I received word earlier today from Randy Stiegler, VP of Program for Long Beach Area Council (LBAC), that this council has just recently formed an OA lodge.  LBAC was one of two councils (to my knowledge) within the BSA that did not have an Order of the Arrow lodge.

Randy tells me the current lodge membership is just 22 but that will rise rapidly over the next few months.   The new lodge will have its first call out and Ordeal in May.   There is no news yet on a lodge name, totem or patches.   I will share that here when I know something.

The Tribe of Tahquitz will remain an integral part of LBAC.   It will work side by side with the OA lodge to support the council and its programs.

This is the first new OA lodge formed in over 40 years that has not been the result of a merger or consolidation.   The last new lodge before this was Achsin 565.    Founded in 1970, Achsin lodge was attached to the Chamorro Council headquartered in Agana, Guam.   It merged with Kamehameha 454 and Pupukea 557 to form Mokupuni O Lawelawe 567 in 1973.

Please read this post first!

Some significant changes will soon take effect for the Boy Scouts of America’s Order of the Arrow program. Please read these carefully.

In recent years the Order of the Arrow has sought to become more culturally sensitive.  There have been a few complaints in recent years from parents in Copiague, NY and Woonsockett, RI about the use of American Indian derived names and regalia for officers in a BSA program.  They charge it is inappropriate and offensive.   The OA is sensitive to criticism that its programs over emphasize American Indian themes.  This overemphasis has caused some lodges from time to time to lose lose track of what the Order is: The Boy Scouts of America’s Brotherhood of Cheerful Service. American Indian themes, customs and traditions are to be used in a manner consistent with the mission of the Order and respectful of the various American Indian communities.

The Order of the Arrow has sought to more fully and consistently integrate itself into the operations of the BSA councils that charter the lodges. Such integration is necessary in order to more effectively serve the councils and fulfill the Order’s mission.

In order to meet these aims, the National Order of the Arrow Committee has decided that effective with the officers elected for terms beginning 1 January 2012 the following officer titles will change. The former chiefs and vice chiefs will be replaced by a National President, Vice President and Regional Vice Presidents. Titles of section leaders will also be changed. Sections will be lead by the elected offices of Section Youth Chairman, Youth Vice Chairman, and Secretary.   These titles are similar to those currently used in the BSA’s Venturing program.

In addition it is directed that all bonnets and other American Indian regalia used for official and ceremonial purposes by these various officers be retired. Chains of office, to be worn around the neck, each having a large medallion indicating the office of the wearer will be made available by National through BSA supply.  It has been noted that Mic-O-Say, another honor camper program used in some BSA councils, already uses necklaces to denote ranks earned and offices held within its membership with great success.  Designs, production details and costs will be announced soon in the National Bulletin.

Lodges are directed to adopt these new titles on the lodge and chapter levels as soon as possible. This must be accomplished prior to chartering for the year starting 1/1/2014.

The Order of the Arrow also will take a more active leadership role in supporting the BSA’s low impact policies and encouraging sustainable use of our natural resources. Effective June 1, 2012, all campfires used in OA events must use wood from renewable and sustainable sources. Wood harvested from BSA properties will not necessarily meet these requirements unless the collection process is certified as sustainable by a professional forester or other approved natural resources professional. Small fires, designed to minimize the impact upon the natural landscape are strongly encouraged.

A ceremonies subcommittee of the National Committee is currently working on revisions to the OA’s ceremonies, so as to limit the role of fire, to a sustainable level as well as one more respectful of the cultures and lifestyles of the American Indians. Among the options being considered is a return to some of the older ceremonial customs which contained a very limited role for fire. It is not appropriate to discuss these here, but students of the historical ceremonies should be able to guess what is being considered.

As these changes progress towards implementation, please remember what day today is. Remember that a Scout is both friendly and obedient and respond appropriately to them.

Occoneechee 104 S79?

