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 - Can a unit leader add additional requirements for membership in the OA?
Q. Ray, I would like clarification on the Scoutmaster's option to restrict candidates from being elected to the Order. It is...
Ask the Chairman - When will the Centurion Award recognition take place at NOAC?
Q. Ray, When will the Centurion Award recipients be honored at NOAC? There are some award recipients within the lodge that...
Ask the Chairman - Can volunteer time be counted towards the camping requirement for membership?
Q. Dear Ray, We have a Scout that is three nights short in meeting the two year, 15-night camping requirements. He...
Ask the Chairman - How should a Scout be inducted if he is moving before his induction?
Q. Dear Ray, The OA had elections at our last troop meeting of 2015 and they voted my son as their...
Ask the Chairman - Does the OA trading post take suggestions for new items?
Q: Ray, Our lodge has a lot of fun and exciting products that we do a great job of selling. I...
Ask the Chairman - Members of the National Order of the Arrow Committee
Q. It seems like the members of the National Order of the Arrow Committee are a bunch of old men...
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...