Edition 21 Volume 2 1 Chiefly Speaking… Hello fellow Arrowmen. My name is Jacob Turner and it is an honor to serve as the 2021 Echeconnee Lodge Chief and to share a little about myself and my desires for our Lodge. I live on a small row crop and cattle farm in Peach County with my parents, three sisters, and grandfather. My scouting adventure began 11 years ago at the age of six when I joined Pack 59 as a Tiger Cub. As a Webelo Scout, I earned my Arrow of Light and bridged to Troop 59. I transferred to Troop 620 where I served as Quartermaster, Assistant Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader. This past June I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I was inducted into the Order of the Arrow Spring 2017 where I have served as Treasurer and Clan Chief. I was surprised to be awarded Vigil Honor this past September. Through Scouting and the Order of the Arrow, I have had the opportunity to grow my leadership and communication skills and enjoy events such as National Jamboree, World Jamboree, NOAC, and NLS. I know this past year was tough for many of us as life events, activities, jobs, and opportunities were put on hold or canceled all together due to COVID-19. We saw Conclave canceled followed by NOAC and National Jamboree. Thankfully, we are starting to see our way back to gathering as a Lodge in person. The LEC and I realize we will have to work hard this year to draw Arrowmen back to active participation in Lodge and Section events. As Lodge Chief, I desire to see more Scouts inducted into and realizing the benefits of OA through our lodge. I desire to see these new Arrowmen active and enjoying what our lodge and the OA have to offer. I want to encourage non-active Arrowmen to become more involved and to find that niche that helps them grow and to give back to Scouting. The LEC and I have been planning great opportunities for our Lodge in the hopes of encouraging more active participation. Chapter Chiefs are working to hold more Troop and Crew elections. Clan Chiefs will be working to improve induction weekends and follow-up communication with new Arrowmen to keep them engaged, encouraged, and involved. Several fellowship and high adventure activities are being planned throughout the year. Camp Benjamin Hawkins workdays are being planned to help continue camp improvements in preparation for the 2022 Indian Winter and 2022 Conclave, which our Lodge will be hosting. As the LEC and I work to realize our goal of induction and membership improvement, we value your participation and support. I thank you for the opportunity to serve as Lodge Chief. I promise to do my very best, working alongside the LEC, to help our Lodge grow in active participation. 2 Straight from our Witatehimoisin (Adviser) Arrowmen, We are off to a great start during 2021. Despite the challenges we face with COVID-19, we had a fantastic Banquet at CBH on FeBruary 27. Our speaker was Former GBI Director Vernon Keenan. Anyone who was unaBle to Be there missed his tales aBout his own days as a Scout. We all shared an excellent meal and fellowship with families and other Arrowmen. This year we recognized Mr. Bill Hall and Ben L as the recipients of the Founder’s Award. We also recognized JacoB Turner and Tyler Watson as new Vigil members of the Lou Napolitano 2020 Vigil Class. Mr. Craig Rotter receiVed the James E. West Fellowship. This past weekend we help our first Induction weekend of 2021. It was well attended and we completed several significant projects. The Dining Hall now has new siding on the front side. Several trees have Been removed to ensure everyone is safe. The camp looks great thanks to the hard work By many. Conclave is right around the corner and plans are being made for Echeconnee to show the other lodges that we are there to compete and have fun. Do not miss this event. It will Be an opportunity to meet and fellowship with Scouts from lodges from Georgia and Alabama. Information is included in this Deerpath on how to register. Transportation will Be arranged with Lodge adult leadership to ensure all who register has a means to get there. We haVe another workday on April 24. It will Be a day for fun too because we will be hosting the Spring Camporee campfire as a well as a call-out. The workday is not be like an Induction weekend in case any new memBers are concerned. OA service is vital to the operations of camp and we are needed. We are also preparing to host Indian Winter and Conclave at CBH next year. We want to make the experience an excellent one for the other Lodges. We