| NLS & NLATS |
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National Leadership Seminar (NLS) What do Alex Trabek, riddles, and great movies have in common? Nope, it is not Celebrity Jeopardy. It’s great leadership training at the National Leadership Seminar! T Topics range from commitment to decision making to understanding and working with others. Throughout the sessions, participants actively experience leadership as they transition to be the true leaders in their small groups. You may infer, the course is not your typical classroom-lecture-style training. Competitions, movies, and several games are used as effective tools in exploring important leadership traits. One of the best aspects of the course is that the skills gained during the training are not solely applicable to activity in the Boy Scouts of America. They can easily be used during school projects, while at work, or even with your family. Sessions use activity in Scouting as a common starting point, as all those in attendance are scouts or Scouters, but real-world situations are discussed as well. Now that you have a basic understanding of the incredible experience that NLS is, you may be asking, “Who should go?” Upcoming leaders in your lodge, both youth and adult, are the answer. It is best for participants to have some experience and to show interest in further activity before attending. That way, they can better understand the importance of the sessions and immediately apply the skills gained. Talk to your lodge chief or adviser if you are interested in attending or want to nominate another leader in your lodge to do so. Click here to find out more about NLS and check the region calendar, which can be accessed by clicking the "Calendar" tab at the top of your screen, for 2012 NLS dates. National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar (NLATS) 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.” But, just what does “capable adults” mean? Well, the National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar (NLATS) seeks to answer that NLATS was developed as a weekend-long course that helps adults better understand the skills and attributes necessary to serve as an effective lodge adviser. The seminar enhances participants’ knowledge of the principles of the Order of the Arrow and discusses ways to enable more successful leadership from your youth officers. NLATS is sometimes described as “Lodge Adviser 101.” The training cells are largely participant-driven. While the staff does have an agenda, it can be easily morphed to meet the requirements of any specific participant group. This yields a highly specialized and unique experience for each group. However, as with NLS, it is designed for one-time attendance. Some of the potential topics include: lodge communications, summer camp interaction, finance, unit elections, and working with youth, along with many others. Participants in NLATS should be current lodge advisers or staff advisers or adults with lodge adviser potential. Ideally, participants have already attended the National Leadership Seminar (NLS), as it covers important skills that every leader should fully understand. The Northeast Region hosts two NLATS courses each year, the dates for which can be found on the region calendar which can be accessed under the "Calendar" tab at the top of your screen. Click here for more information about NLATS. Special thanks to Josh P. for his contribution to this article. |
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