OAImages Blog

John has beaten me to the punch with postings about the recent Section S-4S Conference. Osceola Lodge 564 hosted the event, held at Flying Eagle Scout Reservation near Bradenton. Over 1000 Arrowmen were in attendance. The number of patch traders seemed to be lower than usual, making it hard to find some of the more difficult items. Along with the host items that John had previously mentioned, three lodges (Aal-Pa-Tah 237, Echockotee 200, and O-Shot-Caw 265) made items for their lodges’ attendance at the Conference.

Besides the conference items, Osceola had a large selection of items to commemorate their role in the event. Three flaps were available: GRN border for all Osceola members, unrestricted (1200 made), YEL bdr for service to prepare for the Conference, 2/ member (450 made), and a PUR bdr for the chairmen and advisors for each of the Conference host committees, 2/ person (150 made). The PUR border has the word WITAHEMUI in WHT thread. Eight flaps were made with a PUR border and no word; seven to be given to key leaders of the Conference, with the eight to go in the lodge collection. Also produced was a host pocket patch with no restriction, and a “blood donor” patch (more on that later). An embroidered host neckerchief was also made, and host back patches and chenilles were back-ordered by the vendor.

Two topics for discussion, one that comes up every year: first is, how to classify Conference attendance patches made by non-host lodges. The need for those that decide on consistent classifications across the country can determine that such non-host, non-flap shaped emblems. The distinction between host and non-host, to me, is a real difference; a host item is for the lodge’s work over several months to prepare for the event, while non-host items are for a lodge to commemorate their attendance at the weekend event.

With that in mind, the Florida collectors tend to consider non-host items as activity patches, rather than classifying them as X, R, or A emblems. Of the three lodges that have made such items, O-Shot-Caw has had their attendance items as a part of the annual themed set every year since 1993, except for the theme for this year (for reasons that cannot yet be explained). Echockotee has had their two patches match the themed sets for 2006 and 2008. Aal-Pa-Tah bases their attendance design on the design used for the Conference (2006-2008), incorporating their totem of the alligator in the design when possible. No lodge has yet to make an attendance flap, so I won’t worry about classifying what isn’t yet in existence.

The second question is for a new item for 2008, the “host patch” for donating blood. The local blood bank was on hand to solicit donations, with a special patch (150 made) for those that either donated, or attempted to donate but were unable to do so. The only reason why this is an Osceola patch, instead of a Conference item, is the OSCEOLA HOST at the bottom. But any attendee, in theory, could receive the patch for their participation, not just host lodge members.

So, in both cases, what should be the overriding factor in determining the classification of a piece: purpose, shape, or distribution? Discuss.