Guide for Officers and Advisers - A guide containing the current policies concerning the organization and administration of the Order of the Arrow ...
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Guide for Officers and Advisers A guide containing the current policies concerning the organization and administration of the Order of the Arrow lodge.
Revised March 2021
Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Lodge Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Lodge Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Order of the Arrow National Bulletin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Lodge Ledger and OA Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Camping Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Membership Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
OA LodgeMaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Lodge Membership Fees and Dues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Lodge Pocket Flaps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Lodge Finances and Financial Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Lodge Charter Renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Lodge Journey to Excellence Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Forming Lodge Chapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Don’t Just Meet: Do (But Not Too Much) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Lodge Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Membership Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The Key 3 Team For Lodge Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Unit Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Election to Ordeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Ceremonies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Choosing Vigil Honor Candidates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Structure, Program, and Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
National Order of the Arrow Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
National Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
National Conference Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
National Leadership Seminar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Developing Youth Leadership Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Order of the Arrow Adviser Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Regional Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Section Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
The OA and International Scouting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Special Programs and Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Guidelines for Assisting Scouts and Scouters with Special Needs . 41
Lenni Lenape Word List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Guide for Officers and Advisers –i– Order of the Arrow, BSA
Guide for Officers and Advisers
Foreword
Congratulations to Arrowmen who have This Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and
accepted leadership in the lodge. You have an Advisers reflects the current policies concern-
important responsibility to your fellow Arrow- ing the organization and administration of the
men and to the future of your lodge. This book Order of the Arrow lodge. It is available at the
has been written especially for you. Order’s official Website, www.oa-bsa.org. All
lodge and chapter officers and advisers should
While some of the material will seem familiar, it have a copy.
is important that you absorb all the information
offered in this guide and display the knowledge
you gain through your leadership performance.
Scouting’s National Honor Society
Guide for Officers and Advisers –1– Order of the Arrow, BSA
Guide for Officers and Advisers –2– Order of the Arrow, BSA
Lodge Administration
Upon close study, you’ll find that your lodge— leaders to Scouting in the council. Arrowmen
its purpose, program, and especially its mem- can best serve the movement through their
bership—is a natural extension of Scouting personal example by upholding the spirit and
itself. It stems from a mutual desire of its mem- traditions of the OA and Scouting.
bers—experienced Scouts and Scouters—to
serve a program they greatly admire, respect, Two-deep leadership is required on all Order of
and believe in. Good lodge administration is the Arrow meetings, trips, and outings. This is a
crucial to the lodge’s success and, when prop- minimum requirement and additional supervi-
erly conducted, brings together a dynamic sion may be necessary depending on the
group of self-motivated individuals, uniting nature of the activities and the size of the
them in service to others. It develops synergy, group.
that rare instance where the sum of all the
Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or
parts is greater than the whole.
over are required at all Scouting activities,
including meetings. A registered female adult
Policies and procedures for the Order of the
leader over 21 must be present for any activity
Arrow, which are developed by the national
including female youth. Notwithstanding the
Order of the Arrow committee based on sound
minimum leader requirement, age and pro-
and tested experience, unify the lodges nation-
gram appropriate supervision must always be
ally in furthering the objectives of the Order as
provided.
Scouting’s National Honor Society. The unique
attraction of the Order is its combination of Eligible leadership must:
inspiration, fellowship, and fun that holds, in
dedicated service and devotion, your council’s • Be 21 and over
finest youth and adults.
• Be registered as volunteers with the BSA
As a leader, you show the way for others. Lead
by example, in thought, word, and deed. Fol- • Have gone through a background check,
low the policies, procedures, and guidelines and
that have been established, adapting them as
• Be up-to-date on Youth Protection Train-
necessary to local conditions. Always remem-
ing
ber not to shortcut a procedure or bypass a
policy, for in doing so you weaken not only (All Arrowmen 18 to 20 years of age are con-
your lodge but the Order of the Arrow nation- sidered adults except for voting and holding
ally. office, in which case they are considered
youths.) This is not only a policy—it is just com-
From its humble beginning, the Order of the mon sense.
Arrow was designed as a resource to Scouting.
It is often credited with maintaining the interest When planning OA activities and meetings,
of older youth in Scouting and retaining them advisers need to keep the following in mind
as they reach adulthood, providing a pool of when female youth and adults are present:
Guide for Officers and Advisers –3– Order of the Arrow, BSA• Restroom and shower facilities must be Order of the Arrow. They need to work closely
available for females or schedules created with district and council volunteers and profes-
to provide separate times for female use. sional Scouters. It is the adviser’s responsibility
to see that the OA is working in close support
• Separate tent or sleeping accommodations of, and in harmony with, the council’s strategic
must be provided for male and female, and plan. It must at all times be remembered that
tent-mates cannot be greater than two the Order is an extension of Scouting, an inte-
years apart in age. gral part of it, rather than a separate program.
The lodge adviser and lodge chief normally
Organization serve as members of the council camping or
program committee, while the chapter adviser
Next to the membership itself, the lodge is the and chapter chief normally serve on the district
most important element in the Order of the camping or program committee.
Arrow because that is where the program is Optionally, with prior approval from the Scout
carried out. But before it can carry out the pro- executive, the lodge or chapter adviser may
gram, the lodge must be properly organized. appoint an associate lodge adviser or associate
chapter adviser annually to help fulfill the mis-
Within the council, the Scout executive is the
sion of the lodge. One associate at the chapter
final authority over the Order of the Arrow and,
level should be enough; at the lodge level
for this reason, holds the title of Supreme Chief
more than one position may be appropriate,
of the Fire. It is the Scout executive’s job to see
depending on the size of the lodge and the
that the lodge adheres to national policy.
duties assigned. If too many associates are
Each year the Scout executive appoints an appointed, they could interfere and cause con-
adult volunteer to serve as the lodge adviser. As fusion for the youth who are trying to lead.
Deputy Supreme Chief of the Fire, the lodge Service in any of these positions should not be
adviser acts on behalf of the Scout executive in considered an automatic pathway to the chap-
guiding the day-to-day affairs of the lodge. ter or lodge adviser role.
