From: Jason Cruse (jcruse@SOCKET.NET)
Date: Wed Jun 28 2000 - 07:18:31 CDT
>Paul
>This is a tough question, caused in part because of the unnecessary secrecy
surrounding OA elections. In my troop, I have the tapout immediately after
the votes have been counted...
<snip>
In some cases, this is possible and perhaps desirable. However, there are
also traditions and three other boys to be looked after here, as well. I
make the following arguments:
1) If call-out/tap-out is at camp, it is likely a memorable ceremony, more
memorable than probably any troop can do on its own at home. If this
experience is available, why take it away from the three who were elected
because one who wasn't might not be able to take it?
2) I do not tell anyone who got elected until just before the camp ceremony
starts. The way ours works is that the chief knows who to "tap" based on a
sign made by other Arrowmen...so if I have more than on boy elected, I
obviously need some help. No one knows...not even my wife who is on the
committee...until we head for the campfire. The suspense keeps the boys
going. I've offered to tell them before, but they have all refused.
3) In the case of a young man who *may* not take it well, don't overplan
and psych yourself out. If the young man's father is going to camp, I might
consider telling him right before the call-out. He may be a very big help
here. Don't tell him until camp.
4) In many cases, I would argue that a young man who acts poorly following
an election/call-out isn't mature enough for the Order---and that in itself
may be why he didn't get elected. But what happens if he doesn't throw a
fit? I have stepped in in the past with my boys and made comments
through-out the year about how a young man has changed, grown, etc. Boys
have a tendency to keep negative thoughts about their peers in their heads;
sometimes we need to help them move those negative thoughts out.
5) Above all, DON'T mess with whatever traditions you have locally. Part
of the fun of the Order is boys being involved in something with tradition.
The vast majority love it; it is part of what keeps them. Even things like
chapter names mean something to them. Keep on your present plan, maybe
bring dad in, and be ready to counsel the scout, but don't let that become
the focus. He may yet surprise you....
Jason Cruse
Jason A. Cruse
Dept. of Political Science
University of Missouri-Columbia
jcruse@socket.net