Recently Occoneechee lodge issued a flap to raise funds to support breast cancer research.  Profits from the sale of this flap will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.   A pre-order form for this patch is still posted on the website.  However since the lodge flap has already been issued and is currently available from the lodge trading post, I strongly recommend contacting a lodge brother directly and inquiring about availability, instead of sending in an order.   I know several members of Occoneechee lodge read this blog regularly.

Occoneechee is at least the fourth lodge to have issued patches in support of breast cancer research.   The other lodges are Ajapeu 33 (three flaps), Japeechee 341, (1 flap), and Tahosa 383 (two flaps).

Ajapeu 33 S54?	Japeechen 341 S30?
Tahosa 383 W1?

Japeechen was the first lodge to issue a flap for this cause back in 2007.  I had previously reported the very personal reasons behind Japeechen issuing their flap.   I also previously covered Ajapeu’s issues.

I know of no coordinated effort on a national, regional or sectional effort for cause.  Each of these lodges apparently have acted independently. At least one lodge had compelling and personal reasons for its advocacy. This is not a cause I would not have expected an organization within the Boy Scouts of America to support and champion but I am fully supportive of their efforts.

These flaps are attracting attention from the collecting community.   If you know of any other lodge patches issued for this cause, please feel free to share that in the comments.

It is with shock and sadness that I pass along this message Tim Brown forwarded to me this morning:

With deep regret I must announce that my son, Matthew Thomas Kirkland, 31, passed from this world at 9:30 this evening. Matt suffered a massive stroke last night. We are having Matthew cremated and will hold a private ceremony in Memphis at a later date. For those who knew Matt, if you desire, to make a donation to the Transatlantic Council, Boy Scouts of America in his name. http://www.tac-bsa.org/Home.html

Matt was a significant contributor to this site, especially for Black Eagle lodge 482. He will be missed.

According to the Boy Scouts of America’s Facebook page, the BSA has been selected to host the 2019 World Jamboree.   It will be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.

I know no further details at this time.

A major snow storm in the eastern part of the country doesn’t stop an annual ritual for the Section Chiefs of the BSA’s  Order of the Arrow.   According to the official National Order of the Arrow website the following brothers have been elected national and regional officers for 2011:

• National Chief: Jonathan Hills of Tonkawa Lodge, Capitol Area Council #564
• National Vice Chief: Daniel Dick of Wulapeju Lodge, Blackhawk Area Council #660
• Northeast Region Chief: Travis Cunningham, Gyantwachia Lodge, Chief Cornplanter Council #538
• Central Region Chief: Collin Huerter, Dzie Hauk Tonga Lodge, Jayhawk Area Council #197
• Southern Region Chief: Dwayne Fontenette, Chilantakoba Lodge, Southeast Louisiana Council # 214
• Western Region Chief: Joseph Garcia, Tiwahe Lodge, San Diego – Imperial Council #49

Additional details of the region chiefs’ home lodges added from the OA’s regional websites and this website.

Additional details and information will appear on the official OA national, regional and section websites.

Last year Cayuga County Council was dissolved by the Boy Scouts of America and its territory assigned to Hiawatha Seaway Council.   This meant the end for Tahgajute lodge #247 when its charter expired at the end of last year.     Although this wasn’t a merger of two councils, as one had ceased to exist as a legal entity, the newly enlarged council and lodge both decided to change their names.   Thanks to Craig Leighty for finding an announcement of the new council and lodge name on the council’s website.

The new lodge, effective January 1, 2010, is named Lowanne Nimat. Its translates from Lenape is given as “Brothers of the North.” Craig reports from another source that the lodge’s totem is the Gougou, a creature similar the sasquatch.   The new lodge will continue to use 219 as its number.   The lodge asks that any questions about this transition be directed to the lodge adviser.

Councilstrips with the new name are available.   I do not yet have any word on any lodge patches.

A new OA lodge has been formed in New York.     Previously the councils of Ty-Ohni Lodge #95 (Rochester Area) and Ganeodiyo Lodge #417 (Finger Lakes) merged to form Seneca Waterways Council. I can now announce the new OA lodge is Tschipey Achtu lodge. They will use the number 397, which is also the council number.

