1. Mission

1. It is the mission of our lodge to achieve the purpose of the Order of The Arrow as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America in the council through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.

1. Name and Affiliation of the Lodge

1. The name of this Lodge of the Order of the Arrow shall be known as: Ashwanchi Kinta #193

    

2. The lodge shall be affiliated with the Choctaw Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. The Lodge shall be under the supervision of the Council Camping Committee and the administrative authority of the Council Scout Executive or a designee.

    

3. The totem of this Lodge shall be the Busy Beaver.

    

4. The Lodge may be broken into Chapters if the membership numbers will support it. The Chapters shall be under the supervision of the Council Camping Committee and the administrative authority of the Council Scout Executive or a designee.

1. Membership

1. Order of the Arrow elections will only be held during Camp Promotion nights by an OA Election Team.
2. Camp Promotions and OA elections will conclude 30 Days prior to the opening of Summer Camp.

** C. The procedures for the Ordeal shall be as stated in the latest edition of the Order of the Arrow

handbook and the Administration Guide for the Ordeal.

**  D. Brotherhood membership will be in accordance with the requirements in the latest edition of the

Order of the Arrow handbook and the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisers.

**  E. Vigil honor will be in accordance with the requirements in the latest edition of the Order of

the Arrow handbook and the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisers.

**  F. Members must be registered in the Boy Scouts of America.

**  G. Membership in more than one lodge is not permitted.

1. Lodge and Chapter Officers

1. The Lodge Officers of this Lodge shall be:

1. Lodge Vice Chief

1. Chapter Officers of this Lodge shall be:

    

   1. Chapter Chief

2. Lodge and Chapter Officer Elections

1. Elections of Lodge and/or Chapter Officers will be held at the Fall Fellowship which must be held in council. The Officers will be installed during the winter banquet usually held in December and will take office on Jan 1st.

2. The Lodge Officer election shall be held first then Chapter elections.   All elected Officers must be approved by the Supreme Chief of the Fire or his designee.

1. Lodge and Chapter Committees

1. The Lodge shall appoint such committees as required, with the approval of the lodge Council of Chiefs, to coordinate special lodge activities during the year.  The Lodge Chief Shall appoint chairman to supervise committees. The following are examples of such committees:

1. Camp Promotion Chairman
2. Candidate Elections Chairman
3. Ordeal Master
4. Elangomat Master

1. Newsletter Editor

1. Banquet Coordinator
2. Fellowship Coordinator

1. Adults in the lodge serve as advisors to various committees, projects, and programs in the lodge. Every lodge officer, committee chairman and chapter officer requires the assistance of an adult Scouter as his advisor. The success of the lodge program is greatly dependent upon the efforts of these people. It is the responsibility of each adult to volunteer to help in the area where he has the capability. While the youth members actually operate the activities, the adult supplies the push and stabilizing effect without which the program would fail.

1. Voting

    

   A. Only those current dues paying youth members of the

   Lodge will be allowed to vote in Lodge elections and special Lodge activities.

    

   ** B. Adult Scouters, Age 21 or older, do NOT have a vote in matters of Lodge business.

2. Lodge Dues

1. All Order of the Arrow funds will be handled through the

1. Council Office and will go through all normal accounting procedures.
2. Dues will be set by the Council of Chiefs.
3. A family discount will be set by the Council of Chiefs. (i.e. $10, $9, $8..)
4. Dues will run from calendar year to calendar year.
5. Dues for the succeeding year will be paid on or before the Annual Banquet.
6. Previous members may become active by paying the present calendar year dues.
7. Members transferring into the Lodge will pay current year dues, present their membership card from their previous Lodge and will furnish records information from the previous Lodge.

