Election Team Material

If asked, we urge you to answer the call and become an election team member. Your Chapter Vice Chief of Administration should know most of the nuts and bolts of conducting an election, but here are some tips for YOU to making an impactful election.

  • Explain what the Order of the Arrow is. Many scouts only have a vague idea of what the OA is. They might have heard rumors of scouts dressed as Native Americans and a weekend of being alone at camp.  The election is your chance to explain what the Order is really about; this may include the Order being an honor society, a service organization, and a load of fun. If there is time, briefly share the most appealing parts of the OA experience such as Conclave, patch trading, leadership opportunities, etc.  The OA is an opportunity for the Scout to become a better member of their unit.
  • Paint a picture of what the ideal candidate should look like. An ideal candidate should follow the Scout Oath and Law, be a positive example to others, and improve the unit as a whole. Think of who you have admired at different points in your scouting career. Remind the scouts, that the election is NOT a popularity contest.
  • Talk about your own experience. During an election, the most important thing is that the team connects with the scouts on a personal level. Being able to talk about their own personal experiences and how much fun they have had in the OA improves retention and decreases the chance of a new member becoming a “sash n’ dash”
  • Promote summer camp, especially Camp Durant. What, really? This might be a surprise, but promoting Camp Durant or camps, in general, does have a place in the election. While not an actual part of the election itself per se, camping promotion is something the order can and should do. (It will also get your chapter points for awards such as JTE and ROTH)

Keep these tips in mind as you visit units this year. Although it is not an exhaustive list of what should be covered, these pointers will help aggrandize the success of your team’s impression on the scouts. If you are not asked to be on a team but would like to, communicate your interest to your chapter’s Vice Chief of Administration.