Lodge 104: New Eluwak Chapter Issues
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Occoneechee 104 Eluwak Chapter X2?
There has been a lot of publicity and discussion on the National policy that prohibits lodge flaps for the individual “honors” (Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil), also referred to as OBV flaps. Many lodges did not have such flaps and were unaffected by this change. Some lodges that formerly issued OBV flaps have discontinued the practice. A rare few came up with creative ways to skirt the rule and continue the tradition for at least a little longer. Did Eluwak Chapter in Occoneechee lodge realize this applied to loge flaps and and not rectangular patches issued by chapters? Thanks to Greg Grimes for news of these issues and the images.
These three issues are an adaptation of the chapter’s X1. Some have attached symbolism to the color scheme of the oirginal design. In my opinion, I find the revised color scheme to be more visually appealing and effective as a patch intended to identify membership in a chapter. Except for the border colors, the three patches are identical
Listing data for these issues are as follows:
| Chapter | Issue | Bdr Color/Type | Bkgd | Name | fdl/BSA | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eluwak | X2? | WHT | R | BLK | BLU | WHT | fdl; (ORD) |
| Eluwak | X3? | DYL | R | BLK | BLU | WHT | fdl; (BRO) |
| Eluwak | X24 | GRY | R | BLK | BLU | WHT | fdl; (VIG) |
| Occoneechee lodge page on OAImages.com | |||||||
Popularity: 13% [?]
I have been in lodges that had OBV flaps, lodges that didn’t and been the instigator behind one lodge adopting them. I have yet to see what the problem is either way. Surely we have better things to worry about in scouting than, “Oh my, that lodge has a green border AND a red border flap.” Seriously, are the bars going to fall off your sash if another lodge also honors it’s Brotherhood members by allowing them to have a flap with a different color border? Could they perhaps be trying to encourage Brotherhood conversion? Perhaps their leaders found it an effective way to recognize a prospective Brotherhood candidate and be able to encourage them to “make the step”.
There is also an economics issue involved. Most manufacturers will give you quantity order discounts. Changing border colors costs exactly $0.00 more. So if we order 400 of one flap or 800 of three flaps the difference is the unit cost is less on 800 flaps. We charged the same amount for the flap ($3.00) and found the collectors of the world bought more flaps. So the lodge made more money that was spent on our youth, our camps and our council. (Is that a bad thing?)
One argument was flaps should be available to all members even if they are “only” Ordeal. But that arguement failed in our case because nobody ever said that an Ordeal couldn’t buy a flap that had a “Brotherhood” or “Vigil” border. As far as I’m concerned if you’re Ordeal and you want the other flaps as a keepsake that’s just fine. But using that arguement, shouldn’t there also be a prohibition on special “contingent only NOAC flaps”, “service flaps” etc?
Sorry to be so wound up on this topic but I find this whole policy rather silly. I think our policies should focus on encouraging active involvement, cheerful service and teaching our members life lessons that will benefit them.
Do I hear an Amen to Stephen’s post?!! Well Amen Stephen, preach on Brother!
I must say I agree with Stephen as well. And Eluwak made a very nice patch here. I cant wait to pick up a set for my collection. No purple either!