Lodge Officers

Office	Officer	Adviser(s)
Lodge Chief	Wes Boone	Clyde Davis
Vice-Chief of Program	RJ Plumley	Jon Humphries
Vice-Chief of Indian Affairs	Dave Kimbrell	Randy Wells
Vice-Chief of Inductions	Zack Roberts	Wes Boone, Andrew Dobbins
Secretary	Taylor Thomas	Doug Bartlett
Treasurer	Jeb Watkins	Jim Maguire

 

Chapter Chiefs and Advisers

Chapter	Chief	Adviser
Cherokee	Samuel Mabry	Steve Farish
Chester	Grant Roberts	Troy Roberts
Lancaster	William Cloninger	Roy Cloninger
Spartanburg	Andrew Strasburger	Richard Strasburger
Union	Sam Poulos	Gib Kohr
York	Michael Bobinski	Jimmy Summers

 

Lodge Chapters

Skyuka Lodge has six chapters.

A. York
B. Spartanburg
C. Union
D. Cherokee
E. Lancaster
F. Chester

Each chapter in our lodge has its own administration. This includes the following officers:
A. Chapter Chief
B. Chapter Vice Chief
C. Chapter Treasurer
D. Chapter Secretary

The lodge administration encourages chapter involvement because those who are active on the chapter level tend to also be involved at the lodge level. In the past chapters have had events and designed their own patches. The chapter administration is responsible for scheduling and conducting the elections for the Order. If you have any questions about your chapter, please contact the your lodge or chapter officers. They will seek to aid you as best they can.

Lodge Events

LODGE BANQUET:   This event is usually held in January. The banquet offers a time of good food and fellowship. An added attraction at the banquet is the keynote speaker. In the past such people as "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt, E. Urner Goodman, and Gaylord Perry have honored us as guest speakers. The night is then filled with honors and awards for those men and boys who have given unselfishly of themselves to their home units, districts, council, Skyuka Lodge, and the Order of the Arrow.

SPRING FELLOWSHIP:   The Spring Fellowship of Skyuka Lodge is a weekend filled with fun, food, ceremonies, projects, and more. This time is used to prepare Camp Bob Hardin for the hundreds of scouts that will attend during the summer. Those Ordeal members that are eligible may crystallize their tie with the Order by gaining their Brotherhood status.

SUMMER ORDEAL:   This gathering comes after summer camp and is held at Camp Bob Hardin. Most Ordeal candidates who were called out during the summer will elect to attend this event. This is a great opportunity for Ordeal members seeking the Brotherhood to perform service as an Elangomat for the Ordeal Candidates. Much fellowship as well as many worthwhile projects occur during this later summer event. There are also many sessions that deal with many aspects of Indian dance and culture.

FALL FELLOWSHIP:   Probably the most important meeting of the members of Skyuka Lodge is the Fall Fellowship. This is because much goes on at this event that affects the lodge during the year to come. Those Brothers interested in serving as officers in the lodge campaign and are elected at this gathering. Also at this event all new members of the Vigil honor are called out. Like all other lodge events, this one features Indian seminars for those who wish to learn more. While this may seem like the last lodge event of the year, it is really setting the stage for the events of the year to come.

INDIAN SEMINARS:   There are several Indian Seminars held throughout the area at which Skyuka lodge members may increase their knowledge of Indian history and tradition. Perhaps the best of these is the Carolina OA Indian Seminar. The most recent seminar was held in January in Statesville, NC. The event was be hosted by Eswau Huppeday Lodge 560,. For more information upcoming Indian seminars, check back here or contact the lodge Vice-Chief of Indian Affairs.

NOAC:   The National Order of the Arrow Conference is held every other year at locations around the country. At NOAC, a Brother may learn about the lodge leadership, Indian History, and many other interesting topics. Also, there are many Indian competitions for the team Dance, Ceremonial teams, Individual Outfits, and Individual Dancing. As always, Patch trading is a fun way to relax. To learn more about NOAC visit the National OA Web Site.

DIXIE FELLOWSHIP:   The Dixie Fellowship is the common name for the Order of the Arrow Southern Region Section 5 conclave held every April. At this conclave, the eleven lodges in SR-5 compete at Indian Events, administrative events, and quest events. A Brother who attends can learn about the operation of the lodge at the knowledge and training seminars or help Skyuka win the spirit awards. The Dixie is also time for fellowship with Brothers in Skyuka and beyond. Patch trading is also a major part of the Dixie.

Skyuka Lodge Rules

Adopted August 16, 2003

I.                   Mission. 

The mission of this lodge is to achieve the purpose of the Order of the Arrow as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America in the council through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.

II.                Name and affiliation of lodge. 

The name shall be Skyuka Lodge #270 and shall be affiliated with Palmetto Council #549, Boy Scouts of America, and shall be under the supervision of the council camping committee and the administrative authority of the Scout executive.

III.             Insignia. 

The totem of this lodge shall be the double-headed thunderbird.

IV.             Membership.

A.       The requirements for membership in this lodge are as stated in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisors.

B.        The procedure for the Ordeal shall be as stated in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisors.

C.        Completion of the Brotherhood shall be in accordance with the requirements in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisors.

