During the 2018 National Order of the Arrow Conference, National Chairman Mike Hoffman convened all lodge advisers to discuss key OA policy issues. Recognizing that not all lodge advisers had the opportunity to attend NOAC, and that some who did were unable to attend one of our discussion opportunities, below is a summary of the key issues and discussion.

USE OF AMERICAN INDIAN REGALIA

Any rumors that suggest the OA is distancing itself from the use of American Indian regalia are false. We are strengthening our policies to ensure when American Indian clothing and other regalia are used that we ensure it is respectful of the American Indian cultures in our local area and of those we are emulating. We are working to provide alternative clothing options for use in delivering OA ceremonies in the event that condition cannot be met (see below).



CUB SCOUT ARROW OF LIGHT AND CROSSOVER CEREMONIES

As our recently published policy indicates, performance of Arrow of Light and Crossover ceremonies by Arrowmen must be done in Scout field uniform and using the ceremonies provided. This policy change was unanimously approved by the National OA Committee as a result of a number of factors, some of which are outlined here: These ceremonies are our most public facing ceremonies and are frequently being posted on social media. Serious concerns have repeatedly been expressed by many of American Indians over the conduct of these ceremonies. We are losing young people to Scouting because of the way in which some of these ceremonies are being conducted. When American Indian regalia is associated with Scouting, the OA is inevitably assumed to be responsible. It is our responsibility to set the example in Scouting in respecting the American Indian cultures we are representing when we utilize Indian clothing in OA ceremonies. The question was asked if the policy means a prohibition on the use of American Indian related demonstrations in Pack meetings. The new policy does not. It is each lodge’s responsibility to ensure that anytime American Indian regalia is being used, that our use is respectful of the American Indian cultures in the lodge’s local area as well as that they are representing if from a different area. The National Director of the OA has communicated this policy change to the Cub Scout Division and asked that it be broadly communicated to Pack Leaders.



INTRODUCTION OF FEMALE YOUTH INTO THE OA

Effective February 1, 2019, coincident with the admittance of older female youth to Scouting, female youth may be elected into the OA. This includes female Venturers, Sea Scouts and Scouts BSA members who have met the eligibility requirements as outlined at https://www.scouting.org/familyscouting/ (click on the Order of the Arrow Membership Changes Infographic). The Order of the Arrow will be reviewing publications and ceremonial guidelines over the next few months with the intent of issuing appropriate revisions in 2019. A few related topics that surfaced during our NOAC discussions: Can elections be held in Venturing Crews and Sea Scout Ships earlier than February 1st? No, February 1st is the earliest date on which elections can be held. Can a youth be eligible for election in more than one unit? Yes, but they can only be elected in one unit. To be eligible for election, the youth must meet the applicable requirements of the BSA program in which they are being considered (Venturing, Sea Scouts or Scouts BSA). Does serving on a camp or national high adventure staff meet the camping requirements? It depends. While we prefer that the requirement be met while camping with the unit in which the individual is being considered for election, there may be circumstances in the council, unit or with the individual that should be taken into consideration. While working in a trading post and living in a cabin during camp may not qualify, being a ranger at Philmont certainly would. The unit leader must decide that the spirit and intent of the camping requirement is met. Only the unit leader can make that determination. What publication changes are expected? Primarily those that will make the publications more gender neutral. Will use of Arrowmen, Brother or Brotherhood change? No. The focus group discussions we have held with female Scouters and youth recommend we do not change the use of those terms. How will the OA ceremonies change? We will be examining scripts and considering the proper use of American Indian regalia given that female youth will now be involved in OA ceremonies. While the use of American Indian regalia will still be an option for lodges whose use is respectful of the American Indian cultures in their local area as well as those they are representing, other options are being explored as well. The delivery of OA ceremonies in complete field uniform will continue to be an option. What unique youth protection guidelines will be issued for OA events? No unique youth protection guidelines are needed. Existing guidelines cover the involvement of female youth when camping just as they do in Venturing Crews and they will be applicable to OA events when female youth are included. We will be issuing some examples of how the guidelines can be applied to aid lodges during the transition period. Given that the youth protection guidelines require a 21 or older registered female at all activities involving female youth, won’t we need more female leaders in the OA? Lodges should be taking a serious look at this issue now. If their adult female membership or engagement is inadequate to support the introduction of female youth, that should become a priority issue for the lodge and council to address. How will the introduction of female youth affect leadership opportunities in the OA? We expect male and female youth members to be equally eligible for all leadership positions in the OA at the lodge, section, regional and national levels.

REVISIONS TO JTE

The newly created National OA Committee Strategic Performance Subcommittee has completed a rigorous analysis of the last five years of lodge performance data. That analysis has shown that: High performing lodges serve in excess of 14% of the youth troop membership in their council. High performing lodges excel in three principle areas: the percentage of units served by a lodge that conduct a unit election (Election Rate), the percentage of elected candidates who complete their Ordeal (Induction Rate), and to the number of new members who attend a lodge event within one year of their induction (Activation Rate) In line with these findings, the National OA Committee recently adopted a resolution to focus efforts on helping lodges achieve high performing status. As part of that effort, 2019 JTE requirements will be reduced from 18 to 10 areas to help lodges focus on two things: membership growth and the few metrics that drive that growth. Watch for more information on JTE and other efforts related to this initiative over the next six months. Please contact Matt Dukeman, national OA director, for any questions regarding these matters. Matt can be reached at Matthew.Dukeman@scouting.org.