In March, the national Order of the Arrow committee approved changes to the Performance Measurement Program (PMP) to take effect this year. The program provides standards that all lodges should aim to meet and exceed to become high-performing and thriving lodges. More importantly, however, these changes reflect and encourage positive growth in the OA and emphasize the importance of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood in all aspects of lodge performance.
PMP goals are set on an annual basis, and incorporate performance data from the past three years to account for unexpected changes or anomalies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic, the national OA committee also considered lodge performance data over four and five year averages when making changes to the 2023 PMP. These changes strive to set goals for lodges to fall into three major categories:
- High Performing Lodges: The top 25% of lodges that are considered exemplary in various program categories;
- Thriving Lodges: The next 65% of lodges that are considered outstanding in various program categories;
- Challenged Lodges: The bottom 10% of lodges that are having difficulties meeting many of the program categories and may need assistance from the region, section, or a peer lodge.
Based on historical data and recent changes, items 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10 from the 2022 Performance Measurement Program have been adjusted to challenge lodges to reach their goals.
Item 4: High Performing lodges should aim to increase membership retention from 65% to 70%, while Thriving lodges should increase from 40% to 45%. As OA membership grows and the top 25% of lodges have shown growth from 2020-2022, these changes will highlight the importance of advancing the organization and promoting fellowship at every level of performance.
Item 6: High Performing lodges should aim to increase lodge event member attendance percentage from 15% to 17%, and Thriving lodges should increase from 7% to 8%. As membership flourishes, lodges should aim to increase participation at their events. Increasing these goals will enable lodges to observe improved retention either in parallel to meeting this item or as a first step towards raising a lodge’s performance in other metrics.
Item 8: High Performing lodges should aim to increase contributions to councils from $23.00 per lodge member to $25.00 per lodge member. Over the past five years, every High Performing lodge has contributed over $25.00 per member, even when its prior goals were less than $25.00. This goal aims to strengthen relationships between OA lodges and councils in the long run.
Item 9: High Performing lodges should aim to increase the average number of service hours performed by OA members from ten hours in 2022 to thirteen hours in 2023. Thriving lodges should aim to increase from four hours per member to five hours per member. Performing additional service in the community improves council relationships and projects a stronger image of the OA to the Scouting community. Almost 90% of all OA lodges currently report an average of over four hours of service per member, meaning this goal is easily attainable regardless of past circumstances. Aiding the community is an integral part of the OA’s mission and helps emphasize the importance of cheerful and selfless service.
Item 10: High Performing lodges should aim to increase participation in Lodge Leadership Development (LLD) training events from 10% in 2022 to 11% in 2023. Over the past five years, every High Performing lodge has trained over 11% of its members, enabling Arrowmen to carry out the work of the OA. In the last three years, nearly half of all lodges have achieved 11% LLD-trained membership, and the 3% Thriving lodge goal, which remains unchanged, has been achieved by 90% of all lodges. These goals, in tandem with the previous items, will increase lodge achievements and outcomes across the board. It will also help instill the values of the OA into youth leaders and inspire others to take a more active role in their lodges and community.
To summarize, the changes to program benchmarks for 2023 are as follows:
- Attain membership retention rate of70% for High Performing lodges and 45% for Thriving lodges
- Realize lodge event member attendance percentage of 17% for High Performing lodges and 8% for Thriving lodges
- Contribute $25.00 per member to councils for High Performing lodges
- Provide thirteen service hours per member for High Performing lodges and five hours per member for Thriving lodges
- Achieve 11% lodge attendance at LLD training events for High Performing lodges
The 2023 Lodge Performance Measurement Program Scorecard can be found here: 2023 PMP Scorecard
Ultimately, the changes to the program are designed to enhance lodge performance and support membership growth in the OA. These changes directly reflect the positive change occurring within the OA and should be easily attainable by lodges. It is the hope that these adjustments will encourage participation in OA events across the board and emphasize the importance of training and preparedness among young leaders.
Lodge leaders are welcome to email National OA Director Cortland Bolles at @email with any questions or feedback on these updated requirements.