Unit Elections
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The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society. Membership in the OA is both a privilege and a responsibility, and Kunamokst Lodge encourages every unit to hold an annual election to recognize those Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.
A successful unit election is the essential first step on the journey to attaining membership in the Order of the Arrow. The OA’s primary purpose is achieved through this process: to recognize those who demonstrate the highest ideals of Scouting, and in doing so, cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
The unit election is a unique process. Eligible Scouts are selected by the youth members of their own unit–meaning that both current OA members and non-members participate in the election. The members selected through this process will then be invited to participate in one of our induction weekends to become a member of the lodge.
Units also have the opportunity to nominate adult Scouters to be considered for selection by the lodge.
The information on this page is designed to help units understand, prepare for, and navigate the unit elections process.
Unit Election Timeline
Kunamokst Lodge will begin conducting unit elections on January 25, 2026.
The deadline for a unit to have an election is April 10, 2026.
All adult nominations must be submitted by May 8, 2026.
Scheduling an Election
Unit elections are managed through our online request system.
- When to Expect Your Invitation: Starting in early January, the Key 3 of each unit will receive an email invitation to schedule. Additional reminders will be sent every 14 days until the election is scheduled, declined, or the elections period ends.
- Source Email: These crucial emails will come from [email protected]. Please add this address to your allowlist to ensure you receive your scheduling link.
- How to Schedule: The email contains a unique link to your unit’s scheduling portal. Use this link to submit your election request.
- Delegating the Task: The Key 3 may simply forward the email to another adult leader who will be responsible for this process.
- Missing Your Email? If you do not receive your invitation, please contact your local OA chapter or email [email protected] to receive your unit’s unique link.
- Need to Change Details? Contact your local OA chapter chief and adviser to update your scheduled visit information.
Once your request is submitted, your chapter leadership will finalize the schedule, and you will receive a confirmation email with the visitation details.
Unit Elections request portal
Having trouble accessing the online unit election request portal? You can also request an election using this form.
Submitting Eligible Youth
Once your election is scheduled, the focus shifts to preparation!
- When to Prepare: Three weeks before your scheduled election date, the unit Key 3 will receive an Election Preparation Email.
- The Preparation Email: This email contains the unique link to your unit’s online portal to submit eligible youth.
- Two Submission Options:
- Online Portal: Use the provided portal link to submit your list of eligible youth online.
- Emailed Spreadsheet: Fill out the standardized Excel spreadsheet (attached to the preparation email or available here) and send it to your local chapter adviser, who can import the data directly into your visit record.
- Reminder Schedule: To ensure your unit is prepared, we will send follow-up reminder emails:
- Two weeks prior to the election
- One week prior to the election
- Three day prior to the election
Tip: Submit Your Roster Early!
Submitting your eligible youth roster online and early significantly speeds up the necessary paperwork and allows our election teams to arrive fully prepared, ensuring a smooth and efficient visit for your unit!
Once the results from your unit’s election are posted and approved, the unit Key 3 will receive an email with a recap of the results of the election and a link to submit adult nominations (provided at least one youth was elected).
Eligible youth submission portal
Adult Nominations
Units who elect at least one youth are able to nominate adults (age 21+) to the Order of the Arrow. Each unit receives 2 nominations per 3 youth elected (rounded up).
In addition to the 2:3 adult-to-youth ratio, the current unit leader (Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor, or Skipper) may be nominated provided they have served as the unit leader for at least the previous 12 months.
Unlike youth who are elected by their peers, adults are nominated by their unit committee based on their ability to perform the necessary functions of to help the OA fulfill its purpose. See adult membership eligibility for additional information.
Adult nominations are reviewed by an adult selection committee and are approved or denied based on meeting the eligibility criteria. A submitted nomination does not guarantee an adult as a candidate in the Order of the Arrow.
All adult nominations are required to be submitted through the online nomination portal by the deadline to be considered. Paper nominations will not be considered.
