Youth Elections

To be elected as an OA member, a youth must be a registered Scout, under the age of 21, and hold the Scouts BSA First Class rank, Venturing Discovery Award, Sea Scout Ordinary rank or higher. Fifteen days and nights of camping must be completed which includes one (but not more than one) five day long-term camping period. Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow scouts, following approval by their Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor or Sea Scout Skipper.

Passaconaway Lodge has recently moved to a modern system to manage elections. Unit’s should receive an email from our Lodgemaster system with a link to sign up for an election. If you did not and would like to schedule an election, please contact your Chapter (District) Adviser. Contact information can be found here.

Adult Nominations

Adult membership is available for anyone over 21 years of age, and candidates shall be selected based upon the following criteria and based on where the candidate holds primary registration:

A. Adult Leaders in Units: Adults (according to the ratios below) may be recommended to the Lodge Adult Selection Committee each year upon submission in writing by a Unit Committee for consideration as a candidate for participation in the induction process provided the following conditions are fulfilled:

1. Selection of the adult is based upon their ability to perform the requisite functions and not for recognition of past service, including current or prior achievement and position.
2. The individual will be an asset to the Order due to demonstrated skills and abilities which fulfill the purpose of the OA.
3. The camping requirements set forth for youth members are completely fulfilled.
4. The adult leader’s membership will provide a positive role model for the growth and development of the youth members of the Lodge.
5. The unit has held a youth election that same calendar year.
6. Once a unit election has been completed and approved, Lodgemaster will send another email to the adult leadership confirming the election results and will include a link to submit adult nominations. Once submitted, these will be reviewed by the Lodge adult selection committee for a decision. Candidates will receive an email with the decision.

Adult Nominations ratios: The number of adults nominated can be no more than one-third of the number of youth candidates elected, rounded up where the number of youth candidates is not a multiple of three. In addition to the one-third limit, the unit committee may nominate the currently-serving unit leader (but not assistant leaders), as long as he or she has served as unit leader for at least the previous twelve months.

B. Adult Leader In Council And District Positions: An adult may be recommended upon submission in writing of the Adult Nominations Form to the Lodge Adult Selection Committee by a District Chairman, Council President, Scout Executive, or members of the scouting professional staff as long as:

1. All requirements previously set forth in Paragraph A for adult leaders in units shall be fulfilled. There is an exception concerning the camping requirement which may be waived at the discretion of the Lodge Adviser or Council Executive.

2. The selection of an adult member shall be at the complete discretion of the Adult Selection Committee, who shall vote regarding the approval or disapproval of each proposed candidate.

3.  An adult who holds a registration in a unit and in a District or Council position must be nominated from the body where the primary registration is held.

4. Nominations must be submitted online here. This link is only for District and Council nominations. Once submitted, these will be reviewed by the Lodge adult selection committee for a decision. Candidates will receive an email with the decision.