Buring Issues
Got a question that needs an answer? Is there something you are confused about regarding the Order of the Arrow? Got a Burning Issue? - Send us your question and we will have someone from the Region or National staff get you an answer.
Recent Issues
| Q: What if improper camping calculations were done at camp and a scout was left off the election list. Can the troop hold a second election process prior to the fall OA encampment? A: Only one unit election can be held per year in a unit. Unfortunately, that scout will have to wait until the following year as the scoutmaster did not certify him as eligible at the time of the election. Answered By: Chris Grove |
| Q: Has a Venturing division of OA ever been considered - Co-ed and open only to Venturers and advisors? A: The Order of the Arrow Program is currently a Boy Scout program. The election requirements define an adult member as 21 and older. A youth member must be at least a first class scout. This means that the only youth that can be elected are those that rose the rank of first class as a youth member of the Boy Scouts. There are no current plans to develop a Venturing division of the OA. Answered By: Chris Grove |
| Q: My son is attending the National Jamboree in August, and Scouts are required to wear an official uniform, but must romove patches that are from local activities (camp patches, local council, quality unit, etc.) . The Jamboree leadersip was usure whether or not he would have to remove his local OA Lodge pocket patch. Do you know the answer? A: A scout may wear his local lodge flap on the uniform at the jamboree. He is a member of that lodge and is thus entitled to wear the flap as long as he is a member in good standing (ie he has paid his dues). Answered By: Chris Grove |
| Q: I have a leader stating that all the boy must be in the same style regelia to dance and can wear only special color when do ceremonies. He is all so claiming we must have writen permission to do a Cherokee dance from the Cherokee nation and all of this is supported by the OA National leadership.
1. Must all the dances be in the same style of regalia?
2. To do a Cherokee dance, must we have writen premission from the National Headquarters or even the local headquarters of the Cherokee, to do this dance?
3. Is there any rules in OA that state whate each member of a ceremony team can and can not wear, doing a part or working behind the sences? A: 1. Must all the dances be in the same style of regalia? If you are presenting a historical dance from a specific tribe, yes. Individual dance, no 2. To do a Cherokee dance, must we have writen premission from the National Headquarters or even the local headquarters of the Cherokee, to do this dance? If you are competing in Historical Group Dance at NOAC, and the dance is "society, clan or family", yes (Guideline B2) 3. Is there any rules in OA that state whate each member of a ceremony team can and can not wear, doing a part or working behind the sences? If your doing one of the four principle parts, Indian clothes would be good. If you behind the scenes, a scout uniform is appropriate. [editors note - the OA does not have any specific policies regarding what constitutes "Indian clothes" - Please refer to the Guide To Inductions for more information] Answered By: Wayne Dukes |
| Q: What is the definition of camping? Different troops in our lodge use different standards. Bottom line does cabin "camping" count. Or does it depend on how rustic or plush the cabins are? A: All the Guide to Inductions says is: "...approved and under the auspices and standards of the BSA..." The balance is to be done in "overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps." In the beginning it also says: "After registration with a troop or team, have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping..." This excludes any Cub Scout and family camping. The control mechanism here is the Scoutmaster. He/she decides who to certify for the ballot before the vote is taken. If this lodge is experiencing unequal application of the standard, they need to have a knowledge push at the roundtables and through the commissioner corps. Answered By: Tom Reddin |
| Q: Why is the Order of the Arrow Ocean Adventure being canceled for 2010? A: The temporary suspension of the OAOA program at the Florida Sea Base was not a decision that came easily to the National Order of the Arrow Committee. There were several issues that needed to be addressed between the OA and the Florida Sea Base. Per Scott Beckett, National Vice-Chair for Outdoor Programs: "We have not been able to arrive at a mutually agreeable point for Sea Base management and the Order of the Arrow to offer something that is a match for both parties. Ray Capp and I are in agreement that we are not interested in offering something that doesn't fully provide youth with the opportunity for a national-level OA high adventure experience." There are plans underway to try to form a partnership to offer a program for Arrowmen in the Florida Keys in 2011. Answered By: Chris Grove |
