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Burning Issue Archive
Is there a national policy regarding the certification of ceremony principles?
Or, is it up to each individual lodge to require certification or not?
There is no national policy regarding the certification of ceremony teams.
National does make available ceremony books for the Ordeal, Brotherhood, and
Vigil ceremonies. Lodges are responsible for ensuring that their ceremony teams
are trained, prepared, and effective.
One of the optional requirements for the Quality Lodge Petition states, "The
lodge conducted an appropriate number of Ordeal and Brotherhood ceremonies with
no more than 50 candidates per ceremony. All of the ceremonial teams were well
trained. Each team member had memorized his part and each ceremony was presented
in an effective and impressive manner in accordance with official ceremonial
books."
The national OA committee is also developing "A Guide to Inductions":
a new, comprehensive manual covering all aspects of a lodge's induction program.
This will include ceremonies and the manual is scheduled to be completed sometime
near the end of 2002.
I was inducted into the OA around 1954 in New Mexico and became a Brotherhood
member. Is there a national register which would show my membership? Also I
am trying to find out about other members who would have been in the OA when
I was, can you help me?
The national organization does not maintain a record of membership - this responsibility
falls on the local lodge/council. Those interested in finding information of
this nature should contact the local council where they were registered. Many
lodges keep very accurate membership records.
NLS Ticket time is coming up soon. Where do I mail it to? Thank you.
Gene Wadford
Western Region Order of the Arrow
4765 S. Lakeshore Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85285-2019
I'm a Brotherhood member in the state of Wyoming. I moved from Montana over
a year ago. Recently I attended the Winter Conference and was elected as Vice
Chief of Elangamats. It was suggested to me that I contact a couple of past
Vice Chiefs and I have tried several times. One is in college out of state and
the other is unreachable. How can I find out what my duties are and suggestions
for implementations? Thanks for any clues you can give.
Your lodge chief is the first person to talk to. He and his adviser should
have resources to help you understand your job. Other sources include: Managing
Elangomat Ordeals - a publication available from the national office.
Robert from Deadwood, OR asks, "Why does National require 30% brotherhood
attainment for Quality Lodge, when Brotherhood is theoretically a personal choice
made by an ordeal member, not to be required by the lodge?"
Induction into the Order of the Arrow begins with election and ends with Brotherhood
membership. Brotherhood membership is a reaffirmation of the Ordeal members
obligation and a new commitment to one's self and lodge. This marks full membership
in the Order. The goal of 30% Brotherhood attainment sets a minimum percentage
of Ordeal members becoming full members of the Order of the Arrow in order for
the Order of the Arrow to remain a viable growing organization. It is hoped
that 100% of ordeal members would seal their membership in the Order by becoming
Brotherhood members.
Brandon from Pomona, CA asks, "What are some suggestions for keeping
candidates quiet during the Ordeal?"
"Your directions are the whispers, urgings, promptings, deep within
your hearts and spirits. Therefore, till you take the Obligation, strictly keep
a pledge of silence."
No candidate has the choice of only half-heartedly participating in his induction.
Induction Principle Three states that the candidate has the continuous choice
of meeting the tests of the Ordeal to the best of their ability or of withdrawing.
If a candidate indicates, by their actions, that they no longer are willing
to accept one of the Ordeal challenges then one of the elangomats should make
it immediately clear to the candidate that their behavior is not acceptable.
If disruptive behavior continues, the situation should be brought to the attention
of the Ordeal master or a counselor designated by him. The candidate should
be isolated from earshot but not from the sight of the other candidates. The
standards for the challenge should be carefully explained and the candidate
presented with the fact that continued behavior of this type is disruptive to
others. The candidate should be told that they can speak to clear up the situation.
The counselor's attitude must reflect a sincere desire to help the candidate
and their belief that the candidate is trustworthy, but simply does not understand
what is expected of them or the consequences of their behavior.
A more complete discussion will be available in the about to be published "Guide
to Inductions."
Jeffrey from Santa Cruz asks, "Where could I obtain information about
the history of OA---how it came into being, where the script for the ordeal
induction ceremony came from, the meaning and origins of WWW, etc. Are there
any books or publications about the origins of OA?"
Well, Jeff, a good place to start is the OA Handbook. It contains
a full history of the Order as well as a history of the Ordeal and ceremony.
WWW, the watchwords of the Order, can also be found in the handbook. Two books,
offered for sale at NOAC 2000, detail the history of the Order and its founder.
The books, "History of the Order of the Arrow" and "The Building
of a Life" were offered as a collecters item, and may still be available
from Supply Division.
Paul, from Hampton VA asks, "I have a question concerning
camping nights. If a scout attends a week long camp (7 days/6 nights), does
the 6th night count toward his total of 15? The requirements state that a Scout
must have attended 1 long term camp of at least 5 nights. Just wondering if
the 6th night counts toward the required 15."
The 6th night counts toward his total, but not as a night of long-term
camping.
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