Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor - OA

The Order of the Arrow (OA) Vigil Honor is shrouded in mystery. We discuss how and why this is. We also discuss the process by which a Brotherhood member becomes a Vigil Honor member. The Order of the Arrow is full of mystery intentionally. This gives the individual a more meaningful experience through the ceremonies and their own personal ordeal. It is important that we observe and preserve the traditions of the Order of the Arrow. Many of the mysterious questions are answered in this video without revealing its method. It would be natural to think of the Vigil Honor as the third and final step of membership, but this is often perceived incorrectly. The Order of the Arrows Brotherhood has a long membership process. The Vigil Honor should be looked upon as an award for service in the past and the future.
🔗LINKS:
🌐 The Vigil Honor: oa-bsa.org/program/awards/vig...
🌐 Wikipedia - Order of the Arrow Honors and Awards: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_o...
🎬 What's a NOAC? • What's a NOAC? - Natio...
🎬 After Brotherhood What’s Next? • Order of the Arrow, Af...
🎬 I’m an Ordeal Member: • I’m an Ordeal Member… ...
🎬 I’ve Been Elected to the OA: • I’ve Been Elected to t...
🎬 OA Playlist: • What’s the Order of th...
🩳 OA Vigil Honor Short: • Order of the Arrow Vig...
⚜️ ScouterStan Website: scouterstan.com
🎧 ScouterStan PodCast: anchor.fm/scouterstan
🔑 Show Notes: In the order of the arrow when you first get inducted you're elected by your unit members and non-members. Then you go through your ordeal and start your membership in the OA. After serving a while members complete the process by going through brotherhood.
After 2 or more years of service as a brotherhood member. You become eligible for the Vigil Honor.
• There is no form to fill out by the candidate. No campaigning or lobbying on their own behalf is allowed. Others can make anonymous proposals to the nominating committee.
• Candidates are considered for their past and future service to Scouting and the order.
• The vote is done without the candidate's knowledge and it’s retained confidentiality.
New Vigil Honor recipients get a new sash and an Indigenous American Indian name. This name is reflective of the recipients' character. Depending on the lodge there are some events and patches that are exclusive for vigil honor brothers. Thiers no additional privileges or rights given, if anything a higher level of commitment is expected.
⏱ Time Stamp & Video Jump List:
0:00 OA Vigil Honor
0:21 OA Membership
1:29 OA Mysteries
3:00 Vigil Honor Selection
5:24 The Vigil Ceremony
5:50 Vigil Benefits
7:11 Good Leaders Like You
#scouterstan #scouts #scoutleader ‪@ScouterStan‬ © 2021 S Richards LLC

[@CMallams]

I’ve recently found your channel, scouting was monumental as a young adult, growing as a young kid earning my arrow of light through to Eagle Scout as well as all of my volunteering, staffing camp to eventually Course Director COPE and rock climbing for my council, it’s made me the man I am, being a vigil reciprocate myself I understand as well as, shocked! and in disbelief,,, very honored when I was nominated… thank you for what you’re doing. Best regards.

[@countcagliostro3337]

As an old mentor of mine told me "You are a Vigil when you do what a Vigil does, hopefully the Lodge recognizes it and gives you a new sash. If not, you carry on just the same."

[@ScouterStan]

That's really good advice. Thank you for contributing to our community brother. YIB⚜

[@countcagliostro3337]

Well said! I wasn't surprised upon being told I needed a new sash, I was absolutely shocked. I had proudly worn a Brotherhood sash for over 40 years and had long ago given up on my youthful dreams of getting a triangle. I had always thought I would feel pretty proud wearing that rarest of sashes. Instead I felt humbled.

