Re: "OA is a joke"
Stephen Creason (CREASONS@SCHOLAR.WABASH.EDU)
Fri, 3 Feb 1995 13:00:04 -0500
In Reply to Larry, Bob, and Josh's Postings:
OA has a reputation in many areas as being an organization that
"means nothing," such as the case that Larry describes. All I can say
to that is that OA is what you make of it. Just like Scouting (no
matter what group, for that matter) what you get out of it is what
you put into it. E. Urner Goodman and Carrol Edson founded the Order
to be a service organization that serves scouting. Unfortunatly in
some areas, it has not lived up to its expectations.
I think this can be attributed to one particular phenomenon: Advisors
(members over 21) taking a overbearing leadership role while crowding
out the youth who are truly supposed to laed the organization. I have
seen this time and time again in my chapter and lodge (thankfully not
at the sectional level or above). Advisor's forget their title,
ADVISORS! When an adult takes the lead away from the youth you should
be doing it, he hurts that youth and discourgues him from taking a
lead, even though the advisor meant no harm and was just trying to
make things better. This is not to say that advisors should not take
an active role in the order, just the proper role. God knows that
without the advise of my advisors when I was Lodge Chief I probably
wouldn't have got the thihgs done that I did. As Bob's posting shows,
Advisors are important, but their place is limited.
> OA around here is excitement, not a joke.
>
> I do know many years back though, the lodge was pretty
> much down and out. AN individual made it clear to all
> members that the OA=SERVICE and put the spark back in
> and has brought it back, so it is never too late.
This is an embodiment of the Order. Their is a place for everyone in
the order, and the Order can offer a lot to the individual (like the
EXCELLENT leadership programs that our National Chief outlined) but
it's what the individual puts into the order that's important.
Josh's advice to Larry's (or your) Lodge Adviser is very good indeed.
It doesn't take a whole lot to change your OA program into a positive
youth-centered program, but you and your scouts need to take the lead
in this and make the most out of a great organization.
YiS,
Steve Creason
--
*********************
Stephen Creason
Wabash College
CREASONS@wabash.edu
*********************
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
