To become a member of the Order of the Arrow
a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout is chosen by vote of the youths in his unit. This
is a unique feature of the Order since the majority of those who select their
candidates for this honor are not members of the lodge. This is one of the
things that makes it such an honor to be elected. However, lodge members
in the unit have a vote as well as nonmembers. In this way membership is
controlled by the youths in their own units and not by those who are already
Arrowmen.
To be eligible for election, a
Scout must:
Be under the age of 21
Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America
Hold the BSA First Class Rank as a minimum
Experience 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during a 2 year period (while a registered scout) prior to the election. This must include one approved long term camp of at least 6 days and 5 nights (such as summer camp).
Have Leader approval prior to the election (certify scout spirit and active participation in troop activities).
To be eligible for Adult membership:
Over the age of 21
Meet all the youth requirements above except
for First Class Rank.
Troop nominations concurrent with troop
election, with at least one youth candidate elected.
Adults are recommended by the unit committee,
or by the district or council committee.
A unit election can only be held once a year. The
election usually is held at one of the units weekly meetings but it
could be held at other times as the unit has worked out the schedule
with the lodge/chapter. Troop Elections in the Ini-To Lodge are
scheduled during January - March, with elected candidates called out
during district Spring Camp-o-rees.
The OA Troop Representative
coordinates with the local OA chapter to schedule
troop elections. If the Troop currently does not have any active OA
members, the Senior Patrol Leader may contact the local OA chapter to schedule
the troop election.
All members of the Order of the Arrow, both youth and
adults, must successfully complete the Ordeal
experience and participate in the induction ceremony within one year of the unit
election date.
Ini-To Lodge is composed of Order of the Arrow members
who are registered