** I. Lifetime dues are not in accordance with Lodge policy and will not be accepted.

1. Lodge Insignia

1. Lodge insignia flaps will be inventoried and managed by the Financial Advisor.
2. Membership flaps will be available to all paid up members.
3. A RESTRICTED Brotherhood flap will be available for all paid up Brotherhood and Vigil members with the following restrictions:

1. All paid up Brotherhood and Vigil members are eligible for 1 patch a year
2. Brotherhood members who attend 3 of the 6 scheduled activities are eligible for 1 additional patch.
3. Brotherhood members who attend 6 of the 6 scheduled activities are eligible for 1 additional patch.
4. Vigil members who attend 2 of the 6 scheduled activities are eligible for 1 additional patch
5. Vigil members who attend 4 of the 6 scheduled activities are eligible for 1 additional patch
6. Vigil members who attend 6 of the 6 scheduled activities are eligible for 1 additional patch
7. Scheduled Events will include:

• Spring Fellowship/Ordeal
• Conclave
• OA Work Day
• Fall Ordeal
• Fall Fellowship
• Christmas Banquet

1. Lodge Expenditures

1. The Council of Chiefs shall approve all expenses paid by the Council Office.
2. The Council of Chiefs shall approve an expense budget for all activities that the Activity Chairman may spend against.
3. The Council of Chiefs must have the approval of the lodge on all expenses over $100.00 unless it is a specific activity that has revenue to offset the expenses (i.e. conclaves, fund raisers, Ordeals, Fellowships, and Banquets.) Note: these should be budgeted items noted on line item 2.
4. The Lodge will maintain a minimum balance of $500.00 over the amount on consignment with the Council Office. Going below this minimum balance requires approval from the lodge and the Council Scout Executive or his designee.

1. Uniforming

1. Lodge Insignia

    

   Lodge insignia (pocket flaps, sashes, coup necklaces, etc...) shall be worn correctly and only by current members of this Lodge.

    

2. Lodge Trading Post

1. Trading post material will be available at the Council office and during all Lodge special activities.

    

2. The Lodge Trading Post will maintain an adequate supply of Lodge insignia including but not limited to Lodge pocket flaps, hats, tee-shirts, neckerchiefs, back-patches, pins, sashes, and books, coffee mugs, etc...

    

3. The Lodge Trading Post will be maintained by the Lodge Treasure and the Lodge Staff Adviser.

1. The Lodge will hold the following scheduled yearly activities:

• Annual Planning Conference
• Brotherhood
• Spring Ordeal
• Fall Ordeal
• Fall Fellowship
• Winter Banquet

1. Activities that include a meal or meals will follow a family price structure.

    

2. The Lodge will hold at least six (6) Council of Chiefs meetings per year.

** D. All meetings of the Lodge shall be opened with the Obligation of the Order of the Arrow.

1. Ordeal

1. Spring Ordeal

• The Spring Ordeal will be held prior to the opening of summer camp. The primary purpose of this ordeal will be to set up summer camp and/or other approved projects. The balance of those candidates that were called out during summer camp of the previous year will be invited to attend this Ordeal to complete their Ordeal membership.

1. Fall Ordeal

• The Fall Ordeal will be held in September. The primary purpose of this Ordeal will be to prepare camp for winter and to repair camp assets or other approved projects.

2. Call outs

1. Call out ceremonies will be held at summer camp

3. New Candidate Notification

1. The Lodge Secretary will notify each candidate in writing prior to their arrival at the Ordeal of the equipment they will need to bring.

1. Heavy Jacket
2. Ground cover and/or poncho
3. Sleeping bag
4. Work clothes
5. Work gloves
6. Scout uniform                             
7. Canteen
8. Knife (NO SHEETH KNIVES)
9. Emergency Flashlight
10. Necessary Medication
11. Matches (ARE NOT ALLOWED)

1. Every effort shall be made to insure proper health and safety concerns of each candidate. Those candidates with physical or medical conditions will be identified as soon as possible upon arrival at the Ordeal.

         D.     New Candidate Packet

                  1.      Each new candidate upon completion of the Ordeal

                           will receive a packet containing the following material:

**                        a. OA Handbook

**                        b. Membership card

Spring Ordeal (to expire December 31^st of that year.)

Fall Ordeal (to expire December 31^st of the following year.)