continue to Be challenged By COVID-19 and striVe to do eVerything we can to mitigate the possiBility of anyone Becoming sick as a result of attending Lodge activities. Know that at any event you attend, we all will have to think not only of ourselves But our Brothers; our admonition should direct your Behavior. We all must haVe a simple temperature check when we arrive and each morning during weekend events, wear our masks, wash our hands, and practice social distancing. There continues be some changes during ceremonies, meals, showers, sleep accommodations, as well as during service projects. WWW, Sheila Sweat Echeconnee Lodge AdViser 3 Echeconnee Lodge Web Notes By Brad Triplett, Webmaster Adviser The Echeconnee Lodge has had a weB presence that has spanned seVeral decades. From the first weB page in the mid-1990s to the current weB page (echeconnee.org) and the Lodge’s Online Trading Post (echeconnee.myVolusion.com). How can you get the most out of the Lodge’s Website? There is a Deerpath ArchiVe that is in the process of being rebuilt. Check through your Scouting files, you might have some hidden gems that will help us build a living archive of the Lodge’s past. Scan and e-mail any old Deerpaths you haVe to [email protected]. Photos - Are you at an event and taking pictures? Send them to the WeBmaster ([email protected]) and they might end up in a photo gallery on the weBsite or on Facebook. Do you have a difficult time filtering your personal and Scouting email? We can help. The Lodge has email service available. For a small annual fee you can get a Forwarding E-mail address ([email protected]) or for a Bit more you can get a WeBmail Account. Check out the Lodge’s Web Site and Online Trading Post, register for eVents, pay your dues, and get an e-mail address and more!! 4 Spring Induction Newly Inducted Echeconnee Members The following 26 Arrowmen accepted the four challenges of the Ordeal and were inducted as members of the Order of the Arrow on March 6, 2021: Ocmulgee Chapter: Oconee Chapter: Robert L. Scott Chapter: Brett B Joshua C Kevin Brown Jack D David Jones Christian C Chad Fletcher Hunter J Brady D Gabriel F Stephen M Chris Delcourt Liam G Lara Plocha Donovan F Ricky H Tyler K Heath L Pine Forest Chapter: Justin M Stephen L Joey N Erin M Jacob M Michael Murphy James S Nathan Y Brothers, we welcome you to Echeconnee Lodge and encourage you to participate in the Lodge activities. Upcoming events include 2021 SR-9 Conclave, and April 24 CBH Workday. We hope to see you at these events! We also encourage you to return in September 2021 to seal your membership as a Brotherhood member if you have not done so already. Thank you to all the Elangomats Denny Sweat, Joshua Hanes, Steve Aude, Eithan F, Wyatt G and JT S who helped with guiding the candidates through their Induction process, as well as, Beau H and Robert A as Head Clan Chiefs, Michael Grace as their Adviser, Lou Lilley as the 1st VC Adviser for his planning and guidance, Danica R for her 1st VC leadership throughout the Induction weekend. Brotherhood Conversion The following 20 members accepted the Brotherhood Challenge and completed the requirements for Brotherhood Conversion on February 29, 2020, August 15, 2020, and September 19, 2020: Ocmulgee Chapter: Oconee Chapter: Robert L. Scott Chapter: Zachary D Adam P Nicholas M Sushrith P Congratulations to all Arrowmen who met the Brotherhood Challenge and sealed their membership in the Order of the Arrow. We offer the same opportunity to all eligible Ordeal members. If you have been an Ordeal member for at least six months and accept the challenge, you too may seal your membership during the Fall Fellowship weekend. Thank you to our Brotherhood Trail Guide Jonah O. As always the food has been outstanding during the Induction weekend. Thank you Grier Sowell for leading the Cookteam to ensure that all who attended were well fed as well as safe during the pandemic. Members of the Induction Cook Team included David Lee, Grier Sowell, Debbie Sowell, Andy Walton, Vicky Walton and Tyler Watson. Thank you all for your hard work and long hours. Also, thanks goes out to Don Ellis for serving as our Health Officer and conducting the many health screens throughout the weekend! 5 April 16-18 Camp Patten Lakeland, Georgia Register at www.SR-9.org $42 until March 31 Transportation will be arranged by Echeconnee leadership for those going to travel together. Don't miss this exciting event, Great food, fun activities and competitions, and fellowship with Arrowmen from our Section's 11 Lodges.