Eligibility
Octoraro Lodge #22 is a part of the Order of the Arrow, a part of the Boy Scouts of America, and a national "fraternity" of honor campers. The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is:To recognize those campers - Scouts, Explorers, and Scouters - who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant recognition.
To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.
To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council.
To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
To be a member of Octoraro #22, or any part of the Order of the Arrow, the following requirements must be met to be elegible:
- Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America
- Hold the First Class rank of the Boy Scouts of America, as a minimum
- After registration with a troop, team or post, have experienced 15 days and nights of camping, including 6 consecutive days and nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America, within two years immediately prior to election to candidate status.
Elegible scouts are voted into the Order of the Arrow by their fellow troop members using a secret ballot. Newly elected candidates must have recieved at least fifty percent of the vote.
Once voted into the Order of the Arrow, the new candidate must report to the the site of the Ordeal. For Octoraro #22, this means reporting to Camp Horseshoe at our April, June or September service weekends. Here, the candidate will spend the weekend completing "irksome tasks and weighty responsibilities" to complete his ordeal and become an Ordeal Member of the Order of the Arrow.
Lodge Organization
Octoraro Lodge #22, like all Order of the Arrow lodges, is a youth-run organization. Although membership in the Order of the Arrow lasts a lifetime, one must be under the age of 21 to be an officer or executive committee chairman. Those who are over the age of 21 and still wish to serve the Lodge in a leadership capacity can be lodge or committee advisors. They may offer input and insight, but cannot make actual policy or administrative decisions.The Officers
All officers are youth members elected annually by their fellow members of the Lodge.Lodge Chief
The Lodge Chief is the head honcho in charge of the Order of the Arrow Lodge. The Chief is responsible for the program and policies of the Lodge, works closely with the Lodge Advisor, presides over all lodge Executive Committee meetings, and appoints chairmen to lodge committees. In Octoraro #22, in order to be elebigle to run for chief one must serve at least one previous term as a vice-chief.
Administrative Vice-Chief
The Administrative Vice-Chief is responsible for all administrative affairs in Octoraro #22. This includes logistics for Lodge activities, taking the place of the Chief in his absence at Executive Committee meetings, and assisting the Chief in lodge operations.
Program Vice-Chief
The Program Vice-Chief is responsible for all program aspects of Octoraro #22. This includes program activities at service weekends, and supervising the pageants at the ceremonies.
Treasurer
The treasurer is responsible for all financial operations of Octoraro #22. He maintains an accurate ledger, pays bills in a timely fashion, and manages our cash flow.
Corresponding Secretary
The corresponding secretary is responsible for publishing the Wulamoc quarterly, Octoraro #22's newsletter. In addition, the corresponding secretary deals with all lodge correspondence, including letters and mailings.
Recording Secretary
The recording secretary is responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all executive committee meetings, and for distributing pervious minutes at all future meetings.
Lodge Advisor
The Lodge Advisor is the adult advisor to the Lodge Chief and all of the officers. Octoraro's current Lodge Advisor is Bruce Goodman. Bruce is a vigil honor member of Octoraro #22. He is also an assistaint scoutmaster with Troop 73 from Valley Forge.