Membership Eligibility
Youth Eligibility Requirements
Unit elections are permitted in Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout units. The Order of the Arrow membership requirements are as follows:
- Be a registered member of Scouting America.
- Have experienced 15 nights of Scout camping while registered with a troop, crew, or ship within the two years immediately prior to the election. The 15 nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of Scouting America. Only five nights of the long-term camp may be credited toward the 15-night camping requirement; the balance of the camping (10 nights) must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps of, at most, three nights each. Ship nights may be counted as camping for Sea Scouts.
- At the time of their election, youth must be under the age of 21, and hold one of the following ranks corresponding to the type unit in which they are being considered for election: Scouts BSA First Class rank, the Venturing Discovery rank, or the Sea Scout Ordinary rank or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor or Sea Scout Skipper, be elected by the youth members of their unit.
Candidates for youth membership shall be elected by other youth members in accordance with policies set forth by the national Order of the Arrow committee.
Scouts with Special Needs
The Order of the Arrow is committed to including Scouts and Scouters who have special needs because of a disability. In the case of special-needs units, election teams should follow the same procedures, keeping in mind that any Scout who is classified as a youth member of a Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew, or Sea Scout ship, regardless of age, will be considered a youth (voting) member. All other membership requirements remain the same.
Adult Eligibility Requirements
Each year, upon holding a unit election for youth candidates that results in at least one youth candidate being elected, the unit committee may nominate registered unit adults, 21 years of age or older, for membership in the OA to the lodge adult selection committee. The number of adults nominated can be no more than two-thirds of the number of youth candidates elected, rounded up where the number of youth candidates is not a multiple of three. In addition to the two-thirds limit, the unit committee may nominate the currently serving unit leader (but not assistant leaders), as long as they have served as unit leader for at least the previous 12 months. Recommendations of the adult selection committee, with the approval of the Scout executive, will be candidates for induction, provided the following conditions are fulfilled:
- Selection of the adult is based on the ability to perform the necessary functions to help the OA fulfill its purpose, and not for recognition of service, including current or prior achievement and positions.
- The individual will be an asset to the OA because of demonstrated abilities that fulfill the purpose of the Order.
- The camping requirements set forth for youth members are fulfilled.
- The adult leader’s membership will provide a positive example for the growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.
Unit Election Rules & Procedures
All unit elections are conducted using the rules and procedures listed in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Unit Elections Handbook and any official policy updates.
Key Points:
- Elections are only to be held in Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew, and Sea Scout ships.
- Units may have one unit election per year.
- Every registered member of the unit under the age of 21 at the time of the election is eligible to vote in an Order of the Arrow election; this includes assistant Scoutmasters who are 18-20 years old.
- All elections must be conducted by a trained unit visitation team. Unit are not allowed to conduct their own unit elections.
- At least 50% of the registered active members in the unit must be present for a unit election to take place.
- Eligible youth must receive votes from at least 50% of those who turn in a ballot to be elected.
- If no one is elected, a second vote may be held immediately and the result of this vote is final.
- Scouts may vote for any combination of eligible Scouts on the ballot including none or all of the eligible Scouts. Scouts may also vote for themselves.
- Ballots are counted in private by the unit visitation team and the unit leader.
Unit Elections FAQ
Have questions? Check out our frequently asked questions on the unit elections.
Eligibility
When does a Scout have to earn their rank to become eligible for election?
If Scout is registered in multiple units (e.g. a troop and crew), which unit can they be elected in?
Youth may be eligible for election in more than one unit. To be eligible for election, the youth must meet the applicable requirements of the Scouting America program in which they are being considered (Venturing, Sea Scouts or Scouts BSA).
Once elected in any unit, a youth is no longer eligible for election in another unit. In the rare instance a youth was elected in a second unit because they were not yet notified of their election in another unit, the lodge will determine the unit of election based on the unit with the earliest date of election.
As a unit leader, how do I determine which youths are active and thus count for purposes of determining if a quorum is present for an election?
In Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scout units, every registered active member of the unit under age 21 at the time of election is eligible to vote.
A Scout who carries a current national membership card and participates in at least some unit activities during the year is considered to be a registered active member of the unit. For example, a youth away at college who participates in some unit activities when home, such as a campout, camporee, or occasional unit meeting, should be considered a registered active member. A youth who moves away or drops out of the unit because of other interests would not be counted in the registered active membership figure.
As an example, a Scout who hasn’t participated in unit activities in several months and who cannot be reached to confirm that they have dropped out of the unit should not be counted as a member of the unit when deciding if at least 50 percent of the registered active unit membership is present.
What’s the status in the OA of assistant Scoutmasters who are under age 21?
Young adults ages 18 through 20 are considered youth members of the Order of the Arrow. Because of this, assistant Scoutmasters who are 18, 19 or 20 years old and who meet the youth eligibility requirements should be included on election ballots whenever an election is held in a troop, and these young adults should be allowed to participate in the election in the same manner as youth members under age 18. Once inducted, these young adults may participate fully in the Order of the Arrow as youth members, until their 21st birthday. Similarly, Sea Scouts and Venturing crew members ages 18 through 20 are considered youth members for the purposes of OA elections.
Our unit will not have any eligible Scouts until after the unit election deadline. Can we still have an election?
While we want all units to hold elections during the scheduled period, we understand there may be circumstances that prevent that. Please reach out to our elections team leadership at [email protected] to schedule a late election.
Camping Requirement
Can a Scout use the same camping nights towards the requirements of Camping merit badge and for the OA camping requirement.
Yes. While the Scouts BSA advancement program often prohibits one action or event from counting towards two different requirements, camping nights can be counted towards both Scouts BSA advancement and the OA camping
requirement.
A Scout who recently joined my unit camped a lot in their previous unit. Should that camping be counted when deciding if they can be listed on the election ballot for my unit’s election?
Yes. All Scouting America camping done by a Scout in the program area for which they are being considered for election counts towards the camping portion of the membership qualifications, as long as the camping was within the last two years.
A Scout in my Scouts BSA troop is also registered in a Venturing crew or Sea Scout Ship. Can camping trips with the crew or ship count towards the camping requirement?
It is preferred that camping requirements be met as part of the unit in which the youth is being considered for election (i.e., troop, crew, or ship); however, extenuating circumstances may exist (e.g., in cases where a youth did not have an opportunity to meet the requirement with the unit), that make it appropriate for unit leaders to consider other Scouting America camping experiences (e.g., a Venturer counting camping nights completed with a troop or camping nights completed while serving as a staff member at a council camp or national high adventure base). In each case, the unit leader must satisfy themselves the spirit and intent of the requirement was met (i.e., it was indeed qualifying outdoor camping).
If a Scout goes to summer camp and a jamboree in the same summer, how do these count towards the camping requirement?
Only one long term camp can be used towards the camping requirement. For a Scout who attends summer camp and a jamboree in the same year, five nights of the time at summer camp or at the jamboree (but not both) can be used towards the camping requirement. Ten more nights of short-term camp would also be required to meet the camping requirement in order to reach the 15 nights requirement.
Does the long term camp have to be at my council’s camp?
Camping at a council’s own camp(s) is not part of the national requirements for eligibility for election to the Order of the Arrow. Any “long-term camp … approved and under the auspices and standards of Scouting America” meets this portion of the camping requirement.
Councils and lodges should conduct elections in any unit that requests one, without regard to where the unit attends summer camp.
Does the camping have to be with a Scout’s unit?
Camping does not have to be with a Scout’s unit. For example, participation in a
seven-day, six-night National Youth Leadership Training course should be considered a “long-term camp” as would attendance at summer camp with another troop. (However only five nights of the long-term camp count towards the fifteen nights of camping requirement.)
My unit attends summer camp for five days and four nights. Can that count towards the camping requirement?
