is open to the whole family and will again include entertainment provided by each chapter.  Registration information for this event will be issued along with 2008 Dues Invoices and will be available on the Lodge Webpage www.ajapeu33.org in the new year.

The format for Brotherhood conversion questioning has been re-worked from a somewhat exam-like experience to something much closer to a discussion.  The purpose of Brotherhood questioning is reflection and sharing rather than academics and those Ordeal members afraid of the "Brotherhood test" should fear no more.  As always, pitch is optional when singing the Song of the Order and pronunciation of the Admonition will be stretched in ways that would make an elementary school grammar teacher cringe.

Chapter Meetings are the basic point of contact between the unit and the Lodge  All Brothers, especially Troop OA Representatives are asked to attend.  Meeting places and times are listed below.

Ajapeu Lodge wishes all Scouts and their families an Ajaparific holiday season.