National Council of Chiefs Recap

Brothers,

Earlier this month, hundreds of lodge and section leaders from across the country gathered for the 2021 National Council of Chiefs at the Philmont Training Center - our largest in-person national event since the 2018 NOAC- to hear updates from national leadership, collaborate to solve shared challenges, and envision our path forward. Photos from the event can be found on the Order of the Arrow’s Flickr page.

At the opening gathering, we introduced our guiding principle for the event: our world is changing and so must we. Lodge and section delegates spent each morning participating in top-tier training on a variety of topics to become stewards of change and build a modern Order of the Arrow. Lodge leaders were placed into model lodges and faced the inevitability of change through a lodge merger simulation while section leaders participated in collaborative discussions on important topics in section operations and lodge support.

In the afternoons, delegates participated in open programs offered throughout Philmont Scout Ranch. From day hikes to horseback riding, cornhole to casting lines, and tours to tower climbing, all in attendance experienced the incredible scenery of the backcountry.

Delegates also provided direct feedback to the Project Magellan task force as the OA considers structural changes in response to the BSA’s restructuring. Our national leadership is now reviewing the feedback, which will influence the development of a new prototype structure. We shared other important updates, including the announcement of the NOAC 2022 conference theme: Tomorrow Begins Today! We cannot wait to gather with everyone at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville on July 25-30, 2022.

Thanks to all of our delegates who traveled to Philmont as we continue working together to chart our shared vision for the OA’s future.

In brotherhood,