The camping requirement for long-term camps is a minimum of five nights, so three nights of this could be counted as a short-term camp.
What does “... under the auspices of Scouting America” mean in the camping requirement?
It means: Camping conducted within the requirements of Scouting America,
amongst other things, to conduct the program in accordance with the Guide to Safe Scouting and all Youth Protection requirements, and, if water sports are conducted, using Safe Swim Defense and the buddy system, and all other policies in force not specifically listed here. Ultimately, the local council is the final arbiter of whether an encampment is in compliance and therefore under the auspices of Scouting America.
I went on several camping trips when I was registered as a Webelos den leader and before I registered as an assistant Scoutmaster. Can those trips count towards the OA camping requirement?
The Order of the Arrow’s membership eligibility requirements focus on youth registered in Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scouts, and the camping requirement must be fulfilled through camping done while a Scout in one of those three programs. Because of this, time spent camping as a Cub Scout does not count towards OA eligibility. This makes sense when we consider another requirement, which is that election candidates hold the Scouts BSA
First Class rank, the Venturing Discovery Award, or the Sea Scout Ordinary rank or higher, and work towards these rank or award requirements cannot begin until becoming a member of a Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew, or Sea Scout ship.
Similarly, camping done by unit adults only counts towards OA membership when the adults are registered as Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scout leaders. Thus, camping done while registered as a Cub Scout Webelos den leader does not count towards OA eligibility (unless the adult is also registered in a troop, crew or ship at the time).
How often can a unit hold an OA election?
A unit may only hold one OA election each year.
When are the election results announced?
In accordance with current best practices, election results will be announced at the conclusion of the unit election. Either the unit leader or the election team can make the announcement and give the candidate welcome packet to each of the elected Scouts.
All elected Scouts will also be publicly recognized during the public callout ceremony at the annual council Rendezvous in May.
Once elected, how long does a youth or selected adult have to complete their induction?
Candidates have 18 months from the date of their election or selection to complete their induction. If they do not complete their induction during this time, they must be re-elected.
An elected Scout has moved councils, do they need to be re-elected?
If a candidate permanently relocates to a new council prior to completing their induction, the candidate should immediately join a unit in the new council. A copy of the election report must be presented to the new unit leader to arrange induction in the new lodge. The 18 month candidacy period is not restarted or extended.
Does a Scout have to complete their induction in their home council?
Yes! Candidates for membership in the Order of the Arrow must complete their induction into the Order of the Arrow lodge that serves the council in which the unit is chartered.
Out-of-council Ordeals are not permitted.
If Scout is registered in multiple units (e.g. a troop and crew), which unit can they be elected in?
Youth may be eligible for election in more than one unit. To be eligible for election, the youth must meet the applicable requirements of the Scouting America program in which they are being considered (Venturing, Sea Scouts or Scouts BSA).
Once elected in any unit, a youth is no longer eligible for election in another unit. In the rare instance a youth was elected in a second unit because they were not yet notified of their election in another unit, the lodge will determine the unit of election based on the unit with the earliest date of election.
Our unit will not have any eligible Scouts until after the unit election deadline. Can we still have an election?
While we want all units to hold elections during the scheduled period, we understand there may be circumstances that prevent that. Please reach out to our elections team leadership at [email protected] to schedule a late election.
When does a Scout have to earn their rank to become eligible for election?
Can a Scout use the same camping nights towards the requirements of Camping merit badge and for the OA camping requirement.
Yes. While the Scouts BSA advancement program often prohibits one action or event from counting towards two different requirements, camping nights can be counted towards both Scouts BSA advancement and the OA camping
requirement.
A Scout who recently joined my unit camped a lot in their previous unit. Should that camping be counted when deciding if they can be listed on the election ballot for my unit’s election?
Yes. All Scouting America camping done by a Scout in the program area for which they are being considered for election counts towards the camping portion of the membership qualifications, as long as the camping was within the last two years.
