On July 8, 2024 the national OA committee unanimously voted to revise the Order of the Arrow's mission and purpose. We also adopted a mission statement for the first time in our history.
Over the past several years the national committee, under the leadership of Christina Clarke, has examined the OA's place in Scouting. We gathered input from Arrowmen, the leadership of Scouting America, parents and non-Arrowmen Scouts. This input made it clear the Order of the Arrow needed to make some slight but meaningful adjustments in its own mission and purpose to support Scouting America in the future.
The Order of the Arrow's purpose is now:
As Scouting's National Honor Society, we forge lifelong bonds among the leaders in Scouting and:
- Recognize those who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and, through that recognition, cause others to act in the same way
- Reinforce a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others
- Create and deliver peer-led, adult-guided, advanced leadership experiences for Scouts and Scouters that positively impact their unit, community, and ultimately our nation
- Be an integral part of Scouting America and encourage participation in all it offers through units, outdoor adventures, and national events to further the Scouting experience
That purpose is leading us towards a vision for the Order of the Arrow: "To achieve the mission of Scouting America through transformative fellowship that ignites limitless Scouting journeys."
Our purpose defines who we are and the role we play in Scouting America. Our vision gives us a clear goal to strive towards in the coming decades. And our mission guides our leadership on a daily basis to achieve both of these things.
The Order has changed its mission and purpose several times in the past 109 years. The most recent change, in 1998, eventually led to programs like ArrowCorps5 and Operation Arrow. Over the coming years, the national OA committee expects this newly revised purpose will inspire equally impactful opportunities.
There are four meaningful changes from the current mission and purpose. We expect these changes to unfold over many years. Here's what each of these could mean for the Order of the Arrow in the future.
I. A specific commitment to retention in Scouts BSA.
We have long said that the OA retains Scouts. Our vision now explicitly commits us to keeping kids in Scouting.
This commitment is not limited to retaining our members by design. In one year alone, 60,000 Scouts between 11 and 16 years old leave the program—and Scouting America needs the Order of the Arrow to give each of them a reason to continue on their own limitless Scouting journey.
II. Broader service to all of Scouting America.
The revised mission and purpose challenges the whole Order to serve non-members.
We believe our programs, from the leadership training at NLS to the fellowship at NOAC to the excitement of a Section Conclave are the best Scouting offers. The revised mission calls for us to be a gateway for older Scouts to all the movement has to offer. From lodge fellowships to NOAC, we should consider where we can provide non-Arrowmen an experience that retains them in Scouting.
III. Emphasis on peer leadership.
Scouting America has challenged us to drive youth leadership development. The refined purpose calls on us to go beyond fellowship and service to emphasize developing leaders.
Scouts BSA units have become smaller—the OA may be the only place where a 14 or 15 year old has the opportunity to lead their peers as opposed to younger Scouts. Our research showed growth experiences and leadership are valued by both parents and future members. The revised purpose calls on us to integrate leadership development into all we do.
IV. Recognition for Scouts and Scouters.
Recognizing Scouts and Scouters has always been an element of the OA's purpose. The revised purpose call on us to build our brand so the importance of membership is known both inside and outside of Scouting.
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In closing, we also note what's not changing: the Order of the Arrow remains Scouting's National Honor Society; fellowship, cheerfulness and service remain at the core of who we are; the program is youth-led and adult-guided; these and other aspects will not change.
The revised purpose, mission and vision will be shared with lodge leadership at NOAC. Over the coming years the national OA committee will seek ways to advance this mission: new programs, changes in our brand to be more welcoming to our changing membership, and ways to serve more of Scouting.
That's what's exciting about the revised purpose, vision, and vision. It points us in the direction of our future. It's a foundation that others will build on to keep more young people in Scouting than before.
As we model these changes, we will inspire lodges to do the same locally. The Order of the Arrow will look different in 25 years—as it did 25 years ago—and in ways none of us anticipate.
WWW,
Chris Grove, National OA Chair
Ed Lynes, Vice Chair, Mission & Reputation