General
What is the Order of the Arrow?
Also referred to as the OA, the Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society. It is a brotherhood of honored scouts and scouters who promote scout camping and perform community service.
What is a Lodge?
Nearly every Scout Council in the nation has an OA Lodge associated with it. In the Redwood Empire Council, the OA Lodge is Orca Lodge 194. Similarly, our Lodge has Chapters representing each district of the Council: Miwok for Miwok, Wonk-A-Tonk for Pomo, and Alohak for Yokayo-Logger.
Who runs the Lodge & Chapters?
The Lodge is run by the Lodge Executive Committee, at the head of which sits the Lodge Chief, Vice-Chief of Program, Vice-Chief of Activation, Secretary, and Treasurer. These five youth are considered the Lodge Officers. Additionally in each chapter, there are a Chapter Chief, Vice-Chief, and Secretary, of whom the Chapter Chiefs are also voting members of the Lodge Executive committee.
Election Procedures
How does one become a member of the OA?
The OA has different procedures for youth and adults. Youth members (under the age of 21) are elected by other youth members of their Scouts BSA, Venturing Scout, or Sea Scout unit in an election conducted by the OA Lodge through the Chapters. At least 50% of the registered youth members of the unit must be present for an election to be held.
Adults are nominated by their unit committee and the nomination is forwarded to a Lodge Adult nomination committee headed by the Lodge Adviser for consideration.
Are there any membership requirements?
Yes. To be considered for election, a youth must be a registered member of their unit, must have earned: the rank of Scouts BSA First Class, Venturing Discovery award, or the Sea Scout Ordinary rank or higher. The youth must not have reached their 21st birthday, and must, while registered with their unit, have a minimum of 15 days and nights of scout camping experience, including one (and only one) long term camping experience (7 days/6 nights) within two years prior to the election. Ship nights count toward this requirement. With the exception of the rank and age requirement, adult nominees must meet the same camping and membership requirements.
Is there any limit to the number of youth who are placed on the ballot for election?
Provided they all meet the eligibility requirements, no.
Does the Unit Leader have to list all youth who are eligible?
No. The unit leader must sign the election form certifying that all those on the ballot are eligible for election. If the unit leader feels that a certain member or members of the unit do not exemplify the high ideals of the OA, they do not need to list them as eligible for election even though they may meet the membership requirements. The unit leader has full discretion as to the eligibility of any unit member for the election, but he may not waive the membership requirements. This certification takes place prior to the election, and cannot be changed once the election takes place.
Can the Scoutmaster vote in the election?
No. No one over the age of 21 may cast a vote in the election.
How many elections can my unit have per year?
One. Each unit is entitled to only one election per year. The Lodge calendar runs from January 1 through December 31. Each troop may have only one election during that time period.
When can this election take place?
The election period is set by the lodge each year. However, it generally runs from January to May.
How do I arrange for an election?
Beginning in the fall of each year, the election teams will start contacting each unit leader in their chapter to set up elections. If your troop has not been contacted each year by January 1, you are encouraged to contact your Chapter Adviser or the Lodge Adviser for action.
Can a unit leader conduct their own election?
No, under no circumstances may a unit facilitate its own election. All elections must be conducted with at least one member of the Chapter election team present, preferably a member from outside the unit.
How do I nominate an adult for membership?
Adult nomination forms are available from the election team, your Chapter Adviser, or the resources page of this website. They must be filled out accurately and completely, and signed by the unit Committee Chairman. The Committee Chairman should retain one copy of the form with the remaining copy and original forwarded to the Chapter Adviser. The Chapter Adviser will forward the original on to the Lodge Adviser for consideration.
How many adults may I nominate?
Each unit who has a youth election and at least one youth is elected may nominate only one adult if the unit has 50 or less scouts on their roster. You may nominate one more adult for the next 50, and one more for the next 50, and so on.
What if my unit does not have an election, can I still nominate an adult?
No.
How are adult nominations considered?
The adult nomination process is very selective. Since the OA exists by and large for the youth, with the youth only, serving in the leadership positions, adult nominations are carefully screened. The committee considers the adults ability to perform the necessary functions to help the OA fulfill its goals and purposes, how the adult will be an asset to the Lodge and whether the adult will be a positive role model to the youth. OA membership is NOT a recognition for service either past or present NOR a reward for achievement or position.
