Membership Requirements 

Unit leader approval. To become eligible for election, a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America and have the approval of his unit leader prior to the election. The unit leader must certify his Scout spirit (i.e., his adherence to the Scout Oath and Law and active participation in unit activities). The unit leader must also certify that the nominee meets all specified requirements at the time of this annual election.

 Youth membership qualifications. All members of, or candidates for membership in, the Order of the Arrow who are under 21 years of age shall be considered youth members or candidates for youth membership, subject to meeting the following requirements:

1. Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.

2. Hold the First Class rank of the Boy Scouts of America, as a minimum.

3. After registration with a troop or team,  have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two‑year period prior to the election. The 15 days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps.

 Candidates for youth membership shall be elected by other youth members in accordance with policies set forth by the national Order of the Arrow committee.

 Scouts with special needs. The Order of the Arrow is com­mitted to including Scouts and Scouters who have special needs because of a disability. In the case of special needs troops, election teams should follow the same procedures, keeping in mind that any Scout who is classified as a youth member of a troop, regardless of age, will be considered a youth (voting) member. All other membership require­ments remain the same.

When inducting a Scout or Scouter with a special need, as with any candidate, lodges should make the activities challenging within the individual's limitations, and plan accordingly. Accessibility to ceremonial circles, sleeping sites, and appropriate work projects should be taken into consideration to ensure a meaningful induction. (See the appendix for Guidelines for Assisting Scouts and Scouters With Special Needs.)

 Adult membership qualifications. All members of, or candi­dates for membership in, the Order of the Arrow who are 21 years of age or older and who are registered members of the Boy Scouts of America shall be considered adult mem­bers or candidates for adult membership. Individuals shall be selected as candidates based on the following:

 1. Adult leaders in units: Each year,  upon holding a troop or team election for youth candidates that results in at least one youth candidate being elected, the unit com­mittee may nominate one adult to the lodge adult selection committee, composed of the lodge adviser, the chairman of the council committee on which the lodge adviser serves, and the lodge staff adviser. Troops or teams having more than 50 registered active youth members may nominate an additional adult for every 50 registered, active youth, or fraction thereof. For example, a troop having 51 to 100 registered, active youths may nominate two adults each year if at least one youth has been elected. Recommendations of the adult selection committee, with the approval of the Scout executive, serving as Supreme Chief of the Fire, will be candidates for induction, provided the follow­ing conditions are fulfilled:

·         Selection of the adult is based on the ability to per­form the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and not for recognition of service, includ­ing current or prior achievement and positions.

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

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

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

excerpt from GOA-2008.pdf