To become a member of the Order of the Arrow, a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout is chosen by vote of his unit members that are under 21. Lodge members in the unit have a vote as well as none-members. It is important that the members of the unit have the membership requirements explained to them. Elections may be held in Troops and Teams ONLY. To be a member of OA, a person must remain registered in a troop or team.

Registered Active Member. In BSA Troops and Varsity Teams every registered active member of the unit under the age of 21 at the time of the election is eligible to vote. A Scout (of a troop or team) that 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.

Elections and Inductions Outside the Registered Council. Order of the Arrow elections are held in qualified troops and teams only under the direction of the lodge in the council where the unit is chartered. No unit may visit outside its own council and hold an OA election under the auspices of another council. Inductions may not be done outside the Council.

UNIT ELECTION PROCEDURE:

1. The date and place of the election are determined by the unit leader in coordination with the election chairmen of the chapter. Unit elections may be held only from November following training to March 31. The "Request for Election and Camp Promotion" Card should be submitted by all Troops and Teams to the chapter election chairmen at least 15 days in advance, but no later than March 1.
2. At the time and place determined by the unit leader and agreed by the chapter Election Team, the Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts should be assembled with their leader to elect candidates IN CLASS A UNIFORMS. The unit members should have been previously informed of the purpose, history, and organization of the Order of the Arrow. The Order of the Arrow must be represented by TWO or more TRAINED (within the current election year) chapter members with DUES CURRENT. If the election team is from the same unit that is holding the election, at least one member of the team must be from another Troop, and must also be fully trained. This youth is responsible for the election form. Failure to have a qualified team conduct any membership election will result in disqualification of tech results. Units with an OA Representative, must follow the Unit Representative Process, which is printed after the procedure.
3. Before the election, the Election Team must secure from the unit leader verification that at least 50% of the youth registered active unit membership is present. If at least 50% is not present, an election cannot and will not be held. The number of registered and the number present are entered in spaces provided in the "Youth Candidate Election Form". If the leader is an Arrowman, he may again explain to the group the purposes of the Order of the Arrow and the basis on which candidates should be elected, and describe tech method of election. If the unit leader is not a member of the Order, a member of the OA election team should make this presentation with the unit leader's consent, demonstrating that election leadership is a cooperative effort of the unit leader and OA team. Please read the OA Unit Representative Process below.
4. The unit leader provides the names of those who meet the eligibility Requirements including ATTITUDE and participation. These numbers are entered on the report form and the unit leader signs the certification.
5. The unit election team leader explains the following to the unit leader:
   • This is the current method of election approved by the National OA Commit and Tahosa Lodge 383, © current year.
   • All eligible youth who receive votes from at least 50% of those who turn in ballots are elected.
   • Scouts may not vote if they do not know the candidates, or for any other reasons. Scouts who do not vote do not turn in a ballot. A ballot that is turned in blank will count against the candidates. That is allowable.
   • If no one is elected a second vote may be held immediately, and the results of this vote is FINAL.
6. A voter may list on his ballot any combination of names who he believes are wither to become members of the Order of the Arrow.
7. The Election Team may conduct the election using the available Election Ceremony. If the election team uses an alternative ceremony, it MUST stress the following points:
• Select the candidates who, in your opinion, have set the best examples of brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service.
• Vote only for those you believe will continue in unselfish service to your troop or team.
• If you feel that no one is worth, turn in a blank ballot. DO NOT HOLD ON TO IT.
• If you are new in the unit and do not know the candidates well enough to vote wisely, you may abstain by NOT TURNING IN A BALLOT; this will not effect the final results.
• Youth eligible for election also vote, and may vote for themselves, if they feel they are worthy.
• There is no campaigning for OA. Do not rely on the speeches or words that a scout has said. Think back to his scouting. Is he cheerful, helpful, and friendly? Does he represent the Scout Oath, Law, and Motto? Is he worthy of the challenges of OA. Does he act like a scout both in uniform and outside of uniform?
8. When the voting is finished, the Election team counts the number of ballots turned in, and enters the number on the youth election report
9. The Election Team determines the number of votes one must receive to be elected as follows: If the number of ballots turned in was even (2, 4, 6, etc) divide this number by two. If the number was odd (1, 3, 5, 7, etc) add one, then divide by two. The number of votes a youth must receive to be elected is entered on the youth report.
10. The votes are counted in private by the Election Team, the Unit Rep, and a unit leader, IF the leader is a member of OA with current dues. All votes count equally. If one youth is elected, then the result is final. If no one is elected, the Election Team announces may hold another election if the unit would like. Time is allowed for further explanations of the purpose of the Order and the election procedures, and for any questions. (Note: information on ballot counts is NEVER revealed). The second election is held immediately following, and if again, no one is elected, then this is the final result for this years election.
11. NEVER REVEAL ELECTION RESULTS TO THE PUBLIC. DO NOT SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH PARENTS, LEADERS, OR YOUTH, REGARDLESS.

REPORT OF RESULTS

The Election Team assists the unit leader in listing the names of those who have been elected in Part A of the "Youth Candidate Election Report". Their addresses, birth dates, and telephone numbers will also be included. The report is signed by the unit leader and the OA team members. Both white and yellow copies are promptly forwarded by the OA ELECTION TEAM to White Eagle Chapter Election Chairmen. "YOUTH CANDIDATE ELECTION RESULTS" RECEIVED AFTER APRIL 1 WILL BE REJECTED.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

As soon as the election is completed, the unit leader may announce to the entire unit, the names of members who have been elected. If the leader so chooses the announcement may be delayed until some future unit ceremony or chapter call-out.

CANDIDATE STATUS

After election a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout remains a candidate until completion of the Ordeal and the Ordeal Ceremony. If the period of candidacy exceeds one year, the candidate's name is dropped and he is no longer a candidate. To become a candidate again, he must be reelected. The executive committee of the lodge may extend the 1 year limit between election and induction if a candidate is ill or there are other unusual circumstances.

Troops and teams that would like an election must turn in their election card, or have their OA Unit Representative contact the chapter. Election forms must be turned in by the deadline.

OA UNIT REPRESENTATIVE PROCESS

The process below is to be followed by all troops with an OA Unit Representative. Failure to comply may nullify your elections.

1. In October, the scoutmaster and Unit Representative discuss a Unit Election, and contact the chapter. Working with the unit, the chapter completes.
2. One week before the Election, the OA Election Team Leader and Unit Representative should contact each other to ensure the election is still scheduled and that all last minute details have been taken care of. He should notify the team in advance of any unit requests, such as using a special ceremony.
3. If only a partial team is needed. The representative will work with each member needed to secure details.
4. Prior to the election, the representative should explain what OA is, and what the election means tonight. During the Election, the Representative will assist the Election Team with the election. After the election, he should help the Election Team with its paper work.
5. Following the election, he thanks the team, and helps his scoutmaster fill out the election evaluation card, and the OA survey. He then delivers these and other comments to the next chapter meeting.
   

ALL ELECTIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL OFFICE BY APRIL 1, OR THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING.

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