A Scout in my Scouts BSA troop is also registered in a Venturing crew or Sea Scout Ship. Can camping trips with the crew or ship count towards the camping requirement?
It is preferred that camping requirements be met as part of the unit in which the youth is being considered for election (i.e., troop, crew, or ship); however, extenuating circumstances may exist (e.g., in cases where a youth did not have an opportunity to meet the requirement with the unit), that make it appropriate for unit leaders to consider other Scouting America camping experiences (e.g., a Venturer counting camping nights completed with a troop or camping nights completed while serving as a staff member at a council camp or national high adventure base). In each case, the unit leader must satisfy themselves the spirit and intent of the requirement was met (i.e., it was indeed qualifying outdoor camping).
If a Scout goes to summer camp and a jamboree in the same summer, how do these count towards the camping requirement?
Only one long term camp can be used towards the camping requirement. For a Scout who attends summer camp and a jamboree in the same year, five nights of the time at summer camp or at the jamboree (but not both) can be used towards the camping requirement. Ten more nights of short-term camp would also be required to meet the camping requirement in order to reach the 15 nights requirement.
Does the long term camp have to be at my council’s camp?
Camping at a council’s own camp(s) is not part of the national requirements for eligibility for election to the Order of the Arrow. Any “long-term camp … approved and under the auspices and standards of Scouting America” meets this portion of the camping requirement.
Councils and lodges should conduct elections in any unit that requests one, without regard to where the unit attends summer camp.
Does the camping have to be with a Scout’s unit?
Camping does not have to be with a Scout’s unit. For example, participation in a
seven-day, six-night National Youth Leadership Training course should be considered a “long-term camp” as would attendance at summer camp with another troop. (However only five nights of the long-term camp count towards the fifteen nights of camping requirement.)
My unit attends summer camp for five days and four nights. Can that count towards the camping requirement?
The camping requirement for long-term camps is a minimum of five nights, so three nights of this could be counted as a short-term camp.
What does “... under the auspices of Scouting America” mean in the camping requirement?
It means: Camping conducted within the requirements of Scouting America,
amongst other things, to conduct the program in accordance with the Guide to Safe Scouting and all Youth Protection requirements, and, if water sports are conducted, using Safe Swim Defense and the buddy system, and all other policies in force not specifically listed here. Ultimately, the local council is the final arbiter of whether an encampment is in compliance and therefore under the auspices of Scouting America.
I went on several camping trips when I was registered as a Webelos den leader and before I registered as an assistant Scoutmaster. Can those trips count towards the OA camping requirement?
The Order of the Arrow’s membership eligibility requirements focus on youth registered in Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scouts, and the camping requirement must be fulfilled through camping done while a Scout in one of those three programs. Because of this, time spent camping as a Cub Scout does not count towards OA eligibility. This makes sense when we consider another requirement, which is that election candidates hold the Scouts BSA
First Class rank, the Venturing Discovery Award, or the Sea Scout Ordinary rank or higher, and work towards these rank or award requirements cannot begin until becoming a member of a Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew, or Sea Scout ship.
Similarly, camping done by unit adults only counts towards OA membership when the adults are registered as Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scout leaders. Thus, camping done while registered as a Cub Scout Webelos den leader does not count towards OA eligibility (unless the adult is also registered in a troop, crew or ship at the time).
We have an adult assistant Scoutmaster who is two nights shy of the camping requirement. Youth elections are next week. Most likely two Scouts will be elected (one of them the assistant Scoutmaster’s son). Five days after the youth election the assistant Scoutmaster will have met the camping requirement. Can the troop committee nominate the assistant Scoutmaster several days after the youth election?
In many units, the unit committee meets once or twice a month, so adult nominations may follow the youth election by as much as a few weeks. Adults must meet the eligibility requirements when the unit committee makes its decision on whom to nominate, not at the time of the youth election.
Do youth have to be present for an election, or can they participate by phone or video-conference or vote through an absentee ballot?