| Q: I am applying to be a scout leader in Chicago. As a scout 20 yrs ago I earned my Eagle and was a member of OA. Will the Chicago Area Council have any records of me being Brotherhood in OA. A: Most likely your lodge does not have copies of membership of its' arrowmen 20 years ago. Though there is a slight chance of records still existing, you still wouldn't be registered as an active arrowman if you haven't paid dues. My advice is to simply call your local lodge or council and request to pay your dues and inform them that you were a brotherhood member years ago. I'm sure they will take your word on being a brotherhood member. Good luck on your ambition to be Scoutmaster of your troop, Thanks again for your support to Scouting and the Order of the Arrow. Answered By: Josh Hunt |
| Q: There seems to be some confussion about who wears what in our lodge. Some people choose on the Lodge Executive Committee wear Silver tabs while the rest wear red. I know that the Lodge Cheif and the Chapter Chiefs do but what about the Lodge Vice-Chief and Lodge Secretary. The Section Chief, Vice-Chief, Secretary wear Gold so wouldnt it be silver of lodge? A: Silver epilette tabs identify an individuals involvement with the council. If an individual wears silver tabs they technically should a corresponding Council position patch on the sleeve of their uniform. Your whole Lodge Executive Committee most likely should not all be wearing silver tabs. The only person on your LEC that could wear silver tabs is probably your Lodge Chief only if he was allowed a spot on the Council's Camping Committee- even then he should ware a position patch identifying his involvement with the Council. I believe your Section C-5B officers are the only section officers that all wear Gold tabs. The Central Region is the only region that gives Section Chiefs Gold Tabs to wear as a symbol of recognition. Technically, the only OA officers that should be wearing Gold tabs are the National Chief, Vice Chief, and the four Region Chiefs considering that they are apart of either the National or Regional Committee for the duration of their term in office. I hope this answered your questions. Finally just check with your lodge adviser to see if your lodge chief indeed has a spot within a Council Committee. If not see if you can propose the idea. I believe that it is very important to have not only the Order of the Arrow to be involved in Council affairs but more importantly the youth of the program Answered By: Josh Hunt |
| Q: I have 6 new OA members in my Troop. I am looking for patterns to make shirts, breast plates, chokers, headdress, and leggings and other regalia. So far I have been unable to find anything. Where do Scouts obtain Regalia information and patterns?
Please help. Our chapter and lodge does not seem know or have any resources. A: David, If you are interested in acquiring resources to make regailia. Most likely you would want to make sure what tribe your lodge is portraying, considering that each lodge in the OA embodies the traditions of a Native American tribe within their council borders. It one of the OA\'s purposes to portray the Native American culture in a correct fashion Once you have found out what tribe your lodge is reflecting by either asking one of your lodge officers or checking your lodge\'s regalia policy you can go ahead and do research on their regalia traditions. the internet is a great resource to find out different regalia patterns and designs. otherwise, your local library most likely has books regarding the Native American tribes that resided within your community/state. Answered By: Josh Hunt |
| Q: What happens if no one runs for lodge chief and the lodge rules and bylaws state nothing about what should happen? A: If no one who is running in the election has no intentions of being lodge chief after the election the lodge executive committee would probably have to hold a Committee meeting that addresses this particular issue. In any other circumstance the Lodge Vice Chief of program or administration would be placed in the position of lodge chief if the current chief were unable to fulfill his responsibilities. This is a case that is similar to if your Section Chief were elected into a National position and the new Section Shief would be selected by the COC at the next meeting. So at your Lodge's LEC the forum would be open to nominations, then those who are nominated would have to accept the nominations, finally the motion would be called to a vote and your new lodge chief would be decided by a majority vote. Answered By: Josh Hunt |
