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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 - Crossover Ceremonies Performed by OA Members

Q. Dear Ray, We are trying to pull together enough OA members from our troop and the local lodge to conduct...

Ask the Chairman - Can Scouts who are 18-20 be elected to the Order?

Q. Ray, Why can't young Scouters 18-20 be elected/nominated into the OA? How does the OA youth age range effect election...

Ask the Chairman - What training is available for chapter advisers?

Q. Ray, Recently in many councils there has been a big push the get direct contact leaders trained. They have laid...

Ask the Chairman - Can a first year Scout meet the camping requirement for OA membership?

Q. Ray,   I am seeking clarification on the wording of the camping requirement for OA membership. The "two-year period prior to...

Ask the Chairman - How do the national officers fit all of their travels into their school schedules

Q: Ray, In your role, you work closely with the national officers. How do you work with them to ensure they...

Ask the Chairman - National Order of the Arrow Committee

Q. Mr. Chairman, How do you become part of a national committee? Samuel A. Hello Samuel, Thank you for your question. The appointment to the...

Ask the Chairman - Lodge/Chapter Chief

Q. Every so often we do see illegal lodge/chapter chief patches being worn. These have been manufactured locally and are...

Ask the Chairman - Election for Lone Scout

Ray, We have a "lone scout", the only remaining young man in his troop.  Long story short, he would like to...

Ask the Chairman - Eagle Scout Congratulations Letter

Q. Ray, My son, Brayden, just completed his Eagle Scout board of review. I understand that it is customary to ask...

Ask the Chairman - Can lodges provide annual scholarships?

Q. Hello Ray, Are lodges allowed to give out an annual scholarship to a worthy Arrowman, if done properly? In Brotherhood, Joseph A. Dear...

Ask the Chairman - To whom are the NOAC promotional patches intended to be distributed?

Q. Dear Ray: I would like to know if the NOAC promotional patches are exclusively reserved for NOAC contingent participants or...

Ask the Chairman - Is there an age requirement for an OA Troop/Team Representative Adviser?

Q. Dear Ray, Does an assistant Scoutmaster acting as the troop representative adviser need to be at least 21 years old...