Thanks to Craig Leighty for directing me to the official word on the council’s website about this.   I may also have missed this news on Bill Mulrenin’s excellent NY OA blog.

The National Order of the Arrow no longer officially assigns lodge numbers but most lodges still use their traditional numbers.   Collectors also have continued to use lodge numbers since OA lodge names are often difficult to pronounce, and out of a sense of tradition and convenience.   Since this change by National newly formed lodges have followed a variety of practices.   Some, like Pocumtuc lodge, have made it a point to adopt no lodge number although some collectors use a number (83) anyways.   Others like Takoda lodge have, at least in some circles, used a number (146) of historical significance to them.   Still others, like Kittan lodge, have used their council’s number (364) as their own.     364 was also conveniently the lodge number of one of Kittan’s predecessor lodges.

In all cases any number used was not currently in use by another lodge.       In adopting the use of their council’s number, 397, Tschipey Achtu lodge will be using a number that is also currently used by Chilantakoba lodge in Lousiana.   This may confuse collectors.   Many are used to dealing with multiple lodges with the same number in the case of merged lodges.   My own lodge 70 is an example of this.   However, when talking about active lodges a number usually referred to only one possible lodge.   Now collectors referring to OA lodges by number, will in the future have to clarify to which active lodge 397 they are referring.

In my experience there are not that many collectors that collect on a countrywide basis.     With the proliferation of issues, collecting interests are now usually more specific.   Most now only collect their home state or area, so this may not be much of an issue.   New York collectors will soon know that 397 means Tschipey Achtu to them, just as Louisiana collectors will still know that 397 refers to Chilantakoba.   Since this site uses lodge numbers along with names, I will refer to both by the number 397, clarifying when necessary.     CSP collectors have dealt with this issue for years, for example having to distinguish between Piedmont (CA)   and Piedmont (NC) councils.

I have no word yet on any patches from this lodge.

Please read this post first!

For years now there has been some concern among select members of the Order of the Arrow’s (OA’s) National Committee that the selection process for the Vigil Honor as practiced in many lodges is seriously flawed.   It has been observed that the process is highly subjective.   It often recognizes those who serve in highly visible positions of authority, or those who manage to find themselves in Scouting’s equivalent of a sinecure.   In some lodges political connections or nepotism matter more than the Order’s principles in deciding who is bestowed with the Vigil Honor.   Many Arrowmen who are exemplars of the Order’s principles go unrecognized.

In recognition of these flaws, and fulfilling a desire to make the Vigil Honor selection process more objective and fair two major policy changes are to be enacted.     These changes are have significant implications for the Order and its lodges, so please read them completely.

First, upon final approval* the 2% of membership restriction or quota will be lifted. Also the restriction that at least 50% of the new Vigil inductees be under 21 years of age will be removed. There are to be no limits on the number of brothers who may complete the Vigil in a given year. The National Committee did not want to exclude any worthy brothers from attaining this honor, simply because there are “too many” able leaders within a lodge or “too many” active and selfless adults.

Second a committee was formed and charged with developing a list of requirements for the Vigil Honor.   The committee was charged with developing requirements that reflect and recognize the history of this honor, the principles of the Order, and the ideal of Servant Leadership.   The following requirements were developed and, barring significant objection*, will be approved at the December 2010 Planning Meeting and take effect on January 1, 2011.

1. Be active in Scouting and your lodge for at least two years since becoming a Brotherhood member.
2. Serve one year as an elected officer or committee chairman in your chapter or lodge.
3. Do one of the following:
   1. Serve as an elangomat during a minimum of two (2) Ordeals or
   2. Serve as a ceremonial principal in at least two Ordeal or Brotherhood ceremonies.
4. Participate in at least eight (8) service projects with your unit, chapter or lodge, not including those in item 2, above.
5. Do one of the following:
   1. Assist a troop with its unit election or
   2. Help organize a new unit in your district or council
6. Help organize or staff a district or council event in your home council.
7. Discuss with your lodge adviser or his designee your understanding of the Ordeal and Brotherhood ceremonies.     What lessons did you learn in them?   What does the arrow, as revealed in these ceremonies, mean to you?   What roles do leadership and service have in each?
8. Discuss with your lodge adviser or his designee your plans for future leadership and service to your unit (if applicable), lodge and council.

