Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 00:06:08 -0500
From: Benjamin Netanyahu
Subject: awards are KILLING the OA

Now that I've got your attention, let me throw this little topic onto the discussion fire.

I have come to believe that our lodges and national has way too many awards for the program's own good.We have awards for every single category and size. Including three seperate awards in my lodge that are billed as "highest award the lodge gives" (they are, founders, vigil, a special lodge award my lodge does called "allagagon."). Now it seems to me that in a pool of only a certain size, people will come to expect and want certain awards in a reasonable amount of time. With so many awards being passed out, it's easier to notice who is "not" getting the awards that who actually is. The animosity grows. Then we must ask what is the purpose of these awards. Consider these two different motivations for the purpose of awards.

1. Are they to recognize arrowman who perform unselfish cheerful service with distinction, and presumably would have done the same had their been no award.
2. Or are all of our awards merely proverbial carrots that we dangle in front of members to give that little extra effort in order to attain the awards.

If the first criteria is true, then why are there so many "standard" awards that generally must be given out each year, to people who through their human nature see many of the people around them being awarded. Should we then create so many awards to essentially pat everyone on the back (what kind of recognition is that). Even if we do that we inevitably create seperate and higher "levels" that people tend to strive for. There is always the presence of politics and subjective judgement of one arrowman over another by a third arrowmen or group of arrowmen. Of course no system can make everyone happy. But I submit that awards in the end make most everyone unhappy about who got what. All the while wasting valuable time and energy on deciding and debating about individual qualifications.

Then there is the second definition. This one I believe scares many people in the OA. This spring, I posed a question to the group about a man on the national OA committee who did many great things and yet made no secret of his desire for the DSA. The response was mixed. We are supposed to be an organization of arrowmen who should be able to work without any tangeable reward. Yet these awards do exist. However we are told that we cannot desire for them because that would be against the principles of the oa and in fact desiring for them can be a disqualifying factor for getting an award. There are of course many arrowmen who are legitamately able to ignore the hoopla over awards. Yet I know there are many influential OA members who participate and help create this hoopla. I know this because of the fact that these awards do exist, and the number seem to grow yearly. I know that one of the purposes of awards is to recognize youth arrowmen for hard work (positve feedback). But I submit that such positive can also come from getting elected to higher office and more responsibility and trust. The order should be promoting the fact that we are all society of brothers, who took the same ordeal. The youngest arrowman should not feel intimidated and isolated by the superstar lodge chief who's room is wallpapered with awards.

So how about this - I suggest that we seriously reconsider the number and level of awards that we give out. I'm willing to go along with the vigil because it is a class award that is presumably open to all arrowmen who work hard regardless of what specific positions they held. But no more founders, standard lodge awards, etc. If there is a truly exceptional retiring adult adviser, perhaps having a recognition banquet or some other commemorative gesture that the lodge is not compelled to be repeated every year or even have the same name.
What do you think?
Ben Whitehouse

PS- This post is only intended to open a dialouge. I do not promote the immediate implementation of everything I said in this article. Instead I consider this a first step in a direction I feel the order should move into, namely. More emphasis on performing cheerful service and much less on being the "self-gratification club."

I have not been actively involved for a number of years. Yes, I do think there are too many awards given at all levels of Scouting. I have seen the BSA Silver Beavers, Antelopes & Buffalos given to those who themselves or had their company gave the most money while deserving Scouters are ignored.

Here is a solution that works in Swinis Lodge:

At the Annual Chapter and Lodge Banquets a small placque with the patch of the Chapter or Lodge or Special Event (like the Lodge Potlatch (which is like a Section Conclave) and a small metal sign saying what the person did. This might be given to a retiring Chapter or Lodge Chief or Advisor or the Event Chairman and his/her Advisor.

It is a nice way of recognizing someone who has done a lot of work behind the scenes to make an event successful. it also inspires others to get off their duff and do some work for "The Good of the Order."
Dave Snowden

Benjamin Netanyahu wrote:

> I have come to believe that our lodges and national has way too many > awards for the program's own good.We have awards for every single > category and size. Including three seperate awards in my lodge that are billed > as "highest award the lodge gives" (they are, founders, vigil, a > special lodge award my lodge does called "allagagon.").

OK, first lets separate the three

Vigil - the Vigil honor is given by the lodge to recognize those who have given and are expected to continue to give outstanding service to the lodge, troop, or council- it is not an award or a reward and is not to be expected for serving the lodge, ie., I'm the lodge chief this year, I'm going to get my vigil. The number of vigils that MAY be given is based on the size of your lodge, one for every 50 registered lodge members. Rarely does a lodge use its entire allotment.

Founders Award - is a National Level award given at the local level, there is no requirement that a founders award be given every year or even every other year. It is given to a lodge member for exceptional service to the lodge. The number available is also based on the size of the lodge.

The "allagagon" since I am not a member of your lodge I have no idea what this award entails, but it does look like it is a "local" service award.

> Now it seems > to me that in a pool of only a certain size, people will come to > expect and want certain awards in a reasonable amount of time. With > so many awards being passed out, it's easier to notice who is "not" > getting the awards that who actually is. The animosity grows.

