LED 106
CHARACTER COUNTS
2009 NATIONAL ORDER OF THE ARROW CONFERENCE
Session Length: 75 Minutes
Learning objectives:
 The participants will be able to
o Define Character
o Discover what creates character
o Discern the importance of Servant Leadership in
character
Required Materials:
 Flipcharts or Power Point presentation file
 Movie Clips on DVD
TRAINER PREPARATION
Prior to this session, the trainer must assemble all video clips and flip charts in order to utilize the full
potential of the training.
Trainer Tip: The trainer should preview the video clips prior to the session to ensure the
technology works. Nothing is worse than to prepare for a session only to discover your
projector, computer, or disc does not work.
SESSION NARRATIVE
“Session Title” – Slide 1
Load PPT Presentation/Flip Chart
Introduction:
5-7 Minutes
Welcome to Character Counts, a session designed to evaluate how Scouting and the Order of the Arrow
provide opportunities for Character Development and how character can shape a life focus of Servant
Leadership.
“Introductions” - Slide 2
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
The participants and trainers will introduce themselves.
Name, lodge, position, how long it took to get to NOAC, one characteristic (good or bad) that you
believe you have, or have been told you have.
Trainer Tip: The videos are designed to facilitate discussion and commentary based on the
“Keys to Servant Leadership.” Questions follow each clip. The trainers should seek several
different answers before moving on to the next Key.
Roll Video
Order of the Arrow
Batman Begins: “What I do that defines me”
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Boy Scouts of America
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Character Counts
Ask: Why do boys join scouting? Why do scouts become active in the Order of the Arrow?
Answers may include: Fun, Outdoors Activity, Eagle Scout, Try New Things, Go Camping,
Service to Others, Meet New People.
Ask: Does any boy join scouting because he “wants to develop his own character?”
Understanding Character:
15 Minutes
“What is Character” – Slide 3
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
Ask: “What is Character?”
Solicit ideas from the group – write on flip chart. We should attempt to build a definition of character
based on group ideas.
We have come up with a pretty good definition of character based on what we believe. Here is how
Merriam-Webster defines Character: “One of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an
individual; the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or
nation”
We can see that the idea of character speaks to who we are as people. Character speaks to those things
that make up our personalities, the things we believe, and the way we live our lives.
Ask: “Why do we bother building character?”
Solicit ideas from the group – write on flip chart
Ask: “Look at the reasons why boys join scouting…Do any of the reasons we build character appear on
the list?
In order to appreciate how important character development is to the Boy Scouts of America, let’s look at
what the BSA defines as their mission and vision for our organization.
“Mission/Vision of the BSA”
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
Have a volunteer read the Mission and the Vision aloud to the group
Mission of the BSA
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical
and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath
and Law.
Vision Statement
The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a
responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.
We can see that neither the Mission nor Vision Statements of the BSA includes outdoors, camping,
ceremonies, activities, sashes, awards etc. These are merely tools to develop character. Both speak to
developing young people to become responsible citizens with a set of good moral and ethical values. This
is what the BSA is all about!
To emphasize the importance of character let’s take a look at a clip from the Movie The Emperor’s Club.
Here we see Mr. Hundert, the Western Civilization teacher and assistant headmaster of St. Benedict's, a
prep school for privileged boys and his confrontation with Sedgwick Bell, the son of a powerful and
arrogant senator. During his time at St. Benedict’s Bell is rebellious but charismatic and gradually
undermines Mr. Hundert's class and the strict discipline of the school. During Bell’s time at St. Benedict’s,
he cheats his way into the prestigious Julius Caesar Competition and almost wins. During the 25 th
Reunion, Bell organizes another Julius Caesar Competition, during which he announces his upcoming
Senatorial Election Run. Mr. Hundert catches him cheating once again. Watch what happens during the
confrontation. During the clip think about how the development of character can impact a young man as
his he grows up.
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Roll Video
Session LED 106
Character Counts
Emperors’ Club
Time: 3:47
Strong character is necessary for strong leadership. In order to develop strong leaders in our organization
we must provide them with a firm foundation of ethics, morals, ideals that they will use to become leaders
in their troops, crews, chapters, lodges, schools, and communities. Without this foundation rooted in
strong character, we cannot teach leadership.
Servant Leadership:
35 Minutes
How do we turn this character base into leadership focused in serving others?
First we must ask ourselves: “What is Servant Leadership? How is Servant Leadership different than
other forms of leadership?”
Solicit ideas from the group – write on flip chart. We should attempt to build a definition of Servant
Leadership based on group ideas.
