Mid-America Council, Boy Scouts of America > Order of the Arrow > Lodge Bylaws and History

Lodge Bylaws and History

History

The history of the Tatanka-Anpetu-Wi lodge is one of deep roots in traditions and legends. Legend has it that, “On a summers evening at Camp Quivera near Louisville, Nebraska, during the summer of 1923, a scout came stumbling into the headquarters tent of the great chief. He had traveled fast and carried with him what appeared to be the torn shreds of a ritual. He unfolded the worn and dirty scraps before the chief. He divulged some of the secrets and mysteries concerning an organization of braves back in Pennsylvania. And from these shreds was born the Order of the Golden Sun of the Tribe of the Quivera.”

The Order of the Golden Sun of the Tribe of the Quivera continued until 1953. It was decided, after three ballots at three different events, that it was time to join the nationally recognized organization of the Boy Scouts, the Order of the Arrow. At this time, the three tribes at Grand Island, North Platte, and Lincoln became the Golden Sun Lodge #492. Several Years after becoming affiliated with the Order of the Arrow, Grand Island, North Platte, and Lincoln divided into three separate councils. Lincoln kept the original name, Golden Sun. Grand Island took the Delaware translation of Golden Sun, We-U-Shi #517. Because the original Quivera was divided into three different areas, North Platte took the name of Three Arrows. For over 40 years the tribes remained until 1994 when Three Arrows merged with We-U-Shi and they became the Tatanka Anpetu-Wi (Buffalo Sun) Lodge #94, with their headquarters in Grand Island.

Bylaws

Name and Lodge Number: The name of this Lodge of the Order of the Arrow shall be Tatanka-Anpetu-Wi.  Its name shall be W.W.W. #94. (January 1, 1994)

  1. Affiliation: The Lodge shall be affiliated with the Overland Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America, and shall be under the supervision of the Council Camping Committee and administrative authority of the Council Executive Office.  (January 1, 1994)
  2. Symbol: The symbols of this Lodge shall be that of the “Buffalo Sun.” (January 1, 1994)
  3. Geographical Divisions: This Lodge shall be divided into five chapters in accordance with the five districts of the Overland Trails Council. (January 1,1994)
    1. Geographical Divisions Amendment: This Lodge shall be divided into four chapters in accordance with the four districts of the Overland Trails Council. (April 24, 2015)
    2. Geographical Divisions Amendment: This Lodge shall be divided into chapters determined by the LEC.  Adjustments to the geographical divisions may be made at an LEC meeting prior to lodge officer elections. (September 25, 2021)
  4. Officers: The Officers of this Lodge shall be; Lodge Chief, Vice Chief, Program Chief, Treasurer, Secretary, Training Chief, Ceremony Chief, Buffalo Bill Chapter Chief, Covered Wagon Chapter Chief, Pawnee Chapter Chief, Pony Express Chapter Chief, and Republican Valley Chapter Chief. The officers will follow the updated structure of the lodge and follow their respective duties and responsibilities. (October 1, 2000)
    1. Officer Amendment: The Officers of this Lodge shall be; Lodge Chief, Vice Chief, Treasurer / Secretary, Ceremony Chief, Buffalo Bill Chapter Chief, Covered Wagon Chapter Chief, Pawnee Chapter Chief, Pony Express Chapter Chief, and Republican Valley Chapter Chief. The officers will follow the updated structure of the lodge and follow their respective duties and responsibilities. (Amended on August 26, 2007)
    2. Officer Amendment: The Officers of this Lodge shall be; Lodge Chief, Vice Chief of Program, Vice Chief of Inductions, Treasurer / Secretary, Ceremony Chief, Buffalo Bill Chapter Chief, Covered Wagon Chapter Chief, Pawnee Chapter Chief, Pony Express Chapter Chief, and Republican Valley Chapter Chief. The officers will follow the updated structure of the lodge and follow their respective duties and responsibilities. (Amended on April 25, 2009)
    3. Officer Amendment: The Officers of this Lodge shall be; Lodge Chief, Lodge Vice Chief, Program Chief, Inductions Chief, Treasurer / Secretary, Buffalo Bill Chapter Chief, Covered Wagon Chapter Chief, Pawnee Chapter Chief, Pony Express Chapter Chief, and Republican Valley Chapter Chief. The officers will follow the updated structure of the lodge and follow their respective duties and responsibilities. (Amended on December 11, 2011)
    4. Officer Amendment: The Officers of this Lodge shall be; Lodge Chief, Lodge Vice Chief of Program, Lodge Vice Chief of Inductions, Lodge Vice Chief of Records, Lodge Vice Chief of Outreach, Lodge Vice Chief of Chapter Relations, and sufficient chapter chiefs to staff the chapters as determined by the LEC.  These officers make up the Lodge Executive Committee (LEC).  The officers will follow the updated structure of the lodge and follow their respective duties and responsibilities. (September 25, 2021)
  5. Term of Office: It has been decided that the term of office will be one year, and will begin at the “Passing of the Bonnet” ceremony at Fall Fellowship and will end at the next “Passing of the Bonnet” ceremony. (January 1, 1994)
    1. Term of Office Amendment: The term of office will be one year.  New Officers shall be elected at Fall Fellowship and their term will begin at the conclusion of that same fall fellowship. (September 25, 2021)
  6. Balanced Budget: It has been decided by the LEC that each year the lodge must operate with a balanced budget, presented by the Treasurer each year at the Lodge Leadership Development Course. (January 1, 1994)
    1. Balanced Budget Amendment: The lodge must operate with a balanced budget, presented by the last LEC meeting of the year. (February 5, 2022)
  7. Amendments to the Laws: These rules shall be subject to amendment at any regular or special meeting of the Lodge provided the amendments have been submitted in writing to the Executive Committee at least one month prior to such a meeting and that due notice has been sent to all active members at least ten days prior to such a meeting.  A two-thirds vote of the members present shall be required. (January 1, 1994)