The Scouters Role in the Order of the Arrow

[@jkelley9681]

I've been the chapter ceremonies advisor for about 10 years now. ( and yes I know all the parts but we do allow the adults to have a script if needed ) But sadly it looks like this fall will probably be our last Ordeal, our overall numbers are down about 50% the ceremony team is down 75%. No one has joined in three years and the last remaining members are about to age out. I've been hearing that a lot of scouts, even new members, don't really want to be in the OA. Exclusivity! Appropriation! they cry.

[@ScouterStan]

Sorry to hear of the difficulty your lodge is having. As councils grow and decrease over time the lodge will be affected. In the early ’80s, I remember a council that had to sell off one of its two scout camps and in so doing combined its lodges. Wow! Lots of stress in the council. Here are some things we need to remind others about. The OA is the BSA National Honor Society of Campers for over 100 years. Membership is permanent but participation is optional. That means if a brother no longer wishes to participate in the OA, they just stop paying dues and remove the OA flap from their uniform (very few remove the flap). If they change their mind later it can be restored. The OA utilizes the wisdom and teaching of the American Native cultures to strengthen youth leadership training. This is reviewed by National and many native tribe elders and officials regularly. It is “appropriation” only if they're not a part of it or have no say. We don’t “play Indian” in the OA. Using an exemplary example found in the principles is necessary to make their meaning clear for all to understand. Unfortunately, a lot of former (misinformed) Scouters and the general public judge the present day based on the bad behavior of the distant past. We need to enlighten them too what it's really about. Keep up the good work and I'll see you on the trail. YIB🔺

[@deanr63]

Thank you for the shout-out Scoutmaster Stan!

[@ScouterStan]

Any time Dean! Need to get your channel to 100+ subs, so you can get a custom URL link. Keep the jokes coming. YIS⚜

[@Michael-yc6wm]

I can say yes to anyone that scouter stan is always good about getting to any comments you have. I've commented on many community posts and videos and have always received a comment in reply. Also as my council redistricted and gone from 11 to 4 districts also combining chapters I do less as a scouter in oa. Before only had 4 scouters in the old chapter and now lots more though disagreement on things have been coming up. I did lot more as one of few adults in old chapter and my scouts made up half the chapter's youth and only ones activelyat all chapter meetings and projects. Now in New chapter they make up a 1/5. But almost 1/3 the active youth at meetings haven't had any projects yet to take them too.

[@ScouterStan]

It sounds like you have a lot of work cut out for you with all the combinations and restructuring of your council/lodge, and district/chapter. Working on becoming a great mentor and advisor to youth leaders will help everyone get through the change. Always remember that “those who voted for you, need you.” Work hard and remember the “irksome tasks” and “weighty responsibilities” of leadership. Always consider the principles of servant leadership. YIB⚜

[@Minetoday14]

How about when you can't get the scouts from the chapter engaged?? I have over 150 in the chapter and can't get even 3 scouts to show up for monthly meetings...it's crazy...I don't wanna plan or run it....I need scouts to step up...any help or feedback very much welcomed...

[@ScouterStan]

It can be very discouraging when you're not getting engagement from the youth in your chapter. When I was an advisor I had over 800 dues-paying members and we get 10 or so at a meeting. I was only able to bring that number up to about 60 at any time. But three main factors that changed everything. First, you have to realize that scouts have a lot of obligations and have to prioritize. Meetings are not the focus that attracts participation. Events and outings will place a higher priority In the minds of participants. Turning the meeting into an event or having a guest speaker or a demonstration of some kind will turn things around. Second, most scouts are dependent on their parents for transportation. If the parents can be persuaded to bring them at least it will get them there. Having chapter meetings at roundtable is very advantageous to attendance. The youth go off and have their meeting at the same time their parents are participating in roundtable. Sometimes that's not possible if you're having a mini-golf tournament as a chapter. The parents should be encouraged to attend the chapter meeting outing even if they're not in the order. Third, think outside of the box. Our chapter struggled with good attendance at service weekend. So we just changed the name to “Fun-A-Palooza”. After the normal service weekend activities, we had movies and lots of junk food for a really fun fellowship. Always keep in mind that scouts only participate in activities, not boring meetings. From my own experience, the few scouts that attend will tell other OA members about how much fun they had and your attendants should improve. This is a great subject so I'm going to put it on the whiteboard for a possible video next season. Thank you so much for your question. YIB⚜

[@lillymarie3790]

Thank you so much for your videos! This is so encouraging. Right now I am trying to start a new troop together with two other young people, but it turns out to be quite difficult. When we were ready to start, with regular meetings corona forced us to stay at home. When we were allowed to do regular meetings again, one of the adult leaders quitted because he lost his job and another one quitted because he was starting a new job. 🙄 When we found replacement for these two leaders another lockdown came. Now most parents here are so afraid their kids might get corona that they don’t allow regular meetings. A teacher told me that it's now easy to convince parents to send their kids back to school. It's good to hear and read that I am not the only one with such problems.

[@ScouterStan]

That is truly unfortunate, but it can’t last forever. Pandemics are going to happen and how we decide to deal with them is up to the calmer, wiser, and brave adults in the aftermath. The world is moving on and we must live by the Scout Oath & Law. Our children need Scouting and the values that it teaches. Keep up the good work and know you are not alone. Reach out locally and use your resources. Remember it’s not a short-distance race, it’s a lifelong journey. YIS⚜

[@joepattersontheartguy]

Very well said. Just curious - do they have Adviser trainings at NOAC? I'm currently an Associate Chapter Adviser, and this NOAC will be my first in person one (I attended as a virtual delegate in 2022).

[@ScouterStan]

The two NOACs that I went to, had courses for adult advisors. The minute you get there make sure you look into registering for them, as they fill up quickly. One thing that I didn't do that I wish I did, was have more fun. I filled up my schedule with lots of meetings and even tried to do videos. I think that if I go again, I might post a one-minute short each day, but that's it. So make sure you put some fun in your schedule and time to see all of the really great things that are there. Don't forget to bring some patches to trade. YIB🔺

[@lumiimod]

Just wondering, is there a difference between the white and black OA dangle? i wanted to buy a black one and wear it but i’m not sure if there are any restrictions.

[@ScouterStan]

Typically the black OA dangles denote Elangomat service. Anyone can purchase them but only former Elangomats wear them. Some lodges have exclusive lodge flaps and other patches. Certainly a collectors paradise. For more information about Elangomat service check out my video kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4Ctf3mtgb2crLc here on the channel. Thanks YIS⚜

[@rustyb4090]

Oh man that joke. Lol

[@ScouterStan]

Success! Make Scouting fun and tell that joke to scouts. Thanks YIS⚜

[@deanr63]

Thank you! I keep a lot of jokes in my Dad-a-Base.