All youth must be physically present to vote in a unit election. Voting by phone,
video-conference, absentee ballot, etc. is not permitted in unit elections, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the national OA committee.
Do youth have to be present to be placed on the election ballot and be elected?
No. All Scouts who meet the eligibility requirements should be included on the
election ballot, even if some of these Scouts are not present when the election is being held.
As a unit leader, how do I determine which youths are active and thus count for purposes of determining if a quorum is present for an election?
In Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scout units, every registered active member of the unit under age 21 at the time of election is eligible to vote.
A Scout who carries a current national membership card and participates in at least some unit activities during the year is considered to be a registered active member of the unit. For example, a youth away at college who participates in some unit activities when home, such as a campout, camporee, or occasional unit meeting, should be considered a registered active member. A youth who moves away or drops out of the unit because of other interests would not be counted in the registered active membership figure.
As an example, a Scout who hasn’t participated in unit activities in several months and who cannot be reached to confirm that they have dropped out of the unit should not be counted as a member of the unit when deciding if at least 50 percent of the registered active unit membership is present.
Can a unit conduct its own election?
Under no circumstances may a unit conduct their own unit election.
What’s the status in the OA of assistant Scoutmasters who are under age 21?
Young adults ages 18 through 20 are considered youth members of the Order of the Arrow. Because of this, assistant Scoutmasters who are 18, 19 or 20 years old and who meet the youth eligibility requirements should be included on election ballots whenever an election is held in a troop, and these young adults should be allowed to participate in the election in the same manner as youth members under age 18. Once inducted, these young adults may participate fully in the Order of the Arrow as youth members, until their 21st birthday. Similarly, Sea Scouts and Venturing crew members ages 18 through 20 are considered youth members for the purposes of OA elections.
Can a unit leader or council add requirements to the national OA requirements for election?
No, a Scouts BSA Scoutmaster, Venturing crew Advisor, or Sea Scout Skipper (or unit committee, district, council, chapter or lodge) has no authority to change the requirements for election to the Order of the Arrow, just as they have no authority to change the Eagle Scout or other rank requirements. However, a unit leader (or designee) does have the responsibility to certify that the unit’s Scouts have met the national eligibility requirements before submitting their names for the ballot for the unit’s election.
What is the unit leader’s role in a unit election?
The unit leader holds the responsibility of certifying a Scout’s eligibility before placement on an Order of the Arrow election ballot. The unit leader’s certification is as of the date of the election, and any Scout who meets the camping and other requirements as of that date should be listed on the election ballot. This approval is not one of preferential treatment or specific selection for membership rooted in the unit leader’s own vision, but one of qualifying a candidate for eligibility. By including a Scout’s name on the list of those whose names should appear on an election ballot, the unit leader (or designee) certifies that:
- The Scout is a currently registered active member of the unit (troop, crew, or ship)
- The Scout exhibits Scout spirit by living in accordance with the Scout Oath and Law
- The Scout fulfills all other Order of the Arrow membership requirements
Clearly, the unit leader’s approval is earned through merit in Scouting. The unit leader has two roles with the OA: an administrative certification that the objective requirements are met and a more judgment-oriented one with the Scout spirit requirement that the Scout, in their opinion, has been a “good Scout” and lives up to the obligations taken in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. This requirement helps to uphold the high standard that OA membership warrants.
Can a unit leader adjust the results of the youth election results before the results are announced?
After the youth have voted, the unit leader cannot adjust the results of the election.
Can you help me better understand the number of unit adults who can be nominated when a unit conducts an election?
The Handbook for Officers and Advisers states:
Each year, upon holding a unit election for youth candidates that results in at least one youth candidate being elected, the unit committee may nominate registered unit adults, 21 years of age or older, for membership in the OA to the lodge adult selection committee, composed of the lodge adviser, the chair of the council committee on which the lodge adviser serves, and the lodge staff adviser. The number of adults nominated can be no more than two-thirds of the number of youth candidates elected, rounded up where the number of youth candidates is not a multiple of three. In addition to the two-thirds limit, the unit committee may nominate the currently serving unit leader (but not assistant leaders), as long as they have served as unit leader for at least the previous 12 months
So, as long as the adults meet the camping and other requirements, the below chart can be used.
