NOAC 1998

The last National OA Conference of the 1900s was held at Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa. It set a new record for delegates. For the first time a NOAC had over 7,000 Arrowmen in attendance with a tally of 7,043. The Conference theme, “Memories of the Past, A Vision for the Future” was the subject of the opening show which included a moving dedication to 1997 National Vice Chief Josh Sain who had been killed in an automobile accident while in office.

Training dominated three mornings of NOAC.

It also included for the first time a National Convention of Lodge Chiefs and Advisors. This was to exchange ideas and learn about upcoming national OA programs. The plan was established that they would come together again in 1999 at Colorado State University for a Leadership Summit.

Other highlights included American Indian Show, NOAC Museum, Meet the Man, the History Show, TOAP, Distinguished Service Award (DSA) Dinner and presentation of the DSA. 

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1998 DSA Recipients

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is presented to those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. The following were presented the DSA at the1998 National Order of the Arrow Conference - Jason Accola, John L. Alline, Jeremiah J. Arnold, Joseph D. Barton Jr., John K. Berry, Gregory D. Buckler, Devang Desai, Phillip M. Dullock, Rees A. Falkner, Anthony J. Fiori, Clyde B. "Bud" Harrelson III, Marcus Haubenstricker, John W. Hess, Brett M. Higgins, Edgar J. LaBenne, Joseph M. Marsicano, Clyde M. Mayer, Justin D. McCarthy, Barry P. McFarland, Brian S. McGrath, Dr. Richards Miller, Terrel W. Miller, Richard L. Mills, Ryan R. Miske, Jeremy J. Mo, Roger A. Ohmstede, Jason E. Peoples, Kenneth A. Peterson, Ryan J. Pitts, Jere B. Ratcliffe, Christopher T. Rogers, James A. Schwab, Josh Souza, Dr. Mark Stolowitz, Kyle E. Tanner, Todd A. Turner and Marty Zvonar.

3, Awards, OA, Scouting

Philmont Retreat

Beyond the success of the OA Trail Crew (OATC) program, the 1995 OA Retreat held August 20 – 24, 1995 also was a sensation for the 400 attendees. Reminiscent of conclave training, there were four seminar choices: American Indian events, ceremonies, quality program development and showmanship. The Indian track included 80 different topics; the ceremony track discussed the induction process, individual parts, and coaching teams. The quality program development track was divided into mock “lodges” and build a lodge program, and the showmanship track covered use of video cameras, the editing process, and how-to create slide shows for lodge and section events.

Each evening had an event, which included a traditional Philmont welcome with “The New Mexico Story” and the formal investiture of National Chief Josh Feigelson and Vice Chief David Clark. Other evening programs included a “Meet the Man” forum and cracker barrel, and an ice cream social. The Retreat concluded with a special slide show that profiled the work and success of the OA Trail Crew program, speeches by the national chief and National OA Committee Chairman Ed Pease, and an 80^th anniversary birthday party for the Order.

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Year of the Lodge

In late 1990, a plan began to take shape for a year of emphasis that would give new attention and resources to lodges and a refocus on the basic principles and purposes of the Order.

It had been decided that the young men who would attend the National Planning Meeting in December would help set the plans for the year. Under the direction of National Program Vice Chairman Dabney Kennedy, the chiefs would develop a program called “Focus ’91: The Year of the Lodge.”

With no NOAC to plan, the Order was going to make developing ways to make lodges better the 1991 program of emphasis. Six task forces, under the direction of the newly elected Region Chiefs developed ideas, programs, and activities to focus on and strengthen lodges throughout the nation. The areas of concentration included: leadership, lodge program, membership, national program, outdoor program, and service. Before the end of the year, a “mega-box” of new resource materials were developed which were subsequently delivered to each lodge at the 1992 National Order of the Arrow Conference.

3, OA, Scouting

NOAC 1992

The OA returned to the site of the 1977 NOAC, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 6,680 delegates made this event the second most attended NOAC yet. Only the 75^th Anniversary NOAC in 1990 had been larger. The Conference theme selected at the National Planning Meeting was "Many Fires, One Great Light."

New in 1992 was WOA-TV, the first daily television broadcast at a Conference. There were fireworks and an ice cream extravaganza. The Founder’s Day festival was held on the grounds of the Knoxville World’s Fair ending in a huge outdoor barbeque. 7,000 pounds of food was collected for the needy of Knoxville.

In a program change, traditionally the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) and Red Arrow award (with the exception of VIPs such as Chief Scout Executives) had been presented at the closing ceremony. This did not allow a lot of time for the recipients to be congratulated as most Arrowmen were preparing for travel home that day. It was decided to present these awards earlier in the Conference and this proved to be a superior method.

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1992 DSA Recipients

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is presented to those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. The following were presented the DSA at the 1992 National Order of the Arrow Conference - Charles W. Beard, Christopher S. Belden, David Brittain Bone, David Lloyd Briscoe, Donald K. Chilcote, Craig Stephen Donais, William C. Evans, David P. Fabie, Dean M. Frommelt, Jeffrey H. Goldsmith, Matthew David Hoag, Grant Michael Howe, David E. Larkin, James B. Laycook, Ryan Mecham, John Meckley III, Kevin Brent Mefford, C. Mark Miller, Louis G. Monville III, Cort A. O'Neil, Donald S. Oplinger, Jeffrey Posey, Ashley C. Rose, J. Patrick Ross, Lawrence A. Ruh, Charles D. Scales Jr., Theodore E. Shelton Jr., Jack Shumaker, N. Anthony Steinhardt III, Thomas J. Stephenson, Arthur D. Stevens, William Story, Clint E. Takeshita, Scott A. Valcourt, Skip Van Bloem, Mick M. Walker and W. Worth Wharton.

