Ahoalan Nachpikin Lodge # 558 Bylaws
Preamble: We, the Scouts and Scouters of Ahoalin Nachpikin Lodge #558, W.W.W., Boy Scouts of America, recognizing the need to develop and maintain camping traditions by enriching camping experiences, and to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life of leadership in cheerful service to others, do hereby ordain and establish these bylaws for our lodge.
ARTICLE I - Name and Affiliation
ARTICLE II - Election To Membership
ARTICLE III - Requirements for Brotherhood Membership
ARTICLE IV - Requirements for Vigil Honor Membership
ARTICLE V - Lodge Structure and Leadership
ARTICLE VI - Meetings
ARTICLE VII - Dues
ARTICLE VIII - Amendments
ARTICLE I
NAME AND AFFILIATION
Section 1- The name of this lodge of the Order of the Arrow shall be Ahoalan-Nachpikin Lodge #558, W.W.W.
Section 2- This lodge shall be affiliated with the Chickasaw Council #558, Boy Scouts of America, and shall be under the supervision of the council camping committee and the administrative authority of the Scout Executive.
ARTICLE II
ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP
Section 1- The requirements for membership in the lodge are as stated in the
current printing
of the Order of the Arrow Handbook, published by the National Order of the Arrow
Committee
of the Boy Scouts of America
Section 2- The procedure for the Ordeal shall be as stated in the latest editions of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Ordeal Ceremony Pamphlet.
Section 3- Every effort shall be made to have unit elections conducted by Order of the Arrow members not affiliated with that unit, and at least one member of the election team must be under twenty-one (21) years of age and trained. At least one member of the team must have completed a lodge-approved Unit Election Training Seminar. All unit elections for membership must be cleared through the Lodge Unit Elections Committee and are to be scheduled between January 1st and April 30th. Call-out ceremonies shall be conducted by the Lodge Chief or his representative, and due record made of the candidates tapped. The candidates will be informed of their opportunities to take the ordeal.
Section 4- The Executive Committee of the lodge may select District, or Council Scouters for nomination to be presented to the Council’s Camping Committee for review to be inducted into the Order of the Arrow.
Section 5- There shall be an induction fee for each new Ordeal member based on the cost of the following items:
• Membership Card
• Order of the Arrow Sash
• Order of the Arrow Handbook
• Ahoalan-Nachpikin Lodge Pocket Flap
• Yearly dues
• Current copy of Lodge by-laws
• Subsistence during the Ordeal
• Other material deemed necessary by the Inductions Committee
ARTICLE III
REQUIREMENTS FOR BROTHERHOOD MEMBERSHIP
Section 1- The requirements for Brotherhood membership shall be as stated in the latest edition of the Order of the Arrow Handbook.
Section 2- The procedure for the Brotherhood induction shall be as stated in the latest editions of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Brotherhood Ceremony Pamphlet.
ARTICLE IV
REQUIREMENTS FOR VIGIL HONOR MEMBERSHIP
Section 1- The requirements for Vigil Honor membership shall be stated in the latest edition of the Order of the Arrow Handbook.
Section 2-The procedure for the Vigil Honor induction shall be as stated in the latest editions of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Vigil Ceremony Pamphlet.
ARTICLE V
LODGE STRUCTURE AND LEADERSHIP
Section 1- The Ahoalan-Nachpikin Lodge shall consist of 5 Chapters: Lippoe
Blaknik Chapter,
serving the Crittenden, Loosahatchie, and Nashoba Districts; Macheu Machque
Chapter,
serving the Thunderbird, Southwest, and Central Districts; Nashoba Tohbi
Chapter, serving
the Malmaison, Tallaha, and Washington Districts; Okla Kamassa. serving the
Northwest
Mississippi District; Sakima Machque, serving the Eastern and Choctaw Districts.
