Mrjeff

Perhaps its time for a change of command. The incoming unit leader could focus on the fun and not worry about "what these boys need to learn is...." The adult leadership in the OA should learn that the lodge doesn't belong to them and what they did is irrelevant unless it aligns with what the voting members want. Jezzzzzzzzzz.............what happened to just having a good time ?

In order for a youth to be elected they must have Scoutmaster approval. The election team really has no idea who is eligible and they rely on the list provided by the SM. This approval or disapproval MUST be exercised before the election and its really that simple.

Again I have to ask, what does a national committee know about the successes or failures of a local lodge? I would wager that it ain't much. Make suggestions, provide help if requested, worry about NOAC, but leave the workings of the individual lodges to the local councils that are not owned or administered by the national organization. Their words, not mine.

How about trustworthy, loyal, brave, clean and reverent?

⁹0The national committee should mind their own business. If a lodge can come to an agreement with their local Native Americans then leave them alone. If not give advice concerning alternatives. But don't issue cease and decist directives where there is no problem.

I heard this rumor too, but could not substantiate it.

This is wonderful, but I can find a tribal pastor to say the exact opposite so who do we listen to?

Ok guys, I am a lodge advisor and my support of youth leadership is unwavering. If a national OA Committee made up of mostly youth members the decisions that they make would be more palatable. As it is that committee is made up of adults. These far reaching choices should be made by the kids who are affected by these choices. If the pieces keep getting chopped off, soon there will be nothing left, and to me, it looks like that may be the goal.

I guess that my major concerns are these. The OA started out as a way to honor a few outstanding camp staff members. It then became a society of Scout Honor Campers and then the Scouting National Honor Society, all the while focused on service and camp promotions. The trappings and ceremonial movement are very close to those of another ancient and respected organization and my fellow travelers know exactly what I am talking about. If those specific things were removed there would be no Order of the Arrow. Youth leadership is supposed to be the groundwork of the OA but the many decisions e

This is really awsome and displays just how easy it is to do a Google search and cut/paste one article to substantiate your opinion, for which you are completly entitled. However; it does not negate the fact that I have never met a First Nation citizen who has any negative thoughts or issues with our current Order of the Arrow practices or customs.

This is really awsome and displays just how easy it is to do a Google search and cut/paste one article to substantiate your opinion, for which you are completly entitled. However; it does not negate the fact that I have never met a First Nation citizen who has any negative thoughts or issues with our current Order of the Arrow practices or customs.

This is really awsome and displays just how easy it is to do a Google search and cut/paste one article to substantiate your opinion, for which you are completly entitled. However; it does not negate the fact that I have never met a First Nation citizen who has any negative thoughts or issues with our current Order of the Arrow practices or customs.

I think that you have identified the issues! We have turned into a culture that accepts good enough rather then quality. Everybody who shows up gets a pass no matter how they participated. Everything should be available to everyone and everyone's rights and feelings are more important then your own. Thomas Payne stated that if you are afraid to offend you cannot be honest. I would venture a guess that if you asked, your Scouts wouldn't even know who Thomas Payne was. Perhaps the BSA and all of its goals,nstandards and traditions has run its course, outlived its usefulness and should just

I'm a little confused.

Not being rude simply stating that if you are not a member of the first nation you really don't have a complaint that needs to be the basis of policy. Exactly is the speaker? Is he a chief, an elder or a fringe radical? WHO IS PUTTING THIS STUFF OUT THERE? Why is it so hard to answer this question, doesn't anybody know or is it just made up BS used by people to advance their own agenda? Like I said before, I have never met or spoken to a Native American who has any issue with the OA and the use of Native American regalia. Somebody somewhere can find something offensive in anything. If

Unless you are a tribal member with tribal status and can speak on behalf of First Nation citizens, then you are not one. You are entitled to your ideas and opinions, but really "don't have a dog in the fight." Since you like to mention sports teams, why don't you do a little research into the Florida State Seminole and see where they stand on the issue.

Unfortunately this is just another step in the systematic suicide of the Boy Scouts. I agree that the BSA is a private organization that requires an application and a membership fee. Therefore the private organization can restrict who can be accepted for membership. At one time each member had to agree with the scout oath and law and recognize their duty to God. It was that simple and it worked for a long time. Like it or not, agreemor not, the Boy Scouts stopped using these strict guidelines and turned the BSA into a club med that is open to everyone and has a place for everybody. Sincce

WHO ARE THEY, anyone can right down anything but exactly who are the complainers? If it is some Berkly professor who thinks its ok if a boy thinks he's a girl or if a girl thinks she's a cat, then they do need to "shut the hell up."

Oh boy, like I said, just try and revoke the membership of someone because they are gay, and see where that goes.

Right......try to revoke the membership of someone who is gay!!!! Also, the BSA has openly stated that they do not own the local councils, and each council is autonomous with their own board of directors. Cant have it both ways.

This whole pile of $&!+ is based on supposition, conjecture and opinions. Who are the people making this an issue. Are they tribal members,mare they tribal elders, do they have any tribal status at all? Or are these decisions being made by a committee who is just guessing? An administration can fill committees with people who will forward their agenda. I gald that I was informed that national committee members work hard because in 50+ years in scouting I don't know anyone on a national anything. This post started out discussing how jacked up and sideways the OA has gotten for many Sc

Congress makes the laws, but anyone can violate those laws. Employers, individuals, or governing bodies can all violate the civil liberties of another. And can be held accountable.

Sorry guys but it doesn't have to beagovernment agency to violate the civil liberties of a US Citizen. I also know very well that the individuals on the National OA Committee can be identified but just try and contact someone and unless you are part of that inner circle, you just can't. As for withholding information, unless its some top secret stuff that is vital to national security, it needs to be distributed. That committee makes decisions that impact lodges world wide. (I have no intention of getting into a discussion about lodges located outside of the United States.) They have no

I have recently learned that the mystical national committee, whoever they are, voted on something concerning AIA but are keeping it a secret. A SECRET, if they have the brass to think they can dictate what every lodge in the nation can do then they should at least publicize it and be willing to deal with the push back and fall out. If they try to forbid the use of regalia and verbiage they may be in for a great big stinking and expensive 1st Amendment law suit. That may get their attention. After reading many of the previous posts I would like to remind the group that each lodge is SUPPO

On another note I take the responsibility of being the OA Guy very seriously. As far as the lodge goes the buck stops here. If everything is great the Chief and the LEC have done a great job. If something or anything goes sideways it is totally my responsibility and I accept that. I am always happy to see our Scout Execytive at our events and I take pride in how well the pros and I work together and my focus is always on the kids. I'm not bragging, I just know how fortunate I am to be in this situation.