Nampa-Tsi Lodge, Great Rivers Council, BSA

THE OPERATING RULES AND PROCEDURES

OF THE NAMPA-TSI LODGE

The Nampa-Tsi Lodge of the Order of the Arrow

Great Rivers Council No. 653, Boy Scouts of America

The Proposed Fourth Edition

Text Box: NOTE: Section titles underlined in red contain the proposed changes. Everything proposed,
however, will be executed regardless of whether or not a Fourth Edition is instated; the Lodge
Executive Committee has approved the policies of these sections so that they might be executed. – TO THESE THINGS WE SHALL FOREVER UPHOLD –

Section I: Name. The lodge shall be known as: Nampa-Tsi Lodge, meaning Twin Lodges in the words of our native brothers.

Section II: Affiliation. This lodge shall have affiliating ties with the Great Rivers Council No. 653, Boy Scouts of America, and shall be under the supervision of the council camping or Boy Scout committee and the administrative authority of the Scout executive. The Nampa-Tsi Lodge will follow all guidelines established by the Boy Scouts of America, the Guide to Safe Scouting, Youth Protection, and the Guide for Officers and Advisers.

Article II: Lodge Mission. The mission of this lodge is to achieve the purpose of the Order of the Arrow as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America in the council through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.

Article III: Lodge Division. The lodge shall be further divided into eight chapters, each chapter coordinating to

the districts of the Great Rivers Council. Each chapter’s primary goal is to promote camping promotion while

Section II: Espan. The Espan Chapter shall take bounds in the Mark Twain District.

Section III: Gawi. The Gawi Chapter shall take bounds in the Black Diamond District.

Section IV: Sasappis. The Sasappis Chapter shall take bounds in the Chariton Valley District.

Section V: Sisilija. The Sisilija Chapter shall take bounds in the Osage Trails District.

Section VI: Taleka. The Taleka Chapter shall take bounds in the Grand Prairie District.

Section VII: Wiechcheu. The Wiechcheu Chapter shall take bounds in the Five Rivers District.

Section VIII: Woapalanne. The Woapalanne Chapter shall take bounds in the Kinderhook District.

Section I: Elections. All election procedures shall be carried out as prescribed by the Guide for Officers and Advisers. Elections should be completed prior to the camping season, preferably during the months of April and May.

Section II: Requirements for Membership. The requirements for membership in this lodge are as stated in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Guide for Officers and Advisers.

Section III: Call-Out. The Call-Out should be conducted at summer camp by the lodge. A chapter shall also be reserved the right to call candidate by approval of the Lodge Executive Committee. Should a candidate not attend his Call-Out, a letter shall be promptly mailed to him telling him of his call, as well as telling him when he can complete the Ordeal.

Section IV: The Pre-Ordeal. Procedure for the Pre-Ordeal shall be as stated in the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Guide for Officers and Advisers.

Section V: The Ordeal. Procedure for the Ordeal shall be as stated in the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Guide for Officers and Advisers. A candidate may choose to complete the Ordeal at summer camp or at the Fall or Spring Conclave. However, should a candidate not be able to complete the Ordeal within one year of hearing his call [or by some other time approved by the Lodge Executive Committee], he must be re-elected and must be recalled [if he is elected again]. There shall be no extensions given. The procedure for the Ordeal ceremony shall be followed as stated in the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Guide for Officers and Advisers.

Section VI: Status. A new member shall hold the status of Ordeal membership.

Article V: Brotherhood Membership.

Section I: Obtaining Brotherhood Membership in the Order. Completion of Brotherhood membership in the Nampa-Tsi Lodge shall be in accordance with the requirements in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisers.

Section II: Brotherhood Ceremony. Only the official ceremony is to be used, the ceremony taking occurrence at a Lodge-sponsored event or at an event approved by the Lodge Executive Committee.

Section I: The Vigil Honor. The Vigil Honor shall be bestowed upon a deserving Brotherhood Arrowman in accordance with the requirements in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisers.

