Re: ARROW-L is now officially open
Settummanque, the blackeagle (waltoml@WKUVX1.WKU.EDU)
Sat, 9 Jul 1994 10:27:25 CST
jacobi.PARC@XEROX.COM writes:
>
>> membership is being limited to members of the OA
>Don't forget: The youth protection stuff says there are no secret organizations
> in BSA
Christian: You are absolutely correct. Here's the deal on the
Arrow-L list (and no, I haven't talked with Jack Thornton or anyone
on the list...I've just completed the "entry posting" to gain entrance
myself!)
The "nature" of the Order of the Arrow required us Arrowmen on here
(and other forums) to "leave out" or talk in "general terms" about the
elements of the Pre-Ordeal, Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil Honor
ceremonies, because we know that many youth members read Scouts-L and
therefore, the mystery behind belonging would be lost if they knew
what was going on and how it was conducted. Many of the pressing
questions about Order of the Arrow issues -- from "How is your Lodge
doing the Pre-Ordeal" to "Does Allowat Sakima (the mighty chief) HAVE
to say every word verbatim, or does he have some leeway in what he
says as long as the intent is brought accross" to "Has your Lodge had
a female Allowat Sakima yet and what was, if any, the critism about
it" -- could be answered here, but only in general terms which made
many feel that we were "talking in circles".
When Scouts-L was first chartered, care was made to EXCLUDE those
specific comments or explainations in order to protect the "history"
of the Order.....NOT TO PREVENT THOSE THAT ARE TRULY INTERESTED IN
FINDING OUT. As always, myself and other Arrowmen were more than
willing to explain elements of the ceremonies and other matters but
NOT through the list.
Over the spring, those types of questions were also raised on the
USENET list "rec.scouting", and just like here, many Arrowmen raised
concerns about what we talking and explaining in an "open forum"
whereby youth members, not elected to the Order, can see and read in
advance of the Ordeal. That led Jack Thornton to organize a list
whereby Arrowmen can talk amoung themselves about SPECIFIC OA issues
that cannot (and shouldn't) be explained in graphic, tedious detail
here on Scouts-l. Jack had some problems with doing it himself, and
the way I understand it, asked Nathan Brindle (whom serves as
listowner of several lists and a Chapter Advisor in Indianopolis) to
assist him with the organization of a BITNET discussion list called
"ARROW-L".
I don't think that this will result in a split between Scouts-L and
Arrow-L. I believe, Christian, that the two lists will complement each
other by providing *youth program discussion* on Scouts-L (this list's
charter) and providing *indepth discussion on Order of Arrow issues*
on Arrow-L (what I think the charter is of the OA list). Also, I
feel that many of the issues that are discussed there will "float
over" into Scouts-L eventually, so that the flow of information will
be constant.
We all just won't be able to read *in detail* about the Order of the
Arrow SPECIFIC activities.
The word you are seeking, Christian, is NOT "secret". It is
"guarded". ALL of the activities of the Order of the Arrow are open to
ANY adult, registered or not, interested in the Order of the Arrow or
it's programs. This includes the local Lodge activities and events.
Again, I offer myself (and I am sure that other members of the new
list will also do so) to explain to you or others off-list what kinds
of things we hope that Arrow-L will do for us that cannot be done here
on Scouts-L.
Settummanque!@ HEY! Speaking not for anyone on Arrow-L but me
(hopefully)!
--
Settummanque, the blackeagle... (MAJ) Mike L. Walton (
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