President’s Message

Hello OCTA!

I am proud to represent you in the daily workings of OCTA. There is much to do. I am humbled that you would ask me to fill this role, and I will do my best. I am grateful for the training and examples of leadership I have received working with John Briggs, Lee Black, Pat Traffas, and others. I hope to emulate their intelligence, commitment, and hard work. Even though we face challenges, we can accomplish much together if we approach them with a positive, can-do attitude. The key to OCTA’s future is for all of us to get involved in OCTA’s mission. I plan to visit each Chapter during my tenure as President. I want to get acquainted with you and listen to your stories.

I offer these three challenges for OCTA members:

1. Many of our older members are fading and passing on into the next life. I challenge the Chapter Presidents to reach out to these retiring folks and learn all they can from them. Please visit these wonderful folks in your Chapter and take some notes. Garner some of their spirit for the trails for yourself.

2. More than ever, our country needs OCTA because many of the values our pioneer ancestors championed are under assault. We need now, more than ever before, to tell their stories and share their faith with our fellow countrymen. Help us tell the stories of our past, both the good and the bad, because we can learn so much from both. We offer training to each Chapter to produce high-quality videos for our YouTube channel and encourage you to keep your Facebook pages updated with your chapter activities. Get everyone you know to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@octatrails

3. We need volunteers to help us with our mission. By serving, you get to know and love those with whom you serve. When I retired, I thought, “I’m not going to let myself get so busy that I feel cramped and controlled by outside forces. It’s my time to relax.” I’m busy now, but choosing to do important things that matter. I invite everyone to join us at the chapter level and get involved. Even if it’s only a few hours a week, you can do something to help us move this great work along. Please invite your friends and family to join us. Get them out on the trails. Inspire them by telling the stories where they happened. Talk about their challenges, how they overcame them, and why they were ‘out there’ in the first place. Please include them in a chapter Zoom meeting.

OCTA needs you! See you out on the trail!

Steve Allison

President