Mikanakawa Lodge #101 Circle Ten Council Dallas, TX Ordeal
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Mikanakawa Lodge #101 Circle Ten Council Dallas, TX Ordeal Candidate Call-Out Ceremony (Approved March 1, 2019) 1 2 Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse Two-deep leadership for all Order of the aRrwow activities myst meet the requirements of Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse whice can be found at www.scouting.org/outProtection. The Relevant portion of this policy is quoted below: Two-deep leadership on all outings required. A minimum of two registered adult leaders, or one registered leader and aparticipating Scout’s partne, or another adult is required for all trips and outings. One of these adults must be 21 years of age or older. Adult Supervision/Coed Activities Male and female adult leaders must be present for all overnight Coed* Scouting trips and outings, even those including parent and child. Both male and female adult leaders must be 21 years of age or older and one must be a registered member of the BSA. *Please note: If any female is present, of any age, the event is considered coed. Purpose of the Call Out and National Guidelines The purpose of a call out is to officially recognize each elected Scout as a candidate for membership in the Order of the Arrow. The call out is a form of public recognition used to communicate the honor of being selected for membership into our Order to members, non- members, and the public. Its dignity must impress all with the high ideals and standards of the Order. It should serve to intensify a Scout’s desire to become a member. The National Committee of the Order of the Arrow does not provide lodges with a specific call out ceremony. The committee has instead produced a list of items that all call out ceremonies must include. Each lodge should develop its own call out ceremony that incorporates these items as well as information about its lodge history and traditions. Items that every call out must include: • Purpose of the Order of the Arrow. • History of the Order of the Arrow in Scouting. • History of the lodge. • Reason for selection. • Recognition of candidates: calling-out every candidate’s name, unit number, and community. • Challenge to the candidates to continue their pursuit of membership in the Order of the Arrow. • After the ceremony, distribute Spirit of the Arrow booklet 1 and information about all • upcoming Ordeals to the candidates. • A letter of recognition and welcome from the Lodge Chief. • The giving of the Scout handclasp. • Welcome from the Lodge/Chapter Chief. 3 Conducting a Call-Out Ceremony The Call-out also provides an introduction into the mystique and traditions of the O.A. to younger Scouts, parents, and the public. Because every ceremonial site is physically different, and because every ceremonial team has different resources, some interpretation of this ceremony may need to be made. However, every effort should be made to adhere to these guidelines and to the policies and traditions of Mikanakawa Lodge. Chapter Preparations Before the Ceremony The week prior to the Call Out, the Advisor or his/her designee should login in to Lodgemaster and download a copy of the list of eligible candidates. Only candidates whose names are on the list can be called out during the ceremony. If a unit arrives with a valid election form, you can collect that form to be delivered to the Ordeal Registration Adviser, but under no circumstances are you allowed to include names from that election form in your callout ceremony unless those names appear on the List of Eligible Candidates found in Lodgemaster. Rules for the Ceremony Team The Field Operations Guide, in relation to outfits, states: • No parts of any protected species are permitted on any outfit. Please be aware of all state and federal laws regarding endangered species parts. (See Chapter 4 Section Training). • Within the guidelines found in the U.S. Code pertaining to the American Flag, flags are not to be used as wearing apparel. Therefore, no type of U.S. Flag(s) will be permitted as part of an outfit. Flag motifs in quillwork and beadwork are acceptable. • National Order of the Arrow Face Paint Policy: national Order of the Arrow conferences and activities conducted beyond the individual lodge will not permit face paint, body paint, or wigs to be used in social or competition dancing or in ceremonies. (See Chapter 4 Section Training). • The Boy scouts of American policy regarding firearms and knives, as stated in the Guide to Safe Scouting, will be followed. • Appropriate undergarments shall be worn under costumes. Each participant must wear shorts for modesty. For safety reasons appropriate footwear should be worn. • All ceremonialists must wear American Indian style