{{UnitName}}

Dear {{FullName}},

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is an honor society for Scouts who truly live by the Scout Oath and Law. By recognizing these Scouts, they inspire others to membership in the future. OA members all share certain Scout skills and help to promote camping within your unit. Members can grow in their leadership skills and further benefit your unit as they encourage a lifetime of cheerful service in other Scouts. All troops, crews, and ships with eligible Scouts should hold an election by {{LastElectionDate}}. You, as the unit leader, get to choose when and where the election will be held.

For units that do not have anyone eligible for an election, we still encourage them to host the Order of the Arrow Lodge for a brief "visitation" as an introduction to the organization; for Scouts who are not yet familiar with the Order of the Arrow and to have their annual camp promotion visit.

To be eligible for youth membership in the OA you must:

1. Be a registered member of Scouting America.

2. Be under the age of 21, and hold one of the following ranks corresponding to the type of unit in which they are being considered for election: Scouts BSA First Class rank, Venturing Discovery Award, or Sea Scout Ordinary rank, or higher.

3. Following approval by the unit leader, be elected by youth members of their unit.

4. Have completed 15 nights of camping within 2 years, including 1 long-term camp of at least 5 nights and 10 nights of short-term camping. The balance of the camping (10 nights) must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps of, at most, three nights each. Ship nights meet the camping requirement for Sea Scouts.

5. Assistant scoutmasters 18-20 years old may also be eligible, so long as the above requirements are met.

Before your unit's election, the unit leader must affirm a nominee's Scout spirit and youth membership qualifications. Voting is based on the nominee's spirit of brotherhood, cheerfulness, and willingness to serve others.

To schedule an Order of the Arrow election for your unit, please click here:

Schedule Election

The election should take place at a regular unit meeting or camping experience, with 50% attendance of both youth and adults. An election team from the OA will be present to conduct the election.

PLEASE NOTE: WE ASK THAT YOU INCLUDE THE NUMBER OF YOUTH AND ARROWMEN WITHIN YOUR UNIT IN THE SPECIAL NOTES AREA WHEN SUBMITTING YOUR UNITS REQUEST.

For more information on Unit Elections please visit https://unitelections.ahcoa165.org.

We also ask that you please share the following information onto Arrowmen within your unit:

• Annual Lodge Membership Dues are due at the beginning of the year; they can be paid at https:/dues.ahcoa165.org.

• Update you contact information by visiting https://update.ahcoa165.org.

Please encourage anyone in your unit who has not been involved in the OA for a while to strongly consider it, adults included! The OA has a lot to offer; our calendar of events can be found by visiting https://events.ahcoa165.org.

LASTLY, the emails listed below are both Youth & Adult. Please remember to follow Safeguarding Youth Guidelines when sending emails or email us at unitelections@ahcoa165.org.

If you have any questions, please contact our election coordinators listed below.

 Yours in Scouting,

 {{ElectionContactYouthName}} (Youth)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactYouthEmail}}

 {{ElectionContactAdultName}} (Adult)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactAdultEmail}}

 {{LodgeWebsiteUrl}}

{{UnitName}}

Dear {{FullName}},

We’re following up on a request to schedule an Order of the Arrow (OA) Election for your unit. To date, we’ve noticed that no election has been scheduled for your unit. Don’t miss out on the opportunities the OA creates for your eligible Scouts! They learn valuable leadership skills and are encouraged to serve and lead their unit.

To schedule an Order of the Arrow election for your unit, please click here:

Schedule Election

PLEASE NOTE: WE ASK THAT YOU INCLUDE THE NUMBER OF YOUTH AND ARROWMEN WITHIN YOUR UNIT IN THE SPECIAL NOTES AREA WHEN SUBMITTING YOUR UNITS REQUEST THIS HELPS THE LODGE PLAN FOR THE ELECTION.

