More details about the following activities are in the Beaver Tracks and on the Ktemaque Lodge web site at www.ktemaque.org

Centennial Celebration Breakfast
Ktemaque Lodge #15 held its Centennial Celebration Breakfast on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the Royal Regency Hotel in Yonkers. 86 lodge members and 54 guests attended, including Ktemaque Lodge's own Brandon Azoulai who is currently serving as Section NE-7B Chief, Tom Raco Section NE-7B Vice Chief, Connor Morabito Section NE-7B Secretary, and Ktemaque Lodge's own Jess Hurwitz who is currently serving as Section NE-7B Advisor.

After a delicious breakfast and a "How Scouting Began in America" skit, which was performed by youth members of Ktemaque Lodge, attendees enjoyed presentations by our youth leaders about 2009 lodge activities and upcoming OA national and lodge programs and events which are open to all youth and adult members, including OA High Adventure programs (OA Ocean Adventure at Seabase in FL, OA Trail Crew at Philmont Scout Ranch in NM, OA Wilderness Voyage in MN, and OA Canadian Odyssey in Canada), OA Service Corps volunteers at National Scout Jamboree 2010, National Order of the Arrow Conference, ArrowCorps5, and Ktemaque Lodge's Fellowship Weekend and annual community service project. Those members who completed their Ordeal or Brotherhood Quest in 2009 received a special certificate. Lodge Chief Bobby Ciralli presented the Lodge Chief Service Award to 25 youth and adult members of Ktemaque Lodge for their exemplary service over the past year. Brandon Azoulai, Bobby Ciralli, Margaret Lipscomb, and Joseph McGinn were formerly presented with the Vigil Honor, which is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made distinguished contributions beyond the immediate responsibilities of their position or office to one or more of the following: Ktemaque Lodge #15, Westchester-Putnam Council, and/or our Council's Scout Camps. Lodge Chief Bobby Ciralli ended the program with an excellent State of the Lodge speech.

New Members - Unit Elections
Since 1915, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America's youth. The mission of the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults. Ktemaque Lodge #15 is the Order of the Arrow lodge chartered by the Westchester-Putnam Council.

Ktemaque Lodge's annual election period is from January 1 through March 31. During this time, all troops and teams should have an Unit Election to elect youth members and nominate an adult.

The Order of the Arrow membership eligibility requirements are:
• Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
• After registration with a troop or team, have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The 15 days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps.
• Youth must be under the age of 21, hold the BSA First Class rank or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach, be elected by the youth members of their troop or team.
• Adults (age 21 or older) who are registered in the BSA and meet the camping requirements may be selected following nomination to the lodge adult selection committee. Adult selection is based on their ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and is not for recognition of service, including current or prior positions. Selected adults must be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities, and must provide a positive example for the growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.
The Election Guide on the Ktemaque Lodge web site at www.ktemaque.org has information on youth and adult membership requirements, the election ceremony, ballot session, how to submit results, and the adult nomination form.

The youth election results and adult nominations must be sent to Ktemaque Lodge by April 1. The BSA ID number of those elected MUST be included in the election results. Results postmarked after April 1 will not allow adequate time for Ktemaque Lodge to send needed information to those elected. Anyone not receiving their invitation in the mail by May 1 to take their Ordeal should contact the Vice Chief of Operations or the Operations Adviser.

Contact Tucker W., the Vice Chief of Operations at OperationsViceChiefKtemaque.org or Alex Weiner, Operations Adviser at (914) 793-1703 if you have questions about eligibility or elections.

Dear Scout Masters

A new year has come and it's time for the Order of the Arrow elections. The criteria for being elected to the OA is that the Scout must be First Class, go to Scout camp for one week (must be 6 consecutive days/nights), and attended 15 days/nights of camping, all of which has been completed within the past two years. Additionally, please ask Scouts who were formerly elected to the OA, but decided not to become a member if they are interested in participating before electing them again this year. If the Scout chooses not to be a part of the OA, do not have him nominated. In the past 2 years, 40 - 50 youth were elected, but did not attend their ordeal. Elections can only be held when 50% of the registered active youth members in the troop are present. All votes count equally. Any Scout who receives at least one half of the votes cast is elected.

The following information is needed regarding your troop:

1. Scoutmaster Name, phone number and email address
2. Day, time and location of weekly meetings
3. Will you hold your own election or do you want my assistance
4. Phone number and best time to call you

Unit Elections are to be conducted and results mailed to Ktemaque Lodge #15, by the Scoutmaster and Election Team Leader, within one week of the election and no later than April 1st. The BSA ID number of those elected MUST be included in the election results. Results postmarked after April 1st will not allow adequate time to send needed information to those elected. Adult forms must be mailed by April 1st. Please mail results to:

Ktemaque Lodge # 15
Unit Election Results
41 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532

Unit Elections forms can be found and submitted directly online at our website Ktemaque.org, you can find the link under Election Unit Report in the Forms section.
Please contact me ASAP whether you are doing your own election or if you need my assistance. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Tucker W., Vice Chief of Operations, OperationsViceChiefKtemaque.org

2010 High Adventure Program
Order of the Arrow members may sign up now to attend a 2010 Order of the Arrow High Adventure Program. Go to http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/ for more information and applications.

Sign up for OA Trail Crew at Philmont Scout Ranch (the Boy Scouts of America's premier high-adventure base) in New Mexico, OA Ocean Adventure at Sea Base in Florida, OA Wilderness Voyage at Northern Tier in Minnesota, or the new OA Canadian Odyssey in Canada.

OA high-adventure programs are very popular low-cost programs that fill up fast. Participants must be between the ages of 16 and 21, be physically fit, and must be approved by the Lodge Adviser and Scout Executive. If you are interested in attending in 2010, sign up now.

Contact Ktemaque Lodge Adviser, Mr. Rob Carlson, at 914-528-9331 if you have questions or go to our Ktemaque Lodge web site at www.ktemaque.org.