Officer Elections

The Order of the Arrow is a boy run organization. Youth make decisions and implement the plans. However adults have an important role to play. Each Officer and Committee requires an adult to act as Adviser, to guide and coach the youth members.

Committee Chairs are appointed by the Chapter Chief, with the consultation of the appropriate Vice-Chief. They organize and coordinate the participation of Committee members.

The following are guidelines only. Please note experience is not necessary.

You will learn on the job and you will have a lot of support from the Adults in the Chapter.

Do not feel overwhelmed when you read the following descriptions.

            There are four offices up for election. The current officers will decide which Vice Chief will be elected first. All brothers under 21 have a vote. Any brother who will be 21 before June 1, 2009 is ineligible to run for office. All other youth members are encouraged to contemplate their current and future service to the chapter. While the only formal requirement deals with age, those wishing to serve as officers should be ready to demonstrate cheerful service to the chapter.

Elected Officers:

Chapter Chief - Guideposts: The Chapter Chief should have past experience as a chapter officer, committee chair, or in the senior leadership of their troop. Past attendance at a lodge leadership training event is also a plus.

Duties: Oversees the operation of the chapter. Attends or sends a proxy to all Lodge Executive Committee meetings. Updates the Lodge Maryland North Area Chief on all chapter activities. Ensures that the other officers perform their roles. Names all committee chairs. Runs all chapter meetings. Cheerfully serves wherever needed.

Vice Chief of Inductions - Guideposts: The Vice Chief of Inductions should have experience dealing with some facet of the inductions process. Past leadership experience will help in the successful fulfillment of the office's responsibilities. Past attendance at a lodge leadership training event or troop junior leader training is a plus.

Duties: Oversees the chapter induction process (election thru brotherhood conversion), including oversight of the Ordeals. Performs all other roles assigned to him by the chapter chief. Attends all chapter meetings. Cheerfully serves wherever needed. Appoints a chairman or is the Chair of the election of candidates. Is the Ordeal Master unless he appoints someone else.

Vice Chief of Activities - Guideposts: The Vice Chief of Activities should have experience dealing with a variety of issues at once. This position oversees the broadest range of committees and the activities occur throughout the entire year. Past leadership experience will help in the successful fulfillment of the office's responsibilities. Past attendance at a lodge leadership training event or troop junior leader training is a plus.

Duties: Oversees chapter participation in activities other than the Ordeal, such as Lodge functions, bus loading, service projects, and district events. Supervises the committees that take part in these functions. Also oversees service-based committees involved in the Ordeal (food service, health & safety). Performs all other roles assigned to him by the chapter chief. Attends all chapter meetings. Cheerfully serves wherever needed.

Secretary - Guideposts: The secretary should possess good communication skills and deal well with a variety of personality types. Troop junior leader training is a plus.

Duties: Takes minutes at all chapter meetings. Facilitates communication with brothers through newsletters, email, and phone calls. Ensures that all troops are aware of chapter and lodge activities. Oversees publication of the chapter newsletter. Submits chapter updates to the lodge newsletter. Oversees registration at all chapter events. Handles issues dealing with membership and dues. Performs all other roles assigned to him by the chapter chief. Cheerfully serves wherever needed.

Other non Chapter elected opportunities:

Brotherhood Conversion - Organizes Brotherhood Conversion opportunities in coordination with the Ceremonies Committee. Contacts eligible brothers to encourage them to seal their membership. Recruits and trains Nimats to conduct the Brotherhood discussion and walk. 

.Cook Crew (Purple Rice Gang) - Recruits and trains Cook Crew staff in the planning and preparation of meals for Ordeals. Ensures that sufficient staff are available for all events. Responsible for food at any other chapter events, such as a banquet or picnic. .May also feed staff at District events such as Camporees and Webelos Weekends. 

Health & Safety - Responsible for overseeing that all chapter functions occur in a healthy and safe environment. Offer first aid when needed. When asked, serve as health and safety staff at District events ranging from scout shows to camporees.

Troop Order of the Arrow Representative - Ensures that all troops have either a Troop Order of the Arrow Representative or someone to relay information from the chapter back to the troops. Relays information to representatives who do not attend chapter meetings, ensuring that all troops are kept in the loop.