I don't know how many "allagagon" awards are given but I don't beleive that even awarding two to three founders awards is too many. If you have a problem with who is getting the awards maybe you and your brothers are not nominating the right people.

> Then we > must ask what is the purpose of these awards. Consider these two > different motivations for the purpose of awards.

1. > Are they to recognize arrowman who perform unselfish > cheerful service with distinction, and > presumably would have done the same had their been no award.
2. > Or are all of our awards merely proverbial carrots that we dangle in front > of members to give that little extra effort in order to attain the > awards.

I would hope with all my heart that the first is the reason that we recognize service, However, sometimes that proverbial carrot helps to motivate our brothers, which leads to greater service and therefore helps in fufilling the mission of the OA.

> There is always the presence of politics and subjective judgement of > one arrowman over another by a third arrowmen or group of arrowmen. > Of course no system can make everyone happy. But I submit that awards > in the end make most everyone unhappy about who got what.

This will of course continue to be true everywhere not just in the OA, it is a fact of life in the real world. But do we stop recognizing everyone just to please those who get upset because they didn't get recognized? If we are truly a Brotherhood, we can be happy for our brothers, REGARDLESS of our personal opinions.

> Then there is the second definition. This one I believe scares many > people in the OA. This spring, I posed a question to the group about > a man on the national OA committee who did many great things and yet > made no secret of his desire for the DSA.

And I would hope that he does not get it until he stops expecting it.

>The response was mixed. We are supposed to be an organization of arrowmen who should be >able to work without any tangeable reward.

Yes, and the majority of arrwomen are like this, they never expect to be given vigil or the founders award and are suprised when it is given to them.

> Yet these awards do exist. However > we are told that we cannot desire for them because that would be > against the principles of the oa and in fact desiring for them can be > a disqualifying factor for getting an award. There are of course > many arrowmen who are legitamately able to ignore the hoopla over > awards. Yet I know there are many influential OA members who > participate and help create this hoopla. I know this because of the > fact that these awards do exist, and the number seem to grow yearly. > I know that one of the purposes of awards is to recognize youth > arrowmen for hard work (positve feedback). But I submit that such > positive can also come from getting elected to higher office and more > responsibility and trust.

Ok, here's the fallacy in your argument, lets say that your lodge has six chapters, therefore it has six chapter chiefs (the equivalent of a lodge committee chairman) - they are all outstanding arrowmen, they are all vigil members, attend every event, never have to be asked twice to get something accomplished, live the scout oath and law in their daily lives and have done a tremendous job in promoting the Order in your council. It is now Lodge election time, all six desire to be the lodge chief. The maximum nuber who can succeed is ONE !.

> The order should be promoting the fact that > we are all society of brothers, who took the same ordeal. The > youngest arrowman should not feel intimidated and isolated > by the superstar lodge chief who's room is wallpapered with awards.

I would hope that he might be inspired to greater service, becuase if he is intimidated the LC is not doing his job.

> So how about this - I suggest that we seriously reconsider the > number and level of awards that we give out. I'm willing to go along > with the vigil because it is a class award that is presumably open to > all arrowmen who work hard regardless of what specific positions they > held. But no more founders, standard lodge awards, etc. If there is > a truly exceptional retiring adult adviser, perhaps having a > recognition banquet or some other commemorative gesture that the > lodge is not compelled to be repeated every year or even have the > same name.

I'm sorry Ben, I cannot go along with this proposal, recognition has a purpose in the order and should continue. In Witauchsoman Lodge #44, each and every arrowman can earn the "outstanding arrowman" award, there is no committe who decides if you earned it, it is a set of requirements relating to service to the individuals troop, and to the lodge, the requirements are signed off by the individuals scoutmaster, and chapter adviser. Ben, it sounds to me that this issue may have been brought forth by what you consider to be an injustice within you lodge, that may be the place to start if you really have a problem with the awards in the order.

YIB
--
JOHN A. GASINK - East Stroudsburg, PA

As most of you know, it is seldom that I respond to a trawl such as this. Recognition is the coin of the realm of volunteer organizations. Recognition and awards are the way in which we express appreciation for what people have done and the spirit in which they offer of themselves. If there is confusion about what is "the highest award the lodge gives" then the confusion should be repaired not throw the baby (correct and deserved recognitions) out with the dirty "bathwater" (misunderstandings and disgruntlement based on them).

We award the Vigil Honor (or should) mostly on spirit and expectation. Look at the description of the selection process in the OAHB where this is emphasized. It is true that the most active and apparent candidates are often those who may be doing the most service. The right spirit seldom can be kept bottled up and away from doing the services and activities which might warrant some award or recognition based on execution. The Vigil Honor, like Ordeal membership, is given "not so much for what you have done but for what you will do in the future." BTW, in my experience it is the rare Vigil Honor member who disappears from the lodge after completing the induction. Service is usually in their very being and continues to be evidenced. Few lodges use their allocation/quota year after year, usually being selective.

