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Paldani Chapter, O-Shot-Caw Lodge #265 |
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Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America |
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Serving the Scouts and Scouters of Seminole District |
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© 2005 Paldani Chapter, O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265, all rights reserved. Web hosting by: Blanchard Computer Systems Questions on site? email: webmaster@paldani.org |
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Understanding the Order of the Arrow: ==Purposes== The four stated purposes of the Order of the Arrow are:
* To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives * To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit * To promote Scout camping * To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others. ==Membership== More than 180,000 youths and adults are members of the Order of the Arrow, approximately one-eighth of the total number of those registered in the Boy Scout program. Since youth members are elected by their local unit, and since most of the members of their unit are generally not members of the Order of the Arrow, the OA is said to be the largest membership organization whose members are selected primarily by non-members. As a program of the Boy Scout division, candidates for the Order of the Arrow are selected by elections held annually in Boy Scout troops and Varsity Scout teams. Youth under 21 (including any adults under 21) are elected by majority vote of the members of their unit (Scout troop or Varsity team). To be eligible for election, a Scout must be at least First Class rank and have fulfilled specified camping requirements, as well as having the approval of his [[Scoutmaster]] or Varsity Coach. An OA election is held by secret ballot to help minimize peer pressure. Most lodges support an election team that a unit can invite to help hold the OA elections; it is charged to inform the unit of the service and duty required of an Arrowman, that only the most dedicated Scouts should be considered. In best practice, the election team counts the votes and notifies the Scoutmaster or Varsity Coach of the results. Adults (over 21) who had not previously joined the Order as a youth member may become members by being nominated by the unit, district or council committee and then approved by the lodge Adult Selection Committee. Adults must meet the same criteria as youth except the rank requirement. After being elected or nominated, all candidates participate in a "calling-out ceremony" (formerly called "tap-out"), performed by OA members dressed in ceremonial Indian regalia. This call-out usually occurs sometime prior to the ordeal, and may be done at summer camp, a camporee, a call-out weekend or at a troop or team meeting.
===Ordeal membership=== The selected candidates subsequently participate in a weekend-long "Ordeal", to be formally inducted as ''Ordeal members'' of the OA. These colorful, symbolic ceremonies are kept shrouded in mystery, as Arrowmen are strongly admonished not to reveal certain OA rituals to non-members. Consequently, the OA has occasionally been viewed by some as a [[secret society]]. However, BSA guidelines now make clear that any concerned parent, guardian or religious leader may view the ceremonies, attend meetings, or read scripts upon request to a council, district, lodge or chapter official, to assure themselves that there is nothing objectionable. Such persons are asked to safeguard the details relating to ceremonies, for the sake of the participants. Similarly, any kind of "hazing" or demeaning "initiation" pranks are strictly prohibited as part of a candidate's Ordeal.
===Brotherhood membership=== Upon completion of a minimum ten months as an Ordeal member, all Arrowmen are encouraged to become ''Brotherhood members'' (often seen as "full" membership or a "sealing" of OA membership). A demonstration of advanced knowledge of the Order of the Arrow and its traditions is required for the conferring of Brotherhood membership at ceremonies for that purpose.
===Vigil Honor=== After a minimum of two years as a Brotherhood member of the Order, Arrowmen are eligible to receive the ''Vigil Honor'' from their lodge. Selection is limited to two people for every 50 members of the lodge and is made annually based on exceptional service above and beyond the norm, whether through leadership, exemplary efforts, or dedication. As stated in the ''OA Fact Sheet'', "The Vigil Honor is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made distinguished contributions beyond the immediate responsibilities of their position or office to one or more of the following: their lodge, the Order of the Arrow, Scouting, or their Scout camp. Under no circumstances should tenure in Scouting or the Order of the Arrow be considered as reason enough for a Vigil Honor recommendation."<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-512.html | title =OA Fact Sheet | format = | work = | publisher =Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America | accessdate =March 5 | accessyear =2007 }}</ref> Recipients are given an Indian name and participate in traditional Native American ceremonies.
