The Vigil
Honor
The Vigil Honor is the highest recognition which Illinek Lodge can bestow upon a member. It is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made distinguished contributions beyond the immediate responsibilities of their position or office to one or more of the following:
Tenure of service to Scouting or the OA is not enough. It requires
dedication and an unconscious willingness to put the needs of others ahead of
their own personal interests.
The Vigil Honor was first bestowed upon
our founder, Dr. E. Urner Goodman by the first lodge in 1915. Requests to
recognize an individual with the Vigil Honor require prior written approval by
the National office of the Order of the Arrow. There are strict rules on how
many can be nominated in any given year by our lodge. Since 1915 it has been
given to a relatively small number of all Arrowmen. Indeed, an OA member cannot
actively seek out the Vigil Honor. It is not a rank to be earned. It comes
through dedication, service and sacrifice. The Vigil Honor cannot be sought
out for personal glory. For if you seek it, you will not find it. The Vigil
Honor is like a silent guard watching over all. The Vigil Honor then, seeks
only those it finds most deserving.
Each lodge may nominate one
Vigil nominee for every fifty active registered members in the lodge. Of those
nominated at least half must be youth under the age of 21. A candidate
must have been a Brotherhood member of the Order at least two years at the time
of nomination. Simply being a lodge leader or at every event is not enough. It
is very common for a lodge to nominate fewer candidates to the Vigil Honor than
mathematically they may be eligible to select.
The Lodge Chief forms a
committee chaired by a youth Vigil member, who considers the service of all
eligible Brotherhood members each year. The committee strives to have a
representation from around the council in its youth members. These members may
themselves be an Ordeal, Brotherhood or Vigil member. When a non-Vigil serves
on the committee, he must not be eligible to be nominated or must waive
nomination while serving on the committee. Vigil members may attend the meeting
and provide input for consideration, but the selection process is performed by
the youth members only.
Once a candidate is nominated, a petition with
their service record, is presented to the National OA office for consideration.
Only when this petition has been approved may the nominee be notified of his
or her selection. Each lodge establishes their own traditions for giving
notice to a Vigil nominee and Illinek Lodge is no different.
At an
appointed time and location, Vigil members gather to perform ceremonial duties
involving the nominees. This culminates in the recognition of new Vigil Honor
members. They receive a new sash containing a Vigil triangle in symbol of
service, along with a name from a Native American language intended to honor
and describe the new Vigil before his / her fellow Vigils. A special
certificate is also prepared by the National Office for the new Vigil.
While the selection process is not a public meeting, all members are welcome to
make a recommendation in writing if they so desire. The following form may be
used for this purpose and should be submitted to the Council Service Center.
The committee typically meets in May or early June.
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Vigil Nomination Recommendation Form |