Section II: Vigil Call-Out Ceremony. The lodge – in its own method of choice – shall carry out the Vigil Call-Out Ceremony; however, the ceremony utilized must coincide with national guidelines and standards.

Section III: Vigil Ceremony. Only the nationally certified ceremony is to be performed for the Vigil Honor; no additions or omissions shall take place.

Section I: The Lodge Chief. The lodge chief, the chief lodge officer elected from the youth of the lodge (officer qualifications and procedure for elections shall be discussed in Article VIII), shall work closely with the lodge adviser and lodge staff adviser for the performance of lodge duties. The lodge chief shall:

Clause I. Become a member of the council camping committee / Boy Scout committee.

Clause II. Be responsible for adherence to the program and policies of the lodge and shall attend appropriate council, section, regional, and national Order of the Arrow functions.

Clause III. Work closely with the lodge adviser, seeking advice and training. He does not wait for his adviser to call, but calls the adviser often. He establishes annual goals and objectives for the lodge, including attainment of Quality Lodge recognition.

Clause IV. Attend all lodge activities and Lodge Executive Committee meetings. He promotes attendance and participation of lodge officers and committee chairmen.

Clause V. Appoint lodge operating committee chairmen in consultation with the lodge adviser and lodge staff adviser.

Clause VII. Remind lodge officers and committee chairmen to attend meetings of lodge operating committees related to their assignments.

Clause VIII. Preside over all lodge and Lodge Executive Committee meetings, working from a formulated agenda, while soliciting agenda items from lodge officers and committee chairmen.

Clause X. Delegate his duties to fellow lodge officers and committee chairmen.

Clause XI. See that the chapter program gives complete support to the lodge program.

Clause XII. Undertake lodge service projects with the advice and approval of the lodge adviser.

Clause XIV. Promote the correct wearing of the Scout uniform by personal example and special lodge education programs.

Clause XV. Work with the adviser in providing his lodge officers and chairmen with unit contact information.

Section II: The Lodge Adviser. The lodge adviser shall be annually appointed by the Scout executive

of the Great Rivers Council. He shall work with the lodge chief and lodge staff adviser to make for an

Clause I. Become a member of the council camping committee / Boy Scout committee and may be elected to the council executive board. He attends all meetings of that council committee and knows the camping situation in the each unit. He also knows from chapter reports which units need camping promotion and training.

Clause II. Understand the policies and principles of the Order of the Arrow and shall see that they are followed in the lodge. He shall also see that all lodge funds are handled properly and shall attend appropriate council, section, regional, and national Order of the Arrow functions.

Clause III. See that the lodge officers get the job done by providing them with the tools, opportunities, and necessary transportation. He shall know the adult role in the Order of the Arrow and will not wait for the lodge chief’s call, rather he is self-motivated and offers help. He shall assist in establishing goals and objectives, including attainment of Quality Lodge recognition.

Clause IV. Make sure that the lodge chief conducts the Lodge Executive Committee meetings. He shall also attend and sit with the lodge chief at all meetings and activities.

Clause V. Appoint an adult adviser to each lodge officer and committee chairman, in consultation with the lodge chief and staff adviser.

Clause VI. Help every adult Arrowman in the lodge to be a functioning adviser, either as a unit leader or an adult adviser to a lodge or chapter committee or project. There are no honorary adult positions in the Order, the lodge, or in the chapter.

Clause VII. Remind adult lodge committee advisers to attend the meetings of the lodge operating committees related to their assignments. He ensures the lodge charter renewal application is processed and mailed on time.

Clause VIII. Aid the lodge chief in producing effective agendas for meetings. He shall promote attendance of appointed adult advisers and encourage work with officers and committee chairmen prior to the meetings.

Clause IX. Limit annual lodge activities to four exciting events scheduled each year involving the entire lodge membership. These activities should be well planned and provide opportunities for the Arrowmen to learn more about the Order and how to provide effective service. He clears all dates with the staff adviser.

Clause X. Help the lodge chief delegate the full burden of the lodge program so that it is shared with the other lodge officers and committee chairmen.

