The Language of the OA encompasses style, usage, and grammar norms observed by both Scouting America and the Order of the Arrow. The OA has developed this resource so that communications at every level of the organization are more consistent. Through periodic updates of terminology, it will become a more comprehensive primary resource to ensure chapters, lodges, sections and regions are aware of terms and style specific to the OA.
For more information on broader Scouting terms not commonly used in day-to-day OA operations, please visit The Language of Scouting and BSA Style Manual. To suggest an update and/or edit of The Language of the OA, please email @email.
The youth Arrowman elected by thier peer section chiefs to assist the national chief. Assumes the role of national chief, if needed, and serves as a voting member of the National Order of the Arrow Committee.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name. Do not use a hyphen; can be abbreviated as NVC after first use.
A seminar conducted over the Internet; typically focused on new policy and procedures, training, and event details.
Capitalize as shown.
See "American Indian," which is preferred.
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The conference radio station.
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Abbreviation of the full name of the Order of the Arrow. Refrain from using "Order" as a stand-alone abbreviation.
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The OA Camp Coordinator, or OACC, is an Arrowman who cheerfully serves both the camp and the lodge during the summer. Responsible for the various lodge programs at camp, the OACC is the "go-to" person for all Order of the Arrow related questions. On any given day, they might make torches for that week’s call out ceremony, conduct a unit election for an in-council troop in the comfort of their own campsite, organize Arrowmen to serve coffee and newspapers each morning to Scoutmasters as reveille sounds, or promote the next big event to each Unit Representative.
Captialize as shown. May abbreviate as OACC.
The Congratulatory Eagle Scout Letter is a resource for the Awards and Recognition chairperson meant for Scouts earning their Eagle Scout during the current year. The national chief and national vice chief want to recognize each Eagle on the great accomplishment of obtaining Eagle. The letter is intended for all Eagle Scouts and not just an Arrowman.
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A hackathon is a design sprint-like event in which computer programmers and others involved in software development collaborate intensively on software projects. OA Hackathons focus on education and collaboration as delegates have fun and tackle the technology issues of the Order of the Arrow.
An OA Hackathon participant is named a "delegate."
Software distributed by the National OA Committee for use by lodges to keep track of their official roster, finances and charter and Journey to Excellence petition.
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Born in 2003 in response to the fires that damaged thousands of woodland acres in Philmont’s beautiful Ponil region, PhilBreak has three major goals: Provide Philmont Scouters for service to Philmont, Provide a qualified pool of potential staff members, and Enhance and build participant’s leadership skills. In 2019, PhilBreak was reborn in response to the devastating Ute Park fire of 2018, with three week-long sessions of service towards the sustainability of and fire prevention at Philmont.
An Arrowman who attends the OA PhilBreak is named a "participant"
In September 2017, the southeastern United States was struck by two category five hurricanes, Irma and Maria. Many people in affected areas lost power for weeks, and suffered extreme property damage. Although the main campus of Sea Base in Islamorada remained largely untouched, this was not the case for properties throughout the Florida Keys and BSA facilities operated by local councils. Camp Sawyer and Big Munson Island were both hit heavily, with camping facilities having been destroyed by the storm. In response to these storms, the Southern Region hosted SeaBreak in the spring of 2018. SeaBreak provided Arrowmen the opportunity to serve by helping repair parts of Sea Base, Camp Sawyer, and Big Munson Island.
An Arrowman who attends the OA SeaBreak is named a 'participant'. Capitalize as shown.
Email newsletter for general OA membership, sent and managed by the National Communications Committee.
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A registered member of the Order of the Arrow serving on staff at a Scouting high adventure base, leading participating crews in OA High Adventure programs.
Capitalize in sentence case unless preceding a name.
"Foreman Johnny Scout met with the other foremen before the work began"
Activity for guests organized by the Activities and Recreation Committee.
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A promotional effort administered to form and engage local support in the Operation Arrow recruitment process.
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The grassroots promotional effort for Operation Arrow.
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The first induction phase of membership in the Order of the Arrow. Ordeal members are entitled to all rights and privileges of OA members.
Capitalize as shown only when referring to membership or to the ceremony. Adjective form: Ordeal member.
The main handbook for OA members. It includes basic information all members should know and reflects current policies.
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Unit-level adult position resonsible for advising the Order of the Arrow unit representative.
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Full name of the Order of the Arrow.
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Unit-level youth position directly responsible for maintaining communication between the unit and the lodge, encouraging Ordeal members to seal the bond in Brotherhood, and ensuring that the unit remains active in the lodge.
Capitalize as shown. May be abbreviated OA unit rep after first reference.
The slogan of ArrowTour.
Capitalize in sentence case and display in bold or other manner that draws attention to the text.
Performance Management Program is the performance measurement and recognition program for BSA groups. It replaced the JTE program in 2019. Can refer to lodge or section programs. See Journey to Exellence.
Capitalize as shown.
The Philmont Museum is home to many historical Scouting artifacts pertinent to the Scouting movement and the Philmont Scout Ranch. Within the museum is the Seton Memorial Library.
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The PILOT program was developed to help youth and adult lodge leaders understand their personal leadership abilities, and how they can improve their leadership to positively influence their lodge. The training was based on the writings of James Kouzes and Barry Posner which explain that all exemplary leaders exhibit five practices of leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. The curriculum has a strong focus on the personal leadership abilities, rather than the specific operational aspects of leading a lodge. In doing so, the learner will be able to apply their newly found leadership abilities to a wide array of situations.
Capitalize as shown.