Re: Order of the Arrow
Alan Houser (troop24@EMF.NET)
Wed, 11 Aug 1999 09:52:23 -0700
Sarah Nunez <trinoaks@FLASH.NET> asked:
>Our Chartering Organization has decided not to allow our troop to
>participate in Order of the Arrow. (They're concerned about references
>to Native American religions.) Does that prevent *everyone* in the
>troop from participating unless they find a new troop?
Two thoughts come to mind.
First, the troop doesn't participate in OA (beyond the election of
candidates). The candidates partipate in OA activities from the
ordeal and beyond. Does the CO mean that the Scouts cannot become
OA members?
Second, all OA activities, including the ordeal ceremonies may be
observed by troop leaders, parents, and I would assume charter
organization representatives to allay any concerns they may have
about hazing, religious overtones (neither is allowed, beyond
"A Scout is reverent"), or any other matter. Work with the lodge
leadership and invite the CR to an ordeal to see for himself/herself
what is actually happening.
YiS,
Alan R. Houser ** troop24@emf.net
** Scoutmaster, Troop 24, Berkeley, California **
** Committee Member, Crew 24, Berkeley, California **
** Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner, Herms District **
** WWW page ** http://www.emf.net/~troop24/t24.html **
