 Goodman maintained his active support of the OA 's National Lodge , as it was then called , during his years as Scout executive in Chicago and then BSA national program director . In observance of the 15th anniversary of the brotherhood 's founding , the National Lodge presented Goodman with a medal in 1930 formally recognizing him as founder . In 1940 , the National Lodge presented him with the first Distinguished Service Award on the OA 's 25th anniversary . The citation said , in part , " As the founder of the Order of the Arrow , through his ability , wisdom , and foresight , his vision of service to others was transformed into a national honor brotherhood which has been a positive influence in the lives of thousands of boys ... " . When he was first appointed as director in 1931 , there were OA lodges in seven percent of BSA councils nationwide . By 1948 , about two @-@ thirds of the BSA councils had established OA lodges . In that year , three years before Goodman 's retirement from the BSA , his " honor society of Scout camping " innovation was fully integrated as an official part of the Scouting program . Kenneth Davis , in his book The Brotherhood of Cheerful Service : A History of the Order of the Arrow , concludes that the National Council 's approval in 1948 " ... was due largely to his [ Goodman 's ] personal efforts and recommendation ... " . 
