Guidelines for Call-Outs
NOAC 2002
Index:
Introduction
Key Elements to Include
Call-Out Guidelines
Introduction
More Scouts view the Call-Out ceremony than will ever have the
chance to view the other ceremonies of the Order of the Arrow.
Therefore, lodges should place special emphasis on the
performance of the Call-Out ceremonies to ensure that their
Call-Outs are well presented in order to make a great first
impression with the candidates and to also to showcase the
OA to non-members.
Purpose of the Order of the Arrow Call-Out:
The purpose of a Call-Out is to officially recognize each
elected Scout as a candidate for membership in the Order
of the Arrow. The Call-Out is a form of public recognition
used to communicate the honor of being selected for
membership into our Order to members, non-members, and
the public. Its dignity must impress all with the high
ideals and standards of the Order of the Arrow. It should
serve to intensify a Scout's desire to become a member.
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Key Elements to Include in a Call-Out
The National Order of the Arrow Committee does not
provide lodges with a specific Call-Out ceremony. The
committee has instead produced a list of key elements that
all Call-Out ceremonies should include. Each lodge should
develop its own Call-Out ceremony that incorporates these
key elements:
Key Call-Out Elements: The key elements
that should be included in all Call-Outs are:
- Purpose of the Order of the Arrow
- History of the Order of the Arrow in Scouting
- History of the lodge
- Reason for the selection of candidates
- Recognition of candidates: calling-out each candidate's
name, unit number, and community
- Challenge to Scouts that are non-members to strive to
uphold the Scouting ideals that will lead to their selection
for membership in the Order of the Arrow.
- Presenting each candidate a letter of recognition and
welcome from the Lodge Chief
- Giving of the Scout handclasp
- After the ceremony, distribute Spirit of the Arrow booklet 1
and provide information about all upcoming Ordeals to the candidates
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Call-Out Guidelines
Call-Outs should comply with the following guidelines:
Key Call-Out Elements: Each Call-Out should
include the nine (9) Key Call-Out Elements listed above.
Make Everyone Aware of the Importance: The
candidates and the audience of youth, parents, and leaders
should be made aware of the importance of the honor being
given. The lodge should concentrate its efforts on putting
together an exciting ceremony, but leaving behind an important
message for the audience to silently ponder at the close. The
buildup in excitement should lead all persons witnessing
the Call-Out to realize the importance of Order of the Arrow
membership.
Announce the Candidates: The name, unit number,
and community of each candidate must be announced clearly.
Each candidate must be given the same opportunity for
recognition. It is important to get the correct spelling
and pronunciation of each candidate's name.
Tapping: Any physical contact in any Order
of the Arrow ceremony must be "symbolic" in nature.
If lodges
choose to symbolically tap the candidate, it should be done
with the hand in the Scout Sign. This will eliminate hard
tapping, because the tapper would be injured long before the
candidate that is receiving the taps. Symbolic tapping, if
used, should not be conducted in a set of three taps, or one
tap followed by two taps, since these taps are used later in
the ceremonies and therefore violate Induction Principle 9 -
"Symbolic Progression".
Make it impressive: Call-Out ceremonies should
be dignified and impressive. They should have an Indian
theme. Campfires, drums, and dancing can be used to supplement,
but not overwhelm, the honor.
Keep it short and to the point: The successful
Call-Out should last no longer than 10 minutes plus the time it
takes to announce the candidates. It should leave a strong
impression on the candidate and the non-member. Keep things
moving, avoid repetition, and keep to the point: the recognition
of the candidate.
Items not to include: The meaning of the
induction unfolds in a
logical, systematic, manner in the steps from a candidate's
election until he achieves Brotherhood membership. The Call-Out
must not violate the principle of "Symbolic Progression" as
described in Principle 9 of the Ten Induction Principles.
Therefore, no characters, information, symbolism, or text
from the Pre-Ordeal, Ordeal, Brotherhood, or Vigil ceremony
should appear in the Call-Out ceremony. Examples of violating
symbolic progression are:
- Firing an arrow
- The use of the bow, bowstring, or arrow
- Giving the Obligation
- Giving the Admonition
- Reciting any part of the Legend
- Singing the OA song
- Putting candidates on silence before Meteu's challenge
in the Pre-Ordeal ceremony
- The placing of the hand on shoulder
- Binding the candidates with rope
- Using the names of any of the four principals
- The use of the W. W. W.
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[Inductions and Ceremonial Events
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