Hundreds of lodge and section delegates provided input on a draft design for a potential new organizational structure at the National Council of Chiefs.
It is no secret that our world is changing, as is the size, structure, and focus of the Boy Scouts of America. While we are in a time of transition from what has been to what will eventually be, the Order’s National Chairman – Mike Hoffman – saw the opportunity for the OA to look at its organizational structure and explore what the future might be calling for.
Hoffman formed the Project Magellan task force, a team made up of the eight 2021 and 2020 Region Chiefs, as well as a small number of members of the National Order of the Arrow Committee. The task force was charged with exploring how the OA might structure itself to best fulfill its mission and purpose, as well as provide as many meaningful opportunities for youth to lead as possible.
Project Magellan has worked all year, starting with a national survey of lodge, section, region, and national youth leaders and adult volunteers. The team then utilized an approach called ‘user-centered design thinking’ to explore various prototypes and potential approaches. Lodge leaders were invited to provide input throughout the last seven months through written surveys, one-on-one interviews, and regular feedback sessions with OA youth and adult leaders around the country.
The NCOC was one of many ways the group is collecting feedback from the local level. The task force shared a draft concept at the NCOC, called a prototype. Participants at the event were the first to give feedback on the then-current model, and it is likely to change before being finalized.
“Having the feedback of local leaders at the NCOC was critical to ensuring every voice of our organization was represented, and their input is shaping the future of our organization,” said 2021 Central Region Chief Terry Hendriex. “We were able to get answers about structures at the lodge level they felt were desired and get invaluable feedback as to how to improve our prototype to better support the lodge.”
NCOC delegates were given feedback cards to provide written suggestions in addition to live discussions with task force members. The task force is now in the process of reviewing this information before revising the draft prototype.
No final decisions have been made, and further input will be gathered from lodges around the country in the coming weeks.
The group has two primary goals throughout the process: organize to stay true to the OA’s mission and purpose as the BSA’s organizational structure changes and provide as many opportunities as possible for young people to lead.
“Its purpose is not to create change for change’s sake, but rather to help the Order of the Arrow adapt to new challenges and ensure we continue to provide amazing program to the Arrowmen across the country,” said 2021 Southern Region Chief Nick Morey. “Our team is tasked with creating a proposal for the national OA committee to consider adopting, and to do so we have been gathering feedback from active and passionate Arrowmen throughout the process to influence our decisions.”
Project Magellan’s work will continue through the end of the calendar year. Any potential changes will not be implemented until at least December and will be reassessed in 18-24 months. For more information and updates, please visit the Project Magellan website.