“Servant Leadership”
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
Servant Leadership
Servant Leadership emphasizes the leader's role as steward of the resources (human, financial
and otherwise) provided by the organization. It encourages leaders to serve others while staying
focused on achieving results in line with the organization's values and integrity.
“6 Keys to Servant Leadership”
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
Keys to Servant Leadership:
Trainer Tip: The videos are designed to facilitate discussion and commentary based on the
“Keys to Servant Leadership.” Questions follow each clip. The trainers should seek several
different answers before moving on to the next Key.
“Key #1”
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
Key #1: Learn from the Example of the Servant Leaders You Meet
I’m sure we all have people in our own lives that we have met or served with who have been great
inspirations for us. Think about one of those people now…
In this clip from Night at the Museum, Ben Stiller’s character Larry has seemingly lost control of the
museum and turns to Theodore Roosevelt, played by Robin Williams to help gain control of the
inhabitants of the museum. Let’s see what Larry learns from Teddy.
Roll Video
Night at the Museum
Time: 3:02
Discussion Questions:
Who are examples of good character/ good servant leadership?
Examples may be significant politicians, rescuers, celebrities, average people, and so
forth as expressed by the participants.
Why do you feel these people express good character?
What was it about the way they led that caused you to take notice?
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Some of the best servant leaders are not famous. Many are the ones who we have encountered along
our own scouting trails. Following their example can be the best way for each of us to learn about what it
means to be a servant leader.
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
“Key #2”
Key #2: Be Willing to Serve Where You Might Not Get Recognition
Some of the greatest servant leaders are not found in the spotlight on stage, or with the most impressive
title. Some of the best servant leaders are found in the trenches, working alongside the new ordeal
member digging a ditch at an ordeal weekend, or helping a tenderfoot scout understand the difference
between tinder and kindling by walking in the woods to gather the wood necessary to build his patrol’s
dinner fire. The most important work can often be in the most unattractive of places.
Servant leadership flies in the face of the traditional workforce. It's the chef cooking a nice meal for the
kitchen hand and asking him over a meal how his life is really going. It's the head chef that helps the
kitchen hand hose down the floor after a day’s work because it's going to help the kitchen hand that has
been working so hard all day. These are the places where great servant leaders are found.
In this video clip, we see Officer James Edwards (Will Smith) of the NYPD, becoming a member of the
Men In Black, a top-secret organization established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth. Listen to
Chief Zed (Rip Torn) describe the role Officer Edwards is going to take on.
Roll Video
Men In Black
Time: 2:25
Discussion Questions:
How much recognition will Will Smith’s character get as a member of MIB?
Can anyone share a time where you did what needed to be done regardless of how “glamorous”
the job was?
What sort of jobs in your lodge might fall under this category of “jobs without recognition”?
Anyone can hold it over people with a position of authority. People can demand respect out of those they
lead because of fear or they can earn respect. Leading by example to help the members of your lodge
accomplish the most difficult of tasks will help you gain respect and establish yourself as a servant leader.
“Key #3”
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
Key #3: Take the Time to Read
Often great leaders can be great communicators and they write their tips and experiences. AutoBiographies are great places to read a good leader’s life from childhood to the time when he did great
exploits. You get plenty of good tips from them in the course of the book.
There are many good books out there filled with stories and anecdotes about leadership. The best are
rooted in experience. Here are some examples:
Leadership by Rudy Guiliani (Former Mayor of New York City)
Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way by Pope John Paul II
The Servant by James C. Hunter
Other examples here…
“Key #4”
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
Key #4: Timeless Values Hold True
As the Boy Scouts of America enters its 100th year of service and the Order of the Arrow enters its 95 th
year of service, we must take time to look at the values that we attribute to the leaders within our program
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Character Counts
and consider exactly why Baden Powell started the scouting movement and why E. Urner Goodman
started the Order of the Arrow?
Ask the question: Does anyone know why each of these organizations that we all belong to were started?
Answers:
Baden-Powell: Baden-Powell used youths to run messages to military units. He learned that many of the
youths didn't know how to take care of or fend for themselves outside established camps. His answer was
to teach them ways to help them fend for themselves. First aid, knots, cooking, map reading, using a
compass, finding food, building shelters and taking care of their health were just some of the topics
E. Urner Goodman: E. Urner Goodman believed that the summer camp experience should do more than
just teach proficiency in Scoutcraft skills; rather, the principles embodied in the Scout Oath and Scout
Law should become realities in the lives of Scouts. Along with his assistant camp director, Carroll A.
Edson, he started an experimental program to recognize those Scouts best exemplifying those traits as
an example to their peers
Ask the question: Is scouting as a whole and the Order of the Arrow, still accomplishing those things that
our Founder’s intended our organizations to accomplish?
