Q: I noticed that on the page of Basic Information about the OA Unit Representative it states that an adviser "...should be over the age of 21." I have asked my Lodge's OA Unit Representative Adviser about this, and he tells me that the adviser MUST be 21. My question is, would I be eligible for the position, being that I am only 19? I understand that policy says the an adviser must be 21, but aren't all the youth they advise in this case under 18? Is this policy waived for this new, BSA youth (not OA youth), position?
A: The adviser to the OA Unit Representative is to be over 21. A role that an 18-20 year old may have is the chapter or lodge chair or liaison for the representatives.
The basic principle in the Order of the Arrow is that youth leaders are under 21 and advisers are 21 or older. This is stated in several places in the "Order of the Arrow Handbook" and the "Guide for Officers and Advisers."
You may want to consider serving as your lodge or chapter chair, or as a liaison, and support the OA Troop/Team Representatives that way. (See the OA Unit Representative page on this web site for details.)