Nampa-Tsi Lodge, Great Rivers Council
01/04/2009
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Nampa-Tsi Lodge, Great Rivers Council
01/04/2009 |
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NOAC 2009 New! Handbook/Operating Rules Updated! National Bulletins New!
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From: Clyde Mayer [mailto:CMayer@netbsa.org] April 30, 2007 Dear David: In the OA Guide to Inductions, the following statement is made about the uniform in regards to all OA ceremonies: All members attending an OA ceremony should wear the Order of the Arrow sash and be in correct Scout uniform. Only youth members under the age of 21 who are participating as a principal or an assistant in the ceremony are allowed to wear American Indian costumes. Youth that do not have a part in the ceremony and all adults should be in correct Scout uniform with the Order of the Arrow sash and must not be in American Indian costumes or wearing pieces of American Indian regalia. I certify that this is the uniform policy for the Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil OA ceremonies and no variations should be made to this policy. It is important for adults to remember that the OA is a program for and run by youth under the age of 21. I would like to suggest to the lodge, however, that consideration be given to developing programs for adults and youth that have a hobby interest in Native America Indian lore. It appears to me that there is a significant interest for this kind of programming in your lodge. In doing so, I believe a win-win situation can be created for all involved in this debate. WWW,
Clyde M. Mayer
-----Original Message----- Clyde: Thank you for your note. As you might imagine, there was plenty of discussion on this topic this past weekend at our conclave. Nevertheless, I am confident that the number of folks that are having trouble with this issue is relatively small and manageable. We also discussed exactly what you suggested, that being having specific occasions and opportunities for the adults to wear their regalia, and we will be working to develop them for upcoming events. One thing that I would like clarification on is this: You specifically mentioned Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil ceremonies. One common point of contention has been that since there is no prescribed call-out ceremony that this rule doesn’t apply. It is my understanding that the rule applies to all ceremonies, regardless of ‘who’ writes them. Am I correct here? Thanks again for your assistance with this and your time speaking with Bill and John. John is a terrific young man and was quite moved that you spent so much time helping him. WWW, David S Harris
From: Clyde Mayer [mailto:CMayer@netbsa.org] David: Again, the overriding point that I’m trying to make is that the OA is a program for the youth, not the adults. All OA prescribed ceremonies, including call-out ceremonies, should be conducted by youth members. The principals in these ceremonies must be youth in Indian costume. If authorized by the lodge, other ceremonies that the lodge conducts that are not related to the Ordeal, Brotherhood or Vigil ceremonies could have adult participants.
Clyde Mayer
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