Session Length: 50 Minutes s1

VS101 WHAT IS VISION 2009 NATIONAL ORDER OF THE ARROW CONFERENCE

Session Length: 75 Minutes

Learning objectives: . Understand what a Vision is and who a Visionary is. . Understand what makes for an effective Vision Statement. . Be able to create an effective Vision Statement.

Required Materials: . Flipcharts . Markers . Power Point presentation file . Overhead Projector (Optional) . Computer with Projector Screen . 3’ of clear tape

TRAINER PREPARATION

The trainer for this session should be someone who is an experienced member of the Order of the Arrow or organizations similar to the Order of the Arrow. They should be familiar with what a Vision Statement is and what the Vision of the Order of the Arrow is. The trainer should also be highly energetic, enthusiastic and leverage his past training experiences and life experiences in order to create enthusiasm among the participants.

SESSION NARRATIVE

Introduction: 7-10 Minutes

Trainer Tip: The trainer should introduce him/herself and the topic to the audience. They should provide information on there Scouting, Order of the Arrow and any other Real Life experience they deem appropriate. Please note: While this session is written in a first person perspective, trainers should not read directly from the syllabus and should work to develop there own style of delivery while maintaining the integrity of the session.

I’d like to begin this session by asking some key questions in order to see what you know about Vision. (Seek feedback and discussion through guided discovery.)

 What is Vision?

While Vision most often refers to the act of seeing, the Vision that we deal with in this session is best summed up in the Merriam Webster dictionary as “The act or power of imagination” and as “a mode of seeing or conceiving”.

Order of the Arrow Page 1 of 6 Boy Scouts of America 2009 NOAC Session L101 Vision 101

As leaders we must be able to look ahead and be able to conceive and then plan for the future so that we can enable those that we lead to reach that vision which we have.

 How do we convey Vision?

We convey Vision through the use of Vision Statements. A Vision Statement is defined by Wikipedia as such “A Vision Statement outlines what the organization wants to be. It concentrates on the future. It is a source of inspiration. It provides clear decision making criteria.”

The Order of the Arrows vision is contained in it Purpose. While the Purpose does not necessarily address the future of the Order of the Arrow it does provide members with clear decision making criteria. The Purpose of the Order of the Arrow reads as follows:

Purpose of the Order:

To recognize those campers -- Scouts and Scouters -- who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant recognition.

To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.

To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council.

To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

 What is a Visionary? Loosely defined a Visionary is someone who imagines something that does not currently exist, but may someday. As leader this means being marked by foresight and imagination.

Vision/Vision Statements 15-20 Minutes

Trainer Tip: For this part of the presentation we will look at various examples of Vision Statements and what makes them effective. Feel free to use any Vision Statements that you are familiar with in addition to those provided for you.

 What makes a good Vision Statement? A good vision statement should only be a sentence or short paragraph consisting of two to four sentences.

 Vision Statement Examples Coca Cola To achieve sustainable growth, we have established a vision with clear goals.

Profit: Maximizing return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities. People: Being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be. Portfolio: Bringing to the world a portfolio of beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy peoples; desires and needs. Partners: Nurturing a winning network of partners and building mutual loyalty. Planet: Being a responsible global citizen that makes a difference.

Lockheed Martin Powered by innovation, Guided by integrity, We help our customers achieve their most challenging goals.

Wal-Mart Do it, Try it, Fix it

Microsoft Empower people through great software, anyplace, any time and on any device.

Southwest Airlines To provide the best service and lowest fares to the short haul, frequent-flying, point-to-point, non- interlining traveler

Whirlpool Whirlpool, in its chosen lines of business, will grow with new opportunities and be the leader in an ever-changing global market. We will be driven by our commitment to continuous quality improvement and to exceeding all of our customers' expectations. We will gain competitive advantage through this, and by building on our existing strengths and developing new competencies. We will be market driven, efficient and profitable. Our success will make Whirlpool a company that worldwide customers, employees and other stakeholders can depend on.

 What makes a good Vision/Vision Statement? 1. A vision doesn't exist in the present, and it may or may not be reached in the future. A vision portrays a fictitious world that cannot be observed or verified in advance and that, in fact, may never become reality. However, if it is a good mental model, it shows the way to identify goals and how to plan to achieve them. 2. A Good Vision is Idealistic. The vision must be realistic enough so that people believe it is achievable, but idealistic enough so that it cannot be achieved without stretching. Otherwise it will not set a standard of excellence, nor will it motivate people to work toward it. 3. A good vision is appropriate for the organization and for the times. A vision must be consistent with the organization's values and culture, and its place in its environment. In other words “stick with what your good at”. For example if your good at making video games don’t set your vision on making cook books. 4. A good vision sets standards of excellence and reflects high ideals 5. A good vision clarifies purpose and direction. In defining that "realistic, credible, attractive future for an organization," a vision provides the rationale for both the mission and the goals the organization should pursue. It provides a reason for the people who are following the vision to do so, creating meaning in their lives. 6. A good vision inspires enthusiasm and encourages commitment. An inspiring vision can help people in an organization get excited about what they're doing, and increase their commitment to the organization. 7. A good vision is well articulated and easily understood. In order to motivate individuals, and clearly point toward the future, a vision must be articulated so people understand it. 8. A good vision reflects the uniqueness of the organization, its distinctive competence, what it stands for, and what it is able to achieve. This is where the leaders of an organization need to ask themselves, "What is the one thing we do better than anyone else? What is it that sets us apart from others in our area of business?" 9. A good vision is ambitious. It must not be commonplace. It must be truly extraordinary