I bet many would agree we are, but I also think that both our programs are doing some very different
things than we were doing 95 years ago. Many things have changed…but the underlying ideals that our
programs were founded on are exactly the same. These are the things that stand the test of time. These
are the values that hold true as time moves on.
Let’s take a look a clip from Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope. Here we see Obi Wan training Luke
Skywalker to use his trusty Light Saber. Let’s see how the training reflects our idea of timeless values.
Roll Video
Stars Wars Episode 4: A New Hope
Time: 1:45
Discussion Questions:
What challenges do we face in the 21st Century in developing servant leaders of good character?
Are there values that the OA/BSA promote that are no longer relevant in the 21st Century?
Why do you think the values that scouting and the OA promotes have lasted for all these years?
“Key #5”
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
Key #5: Be Willing to Transform
Good leaders must be able to change the focus of their service. Sometimes our skills and leadership
abilities are best used in areas which may be unfamiliar. Sometimes the style of leadership which we
exhibit must change based on the group we are leading. Servant Leaders are able to
In this clip from The Princess Diaries, Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) dealing with the shock
throughout the movie that her late father was the prince of a country called Genovia. She has to decide
whether or not she will accept her role as Princess, but she doesn’t want to because of how much it will
change her future and what she wants...until she finds a letter from her father that says: "Courage is not
the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may
not live forever but the cautious do not live at all." Let’s see what Mia decides to do and why…
Roll Video
Princess Diaries
Time: 4:20
Mia decides to accept who she "really" is which is a princess...the whole movie she wants to be a
"normal" teenager...she and her friend are very into finding ways to enact change in the world...until she
realizes that by accepting this role, she has the chance to make real change in the world instead of just
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Character Counts
talking about it. Although she has to give up a normal life that she wants, she decides to accept who she
is so she can make a difference in the world.
Discussion Questions:
How do we develop leadership?
Why is adapting to circumstance important to character and leadership building?
How do we encourage those leaders we work with to “experiement” with their leadership?
“Key #6”
Advance PPT Slide/Flip Chart
Key #6: One Person Can Change the World
Throughout our conference we have focused our message this week towards the theme “The Power of
One”. During our session this morning we ask, How can one Servant Leader make a difference?
In this clip we will look at a challenge made by Social Studies Teacher Eugene Simonet (Kevin Spacey) in
the movie Pay it Forward. Let’s see how the students react to the challenge and what one young man
comes up with in response to Mr. Simonet’s Challenge.
Roll Video
Pay It Forward
Time: 7:53
Mr. Simonet challenges his students to think of an idea to change the world and then implement that idea.
Eleven-year-old Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) takes the assignment to heart. Trevor’s plan
revolves around the concept that one good deed deserves another. But, instead of “paying back” a
person’s kindness, the recipient must “pay it forward” and do something good for three other people. The
action must be something the other people cannot do for themselves.
Discussion Questions:
How can we change the culture of leadership in our lodge’s to become a culture of Servant
Leadership?
Group Discussion/Scenario Analysis:
10 Minutes
Trainer Tip: Time may be running short by this time in the session depending on the length of
the discussion in the previous section of this session. Make sure to stick to the 10 minute time
limit for this activity, and ask participants to be brief in their reporting.
Now let’s see where we can apply some of the keys to servant leadership in some very scenarios, which
many of you may have already encountered in your own lodges. You will work in groups, and have 5
minutes to discuss what you might do to solve these problems as best you can as a servant leader.
Break the group up into three equal size groups. Each group should have a mix of adults and youth. Ask
each group to have someone take notes of your discussion and be ready to briefly report back to the
group during the sharing portion of this activity.
Scenario #1
You are the Lodge Chief of Hokie Pokie Lodge. It is January and your Lodge Executive Committee has
not been motivated in recent months. Your unit elections kick off is happening next week and spring
inductions season is right around the corner. You are concerned that you won’t make your quality lodge
positive membership growth goal and your personal new inductions goal for the year.
Scenario #2
You are the Vice Chief of Inductions of Whatsa-Matta-You Lodge. You arrive on the Ordeal Weekend to
find that your Elangomat Chairman will not be coming to the Ordeal because of a death in the family.
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2009 NOAC
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Character Counts
Scenario #3
You are the Lodge Adviser for Run-A-Muck Lodge. In your latest Quality Lodge Petition you identified a
goal with your Scout Executive to hold 2 service days, one camp focused, one community focused before
the end of the lodge year. Your camp service day has been planned and all the arrangements have been
made by your Service Chairman, however you do not know of any plans that have been made for the
community service day. People are calling you as this event is scheduled for 1 month from today.
