Q: What is the OA Alliance?
A: The OA Alliance’s mission is to reintroduce once-active Arrowmen to the OA and re-engage them with their local Scouting council and lodge. Through communication, programming, leadership, and service opportunities, the OA Alliance aims to foster lifelong friendships among members of the OA community while supporting the mission and purpose of the Order of the Arrow.
Q: Who are OA alumni? Who can become a member of the OA Alliance?
A: Anyone 21 or older whose dues have lapsed for two or more years is considered an alumni of the OA and automatically enrolled in the OA Alliance. They will then begin receiving OA Alliance communications and are eligible for other forms of engagement.
Q: Why is the OA Alliance important?
A: The stories shared, friendships formed, and the adventures experienced have endlessly bound OA members tightly as its circle has widened. The OA Alliance strives to be the spark that re-ignites those memories, re-engaging them with the OA and their local lodge and council.
Q: How does the OA Alliance support local councils and lodges?
A: The OA Alliance’s primary goal is to encourage OA alumni to once again become full dues-paying members of a local lodge. We hope that the OA Alliance serves as an engine for lodge membership growth across the country. Additionally, as the OA Alliance brings people back into the fold, we hope to help provide councils and lodges with a fresh, yet experienced corps of returning volunteers.
Q: Why the strong focus on inactive members whose dues have lapsed?
A: Our primary goal is to encourage OA alumni to once again become full dues-paying members of a local lodge, and a broad re-engagement strategy is under development. Initially, the OA Alliance will serve just this audience, though we are exploring an option for any adult Arrowmen (21+) to opt-in to OA Alliance membership.
Q: What resources, programs, events, and opportunities are available currently to OA Alliance members?
A: Initially, members of the OA Alliance will receive the OA Alliance eNewsletter, which will round up the latest Scouting and OA news, promote ways to get involved with Scouting, highlight alumni who have leveraged their Scouting experience in meaningful ways, and more! We are excited to feature multimedia content, membership benefits, and additional programmatic opportunities all geared toward bringing interested OA alumni into active volunteer roles with their local lodge and council.
Q: Who is considered an OA Alliance affiliate?
A: OA Alliance affiliates are groups within the Order of the Arrow that engage OA alumni who share similar backgrounds and experiences. Our affiliates include, but are not limited to, the Order of the Arrow High Adventure (OAHA) Alumni Association and the Central Region Alumni Gathering (CRAG). More information on these groups and others can be found at our Affiliates Hub.
Q: How do I contact the OA Alliance affiliates?
A: Contact us at @email and we will facilitate the connection.
Q: How do I find a local council and/or lodge?
A: By searching via zip code, you can find your current local council and/or lodge on the OA’s lodge locator, a nifty tool on the OA website.
Q: How do I find a local unit?
A: By searching via zip code, you can find your local Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scout and Exploring units at the Be A Scout home page.
Q: How do I transfer my Scouting/OA membership to my new council and/or lodge?
A: We encourage you to find your closest local service center and register as a Scouting alumni or with a local unit. Once registered, the council service center staff can help you connect with your local lodge.
Q: Is there a national OA program of emphasis for 2025?
A: The National Council of Chiefs (NCOC) will be held during the week of July 20, 2025 at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. Opportunities at this event will be limited to local lodge and section leadership.
Q: I just re-registered in the Scouting/OA program(s). How do I attend and/or staff the 2026 National Jamboree?
A: More information on attending, staffing, and/or visiting the 2026 National Jamboree can be found on the Jamboree website.
Q: I just re-registered in the Scouting/OA program(s). How do I attend and/or staff NOAC 2027?
A: More information on attending and/or staffing the 2027 NOAC will be available at a later date. The conference will be held during the summer of 2027.
Q: How do I learn about the BSA Alumni Association?
A: Information on the BSA Alumni Association can be found here.
Q: I’m a current OA member and would like to re-engage OA alumni from my lodge. How can I start?
A: Please contact @email. A member of our new affiliates team will be available to assist your lodge in establishing its own OA alumni engagement practices.
Q: Where do I find more information about the OA Alliance?
A: For more information on the OA Alliance, please visit oa-bsa.org/alliance.
Q: How do I contact the OA Alliance team?
A: To submit a local highlight of OA alumni for our upcoming content, and/or if you have any questions about the OA Alliance, please reach out to @email.
Q: I am no longer interested in being affiliated with the Order of the Arrow and would like my personal information deleted. Who can I contact?
A: Please reach out to @email, and we will unsubscribe you from future emails.
Last updated: August 30, 2024