This person normally serves as a member of
Lodge officers. The elected officers of the
the council’s camping or program committee
lodge are the lodge chief, lodge vice chief,
and is frequently selected to serve on the
lodge secretary, and lodge treasurer. Some
council executive board.
lodges find it desirable to elect more than one
In some councils, the Scout executive serves as vice chief. Arrowmen desiring to serve as a
the lodge staff adviser, but in most cases lodge (or chapter) officer or committee chair-
appoints a member of the professional staff to man must meet the following eligibility
that position. The staff adviser, as Chief of the requirements:
Fire, acts on behalf of the Scout executive in
1. Be currently registered in Scouts BSA, Ven-
giving guidance to the lodge adviser and the
turing, or Sea Scouting, in the council that
lodge leadership. With support and counsel
charters the lodge.
from the Scout executive, it is the staff adviser's
role to see that the lodge adheres to national 2. Be a member in good standing in the
policy. lodge.
Many lodges are broken down into smaller 3. Be younger than 21 for the entire term of
organizational groups called chapters. Chapter office.
advisers and chapter staff advisers are
appointed annually by the Scout executive, and Officers serve a one-year term. Suggested
act on behalf of the lodge adviser in guiding terms of office are a calendar year, January 1
the day-to-day affairs of the chapter. through December 31, or a school year, e.g.,
September 1 through August 31. Officers may
All lodge and chapter advisers should be be re-elected. It is recommended that lodge
Scouters with experience and tenure in the officers hold no other office in the Order of the
Guide for Officers and Advisers –4– Order of the Arrow, BSAArrow. This practice will allow the officer to the lodge chief or Scout executive is privileged
devote their entire effort to the successful per- to call a special meeting of the committee if
formance of the duties and responsibilities of the need arises.
the office. Lodge chiefs who are elected to be
chief of a section, while in office, must resign The executive committee is a relatively small
the lodge chief position within 30 days after group and thus is able to handle the business
election as section chief. of the lodge in a quick and efficient manner.
The entire membership of the lodge should,
All members of the lodge younger than 21 are however, hear a report of all major decisions
eligible to vote. and projects being planned.
Lodge executive committee. The executive Members of the executive committee who are
committee of the lodge—a key group—con- staff members at a BSA resident camp may
sists of the youth serving as lodge officers serve on the Order of the Arrow camp council
(including the immediate past lodge chief), to handle the OA’s business during camp.
lodge operating committee chairmen and their When not in camp, the lodge chief appoints an
advisers, the staff adviser, the lodge adviser, Arrowman to serve as camp OA coordinator.
and the Scout executive. If the lodge member-
ship decides that this group is not representa- Key 3 leadership. The working relationship of
tive, a lodge may select two or three members the chief, volunteer adviser, and professional
at large—American Indian lore or public rela- staff adviser is commonly referred to as the
tions experts, for instance—to serve on the “Key 3.” Key 3 leadership is common to all lev-
committee. If there are chapters in the lodge, els of the Order: chapter, lodge, section,
the chapter chiefs and chapter advisers are region, and national. The Key 3 should meet
members of the lodge executive committee. regularly at each level to establish goals and to
Any lodge member is welcome to attend exec- evaluate progress toward those goals.
utive committee meetings as an observer.
Operating committees. For the lodge to
The executive committee is the steering com- achieve its camping promotion and cheerful
mittee of the lodge. It faces the problems, service objectives, a number of operating
studies possible solutions, and then, through committees must be organized to implement
the lodge or chapter committee organization, its programs.
acts. It carries out the business of the lodge,
coordinating the work being done by officers Committee chairs are appointed by the lodge
and operating committees. Regardless of any chief with the approval of the lodge adviser.
executive committee decision or undertaking, They become members of the executive com-
the lodge must operate within the policies mittee and may pick their own committee
established by the national Order of the Arrow members subject to the approval of the lodge
committee, without variation or modification. chief.
The lodge chief is chairperson and presides Each operating committee should have one or
over meetings. The lodge chief is expected to more adult committee advisers to guide com-
prepare agendas and share them with the mittee work. They are appointed by the lodge
lodge and staff adviser before sending them to adviser in consultation with the lodge chief and
committee members with the meeting are approved by the Scout executive or staff
announcement. adviser. It is the adviser’s job to provide infor-
mation, instruction, and coaching for the com-
A definite schedule for executive committee mittee members.
meetings should be established before the
start of the lodge year. Meetings held monthly Every Arrowman should serve on one or more
or every two months are the customary pat- committees. In this way, all members share
tern. Each committee member should have a responsibility for lodge activities and projects.
schedule of the meetings. It is understood that Lodge officers should not be burdened with all
Guide for Officers and Advisers –5– Order of the Arrow, BSAthe details of committee meetings and related and is responsible for maintaining the financial
projects. status of the lodge.
Some larger lodges broaden their committee Inductions committee. Plans and administers
structure to include editorial, public relations, Ordeals, recruits and trains Elangomats and
American Indian dance team, costuming com- Nimats, administers the Brotherhood hike, and
mittees, etc. conducts new member orientation.
Lodges organized by chapters should have Leadership development committee. Plans an
corresponding chapter-level committees with annual conference to build members’ leader-
the chapter committee chairs serving on the ship and job-specific skills, coordinates contin-
corresponding lodge level committees. ued leadership training throughout the year
based on current lodge needs.
Here are some of the basic lodge operating
Membership committee. Checks on inactive
committees:
members and maintains membership records,
Activities committee. Develops plans for two sends out letters each year to identify active
or three membership meeting activities for the members and checks address changes, and
lodge each year and is responsible for carrying sends letters to Ordeal members eligible for
them out. Brotherhood membership.
Service committee. Suggests a yearly schedule
Camping promotion committee. Develops
of service projects, obtains lodge approval, and
plans for camping promotion in consultation
makes complete plans for accomplishing the
with the council camping committee; develops
work.
promotion helps such as “Where to Go Camp-
ing” resources, visual aids, and movies or vid- Unit elections committee. Sends out informa-
eos of camping activities. tion to unit leaders regarding candidate elec-
tion procedures, organizes and trains election
Ceremonial committee. Recruits and trains teams, schedules visits of election teams to
ceremonialists for pre-Ordeal, Ordeal, and units, and records the results of elections.
Brotherhood ceremonies, and for the Vigil
Honor unless that responsibility is managed by Ad hoc committees. Committees are some-
a Vigil committee. Researches appropriate cer- times appointed on a temporary basis to carry
emonial attire, procures or assists members in out some specific assignments such as lodge
making it, and ensures the attire is clean, prop- officer nominations, Vigil Honor nominations,
erly stored and in good repair. Maintains cere- lodge rule revisions, or running a single service
monial circles used in the performance of all project, a banquet, or other major lodge activ-
lodge ceremonies. Conducts lodge and unit ity.
ceremonies when requested.
