ex-bsapro

I was only recently made aware of this forum and the postings being made here regarding The Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Kudos to the Tribesmen that have come here before me and attempted to explain to non-Tribesmen what Mic-O-Say is. My user name speaks for itself, but in addition, I am a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow as well as a Tribesman. In response to ASM7, Tribesmen are not "sworn to secrecy". Like OA, much of the enjoyment comes from not knowing too much about the ceremonies. With the heightened awareness for youth protection, the Tribe has put into place safe-guards to provide training to those in positions of responsibility and strictly adheres to two-deep leadership in all its functions. While the Tribe of Mic-O-Say is not recognized by the National BSA, they are certainly aware of us and many on the National & Regional Staffs are Chiefs and Medicine Men in the Tribe. As far as being self-serving, nothing could be further from the truth! As stated before, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say teaches a young man to "be the best that he can be in all areas of his life" and to "give back to others". In response to Stressbaby, from the Order of the Arrow Handbook: "In May 1948, the Executive Board, upon recommendation of its Committee on Camping, officially integrated the Order of the Arrow into the Scouting movement. The Order's national lodge was dissolved and supervision shifted to the Boy Scouts of America." Growth in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say has far from slowed! While the Tribe is local to the Pony Express (PEC) and Heart of America (HOAC)Councils in western Missouri, you will find variations and adaptations of it in many other councils as well (Golden Eagle in Salina, Kansas; Tribe of Lone Bear in Springfield, Missouri; Silver Tomahawk in South Central Iowa; and programs in Omaha, Nebraska and Bellevue, Illinois). Each year, 1000+ youth and adults become Tribesmen in either the PEC or HOAC camps. To Yarrow, I agree with you that often times the OA elections are nothing more than a popularity contest. Many other unit leaders before you have said the same, yet it seldom changes. I'm sure the young man you speak of feels hurt and disappointment at not being selected by his peers. Whom among us wouldn't. Unfortunately, I cannot go into detail about the selection process for the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, but suffice to say that it is NOT a popularity contest. I have no doubts that your young man would be wearing an Eagle's claw around his neck right now if he was a Scout in either the PEC or HOAC today. To Heart of Bright Star, I must make a point of clarification. I realize that as a HOAC Tribesman, you are probably not aware of the Tribal activities that take place in the PEC. In addition to the ceremonies at Camp Geiger every camp session, we have an annual Tribal Feast the first weekend in June (as you do), as well as a Fall Pow-Wow conducted after the camping season and a Winter Conclave held the first weekend of the new year that are available to and enjoyed by all Tribesmen. Perhaps you can attend one some day and we can swap stories about the Tribe. And finally, to Born in the 60's, whoever said that the Tribe of Mic-O-Say was a "boy-led program"? It was never designed to be. The reason so many OA chapters and lodges are ineffective is because of the boy leadership. They simply don't have the necessary skills at that age. To put them in such a position is to often set them up for failure. Who would want that?! Within the Tribe, additional responsilities come with maturity and active participation in the program AND in scouting. As a young man works his way through the Mic-O-Say program, he learns from watching the older scouts and men as they carry out the duties of their respective rank. As far as Tamegonit Lodge ever conducting their cermonies at the Bartle Reservation should be a non-issue. Camp Naish is a fine facility for supporting the OA program just as the Bartle Reservation is designed to support the Mic-O-Say program. Would you be receptive to conducting Mic-O-Say ceremonies at Camp Naish? Are you willing to write the check necessary to duplicate the OA facilities at the Bartle Reservation and the Mic-O-Say facilities at Camp Naish? It certainly seems an unnecessary expense. I have spoken!