Number of Youth Elected = Max Number of Adults That Can Be Nominated:
- 0 youth = 0 adults
- 1 Youth = 1 adult + unit leader
- 2 Youth = 2 adults + unit leader
- 3 Youth = 2 adults + unit leader
- 4 Youth = 3 adult + unit leader
- 5 Youth = 4 adults + unit leader
- 6 Youth = 4 adults + unit leader
- 7 Youth = 5 adults + unit leader
- 8 Youth = 6 adults + unit leader
- 9 Youth = 6 adults + unit leader
- 10 Youth = 7 adults + unit leader
- 11 Youth = 8 adults + unit leader
- 12 Youth = 8 adults + unit leader
- And so on
What is the role of the unit leader (Scouts BSA Scoutmaster, Venturing crew Advisor, or Sea Scout Skipper) and the unit committee chair in signing the adult nomination form? Do they decide which adults get nominated or does the unit committee make the decision?
The unit committee decides which adults are nominated, and the unit leader and unit committee chair sign on behalf of the committee and its decision.
Adult Nominations
I went on several camping trips when I was registered as a Webelos den leader and before I registered as an assistant Scoutmaster. Can those trips count towards the OA camping requirement?
The Order of the Arrow’s membership eligibility requirements focus on youth registered in Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scouts, and the camping requirement must be fulfilled through camping done while a Scout in one of those three programs. Because of this, time spent camping as a Cub Scout does not count towards OA eligibility. This makes sense when we consider another requirement, which is that election candidates hold the Scouts BSA
First Class rank, the Venturing Discovery Award, or the Sea Scout Ordinary rank or higher, and work towards these rank or award requirements cannot begin until becoming a member of a Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew, or Sea Scout ship.
Similarly, camping done by unit adults only counts towards OA membership when the adults are registered as Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scout leaders. Thus, camping done while registered as a Cub Scout Webelos den leader does not count towards OA eligibility (unless the adult is also registered in a troop, crew or ship at the time).
We have an adult assistant Scoutmaster who is two nights shy of the camping requirement. Youth elections are next week. Most likely two Scouts will be elected (one of them the assistant Scoutmaster’s son). Five days after the youth election the assistant Scoutmaster will have met the camping requirement. Can the troop committee nominate the assistant Scoutmaster several days after the youth election?
In many units, the unit committee meets once or twice a month, so adult nominations may follow the youth election by as much as a few weeks. Adults must meet the eligibility requirements when the unit committee makes its decision on whom to nominate, not at the time of the youth election.
Can you help me better understand the number of unit adults who can be nominated when a unit conducts an election?
The Handbook for Officers and Advisers states:
Each year, upon holding a unit election for youth candidates that results in at least one youth candidate being elected, the unit committee may nominate registered unit adults, 21 years of age or older, for membership in the OA to the lodge adult selection committee, composed of the lodge adviser, the chair of the council committee on which the lodge adviser serves, and the lodge staff adviser. The number of adults nominated can be no more than two-thirds of the number of youth candidates elected, rounded up where the number of youth candidates is not a multiple of three. In addition to the two-thirds limit, the unit committee may nominate the currently serving unit leader (but not assistant leaders), as long as they have served as unit leader for at least the previous 12 months
So, as long as the adults meet the camping and other requirements, the below chart can be used.