3, Awards, OA, Scouting

1992 National Planning Meeting

The 1992 National Planning Meeting was called the Assembly of Chiefs. With no NOAC to plan, efforts were directed toward improving quality of lodge operations and planning the Arrowman Gathering at the 1993 National Jamboree. Brian Beaverstock of Tisquantum Lodge, Foxboro, Massachusetts was elected National Chief and Dameon Hutto from Tiak Lodge, Ellisville, Mississippi was elected National Vice Chief. New BSA region designations changed the number of region chiefs from six to four. The Region Chiefs elected were, Jeff Middendorf – Northeast Region, Joel Shapiro - Central Region - Mike Salazar, Southern Region and Ron Mahabir - Western Region.

3, Elections, OA, Scouting

Seventh National OA Committee Chair

Edward A. Pease became the seventh chairman of the National OA Committee on June 15, 1993 succeeding Dr. Carl Marchetti. As a youth member of the Order, Ed had earned his Eagle Scout rank, served as camp director and camp staffer and as deputy conference vice chief for administration at the 1969 National OA Conference (NOAC).

As an adult, Ed had been a council president, section adviser and Region Chairman, along with serving on the National Advisory Board of the Boy Scouts of America.

Pease served as Chairman for seven years. Brad Haddock succeeded Pease as Chairman.

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Ed Pease

Edward Allen Pease, an Eagle Scout, has served the Order of the Arrow and Scouting for many years. Ed was appointed to the National OA Committee in 1984 and has held a variety of positions at National Conferences and on the National OA Committee. In 1990, Ed was appointed to be Vice Chairman for Finance and in 1993 he became the Chairman of the National OA Committee for seven years serving until 2000.  In 2012 Ed was recognized for his years of service with the Order's fifth Lifetime Achievement Award.

Some of his past positions in Scouting have included, camp staff Director, and Council President, Wabash Valley Council, Associate Lodge Adviser, Section EC-4A Adviser, East Central Region Order of the Arrow chairman and member of the National Advisory Board of the BSA.

As a youth, Ed received the God and Country Award and in 1969, he served as Deputy Conference Vice Chief (DCVC) for Administration at the National Order of the Arrow Conference. He has been honored as an adult with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, the Silver Antelope Award and the Silver Buffalo Award.

As legal counsel for Indiana State University and a former Indiana state senator, he developed a wealth of skills for working cooperatively within the BSA national organization and the Order of the Arrow. Ed served in the Unites States House of Representatives from 1997 to 2001.

His tenure in Congress was defined by significant accomplishments such as increasing Indiana's share of transportation funding, increasing the investment in the US military, saving the historic downtown Federal Building in Terre Haute, Indiana, and serving on the House Judiciary Committee that introduced the Articles of Impeachment for President Bill Clinton.

After leaving Congress, Pease became Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Rolls-Royce PLC North America.

3, OA, Profile, Scouting

1993 National Jamboree

The 1993 National Scout Jamboree was held at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, from August 4 to 10 with the theme “Scouting . . . A Bridge to the Future”. 34,449 Scouts participated in the Jamboree and heard singer Louise Mandrell and again from Lee Greenwood and the popular “Up With People” group.

The OA continued to expand its service to the Jamboree with a number of support activities. Over 150 Arrowmen served at the Jamboree including 129 Arrowmen in the OA Service Corps. The service corps provided service for program areas, arena shows and logistical support during the Jamboree.

The OA also constructed a Native American Indian Village that provided daily native American dance demonstrations, classes on costume construction and a model campsite. It also includednative American culture such as food and crafts. Jamboree participants completed more than 175 Indian Lore merit badges.

As in past years, a number of National OA Committee members provided valuable leadership to the Jamboree including leadership for the Youth Services Subcamp. The tradition of a special OA Jamboree rendezvous in the main arena to hear the latest OA news and for a rededication to Arrow work also continued with over 15,000 Arrowmen in attendance.

In addition, the OA created and operated it’s first “model campsite”, to demonstrate proper backcountry camping techniques (the predecessor to TOAP). It was set up entirely with official BSA camping and outdoor equipment to serve as an example for all Scouts and leaders of how to properly use the best equipment available.

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Eighth National Director of OA

Clyde Mayer is appointed the 8th National Director of the OA.

During G. Allen Mossman’s tenure as the OA’s lead professional, the position’s name was changed from National Executive Secretary to Director of the Order of the Arrow. Under Mossman the position increased in responsibility and the new title was indicative of these responsibilities. Mossman retired in 1993, after serving for eight years.The new appointed National Director was Clyde M. Mayer. Mayer brought 19 years of professional Scouting experience with him including serving as an Assistant Scout Executive and Scout Executive in Illinois.

Clyde Mayer has served with distinction and longer than any other Professional with the OA, reaching the twenty year milestone in 2013.  Mayer was presented the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, a rare honor for a Scout professional, at the May 2011 National OA Committee meeting.

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1993 National Planning Meeting

The 1993 National Planning Meeting primary objectives were to plan the 1994 NOAC to be held at Purdue University and to elect the national officers. Scott Beckett of Nebagamon Lodge, Las Vegas, Nevada was elected National Chief. Kyle Tanner from Inali Lodge, Knoxville, Illinois was elected National Vice Chief. Region Chiefs elected were Kyle Brown – Central Region, Rob Berner – Southern Region, Jim Lewis – Western Region and Ryan “Zieak” McFarland – Northeast Region.

3, Elections, OA, Scouting