Section 2- The officers of this lodge shall be:
• Lodge Chief
• Lodge Vice-Chief of Activities
• Lodge Vice-Chief of Elections and Camping Promotions
• Lodge Vice-Chief of Administration
• Lodge Vice-Chief of Finance
• Lodge Vice-Chief of Indian Affairs
All officers must be under 21 years of age during their entire term of office.
The Lodge Chief
appoints the order of succession among the lodge vice chiefs with approval from
the lodge
advisor.
Section 3- The officers of each chapter of the lodge shall be Chapter Chief and
Vice Chiefs
as determined by the chapter. The officers must be under the age of twenty-one
(21) for their
entire term. It is recommended that the chapters use the following structure:
• Chapter Chief
• Chapter Vice-Chief of Elections and Camping Promotions
• Chapter Vice-Chief of Administration
All officers must be under 21 years of age during their entire term of office.A
Chapter may
have a VCAD per District to improve communication if physical distance is a
factor.
Section 4- A vacancy in the office of Lodge Chief shall be filled by a Lodge Vice Chief, succeeding in an order determined by the Chief-elect and approved at that time of election by the lodge membership. This selection will be announced publicly at the conclusion of the election. Vacancies in other lodge offices shall be filled by appointment by the Chief, after consultation with the appropriate advisors. This appointment must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Vacancies in chapter offices shall be filled in the same manner, substituting the word chapter for lodge.
Section 5- The Lodge Chief and Chapter Chief will establish standing committees and appoint chairmen, after consulting with his advisor(s). The Lodge or Chapter Advisor will appoint the committee Advisors. The Lodge Chief and Chapter Chiefs may also appoint ad hoc committees throughout the year, as deemed necessary for the successful functioning of the lodge and its members of the Executive Committee. All committee chairmen shall be under the age of twenty-one (21) for their entire term of office. All advisers must be at least twenty-one (21) during their entire term of office.
Section 6- Committees will be as follows:
Dance- Promotes Indian Dancing throughout the Lodge. This committee chairman reports to the VCIA.
First Aid and Safety- Maintains Health records of Events and provides medical assistance at each event. This chairman reports to the VCAD.
Ceremonies- Conducts ceremonies at all events. Reports to the VCIA.
Vigil Chair- Conducts a Vigil Nomination Committee. This committee meets during the late spring and will conduct the callout ceremony at a fall event. This chairman reports to the Lodge Chief.
Events- This committee serves to support the VCA at all lodge functions. This committee will assist in training sessions, planning and agendas.
Conclave Delegation Chair- Responsible for the promotions of the upcoming conclave. It will also be this chairman’s responsibility to develop any memorabilia (patches and tshirts) or a theme for this event. This chairman reports to the VCECP.
Conclave Chief- This position will be put in place each year before the lodge host’s conclave. Their primary responsibility will be the organization of the Conclave. This person should be a strong member of the OA and be able to handle this tremendous responsibility. This person will report to the LEC.
Honors and Recognitions- This committee will choose Arrowmen of the Year, Founders Award, Honor Chapter and the Gihim Award recipients. The crux of their responsibility will fall at the third quarter of the year. This committee will also take photos throughout the year and compile them into a “year of review” slide show to be shown at the annual banquet. This committee reports to the VCF.
Ordeal Chair- This chairman will have the responsibility of orienting candidates after the call-out and after the ordeal. This chairman reports to the VCAD.
Brotherhood Chair- This chairman will have the responsibility of promoting brotherhood conversion in our Lodge. This chairman reports to the VCAD.
Lodge Banquet Committee- This committee will serve to carry out the Lodge banquet. They will secure a location well in advance and assist with the promotions of the event. They will be responsible for decorations and setup. This chairman reports to the VCF.
Service Committee- This chairman helps chapters develop community service projects and also organizes the Lodge’s community service day. This chairman works closely with the VCA to develop service projects at our council’s camp properties. This committee reports to VCA.
Merchandise Committee- The merchandise committee oversees the The purchasing of lodge memorabilia. This committee reports to the VCF.
