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Youth Elections
A youth is elected by his peers to the OA. This is a unique feature of the
organization. To be eligible for membership, a person must be a registered member of a Boy Scout Troop or Varsity Scout Team; be of First Class Rank; have already participated in fifteen days and nights of Boy Scout camping within the past two years, which must include one, but no more than one, long term camp consisting of at least six consecutive days and five nights of camping; and be approved for nomination by his unit leader. Elections are not permitted in Venturing Crews because Venturers do not earn the First Class Rank.
Elections can be held once a year, and usually take place during a Troop or Team meeting. Ty-Ohni Lodge encourages units to schedule elections from January to April.
Just prior to the day of the election, the Scoutmaster, Team Leader, or another unit leader prepares a list of eligible candidates, which is reviewed and approved by the unit leader. At the time of the election, the list is posted.
Usually a short talk is then given as to the purpose of the OA, and what it means to be an OA member. The rules and procedure of election are then explained, and the ballots are handed out. The voting takes place, the ballots are collected, and then tabulated. The results are made known in a Calling Out Ceremony. This can happen immediately following the election, or many units wait until a special time, such as a Troop campout.
Ordeal Candidates
The elected candidates are now Ordeal Candidates. The election results are posted in an Unit Election Report that is forwarded to the Lodge, care of the Scout Servicenter. This is the only way that the Lodge knows that a person has been elected.
The Ordeal Candidate now has one year from the day of the election to participate in an OA Ordeal Ceremony. There are three times a year that Ty-Ohni Lodge offers the ceremony . . . in May during the Spring Fellowship Weekend . . . each period during the summer at Massawepie Scout Camps . . and in October during the Fall Fellowship Weekend.
Candidate Letters
Prior to a Fellowship, eligible Ordeal Candidates are sent an Ordeal Candidate Letter by the Lodge Secretary. The Letter contains information about how to participate in the ceremony, and the Fellowship Registration form. It should be noted that the Unit Election Report does not register a Candidate for a Fellowship. This must be done by the Ordeal Candidate. At Massawepie Scout Camps, the ceremony information and registration form is given out by the OA Camp Coordinator at a meeting just prior to the Ordeal.
Once an Ordeal candidate successfully participates in an Ordeal Ceremony, he is then an Ordeal Member. This is signified by the wearing of a white sash with a red arrow embroidered on it.
Election Rules
At the time of the election, an election candidate list is posted. All youth members of a unit vote in the election . . . OA members and nonmembers. Unit members simply write on a ballot the names of all those who they feel are worthy of the honor. When tabulated, those candidates who receive at least 50% of the votes cast by the unit members voting are elected. It should be noted that unit members can vote for any or all or none of the election candidates.
Adult Recommendations
Adults are not elected to the OA . . . they are recommended by their unit. Adults may be recommended by a Troop, Team, District, or Council. Since the OA is a youth led organization, adults serve in a functional capacity as advisors to the youth members. One adult per unit per year can be recommended for membership. The adult camping requirement is the same as that for youths. Adult Recommendations Reports are filled in and forwarded to the Lodge, care of the Scout Servicenter. The recommendations are reviewed, and if approved, a Candidate Letter is sent by the Lodge Secretary. As with youths, adults have one year from the day of the recommendation approval to participate in the Ordeal Ceremony.
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