The Order of the Arrow Troop Representative is a youth serving his troop as the primary liaison to the troop’s lodge or chapter. He meets the unit’s needs by providing a communication and programmatic link to and from all Arrowmen, Scouts who are not presently members of the Order, and adult leaders. These efforts are meant to assist the unit and its members in achieving the mission of the Boy Scouts of America, and at the same time fulfilling the lodge’s role in the Strategic Plan of the Order of the Arrow of being an integral part of the council. By setting a good example, he will enhance the image of the Order as a service arm to his unit.
Troop Representative Handbook
OA Troop Representative Handbook
OA Troop Representative Duties:
•Attends troop and chapter or lodge meetings regularly as a youth representative of the troop and Order.
•Serves as a two-way communication link between the troop and the lodge or chapter.
•Arranges with the lodge or chapter election team to conduct an annual Order of the Arrow election for the troop at a time approved by the Patrol Leaders Council.
•Arranges with the lodge or chapter for at least one camp promotion visit to the unit annually.
•Makes at least one high adventure presentation to the troop, to include the OA programs, annually.
•As requested by the SPL, participates in Troop Courts of Honor by recognizing: high adventure participation of troop members, induction of new OA members, changes in OA honors of troop members, leadership of troop members, and other appropriate activities.
•Coordinates the Ordeal Induction process for newly elected candidates by: ensuring they know the time and location of the Ordeal, providing information of what to bring to the Ordeal, assisting (as needed) in arranging transportation to the Ordeal, and offering assistance (as needed) to the lodge in the Ordeal process.
•Assists current Ordeal members in the troop in sealing their membership by becoming Brotherhood members by: ensuring they know the time and location of Brotherhood opportunities, assisting (as needed) in arranging transportation to the Brotherhood opportunities, and offering assistance to the lodge (as needed) in the Brotherhood process. He may also, at the discretion of the PLC, offer periodic training and discussions of OA principles, symbolism, and the Legend as needed by and appropriate for the troop members of the Order.
•Leads at least one troop service project for the community or charter partner during the year. May also serve, at the discretion of the PLC, as the troop’s service chairman.
•Assists the troop (as appropriate) as a trainer of leadership and outdoor skills.
•In all cases, advocates environmental stewardship and Leave No Trace camping.
•Sets a good example by: wearing the Scout uniform correctly, showing Scout spirit, and living by the Scout Oath, the Scout law and the OA Obligation.
Qualifications:
• Under 18 years old
• Appointed by SPL with SM approval
• OA Member in good standing
Reports To:
•Senior Patrol Leader
• May be included as a member of the PLC at the discretion of the troop leadership.
Reports To:
•Serves for a 12 month period
•Appointed 60 days before the unit election to facilitate election procedures and fulfill follow-up duties
•May continue to coordinate with Ordeal candidates elected during his term as they progress to Brotherhood membership even after his term has expired.
Flow of Information
The following is a list of information that needs to flow between the OA Troop Representative and the Lodge or Chapter:
Lodge/Chapter to Unit:
• Lodge/Chapter Calendars
• Unit Elections visit
• Camp Promotions visit
• Community service project opportunities
• Invitations to Ordeal members to obtain Brotherhood membership
• Invitations to candidates to attend their Ordeal
• Resource lists
• OA Representative Registration Forms
• Encourages OA members to be active in their Lodge and Chapter
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 assistance with its outdoor program?
• Does the unit need assistance with community service projects?
• Does the unit need assistance with training?
• Do the unit’s OA members participate in Lodge and Chapter functions?
• Name of the new OA Troop Representative
• Reaction of the Troop members to the Lodge and Chapter program
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the OA Troop Representative?
Answer: The Troop Representative program was begun in 1999, and is a program of the Order of the Arrow that has been officially adopted by the Boy Scouts of America. The OA Representative is an official leadership position within the troop, and boys can earn time towards their leadership rank requirements, just as with Den Chief, Troop Scribe, or any of the other leadership positions.
2. What are the responsibilities of the Troop Representative?
Answer: There are numerous possibilities for the job description of the OA Representative. The beauty is that it is flexible enough to allow your unit to fine-tune the exact responsibilities. However, the most basic tasks of the Representative will be to coordinate service opportunities within the unit, to coordinate unit involvement with the Order of the Arrow, including Unit Elections, Camp Promotions, and Inductions, and to request lodge and chapter resources to help meet unit needs. The Representative should provide feedback to the Lodge/Chapter as to the success of their initiative.
3. Who can serve as a Troop Representative?
Answer: Anyone in the unit who is under the age of 18 can serve as the OA Representative for the unit, provided he is a dues-paid member of the Order of the Arrow. He should be appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader, and will be a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council and invited to attend lodge and chapter meetings.
4. Will there be an Adviser for the Troop Representative?
Answer: As with all positions in the Order, the OA Representative should have an adult as his Adviser. This adult will be over the age of 21, be a dues-paid member of the Order of the Arrow, and be appointed by the Scoutmaster.
5. What if a troop does not appoint an OA Troop Representative?
Answer: The Troop Representative is a troop position and is therefore up to the unit to adopt and use the program. If the unit does not wish to appoint a Representative, the lodge and chapter should encourage the units to utilize the program by pointing out the benefits to the troop and team.
6. What recognition is available for OA Troop Representatives?
Answer: There is a troop position patch available. Lodges and chapters are encouraged to develop recognition similar to what they use for other lodge and chapter officers and committee chairs.
7. Should OA Troop Representatives meet as a group?
Answer: The lodge or chapter should run an OA Troop Representative Training Seminar at least twice a year. Additionally, the OA Representatives are expected to attend all Lodge and Chapter functions.