dress and their current Order of the Arrow sash. All principals should be of the same tribe, nation, or other historic group to blend with each other. Ideally, ceremonial outfits should reflect the local American Indian culture. With a bit of research, costumes which are authentic to local traditions can be created, adding to the presentation. It is very important that outfitting be as authentic looking as possible. (See Mikanakawa Lodge Outfit Guide) If American Indian costume is not a part of the ceremony, the appropriate attire is the Scouts BSA dress uniform with OA sash. 4 Symbolic Progression Symbolic progression is one of the 10 induction principles, but it applies to the other public ceremonies as well. Of the 10 induction principles no symbol or symbolic procedure should be mentioned or used unless and until it is called for in the authorized ceremonies. The meaning of the nationally prescribed induction unfolds in a logical, systematic manner, and this progression should not be violated in other public ceremonies. The Site The Call-Out site will be different from other ceremony sites in a candidates Induction process. It should be sufficiently large to contain a single-file line of members of every unit present, with Arrowmen present in a row behind, while still small enough for ceremonialists to be heard by everyone present. It is helpful, though not necessary to have trees or other structures nearby to help reflect voices so that all may hear. It is also recommended the site is not too publicly visible, to help maintain the solemnity and air of mystique suffusing the ceremony. Props Many public ceremonies require props as an integral part of the ceremony, and these should be accounted for as part of planning. However, there are other props that can be used that can add effect and atmosphere to ceremonies. One of the best props to incorporate is a drum. As a background for the entrance and the conclusion of a ceremony, a drumbeat provides great atmosphere. Along the same lines, flute music can provide the same type of background. Tipis are another background prop that will lend credence and sincerity to the ceremony. Other props should look authentic to the tribe and time-period selected by the lodge or chapter. If fires other than the main central fire are necessary for lighting purposes or as a backdrop, they should be smaller than the main fire. 4 Smudge pots or candles should be placed at the cardinal directions to guide the principals to their respective places in the ring and nothing more. In the interest of protecting ceremonial progression, items such as a bow, quiver of arrows, bowstring, rope, or WWW should not be utilized during the ceremony. A Note on Fire Bans One of the problems that may arise during an induction weekend is dealing with dry weather and a fire ban. Lodges are encouraged to use creative solutions for alternatives to fire while still preserving the spirit of the ceremony. Possible solutions include creating a substitute fire such as a lantern or candle. While this situation may not be ideal, it is important to keep an open mind and adapt to the situation. Always be sure to have enough water available and practice good fire safety. 5 The Ceremony Begins Shortly before dark, the Camp Chief or O.A. member in charge of the call-out assembles the Scouts in numerical order by Unit (Troop, Crew, Ship). He should be in full dress uniform, including O.A. sash. His job is to prepare the Scouts and visitors for the ceremony. When he is done, the ceremony will begin. He will also request assistance from Uniformed and Sashed Arrowmen in directing the non-members in the ceremony circle, later. Two lines may be necessary, one for candidates, and another for all Arrowmen. Example Speech for Opening MC: Good evening; My name is (Say Your Name). I am the (state your position in the Chapter/Lodge/Camp/Council). You are about to experience what several million Boy Scouts and Scouters have witnessed for over 100 years. From this point to the end of the ceremony, I ask you to be QUIET. You may take pictures, BUT please do not use a FLASH. This Call Out is just the beginning. Listen to the words and think on their meaning. Introduction & Greetings [Guide, carrying a lit torch, comes out of the darkness and addresses the assembled Scouts.] GUIDE: My scouting brothers, I am your guide. I have prepared a trail for you to follow to our Council ring. There we will seek out those Scouts who have been found worthy to join our National Society of Honor Campers. Now in reverent anticipation gather your courage and follow me! [Guide, approaches the first person in the line, and motions the line to follow him] [Guide approaches the ceremony site from the most expedient path, but if possible approach the Ring from the South.