From the time Ray first became a member of Cabrosha Lodge it seemed he was destined for greatness. Serving 2 terms, 1980 and 1981 as Lodge Chief, then 2 terms in 1982 and 1983 as W-3B Section Chief and ultimately playing a major role as CVC of Special Events at the National Order of the Arrow Conference at Rutgers in 1983, Ray has been there and done that.
Beginning with Ray’s ordeal in June of 1976 he was active. He served two years as Miwok Clan Chief and during this time was instrumental in developing an Arrow of Light Bridging Ceremony which spread from his Clan to the entire Lodge. During this same time he served as youth representative to Miwok District for both Camping and Training. He further served as youth Chair for Cub Scout Day Camp. It's a wonder he didn't stay there in service of his little brothers in blue and call it good.
Ray was in the first wave of the new staff CIT program at Camp Masonite Navarro which would culminate in 11 years of continuous staff service. In 1984, while still a youth he was named Program Director and in 86-89 he served as Camp Director. Ray was very active from the beginning in the Section leadership attending his first conclave in 1977. He served as CVC of Trading Post and Activities when his lodge was Service lodge for the 1979 Conclave held at Camp Masonite Navarro.
As Lodge Chief in 1981, Ray helped Section W-3B move from the traditional "Lodge Hosted" Section Conclave to the "Service Lodge" conclave with members of Cabrosha lodge serving as some of the first Section Conclave Vice Chiefs. His support of the "Service Lodge" concept has been carried over from his time as youth to adult with the time he served as Associate W-3B Adviser leading to Section W-3B Adviser.
Ray always seemed to do things in 2's, so it was no surprise that he also served two terms as W-3B Section Chief elected in both 1982 and 1983. He led conclaves held in sites as divergent as the Humboldt County Fair Grounds in Ferndale and Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield. Ray further cemented his legacy in Area 3 serving as NLS coordinator for 3 years. Another 1st for Ray was being awarded an E. Urner Goodman Scholarship and subsequently becoming a professional Scouter. For all of this, Ray was recognized as the first and only member of Cabrosha Lodge to receive the Distinguished Service Award, and that he earned it in 1986 for his youth service speaks volumes.
It goes without saying that Ray Leonard remained very active as an adult who became the first Adviser of Orca Lodge, formed when Cabrosha and Mow-A-Toc were merged. Under his guidance Orca emerged as a leader in the Section and remains there to this day. Truly Scouting and Order would not be the same without the inspiration and leadership supplied by Ray Leonard...a Centurion of the highest order!