===Ordeal membership=== The selected candidates subsequently participate in a weekend-long "Ordeal", to be formally inducted as ''Ordeal members'' of the OA. These colorful, symbolic ceremonies are kept shrouded in mystery, as Arrowmen are strongly admonished not to reveal certain OA rituals to non-members. Consequently, the OA has occasionally been viewed by some as a [[secret society]]. However, BSA guidelines now make clear that any concerned parent, guardian or religious leader may view the ceremonies, attend meetings, or read scripts upon request to a council, district, lodge or chapter official, to assure themselves that there is nothing objectionable. Such persons are asked to safeguard the details relating to ceremonies, for the sake of the participants. Similarly, any kind of "hazing" or demeaning "initiation" pranks are strictly prohibited as part of a candidate's Ordeal.
===Brotherhood membership=== Upon completion of a minimum ten months as an Ordeal member, all Arrowmen are encouraged to become ''Brotherhood members'' (often seen as "full" membership or a "sealing" of OA membership). A demonstration of advanced knowledge of the Order of the Arrow and its traditions is required for the conferring of Brotherhood membership at ceremonies for that purpose.
===Vigil Honor=== After a minimum of two years as a Brotherhood member of the Order, Arrowmen are eligible to receive the ''Vigil Honor'' from their lodge. Selection is limited to two people for every 50 members of the lodge and is made annually based on exceptional service above and beyond the norm, whether through leadership, exemplary efforts, or dedication. As stated in the ''OA Fact Sheet'', "The Vigil Honor is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made distinguished contributions beyond the immediate responsibilities of their position or office to one or more of the following: their lodge, the Order of the Arrow, Scouting, or their Scout camp. Under no circumstances should tenure in Scouting or the Order of the Arrow be considered as reason enough for a Vigil Honor recommendation."<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-512.html | title =OA Fact Sheet | format = | work = | publisher =Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America | accessdate =March 5 | accessyear =2007 }}</ref> Recipients are given an Indian name and participate in traditional Native American ceremonies.
==Symbols== Arrowmen are identified by a white sash bearing a red arrow that is worn over their right shoulder. An Ordeal member is recognized by a sash with a lone arrow. The Brotherhood sash bears an arrow with a red bar at each end of the arrow. A Vigil Honor sash has the bars of Brotherhood at each end of the arrow and a triangle superimposed on the center of the shaft. The triangle bears three small arrows arranged in a counterclockwise direction. The sash is worn with the scout uniform at Order of the Arrow functions and when specifically representing the Order of the Arrow. Arrowmen indicate lodge affiliation by wearing a patch on the right pocket flap of their uniform shirt. Some lodges incorporate distinctive designs on these "Lodge Flaps", commemorating various events or level of membership. Collection and trading of Lodge Flaps from across the nation is a popular pastime for many. Arrowmen also exchange a special handshake as a token of brotherhood, along with other signs and passwords.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url =http://www.main.oa-bsa.org/qanda/qa-36.htm | title =The Handclasp of the Lodge | format = | work = | publisher =Order of the Arrow | accessdate =April 11 | accessyear =2006 }}</ref>. The OA's official song, "Firm Bound in Brotherhood",<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url =http://www.hymn.ru/firm-bound-in-brotherhood-en.html | title =Firm Bound in Brotherhood | format = | work =Russian Anthems museum | publisher = | accessdate =April 11 | accessyear =2006 }}</ref> was written in 1921 by OA founder [[E. Urner Goodman]] and is sung to the Russian hymn tune ''[[God Save the Tsar]]'', composed by [[Alexei Fyodorovich Lvov]] in the 19th century.