Communication committee. Prepares lodge Lodge Program
newsletters and social media campaigns,
develops and maintains lodge websites, orga- The first step to creating a good program is to
nizes and operates the network of OA unit rep- lay out the entire year’s plan in advance and let
resentatives to keep units informed, and everyone know about it. To do this, the lodge
promotes participation in OA events and activi- chief should work closely with the officers and
ties. Some lodges may want to create a sepa- advisers to determine the lodge’s goals and
rate OA unit representative committee. objectives for the coming year, for these dic-
tate its program. From this initial planning ses-
Finance committee. Draws up an annual bud- sion, a lodge program plan book is created.
get based on administrative and program The plan book should include a calendar of
needs, obtains information from the council events, describe the program of emphasis, and
service center, issues regular finance reports, serve as a guide or plan throughout the year.
Guide for Officers and Advisers –6– Order of the Arrow, BSAThe lodge program should be directed toward Calendar of events. The lodge executive com-
achieving the purpose of the OA, camping pro- mittee is expected to develop a calendar pol-
motion, council service, leadership develop- icy, scheduling meetings to fall at regular
ment, and cheerful service to the community. intervals and at a routine time and place to
Preparing and distributing “Where to Go improve attendance. Activities should fall on
Camping” resources for unit leaders and mak- set weekends each year.
ing camping promotion visits to all units are
important parts of the lodge program. In developing the calendar, make an effort to
eliminate conflicts in scheduling. Take into
Lodges are expected to plan a program and account district and council activities, and
activities to support the purpose of the OA, the avoid significant national, state, local, or reli-
local council, and its units through outdoor gious holidays and important community or
program promotion and service. This includes school events. The lodge calendar should be
the council resident camps, camp facilities, incorporated into the council planning calen-
unit camping, Cub Scout outdoor experiences, dar.
and Webelos-to-Scout transition. In recent
years, this has expanded from traditional areas Caution should be exercised to not overpro-
such as unit camping promotion visits, Ameri- gram the lodge functions and distract from
can Indian dance performances at blue and quality unit programs. Remember, the Arrow-
gold banquets, and Scoutcraft skill resource man’s first responsibility is to the unit.
teams to include many new fields, such as
ecology, STEM, websites, social media and Promoting activities. The best way to promote
electronic communication. Many lodges hold lodge activities is by earning a reputation for
an annual social affair to which members’ quality programming—make every event a suc-
friends and family, or the community at large,
cess. Other effective ways of promoting active
are invited. These functions often serve as a
participation are through proper coverage in
means of raising funds to provide camp schol-
the lodge newsletter and website, general dis-
arships or for other worthwhile lodge projects.
tribution of the lodge calendar, special fliers or
Typical events include hayrides, fish fries,
postcards, communication through the OA
annual banquets, winter carnivals, canoe trips,
unit representatives, and phone call reminders
barbecues, and winter campouts. It must be
shortly before the activity. At each event,
remembered that prior to embarking on any
whether it is an activity or simply a meeting,
type of fund-raising project, close coordination
take time to encourage members to attend the
with and approval by the council must be
next scheduled activity, and to bring a fellow
secured.
Arrowman who isn’t present that day. A key to
promoting any event is to begin the promotion
Business meetings are essential to the adminis-
well enough in advance so that people can be
tration of the OA. These include lodge execu-
sure to hear about it and place it on their cal-
tive committee meetings and other lodge
endars. In today’s busy world, last-minute or
committee meetings, which occur as neces-
late promotion is about as good as no promo-
sary to accomplish their tasks. Lodge meetings,
tion at all.
where the entire lodge membership gathers,
are held much less frequently, and these are
often in the form of a lodge fellowship week- Communication
end, conclave, banquet, or pow wow. Lodges
organized by chapters conduct chapter mem-
bership meetings monthly or every other Every lodge must develop a plan for effective
month to deliver the Order of the Arrow pro- communication to accomplish its objectives. It
gram to the membership, foster communica- must inform members of lodge meetings and
tion, and organize the lodge’s efforts to serve activities and also keep the Scouting commu-
the council. nity and the general public informed. Best
Guide for Officers and Advisers –7– Order of the Arrow, BSAresults are accomplished through balanced Another excellent tool is the council newslet-
communication, as illustrated in this diagram: ter. Use it as a means of getting lodge informa-
tion to Arrowmen and to individuals who are
COMMUNICATION not members of the OA. Not only is this good
public relations, but also nonmembers might
Message Recall need to know what is happening in the OA as
they schedule their events. It is good marketing
If I only hear . . . 10%
strategy to let the entire council know how
If I only see . . . 20% active the lodge is.
If I see and hear . . . 65%
The lodge should also use every available
If I see, hear, and have it in writing 80% means of disseminating information to the
general public. News articles should be sub-
mitted regularly to the local media. All lodge
Balanced communication combines an infor- information sent should be newsworthy,
mative newsletter and website with additional approved by the local council, and both factual
direct mailings or fliers, social media and interesting. The council service center can
announcements, and telephone contact. be of help because there is usually someone
there in charge of public relations.
The most important method of lodge commu-
nication is the printed or electronic newsletter. Successful lodges and chapters also use OA
Each lodge should publish a newsletter at reg- unit representatives, phone committees, and
ular intervals for all its members. Most lodges personal contacts to promote activities and
find that a newsletter published every two or events. The OA unit representatives provide a
major communication and programmatic link
three months will do the job. A lodge newslet-
with the lodge and chapter. Phone committees
ter should carry information of interest to the
simply divide up the roster of members among
members—announcements of upcoming
a committee assigned the job of making phone
lodge and chapter events, news of personal calls. Enthusiastic word-of-mouth from a
interest about lodge members and their activi- friend is also a good way to publicize a coming
ties, inspirational stories, letters to the editor, event. Promotion should be far enough in
and editorials. advance so that the committee has time to
complete the task and the members have suffi-
Some newsletters devote a section to news cient time to plan to attend. Each activity and
from each chapter which is produced by a event should be promoted. Often, regularly
chapter correspondent. Always welcome are scheduled meetings, such as a lodge executive
special features on topics such as a major ser- committee or chapter meeting, need this extra
vice project or American Indian dancing. Good effort more than an annual event does.
humor, and cartoons will help hold the interest
of readers. Stories about section conclaves, The convenience and accessibility of elec-
training events, and national Order of the tronic media have also made it possible for
many lodges to communicate with their mem-
Arrow news should also have a place in every
bership via email or social media. While current
lodge newsletter.
technology makes this an attractive option to
communicate with OA members, care should
Keep in mind that a newsletter is also a sales be exercised to prevent the posting of pro-
and promotion tool and the success of its tected or sensitive material through email and
message depends a great deal on being attrac- on websites. The national Order of the Arrow
tive, timely, accurate, and useful to members. website should be used as a model for lodge
The newsletter also can assist the lodge in the website development. It also provides produc-
execution of its annual lodge program. tion guidelines.