Section 7-The Executive Committee of this Lodge shall be composed of all elected
Lodge
Officers, the immediate past Lodge Chief, the Chapter Chiefs, all Lodge
Committee chairmen,
the Lodge Lay Advisor, the Council Scout Executive and the Staff Advisor.
Section 8- Lodge officers shall be elected at the annual Fall Fellowship. The
term of the
officers shall be from Banquet to Banquet. Officers may succeed themselves.
Section 9- The Lodge shall hold a training conference annually for the purpose
of training the
newly elected officers and operating committee chairmen. This training will be
conducted by
the out-going officers of the Lodge. The banquet is the last calendar event of
the year.
Section 10- An elected officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3)
vote of the
Executive Committee for failure to perform his duties in a satisfactory manner.
The vacancy
shall be filled as stated in Article V under the order of succession.
Section 11- If the office of Lodge Chief is vacated during the term of office
the Article V
applies.
Section 12- All officers must reside within the boundaries of the Chickasaw
Council during
the entire term of office.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
Section 1- The Lodge shall hold at least one (1) business meeting during their calendar year. Other business meetings may be held with notification to the general membership with at least 10 days notice.
Section 2- The Lodge Executive Committee shall meet at least six (6) times during the calendar year. The Council Scout Executive or Lodge Chief, in consultation with the Lodge and Staff Advisors, may call special meetings of the Lodge Executive Committee. The same procedure may be used by the chapters, substituting the word chapter for Lodge.
Section 3- Members of the Order of the Arrow twenty-one (21) years of age or older, holding the position of Advisor shall have no vote in the decisions of the Lodge or chapter and may make no formal motions. However, they may contribute only when the floor is open for discussion.
Section 4 - The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of the Lodge where applicable and not inconsistent with the bylaws of the Lodge.
Section 5- Chapters shall hold at least four (4) meetings during the calendar year.
Section 6-The minutes and other pertinent data from these Executive Committee meetings will be mailed to all members of the committee by the Lodge Vice Chief of Administration or by the Chapter officer counterpart within twenty-one (21) days following the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
DUES
Section 1- The Council, in consultation with the Lodge Chief of Finance and his Advisor, shall handle all Order of the Arrow funds. All funds must go through the normal accounting procedures used by the Chickasaw Council, and all money requests must go through a system, approved by the Council, in order for funds to be dispersed. No chapter may handle its own funds. Chapter custodial accounts will be handled in a manner similar to Lodge funds.
Section 2- Dues shall be collected annually in an amount set by the Executive Committee. Those lodge members serving in the Armed Forces of the United States are to remain active members, without payment of dues, throughout their term of service. Nonpayment of dues by July 15th or the First Ordeal Weekend of the next year shall disqualify active membership.
Section 3- Inactive members may be reinstated upon payment of the present year’s dues plus one (1) year’s back dues. The exemption is 2005. One years back dues will be paid in 2005.
Section 4- Any Scout or Scouter, having been inducted into the Order of the Arrow of another lodge, may become a member of Ahoalin Nachpikin Lodge #558 upon presentation of proper credentials and payment of the current year’s dues.
Section 5- The Lodge financial year shall run from January 1 to December 31, in accordance with the Council financial year. At the first Executive committee meeting, a budget of estimated income and expenditures for the coming year will be adopted with the approval of the Council Scout Executive.
Section 1- The rules may be amended at any regular or special lodge meeting. The proposed changes must have been submitted in writing to the Executive Committee, at least thirty (30) days prior to the lodge meeting. Due notice will have been made to all Lodge members at least ten (10) days prior to the aforementioned Lodge meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present shall be required for approval. Any revision in the Bylaws will be made known to the Lodge membership.
These Bylaws shall be in accordance with the Order of the Arrow charter and the current edition of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Field Operations Guide. In the event that any substantial conflict is discovered, appropriate changes to these Bylaws will be made by the Executive Committee.
It is recognized that the Council Scout Executive has ultimate responsibility for the supervision of the lodge program, and as such, may deem special procedures be followed if unusual circumstances warrant this action.