Number of Youth Elected = Max Number of Adults That Can Be Nominated:
- 0 youth = 0 adults
- 1 Youth = 1 adult + unit leader
- 2 Youth = 2 adults + unit leader
- 3 Youth = 2 adults + unit leader
- 4 Youth = 3 adult + unit leader
- 5 Youth = 4 adults + unit leader
- 6 Youth = 4 adults + unit leader
- 7 Youth = 5 adults + unit leader
- 8 Youth = 6 adults + unit leader
- 9 Youth = 6 adults + unit leader
- 10 Youth = 7 adults + unit leader
- 11 Youth = 8 adults + unit leader
- 12 Youth = 8 adults + unit leader
- And so on
What is the role of the unit leader (Scouts BSA Scoutmaster, Venturing crew Advisor, or Sea Scout Skipper) and the unit committee chair in signing the adult nomination form? Do they decide which adults get nominated or does the unit committee make the decision?
The unit committee decides which adults are nominated, and the unit leader and unit committee chair sign on behalf of the committee and its decision.
Other
How often can a unit hold an OA election?
A unit may only hold one OA election each year.
Can a unit conduct its own election?
Under no circumstances may a unit conduct their own unit election.
When are the election results announced?
In accordance with current best practices, election results will be announced at the conclusion of the unit election. Either the unit leader or the election team can make the announcement and give the candidate welcome packet to each of the elected Scouts.
All elected Scouts will also be publicly recognized during the public callout ceremony at the annual council Rendezvous in May.
Once elected, how long does a youth or selected adult have to complete their induction?
Candidates have 18 months from the date of their election or selection to complete their induction. If they do not complete their induction during this time, they must be re-elected.
An elected Scout has moved councils, do they need to be re-elected?
If a candidate permanently relocates to a new council prior to completing their induction, the candidate should immediately join a unit in the new council. A copy of the election report must be presented to the new unit leader to arrange induction in the new lodge. The 18 month candidacy period is not restarted or extended.
Does a Scout have to complete their induction in their home council?
Yes! Candidates for membership in the Order of the Arrow must complete their induction into the Order of the Arrow lodge that serves the council in which the unit is chartered.
Out-of-council Ordeals are not permitted.
Do youth have to be present for an election, or can they participate by phone or video-conference or vote through an absentee ballot?
All youth must be physically present to vote in a unit election. Voting by phone,
video-conference, absentee ballot, etc. is not permitted in unit elections, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the national OA committee.
Do youth have to be present to be placed on the election ballot and be elected?
No. All Scouts who meet the eligibility requirements should be included on the
election ballot, even if some of these Scouts are not present when the election is being held.
Can a unit leader or council add requirements to the national OA requirements for election?
No, a Scouts BSA Scoutmaster, Venturing crew Advisor, or Sea Scout Skipper (or unit committee, district, council, chapter or lodge) has no authority to change the requirements for election to the Order of the Arrow, just as they have no authority to change the Eagle Scout or other rank requirements. However, a unit leader (or designee) does have the responsibility to certify that the unit’s Scouts have met the national eligibility requirements before submitting their names for the ballot for the unit’s election.
What is the unit leader’s role in a unit election?
The unit leader holds the responsibility of certifying a Scout’s eligibility before placement on an Order of the Arrow election ballot. The unit leader’s certification is as of the date of the election, and any Scout who meets the camping and other requirements as of that date should be listed on the election ballot. This approval is not one of preferential treatment or specific selection for membership rooted in the unit leader’s own vision, but one of qualifying a candidate for eligibility. By including a Scout’s name on the list of those whose names should appear on an election ballot, the unit leader (or designee) certifies that:
- The Scout is a currently registered active member of the unit (troop, crew, or ship)
- The Scout exhibits Scout spirit by living in accordance with the Scout Oath and Law
- The Scout fulfills all other Order of the Arrow membership requirements
Clearly, the unit leader’s approval is earned through merit in Scouting. The unit leader has two roles with the OA: an administrative certification that the objective requirements are met and a more judgment-oriented one with the Scout spirit requirement that the Scout, in their opinion, has been a “good Scout” and lives up to the obligations taken in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. This requirement helps to uphold the high standard that OA membership warrants.
Contact Our Elections Team
Still have questions about the unit elections process? Contact our elections team using the form below or email [email protected].