==History== The Order of the Arrow was founded in 1915 at a Scout [[summer camp]] on [[Treasure Island (Scout reservation)|Treasure Island]], on the [[Delaware River]] near [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]. The two men principally responsible for its creation were camp director [[E. Urner Goodman]] and his assistant [[Carroll A. Edson]]. Goodman and Edson were looking for ways to improve the camp and to keep the older boys coming back. They looked at several sources in creating their new 'camp fraternity',<ref>{{cite book | last = Davis | first = Ken | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2000| url = | title =Brotherhood of Cheerful Service: A History of the Order of the Arrow, 3rd edition | format = | work = | publisher =Order of the Arrow| accessdate = | accessyear = }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Block | first = Nelson| authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2000| url = | title = A Thing of the Spirit, The Life of E. Urner Goodman | format = | work = | publisher =Boy Scouts of America| accessdate = | accessyear = }}</ref> including: * Edward Cave's ''Boy's Camp Book'' for the concept of a camp society that would perpetuate camp traditions. * [[Fraternities and sororities|College fraternities]] for the concepts of Brotherhood and rituals, and the idea of new members pledging themselves to the new organization. * [[Ernest Thompson Seton]]'s [[Woodcraft Indians]] for the use of American Indian lore to make the organization interesting and appealing to youth, which lead them to incorporating traditions and legends of the local [[Lenni Lenape]] (Delaware) Indians in the OA's ceremonies. In fact, the true name of the Order means ''Brotherhood of Cheerful Service'' in the [[Lenape language]]. * Brotherhood of Andrew and Phillip, a Presbyterian church youth group with which Goodman had been involved as a young man. * [[Freemasonry]] and its traditions and rituals probably contributed more to the basic structure of the rituals than any other organization. In an interview with Carroll Edson during his later years, he recalled that the task of writing the first rituals of the Order of the Arrow was assigned to an early member who was "a 32nd degree Mason." Familiar terms such as "lodge" and "obligation," were borrowed from Masonic practice, as were some ceremonial practices. Even the early national meeting was called a "Grand Lodge," thought to be a Masonic reference. Goodman became a Mason only after the OA was established. The Order earned official recognition as a BSA program experiment in 1922, along with several other honor societies.<ref>Other camping honor societies were created subsequent to 1915 at various Scout camps (see {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://usscouts.org/honorsociety/honorscout.html | title =Scout Honor Societies | format = | work = | publisher =U.S. Scouting Service Project}}) As of 2007, only two BSA councils do not have associated OA lodges: [[Scouting in California|Long Beach Area Council]] in [[California]] has the [[Tribe of Tahquitz]] and the [[Scouting in Missouri|Pony Express Council]] in [[Missouri]] has the [[Tribe of Mic-O-Say]]. </ref> It acquired its present name at the same time. A meeting of the National Lodge at the [[Owasippe Scout Reservation]] in 1933 voted to recommend that the BSA adopt it as part of its official program, which the National Council did in 1934. Full integration was completed in 1948. [[image:Unami Lodge Flap.png|Unami Lodge Flap|thumb]] The oldest Order of the Arrow lodge is [[Cradle_of_Liberty_Council#Order_of_the_Arrow_Lodge|Unami Lodge #1]] of the [[Cradle of Liberty Council|Cradle of Liberty (Philadelphia) Council]], founded at [[Treasure Island (Scout reservation)|Treasure Island]] in 1915 by Goodman and Edson.
==Organization== The basic unit of the order is the ''lodge'', which is chartered to a local Boy Scout council. The highest official of the lodge is the local council's Scout executive, who holds the position of "Netami Gegeyjumhet" (first chief in [[Lenape|Lenni-Lenape]]) and is referred to as the "Supreme Chief of the Fire". The Order of the Arrow places great emphasis on being a youth-led organization. Only youth (under age 21) are voting members and are eligible to hold elective offices at lodge, section, region, or National levels as elected officers. Adults serve the OA in advisory roles as non-voting members and may be appointed to specific positions such as ''lodge adviser'' and ''chapter adviser''. They are also appointed as advisers to specific youth officers and committees in the lodge. Many others help with service projects and transportation, assuring that safety guidelines are observed. The ''lodge chief'' is an elected youth who is responsible for the program and general operation of the lodge. Each lodge has its own bylaws (within general OA guidelines) and may have additional youth officers such as ''vice chiefs'' with specific areas of responsibility, a ''secretary'', a ''treasurer'', or perhaps others. Typically, lodges have standing committees responsible for ceremonies, service projects, publications, unit elections, camp promotions, Indian dance team, etc., all comprised entirely of youth members. In larger councils, many lodges are sub-divided into ''chapters'', which generally correspond to districts within the council. Lodge chapters may organize some local OA activities, primarily meetings, service projects, and unit elections. Lodges from the same area are grouped into one or more ''sections'', the primary purpose of which is to organize an annual gathering of all lodges in the section at a ''conclave'', or weekend gathering at a camp, for training, inter-lodge competitions, and fellowship. Each section annually elects youths as ''section chief'', ''section vice-chief'', and ''section secretary''. At the annual Dallas planning meeting, section chiefs elect from their number the ''National chief'' and ''National vice-chief'', followed by the four ''region chiefs''. All section chiefs present participate in the balloting process for the Nation chief and National vice-chief, but only participate in the region chief election for their region. At the National level, the Order is headed by the ''National Order of the Arrow Committee''; a subcommittee of the [[Boy Scout Committee|National Boy Scout Committee]], of which the National chief, National vice-chief, and the four region chiefs are voting members. The current chairman of the National committee is [[Bradley Haddock]].
