Download
1 / 29
290 likes | 292 Views
Explore the induction sequence of the Order of the Arrow, learn about the characters and principles, and understand the purpose and importance of ceremonies. Delve into the memories and experiences of the Arrowman journey.
E N D
AWAKE MY FRIENDS! These are among the first three words that Nutiket speaks at the Ceremonial grounds of each respective lodge. Since these are the first words that every prospective Arrowman will hear, repeat them here too!
Setting the Table It’s dusk out and you stand with the only things that will carry you through your nightly journey. You have seen 15 blazes in some form or fashion and before you, you see four young men dressed in Indian attire. What is to happen next is still a mystery to you. Perhaps you heard the voices of those four as they invested before the Ceremony. Perhaps you stood in anticipation as they rendered the opening rights of the Ceremony declaring their acknowledgement that “Some have been found…” but you weren’t quite sure what that might mean. The ceremony that awaits is still a mystery to you.
A stroll down memory lane • What was your first memory of that ceremony? • What do your chapters do to make that experience unique? • What did the Characters do to make that an exciting and unique experience?
The Induction Sequence: Election: The member is selected by his fellow scouts, the ones who know him best, to be a candidate for the order. This is also a chance to promote the order and what it means. Call Out: The candidates are recognized publicly for being elected. This could be for many scouts the only exposure they get of the Order’s ceremonies. The Call Out can make a huge impression on potential future members if done right. Pre Ordeal Ceremony: The ceremony introduces the candidate’s to the principles of the order, and what they will be doing to come to part with those values. The Ordeal: The candidates complete the tasks given to them during the pre-ordeal ceremony. This is a time to reflect on their own personal values, and to have the orders values instilled in them. This is where the candidates learn to be Arrowmen through experience.
The Induction Sequence Ordeal Ceremony: The candidates become members of the order and take the obligation to a life of cheerful service. During this ceremony, the new members learn of what they have done over the course of the weekend, and what it means. New Member Orientation: Here, the new members receive instruction on what the Order is, and how it functions. They should be given time to meet with their chapters, and given the opportunity to begin to understand how they can take part in the OA. This is one of the most important parts of the induction because this is what will set the Arrowmen up for success by giving him an opportunity to do something. Journey to Brotherhood: During this time, the member learns more of the customs and raditions ofthe Order and practices them in his daily life. He participates in the sessions of the lodge, and lends a helping hand. Brotherhood Ceremony: Once the member has completed the necessary requirements, and feels he is ready, he may participate in the Brotherhood ceremony. This is a time to learn even more about the order, and reaffirm his obligation, and commit to a role of leadership within the lodge.
First Things First Now that all have gone through the ceremony and have an idea of what’s going on, it’s time to provoke thought. Before one can effectively perform a ceremony they must realize the purpose of the ceremony. It would be hard for a professional athlete to excel in their respective sport if they did not know the rules of their sport. While some ceremonialist can perform excellent ceremonies without ever looking in the Guide to Inductions, this training cell can be used to educate them on the broader picture. Ask the following: • What is a ceremony? • What is the purpose of ceremonies?
Who are we personifying? This stage in the game may be review for more seasoned veterans or brand new for the newest of ceremony team members and advisers. The record must be set straight and the members must know the basic characteristics of the characters of which they are personifying. Knowing the true characteristics, nature, tasks, and goals of each character will give them a better idea of how to personify them at ceremonies time.
Eachof the Principles is unique, both in their position and duties within the Lodge, and also by their regalia.
Allowat Sakima, the mighty chief, symbolizes service. From him you accepted the Obligation of the Order. Kichkinet is your guide in the Ceremonies. He symbolizes helpfulness and friendliness.
Meteuis the Medicine man of the group. He represents brotherhood, and reminds us of our need to “Love One Another”. Nutiket is the guard of the circle. He upholds the tradition of cheerfulness.
Playing the Part • Is a ceremony more like an actor on stage or a teacher in a classroom? What is the purpose of ceremonies? Right, to communicate the meaning of the Order. • Is a ceremony more like a classroom or like a play? A ceremony is more like a teacher in a classroom than an actor on stage. Actors entertain, but teachers provide knowledge.
Playing the Part Can you have a little bit of both? Certainly, but if the theatrics are distracting from the meaning then you are failing. To quote an old training maxim: “Teaching is only effective when learning takes place.” Ceremonies are only effective if the Order’s meaning is communicated.