The Founder's Award is oriented toward actual execution. Awardees should be those who have given service above and beyond any reasonable expectation. Other than the general expectation of an Arrowman's dedication, there is no attitudinal requirement. The "control" on this award is the severely limited number which may be awarded. If you feel there are too many of these then you think that fewer than the 4 people in my lodge of 3800 who can receive this award annually should be recognized each year. Think about that in terms of our Lodge Chief, 3 Vice Chiefs, 14 Chapter Chiefs, and about 20 Lodge Committee Chairman (plus as many advisers). Hardly seems to be excessive from my viewpoint.

I can't speak for your local award, but it seems that somebody felt the need for an execution award beyond the above National Recognitions recommended by the Lodge.

BTW, bringing the DSA in is a neat "red herring." The DSA is a National Award given for service (execution) above the Lodge level. It is currently awarded at a rate approximately equal to 1.5 per momnth. This works out to about 36 at each NOAC. Between each award ceremony there are at least 2 National Chiefs, 2 National Vice Chiefs, 8 Region Chiefs, and about 15 Conference/Event Vice Chiefs plus a similar number of lead advisers (many of whom are DSA holders -- evidence that these recipients also tend not to pick up their awards and disappear). Nonetheless, the DSA often gets awarded to those who have worked selflessly below the top levels.

My long term experience is that you cannot give too much recognition but that you do indeed need to reserve some recognitions as "special". The DSA has been awarded to around 600 in total. The Founder's Award can only be conferred on around 600 per year. The Vigil Honor is limited to 2% of the OA per year. How can anyone say that such recognitions are granted promiscuously? The prevalence of Founder's Award and Vigil holders in our ranks points only to the fact that our selection committees usually make the right choices because the honorees have long tenancies in the OA.
Larry Ruh

The Founders' Award was established in 1981, I believe shortly after the death of Goodman.

The Founders' Award doesn't recognize what Vigil recognizes. In my own personal recognition philosiphy the Founders' Award is to recognize service to the LODGE above and beyond the call of duty. The Vigil Honor is for all brothers that are living the spirit of the arrow in their daily life and work. That's a pretty clear distinction.

Not exactly. Or rather, it's clear in one direction.

It's clear that there are a lot of reasons to award someone the Vigil Honor but not the Founders Award.

However, everything recognized by the Founders Award is also recognized by the Vigil Honor. It is hard for me to conceive of a Founders Award recipient who is not also worthy of the Vigil Honor, save for the arrowman who has made outstanding contributions to the lodge but has not yet been a Brotherhood member for two years. (The areas of service for the Vigil Honor include the lodge, Scouting, and camp--though I don't have the exact quote handy, it is clear that service in any one of the areas is sufficient.)
In WWW,
Dave Scocca

Brothers,

I'd like to share the way I see it, and the feelings of others I know. For example: The Vigil Honor.:

The lodge is given a quota of being able to elevate one eligible Brotherhood member to the Vigil Honor for every 50 members, regardless of honor, that are registered in the lodge. This quota does not state the number that must be given out, but rather how many they may give out if they feel that that many eligible people are worthy. The more people upon whom the VIgil Honor is bestowed, the less honor it represents. That is not to say that it does not hold honor because indeed it does, but rather that if only six or seven people have it, it represents more than if every single eligible member has it.

So, basically what I'm saying is that you should only give out the Founder's award and the Vigil Honor to people who TRULY deserve it. The more people who have it, the less honor it represents.

Yours in Wimachtendienk,
Matt Burkhardt
l<----------<<<< Shinnecock #360

Dear Benjamin & List,

Benjamin-I agree with most of what you said. I am certainly with you in spirit.

To the List,

I think the OA does ok with its awards. The Vigil Honor, Founders, & DSA are to recognize different things. A few awards aren't bad. But the BSA as a whole needs some work. I laugh when I see those "Mexican Generals" floating around. Although some are good Scouters, most just look silly and are in the program for the wrong reasons.

My suggestion is to quit giving awards to adults-except in cases of training or personal development (ex: Woodbadge, NLS).

This is a youth organization. I have as much opportunity for awards and advancement as I did as a youth. I have 3 knots, Eagle Scout, Arrow of Light, and DSA. I would be content to never get another knot in my life. I would have been content with the first two. And I got all three for things as a youth member. Save the awards and recognition for the boys. If you are in Scouting for any other reason than to help develop the character of young men, then you are in it for the wrong reasons.

Nothing makes me more angry than adults who are in the program for knots. These people become experts on how to fill out the application right or how to set themselves up for the awards. When I was a Lodge Chief, a new adult Vigil Member said to me, "If I wouldn't have gotten Vigil this year, I would have quit." He's lucky I didn't hear that before the Vigil Selection meeting or I would have made sure he didn't get it. And if I heard that today from someone else-I'd do every thing I could to make sure that person didn't get the award. YOU GET THESE AWARDS BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE SEE THE GOOD THINGS YOU HAVE DONE-NOT BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU DESERVE IT OR IT IS OWED TO YOU.

That's my humble opinion.
Yours in Brotherhood,
Carl E. Miller

Want to add your comment? Just submit your opinion!

Derek Pillie All Rights Reserved - © 1998 Page last updated November 14, 2000 dpillie@yahoo.com