Are You A Flap Wearer?

[wagionvigil]

Each year Troops across this country elect NEw Brothers into the Order of the Arrow. They arrive a camp all ready to take their ordeal after their calling out at summer camp. They Take their Ordeal get their Pocket Flap and Sash and you never see them again. Sometime they take their Brotherhood and Get another sash one with two bars. They can get a chenille. Then you do not see them again. BUT they wear that flap and tell everyone yes they are a member of the OA. But in reality they are not.Even though you may have been elected and you did your Ordeal. Unless your current dues are paid you are not a member of the Lodge.SO please remove the flap. You do not deserve to wear it. Pay your dues then you can be a member.I recently heard from a person telling how he was a great member of the lodge. But has not paid his dues in over 10 years. If you want to wear it deserve to wear it.

[hisdad]

Hi, Dues are just money. I thought it was more about commitment....

Working as a CIT at Cub Scout Adventure camp. Fixing up tents and cabins at camp sites because its fun to just be camping extra W/Es. Turning up early to direct parking, then pitch your own tent in the dark..... because you can, and its fun!!

Organizing events that you had fun attending at the beginning....
Cool events have cool dudes making it happen. You want to be a cool dude?

...AND pay your dues, then spend those dues, and be there to have some fun.

...or am I getting the wrong message?

[wagionvigil]

If your dues are not paid up you are not a member of the Lodge. Simple

[yardhunter]

If your dues are not paid up you are not a member of the Lodge. Simple

................I agree with you. There is no difference in this thread with OA dues & troop charter dues.
Both needs to be paid just like everything else in society these days.

It's a simple no brainer.

No pay -- no stay

nuff said..................see ya yardhunter

[wagionvigil]

If your dues are not paid you are removed from the OA Registration list and you and nop longer a member and are not permitted to wear the flap or any other OA item.

[Billiken]

LODGE DUES:

Just curious, how much are your lodge dues?

Cuyahoga Lodge #17 (Cleveland) - $10/year

[cballman]

Lodge Dues

Kawida 480 $15.00 year

[wagionvigil]

Wagion #6 12.00 per year

[Chief J]

Enda Lechuahanne #57 (Greater Pittsburgh Council) $10.00 per year

Chhief J

[Lynda J]

On the other side of this. Kevin carried his lodge dues with him to 4 meetings before he could get somone to take them. He was getting very upset. We now have a new advisor and he seems to have things more together. Kevin was elected our Troop Rep at our electins last month.
He was very excited.

[wagionvigil]

the Membership committee should be at every function and taking dues. Also there is no reason why you cannot pay them at your council service center.

[Don Flick]

Lodge Dues

Ganoediyo Lodge (Finger Lakes Council) $7.00

[wagionvigil]

The National OA Is Taking a big chunk now Plus each lodge is expected to donate at least 2.00 per registered member to the council either in cash or materials. It is on the Recharter form.

[Eamonn]

I have to admit to not liking the term "Flap Wearer".
Somehow it just doesn't doesn't seem to be very friendly or very kind.
While I have always paid my dues, all be it a little late at times!!
I for a lot of years worked weekends and it just wasn't possible for me to make it up to camp for the OA weekends that we have.
I can almost hear those who are saying "What - It's only 4 weekends a year." Still what with all the other weekends we give up to serve Scouting, adding four more can be very hard.
We will hopefully see a lot more of the young men that take their Ordeal, if we really go out of our way to show that that "Cheerful Service" can be and is fun. We need to ensure that they feel welcome and that they are indeed a part of the Lodge.

[wagionvigil]

By the Way Congratulations to Eamonn for keeping his Vigil this past weekend. I do wish it had been a tad colder.

[scoutaholic]

The general policy on lodge dues has already been stated. If you are not currently registered, you are not a current member of the lodge, and should not be wearing the flap/sash/etc.

Now, as HisDad said, I thought it was more about commitment.... . When one takes the Brotherhood Obligation he promises "On My Honor as a Scout" to "... Be Faithful in attendance upon the sessions of my Lodge, and earnest in its support, so far as I am able..." I'm not aware of any official interpretation of this phrase, so I'll leave that up to you. If you are not fulfilling that commitment, don't wear the insignia.

[njhiker]

I am new to this forum, so pardon me for entering a discussion several months in the making. I am celebrating the 40th anniversary of my Ordeal this year, although I am just reactivated as an active Arrowman for a few years. (Going to my first NOAC in a couple of weeks!)

I see a lot of "sash and dash" inductees to our lodge. They go to their ordeal and you never see them again. This seems to reflect the attitude of a lot of people throughout the Scouting experience; i.e., that parents push kids to get as many adornments as possible to look good on college applications, etc.

My old man always told me that if I was going to be a part of something, then I should do it all the way or not at all.

Your thoughts??

[gwd-scouter]

I am not a member of the OA. But will relate personal experience from what I've seen in my District.

I watched for three years as my older son was passed over for election to the OA. During those 3 years I also watched numerous other Scouts get inducted (in many ways just a popularity contest) and then never do anything with the chapter or lodge once they got their ordeal flap.

Older son was finally inducted 4th time around. He served actively, obtained brotherhood and has been inductions chairman for our lodge for past 3 years (He is in college now, an Eagle Scout, works on summer camp staff, and helps when he can as an ASM for our Troop).

Younger son has now made brotherhood. He is trying very hard to get more activity and enthusiasm in our chapter. Unfortunately, as usual, most guys get their ordeal patch and are never heard from again.
THis is true of the adults who are inducted as well.

I doubt seriously if anyone that does not pay their dues will actually remove the pocket flap. But it means very little. As others have said, it's just another adornment for their uniform.

[stevenscout]

A member of my troop took off his flap since he was not active. I was proud to know he had that honor and respect for the society.

stevenscout

[riverwalk]

I just recruited a new Webelos Leader, and got him to start his OA dues again. Now he's waiting to get a Flap, haha.