Guide for Officers and Advisers –8– Order of the Arrow, BSAThe Order of the Arrow National It is essential that Scouts go camping with their
Bulletin units. Over the years, camping has kept Scouts
interested in Scouting.
Recognizing that the organization is successful Every Order of the Arrow lodge has the
in sharing news and current events via digital responsibility to do a good job of promoting
and social channels, the National Bulletin pro- Scout camping. Arrowmen can do camping
vides inspiration, longer form coverage of pro- promotion individually in their units or by
gram changes, national events, and becoming members of the lodge’s camping
recognitions, along with insight into the promotion committee.
broader scope of the OA direction and role
within Scouting. This “OA magazine” takes on Arrowmen should be the top camping promo-
the look, format, and style of high quality travel tion people in their unit. They should set the
guides and lifestyle magazines. The content example for fellow Scouts by being the first to
focuses on providing the greater context for sign up for camp. They lead the way in plan-
the news events covered via digital channels, in ning for year-round camping events. They talk
depth reporting on successful lodge / chapter camping on a person-to-person level with all
programs, and long form articles on the impact Scouts.
of the OA within a council, the life of an indi-
vidual, or within Scouting. The National Bulletin Arrowmen are enthusiastic about camping and
is sent to national OA/BSA leadership, lodge never miss an opportunity to encourage
leadership, Scout executives, and certain other Scouts to enjoy the great outdoors. They are
individuals. prepared to talk to parents of Scouts in their
unit about the values of camping for their chil-
dren. They assist the unit leader in planning
Lodge Ledger and OA Today and carrying out camping and high-adventure
activities. As an example to younger Scouts,
lodge members should advance toward Eagle
The national Order of the Arrow committee
rank and become especially skilled in camping
keeps OA members informed by periodic mass
techniques.
emails. The “Lodge Ledger” is sent to national
committee members and key volunteers,
An Arrowman’s first duty is to the unit. We must
region/section leaders, and lodge Key 3 mem-
always keep in mind that a primary role of the
bers. It is focused on lodge best practices and
Order of the Arrow is to strengthen units and
communicating national policy changes. The
help units to succeed, particularly in the out-
“OA Today” contains more general OA news
door phase of their program.
and is sent to all individuals on general mailing
lists accumulated from OA national events.
The lodge must work closely with appropriate
Lodges are encouraged to share the contents
council and district committees in carrying out
of these emails with their membership.
the council camping promotion plan. The
lodge adviser and lodge chief should be mem-
Lodge news items of national interest may be bers of the council camping or program com-
sent to communications@oa-bsa.org. To be mittee, and chapter advisers and their chiefs
added to the “OA Today” mailing list, visit oa- should become members of their respective
bsa.org. district committees. The camping committee is
responsible for camping promotion. It is not
Camping Promotion the role of the Order of the Arrow to assume
total responsibility for camping promotion, but
rather to give full support to the entire council
All Arrowmen should be committed to camp- and district camping program. This includes
ing promotion. This is one of the OA’s most monthly unit camping as well as resident
important commitments to Scouting. camp.
Guide for Officers and Advisers –9– Order of the Arrow, BSAIt is the duty of each lodge to arrange for an ble (on page 11) was developed by a lodge,
annual Order of the Arrow election for new based on one designed for the council camp-
members in every eligible unit. Elections pres- ing committee. It provides an effective method
ent an excellent opportunity to promote for recruiting, training, and scheduling unit visi-
camping when an OA member takes the floor tation teams. This timetable may also be
to explain the Order of the Arrow program to adapted to other phases of the lodge’s pro-
Scouts and leaders. gram such as unit elections, a “Where to Go
Camping” project, or a service or Ordeal week-
Teams of Arrowmen may also visit packs, end. The success of the lodge in camping pro-
troops, crews and ships to show them videos motion depends on its ability to meet
on camping, talk at parents’ night meetings and deadlines. Remember, a lodge’s camping pro-
roundtables, and help provide special unit- motion effort must be carried out in coopera-
level camping programs. They can be a tion with council and district camping
resource of experience and leadership avail- committees at all times.
able to assist new or struggling units, providing
expertise that may be in short supply in the “Where to Go Camping” guide. This guide
unit, be it at a meeting, on a weekend outing, should be an ongoing service project of an
or at resident camp. However, advising unit Order of the Arrow lodge that provides “Where
leaders and committee members about their to Go Camping” and hiking information for
responsibilities for camping should be left in packs, troops, Sea Scout ships, and Venturing
the hands of council and district camping crews. Units with this information have a tool
committees. that enables them to do more year-round
camping in a variety of sites and conditions.
Many lodges have agreed to help camping
committees by providing literature and visual Planning the guide:
aids (e.g., videos) about camping. Others have
produced “Where to Go Camping” booklets or 1. Lodge chief and lodge advisers discuss the
websites for several years. Arrowmen might project with the Scout executive and the
conduct surveys, compile facts, and prepare chairman of the council camping commit-
the listings of nearby places to camp and hike. tee to
These listings should be updated periodically
as new places are found and some campsites • Determine the scope. The guide should
become unavailable. include information on places to camp.
Plan to include all areas and places
Special attention should be given to outdoor available for outdoor activities, even
adventure opportunities for Cub Scouts, Sea though some may be outside the
Scouts and Venturers. If Cubmasters, Sea Scout council boundaries. (Cub Scout activi-
Skippers and Venturing Advisors have proper ties include day camping, family camp-
information at hand, they are more likely to ing, and Webelos camping; it is
take their units outdoors. This project may take recommended that separate informa-
more work and time and cost more money to tion be provided for pack leaders.)
produce, but a useful outdoor program book-
let for Cub Scouts and a high-adventure book- • Decide on the amount of information
let for Sea Scouts and Venturers is a service needed.
that should be considered by every lodge. The
Boy Scouts of America has an excellent publi- • Determine the roles that the lodge and
cation, Passport to High Adventure, that is use- the camping committee will play in the
ful in planning high-adventure programs for development and completion of the
older Scouts, Sea Scouts and Venturers. project.
