Goodman’s centennial would have been May 15, 1991. To mark the occasion, the Journal of Scouting History published a biographical essay by Goodman’s friend and protégé, Bill Hillcourt. He wrote of their many years of mutual support and good times together.
He closed:
Urner was my friend, alive, for fifty years. He was, indeed, a GOOD MAN. He is a friend of mine until I die, and a friend of each of you who follow in his footsteps.
3, Founders, Goodman, OA, Scouting
The Closing show at the 1983 NOAC premiered the inspirational film See the Need, a short subject film on the life of E. Urner Goodman. The film contained excerpts from speeches by the founder and scenes of him with Arrowmen. The film was five years in the making and featured the song Meet the Challenge, written and performed by Sam Fairchild. All proceeds from the sale of the film went to the OA Endowment fund.
3, Founders, Goodman, OA, Scouting
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 1983 National Order of the Arrow Conference - Richard M. Aberle, Kenneth G. Ackermann, Robert S. Akes, Mark S. Anderson, Dale J. Apley Jr., Frank R. Berger, Kurt E. Christiansen, Alan B. Cooper, Phillip Shaw "Ted" Costin, M. Gene Cruse, Steven C. Davidek, Thomas R. Deimler, Dennis G. Downing, Richard O. Eberly, Donald L. Fifield, Kenneth J. Grimes, Clifford J. Hanson, J. Derek Harbin, William F. Hartman, Arnold Heck, Dan T. Hemingson, Frank T. Hilton, Mark Hobgood, Craig H. Kliger, Raymond L. Lee Jr., James Martin, Kevin Moll, Reo E. Nicar, Karl S. Palvisak, Carleton D. Ranney, Gordon P. Rubard, Kenneth S. Seavers, Robert M. Shoemaker, Byron Smalley, Charles R. Snyder, Bradley D. Starr, Thomas C. Steffens, Thomas H. Tabb, Thomas N. Taylor, Billy W. Walley, R. Fleming Weaver, Arnold M. Young and William Ziegler.
Instead of having just one National Indian Seminar in 1984, the National OA Committee made plans to hold three separate seminars at various sites around the country. Like their predecessors, the goal of these seminars was to improve the quality and authenticity of the Order’s Indian-related events and activities, and to provide Arrowmen with the necessary resources and training so that they could take this information back to their respective home lodges and sections.
The Order’s sponsoring of three seminars instead of the usual one served to provide opportunities for an increase in the number of participants & staff members, and to reduce transportation costs for all attendees. The Eastern Seminar was to be held at Camp Bud Schiele near Rutherfordton, North Carolina from August 5-11. Camp Wisdom in Duncanville, Texas was to be the site of the Central Seminar from August 12-18. The week of August 12-18 was also the scheduled date of the Western Seminar to be held at Camp Brinkley near Monroe, Washington.
Providing overall leadership to the three National Indian Seminars was the responsibility of three individuals: National OA Committee member and Lead Adviser for Indian Events, Don Thom; OA Executive Secretary, Bill Downs; and National OA Committee member Greg Guy. Don and Bill once again served as National Co-Directors, and Greg continued to serve in his role as National Program Director. Individual seminar directors were selected for each region of the country. They were James Clough (Eastern Seminar), Bill Story (Central Seminar), and Steve Shawley (Western Seminar).
The seminar’s cost was to be $125.00 per participant, and the fee not only included food and lodging, but expert instruction in Indian singing, dancing (i.e. fancy dance, traditional dance, straight dance, and Iroquois longhouse dance), craft work, Indian food and games, starting and running a dance team, Native American ethnology, and organizing and operating a ceremony team. Instruction was also to be given to participants on all of the main Indian groups of the United States, however it was understood by the seminar’s administrative staff that most Indian hobbyists have a special interest in one particular tribe or culture. To service those individual interests, the seminar would allot time so that participants were able to concentrate on whatever special area of our Native American history they desired.
Unfortunately the National OA Committee plans to conduct three separate National Indian Seminars during the summer of 1984 was not to be. Insufficient registration forced the cancellation of the Western and Central seminar events. Ultimately, only the Eastern Seminar was held at Camp Bud Schiele near Rutherfordton, North Carolina from August 5-11. Sixty-three Indian enthusiasts from lodges around the country, as well as 43 staffers participated in the weeklong event.