Visionary Case Study 10-15 Minutes

Mohandas Karamchand Ghandhi (1869-1948) Born into a respectable class in colonial India and educated as a lawyer, Mohandas Gandhi could have enjoyed a comfortable upper class life. But like others whose efforts are seen as visionary leadership after the fact, Mr. Gandhi met up with circumstances that brought him face-to-face with the injustice of class rule and prejudice. He set aside his upper-class, comfortable lifestyle, rejected the status quo, and started a non-violent revolution that ultimately resulted in the independence of India from British rule. Rather than advocate for violent revolution, Mr. Gandhi stimulated a grassroots movement based in non-violent protest. Despite several assassination threats and attempts, as well as political harassment and the occasional jailing of both himself and his wife, Mr. Gandhi persevered, rejected violent methods, and continued to speak out on behalf of India’s independence. He was indeed assassinated in 1948, but not before his words and movement inspired many around the world, and continues to do so. "If my faith burns bright, as I hope it will be even if I stand alone," he said, "I shall be alive in the grave, and what is more, speaking from it."

Ghandhi was guided throughout his influential life by several ideals that he held strongly to: 1.) Truth: Ghandhi dedicated his life to the wider purpose of discovering truth. He tried to do this by learning from his mistakes and stated that the most important battle he fought was overcoming his own demons, fears, and insecurities. 2.) Non Violence: Gandhi was the first to apply the concept of non violence in the political field on a large scale. One of his most famous quotes is “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”. 3.) Simplicity: Ghandhi believed that a person involved in social service should lead a simple life. His simplicity began by renouncing the western style of life that he had been living. He dressed to be accepted by the poorest person in India and advocated the use of homespun cloth. He also spent one day each week in silence believing that abstaining from speaking brought him inner peace. 4.) Faith: Gandhi was born a Hindu and practiced Hinduism all his life, deriving most of his principles from Hinduism. As a common Hindu, he believed all religions to be equal, and rejected all efforts to convert him to a different faith. He was an avid theologian and read extensively about all major religions. He had the following to say about Hinduism: "Hinduism as I know it entirely satisfies my soul, fills my whole being...When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and when I see not one ray of light on the horizon, I turn to the Bhagavad-Gita, and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. My life has been full of tragedies and if they have not left any visible and indelible effect on me, I owe it to the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita." These four ideals shaped Ghandhi and guided him in all that he did. They were what made his vision and helped him to gain the support of millions of followers even to this day. With these ideals and his followers Ghandhi was able to lead a non-violent revolution that obtained his vision of an India free from British rule.

Creating Your Own Vision Statement 20-25 Minutes

Trainer Tip: In this portion of the training you will ask each participant to create there own vision statement. The purpose of this is to allow them to utilize what they have learned throughout the session so far.

You know are going to be given the chance to create a vision statement. You will approximately 15 minutes to do this. It is important that you take what you have learned from the first part of this presentation about vision and use it to create your own vision statement. The vision statement that you write can be for anything that you want, real or imagined. You may choose to write a vision statement for your lodge or chapter, for a company you would like to start someday, or even a vision statement for yourself. The choice is yours.

Important things to keep in mind as you work on your vision statement are: 1.) What are the core beliefs of the organization I am writing this vision statement for? 2.) Where does the organization want to go in the future? 3.) Make sure to keep the statement under a paragraph and concise so that it gets your vision across to those reading it. 4.) Make sure it is ambitious!!

Trainer Tip: Give the participants about 15 minutes to create there own vision statements. Then allow them to share there vision statements in small groups of 5 to 7 participants before bringing the group back together, then ask several of them to share with the whole group making sure to point out the positives in there statements.

Conclusion 5 Minutes Vision is the driving force behind all that is accomplished in society. Without it the world as we know it today would not exist. It was vision that created the Great Pyramids, vision that created the Declaration of Independence, and vision that created the Order of the Arrow. Visionaries and their visions have shaped nearly ever facet of our lives and will continue to do so. You all leave today more capable and with a greater sense of vision than you had before. It is now your opportunity to go back and be visionaries in your lodge and community. The future is truly yours today. Go back and use your visions, based around your core beliefs to propel you lodge and communities to bright futures never before realized.

APPENDIX: SOURCE MATERIALS AND RESOUCES

Wikipedia –Mohandas Gandhi and Vision Statements www.wikipedia.org

Ivy Sea Online: What does it take to be a truly visionary leader? http://www.ivysea.com/pages/ldrex_0802_04.html

National Defense University: Strategic Leadership and Decision Making http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt4ch18.html#top

Leadership and Vision http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadvision.html

2008 – 2012 Order of the Arrow Strategic Plan http://www.oa-bsa.org/programs/splan/

2008 Order of the Arrow Field Operations Guide http://www.oa-bsa.org/resources/pubs/FOG-2008.pdf

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