Sample camping promotion visit timetable. • Determine how to finance production
The sample Camping Promotion Visit Timeta- of the guide.
Guide for Officers and Advisers – 10 – Order of the Arrow, BSACamping Promotion Visit Timetable
Date schedule adopted by lodge: From September
To September
Deadline Date
The Job to Be Done
Date Completed
Meet with council camping committee.
Lodge and chapter advisers obtain assignments and
approval of plans.
Organize lodge and chapter camping promotion
committees. Committees develop pattern of opera-
tion to carry out program.
Classify camping by district in advance. Classify each
unit by camping status—always camps, sometimes
camps, rarely camps, never camps.
Recruit and train three- to five-member visitation
teams.
Obtain materials for visitation teams. Provide and
train them in use of movies, videos, charts, literature,
“Where to Go Camping” publications, exhibits, etc.
Contact unit leaders to schedule visits. Explain pro-
gram to them; arrange time, place, facilities; suggest
that parents be invited.
Make visits as scheduled. Be prepared with materials;
know about units in advance; reschedule visits if
necessary.
Set deadline for all unit visits. Dates must be set in
advance and held to, unless officially extended, if
plan is to be successful.
Give final report to council camping committee.
Report should be in writing with unit analysis and
results, problem areas, suggestions, etc.
Guide for Officers and Advisers – 11 – Order of the Arrow, BSA2. The camping chairman should discuss the • If a printed guide is planned, secure
project at a camping committee meeting. If photos, diagrams, or maps that can be
necessary, they should obtain financial help reproduced.
from other council sources. Final approval
of the project by the camping committee is 2. Use a prepared form to record information
a must. It is unwise to start the project on areas and places used by Scouting
without the committee’s official approval. groups. Follow these procedures:
• Send forms to unit leaders asking them
3. After the camping committee gives its
to suggest possible areas and places to
approval, the lodge executive committee
include in the booklet.
should adopt the project and appoint an ad
hoc committee (or designate a standing • Request the help of council and district
committee) to take over the project and Scouters in developing a list of sites and
produce the guide. areas to visit.
Collecting information for the guide: • Consult council and district records for
areas and places used by Scouting
1. The assigned committee meets, discusses groups for visits, camporees, expedi-
procedures to follow, and draws up a form tions, Scouting shows, or pilgrimages.
to be used in gathering the information
about each outdoor area or site. This form 3. Check on additional sources of informa-
may include requests for the following tion:
information:
• Lodge members ask for information
• A general description of the site or area. from their friends and parents.
• Is the site good for Cub Scouts, Scouts • Committee members contact conser-
BSA, Sea Scouts, Venturers, or all? vationists, forest rangers, police depart-
ments, city bureaus, chambers of
• Check activities the site is best suited commerce.
for—picnic, sightseeing, day hike, over-
• Committee members investigate local,
night camp, long-term camp, career
state, and national park facilities.
exploration, high-adventure trip, edu-
cation tour, etc. 4. Be sure to include information about the
following:
• Facilities available—eating places, fire-
places, water, electric power, tables, • National Camping Award of the Boy
buildings, toilets, etc. Scouts of America
• Site regulations—permits necessary, fee • All useful information about your coun-
charged, regulations on fires or use of cil camp(s). and other councils’ camps
facilities, adult leader required, contact within a reasonable driving distance
for reservation, etc.
• All well-established annual regional
• Special features—swimming, boating, and/or council events
hiking trails, nature study area, moun-
• Historical trail programs
tains, conservation areas, field sports,
game areas, winter sports, fishing, • High-adventure bases and programs of
hunting, guides available, conducted the Boy Scouts of America and local
tours, etc. councils
• Where the site is and how to get Organize the information, eliminate all duplica-
there—address, telephone, travel direc- tions, and then get the reactions of a few unit
tions, distance, map, etc. leaders to your rough draft. Refine the copy,
Guide for Officers and Advisers – 12 – Order of the Arrow, BSAhave it duplicated, printed, published online, lodge administration, including attaining Jour-
and distribute to all unit leaders. Many lodges ney to Excellence recognition, printing mem-
also produce a version for publication on their bership cards and address labels, and sending
lodge and council websites, with links to other mass emails.
resources on the internet.
Membership Records
John Doe
is a Brotherh
ood member
It is essential that each lodge keep accurate Succedaneum in
Lodge
membership records at all times. Knowing who
José Amanue
the members are and how they can be con- nsis 12/31/2019
Netami Lekh
iket Expiration Da
tacted (address, phone number, and email) is te
vital for good communication. All personal
information must be protected on behalf of the
lodge’s members. Knowing the dates of Ordeal
and Brotherhood memberships and Vigil
Honor recognition is vital to conducting accu-
rate inductions.
Lodge Membership Fees and
Dues
Every lodge also needs to know who has paid
the current year’s dues. Continuing to mail Each lodge sets its own annual dues and its
correspondence and newsletters to unregis- fees for induction into the OA. Only registered
tered members is costly. More importantly, Scouts and Scouters who have been officially
determining who has not paid dues tells the inducted into the OA are eligible to pay dues
lodge whom it needs to contact to encourage and be members of the lodge.
reregistration. Perhaps the members feel left
out and need to feel wanted. A call, letter, or The fee for new member induction varies
email from a friend or the OA unit representa- widely around the country. It should be kept to
tive could make a difference. a minimum and should cover dues, Ordeal
sash, Order of the Arrow Handbook, and a
All lodge members must first be registered lodge pocket flap. Food, insurance, and other
members of the Boy Scouts of America. The costs are also included.
Scout executive is required to certify that all
lodge members are currently registered mem- Annual lodge dues should also be kept to a
bers of the BSA and have been checked against minimum, covering the cost of mailings to
the council ScoutNet membership files as part members, the lodge charter renewal fee, and
of the annual lodge charter renewal process. other expenses. Most lodge dues are $10-$15.
Lodge members should receive a new mem-
OA LodgeMaster bership card within 30 days of payment of their
dues.
