OA Question: Trust But Verify (Split Post)

[Mick Scouter]

Old Grey Bear, Thanks for the link. I'll need to review it. I'm convinced that the Organization is good or BSA would not support it. However, a few of the posts in this thread and other observations lead me to believe I must trust but verify. I must verify because you have a human factor involved. Thus when humans are involved they can and will, as we note thoughout these forums people will not always follow the rules. Maybe it is just me but I don't like secrets and even on the link I see I must have a password from a handbook to look at the jumpstart.

To ensure that Scouts and Scouters who may be inducted into the Order of the Arrow in the future do not have their experience lessened or spoiled, all of the material on the "Jumpstart for New Arrowmen" area of the national OA web site is password protected.

Please excuse my questioning attitude and maybe someone can explain to me without spoiling the experience why this is necessary? I would be willing to do so offline. I just get mixed signals and I also have youth protection questions. Thanks, and please, for you OA members, I do not wish to offend you in anyway.

[RWSmith]

Mick,

I felt your post warranted it's own thread; so, here we are. Good question. Fair question. BTW, I'm long-time OA; my father was OA; my son is OA. We'll talk about why my daughters should be allowed in the OA some other time. (For now, let's see what the others have to say about your post.)

In the meantime, here's my short take... OA is a very political animal... very. I've seen that, and that alone get excessive. But, that being said, I told my son this... "Son, it's like this... there be politiks in the OA; and, sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad. But, life amongst humans involves politikin. And though it can hurt your pride, at times, there's no better place to learn it than in that Lodge." There are men still active in my Lodge who drove me up to camp for Fall Fellowships.

I've never seen a YPT issue or question come up in the Lodge.

There are no real "secrets" in the OA. As a parent (or possibly the clergy of a sponsoring organization), you are entitled to any information necessary to satisfy yourself concerning your son's safety PRIOR to your son attending an Ordeal. And any questions that you have can and will be answered.

But, to answer to your question about the Jumpstart page, it is designed to help Arrowmen who have already taken the Ordeal and wish to study and reflect on the ceremonies and activities they participated in during thier Ordeal. The Jumpstart page also provides a means for an Ordeal member to prepare for Brotherhood membership in the Lodge.

[Mick Scouter]

Thanks,

I think you know by most of my posts, I am supportive of BSA Policy and all the things, political and otherwise, that happen within BSA. Also, I have very little doubt about OA, as an honor society. But mostly I appreciate you making a separate thread to clear the air. I believe that I will be convinced of the merits of the OA program. As members who have viewed my posts I have two the I may over use. "Trust but Verify and Perception is Reality." However, I believe these to be extentions of the Scout Laws (my personnel extentions not necessarily to be adopted by others).