Order of the Arrow Glossary of Terms

New Members or Old Members, very few Arrowmen know every term important to our Honor Society. Because some terms are not available for the general public those terms will not be posted. This page is still a work in progress, more terms to come.

A

Adult - Any arrowmen of 21 years of age and older.

B

Brotherhood Membership - Is the second level of membership in the OA. After a minimum of ten months, an Ordeal member may "seal" their membership in the Order by accepting an additional obligation of service to their lodge. The Brotherhood Membership is shown with a white sash similar to the Ordeal sash, but with a red bar just beyond the top and bottom of the arrow.

C

Carroll A. Edson - Co-Founder of the Order of the Arrow, Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson, when they were director and assistant director, respectively, at a Scout camp on Treasure Island, in the Delaware River near Philadelphia founded the OA in 1915.

Council of Chiefs - Gathering of all the sections lodge chiefs, lodge advisers, section officers, and section adviser to plan upcoming section events and form inter lodge relations.

D

Distinguished Service Award - Is a service recognition award given by the Order of the Arrow. Created in 1940, the DSA recognizes those who rendered service to the Order beyond the lodge level. The award is presented to those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis.

E

E. Urner Goodman - Co-Founder of the Order of the Arrow, Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson, when they were director and assistant director, respectively, at a Scout camp on Treasure Island, in the Delaware River near Philadelphia founded the OA in 1915.

E. Urner Goodman Camping Award - Each year, the National Council of the Order of the Arrow selects two lodges from each of the (currently four) regions to receive the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award. This award recognizes lodges that have made outstanding contributions to promoting (and increasing) camping within their host council.

F

Founders Award - This award honors Arrowmen in the Order of the Arrow  for unselfish service above and beyond their normal duties to their lodge. Any lodge under 1000 members may present the award to up to two arrowmen annually; lodges with more than 1,000 members may present up to three awards, and lodges with more than 1,500 members may present up to four awards.

G

H

I

J

Josh Sain Memorial Scholarship Fund - This scholarship was established in 1998 to honor the spirit and the memory of Josh Sain, a former National Vice Chief of the Order of the Arrow. The scholarships are provided to immediate past National and Regional Officers, and immediate past section chiefs upon completion of their successful service of their terms. All awards are selected on merit and based on performance in their respective roles and academic achievements while serving in one of the roles mentioned above.

K

L

Leadership in Service Award ? Given in recognition of the Order of the Arrow's heritage of service. By promoting and rewarding service that benefits the Boy Scouts of America's outdoor program, and the communities in which Scouts reside, the Order will be acting to support Scouting at the most important level. Recognizes youth within a lodge or chapter who meet set volunteer requirements.

Lifetime Achievement Award - The award is intended to recognize only those extraordinary Arrowmen who have deeply influenced and significantly contributed to the vision, direction, and growth of the Order of the Arrow, faithfully demonstrated a lifetime of servant leadership, and, through their daily example, illuminated and reinforced the significance of the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Lodge Adviser - Is tasked with advising the lodge chief and the lodge in general.

Lodge Chief - Is an elected youth who is responsible for the program and general operation of the lodge.

Lodge Leadership Development (LLD) - Originally Lodge Leadership Development Conference, it is a training event conducted by the lodge to train their officers and advisers

Lodge Staff Adviser - Professional Scouter from the council level, assigned by the Scout Executive, to oversee the operation of the lodge from a professional stand point.

M

Maury Clancy Indian Campership Fund - This campership fund was created in 1971 to help provide funds to those American Indian Scouts needing assistance to attend resident camp. The fund was subsequently named in memory of long-time national committee member Maury Clancy, who contributed significantly to the Order. Mr. Clancy emphasized the significance of our nation's American Indian culture and worked to encourage the preservation of our American Indian heritage.

N

National Boy Scout Committee - Is located at the National Office in Irving, Texas. The group sets policies and schedules for the Boy Scout Program and approves changes to merit badge and rank requirements. The chairman of the National Boy Scout Committee is responsible for appointing the National Order of the Arrow Committee Chairman.

National Lodge Advisers Training Seminar (NLATS) - Is an intense weekend training event for Lodge Advisers, and other OA adults. It is recommended that participants have gone through NLS. It is conducted at the Region level and is usually held in conjunction with NLS.

National Leadership Seminars (NLS) - Is an intense leadership development weekend training event for lodge officers and advisers, ideally after they have completed LLD. It is conducted at the Region level.

National Service Award - Recognizes four Lodges each year whose service work is exemplary in both quality and quantity. The Lodge must petition for the award and show proof of their accomplishments, in addition to being certified a Quality Lodge for that year.

National Order of the Arrow Committee - A subcommittee of the National Boy Scout Committee, of which the national chief, national vice-chief, and the four region chiefs are voting members. The current chairman of the national committee is Bradley Haddock.

National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) - The National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) is a multi-day event which takes place on a university campus, bringing together thousands of delegates from OA Lodges around the nation for training and activities.

O

Ordeal Membership - Is the first level of membership in the OA, which is bestowed after a candidate passes their Ordeal. The Ordeal Level is shown by a white sash with a red arrow pointing upward over the right shoulder. Ordeal memberships have full rights and privileges in their lodge.

Order of the Arrow - It is the Boy Scouts of America national honor society for experienced campers, based on Native American traditions, and dedicated to the ideal of cheerful service. Members of the Order of the Arrow are called Arrowmen.

Order of Arrow Scoutreach Mentoring Program - Is a joint effort of the national Scoutreach Division of the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow. Its purpose is to identify and assist urban and rural Scout troops whose camping and advancement programs are below standard.

Order of the Arrow Troop or Team Representative - Is the youth liaison serving between the local OA lodge or chapter and his unit. In his unit, he will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order. He will do this in a fashion that strengthens the mission of the lodge, purpose of the Order and the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. By setting a good example, he will enhance the image of the Order as a service arm to his unit.

P

Philbreak - Is an "alternate spring break" program started in 2003 to help restore Philmont Scout Ranch after devastating forest fires the previous year. Since 2004, the participants have been working on the Urraca Trail, which is intended as a day hike for those attending the Philmont Training Center. Participants in the seven day program are expected to work eight or nine hour days in all types of conditions. The program takes place during three separate weeks during March.

Q

R

Red Arrow Award - Is similar in nature to the Distinguished Service Award, but unlike the more renowned award, the Red Arrow Award is given to non-members only. It was first awarded in 1970.

S

Secrecy - The Boy Scouts of America implemented a Youth Protection Program in the mid-1980s that includes a strict policy against secret societies within the BSA. Any concerned person may now view the ceremonies, attend meetings or read scripts upon request to a council, district, lodge or chapter official. Such persons are asked to safe-guard the details relating to ceremonies.

Section Officers Summit - Gathering of all the Section Officers and Advisers in a particular region once a year for training for their respective position and for fun and fellowship with other officers.

Strategic Plan - Addresses how the National Committee plans to achieve their vision for the future of the Order of the Arrow.

T

U

V

Vigil Honor - The Order's highest honor made at the lodge level. The honor is bestowed by selection of a Vigil Committee from a group of peers within the Lodge. The eligible arrowmen must show exceptional service after a minimum of two years as a Brotherhood member. Vigil members may be identified by the triangle imprinted on their sash, in addition to the Arrow of the Ordeal sash and the bars of the Brotherhood sash.

W

X

Y

Youth - Any arrowmen under the age of 21

Z

Last updated 07/27/2008