The Order of the Arrow has developed the OA The lodge charter renewal fee is based on the
LodgeMaster Membership Management Sys- total paid membership as of the last day of the
tem for lodge administrative record-keeping. lodge’s dues year. The records of dues received
Use of this automated system is required for all should be kept in OA LodgeMaster by the
lodges in the country. Multiple, simultaneous lodge secretary or membership committee.
access to use and edit data, central data stor-
age, and nightly back-up are provided. The Members of the OA may be official dues-pay-
system maintains the history of past members ing (and in the case of youth, voting) members
and their induction dates and can track every- of only one lodge, that being the lodge char-
thing from service hours to event attendance tered to the council where they have their pri-
to finances. It can also manage most aspects of mary Scouting registration. Members may only
Guide for Officers and Advisers – 13 – Order of the Arrow, BSAwear the lodge pocket flap of the lodge where it must be mounted against the left vertical
their dues are paid. Therefore, the lodge border of the flap.
pocket flap must match the council shoulder
patch of the council to which the lodge Lodge Finances and Financial
belongs.
Records
When an active member moves and wishes to
be transferred to another lodge, the lodge sec- Current, accurate financial records are essen-
retary or membership committee should pro- tial to a lodge’s well-being. The lodge must
vide the Arrowman’s membership record in the know how much money it has, along with its
Order to the Scout executive of the new coun- income and expenses. Knowing things as sim-
cil. ple as how much it costs to have the lodge
pocket flap made, or how much a lodge event
If a member’s dues are not paid, they are not costs, aids the lodge in planning.
allowed to wear a lodge pocket flap. They also
The lodge is to be self-supporting, requiring no
cannot attend lodge functions or become
funding from the council. Estimating how
Brotherhood or Vigil Honor members. Youth
much money will be collected from various
members whose dues are not paid also cannot
sources and keeping records of how it is spent
vote. Members may be reinstated with no pen-
will enable the lodge to prepare and operate
alty by paying their current year's dues.
within a budget. OA LodgeMaster provides
support and reporting for financial transac-
Lodge Pocket Flaps tions, budgeting, trading post sales/inventory/
consignments, and asset control.
Cloth lodge emblems (“flaps”) are made avail- The lodge treasurer should report regularly, at
able by most lodges. BSA uniform and insignia each lodge executive committee meeting, on
policy requires that these pocket flap patches the financial condition of the lodge. Financial
be made of, and embroidered on, cloth, and close-out reports of each lodge event should
must be of a size and shape as to cover the be prepared; this is the basis for planning future
right breast pocket flap and not extend beyond events.
the outer edge of the uniform pocket flap.
They must show the lodge name and totem. All The financial transactions of the lodge must be
OA patches must include “BSA” or the Boy processed through the council; they are sub-
Scout emblem in their design. The beading of ject to council regulations and auditing proce-
flaps is against BSA uniform and insignia policy dures as described in The Local Council
as are chapter or clan flaps and therefore these Accounting Manual. All lodge and chapter
types of flaps are prohibited. funds must be handled through the council’s
financial system and deposited into the coun-
It is strongly encouraged that no honor distinc- cil’s Order of the Arrow custodial account.
tion be denoted by the flap or flap border. The Lodges are encouraged to use the OA Lodge
national Order of the Arrow committee also Finance Manual, which is available at www.oa-
recommends that no restrictions be placed on bsa.org.
the purchase of flap patches by members of
the lodge. Only the pocket flap of the lodge in
which a member is currently a dues paying Lodge Charter Renewal
member may be worn.
Each lodge operates under a charter granted
If the lodge has been recognized with one of by the National Council and must apply annu-
the levels of achievement in the lodge Journey ally for renewal. The charter renewal kit is
to Excellence program, members of the lodge mailed to the council Scout Executive in Octo-
may wear a JTE pin on their lodge flap. Only ber of each year. All lodge charters expire on
the most recent pin awarded may be worn and December 31.
Guide for Officers and Advisers – 14 – Order of the Arrow, BSAAll councils of the Boy Scouts of America have ages lodge performance through continuous
an Order of the Arrow lodge. The Boy Scouts improvement. It provides a guide for good
of America will grant a charter to only one lodge administration and recognizes bronze,
lodge per council. When councils merge, their silver, and gold levels of achievement in pro-