The Link above is also the link used to Schedule your Unit's yearly Camp/OA Promotions. If you have no eligible members, this year but would like to have a Camp/OA Promotion done please use the link above and uncheck the unit election box.

If your unit would not like a visitation from the Order of the Arrow this year, You MUST Email us at unitelections@ahcoa165.org and decline the visitation that way, we just ask that you please put in your name, unit, and the reason you are declining a visit in the email.

Again, for more information on our Unit Elections please visit - https://unitelections.ahcoa165.org

A Friendly Reminder- Please follow Safeguarding Youth Guidelines when sending emails - you can also email us at unitelections@ahcoa165.org.

If you do not desire to have an election, or do not have any youth eligible, please contact our election coordinators listed below. We’re happy to address any concerns or answer any questions you may have.

Yours in Scouting, 

{{ElectionContactYouthName}} (Youth)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactYouthEmail}}

{{ElectionContactAdultName}} (Adult)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactAdultEmail}}

{{LodgeWebsiteUrl}}

{{UnitName}}

 Dear {{FullName}},

We’re contacting you to confirm your unit’s Order of the Arrow (OA) {{VisitType}} on {{ElectionDate}}. If you need to reschedule the {{VisitType}} or have any questions, please contact our {{VisitType}} coordinators listed below. We’re happy to address any concerns or answer any questions you may have. Our election team is excited to meet your Scouts and explain what the OA is all about!

This system will be sending an Election Preparation Email. In this soon to come email there is an Online Link to submit your Eligible Youth and an Excel Template to use if the Online Form does not work.

This is done so the Lodge can create the required paperwork needed for your Units Election.

By sending us your units' eligible youth ahead of time, this cuts down on the prep time of creating / filling out the required paperwork the election team has to do on site and gives both your unit and our election team the needed time to hold the election and ask / answer questions and get your unit back to their meeting.

A Friendly Reminder- The Emails Listed below are both Youth and Adult. Please Remember to follow Safeguarding Youth Guidelines when sending emails - you can also email us at: unitelections@ahcoa165.org.

Yours in Scouting,

{{ElectionContactYouthName}} (Youth)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactYouthEmail}}

{{ElectionContactAdultName}} (Adult)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactAdultEmail}}

{{LodgeWebsiteUrl}}

{{UnitName}}

Dear {{FullName}},

In preparation for your unit’s Order of the Arrow (OA) Election on {{ElectionDate}}, we’re providing the following information to help conduct a successful election.

To ensure a successful election, please announce the date in advance to your unit members so they will be sure to attend that evening. Remember, at least 50% of your unit’s active members must be present for our team to conduct an election.

Before the election, please submit a list of the eligible Scouts in your unit. Include their name, gender, date of birth, Scouting member ID, address, phone number, parent email address, and (if different) the Scout’s email address. For your convenience, an Excel template is attached to this email that can be filled out and emailed back to us, or you can submit the information online:

Submit Eligible Youth

If using the Excel Template, Please Email it to- unitelections@ahcoa165.org

Also, we need to know how many youth members are in the unit and how many of them are Arrowmen. Please Email these Numbers to - unitelections@ahcoa165.org . Thank You

By sending us your units eligible youth ahead of time, this cuts down on the prep time of creating / filling out the required paperwork the election team has to do on site and gives both your unit and our election team the needed time to hold the election and ask / answer questions and get your unit back to their meeting.

If you need to reschedule the election or have any questions, please contact our election coordinators listed below. We’re happy to address any concerns or answer any questions you may have.

Yours in Scouting,

{{ElectionContactYouthName}} (Youth)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactYouthEmail}}

{{ElectionContactAdultName}} (Adult)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactAdultEmail}}

{{LodgeWebsiteUrl}}

{{UnitName}}

Dear {{FullName}},

This message is a friendly reminder of your unit’s Order of the Arrow (OA) Election on {{ElectionDate}}. We’re excited to involve new members in our organization, so please read carefully to prepare for a successful election. We can’t wait to share the opportunities the OA creates for your eligible Scouts! They learn valuable leadership skills and are encouraged to serve and lead their unit.