At the opening show, cultural coordinators made presentations on programs offered by their respective areas: Northern Plains, Southern Plains, and Northeastern Woodlands. Other seminar highlights throughout the week included: a show on the lifestyles of the plains/plateau areas; a panel discussion on hobbyists’ etiquette at pow wows; a discussion on National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) dance competitions; and a dance team presentation by Arrowmen who had never danced prior to the seminar to demonstrate how anyone can learn to dance respectably in a short period of time. National Chief Bob Wade addressed the gathering of participants at the dance team presentation.
In addition to the aforementioned highlights, there was a camp-wide panel discussion concerning local and federal laws that pertain to protected animal species. The panel included attorney Ed deTorres, who spoke on the legal ramifications of this legislation, and Peter Flemming, who spoke to Arrowmen about his experiences with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concerning the possession or trade of feathers and body parts of threatened, protected, and endangered species. The Order of the Arrow’s “Protected Feathers Clarification” policy (effective January 1976) was also discussed.
From a pilot program initiated by Maury Clancy in 1974 and subsequently perpetuated by Don Thom, Bill Downs, and Greg Guy, the National Indian Seminar series grew over a ten-year period of time to become one of the Order of the Arrow’s most successful training and education programs. The program brought to the Order a new found sense of respect and reverence for all things Native American.
Tom McBride announced his intention to retire as the National OA Committee Chairman at the 1984 National Council Meeting. He stated that he was retiring because of his concern that new ideas and new leadership are critical for the continued success of the Order
.
National Boy Scout Committee Chairman Ted L. Johnson appointed Dr. Carl M. Marchetti to lead the way. Marchetti was a former vice chairman, and he stepped into the role of chairman on October 1, 1984.
Marchetti was born in June 1934 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Marchetti joined Scouting at age nine as a Cub Scout. He worked at a summer camp in Union City, New Jersey when he was selected as one of the first few charter members of Chinchewunska Lodge in 1949 at the age of 15. He sealed his membership in the Brotherhood a year later. He is an Eagle Scout and also earned the Explorer Silver Award. He was the first Vigil Honor member of Chinchewunska Lodge, which he had served as lodge chief for three years and area chief for 1956. Dr. Marchetti was appointed as the youngest member of the National OA Committee in 1962.
William (Bill) Downs served the OA as a full time National Executive Secretary from 1974 – 1985. He had served longer as National Secretary than any of his predecessors. When Bill Downs came to the OA he had been working on Boys Life.
He left to become Circulation Director for Boys Life and Scouting Magazines. G. Allen Mossman was appointed as the seventh National Executive Secretary replacing Downs. Mossman had been in professional Scouter service for thirty years prior to becoming the lead for the OA. He had held numerous lead professional positions and had been a member of the national staff. By the conclusion of Mossman’s service, the position was renamed National Director of OA.
On May 26, 1985 the Order of the Arrow lost one of its greatest supporters and tireless leaders, George Feil. George Feil first joined the National OA Committee in 1955 and became Chairman in 1960. He served as Chairman for 18 years, longer than any other Chairman. He became the Chairman of the first Founder’s Advisory Committee and continued his 30 years of service on the national OA level.
The 1985 National Scout Jamboree was held at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, from July 24 to July 30 with the theme “The Spirit Lives On”. 32,615 Scouts participated in the Jamboree.
The opening arena show used the theme of "75th Anniversary Celebration" and depicted the first 75 years of the Boy Scouts of America. The theme of the closing show was "America Salutes the Boy Scouts of America", and the popular Beach Boys band performed along with a visit by the First Lady.
The OA was active at the Jamboree by providing leadership in a number of key areas for the Jamboree and also by providing direct support in providing a service corps consisting of 128 young Arrowmen and 10 adult advisers. National Vice Chairman Carl Marchetti served as Resource and Housing Chairman, Ken Davis as Youth services Chairman and National Executive Secretary Bill Downs as Youth Services Director. The Service Corps Arrowmen were divided into five troops and four additional adults provided administrative support.
