The Language of the OA (LOOA) 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, service areas, lodges, sections and regions are aware of terms and style specific to the OA. Additional Scouting terms not used in daily operations can be found on the Language of Scouting (LOS).
Following the Language of the OA and Language of Scouting, grammar, spelling, style, and usage decisions are based on the latest editions of the following references, in order of preference: Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, The Associated Press Stylebook, and The Chicago Manual of Style. The LOOA and LOS always take precedence. Feel free to reach out to @email with any questions or to suggest an update of the LOOA.
A youth or adult member of the Order of the Arrow.
Capitalize as shown. Plural form: Arrowmen.
Full name of the Order of the Arrow.
Capitalize as shown. May be abbreviated to "Order of the Arrow" and subsequently as "OA" after first reference. Do not abbreviate to "order," such as "the order" or "our order."
A key elected youth leader in the Order of the Arrow who may be a chapter chief, lodge chief, section chief, region chief, or national chief.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name.
"E15 Section Chief Amanda Arrowman met with the lodge chiefs in her section," "Johnny Scout is the 2024 Wipala Wiki lodge chief."
A common, key elected youth leader in the Order of the Arrow. Exact titles vary between lodges.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name. Do not add a hyphen between the words "vice chief."
"Amanda Arrowman is the Otyokwa Lodge vice chief of inductions," "Lodge Vice Chief of Inductions Amanda Arrowman."
A member of the Order of the Arrow who is at least 21 years of age, is responsible to the Scout executive, supervises the program, and guides, counsels, and mentors youth on an Order of the Arrow organization or committee.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name. Do not use "advisor" in the OA (only in reference to the "Venturing Advisor").
"Johnny Scout is a lodge adviser," "Na Tsi Hi Lodge Adviser Johnny Scout."
A member of the Order of the Arrow who is at least 21 years of age, appointed by an adviser, who helps to supervise their assigned program, and guides, counsels, and mentors youth on an Order of the Arrow organization or committee.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name. Do not use "advisor" in the OA (only in reference to the "Venturing Advisor").
"Johnny Scout is a chapter associate adviser," "Ti'ak Lodge Associate Chapter Adviser Johnny Scout."
A group or team designated to accomplish specific objectives.
Capitalize "committee" only in the official name of a particular committee.
A common optional organizing structure available within a lodge.
Capitalize in sentence case and when in the title of a specific chapter.
"There is an upcoming chapter meeting," "Johnny Scout attended the Thunderbird Chapter meeting."
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 as OA unit representative after first reference.
An optional organizing structure available within a lodge, often comprised of multiple chapters.
Capitalize in sentence case and when in the title of a specific service area.
"North Area of Colonneh Lodge."
A local council Order of the Arrow group chartered annually by the National Council.
Capitalize in sentence case unless referring to a specific lodge.
"Wahissa Lodge conducted a fellowship event for all of the lodges in its section."
The three top-level leaders of a group such as chapter, lodge, section, or national. For example, the lodge Key 3 is the lodge staff adviser, the lodge adviser, and the lodge chief.
Capitalize as shown. The numeral "3" is always used in Key 3; it is not spelled out.
The executive committee of the lodge—a key group—consists of the youth serving as lodge officers (including the immediate past lodge chief), lodge operating committee chairmen and their advisers, the staff adviser, the lodge adviser, and the Scout executive.
Not capitalized unless in the title of a specific lodge. May be abbreviated as LEC after first reference.
"Shenandoah Lodge Executive Committee."
The Scout executive is the final authority over the Order of the Arrow and, for this reason, holds the title of Supreme Chief of the Fire. It is the Scout executive’s job to see that the lodge adheres to national policy.
Capitalize as shown.
A professional Scouter that acts on behalf of the Scout executive in giving guidance to the lodge adviser and the lodge leadership. With support and counsel from the Scout executive, it is the staff adviser’s role to see that the lodge adheres to national policy.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name. Do not use "advisor" in the OA (only in reference to the "Venturing Advisor").
"Amanda Arrowman is the lodge staff adviser," "Tukarica Lodge Staff Adviser Amanda Arrowman."
An Order of the Arrow section consists of lodges within a geographic area of the region. The section creates a monitoring/mentoring relationship with its lodges, provides leadership development opportunities, and fosters understanding and adherence to national OA policies and procedures.
Not capitalized unless in the title of a specific section. Section names under the current two region structure do not have a hyphen. Retired section names from the old four region structure do (archaic, only used in historical contexts).
"Section E6," "Section G17N," "Section W-1E."
The Council of Chiefs (COC) is the governing body of the section and consists of the section chief, section vice chief, section secretary, immediate past section chief, a representative from each lodge in the section (normally the lodge chief), section adviser, section staff adviser, and any other appointed chairman or advisers of the section. Voting members of the COC include the section officers and chiefs from each lodge.
Capitalize as shown. May be abbreviated as COC after first reference.
Key elected youth leaders in the Order of the Arrow who may be a section chief, section vice chief, or section secretary. Position responsibilities are available in the Field Operations Handbook.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name. Do not add a hyphen between the words "vice chief."
"E15 Section Chief Amanda Arrowman," "Johnny Scout was elected as section vice chief."
The top elected youth Arrowmen in the Order of the Arrow. These officers are the national chief, national vice chief, and two region chiefs.
Capitalize in sentence case.
The top elected youth Arrowman in the Order of the Arrow, elected by their peer section chiefs. Tasked with representing and leading the national program.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name.
"Matt Parsons is the 2019 national chief," "1991 National Chief Clint Takeshita."
The youth Arrowman elected by their 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 add a hyphen between the words "vice chief."
"Grant Kim is the 2023 national vice chief," "2024 National Vice Chief John Andrew Segebarth."
The volunteer Scouter who chairs the National Order of the Arrow Committee. The national chairman is responsible for the national operations of the Order of the Arrow.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name.
"2015 National Chairman Ray Capp."
A volunteer Scouter, appointed by the national chairman, who oversees various subcommittees and is responsible for the execution of the National Business Plan.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name.
"Vice Chairman of National Programs Clint Takeshita."
National professional Scouter who serves as staff adviser to the National Order of the Arrow Committee. Functions as an adviser to the youth members, as assigned, in consultation with the national OA committee.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name.
Supports and assists the director to carry out the operations of the OA. Functions as an adviser to the youth members, as assigned, in consultation with the National Order of the Arrow Committee. Assumes other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the director and national committee.
Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name.