How do I get back into the OA after long absense?

[mt_goodrich]

I was tapped out at Camp Tahuya (Heart O Texas Council) in 1983. I made it thru my Ordeal, but did not go beyond that. I was active and paid my dues until I went off to college later that year and never became active in OA at any other location I had lived and was an adult Scouter. I know the Heart O Texas Council was merged with the Longhorn Council a few years.

However, I have recently become active again in Scouts (Asst. Scoutmaster) and have actually found my OA card. I want to become active again with OA and I need to contact an OA representative at the next Roundtable to see what I need to do to become active again. I am now with the Longhorn Council and serve with a troop in Cleburne, Texas.

[WVBeaver05]

As I understant it, you will only need to go to your Council and pay the current years dues to resume your OA membership. Then, of course, you need to become active in the OA.

I would suggest that you then complete the requirements for Brotherhood ASAP as an example for your Scouts (many of which don't progress from Ordeal to Brotherhood).

YiS

[mt_goodrich]

Thanks for the response. I certainly plan on becoming active as I've always felt t hat OA was a good organization.

I plan on going to the council office first thing Monday morning when they open. I will immediately have to leave for a trip out of town, but schedule my trip so that I can get to council office first.

[riverwalk]

Be a registered Scouter, and pay those dues. And this guy is one that needs to do the Brotherhood...sometime.

[RWSmith]

Find out who the Lodge Secretary is. Contact him and see what he needs. I suggest (he may require) you send him a copy of your old ordeal card (as evidence), a copy of your current BSA registration (he needs the number), along with your check for the current years' dues, plus enough for a couple of flaps.

Also, as already suggested... get your Brotherhood.

[wagionvigil]

ALl of our records are kept at the COuncil Service Center a change made while I was Lodge ADv. There are always people coming in to the SC and asking about their OA records and the Sewcretary woul;d have to say You will have to wait until a Service weekend and that will be picked up at camp. Now the records are there. They look you up and take your money. We require one years past dues and the current years dues. I had a close friend that we worked on to get back and he sealed his membership with his Brotherhood ceremony after 34 years as an Ordeal.

[WVBeaver05]

Remember that Adult leaders are ALWAYS examples. That includes uniforming, behaviour, and advancement (training awards for us) -- AND -- OA Brotherhood membership and activity. Whatever example you set, the Scouts will see.

YiS

[Billiken]

I re-connected with the OA after a 22-year absence.

My original Lodge, Cahokia 126, no longer exists.
The Cahokia Mounds Council (2nd smallest in the country) merged with Piasa Bird Council (smallest in the U.S.A) in the early 1990s.
Seems that nobody at the new/merged council could find my OA records.

Fortunately, I remembered the admonition and brotherhood password/signs. Cayahoga Lodge 17 accepted this as proof of my Brotherhood membership.

[wagionvigil]

A scout is Trustworthy

[lifescoutforlife]

Went back in the OA in the spring after being out for 25 years.

[Chief J]

Our lodge has a dues collection card, that lists basic information, i.e., your nam, address, phone, email address, and date of ordeal, brotherhood, and vigil, if you can remember them. The card is available at all lodge functions, as well as at the council office.

This card and your current dues is all you need to reinstate in our lodge.

Chief J

[wagionvigil]

If by chance you would be Vigil Honor those records can be had through the National Office

[mt_goodrich]

Just an update:

I just returned from the Longhorn Council Office.

Procedure was to go to the Service Center and present my original OA card. Was asked to fill out a form with current information and informatioin concerning when and where my last contact with OA was.

Once I completed the form, I paid my dues ($10.00) and purchased two pocket flaps and an OA Ordeal sash.

The nice lady then gave me the phone number to the OA Advisor and said that he would be very happy to hear from me.

I called from the parking lot and had to leave a voice mail.

I guess I am now the newest member of Netopalis Sipo Schipinachk Lodge #209, Longhorn Council.

[riverwalk]

Kudos to you for getting back in. Now hurry (around flood waters) and visit the local Scouting museums and get re-energized, haha.

[mt_goodrich]

Actually....an office where I do some work is right next door to the National Office/Museum and I have been there twice in the last six months.

[Chief J]

Fantastic, welcome back to the brotherhood!!!

Chief J

[mt_goodrich]

Thank you, Chief.

I am looking forward to becoming involved and working towards Brotherhood.

What got me fired up again was the OA ceremony held at Camp Pioneer (Caddo Area Council). All of our Scouts are younger and not eligible yet, but they thought it was a great ceremony. They didn't know much about OA and I had asked one of the OA members to come by the camp and have a talk with the boys that next day.

I had mentioned to this OA member that I was only Ordeal and that was over 20 years ago. With his encouragement and that of our Scouts, I was prompted to go get reactivated.

[RWSmith]

You da' man! Welcome back.

[WVBeaver05]

...With his encouragement and that of our Scouts, I was prompted to go get reactivated.

GREAT!!

Now, continue to set the example and seal your membership by getting to Brotherhood (quickly).

YiS