Clause XI. Understand that the chapter (when so organized) is a division of the lodge for carrying out the lodge program. He understands that the chapter is not a “superunit” unto itself, but is a camping promotion aid for all units. Every youth in the chapter is a member of a unit and has unit responsibilities. Each chapter activity should result in an enriched program for units. He frequently reviews the goals with the officers to see that the Order of the Arrow program is being actively followed within each district / chapter.

Clause XII. Clear all lodge service projects with the staff adviser. He knows that the Arrowman is primarily a member of a unit and that Order of the Arrow projects must NOT remove a youth from his unit too often, for a youth’s primary loyalty should fall with his unit first and foremost. The lodge service projects undertaken should be directly related to camping, the council Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs, and the community.

Clause XIV. Set the example for youth and adult Arrowmen by correctly wearing the Scout uniform with the proper badges and insignia correctly placed.

Clause XV. Provide lodge officers and committee chairmen with district rosters of the units so that proper contact can be made for unit elections to occur, camping promotion, etc. He shall maintain constant and regular contact with the staff adviser so that person can quickly relay any unit personnel changes, etc.

Section III: The Lodge Staff Adviser. He shall be annually appointed by the Scout executive of the

Great Rivers Council and shall work with the lodge chief and lodge adviser to make for an effective Key

Clause I. Consult with the Scout executive on annual performance and appointment of the lodge adviser.

Clause II. Understand the policies and principles of the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow while communicating and ensuring their application to Order of the Arrow functions. He also ensures that funds are properly budgeted, receipted, disbursed, and transmitted according to the Great Rivers Council procedures and the accounting manual of the Boy Scouts of America. He attends all lodge functions and other appropriate Order of the Arrow functions.

Clause III. Provide council, regional, and national information, literature, and correspondence to lodge advisers and appropriate committees. He orders materials and supplies from the national office and Supply Division.

Clause IV. Work with the lodge adviser to help the lodge chief conduct Lodge Executive Committee meetings. He attends lodge activities and meetings, sitting with the lodge adviser and the lodge chief.

Clause V. Recommend and attain Scout executive approval of prospective adult advisers.

Clause VI. Encourage appropriate adult participation and support to committees and activities. He shall inform profession staff associates of Order of the Arrow activities, program, and correspondence.

Clause VII. Work with the lodge adviser to ensure appropriate adult participation in meetings of lodge operating committees related to their assignments. With the lodge adviser, he shall ensure the lodge charter renewal application in processed and mailed in on time.

Clause VIII. Recommend agenda items. He shall also ensure that financial and activity reports required from the council office are printed with timely information. He works with adviser(s) to the administrative vice chief and other committees concerning information in the reports.

Clause IX. Represent the Order of the Arrow at the council annual planning conference, coordinating dates with council, region, section, and national dates. He makes appropriate reservations for council facilities. He also works with office staff to ensure timely communications to the membership and the units, as well as accurate member records and mailing list. He involves the Order of the Arrow in council programs, as well as ensuring lodge representation at national and section Order of the Arrow events.

Clause X. Monitor the delegation of responsibilities and assists the lodge adviser and lodge chief in evaluation, assignments, and follow-up.

Clause XI. Recommend to the Scout executive the appointment of charter staff advisers. He shall communicate with chapter staff advisers and ensure appropriate council services to the chapter system. He also evaluates and makes suggestions for chapter programs.

Clause XII. Keep the Scout executive informed on all Order of the Arrow projects. He recommends potential service projects for Lodge Executive Committee consideration and coordinates with the camp rangers at both Camp Thunderbird and Camp Hohn on Ordeal and other Order of the Arrow projects at the camps.

Clause XIII. Administratively support the functions of the Vigil Honor nominating committee.

Clause XIV. Set the example for youth and adult Arrowmen by correctly wearing the Scout uniform with proper badges and insignia correctly placed.

Clause XV. Secure rosters and reports required by the Order of the Arrow in a timely manner for their use.

