Letter of Intent

Greetings, Fellow Wearers of the Arrow!

I hope this finds you looking forward to seeing each other in fellowship and in our shared sense of purpose soon. Pow Wow is not far off and your Lodge Executive Committee (LEC) is planning a full event for you to come and join in the fellowship with training, games, and ceremony. Pow Wow is the traditional event where our youth choose our Lodge Officers and leadership for the upcoming year. The importance of this process cannot be overstated. Our youth leadership continue to demonstrate the wisdom and foresight of the founders of the Order of the Arrow in providing youth opportunities for leadership as an important crucible of experience and potential for service.

Attached to this email is the 2024 Letter of Intent to Run for a Lodge Office. The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society. Leadership in the Order of the Arrow is truly unique and special. Those that have served as youth leaders in the Order continue to serve as leaders in their communities around our nation and have for more than a century. Those that have served as leaders of Mowogo Lodge continue to serve as leaders in our communities and beyond including past Presidents of the Northeast Georgia Council, BSA.

Being a Lodge Officer is not an easy role. Nor is becoming an Eagle Scout. But the reward of both and all other endeavors in Scouting provide unique prospects to gain understanding and perspective that can serve you well…by serving others through leadership. Being a Lodge Officer in the Order of the Arrow provides experience and opportunities to learn organizational dynamics, to work with peers and people of shared passion and purpose, and to create opportunities for others to learn and grow. And that experience offers those that serve through leadership a lifetime of benefits. I still draw on my experience as a youth leader in Mowogo in my involvements in and out of Scouting.

If you are a person of commitment and have a vision that might improve our lodge, our members, our council and, most importantly, the Ordeal Candidates sent to us from their home units then please consider this opportunity to serve in the most unique way that only the Order of the Arrow offers. Please review the attached Letter of Intent to Run for a Lodge Office and the Lodge Officer Expectations document. If you have any questions, please let any of our current Lodge Officers, our Lodge Advisers, and I know and we will be glad to speak with you. A completely signed 2024 Letter of Intent and 2024 Lodge Officer Expectations document must be submitted to me by Monday, September 11 (the Monday before Pow Wow). You must submit the Letter of Intent to me by email: lodge.adviser@mowogo,org.

Thank you for all you do as honored Scouts!

Yours in Service,

Rusty Royston
Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge
Northeast Georgia Council, BSA

Service for Doug Rustay

Good afternoon.

The service for Brother Allogagan, Doug Rustay, will be Saturday, August 5th, at the Wages Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The family will receive friends and all wishing to pay their respects at 11:00AM and the service will follow at 12:00PM.

Below is a link to his Obituary & Service page at Wages website:

https://www.wagesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Douglas-Rustay/#!/Obituary

There are very few that carried and expressed a true heart and love for Scouting than Doug. I was fortunate to have worked with him in the early 1980’s on several District programs including Webelos Woods which he was the first chair of for many years setting a standard that still resonates today. His passion for and appreciation of Scouting for what did for him, his sons, grandchildren, and Miss Myrt never waived. He impacted so many directly and indirectly it would be impossible to fathom the impact he had on so many.

There are even fewer that I consider to have had the kind of impact he had on me. I am who am and approach my service in Scouting in large part because of him. I am forever grateful for his guidance and friendship.

Please keep the Rustay family in your thoughts and prayers. And may the Great Scoutmaster be with you and keep you safe on all of your adventures.

Yours in Service,


Rusty Royston
Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge
Northeast Georgia Council, BSA

Doug Rustay

Greetings.

It is with a heavy heart that we reach out to you today. Brother Doug Rustay passed earlier this morning. Arrangements have yet to be made.

Doug had a distinguished and long career in Scouting being in his youth. He was a part of and responsible for programs in the Northeast Georgia Council including serving at Rainey Mountain as the Trading Post Manager and Camp Director for many years. He graciously agreed to work for the Lodge as our Trading Post Adviser when I became Lodge Adviser and made a number of improvements. In 2018, Doug was recognized with the Founder’s Award.

Doug was a Vigil Honor member of our Lodge. His was given the name from the Lenni-Lenape nation: “Allogagan” which is translated in English means ‘He Who Serves.’

As more information is shared, we will let you know. Please keep him and his family close to your hearts, in your prayers, and lift them up as they navigate this difficult time.

Yours in Brotherhood,


Rusty Royston
Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge
Northeast Georgia Council, BSA

August Celebrations & Events!

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters of Mowogo Lodge!

We hope this finds you well and staying safe in the summer heat.

We wanted to let you know of some upcoming events in August for your consideration.

First, on Saturday, August 12th, the Northeast Georgia Council will hold its annual District Committee Training. We have been asked to facilitate a presentation on “Scouting & The Order of the Arrow.” This is an adult training event. We would like to ask all advisers who are able and willing to attend to join us and help strengthen the connection between our District leadership and both Chapter and Lodge leadership. OA sash would be appropriate with complete uniform.

Relationships are the cornerstone of any success and this opportunity is important for a couple of key reasons: first, our membership and new Ordeal members come to us from eligible units around the council and from each district. There are some units, to no fault of anyone, that may have little to no understanding of the Order and the opportunities for growth and development our program can provide. Second, as the honor society for the Northeast Georgia Council, we set the example for others to see and aspire to be like. Being around all of our District leadership can help to communicate these and help our lodge grow…and in return we can help all of units grow and share the flame of Scouting!

If you are able to attend, please join us at the First Baptist Church in Gainesville on Saturday, August 12th! Below is a link to register for the event:

https://www.nega-bsa.org/districtcommitteetra

Following the District Committee training in the morning, there will be a Council Recognition reception in the afternoon in the same place. Those being recognized for dedicated service and leadership for 2023 will include some of our members:

Brother Jason Stribling will be recognized for being a 2023 Silver Antelope recipient. This award is for service above and beyond at the National Service Territory level!

The following brothers will be recognized for being 2023 Silver Beaver recipients. This is the highest recognition for service and leadership above and beyond at the Council level.

Shane Adams
Matt Bowman
Ken Cappon
Craig Knowlton
Chris Payne
Jon Willette

Other youth and volunteers will also be recognized as well. Please join us in recognizing all of our volunteers for their service and leadership in Scouting. OA sash would be appropriate with complete uniform. You can register at the link below:

https://www.nega-bsa.org/2023-Silver-Beaver

On the following Saturday, August 19th, Ani-Gatogewi Chapter will be holding their annual Indian Summer gathering at Camp Rotary in Hartwell, Georgia. This has always been a great event that offers service to an important council property as well as fellowship! Please consider joining them and enjoying a great camp! You can register at the link below:

https://mowogo.org/joom39/forms-and-links/event-registration

Thank you for all you do! Stay safe and we hope to see you at these important events!

Yours in Cheerfulness,

Rusty Royston
Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge
Northeast Georgia Council, BSA