**                        c.   Ordeal Sash

1. Council of Chiefs

1. The executive committee of the Lodge shall be known as the Council of Chiefs. The Council of Chiefs shall be composed of:

• The elected Lodge Officers
• The immediate past Lodge Chief
• Chapter Chiefs
• Lodge and Chapter Advisers
• Camping Committee Chairman or delegate.
• The Supreme Chief of the Fire or his designee.

1. The Council of Chiefs meetings shall be open to all members of the Lodge. However, a closed executive session may be called by the Lodge Chief.

    

2. The Council of Chiefs meetings will follow the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

    

3. Voting

1. Only those current dues paying youth members of the Lodge will be allowed to vote in Lodge elections and special lodge activities.

    

2. Only youth members of the Council of Chiefs will be allowed to vote in Lodge business. Those members with voting power shall consist of the following officers.

                           a.      Lodge Officers (each officer will have one vote)

                                   1.      Lodge Vice Chief (administration)

                                   2.      Lodge Vice Chief (program)

                                   3.      Lodge Secretary

                                   4.      Lodge Treasurer

                           b.      Chapter Officers

• Each Chapter Chief or Chapter Representative will have one vote in Lodge business.

1. The Lodge Chief will abstain from voting unless there is a tie vote. The Chief will cast the tie breaking vote.

    

2. A minimum of two/thirds (2/3) of the Lodge Officers

                                      must be present to vote on Lodge business.

    

3. A majority of fifty-one percent (51%) is needed in order to pass.

3.      The Supreme Chief of the Fire will have final approval of all Lodge business.

1. Removal of Lodge and Chapter Officers

1. Lodge Chief, Vice-Chiefs, Secretary, Treasurer

1. When it becomes apparent that a Lodge Officer is not carrying out their responsibilities as officer.

                        Said activities may include but are not limited to the following example:

• The Chief has missed two activities or Council of Chiefs meetings

• The Vice Chief of Administration will be appointed to act as Chief

• The Vice Chief will call a special Council of Chiefs meeting to remove or retain

• The Vice Chief will give a minimum of seven (7) days notice of this meeting.
• The Lodge Chief will be permitted to present his defense at this meeting

1. This section shall not be misconstrued to prohibit an officer from missing an activity or Council of Chiefs meeting, in the event of a family or other type of emergency.

1. The Lodge Adviser should counsel with the Officer to find out the problem as to why they are not performing his duties as he had agreed.

    

   a.      If the Officer who is being counseled desires to resign, the Lodge Chief will present his resignation letter at the next Council of Chiefs meeting. The Council of Chiefs will then appoint a new officer to serve the remainder of the Term.

    

2. If  for any reason the above officers fail to perform their duties or to fulfill their responsibilities, the Council of Chiefs will vote to remove or retain the elected Lodge officer.

           B.   Chapter Chief

1. One of the duties of the Chapter Chief is to represent this Chapter at the Council of Chiefs meetings. If he is going to be absent from these meetings, he will contact his Vice Chief or designee to represent him and the Chapter.
2. If the Chapter Chief or Officers are not carrying out their responsibilities, the Chapter would recommend that they appoint a new Chapter Officer at the next Chapter meeting and will follow the same rules as the removal of a Lodge Officer except on a Chapter level.

1. Lodge and Chapter Advisers

B. The term of office will be determined by the Supreme Chief of the Fire.

1. The Financial Adviser will be responsible to report all Lodge financial transactions and the status of the Lodge/Council financial accounts at Council of Chiefs meetings.

    

2. The Financial Adviser will be responsible to inventory all Lodge property and trading post materials.

1. Lodge Publication

    

            A.     The Lodge publication shall be known as the "Beaver Dam".

    

   1. The Lodge Secretary and/or Editor shall be responsible

   for publication items for the newsletter.

    

   2. The Beaver Dam shall be published on a quarterly basis

   and will promote upcoming Lodge activities.

    

   3. The council office will be responsible for printing and

   mailing.

    

2. Amending Sections

1. All unmarked sections are subject to amendment at any regular or special meeting of this lodge as long as there is 30 days notice of the meeting.

    

2. All sections marked with a (**) indicates rules that cannot be changed by lodge vote. These

sections are required by national policy and the Order of the Arrow Handbook.

1. Amendments