The bulk of the service was general short-term projects. Major projects were: meeting and directing arriving busses to campsites, ushering at the two arena shows, and conducting the opening flag raising ceremony. Other projects included: billeting rained out Scouts in the aftermath of hurricane/tropical storm “Bob”, serving as aides and messengers at the main headquarters, assisting at various program areas, and delivering ice and publications to all of the sub camps. Ten youth Arrowmen from the corps also served as reporters for the Jamboree Journal.
Each OA service troop had two days free from duty so it’s members could participate in Jamboree activities. In addition, many other Arrowmen were on subcamp staff, trading post staff, program areas, the Jamboree band, and in their troops, all making a significant contribution to the Jamboree. The fee for youth service corps positions was $123, half the normal jamboree fee.
The Section Chiefs and National OA Committee again met in Dallas, Texas for the National Planning Meeting to plan the 1986 NOAC scheduled for Central Michigan University. Dave Erb of Quanopin Lodge, Leominster, Massachusetts was elected National Chief. Cary Roberts from Kotso Lodge, Abilene, Texas was elected National Vice Chief.
The Region Chiefs elected were Chris Retajczyk – Northeast Region, Bart Winkler – Southeast Region, Jon Jones – East Central Region, Andy Wright – North Central Region, Brian Naylor – South Central Region and Rob Patridge – Western Region.
The 1986 National Order of the Arrow Conference was held at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. 3,700 Arrowmen were in attendance. Ben Love, Chief Scout Executive gave the opening keynote address. The Conference theme selected by the Section Chiefs was “Kindle the Flame From Within”. The 71st Anniversary Meeting would be the last one held within the lifetime of a founder. Carroll Edson passed away two months after the event.
Many of the traditional NOAC events filled the schedule. Again there was a training show to inspire the delegates before the training sessions began. VIA, Very Important Arrowmen dinners were held on two evenings. There was Founder’s Day, dance and ceremony competition and of course patch trading. At the end of the meeting the Distinguished Service Award was presented and it was announced that the next conference would be at UCLA, but that was not to be.
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 1986 National Order of the Arrow Conference - Mark B. Beese, Darrel Bieker, Richard H. Breithaupt Jr., Elton L. Brogdon, Todd Brohaugh, Robert E. Burt, Jack Butler, Dr. Robert B. Carney, Daniel J. Churay, Kurt E. Ewen, William J. Fortier, Hal B. Gallop, Joseph P. Gareri, Charles A. Garwood, Esten Grubb, Michael Hoffmann, Jason P. Hood, R. Lynn Horne, Kevin W. Hula, Charles Hoyt Hunt, Michael J. Johnson, Ted L. Johnson, Chris Klenk, Kelly V. Landers, David A. Lang, Raymond E. Leonard, Ben H. Love, Richard A. Mason, Robert C. McEachern III, Steve Mimnaugh, David B. Moody, L. Guy Nirenberg, Douglas K. O'Connell, Howard Olson, Thomas E. Reddin, Richard C. Rice, Steven R. Rogers, Mike Sachs, Eugene J. Schnell, Stephen C. Sellers, Matthew H. Sorenson, James B. Stanton, Richard A. Sullivan, David C. Surrett, James J. Terry Jr., Robert E. Thibault II, Rodney T. Ueno, Robert Wade and Richard J. Woodward.
The Section Chiefs gathered together in the Dallas Area for the National Planning Meeting. Starting with this meeting, the National Planning Meeting would be an annual affair and all national and regional officers would serve one-year terms. National officers had served one-year terms in the early days of the Grand Lodge from 1921- 1926, but those were adult positions and only distantly related to the youth leadership positions.
The primary reason why the meetings needed to be annual was the OA was and has been an ever-expanding program. More and more events were scheduled for non-NOAC years including increased participation in National Jamborees, High Adventure and Conservation.
Jeffrey Moser of Pellissippi Lodge, Knoxville, Tennessee was elected National Chief. Angelo Cappelli of Timuquan Lodge, St. Petersburg, Florida was elected National Vice Chief. Region Chiefs elected were John T. Gutkoski – Northeast Region, Skip Van Bloem – East Central Region, Chris Crews – South Central Region, James M. Alexander – Southeast Region, Steve Meinhold – North Central Region and Michael D. Celano – Western Region.