Order of the Arrow

Northwest Chapter of Totanhan Nakaha Lodge

	The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is fourfold:
	1	To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives
	2	To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit
	3	To promote Scout camping
	4	To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others

Northwest Chapter Meetings

Order of the Arrow chapter meetings are held at 7:30 pm the second Thursday of every month (as a breakout session of the Northwest District Roundftable) and are located Centennial Methodist Church in Roseville.

2011 Unit OA Elections

The Northwest Chapter of the Order of the Arrow will be trying a new election strategy for 2011. We will be replacing the paired Troop elections with an election team. This team will consist of Scouts and adults from all of the Troops in the Chapter. The team will be trained by DVD and information from the national organization. This will allow for a more efficient and effective election.

Unit elections for Order of the Arrow Candidates for 2011 must be completed by April 15th, 2011. Election team members must turn in the election forms no later than April 15th, 2011. All Scoutmasters will be contacted by an Order of the Arrow officer to schedule a time to conduct the election. After the election is held, while the votes are being tallied, a camping promotion DVD will be presented. The requirements for unit elections are:

-	The troop must have at least 50% of registered active members present to hold an election (Unit leader certifies this)
-	The unit leader certifies which of the troop's youth members are eligible (Pre-printed ballots are very desirable)
	-	Youth members must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
		-	Be under the age of 21 years
		-	Be an active registered member of a Boy Scout troop
		-	Be at least a First Class Scout
		-	Have experienced at least 15 days and 15 nights of Boy Scout camping during the 2 years prior to the election. This must include one, but no more than one long term campout which was at least 6 consecutive days and 5 nights 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.
-	To be elected to the Order of the Arrow a candidate must receive at least 50% of the votes cast
-	Only registered troop youth members under the age of 21 may vote in the unit election
-	Each voter may vote for any number of eligible candidates on the ballots
-	A voter may turn in a blank ballot (indicating a no vote for all eligible candidates)
-	Each voter may cast only one ballot
-	The vote should not be based on the candidate's popularity
-	The unit election should be done by secret ballot

-	Adults may be nominated by the troop committee and meet all the above requirements except First Class rank and age.
-	Adults may be nominated by the troop committee only if the unit has youth member nominees.
-	Only 1 adult may be nominated by the troop unless the troop has more than 50 youth members.

To turn in results or for more information please contact the Northwest Chapter Unit Chapter Advisor Brandon Peterson and he will route it to the appropriate youth leader.

2011 New Northwest Vigil Members

Vigils were held by this year's candidates on August 26th-28th at Phillippo Scout Reservation. The Northwest Chapter was thrilled to have new Vigil member Mary Lillemo. Congratulations Mary! The Northwest Chapter had a very good presence at this event as usual.

Order of the Arrow Links

	Totanhan Nakaha Lodge, parent lodge of Northwest Chapter
	Section c1a, parent section of Totanhan Nakaha Lodge *
	Central Region, parent of Section c1a *
	National Order of the Arrow *
		Jumpstart: an online aid to help new OA members understand the Order.

* The information you find at these sites, other than the Official Boy Scouts of America sites or other council operated sites, may not contain official information. Links from these sites may take you to other links that may not be of a Scout-like nature. Caution is advised.

Order of the Arrow Representative

OA Troop Representative Job Description

An Order of the Arrow Troop Representative is a youth liaison serving between the local OA lodge or chapter and his troop. In his troop, he serves as a communication and programmatic link to the Arrowman and adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order. He does this in a fashion that strengthens the mission of the lodge and purpose of the Order. By setting a good example, he enhances the image of the Order as a service arm to his troop. Questions about OA Unit Representatives should be sent via e-mail to Chapter OA Representative Advisor, Brandon Peterson (pete1572 at gmail dot com) He will route this to the appropriate youth leadership. If you have a new unit OA Representative or OA Representative Advisor, please fill in a OA Representative registration form (click here to print a form.(25KB)

OA Troop Representative Duties

Serves as a communication link between the lodge or chapter and the troop.
Encourages year round and resident camping in the troop.
Encourages older Scout participation in high adventure programs.
Encourages Scouts to actively participate in community service projects.
Assists with leadership skills training in the troop.
Encourages Arrowmen to assume leadership positions in the troop.
Encourages Arrowmen in the troop to be active participants in the lodge and/or chapter activities and to seal their membership in the Order by becoming Brotherhood members.
Sets a good example
Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
Lives by the Scout Oath, Scout Law and OA Obligation
Shows Scout spirit

OA Troop Representative Qualifications

Under 18 years old
Appointed by SPL with SM approval
OA Member in good standing

The OA Troop Representative reports to the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

Who Benefits from the OA Troop Representative Program?

Scouting:

With the Troop/Team Representative as a liaison between the Order of the Arrow and the troop or team, the camp promotions process will be smoother, leading to greater numbers of Scouts at summer camp.
Creates a vehicle to strengthen the ties between the OA and the individual BSA troop or team. This will help with the retention of the older Scouts.
With the organization of service projects, Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts will be seen actively helping others in their communities.

Lodge/Chapter:

With an easier camp promotions process, the lodge can increase the number of units visited, increasing the effectiveness of this program in the Council.
Eases the unit election process by having a person in the troop or team whose job is to ensure that elections are held.
With positive OA leadership on the unit level, lodges will experience greater membership retention and higher Brotherhood conversion rates.
A Unit's OA members will have someone to organize transportation to OA events, increasing attendance at chapter/lodge functions.

Troop and Team:

The coordination of OA calendar with that of troop and team will prevent OA members from having to choose between OA functions and unit events.
With the organization of service projects, there will be greater opportunity for community service hours that are required for rank advancement.
Experienced Arrowmen from other units who may be able to share their knowledge can be sought out by the OA Representative to augment the troop program.
Creates more opportunities for leadership in the troop or team for both youth and adults, effectively increasing membership retention.

OA Troop Representative Checklist

A checklist of the types of information that needs to be exchanged between the OA lodges/chapters and the BSA units.

Lodge/Chapter to Unit:

Lodge/Chapter Calendars
Unit Elections visit
Camp Promotion visit
Service to America Program
Community Service project opportunities
Brotherhood conversion
Resource lists
OA Representative Registration Forms

Unit to Lodge/Chapter:

Does the unit conduct monthly campouts?
Does the unit attend a long-term camp?
Do the unit's older Scouts participate in high adventure programs?
Does the unit need help with its outdoor program?
Does the unit need help with community service projects?
Does the unit need help with training?
Does the unit's OA members participate in lodge and chapter activities?
Name of new OA Troop/Team Representative

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