OA elections

In a message dated 98-08-10 10:13:13 EDT, Jerome Phillips says:
> Having been a Lodge Unit Elections Advisor for one year I know the
< mechanics of the election process.

<The best thing to inform the new boys about the OA is the unit elections
<team that conducts the election. If they are not motivated or excited
<neither will your boys. That results in the popularity contest. The UE
<team needs to make sure that everyone understands the purpose of the
<order. I suggest that you talk to those folks and light the proverbial
<council fire under their butts.

I have also served (and am serving) as Lodge Election Advisor, and agree in
part with Jerome. There are two mechanics of the election process operating
at once, the role of which needs to be understood. The Unit Election Team and
the Scoutmaster.

1. The unit election teams need to be well trained. Not just as to the
mechanics and the rules, but how to adequately prepare the scouts for what
they are about to vote for. It is their running of the election which will be
praised or questioned. They must explain the process. They must explain the
election goal. They must explain that you do not have to vote or how to vote.
They are responsible for the success of the process.

2. The Scoutmaster , likeise needs to be trained in the election process.
The Scoutmaster (at least as deplicted by the previous 15 commects herein) is
also responsible for preparing the scouts for the election. (it is true, this
is not his role during the election, I am referring to prior to the election.)
Our scoutmasters are encouraged to know the election process, to introduce the
candidates determined to be eligible for election. To explain that all of
these candidates have been so certified by the Scoutmaster. And to explain
that turning in a ballot with only one or two candiates is a no vote for the
others, unless you feel that only one or two are worthy. Special education
should be given to the new young scouts about the election and that they may
elect to not turn in a ballot if they do not know the candidates of feel they
are not prepared to execise a vote.

EVERY Scoutmaster whom I have talked to about disatisfaction with the
election, neglected to prepare for the election. This was not a surprise,
after all the SM scheduled the election. On the other hand where the
elections were consided a success, (not 100 % elected, but satisfied with the
results) theSM prepared his troop and the Election team did their job.

Now my question to the 15 prior messages about elections, Did your scoutmaster
do his job in preparing the troop for the election?

YIB
Merl Whitebook
Ta Tsu Hwa 138
Tulsa, Okla

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