[@ScouterStan]

What an honor, brother. The Vigil triangle takes on more meaning as time goes on. I agree with you that receiving the Vigil honor is very humbling. It's important that everyone understands that the Vigil is an honor, not a way of separating brothers away or apart. I'm truly honored that you are apart of our community fire on KZbin. Thank you brother, YIB ⚜

[@LackaJudgment]

In all my years of scouting, this is the one rank I never acquired. Big props to those who have managed to make it this far; you have not only demonstrated what it means to be a leader, but have also embodied the discipline, values, principles, and perseverance of the Scouting spirit. Congratulations to all Vigils!

[@ScouterStan]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. There's one big point that is often overlooked. You have to be active with your lodge and demonstrate all of the values you expressed. The Vigil Honor is only bestowed on its active lodge membership. The nominating committee only considers brothers that are active OA members of the lodge. For adults, many years of OA activity are considered when making a selection. If you're in a small lodge the number of Vigil Honor candidates is limited. When an OA brother is selected for the Vigil Honor with all of the factors considered it is truly deserved. Congratulations to all Vigil Honor recipients. YIB🔺

[@joepattersontheartguy]

Thanks for posting this. I became a Vigil member 4 years ago.

[@ScouterStan]

Congratulations on your vigil honor. Always remember that your vigil honor is an addition to your brotherhood sash. Make sure to write with permanent ink your new name on the inside of your sash. Especially if it's hard to remember it. You never know when someone's going to ask. Look forward to seeing you around the brotherhood fire. YIB🔺

[@theloudduramax]

dont seek the vigil, the vigil seeks you, thats what my lodge says and i definitely saw why after i stood my vigil a few weeks ago.

[@ScouterStan]

I agree one should not do things just to get this recognition. It is always surprising to me how many seek this honor without knowing its meaning. It is a huge obligation to others forever. YIB 🔺

[@dustyvids582]

When you said preserve the traditions… I get what you were saying and why. A little more than most people who clicked on this video. I am brotherhood hoping one day I can go for the honor of vigil

[@ScouterStan]

So many brothers these days do not honor the traditions outlined in our obligation. It's good to know that you understand this and hold to your beliefs. This is one of the many traits that triangle bearers have. You, my brother I know will serve faithfully to your scout unit and lodge and will be recognized one day. Live by the admonition and I will keep your ground blanket by the council fire. YIB⚜

[@1970vigil]

Thank you for your presentation, the way you present and represent BSA and OA is OUTSTANDING. One of the greatest moments of my life was being surprised and being tapped out when I had 1st returned from Vietnam, despite my Father (who was a Vigil honor member) telling me "not to expect anything', remember you have been gone from the lodge for quite some time", as we drove to our first fellowship since returning in 1970.

[@ScouterStan]

Wow, thank you. It truly is an honor to serve other brothers in the order. I am so glad that you got something special from the video. Always remember, no matter how long you've been away there will always be a place for you by the lodge fire. YIB🔺

[@haukepowers]

when my name was called. I cried...tears of pride and thanks to all the leaders and mentors who touched my life as a Scout and as a Scouter...those who knew me best totally understood my reaction...when I put the sash on I ALWAYS recite a quiet sentence...In honor of ...NAME...I wear this sash with humble pride....The names are many..the names are priceless, It is my responsibility to pass on the Torch of Scouting....

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Thanks

[@DisneyLover602]

Stan thank you for not going into depth about the vigil honor. It really is a very personal and special experience that you go through. I went through my vigil honor at my home camp,island park where I had also staffed for three years,gone as a participant for two years and also completed my ordeal and brotherhood there too.