To ensure a successful election, please announce the date in advance to your unit members so they will be sure to attend that evening. Remember, at least 50% of your unit’s active members must be present to conduct an election.

Before the election, please submit the eligible Scouts in your unit. Include their name, gender, date of birth, Scouting member ID, address, phone number, parent email address, and if different their email address. For your convenience, an Excel template is attached to this email that can be filled out and emailed back to us or you can submit the information online:

Submit Eligible Youth

If using the Excel Template, Please Email it to- unitelections@ahcoa165.org

Also, we need to know how many youth members are in the unit and how many of them are Arrowmen. Please Email these Numbers to - unitelections@ahcoa165.org. Thank You

By sending us your units eligible youth ahead of time, this cuts down on the prep time of creating / filling out the required paperwork the election team has to do on site and gives both your unit and our election team the needed time to hold the election and ask / answer questions and get your unit back to their meeting.

If you have Submitted or Emailed us your List of Eligible Scouts and emailed the number of Youth Members/Arrowmen within your unit, already thank you, and please know these emails are sent automatically via our Inductions Module.

If you need to reschedule the election or have any questions, please contact our election coordinators listed below. We’re happy to address any concerns or answer any questions you may have.

Yours in Scouting,

{{ElectionContactYouthName}} (Youth)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactYouthEmail}}

{{ElectionContactAdultName}} (Adult)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactAdultEmail}}

{{LodgeWebsiteUrl}}

{{UnitName}}

 Dear {{FullName}},

{{#if AreCandidatesElected}}

Thank you for hosting an Order of the Arrow (OA) Unit Election on {{ElectionDate}}. Below is a list of the Scouts in your unit that are elected to OA membership candidacy:

{{#each Candidates}} {{CandidateFullName}}

{{CandidateAddress}}

{{CandidatePhone}}

{{CandidateEmailAddress}}

{{CandidateEmailAddressParent}}

{{/each}}Please confirm this information is correct. If not, please advise what information needs to be corrected. Please double check the email address for the parent and the candidate; email is how we primarily follow up with candidates and members.

Each year, if the unit has elected at least one youth candidate, your unit committee can nominate registered unit adult leaders (21 years or older) to the lodge adult selection committee. The number of nominated adults cannot exceed two-thirds of the elected youth candidates, you may round up if necessary. Additionally, the current unit leader (if serving for at least 12 months) can be nominated. The adult selection committee will recommend candidates for induction (with the approval of the Scout Executive), provided all conditions are met.

 1. Selection of the adult is based on the ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose and is not for recognition of service (including current and prior achievements and positions).

2. The individual will be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities that fulfill the purpose of the Order.

3. The camping requirements set forth for youth members are fulfilled.

4. The adult leader’s membership will provide a positive example for the growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.

 To nominate an adult to membership in the Order of the Arrow, please click here:

Nominate An Adult

Please encourage your newly Elected Candidates to get started on their inductions journey and register for their Induction and remind your unit’s Brotherhood Eligible Candidates and other Arrowmen to join them at the next Induction Weekend.

{{else}}

Thank you for hosting an Order of the Arrow (OA) Unit Election on {{ElectionDate}}. No Scouts were elected from your unit. We look forward to a continued partnership with your unit and hope to elect Scouts to OA membership next year!

 We hope you have a great scouting season, and we hope to see you next year.

{{/if}}

As always, if you have any questions, please contact our election coordinators listed below. We’re happy to address any concerns or answer any questions you may have.

Yours in Scouting,

{{ElectionContactYouthName}} (Youth)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactYouthEmail}}

{{ElectionContactAdultName}} (Adult)

{{ChapterName}}{{LodgeName}}

{{ElectionContactAdultEmail}}

{{LodgeWebsiteUrl}}