By now each lodge should have received the 2014 Lodge Charter Renewal Kit. It was mailed to Scout executives on October 1st. There are several changes to the charter renewal process and Journey to Excellence this year.
OA LodgeMaster Functionality
OA LodgeMaster has the functionality to help lodges quickly complete the charter renewal and JTE petitions. There is a handy wizard built into the system that will walk lodges through each step. Please see the instructions included in the 2014 Lodge Charter Renewal Kit for more information.
Charter Fees
In the past, the OA asked each lodge to cut a check for the amount of the fees and then mail it in with the charter paperwork. Beginning this year, lodges will no longer cut a check. Instead, lodges should simply have its Scout executive sign the charter renewal application and submit the paperwork, which will have the total charter fees printed on it. Once the charter paperwork is received by the national office, the OA will bill the council for the amount on the signed charter paperwork. The council will be billed through the BSA's Credit and Collections Department on their regular monthly invoice. The charge for the charter fees will show up on the invoice as OA-CHARTERFEE. This process will help in several ways: First it will expedite the process through the national office. Second, other than receiving the Scout executive's signature, the lodge leadership no longer has to wait for a check which can be sometimes difficult during the end of the year.
JTE
This year, submitting a 2013 JTE petition is REQUIRED to receive a 2014 lodge charter. OA LodgeMaster helps lodges complete the petition through the charter process because they do not have to double enter data. Please see the mailed 2014 Lodge Charter Renewal Kit for full instructions.
Signed Charter Renewal Application
Finally, lodges can submit signed charter renewal application by December 31st email to @email, (2) fax to 469-331-8279 or (3) mail to the national office at Order of the Arrow, PO Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015. The application must be signed by the lodge chief, lodge adviser, and Scout executive.
Email @email with any questions.