A tracking sheet will be made available to help brothers in completing these requirements. When finished, the tracking sheet is to be turned in to the lodge’s Vigil Honor Committee Chairman or designee, who will then file the Vigil Honor petition with the Vigil Secretary. Upon approval suitable time and place for conducting the Vigil Honor ceremony will be arranged.

*Please take a look at the date this post was published.     Kindly remember that when contemplating any objection or comment to this post.

Check out this recent post on Roy More’s blog:

http://thescoutpatchauction.com/blogsite/2010/03/23/this-is-wrong

I am not a supporter of Big Labor and learn very much to the political and fiscal right however I agree with Roy that there is something inherently wrong with this.

One hundred years ago today, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded by W. D. Boyce.     The Scouting movement was started in the United Kingdom in 1907 by Lord Baden-Powell.     Boyce brought Scouting to the US after meeting with “the unknown Scout” in London, many legends springing up around this encounter.     From that humble beginning sprang the largest youth movement in the free world.

There are celebrations planned around the country and online on this date.     Scouts and Scouters are being encouraged to wear their uniforms on this date.   The BSA also has events planned throughout the year in honor of its centennial,   with the high point being this Summer’s National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill.   If   you see any links to coverage of today’s anniversary events, please add them in the comments.     I will try to add some myself as I find them.

Happy Birthday to the BSA!

I was told earlier this evening that the executive boards of York-Adams Area and Keystone Area Councils, BSA, have unanimously recommended their councils be consolidated by merger.   Next month the voting membership of both councils will be asked to vote on this merger.

If either council votes “no” there will be no merger.

If both councils approve the merger will be effective March 1, 2010.   The temporary name Keystone York-Adams Council would then be used with a permanent name to be chosen within six months.   Susquehannock and Tuckahoe lodges would then merge on January 1, 2011

Further details can be found on the York-Adams Area Council website.

Thanks to David Hultberg for passing on this news via patch-l.

George Jennings, a frequent contributor of images to this site especially for New York issues, was recently honored by the International Rotary with the Cliff Dochterman Award.   This award recognizes a Rotarian who acts as a role model and renders distinguished and dedicated service to Scouting through active service, leadership or other exemplary contributions.   He is an active member of Hudson Valley Council and Nacha Nimat Lodge.   He is one of only four Scouters to receive this award since its inception in 1994!

The Poughkeepsie Journal has a short article online about this award.

Congratulations to George Jennings for being recognized for his service, and his 63 years in Scouting!

(Hmm… I wonder if this award has a square knot and if he has any to trade… )

From the Official National Order of the Arrow Website:

Rich Ferolo elected as the Central Region Chief.
Brian Ahrens elected as the North East Region Chief.
Don Combs elected as the Southern Region Chief.
Fred Gross elected as the Western Region Chief.

No further information was given at this time.

From the Official National Order of the Arrow Website:

Brad Lichota (Chippewa Lodge, Great Lakes Council #272) was elected the 2010 National Chief.

Will Swingle (Nawakwa Lodge, Heart of Virginia Council #602) was elected as the 2010 National Vice Chief.

No further information was given.     A search on the internet shows Mr. Lichota was section chief of C-2A, and Mr. Swingle was chief of SR-7A.

The 2010 Region Chiefs will be elected after breakfast on December 28.

As the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is about to begin the celebrations of its centennial, expect a great effort to be made to preserve its history and make it available for posterity’s sake.     In the early years there were many great men involved with the BSA, with giant personalities, and whose significant contributions have last decades after their own passing.     Dr. E. Urner Goodman, founder of the Order of the Arrow, was one such man.