Playing the Part So, what does all this mean? The most important job of a ceremony is to deliver the meaning of the Order. This means that performers must be loud enough to be heard, slow enough to be understood, and emphatic enough to keep attention.
Speak Up When we talk to our family members and friends we have at times been asked to speak up because of inaudibility, and speak clearly because we can’t be understood. We have also learned the art of personifying certain moods in order to accomplish a task or to convey an idea. Most know exactly how to speak and what to say when they are petitioning their parents for certain objects or opportunities. The same arts must be learned when conveying points in a ceremony.
Pace When we talk to each other we go at a pace that is unacceptable for ceremonies. Why do ceremonies have to be so much slower than teachers in a classroom or a casual conservation? Well riddle me this: How often do we talk in metaphors? Candidates need time to process what is being said to them. They need time to figure out that the brighter fire is within them or why exactly do they have to be silent. A slow ceremony with a few emphatic pauses allows the candidates to make sense out of what is being said.
Emphasis This is the one area that separates great ceremonialist from average ones. As pointed out earlier, if it distracts from the overall messages in the ceremony then it is not a good idea. Each principle character as discussed earlier has certain traits and values that they represent. They each have certain tasks that they must impart. Thus, gestures to help visualize these traits and tasks are opened and encouraged. However, the gestures that are employed must make sense. Gestures are not sign language, there is no need have a gesture for every single word that is said. However gestures that are employed to help signify a bigger theme are widely successful. Gestures should flow with the language and the persona of the character. This goes for everything from facial features to hand motions to movement.
Gestures There is no gesture guide to show which gesture to do at what time. A lot of these gestures are going to come as you dive into the character. As you study their traits and what they represent. It is a good idea to see how others do it. Now all ceremonialists are not created equal but some have really good ideas and it can be a learning experience to see others in your craft. Ultimately a lot of time in practice will best serve the task reciting the words and figuring out which gestures would best fit the part and how the ceremonialist can employ the movement into the performance.
Quick thoughts on gestures: • Practice in front of a mirror – avoid the “arms-crossed” and “fig-leaf” positions. • Use a video camera. • Draw out the part, then try to gesture the pictures.
The Four M’s to performing Effective Ceremonies Memorization: The performer must learn his part. And this goes beyond just memorizing it. The performer must be able to deliver the part during the ceremony. around reciting as a memory check it needs to be flawless because once the performer starts doing it during the ceremony and his nerves kick in he needs to be able to recall that information. It needs to be second nature. It needs to be a part of the performer himself because on top of the nerves the performer also needs to be loud enough, slow enough, and emphatic enough for there to be meaning. So, there are the three elements of a good ceremony that performers must accomplish in addition to their lines. The brain can only do so much, so, get the parts engrained.
Meaning: The performer needs to be aware of the significance of his part because if he is unaware there is no way he can convey it. What role does my principle play? What are his challenges? What is his personality? What do the totems represent? Why am I giving this challenge? All these questions—and more—need to be answered before the part can be effectively delivered. People in the theatrical world would call this the subtext of the part. We memorized the words first and now we memorize the meaning.
Motions: The performer needs to find appropriate hand motions that are significant without creating a distraction. Simple gestures go a long way, but good performances find the balance between nothing and too much.
Make them cry: This is the performance. This is when the passion of the ceremony meets the other three for a synthesis that results in a meaningful presentation. A good ceremony invokes powerful emotions which should have powerful results. What is takes to make them cry is almost indefinable. It comes from the performer’s confidence which can only be achieved if the first three steps are completed. At national conference, this is called transcendence.
Memorization Techniques Chunking: When you look at the ceremonies like the pre-ordeal and so on you will notice that they are divided into sections. Going from punctuation to punctuation rather than line by line will give the ceremonialist a complete thought. A series of sentences related to the same idea is a “chunk,” and can be delivered more naturally like we talk in real life.
Recitation: Once you have learned the part, recite it. Recite it when you are playing cards withfriends. Recite it when you are on a hike with your scout troop. Recite it while you’re in the shower. Recite it before you go to bed. Recite…well I think you get the point.
Make a tape: Record an mp3 on your computer while you read the text how you’d like to deliver it. Later, listen to the recording to help you remember the words. This can also be done with video to combine audio with visual cues such as gestures.
Conclusion We’ve covered the purpose of ceremonies. • Understand the importance of knowing and effectively presenting your character. • Understand how to personify your character through voice, presence, and motion. • Discuss different effective learning techniques for ceremonies.
