Committees

Operating committees. For the lodge to achieve its camping promotion and cheerful service objectives, a number of operating committees must be organized to implement its programs.

Committee chairs are appointed by the lodge chief with the approval of the lodge adviser. They become members of the executive committee and may pick their own committee members subject to the approval of the lodge chief.

Each operating committee should have one or more adult committee advisers to guide committee work. They are appointed by the lodge adviser in consultation with the lodge chief and are approved by the Scout executive or staff adviser. It is the adviser’s job to provide information, instruction, and coaching for the committee members.

Every Arrowman should serve on one or more committees. In this way, all members share responsibility for lodge activities and projects. Lodge officers should not be burdened with all the details of committee meetings and related

projects.

Some larger lodges broaden their committee structure to include editorial, public relations, American Indian dance team, costuming committees, etc.

Lodges organized by chapters should have corresponding chapter-level committees with the chapter committee chairs serving on the corresponding lodge level committees.

Here are some of the basic lodge operating committees:

Activities Committee 

Develops plans for two or three membership meeting activities for the lodge each year and is responsible for carrying them out.

Camping Promotion Committee 

Develops plans for camping promotion in consultation with the council camping committee; develops promotion helps such as “Where to Go Camping” resources, visual aids, and movies or videos of camping activities.

Ceremonial Committee 

Recruits and trains ceremonialists for pre-Ordeal, Ordeal, and Brotherhood ceremonies, and for the Vigil Honor unless that responsibility is managed by a Vigil committee. Researches appropriate ceremonial attire, procures or assists members in making it, and ensures the attire is clean, properly stored and in good repair. Maintains ceremonial circles used in the performance of all lodge ceremonies. Conducts lodge and unit ceremonies when requested.

Communication Committee 

Prepares lodge newsletters and social media campaigns, develops and maintains lodge websites, organizes and operates the network of OA unit representatives to keep units informed, and promotes participation in OA events and activities. Some lodges may want to create a separate OA unit representative committee.

Finance Committee 

Draws up an annual budget based on administrative and program needs, obtains information from the council service center, issues regular finance reports, and is responsible for maintaining the financial status of the lodge.

Inductions Committee 

Plans and administers Ordeals, recruits and trains Elangomats and Nimats, administers the Brotherhood hike, and conducts new member orientation.

Leadership Development Committee 

Plans an annual conference to build members’ leadership and job-specific skills, coordinates continued leadership training throughout the year based on current lodge needs.

Membership Committee 

Checks on inactive members and maintains membership records, sends out letters each year to identify active members and checks address changes, and sends letters to Ordeal members eligible for Brotherhood membership.

Service Committee 

Suggests a yearly schedule of service projects, obtains lodge approval, and makes complete plans for accomplishing the work.

Unit Elections Committee 

Sends out information to unit leaders regarding candidate election procedures, organizes and trains election teams, schedules visits of election teams to units, and records the results of elections.

Ad Hoc Committee 

Committees are sometimes appointed on a temporary basis to carry out some specific assignments such as lodge officer nominations, Vigil Honor nominations, lodge rule revisions, or running a single service project, a banquet, or other major lodge activity.