Re: OA eligibility <> rank
Bob Haar (rhaar@ALBERT.CS.GMR.COM)
Fri, 19 Nov 1993 14:18:30 EST
> From: Hilding Holroyd <hilding@CATFISH.OCPT.CCUR.COM>
> > quoting From: Nathan Brindle NBRINDLE%INDYCMS.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU
> >
> > > If the boy has the rank, ipso facto the SM and BoR have approved him for
> > > OA candidacy. Anything else verges on (I did not say IS, mind you!)
> > > hypocrisy.
Having achieved First Class and having camped the required number
of nights are not the only requirements, just the most measurable.
OA members should also represent the best of Scouting ideals, live
up to the "Happy Camper" idea, and pre committed to future service.
If the Scoutmaster does not believe that a particular scout neets
all of them, then he/she should eliminate that scout from the
election ballot.
> >
> > Nathan, that's not my understanding. Though I have never been a SM, I am
> > both a Lodge Committee Advisor and a long time OA Brotherhood member... my
> > understanding is that the OA requirements are NOT the same as the rank
> > requirements and the SM DOES have the duty to preview the ballot of
> > candidates for OA election and remove (publicly) any youth that (s)he feels
> > is not qualified (on any number of points) for OA membership.
> >
> > Just as it's the SMs right (though I don't like it) to prevent OA elections
> > in the Troop at all if it's not something (s)he feels will benifit the
> > Troop.
>
> I was not aware of that last point. When I removed a name from the ballot
> I told Committeemen who were in the OA why I was doing it. And I gave them
> the opportunity to dispute me on it. If they had, the name would have gone
> back on. But to withhold elections entirely, I (were I an SM again) would
> not do it without fully discussing it with the committee and voicing my
> reasons.
We once cancelled an OA election that was in process because the
OA representative was doing such a bad job of it. He did not know
the rules about how many candidates each scout could vote for and
didn't seem to understand waht OA is all about. He turned it into
a popularity contest.
Now, we discuss the OA election with the troop a week ahead of time.
We emphasize the commitment to future service. This also helps to
eliminate potential candidates who are not ready to make that
commitment.
Bob Haar
Chartered Organization Representative, Troop and Pack 188
BSA, Clinton Valley Council, Pontiac, Michigan, USA.
Chippewa Lodge #29, WWW
email: rhaar@gmr.com (InterNet)
rhaar@aol.com (America OnLine)
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