Responsibilities of the Section Chief:

  • Organizes and gives positive leadership to achieve a successful annual conclave and fulfill section operations responsibilities.
  • Holds no other elected position in the Order of the Arrow or area, region, or national leadership position within Scouting during their term. Must resign from all lodge and chapter offices within 30 days of their election as section chief.
  • Presides over meetings of the council of chiefs and the conclave business meeting.
  • Communicates with the region chief on a regular basis.
  • Delegates duties to other section officers and members of the council of chiefs.
  • Works closely with the section adviser and section staff adviser. Keeps the section adviser and section staff adviser fully informed of all their activities related to the Order of the Arrow. Shares copies of all correspondence pertaining to the business of the Order with these individuals and with others that are concerned.
  • Assures that all aspects of section activity are conducted according to these Section Rules (as given in Chapter 2 of the Field Operations Guide).
  • Compiles the conclave reports within 45 days of the end of the conclave. The report and submission process are exclusively online and is available at oa-bsa.org/section-conclave-report. (This is the responsibility of the section chief completing their term of office at the conclave.)
  • Distributes lodges among the elected section officers to provide a vehicle for regular contact of each lodge by section officers.
  • Responsible for influencing positive performance of lodges in the Lodge Performance Measurement Program by:
    • Periodically following-up on assigned lodge PMP progress.
    • Raising areas of performance concern to section leadership.
    • Providing a regular communication conduit between assigned lodges and the section
  • Serves as an example of the ideals of the BSA and the Order of the Arrow.
  • Wears the Scout uniform correctly.
  • Attends section officer seminars and, unless previously attended, a national leadership seminar.
  • Represents the section at region and national functions and activities of the Order of the Arrow, when invited.
  • Participates in an annual national planning meeting. The section will pay for the transportation and planning meeting fees to attend. The section chief will serve as a member of the committee planning the national program of emphasis for the coming year. Upon successful evaluation and timely completion of their responsibilities, their fees and transportation will be funded to fulfill any assigned Order of the Arrow duties at the program of emphasis.
  • Promotes participation in region and national events.

Responsibilities of the Section Vice Chief:

  • Assists the section chief, as directed by them, to carry out the operations of the section.
  • Assures that the conclave is promoted in all councils.
  • Influences positive performance of lodges by planning an annual ACT conference.
  • Responsible for influencing positive performance of lodges in the Lodge Performance Measurement Program by:
    • Periodically following-up on assigned lodge PMP progress;
    • Raising areas of performance concern to section leadership;
    • Providing a regular communication conduit between assigned lodges and the section.
  • Assumes other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the section chief.
  • Promotes participation in region and national events.
  • If the section chief resigns or is unable to fulfill their term of office, assumes the responsibilities of the section chief until the council of chiefs elects a successor for the unexpired term.
  • Serves as an example of the ideals of the BSA and the Order of the Arrow.
  • Wears the Scout uniform correctly.
  • Attends council of chiefs meetings, section officer seminars, additional region events, as invited, and, unless previously attended, a national leadership seminar.

Responsibilities of the Section Secretary:

  • Assists the section chief in communicating with members of the council of chiefs and advisers. Provides written or email notification of all council of chiefs meetings at least 15 days in advance, including an agenda and preliminary budget with rationale for review, or a transaction report since the last council of chiefs meeting (including account balance) and financial report of income/expenses compared to the council of chiefs established budget.
  • Records the minutes of all meetings of the council of chiefs, and the conclave business meeting. Distributes copies of all minutes, including the approved budget or financial report and any amendments, to council of chiefs members within 15 days following each meeting.
  • Maintains an up-to-date roster of names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of the council of chiefs members. The distribution of the roster, and all changes, shall be to:
    • Members of the council of chiefs,
    • Region chief,
    • Region chairman,
    • Region staff adviser,
    • Area director,
    • The director of the Order of the Arrow.
  • Communicates registration details of the annual ACT conference, ensuring each lodge has the opportunity to participate.
  • Responsible for influencing positive performance of lodges in the Lodge Performance Measurement Program by:
    • Periodically following-up on assigned lodge PMP progress;
    • Raising areas of performance concern to section leadership;
    • Providing a regular communication conduit between assigned lodges and the section.
  • Promotes participation in region and national events.
  • Serves as an example of the ideals of the BSA and the Order of the Arrow.
  • Wears the Scout uniform correctly.
  • Attends council of chiefs meetings, section officer seminars, and, unless previously attended, a national leadership seminar.

Section officer responsibilities are listed as given from the Order of the Arrow Field Operations Guide, Chapter 2.