Can my Venture Crew, Varsity Team or Sea Scout Ship have an election?
Absolutely, OA elections can be held by Crews, Teams, and Ships. They are arranged by the same process laid out earlier in this FAQs page.
The Induction Weekend
Once elected, am I member?
No. All those who are elected must first attend an Induction.
Where and When can I attend the Induction Weekend?
The Induction is administered by the Lodge twice a year. The Spring Induction is typically held on or around the first weekend of May. The Fall Induction is held around the second weekend of October. Orca Lodge holds inductions at Camp Royaneh, Camp Tamarancho, and Camp Wente with location varying year to year.
All event dates are posted on the LODGE CALENDAR.
How will I be notified about the Induction?
After your election, you will receive a mailing from the Lodge, usually within two to four weeks, detailing the dates of the upcoming ordeals, what to bring, and other information. Those materials will also be delivered by email in the same time frame. Registration for the event is completed online, and links to do so can be found in the event descriptions on the Lodge Calendar.
Is there a fee for the Induction?
Yes. The current fee is $45.00 which includes all your food, accommodations, OA Sash, handbook, flap, and a years worth of dues. See below for more information on annual dues.
How long do I have after the election to go through Induction?
You have one year from the date of your election attend an Induction. This affords every person at least two opportunities to complete an induction.
What if I fail to complete an Induction within that one-year period?
Then you would have to be reelected. In extreme cases such as family emergencies, the Lodge Executive Board will consider granting an extension of the Ordeal eligibility period. However, each case is considered separately on its own merits and must be brought to the Executive Board preferably by the Chapter Chief. For more information, contact your Chapter Adviser or the Lodge Adviser.
Do adult nominees have to attend an Induction also?
Yes. Adults have to complete the same Induction as the youth in order to become members.
Do adults have the same one-year eligibility?
Yes. Adults have one year from the date of their letter of approval from the Lodge Adviser.
An Election was held in our unit, but the results were not announced, what happens next?
The unit leader has the right to seal the election results for release at some later date, such as a unit court of honor or District tap out. The year of eligibility would not start until the candidate is officially recognized by their unit.
Dues
Are there yearly dues?
Yes. Dues are currently set at $20.00. The Lodge year runs from January 1st through December 31st.
Do new members have to pay dues?
The Induction fee includes one year of dues. New members’ dues are paid until December 31st.
What do dues cover?
To be considered an active member of the Lodge, and therefore be eligible to participate in events and benefit from our programs, your dues must be paid.
How do I pay my dues?
Dues can be paid either by form, in person, or via the annual dinner. The best way to complete your dues payment is through the annual Orca Lodge Awards Dinner, whose ticket includes a year of dues coverage often at a discounted rate. If you are unable to attend, the annual dues form is located on the Resources page and can be completed by hand or as a PDF with mailing instructions listed on the document. In person dues collection also takes place at most lodge events, and may only be made to the Orca Lodge Treasurer or Orca Lodge Adviser.
I am moving out of the Council, is my OA membership transferable?
Certainly. When you get where you’re going, have your new Council formally request your OA records from us. Once you register in a new Council, you can no longer remain a member of Orca Lodge, unless you also still maintain registration here. The same is also true if you have just moved to the Redwood Empire Council.
Can I be a member of more than one Lodge?
No. National policy dictates that you can only belong to one lodge at a time. It must be the lodge associated with the council where you hold your primary registration. Even if you pay a registration fee to more than one council, you must choose only one lodge.
I am not registered in the Council; can I join Orca Lodge?
No. National policy dictates that you must be registered in the Council in which you wish to hold OA membership.
Do my OA dues include BSA registration?
No. OA membership is exclusive of membership in the Boy Scouts of America.
Do I have to be registered in the BSA to be member of the Lodge?
Yes. You must be registered in a unit or at-large in order to be considered an active member of the Lodge and participate in Lodge events. OA membership does not supersede or include BSA membership.
Where can I purchase Lodge Flaps and OA supplies?
Lodge Flaps, OA sashes, and Lodge merchandise can be purchased at each Lodge event. The Treasurer holds the supplies and will bring them to every lodge event they attend.
Where do I get more information?
Contact the Lodge Chief, Lodge Adviser or your Chapter Adviser for more information