I recently saw this video posted on another blog and thought I needed to share it again.     This very popular and moving video was first shown at the 2006 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) Center for History.     It contains edited remarks from Dr. Goodman originally delivered at the 1954 and 1956 NOACs.       The words are just as meaningful today as they were a half century ago.     Wisdom does not become dated with age.

Among other things, Dr. Goodman tells us of the great danger involved with founding the Order in 1915.     He then went on to describe three specific dangers:

1. The danger of the clique;
2. The danger of the oligarchy;
3. The danger of the boss.

The threat from those three dangers — both within the Order and our society in general — are just as great today as in 1915, or in the 1950s when these remarks were delivered.     Be on guard for them

An embedded link is after the jump.

This was directed by Bill Topkis and edited by Jake Topkis.       Dr. Goodman’s remarks were recorded by Dwight Bischel.     All three men deserve kudos for preserving these timeless remarks and making them available for us to hear.

Collectors of Scouting insignia and memorabilia might also watch this video to see some great and priceless items from the early years of Scouting and the Order.

Brotherhood Barn: Fireplace of Cheerfulness

I thought this was published back on November 24th, but it appears I never released it to the blog….

Morty Fink has reported that the Brotherhood Barn, located in Bondville, VT, on what was once E. Urner Goodman’s Summer home is undergoing extensive repairs and renovations.     The barn has suffered somewhat from the ravages of time over the years.     He has posted online several photos of the barn in its current state.

Among Morty’s photos are several of the “Fireplace of Cheerfulness”.     This fireplace is constructed, in part, of stones donated by various OA lodges.

I believe the property is currently owned by Ted Goodman, E. Urner Goodman’s son.     I do not know what the Goodman family’s long term plans are for this property, but I hope this fireplace will be preserved for posterity’s sake.     This barn has a special significance in the history of the Order of the Arrow and should be preserved for posterity’s sake if possible.

I received word that the chief of Ashokwahta lodge, Iroquios Trail Council, died while traveling home from a Scout event. The following announcement was made on the Iroquois Trail Council website:

The Council is saddened by the passing of Scouter Austin J. Boyd, who was killed in a traffic accident while traveling home from Wednesday evening’s camp kickoff. Many of you knew Austin in his role as the current Lodge Chief of the council’s Order of the Arrow Ashokwahta Lodge and from his prominent roles on the summer camp staff over the past several years. An Eagle Scout, Austin was an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 59 of Clarendon and a member of Venture Crew 42. Austin will be sorely missed. Austin’s family has asked that we extend this invitation to all Scouts and Scouters: “A memorial service will be held to celebrate the 19 years we shared with Austin James Boyd on Saturday, November 7. The service will be held at Disciples United Methodist Church, 4410 Holley Byron Rd (Route 237) Holley, NY 14470 beginning at 4:00pm.

All Scouts and Scouters who knew Austin are invited to attend. We ask that Scouts and Scouters attend in their “Class A” uniform. Order of the Arrow members are asked to wear their sash.

According to Austin’s wishes, there will be no public viewing. It was also Austin’s wish to be cremated.

Further details are posted on the council website.   I extend my condolences to Austin’s friends and family as they deal with their tragic loss.

Click the link and Read the article. It is sad to see that some people with influence are caught up in their liberal idealism.

http://www.bloomingtonalternative.com/node/10075

Tsali 134 J4? with Segments

Congratulations to the brothers of Tsali lodge ( Daniel Boone Council, Asheville, NC)!     The lodge defended its Team Dance National Championship at NOAC this week.     In addition, the lodge’s Twisted Rawhide Singers are now the Southern Drum National Champions.

I expect at least two more segments will soon be issued for the lodge’s jacket patch as a result of these championships.     I have not heard how the lodge’s dance and drum teams did at the Dixie Fellowship last Spring, so there may be new segments for that as well.