[@ScouterStan]

Sure thing, I didn't wanna spoil the surprise for anyone going through the process. And besides, we're supposed to “observe and preserve” the traditions of the order. The Vigil Honor is special in many ways. I didn't want to blurt out spoilers and ruin it for anyone. My Vigil was a total surprise and very special because I didn't know what to expect. Thank you for subscribing and it's OK to tell others about the community here. YIB ⚜

[@hiddenknowledge9289]

@@ScouterStan Can you make a video about the thangs a eagle scout should do after getting eagle to like preserve the tradition of the eagle scout. I got my eagle scout about a month ago

[@ScouterStan]

@@hiddenknowledge9289 Congratulations on your Eagle. A great suggestion, I will try to put it in Season 5 which is going into production next month. It looks like we are putting one up this November. We have a video on the next step Called “Eagle, is Not an Exit Sign!” kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4jXXnZoeJ2pp68 . Thank you for subscribing to our channel and contributing to the forum. YIS⚜

[@edschultz6364]

Well said I was shocked and honored when my oldest sun was called out for this great honor and as a even bigger surprise I was called out as well,what a great opportunity to have done this with my son.

[@ScouterStan]

It's wonderful if you can do things as a family and receiving acknowledgement of your mutual commitment is even better. Was this a call out for Vigil Honor or Ordeal? Both are equally momentous. YIB🔺

[@edschultz6364]

It was for vigil honor!

[@TacticalAppleGamer]

I can't wait to run for OA in 2 weeks!

[@ScouterStan]

The secret is you don’t run for election. Your leadership and skills will be known by those who elected you. Popularity is not what the OA election is about. There is no campaigning, no debate. The election team will pose the following questions to the Scouts in your troop. Who among you is a good Scout? Who, do you like to go camping with? Who is a friend to all? If your name is thought of when answering these questions you will most likely be elected. From there, you mostly let go and hope for the best. If elected the next challenge is Ordeal. I share in your enthusiasm, my small troop (that I was SPL of) had 4 elections before I was elected as an Ordeal candidate. It was discouraging to not get elected. But I thought about the questions and it made me a better leader and a Scout that others were willing to follow. YIS ⚜

[@2098elk]

Order of Arrow from I think back in 1956 or so. Still have my sash and arrow neck tie. Tamlet Lodge with Crescent Bay Council. Great honor.

[@ScouterStan]

Always good to hear from brothers everywhere. Yours In Brotherhood ⚜

[@KATBIRD1026]

I received my Vigil honor Good Friday 1967, there was a full eclipse of the moon that night.....

[@ScouterStan]

Wow, that must have been awesome. YIB🔺⚜

[@jkelley9681]

That must have been incredible! I remember that eclipse although I was just a cub scout at the time. My Thanksgiving Vigil was just clear and cold

[@Michael-yc6wm]

I got called out for vigil at my lodges banquet yesterday.

[@ScouterStan]

Congratulations on your Vigil honor! I hope to see you in spirit around the Vigil fire. YIB🔺

[@connorneuhaus1281]

To say being nominated is humbly surprising is an understatement! As it was more of a culture shock when I was nominated this past winter. Very much so hit me in the heartstrings and I look forward to sitting my vigil this spring. My question to you is what is your vigil name translation and could you provide any context as to why you think you were bestowed that name?

[@ScouterStan]

Hayetes Akopinkeh Sohsee Etotketeh (literal translation is; “Makes Fun Out-of Work”). A tribal elder told me that “out-of” is a function adjective, so the last word would be thought of before “Sohsee”. His interpretation would make the name “Makes Work Fun” dropping the adjective in literal translation. I like both interpretations depending on how you think of me. My father's Vigil Honor name was Eau for “Owl”. YIB⚜

[@CreativeCeranicPictures]

Thanks for posting. And keeping the mystic nature in tact for me to find out and if and when I am selected. Your wise. www brother. I always like meeting vigil honor scouts much more than eagle scouts. There can do spirit is contagious which we need better press of the oa. Not many outside of scouting know what it is. It's a real shame. One of things I hope to achieve in my life time is show that scouting is much more than the politics we see on TV.

[@ScouterStan]

Much appreciated. Got to "Observe and preserve the traditions of the Order of the Arrow." The mystery makes it special. Welcome to our brotherhood. YIB⚜

[@CreativeCeranicPictures]

I was wondering if knew anything about Alpine scout reservation in new Jersey I been voluntold to go there in September. Just seeing what they need me to do.

