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

2009 Unit OA Elections

Unit elections for Order of the Arrow Candidates for 2009 must be completed between January 1st, 2009 and April 15th, 2009.  Results must be turned in no later than April 15th, 2009.  Election results must be input both electronically and with paper forms.  Northwest Troops have been paired for election teams and training sessions will be held for elections teams.  This training date is February 12th, at 6:30 pm, prior the the Roundtable at Centennial Methodist Church in Roseville.  This year unit elections will be conducted starting with a DVD from the national organization.  After the election is held, while votes are being tallied, a camping promotion will be presented.  An election team member will present a camping promotion DVD with a suggested script to help with the presentation.  The requirements for unit elections are:

The following are the troop pairings for the 2009 Unit OA Elections:

To turn in results or for more information please contact the Northwest Chapter Unit Elections Advisor Warren Plaisance or telephone (651-308-0456) and he will route it to the appropriate youth leader.  Click here for a flier on the 2008 Unit OA elections. (44KB)

JOLT

The Northwest Chapter of Totanhan Nakaha Lodge of the Order of the Arrow is proud to announce:

Junior   Outdoor   Leader   Training

April 24-26, 2009 at Kiwanis Scout Camp Phillippo Scout Camp - Dining Hall (Location Cange)

This training session will be open to the troops' SPLs, ASPLs, Troop Guides and Troop Instructors.

The purpose of this course will be to teach these Positions of Responsibility

how to teach scout skills to members of their troops.

Scout skill instruction will include:

Map, Compass & Orienteering

First Aid

Fire Site Prep, Building and Outdoor Cooking

Animal & Plant Identification

Ropes, Knots, Hitches & Lashing

Packing, Hiking, Wood Tools & Leave No Trace

and more . . .

The cost of this training is $25 and includes meals.

Scoutmasters should register their Scouts for this training.

Scouts must be at least 1st Class Rank to attend this course.

Register for this course at the Northwest District Training Registry.

Please mark your calendars and plan to send your SPLs, ASPLS, Troop Guides and Troop Instructors.

Scouts should bring tents to camp in.  Tents will not be needed due to location change - we will sleep in the Phillippo Dining Hall.  Food is provided.  Registrants will receive more information including what to bring and a schedule of events.  Registration is limited to 24 participants.

Click here for a 2009 JOLT flyer to print. (102KB)

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. 

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, Dave Richard.  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.(55KB)

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