OAImages Blog

Rick Obermeyer sent word to patch-l that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has once again reorganized the Areas of the Southern Region.     All but two of the areas have seen changes in their composition.  These changes are to take effect in 2009.

While Order of the Arrow sections do not formally exist within the BSA’s organizational hierarchy, they either follow area boundaries or are subdivisions of the areas.   The rest of this post is my analysis of how this will affect the OA sections in the Southern Region.

SR-1
The lodges of this section will be split into four different areas as follows:

• 149 Caddo ==> to SR-2
• 169 Watonala  ==> to SR-1
• 193 Ashwanchi Kinta ==> to SR-1
• 232 Akela Wahinapay ==> to SR-2
• 254 Comanche   ==> to SR-1
• 260 Sebooney Okasucca ==> to SR-1
• 397 Chilantakoba ==> to SR-1
• 399 Abooikpaagun ==> to SR-8
• 404 Ti’ak ==> to SR-1
• 479 Quinipissa ==> to SR-1
• 481 Aracoma ==> to SR-9

SR-2
The lodges of this area will be split into three areas as follows:

• 60 Aina Topa Hutsi ==> to SR-3
• 99 Tonkawa ==> to SR-3
• 113 Wihinipa Hinsa ==> to SR-3
• 137 Colonneh ==> to SR-3
• 141 Tatanka ==> to SR-2
• 150 Nakona ==> to SR-2
• 166 Quelqueshoe ==> to SR-1
• 199 Wahinkto ==> to SR-2
• 209 Netopalis Sipo Schipinachk ==> to SR-3
• 272 Wewanoma ==> to SR-3
• 307 Karankawa ==> to SR-3
• 555 Gamenowinink ==> to SR-3 (not specifically mentioned by this lodge has traditionally been grouped with the lodge that serves the city where the BSA National Headquarters is located.)
• 561 Penateka ==> to SR-2
• 563 Atchafalaya ==> to SR-1
• 578 Hasinai ==> to SR-3

SR-3
These lodges will be split into three areas as follows: 

• 14 Ema’o Mahpe ==> to SR-8
• 35 Wichita ==> to SR-2
• 72 Tejas ==> to SR-2
• 101 Mikanakawa ==> to SR-3
• 133 Ma-Nu ==> to SR-8
• 138 Ta Tsu Hwa ==> to SR-8
• 160 Quapaw ==> to SR-8
• 190 Wisawanik ==> to SR-8
• 288 Washita ==> to SR-8
• 366 Wazhazee ==> to SR-8
• 428 Loquanne Allangwh ==> to SR-2
• 486 Nischa Achowalogen ==> to SR-2
• 559 Wachtschu Mawachpo ==> to SR-8

SR-4N
These lodges will be split into new areas as follows:

• 179 Alibamu ==> to SR-9
• 224 Cowikee ==> to SR-1
• 229 Pilthlako ==> to SR-4
• 322 Woa Cholena ==> to SR-1
• 353 Immokalee ==> to SR-4
• 385 Yustaga ==> to SR-1
• 545 Alapaha ==> to SR-4

SR-4S
All these lodges will be part of SR-4 and will be joined by three of the lodges — 229 Pithlako, 353 Immokalee, and 545 Alapaha –currently in SR-4N.  I would expect that this area will not be divided again as the northern portion will be much smaller than it currently is.

• 85 Seminole ==> to SR-4
• 200 Echockotee ==> to SR-4
• 237 Aal-Pa-Tah ==> to SR-4
• 239 Semialachee ==> to SR-4
• 265 O-Shot-Caw ==> to SR-4
• 326 Tipisa ==> to SR-4
• 340 Timuquan ==> to SR-4
• 564 Osceola ==> to SR-4

SR-5 — unchanged

• 87 Bob White
• 116 Santee
• 119 Tomo-Chi-Chi
• 134 Tsali
• 185 Atta Kulla Kulla
• 188 Iti Bapishe Iti Hollo
• 221 Muscogee
• 236 Un A Li’yi
• 270 Skyuka
• 459 Catawba
• 560 Eswau Huppeday

SR-6N
All these lodges will be part of SR-6 and will be joined by 293 Talidandaganu’, currently in SR-6S.

• 62 Talligewi ==> to SR-6
• 111 Wa-Hi-Nasa ==> to SR-6
• 184 Sequoyah ==> to SR-6
• 201 White Horse ==> to SR-6
• 202 Chicksa ==> to SR-6
• 230 Pellissippi ==> to SR-6
• 235 Ittawamba ==> to SR-6
• 480 Kawida ==> to SR-6
• 558 Ahoalan-Nachpikin ==> to SR-6

SR-6S
Most of these lodges will comprise the new SR-9.    They will be joined by 481 Aracoma  (currently in SR-1), and Alibamu 179 (currently in SR-4N).   293 Talidandaganu’ will move to SR-6.

• 50 Coosa ==> to SR-9
• 129 Egwa Tawa Dee ==> to SR-9
• 204 Chattahoochee ==> to SR-9
• 243 Mowogo ==> to SR-9
• 293 Talidandaganu’ ==> to SR-6
• 318 Waguli ==> to SR-9
• 324 Ini-to ==> to SR-9
• 358 Echeconnee ==> to SR- 9

SR-7 — unchanged
Since the SR-7 area has remained unchanged, I expect the two OA sections within it, SR-7A (Virginia) and SR-7B (eastern North Carolina) will also remain unchanged.   However, there does remain the possibility that the OA will combine these lodges into one section.

• 3 Nawakwa
• 161 Tutelo
• 258 Shenandoah
• 276 Shenshawpotoo
• 333 Wahunsenakah
• 349 Blue Heron
• 70 Tsoiotsi Tsogalii
• 104 Occoneechee
• 117 Croatan
• 118 Wahissa
• 296 Nayawin Rar
• 331 Klahican

There are a few notable oddities in this reorganization, mainly dealing with the BSA professionals that will manage these area.

The BSA groups Areas 2 and 3 together.   They assign an Area Director (Harold Watson) to Area 2 and an Assistant Regional Director (Dave Baur) to Area 3.   The chart implies that Mr. Baur has management responsibility for Mr. Watson.

Also notice that Area 2 is not geographically contiguous.  Its four eastern councils are separated from the rest of the area by the two councils in Dallas and Fort Worth.

Pat Currie is shown having responsibility for Area 9 holding the title of Deputy Regional Director.

Remember, Order of the Arrow sections are not official structures in the BSA hierarchy.  They exist solely for the benefit of administering the OA’s program.   Under current practice they either follow the BSA’s area boundaries or are subdivisions of the areas. 

The above is my best guess of how the OA sections will be constructed from the newly reorganized areas.  Until the OA confirms these groupings, the changes should not be taken as official policy.  In at least one case, SR-7, I expect the OA will divide these new areas into two sections.