OA lodges must also merge. gram and operation. JTE is the latest evolution
of the previous National Standard Lodge,
Lodges must submit their completed charter National Honor Lodge and National Quality
renewal application through OA LodgeMaster. Lodge programs. Similar, complementary pro-
The system automatically calculates the fee, grams have been developed for sections and
and the council is billed by the national service chapters.
center. A printed copy of the application must
^ĐŽƵƚŝŶŐ͛Ɛ:ŽƵ
be signed by the lodge chief, lodge adviser, and ŽƵŶĐŝůŶĂŵĞ
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ŶĐĞ
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WƌŽŐƌĂŵ
Scout executive, and then scanned and >ŽĚŐĞŶĂŵĞ
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ŽƵŶĐŝůŶƵŵďĞƌ
&ŽƌŵĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ
emailed to the national service center by dŽ ƋƵĂůŝĨLJ ĨŽƌ
ďLJ
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WŚŽŶĞŶƵŵďĞƌ
^ĞĐƚŝŽŶ
ͲŵĂŝůĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ
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December 31. K>ŽĚŐĞDĂƐƚĞƌ
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ŬƐ͘ ĐŽŵƉ
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,ĂŶĚŬ͕ 'ƵŝĚĞ
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/ƚĞŵ ;ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ
η KďũĞĐƚŝǀĞ
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DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉŝŵƉ
ϭ
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ƉŽƐŝƚŝǀĞŐƌŽǁƚŚŝŶ
LJŽƵƚŚ ΎŵĞŵďĞƌƐŚ 'ƌŽǁLJŽƵƚŚ Ύ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ
ŽǀĞƌƚŚĞƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ŝƉ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉďLJĂƚ 'ƌŽǁLJŽƵƚŚ Ύ
LJĞĂƌ͘ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉďLJĂƚ 'ƌŽǁLJŽƵƚŚ Ύ
DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉƌĞƚ ůĞĂƐƚϭ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉďLJĂƚ
ĞŶƚŝŽŶ͗/ŵƉƌŽǀĞƚ
Ϯ ƌĞƚĞŶƚŝŽŶƌĂƚĞŽĨ ŚĞ ůĞĂƐƚϭй
ůĞĂƐƚϱ͘ϱй
ϮϱϬ ϯϬϬ
ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ͘
LJŽƵƚŚ ΎůŽĚŐĞ ĐŚŝĞǀĞϱϲйƌĞƚĞ
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ϰϱϬ
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hŶŝƚĞůĞĐƚŝŽŶƐ͗Ž ďĞƌƐ Ś
ϯ ŶĚƵĐƚƵŶŝƚĞůĞĐƚŝŽ ŽŵƉůĞƚĞƵŶŝƚ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ
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Ğƌ ŚŽƵƌƐŽĨƐĞƌ ĞƋƵĂůƚŽĂƚůĞĂƐƚϭ
ůŽĚŐĞŵĞŵďĞƌ ǀŝĐĞƉĞƌ ŚŽƵƌƐ ϱ
^ĞĐƚŝŽŶĂŶĚŶĂƚŝŽ ůŽĚŐĞŵĞŵďĞƌ ŽĨƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƉĞƌ ϱϬ ϭϬϬ
ŶĂůĞǀĞŶƚ ^ĞƚĂŶĚĂĐŚŝĞǀĞĂ ůŽĚŐĞŵĞŵďĞƌ ϮϬϬ
ϴ ĂƚƚĞŶĚĂŶĐĞ͗ƚƚĞŶĚƐĞĐ
ŶĂƚŝŽŶĂůĞǀĞŶƚƐ͘ ƚŝŽŶĂŶĚ ůŽĚŐĞĂƚƚĞŶĚĂŶĐĞ džĐĞĞĚƚŚĞůŽĚŐĞ
ŐŽĂů džĐĞĞĚƚŚĞůŽĚŐĞ
ĂƚƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞĚƐĞĐƚ
ŝŽŶ ĂƚƚĞŶĚĂŶĐĞŐŽĂůďLJ ĂƚƚĞŶĚĂŶĐĞŐŽĂůďLJ
ĂŶĚŶĂƚŝŽŶĂůĞǀĞŶ
hŶŝƚƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ƚƐ ϭϬй Ϯϱ ϱϬ
ϮϬй ϭϬϬ
hŶŝƚǀŝƐŝƚĂƚŝŽŶ͗Ž
ŶĚƵĐƚĂŶŝŶͲƉĞƌƐŽ
ǀŝƐŝƚƚŽĞǀĞƌLJƚƌŽ Ŷ
ŽƉŽƌ
ϵ ĐŽƵŶĐŝů͘sŝƐŝƚƐŵƵƐƚŚĂƉƚĞĂŵŝŶƚŚĞ /ŶͲƉĞƌƐŽŶǀŝƐŝƚƐ
ŵĞĞƚŝŶŐŽƌĞǀĞŶƚ ƉĞŶĂƚĂƵŶŝƚ /ŶͲƉĞƌ
ĐŽŶĚƵĐƚĞĚǁŝƚŚϯϵ ƐŽŶǀŝ ƐŝƚƐ
͕ĂŶĚďĞĐŽŶĚƵĐƚ ͘ϱй ĐŽŶĚƵĐƚĞĚǁ /ŶͲƉĞƌƐŽŶǀŝƐŝƚƐ
ƚƌĂŝŶĞĚƌƌŽǁŵĞŶ ĞĚďLJ ŽĨƚƌŽŽƉƐͬƚĞĂŵƐ ŝƚŚϲϱйŽĨ ĐŽŶĚƵ
ĨƌŽŵŽƚŚĞƌƵŶŝƚƐ ĐƚĞĚǁŝƚŚϭϬϬй
͘ ƚƌŽŽƉƐͬƚĞĂŵƐ ϱϬ
hŶŝƚŽĨ džĐĞůůĞŶĐĞ ŽĨƚƌŽŽƉƐͬƚĞĂŵƐ ϭϬϬ ϮϬϬ
ϭϬ ĂŶĚƚĞĂŵƐŝŶƚŚĞĐ ǁĂƌĚ͗ƐƐŝƐƚƚƌŽŽƉƐ ǁĂƌĚĞĂƌŶĞ
ŽƵŶĐŝůƚŽĞĂƌŶƚŚĞ ĚďLJϰй ǁĂƌĚ
hŶŝƚŽĨ džĐĞůůĞŶĐĞ K ŽĨƚƌŽŽƉƐͬƚĞ ĞĂƌŶĞĚďLJϴй
ĂǁĂƌĚ͘ ĂŵƐŝŶƚŚĞ ŽĨƚƌŽ ǁĂƌĚĞĂƌŶĞĚďLJϭ
ŽƉƐͬƚĞĂŵƐŝŶƚŚĞ ϲй
&ŝŶĂŶĐĞ ĐŽƵŶĐŝů
ĐŽƵŶĐŝů
ŽĨƚƌŽŽƉƐͬƚĞĂŵƐŝŶ
ƚŚĞ
ĐŽƵŶĐŝů ϱϬ ϭϬϬ ϮϬϬ
ϭϭ ŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚŝŽŶƚŽĐŽƵŶĐŝů͗ŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚĞ ŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚĞĂŶĂǀĞ
ĐĂƐŚ͕ŵĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐ͕Ž ƌĂŐĞ ŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚĞ
ƌďŽƚŚƚŽƚŚĞĐŽƵŶ ŽĨΨϲ͘ϱϬƉĞƌůŽĚŐ ĂŶĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ ŽŶƚƌ
Đŝů͘ Ğ ŽĨΨϭϭ͘ϮϱƉĞƌůŽĚŐ ŝďƵƚĞĂŶĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ
ŵĞŵďĞƌ Ğ ŽĨΨϮϲ͘ϬϬƉĞƌůŽĚŐ
ŵĞŵďĞƌ Ğ ϳϱ
ŵĞŵďĞƌ ϭϱϬ ϯϬϬ
Submission of the lodge’s data through OA
LodgeMaster and a signed application are The annual charter renewal process requires
required for a new charter to be issued. Orders completion of the lodge JTE petition. When
for supplies, Founder’s Awards, and Vigil Honor the charter renewal application is submitted
certificates will not be processed for a lodge through OA LodgeMaster, the lodge JTE peti-
whose charter has not been renewed, and tion and data are automatically transmitted.
lodge members cannot attend section,
regional or national OA events out of council. A To be considered for one of the three levels of
dropped charter may be reinstated by paying recognition, the lodge must have filed its char-
the current year’s charter fee and submitting ter renewal on time and achieved the neces-
the required information to the national service sary point score on the JTE petition. The
center. petition’s objectives form an overall plan and
guide that help ensure a successful lodge pro-
gram.