Conclusion:
10 Minutes
Let’s review the six keys that we have discussed today.
Take the Time to Read
Be Willing to Serve Where You Might Not Get Recognition
Learn from the Example of the Servant Leaders You Meet
Timeless Values Hold True
Be Willing to Transform
One Person Can Change the World
Personal Servant Leadership Plan
To direct our efforts back home to develop a true servant leadership mentality within our lodge/chapter,
we will ask you to complete a personal servant leadership plan. Think about 3 areas where you believe
you can contribute something, using the 6 keys, that will directly affect the culture of leadership in your
lodge. This may involve a form of character building, participating in a character building project,
promising to enact a form of Servant Leadership in their personal lives, etc.
Distribute the Personal Servant Leadership Plan handout to each participant and allow a few minutes for
participants to write their plan. When the plan is complete, the participant and the session facilitator will
sign the bottom of the plan. Participants will take the plans home with them and use them as a guide back
home.
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Boy Scouts of America
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Character Counts
APPENDIX: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1:
Who wrote this syllabus for the 2009 NOAC?
A1:
Colin Pinnavaia
Shu-Shu-Gah Lodge
Greater New York Councils
colin.pinnavaia@gmail.com
Order of the Arrow
Kenneth Hager
Wagion Lodge
Westmoreland Fayette Council
kenhager@oa6.org
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APPENDIX: FLIPCHARTS/SLIDES
Introductions
Character Counts
“Keys to Servant
Leadership”




What is Character?
Name:
Lodge:
Position:
How long it took to get
to NOAC:
One characteristic
(good or bad) that you
believe you have, or
have been told you
have.

Page
Page
Page
1
2
3
Mission/Vision of the
BSA
What is Servant
Leadership?
Mission of the BSA
6 Keys to Servant
Leadership
"Being a leader who
serves is very different
from being a servant
leader."
The mission of the Boy Scouts of
America is to prepare young people to
make ethical and moral choices over their
lifetimes by instilling in them the values of
the Scout Oath and Law.
Vision Statement
The Boy Scouts of America will prepare
every eligible youth in America to
become a responsible, participating
citizen and leader who is guided by the
Scout Oath and Law.
~ Isabel O. Lopez
Page
Page
Page
4
5
6
Key #1:
Key #2:
Key #3:
Learn from the
example of the
servant leaders you
meet
Be willing to serve
where you might not
get recognition
Take the Time to
Read
Page
Page
Page
7
8
9
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Key #4:
Key #5:
Key #6:
Timeless Values
Hold True
Be willing to
transform
One Person Can
Change the World
Page
Page
Page
10
11
12
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APPENDIX: SOURCE MATERIALS AND RESOUCES
2008 – 2012 Order of the Arrow Strategic Plan
http://www.oa-bsa.org/programs/splan/
Resources
Character Education – School of Education, Boston University
http://www.bu.edu/sed/caec/files/film.htm
BSA Values Research – Harris Interactive – The Values of Scouts
http://www.scouting.org/FILESTORE/marketing/pdf/02-882.pdf
“3 Keys to Servant Leadership”
http://ezinearticles.com/?3-Keys-to-Becoming-a-Servant-Leader&id=761208
Movies
Batman Begins. Dir. Christopher Nolan. Perfs. Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie
Holmes, Morgan Freeman. 2005. DVD. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2005
Clip: 1:57:13 – 1:58:04
The Emperor's Club. Dir. Michael Hoffman. Perfs. Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch. 2002. DVD.
Universal Studios, 2003
Clip: 1:32:25 – 1:36:11
Night at the Museum. Dir. Shawn Levy. Pers. Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey
Rooney, Robin Williams. 2006. DVD. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2007
Clip: 35:26 – 40:06
Men In Black. Dir. Barry Sonnenfeld. Pers. Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith. 1997. DVD. Columbia
Tristar Home Entertainment, 2002
Clip: 36:21 – 38:36
Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope
Clip:
Princess Diaries. Dir. Garry Marshall. Pers. Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway. 2001. DVD Walt
Disney Pictures, 2004
Clip: 1:39:53 – 1:44:13
Pay it Forward. Dir. Mimi Leder. Pers. Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment. 2000.
DVD. Warner Home Video, 2001
Clips: 5:45 – 12:17 , 33:00 – 34:21
Books
Giuliani, Rudolph W. Leadership. New York: Hyperion, 2002.
Hunter, James C. Servant a simple story about the true essence of leadership. Rocklin, Calif:
Prima Pub., 1998.
Pope, John Paul II. Rise, let us be on our way. New York: Warner Books, 2004.
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