[@ScouterStan]

@@CreativeCeranicPictures - It’s the closes Scout Camp to New York City, I think. Other than that I don’t know. YIS⚜

[@Crazyrandom_og]

I will hopefully one day get my vigil honor sash but I have a while since I just got my brotherhood yesterday

[@ScouterStan]

Welcome my brother to the council fire. Remember your commitments and give service to others along your path. The Vigil honor is bestowed on those who others have been served by you. Always remember that if one day you receive this high honor it is worn on your brotherhood sash. YIB🔺

[@connorneuhaus1281]

I too have kept the vigil. Amangiechsin Lekhiket Nihilasohen - Outspoken Scribe That Delivers

[@ScouterStan]

In all this time I thought my Indian name was the hardest to pronounce or remember. You got me beat there. YiB⚜

[@connorneuhaus1281]

Indeed 😂 I am convinced that the “Outspoken” is really meant to say Stubborn!!! Regardless, what a great experience! Definitely one to remember for the rest of my life.

[@chaist94]

is the mini sash an official version of OA pocket dangle? I have the silver arrow with a ribbon, but I like the mini sash for daily wear. can I wear either one?

[@ScouterStan]

All brothers of the order should wear their lodge flap over the righthand pocket of the uniform. The Order of the Arrow sash should only be worn when representing the order or at an OA event. The dangle you see on my uniform signifies Elangomat service. This was presented to me by the lodge after my 4th term. It also prevents my dangles from flipping over so I leave it on all the time. Other pocket devices can be worn under the lodge flap which varies throughout the United States. At the next chapter or lodge event ask one of the advisors about what they think should be worn in your area. Thank you so much for the question. YIB🔺

[@jasonschmuhl7161]

For the leaders though you can jump ranks though I’ve heard right

[@ScouterStan]

I'm confused by your question. Nowhere in Scouting can you “jump ranks”. This video is about the Vigil Honor which has requirements like everything else in Scouting. I've never known anyone who started with Vigil Honor and did not go through Ordeal and Brotherhood. I hope this clears up any confusion and answers the question. YIS⚜

[@bricethompson1922]

Do you have to be a vigil honor recipient to recommend someone to be a recipient of the vigil honor and also how would I go about doing that as in who do I recommend them to?

[@ScouterStan]

Most lodges have a Vigil Honor committee that considers recommendations every year. I do not believe that there are any requirements (other than membership) for the person writing up the recommendation. Write up your recommendation and include a picture of the candidate. Usually, there is a two-year brotherhood requirement and service to the lodge or chapter. Often the number of Vigil Honors awarded is based on the lodge membership numbers. If a recommendation is not evaluated it is retained for consideration the following year. To be on the safe side resubmit every year your recommendation. YIB🔺

[@bricethompson1922]

@@ScouterStan thanks for answering my question stan

[@xfilex3291]

One scout actuly came to me at a oa camp and said that he thinks I should become a vigil honor candidate was he like not supposed to tell me

[@ScouterStan]

The Vigil Honor is very prestigious and rare in most lodges. If you are called out my brother, be ready. If you are not, do not be discouraged as there will be more opportunities for service in the future. YIB⚜

[@xfilex3291]

@@ScouterStan It is up to others

[@huhhuh5620]

During vigil honor selections, does only one person get elected, or can multiple people get elected?

[@ScouterStan]

Depending on the size of your lodge will determine how many are selected. Usually, a 50/50 mix of Scouts (youth) and Scouters (adults) is considered. Sometimes there are not enuff recommendations to select candidates and the limits are not reached. If there are too many recommendations, for the size limits they are held over for consideration next year. There are a lot of variables to consider. In general, the smaller lodges will have fewer candidates than the larger lodges. I hope this helps explain backstage things. YIB🔺

[@jkelley9681]

One vigil per 50 registered members per per year is the maximum allowed. Normally it's less than that.