Unit Elections Forms and Information

2011 Unit Elections Form - Click Here  

2011 Unit Elections Checklist - Click Here

Unit Elections Video - Click Here to View [80.9 mbytes] 

Schedule Your Election! Click Here!

The time has come for troops to hold its annual Order of the Arrow unit elections. The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society. It recognizes those campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and, by such recognition, cause other campers to conduct themselves in such a manner as to warrant similar recognition, to promote camping, and to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others. All troops and varsity scout teams in the council with eligible scouts is urged to hold an election as soon as possible. By completing unit elections immediately the unit elections team will be able to insure that all qualified scouts are given the chance to be elected and inducted at the Spring Induction Weekend which will be held at Camp Kingsley on May 20 -22, 2011. If your unit is unable to hold an election at this time one can this be performed for you at Summer Camp providing you are attending Cedarlands or Camp Russell. In order to allow troops to hold unit elections more easily units will now be allowed to conduct their own election provided that they have at least two OA members in the troop who are under 21 and have paid their 2011 dues. Your election date and the members of your unit conducting the election must be confirmed with the Lodge Vice-Chief of Membership John Sagor prior to the election. Your unit may still request a Unit Election team from the lodge perform your election and conduct a camp promotion visit but this is not required. Once your election has been confirmed with the lodge you will be sent via email and regular mail the unit election kit which includes a unit election form and a unit election checklist.

Elections

Youth membership in the Order of the Arrow is gained through election by one's own peers. It is one of the few organizations in which both non members and members vote in membership elections. A person is considered a youth in the OA until reaching the age of 21. Adult membership in the OA is gained by nomination.

Eligibility

Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow unit members, following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach. To become a member, a youth must be a registered member of a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team and hold First Class rank. The youth must have experienced fifteen days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The fifteen days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps.

Adult selection is based on their ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and is not for recognition. Selected adult Scouters must be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities, and provide a positive role model for the youth members of the lodge.

The Candidate

Once a Scout is elected, he is considered a candidate, must take part in the OA Ordeal to become a member in the OA. A candidate has up to one year from election to participate in the Ordeal. Ordeals are held once in the spring and once in the fall. Prior to an Ordeal, the Candidate receives a Candidate letter of information, and a registration form. Ordeal registration is not automatic with election.