Re: OA Callout Ceremonies
allogagaw (allogagaw@MEGSINET.NET)
Wed, 20 Jan 1999 09:09:49 -0600
Jim Peterson wrote:
>How many DISTRICTS out there currently perform callout ceremonies for
their
>candidates for Order of the Arrow? In our case, our district is our local
>chapter of the lodge. In a larger district, I suppose there could be more
>than one chapter in a district so my question might be better phrased, How
>many OA Chapters perform a callout ceremony as opposed to having scouts
>called out at summer camp?
This problem would be better suited for the Arrow-L discussion group but,
Shawnee Lodge in the Greater St. Louis Area Council. performs that
callout and pre-ordeal as a "lodge" at summer camp. The Induction
however is done by chapter (district).
Over the last 10 years we have always been in the top 5 largest lodges
in the nation (in size). I believe we are 2nd right now with 14 districts.
The average number of candidates inducted each year is around 1200...
and nothing EVER changes. Summer camp staff has always done the
callout and it works the best for us. I do feel that Summer Camp is the
best place to recoginize the newly elected members. Where the pre-ordeal
is done is another matter. Ours is done at summer camp and the Ordeal is
done later. Kinda screws up the ceremony (OA members will understand),
but, that's the way we do it. I personally feel that the Pre-ordeal BELONGS
the night before the Ordeal. Though, WE will never change it.
I have heard of some lodges rotating the weekly induction at summer
camp by having different chapters doing the ceremony, but, I do not
have any specific examples.
Mark Wilbur - Allogagaw (He who serves)
"Used to be an OWL NC-513 (312-35-1984), Always be an Eagle (1973)"
Scoutmaster (since 1986) Troop 374 St. Louis, Mo.
