A Brief
History of the Overseas Arrowman Association - 1989 - 2005
During May, 1989 at the Transatlantic Council’s annual Training Conference, at
Garmisch, West Germany, about a dozen Order of the Arrow members gathered in a
"reunion" with the purpose of starting an international fellowship organization
which was named the "Overseas Arrowman Association". Since most of those present
were about to return to the United States, either as civilians or through a
change in military orders, it was felt that the experience of serving the
Scouting program overseas was so unique that the OAA would be an excellent way
to maintain communication between all Scouters who share, or have shared this
honor.
Tom
Slavicek and Dan Coberly were chosen as the "organizers" and quickly
made plans for a second OAA Reunion at the upcoming 1989 National Jamboree at
Ft. A.P. Hill, Virginia. Tom was asked to design a patch for the event which
would incorporate the three overseas councils then recognized by the OAA: Canal
Zone, TAC and Far East. Within 30 days of this organizational meeting Tom
returned to the States as the Program Director for Keystone Area Council, while
Dan remained in TAC. The third OAA Reunion was held at the NOAC 1990, Indiana
University, on August 15th. Thirty Five OA brothers became members of the OAA at
that gathering. Tom and Dan continued to make plans for the OAA to become a
truly international fellowship organization by soliciting members from the Far
East and Direct Service Councils, as well as continuing to recruit new overseas
councils and lodges.
Up to this
point the OAA had been a fellowship organization and it continued to be so
during the Fourth and Fifth National Reunions (held in 1993, at Ft. A.P. Hill,
Virginia - at the National Jamboree; and in 1996 NOAC). At the NOAC 1996 it was
felt that the time had finally come for the OAA to formally elect its first
President. Tom Slavicek, who was with the Great Trails Council, Massachusetts by
this time, was elected. Within a few weeks after the NOAC the OAA published its
first issue of the "Deep Water Traveler", and by December of that
year membership rose to 36, with many of those being the original members from
the 1989 and 1990 Reunions. The Sixth OAA Reunion was conducted at the 1997
National Jamboree, Ft. A.P. Hill, VA, attended by over 50 Arrowmen. Thirty seven
new members were signed up. During the 1998 NOAC the Seventh OAA Reunion was
held, at Iowa State University, Ames. Over 25 OAA members attended, with 5 new
members being signed up. The OAA’s 5th Chapter was introduced and welcomed.
Twelve Scouters were presented with the OAA’s highest award, the Silver
Elephant. Membership rose to over 250. Since then the OAA has grown to over 500
members and has 10 Chapters.
The OAA
continues to grow as local Chapters are organized and as members recruit their
Scouting friends. Its membership is given many opportunities for service and
recognition: OAA Service Award, Honored Chapter Award, OAA Scholarship Fund and
support for local Chapters. It is hoped that the OAA will become a cherished
organization, one in which overseas Scouters can find genuine comradeship and be
inspired to greater service to the youth of the Boy Scouts of America.
A Brief
History of the Overseas Arrowman Association - 1989 - 2005
Tom
Slavicek and Dan Coberly were chosen as the "organizers" and quickly
made plans for a second OAA Reunion at the upcoming 1989 National Jamboree at
Ft. A.P. Hill, Virginia. Tom was asked to design a patch for the event which
would incorporate the three overseas councils then recognized by the OAA: Canal
Zone, TAC and Far East. Within 30 days of this organizational meeting Tom
returned to the States as the Program Director for Keystone Area Council, while
Dan remained in TAC. The third OAA Reunion was held at the NOAC 1990, Indiana
University, on August 15th. Thirty Five OA brothers became members of the OAA at
that gathering. Tom and Dan continued to make plans for the OAA to become a
truly international fellowship organization by soliciting members from the Far
East and Direct Service Councils, as well as continuing to recruit new overseas
councils and lodges. 
Up to this
point the OAA had been a fellowship organization and it continued to be so
during the Fourth and Fifth National Reunions (held in 1993, at Ft. A.P. Hill,
Virginia - at the National Jamboree; and in 1996 NOAC). At the NOAC 1996 it was
felt that the time had finally come for the OAA to formally elect its first
President. Tom Slavicek, who was with the Great Trails Council, Massachusetts by
this time, was elected. Within a few weeks after the NOAC the OAA published its
first issue of the "Deep Water Traveler", and by December of that
year membership rose to 36, with many of those being the original members from
the 1989 and 1990 Reunions. The Sixth OAA Reunion was conducted at the 1997
National Jamboree, Ft. A.P. Hill, VA, attended by over 50 Arrowmen. Thirty seven
new members were signed up. During the 1998 NOAC the Seventh OAA Reunion was
held, at Iowa State University, Ames. Over 25 OAA members attended, with 5 new
members being signed up. The OAA’s 5th Chapter was introduced and welcomed.
Twelve Scouters were presented with the OAA’s highest award, the Silver
Elephant. Membership rose to over 250. Since then the OAA has grown to over 500
members and has 10 Chapters.
The OAA
continues to grow as local Chapters are organized and as members recruit their
Scouting friends. Its membership is given many opportunities for service and
recognition: OAA Service Award, Honored Chapter Award, OAA Scholarship Fund and
support for local Chapters. It is hoped that the OAA will become a cherished
organization, one in which overseas Scouters can find genuine comradeship and be
inspired to greater service to the youth of the Boy Scouts of America.