Selection of Adult candidates

[Col. Flagg]

22 minutes ago, gblotter said:

I was not involved in OA as a Scout, and I am just now becoming familiar with OA as a Scoutmaster.

Our troop recently conducted our first OA election with four candidates elected. I am also qualified with the required camping nights, but the lodge representatives said I did not need to be included on the ballot.

Just to become more knowledgeable about OA, I feel like I (or some other adult leader in our troop) should go through the ordeal and become involved if I am sending off some of my Scouts.

For lack of information, I am a bit apprehensive. Blind are leading the blind right now when it comes to OA.

In my area you are allowed two adult candidates for every three Scouts elected; rounding up if you don't have a multiple of 3 exactly. So if four Scouts were elected you can nominate two adults AND you as Scoutmaster. The SM does not count against the total of adults nominated. This doc should help.

Some units will arrange to have the adults and Scouts attend the same Ordeal. You are usually broken up into different groups. That's about all I can say really without spoiling too much. You council's Lodge should have a set of dates so you can coordinate with the others. It is like a camp out, sort of. Expect the first night to be interesting. The second night should be quiet. Your Lodge will tell you what to bring.

It is kind of a personal experience if it is done correctly.

[HelpfulTracks]

I would add 3 points.

1. SM does not count against the 1/3 limit as long as he/she has been SM for at least the last 12 months.
2. The term is an "adult nomination", which means the Troop Committee nominates adults, they are not elected. Once they are nominated the nominee must be recommended to the Supreme Chief of the FIre (a fancy title for SE) by the Lodge Adult Selection Committee. If the SE approves then nominees become candidates for induction and must go through Ordeal to become members. Lodges vary on how strict they are on the recommendation/approval/process.  Some send all (or almost all) adults through, others control the number more tightly because of the naturally high percentage of Adults to youth and the Lodge's needs. (see #3 below)
3. Per OA bylaws, adults are recommeded based on their ability to server the Lodge/Council and should fulfill some purpose or meet some need (I ama paraphrasing). 

So as an adult, you are not on the ballot for election, there is a seperate nominating form for adults.

 

[Chisos]

Ditto what @HelpfulTracks said.  You'd be nominated by your troop committee, and the assistance you would be providing would be facilitating participation in OA by the youth in your troop.  (See the "Adult Nomination Form" in the document that @Col. Flagg linked).