Ask the Chairman
The national Order of the Arrow chairman answers your questions on a regular basis. You may contact the chairman, Mike Hoffman, at @email.
Ask the Chairman - Two-Year Period
Q. Dear Ray: There has been some confusion regarding a "time period" requirement. Because of the wording "during the two-year period prior...
Ask the Chairman - Non-Members at Ceremonies
Q. Hi Ray, I would like to know if parents / non-scouters are allowed at the Ordeal Ceremony? Bruce A. Bruce: Thanks for your...
Ask the Chairman - Adult Candidate Nomination
Q. Ray, Two questions regarding adult nominations for membership: Group #1 says only the Scoutmaster and the unit committee chairman sign the...
Ask the Chairman - Will there be a centennial edition of the OA Handbook?
Q. Ray, I have made a display of all OA handbooks (different covers) from 1948 to present day. There has been...
Ask the Chairman - How does a lodge handle finances for scholarships?
Q. Dear Ray, Our chapter has recently received donations for utilization as scholarships to offset the expenses of OA Trail Crew,...
Ask the Chairman - Should ceremonies be conducted shirtless?
Q. Ray, What are your thoughts on OA ceremonies being conducted shirtless? I personally find it distasteful and disrespectful - at...
Ask the Chairman - Are there scripts available for the installation of youth officers?
Q. Hi Ray, I was wondering if you would be willing to share the officer installation script that you use at...
Ask the Chairman - Are lodges required to use LodgeMaster to contact members?
Q: Ray, I am wondering if there is an actual requirement to use LodgeMaster to communicate with the lodge members? Including...
Ask the Chairman - What’s a new Order of the Arrow dad to do when his son isn’t yet elected?
Q. Ray, I am an assistant Scoutmaster and was called out to the Order of the Arrow during our most recent...
Ask the Chairman - Are there regulations on how many lodge flaps a lodge may issue for wear?
Q. Dear Ray, I was wondering about something our lodge adviser had said recently about the lodge flap guidelines. He stated...
Ask the Chairman - Can a Scout executive remove an elected lodge officer from office?
Q. Dear Ray, I was recently elected to be the 2016 lodge chief. The vote was passed and had the approval...
Ask the Chairman - How can I submit my updated lodge history book?
Q. Hello Ray, I am the historian for my lodge and I have updated our lodge history book to include the...