==Activities== :''For a list of National Order of the Arrow Conference and other national OA events, see [[List of Order of the Arrow national events]] Most lodges hold several annual events, often at camps belonging to the local Boy Scout council, for the purpose of fellowship, inducting new members, and service work to improve the council camp. Annually, members of lodges who are grouped into a ''section'' (an administrative grouping of anywhere from two to ten lodges) gather at a Section Conclave for fellowship, training, competition, and to elect youth officers to lead the Section. For several years, the Order has sponsored special service groups to the three National High Adventure Bases. This started with the [[Order of the Arrow Trail Crew]] at the [[Philmont Scout Ranch]], which has worked to build new trails and repair old ones. Later this expanded to the [[Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases]] with the OA Wilderness Voyage, which has repaired the portage trails in the Boundary Waters area. Most recently, the OA began the "Ocean Adventure" at the [[Florida National High Adventure Sea Base]] in the [[Florida Keys]], which offers [[Scuba diving|scuba diving]] certification and works to repair reefs in the [[Florida Keys]]. In a new program planned for the summer of 2008, the OA will offer "ArrowCorp5" to both youth and adult Arrowmen. Described as "one of the largest conservation efforts in Scouting's history" by the Boy Scouts of America, more than 5,000 Arrowmen will converge on five national forests to work on various conservation projects such as building new trails and helping preserve nearly extinct species. Since the 1950s, the Order has fielded a Service Corps for [[National Scout jamboree (Boy Scouts of America)|national scout jamborees]]. At recent jamborees, this has expanded with a major show and "The Outdoor Adventure Program".
===National Order of the Arrow Conferences=== Since the early 1920's, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has regularly held national gatherings of its membership. Now usually occurring once every two years, a ''National Order of the Arrow Conference'' (NOAC) is a multi-day event which takes place on a university campus, bringing together thousands of delegates from OA Lodges around the nation for training and activities. As a youth-led organization, these national conferences are organized and directed by the elected section and region youth officers, who serve on committees responsible for various conference aspects under the leadership of the ''conference vice-chief''. During a NOAC, Arrowmen participate in several events: * "Meet the Man" * Training events, which include program, [[leadership]], [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|American Indian]] culture, and more * TOAP, The Outdoor Adventure Place * Founder's Day * Goodman Games * athletic competitions between lodges * ceremonial competitions between lodges * dance team and individual dance competitions * OA Museum * Camp Promotion Exhibits * Outdoor & Camping exhibitors * Service work * Patch Trading Evening shows have different themes. Shows include one on American Indian culture, and recognition of dance competition winners. An awards show includes presentations of the OA Distinguished Service Award. The next NOAC will be held at Indiana University in 2009.
==Training== In addition to training courses available at a NOAC, the OA offers weekend leadership training events for members: *'''Lodge Leadership Development''' (LLD)–a one-day or two-day event conducted by a lodge to train their officers and advisers, making use of an OA website to create a customized training syllabus based on survey data entered by lodge officers and advisors. *'''National Leadership Seminars''' (NLS)–conducted by regions for lodge officers and advisers. Typically, each region schedules three or four NLS weekends annually, at geographically dispersed locations within the region. *'''National Lodge Advisor Training Seminar''' (NLATS)–for adults, usually held in conjunction with an NLS and conducted by regions, on the role of advisors in the OA.
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