D.       Attainment of the Vigil honor shall be in accordance with the requirements in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisors.

V.                Officers.

A.       The officers of this lodge shall be lodge chief, lodge vice chiefs, chapter chiefs, lodge secretary and lodge treasurer.  None of the members of the elected body shall attain the age of 21 at any time in their term of service.

B.        The lodge executive committee shall be composed of the elected officers, the immediate past lodge chief, lodge advisor, a member of the council camping committee (excluding those already serving on the executive committee) chapter advisors, Scout executive, and the lodge staff advisor.

C.        Members of the executive committee exclusively shall vote in matters before the committee.

D.       Election of lodge officers and chapter chiefs shall occur annually.

E.        An elected lodge officer may not serve in the same lodge office for more than two consecutive terms.

F.         Officers may be impeached by a two-thirds vote of the executive committee and a two-thirds vote of those members present  and  voting at any lodge meeting.  In case of impeachment or resignation, the lodge chief shall appoint, with approval of the lodge advisor, a replacement until the executive committee approves the candidate by a majority vote as a permanent replacement.

G.       All advisors shall act in an advisory capacity.  It is the responsibility of all advisors to support the youth being advised

VI.             Meetings and Events.

A.    The lodge shall be convened for business at least twice a year.

B.     The lodge may hold a banquet each year.

C.     The executive committee may call special meetings of the lodge.

D.    The lodge’s executive committee shall conduct itself in accordance with Parliamentary Procedure.

VII.          Finances. 

A.    All Order of the Arrow funds shall be handled through the council service center and go through all normal and appropriate accounting procedures.

B.     Dues from individual members should be paid to Skyuka Lodge #270.

C.     The Lodge Executive Committee shall determine the annual dues.

D.    The lodge shall set a budget that complies with National Policy.

VIII.       Voting. 

Arrowmen under the age of 21 may vote in matters of lodge business.

IX.             Lodge policies and procedures. 

The lodge shall be operated in accordance with the lodge policies and procedures.  The lodge policies and procedures may be amended by a two-thirds vote of  the executive committee present.

X.                Amendments.  These lodge rules may be amended at any meeting of the lodge, provided…

A.    That a thirty day notice has been given to the executive committee.

B.     The amendment(s) are read and approved by a two-thirds vote of the lodge members present and voting.

C.     Any changes in the Order of the Arrow Handbook or The Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisors supersede anything contradictory herein.

 

 

 