Lodge Journey to Excellence
Program Forming Lodge Chapters
The Lodge Journey to Excellence Program Order of the Arrow lodges vary in size from
(JTE) is the performance measurement and about 50 to more than 4,000 members. In
recognition program for all Order of the Arrow many lodges a chapter plan is necessary if the
lodges. The program evaluates and encour- objectives of the OA are to be realized. In other
Guide for Officers and Advisers – 15 – Order of the Arrow, BSAlodges where there are few members, chapters The chapter staff adviser should meet the qual-
would be of little value. For these reasons, the ifications specified for all advisers. This person
national Order of the Arrow committee has works closely with the lodge staff adviser to
purposely left the decision as to the need for coordinate lodge and chapter activities and
chapters in the hands of the Scout executive in promote harmony between the district camp-
consultation with lodge leaders. ing committee and the membership.
Before organizing chapters within a lodge, the The chapter officers are nominated and
council staff, lodge officers, and advisers elected by the youth who are members of the
should thoroughly study these factors: chapter, in the same way that lodge officers are
elected. Their duties are the same on the chap-
• The active membership of the lodge ter level as those of lodge officers on the lodge
• The geography of the council level. The chapter chief and the chapter adviser
become members of the lodge executive
• Whether a chapter should include one or committee. Each chapter should have the
several districts (a district should never same operating committees as the lodge. The
have more than one chapter in its geo- chairs of these committees become members
graphical area) of the corresponding lodge operating commit-
tees. All candidates for chapter office or com-
• Whether sufficient potential members and mittee chair must meet the eligibility
leaders are available to support a chapter requirements outlined earlier in this section
operation under the heading “Lodge officers.” on page 4.
• Whether the advantages of the chapter When a chapter plan of operation is firmly
plan will offset the additional lodge admin- established, most Order of the Arrow projects,
istration that will be required ceremonies, and activities can be carried out
• Whether the best interests of Scouting and on a chapter basis. It should be possible for
the OA will be served through a chapter each chapter to train ceremonial teams to
plan conduct Ordeals and Ordeal ceremonies, as
well as the Brotherhood membership cere-
• Whether sufficient potential members exist mony. Vigil Honor ceremonies must be left for
to form effective ceremonial teams the lodge to conduct. Service projects should
be cleared with the district camping commit-
After a careful study of these factors, the Scout tee. The year-round program of the chapter
executive decides whether chapters are must be coordinated with that of the district
needed. If they are, the Scout executive annu- and lodge.
ally appoints a chapter adviser and staff adviser
for each chapter. The chapter adviser functions When larger lodges operate on an effective
at chapter meetings and activities in the same chapter basis, each chapter becomes much
way that the lodge adviser does with the entire like a small lodge. In this way, more youth are
lodge. The chapter adviser works in conjunc- given an opportunity to develop and demon-
tion with the chapter chief, chapter staff strate leadership and to share in the responsi-
adviser, lodge adviser, lodge chief, district bility of giving cheerful service to their units
camping chairman, and lodge staff adviser. The and districts.
chapter adviser should also become a member
of the district camping or program committee. Under a well-established chapter plan, the
entire lodge gathers only occasionally. Each
As stated on page 4, with the prior approval of chapter plans its program to carry out the
the Scout executive, the chapter adviser may objectives of the lodge. Events, such as call-
appoint an associate chapter adviser annually out ceremonies, Ordeals, Ordeal ceremonies,
to help fulfill the objectives of the chapter. No and Brotherhood ceremonies can be con-
more than one associate should be appointed ducted by chapter personnel. Service projects
for a chapter. and social events lend themselves better to
Guide for Officers and Advisers – 16 – Order of the Arrow, BSAsmaller groups than to the entire lodge. Some Lodge Rules
chapters develop dance teams and hold ban-
quets, campouts, and other Order of the Arrow
Each lodge should develop and formally
activities.
approve a written set of lodge rules to govern
its operations. These rules should be reviewed
When the entire lodge gets together for a fall annually and should cover topics like insignia,
reunion, an annual meeting, or a weekend officers and advisers, officer election and
conclave, the event takes on the atmosphere replacement, meetings, activities, and dues. In
of a fellowship conference. This event should addition, the national Order of the Arrow com-
feature fun, fellowship, inspiration, and train- mittee requires that the following rules be
ing. incorporated into all lodge rules. No lodge rule,
policy, or procedure may deviate from or
An Order of the Arrow Chapter Operations change in any manner a requirement in the
Guide is available at www.oa-bsa.org. current printing of any of the Order’s literature.
I. Mission. The mission of this lodge is to ful-
Don’t Just Meet: Do (But Not fill the purpose of the Order of the Arrow
Too Much) as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of
America through positive youth leadership
under the guidance of selected capable
Experience has proven that the lodges that adults.
keep general lodge and chapter meetings or
activities to a minimum will have better atten- II. Name and affiliation of lodge. The lodge
dance. Experience also has shown that the shall be known as: ________ Lodge,
most active and successful lodges are those ________ Council No. ________, Boy
that offer service opportunities and are actively Scouts of America, and shall be under the
involved in helping units and the council. supervision of the council camping or
program committee and the administra-
It is recommended that general lodge meet- tive authority of the Scout executive.
ings or activities be held at a time most conve-
nient for the majority of its members to attend. III. Election to membership.
A. The requirements for membership in
Lodge officers direct activities through their this lodge are as stated in the current
executive committee meetings. The actual printing of the Order of the Arrow
work of the lodge happens through the lodge Handbook and the Order of the Arrow
or chapter committee meetings—not at gen- Guide for Officers and Advisers.
eral meetings. The frequency of committee
meetings is determined by the work to be done B. The procedure for the Ordeal shall be
and the time of the year. as stated in the current printing of the
Order of the Arrow Handbook and the
Arrowmen are expected first to give service to Guide to Inductions.
and be active in their own units. Then as time
permits, they can assist the lodge in such activ- IV. Officers.
ities as unit elections, camping promotion, ser- A. The officers of this lodge shall be lodge
vice to council camping facilities, etc. chief, lodge vice chief(s), lodge secre-
tary, and lodge treasurer. These elected
In addition, Arrowmen have other outside and officers must be younger than 21
school interests and activities, so they will not during their entire term of office.
be interested in attending too many lodge and
chapter meetings and activities. Don’t try to B. The lodge executive committee shall
schedule too many ceremonies, inductions, be composed of the elected lodge offi-
rehearsals, or fellowships, either. cers, immediate past lodge chief, lodge
Guide for Officers and Advisers – 17 – Order of the Arrow, BSAYou can also read
