Election Ceremony OA MEMBER A: Fellow Scouts, the Order of the Arrow is a national Brotherhood of honor campers. Its purpose, to recognize and honor those campers who best live up to the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives and to guide them in expanding the service that has made them outstanding. The Order promotes Scout camping and maintains camping traditions and spirit. It emphasizes that the good Scout camper is not only skilled in scout craft, but also is true to Scouting and its traditions of the daily Good Turn. The only way that a Scout can become a member of the Order of the Arrow is to be elected for this honor by the members of his unit. To be eligible for election, a youth must fulfill the camping requirements and hold the First Class rank. After being elected, the Scout must undergo the Ordeal, which is a series of tests of his sincere dedication to the high ideals of Scouting and the Order. If he is faithful in performing the tests, he takes a solemn pledge of service and is admitted into the Order. A long period of self-improvement and service then follows. The patch (points), this arrow ribbon (points), and this distinctive sash (points) identify the Order of the Arrow member. They are symbols of service. Our lodge has its own activities and projects, but our program does not replace the member's responsibility to his unit. Indeed, each Arrowman is expected to give richer service to his own troop or post in return for the honor his unit extended to him. OA MEMBER B: Scouts, you will elect representatives to our Brotherhood, and we are here to assist you in the election. All registered active members of his troop, except those 21 or older, are entitled to vote. All those who receive votes from at least half of those who turn in ballots are elected. The number you elect will depend on how your names agree with other members' votes. Remember that an Order of the Arrow election is not a popularity contest! Don't vote for a Scout just because he is your friend or just because he is a good athlete of because he is older than the rest. What really counts is his loyalty to the Scout Oath or Promise. Campaigning in an Order of the Arrow election is not permitted. You are expected to think for yourself-, do not let others influence your decision. The election is by secret ballot and no discussion will be permitted, so no one will know for whom you are voting. This important decision about you fellow Scouts is entirely up to you. Before we announce the names of those eligible and begin the election, are there any questions? (Answer any questions about the nature and purposes of the Order of the Arrow and the election procedure.) OA MEMBER C: The following members of this unit have met the camping and advancement requirements and are eligible for election, as certified by your unit leader. Will you stand and form a line over here (point) as your names are called? (Point out place to line tip and read list slowly. Arrange the candidates in a line facing the voters at the place indicated... the line could be a semicircle if the eligible group is large. Other OA members write each name on the chalkboard or flip chart as called) Scouts, you should now answer each of the following questions to yourself-, your answers will help you make the right selections. Who in this group is a friend to all and a brother to every other scout? Who is pleasant and easy to get along with? Is he kind and helpful? In all, if you were a Tenderfoot, would you like to hike and camp with him? OA MEMBER A: Who is cheerful, even when he has many tiresome jobs to do? Who smiles whenever he can? Does he control his temper? If you were to camp with him for several weeks, do you think you would enjoy it? OA MEMBER B: Who is always ready to give unselfish and wholehearted service to others? Who, in serving others, can forget his own desires and interest? Who has served your unit all year round, faithfully attending your meetings and helping with your service projects? Do you think he will continue his service in the future? If you were his assistant patrol leader, could you depend upon him? OA MEMBER A: In all, ask yourselves: Who in this group by living up to the Scout Oath and Law. serves your fellow scouts with such an example of brotherhood and cheerfulness that you look up to him with deep respect and admiration'? OA MEMBER C: Scouts, on the ballot you will be given, print the first and last names of any of these nominees who in your opinion, have set the best examples of brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. Vote only for those you believe will continue in unselfish service to your troop. If you feel no one is worthy, turn in an blank ballot. If you are new in this troop and do not know the candidates well enough to vote wisely, you may abstain by not turning in a ballot at all, and this will not affect the final result. If you do not vote for someone, you will, in effect, be casting a vote against him. Those eligible for election also vote, and they may vote for themselves if they feel they are worthy. The names of those eligible are listed here (on this chalkboard, poster. etc.). When you are finished, fold the ballot only once and give the pencil and ballot to any one of us. (Distribute election ballots and pencils.) (Collect ballots and pencils. Have the nominees fill out the New Candidate Database Info Form) Notes: Try to stay with the script as closely as possible to ensure that all points are covered and so that each election is conducted uniformly even with differing election teams. Make sure that you write all the names on the election sheet with the votes and whether the Scout is elected or not. Remember, the results of the election are confidential. Only the Scoutmaster may announce the names of the candidates that were elected (but it is generally not done until the District Call-out). Make sure that you give the Scoutmaster an Adult Nomination form if a youth is elected. He may submit only one name of a 21 or older Boy Scout leader that meets the same qualifications as the youths except for the First Class requirement. Remember that 18, 19, and 20-year-old leaders are still youth in the OA and must be elected by the Scouts. They may also vote in the election. Return all the results and forms to the Chapter Adviser.