Section I: Officer Titles. The officers of this lodge shall be as follows: lodge chief, administrative vice chief, advancement vice chief, program vice chief, and correspondence vice chief.

Clause I: Lodge Chief. The lodge chief shall, during his term of office, generally oversee all lodge operations and functions. The lodge chief’s responsibility also includes presiding over the Lodge Executive Committee.

Clause II: Administrative Vice Chief. The administrative vice chief shall, during his term of office, preside over lodge meetings in the absence of the lodge chief. He oversees the finances and budget of the lodge, as well as the Honors committee. He assists and advises the chapter programs and handles supply orders of the lodge merchandise.

Clause III: Advancement Vice Chief. The advancement vice chief shall, during his term of office, oversee the Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Honor committees. He keeps records of membership of lodge members and oversees registration at all lodge activities. He administers the coup thong award program.

Clause IV: Program Vice Chief. The program vice chief shall, during his term of office, be held responsible for every lodge event (specifically the ceremonies, the Lodge Banquet, and the Lodge Leadership Development Course), as well as the details that are necessary parts of executing each function. He appoints, with the guidance of the lodge chief, chairmen to assist him in his role.

Clause V: Correspondence Vice Chief. The correspondence vice chief shall, during his term of office, publish “Smoke Signal” and handle all other lodge correspondence. He shall record the minutes of lodge meetings and distribute them to all members of the Lodge Executive Committee.

Clause I: Age. All lodge officers must be younger than the age of twenty-one at the time of their installment, as well as for the entirety of the term of office.

Clause II: Stance. Lodge officers must be members of Nampa-Tsi Lodge in good standing; moreover, they must be due-paying members of our lodge.

Clause I: Petitions. Arrowmen wishing to file for candidacy must submit a petition to the lodge adviser [at the Council Service Center no later than the date set by the Lodge Executive Committee]. This petition is made available on the lodge website, as well as at the Council Service Center.

Clause II: Opportunities for Getting to Know the Candidates. During each session of camp (before or on the session election day), and on the Sunday of Fall Conclave, each candidate will deliver a message to assembled Arrowmen so they know what to expect from the candidate should he be elected. With discretion coming from the Key Three and/or the Lodge Executive Committee, candidates’ speeches may be required to be filmed prior to the beginning of the camping season so that each voter throughout the summer receives the same messages.

Clause III: When the Election Will Occur. During the fall of 2007, the Lodge Executive Committee reevaluated the procedure for electing lodge officers. As a result of this reevaluation, it was decided that a change was necessary. The general consensus was that elections should be ongoing throughout the summer, and that the final votes would be cast at Fall Conclave in August. The principal rationale: More Arrowmen (due-paying members under the age of twenty-one) will have the opportunity to elect their officers. Therefore, as resolved by the Lodge Executive Committee, this is what shall occur the summer of 2008 and those subsequent: During one day of each session at Hohn Scout Reservation, an election will be conducted for the lodge officer positions. The final casting of ballots will occur the Sunday of Fall Conclave.

Clause IV: One Vote Per One Arrowman. Records will be kept assuring that no person votes more than once. If it is evident that any candidate is responsible for supporters voting for him multiple times, he may be forced to concede the race.

Clause V: Safekeeping of Ballots. Ballots will be confidentially stowed away to ensure the validity of all final statistical results.

Clause I: The Ballot Counting Procedure. All ballots that were cast during the summer and at Fall Conclave will then be hand-counted by a group of youth members at the conclusion of Fall Conclave. This counting will be officiated by the lodge adviser. After all ballots have been tallied, they must be destroyed, the final statistical results never being made known to those not involved in the process of ballot counting.

Clause II: Separation from Personal Interests. No candidate running for lodge office shall take part in running the election or the procedure of counting ballots.

Clause III: What to Do in the Case of Write-In Candidates. Should a name be written on a ballot as a write-in candidate and receive a majority of the votes for a specific position, that individual shall then be considered the legitimate winner.

Section V: The Announcement of Election Results and the Installation of Officers.