Lodge Policies and Procedures
As ammended November 30, 2003

I.	Officers and Duties   A. Lodge Chief. 1.  He shall lead and represent the lodge in all matters. 2. He shall act as a liaison between the council, Palmetto Council #549, and the lodge, Skyuka Lodge #270. 3. He shall, with the assistance of the executive committee, develop a set of goals for the lodge pertaining to the current term of service. 4.  He shall serve as chairman of the executive committee. 5. He shall appoint committee chairmen for the current term of service, as needed, with the approval of the executive committee. 6.  He shall abstain from voting except in circumstances that result in tie vote. 7. He may call meetings of the executive committee, as he deems necessary. 8. He shall conduct the election of Lodge Officers annually at the Lodge Games B. Vice Chief of Program. 1.  He shall preside over all lodge functions in the absence of the lodge chief. 2. He shall coordinate and direct the lodge projects. 3.  He shall coordinate a schedule for each lodge event, as needed, with the approval of the executive committee. 4.  He shall assist the lodge chief in all matters. C. Vice Chief of American Indian Affairs. 1. He shall preside over all lodge functions in the absence of the lodge chief and vice chief of program. 2. He shall preside over the lodge American Indian Affairs. 3. He shall be responsible for the procurement and upkeep of all materials, items, and outfits that pertain to the lodge American Indian affairs committee, i.e. drums, ceremonial regalia, and teepees.  The Vice Chief of American Indian Affairs should approve all use of these materials, items, and regalia. 4. He shall be responsible for all ceremonies. 5. He shall be responsible for all teams planning to compete in the annual conclave under the pretense of American Indian Events. 6.  He shall assist the Lodge Chief in all maters. D. Vice Chief of Inductions. 1. He shall preside over all lodge functions in the absence of the lodge chief, vice chief of program, and vice chief of American Indian Affairs. 2. He shall oversee all aspects of the induction of candidates for membership. 3. He shall oversee the preparations for all ceremonies concerned with the advancement of knowledge about the Order, the Pre-Ordeal, Ordeal, and Brotherhood ceremonies. 4. He shall direct the elections process. 5. He shall oversee the Elangomat and clan systems. 6.  He shall assist the Lodge Chief in all matters. E. Secretary. 1. He shall maintain all records of the lodge in good order. 2. He shall keep the minutes of all executive committee meeting and lodge meetings. 3.  He shall publish the minutes in a timely mannerr and make them available to any member of the lodge. 4. He shall be responsible for all lodge correspondence and publications. 5. He shall be responsible for registration and preregistration of all lodge events. F. Treasurer. 1. He shall maintain the financial records of the lodge in good and current order and shall report them at executive committee meetings and publish the same at lodge events. 2. He shall publish the budget as approved by the executive committee at inception. 3.  He shall be informed of all lodge income and expenses. G. Chapter Chiefs. 1. He shall maintain the financial records of the lodge in good and current order and shall report them at executive committee meetings and publish the same at lodge events. 2. He shall publish the budget as approved by the executive committee at inception. 3. He shall be informed of all lodge income and expenses.
II.	Insignia  and Patches/ Flaps A. Insignia 1. All use of the lodge totem, the double-headed thunderbird, should be brought before the executive committee for their approval. 2.  All items containing the lodge totem will be sold exclusively to lodge members. 3.  Items containing the lodge totem for special occasions may be used or sold with pre-approval of the executive committee. B. Unrestricted Pocket Flaps 1. The lodge will have no less than one current unrestricted lodge flap for all current members. 2. Any lodge member shall be able to attain one current unrestricted lodge flap at every event that he/she participates in. C. Restricted Pocket Flaps 1. The lodge will have a current Ordeal pocket flap for all Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil members.  This flap will be restricted to two (2) per lifetime for these members. 2. The lodge will have a current Brotherhood pocket flap for all Brotherhood and Vigil members.  This flap will be restricted to two (2) per lifetime for these members. 3. The lodge will have a current Vigil pocket flap for all Vigil members exclusively.  This flap will be restricted to two (2) per lifetime for Vigil members solely.  D. An extensively damaged pocket flap may be returned to the lodge and a new current one of the same restrictive status be purchased only with the approval of the lodge chief and treasurer.  The returned flap must be destroyed by fire, ceremonially.
III.	Lodge Events A. Participation in lodge events constitutes consumption of no less than three meals.  The participant must be present at the event by no later than Saturday at lunch to meet the above requirement.  Order of the Arrow members exclusively may participate in events. B. Every person attending or participating in a lodge event must check in at registration upon arrival at which time they must specify which campgrounds they plan to retire to. C.  No one may leave a lodge event after they have registered at an event without the express permission of the Lodge Chief and the Lodge Advisor. D. All persons seeking to operate a vehicle must obtain a Driver’s Pass from the Lodge Chief or Lodge Advisor. E. No driver under the age of twenty-one (21) may carry any person in their vehicle. F. Scout-like behavior should be practiced by all persons at every lodge event. G. Drugs and/or alcohol are strictly forbidden from all Skyuka Lodge events. H. Fireworks and firearms are strictly prohibited from all Skyuka Lodge events. I. All current youth protection guidelines must be followed by all individuals, participating or not, at every Skyuka Lodge event.
IV.	Finances. A. The amount of annual dues for individual lodge members shall be ten United States dollars. B. Notification of the individual lodge member on the subject of annual dues shall be sent out with notification for registration of the lodge banquet.
V.	Publications A. The lodge shall have a newsletter known as the “TANAWA” which should be published at least four times a year. B.  The editor in chief of the “TANAWA” shall be the lodge secretary. C. Any other publications distributed from Skyuka Lodge #270 to any segment of the members other than the members of the executive committee must have prior approval from the executive committee.

The History of Skyuka Lodge

In June of 1934, the national council approved the Order of the Arrow as an affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America. Palmetto Council, prior to this time, had incorporated two other service organizations known as KANAWA and KUNIEA. Around the year 1934, upon suggestions by the national council, Palmetto Council adopted the Order of the Arrow as a new service organization.

After research was done on the cultural background of the area, it was decided that the lodges name would be Skyuka. Skyuka was the name of an Indian who led soldiers through the woods of the Green River Valley and up through what is now Camp Bob Hardin. ( formerly Camp Palmetto ) Skyuka continued to led the soldiers and took them to the top of a nearby mountain, where a group enemy Indians surprised the party. Shortly after, this same group of Indians captured Skyuka. They then cut out his tongue and left him for dead on a cliff.

Upon the formal beginning of the lodge their were no lodge officers or advisors as such. Mr. Franklin Chase, a field scout executive, was selected to be the professional advisor and he remained in this position for several years before we had an advisor or chief. Finally, upon agreement mutual agreement by the lodge and the Palmetto Council Camping Committee we had our first lay volunteer advisor, Mr. Bill Huskey. He had been in the Order of the Arrow for a while and possessed knowledge of the duties required by one in his position. During these years the lodge grew in numbers and the first Brotherhood and Vigil ceremonies were preformed. The lodge was finally able to full responsibility for its actions, including ceremonies, induction of new members, business functions, and the preservation of lodge records/history.

Eventually, the lodge decided to have its own patch. A lodge committee was formed to develop an emblem to use. The first lodge patch was green with a picture of the Indian Skyuka on it and a mountain in the background. (Indian on the mountain) After a while, the brotherhood members sought a patch of their own. The design on the patch came was the headpiece of the fire ceremonial totem pole of the Kwaticut Indians of British Columbia and Alaska. The lodge advisor had seen this totem while serving with the Canadian army and recommended it. It was so colorful that the members accepted it quickly. Today, we know it as the double-headed Thunderbird.

QUICK FACT- our brotherhood members ran the first brotherhood ceremonies for the Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge in Greenville.