Elections Center

This portion of the site is here to help you, the Election Teams and Advisers, be successful in perpetuating our Order. Unit elections are the process that ensures that our values, commitments, and program continue on to future generations. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring every unit in our Council has the opportunity to select those worthy of the high honor of membership in our Order.

Elections in a Nutshell

Youth (those age 20 and below) can only be elected from their registered troop or team. Venture Crews, Sea Scout Ships, and other programs are not eligible to elect members into the Order. The reason simply put by National is that the Order of the Arrow is a Boy Scout program and only those programs under the Boy Scout Division (Boy Scout Troops and Varsity Teams) are eligible to participate as youth. Every youth must have approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity Team Coach.

Adults (those age 21 and older) are nominated from any of the following: their troop, team, District, or Council. Membership in the Order is not a right and is granted by a reviewing committee based upon what the specific individual can give back to the Lodge. Troops and Teams that elect at least one youth may nominate one adult for every 50 youth registered to the unit or part there of. )Example: 8 registered youth=1 adult nomination. 51 registered youth=2 adult nominations.) Districts and the Council each have one nomination each which may be chosen through the Key 3 of the District or Council. Every adult nominee must be approved by their nominating committee (Troop Committee, Team Committee, District Key 3, Council Key 3).

To be eligible one must fulfill the following:

1. A registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
2. Hold the rank of First Class Scout or higher. (waived for adult nominees)
3. Have completed fifteen days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The fifteen 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.

Nisqually Lodge conducts elections from January 1st through April 15th of each year. Chapters are encouraged to complete unit elections during that time. Each unit is allowed one and only one election during the calendar year. No provision or waiver is allowed to amend this rule. While elections can occur outside those dates, units that do not complete elections until later are put at a disadvantage for the year. Our dates are driven by when our Ordeals are provided. Every candidate has one year to complete their Ordeal once elected or nominated. Our Lodge holds only three Ordeals in the spring and summer time frame. Those units conducting elections during summer camp have only one opportunity to go through the Ordeal in that calendar year or must wait until the following spring for their last two chances. Please encourage all units to complete their elections prior to April 15.

Paperwork and training

An election team training video is available through the national Order of the Arrow website located here.

The elections video is also available online through this link. Each Chapter has access to multiple copies of the election video and are encouraged to utilize them during the unit visitation.

The youth election form is located here.

The adult nomination form is located here.

The Chapter Elections Packet is found here.

Elections Frequently Asked Questions