Troop 103 Scouts,
Order of the Arrow (OA) Elections will be conducted at the Troop Meeting on Tuesday, April 8th. Please make a strong effort to attend Tuesday’s Troop meeting. Tuesday night’s agenda includes elections of your fellow eligible scouts into the Order of the Arrow. At least 50% of the members of Troop 103 must be present to conduct the elections so your attendance is important! Existing members of the OA should wear their OA sash.
The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting.
The Purpose of the OA is to:
* Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
* Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
* Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
* Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
There are specific eligibility requirements for those who can be elected into the OA. I will contact those eligible scouts to see if they are interested in being considered for this OA election. More details about the election will be presented on Tuesday night.
Eligibility
The Order of the Arrow membership requirements are:
* Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
* After registration with a troop or team, have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The 15 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.
* Youth must be under the age of 21, hold the BSA First Class rank or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach, be elected by the youth members of their troop or team.
* Adults (age 21 or older) who are registered in the BSA and meet the camping requirements may be selected following nomination to the lodge adult selection committee. Adult selection is based on their ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and is not for recognition of service, including current or prior positions. Selected adults must be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities, and must provide a positive example for the growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.
More information about the Order of the Arrow can be found on the Official National Order of the Arrow Web Site: https://oa-bsa.org/
The Local Sasquesahanough Lodge web site is here: http://lodge.newbirthoffreedom.org/http://newbirthoffreedom.org/oa/
Thanks,
– Jeff