Clause I: Election Results. Results will be made known at Fall Conclave; however, the chief-elect and vice chief-elects will not assume responsibility for the office to which they have been elected until being sworn in at the Winter Banquet in January. Moreover, this allows the lodge’s calendar to truly reflect the actual calendar year. Additionally, it allows the each elected candidate to shadow his position – so that he is prepared to assume the role he has been elected to come January.

Clause II: The Installation. The elect shall be installed at the Winter Banquet, being administered this Oath of Office: I, _______, do hereby promise on my honor as a Scout and as an Arrowman, that I shall faithfully execute the duties of the office to which I have been elected; that I shall remain loyal and steadfast to this, the Nampa-Tsi Lodge, promising to always make my actions and decisions in light of the lodge’s better interests; and that I might always live by the Obligation of the Order. To this I pledge my honor as I take on this responsibility of lodge leadership. Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui.

Clause I: Vacancy Due to Personal Request or Removal from Office. In the event that a lodge officer personally requests to discontinue his service as a lodge officer or if he is removed from office, the vacancy shall be filled by the Lodge Executive Committee by process of nomination and committee election; however, should the position of lodge chief become vacant, the administrative vice chief shall take office until the Lodge Executive Committee can fill the position.

Clause II: Vacancy Due to Lack of Interest. If a vacancy exists in an office after the election at the Fall General Business Meeting, it must be filled by the Lodge Executive Committee by process of nomination and committee election before the Winter Banquet of the following year. The selected individual to fill the vacancy will be installed at Winter Banquet with the other newly elected officers.

Section VII: Reasons for Removal from Office. An officer may be removed from his position under

the circumstance that he is removed from membership in the Boy Scouts of America for discipline

reasons [which also means he may not participate in Order of the Arrow functions / activities], or if he

does not charter with a unit come the time of his membership expiration in the Boy Scouts of America.

An officer may also lose his position if he does not regularly attend meetings, as well as if he is not

Section I: Officer Titles. Chapters may determine the number of officers they deem necessary, along with the officers’ titles and duties; however, a chapter chief and chapter vice chief are necessary.

Section II: Election of Chapter Officers. Chapter officers are elected by the memberships of their own chapters.

Section III: Method of Election for Chapter Officers. Each chapter may determine a fair method of electing their chapter officers.

Section IV: Vacancies. Should the position of chapter chief remain continually vacant, the lodge chief, by approval of the Lodge Executive Committee, may appoint a member from that chapter to be the chapter chief. Any other chapter positions left vacant shall be filled at the discrepancy of the chapter in a manner of their choice.

Section I: Purpose. The Lodge Executive Committee shall convene in order to conduct the business of the Nampa-Tsi Lodge.

Section II: Voting Members. The LEC shall consist of voting members; members include the lodge officers (except the lodge chief who can only vote in the case of a tie), the prior lodge chief [if he is still under the age of twenty-one], the nine chapter chiefs, as well as standing committee chairmen; however, no one person can vote more than once on a particular issue at the LEC. A quorum must be present in order for decisions to be made (at least 51% of all voting members must be present for decision-making / voting on issues).

Section III: Lodge Operating Committees. The lodge committees help perform the duties of the lodge officers. The lodge chief appoints the chairmen and members to each committee. The lodge chief reserves the right to determine the proper size of the committee depending on the committee’s role. It is common that only a chairman is needed. The Lodge Executive Committee approves all chairmen appointments.

Clause I: Ordeal. The Ordeal committee runs the Ordeal at conclaves. The Ordeal Master, who trains and coordinates Elangomats for the conclaves, heads this committee; he also distributes the Spirit of the Arrow booklets. He runs all Ordeal training sessions at the conclaves and submits a list of new Ordeal members to the advancement vice chief.

Clause II: Brotherhood. The Brotherhood committee oversees the advancement of Ordeal members to Brotherhood membership and is headed by the Brotherhood Master. The committee writes letters of Brotherhood eligibility to all eligible Brotherhood candidates, oversees Brotherhood advancement at all conclaves, and trains Nimats. It submits a list of new Brotherhood members to the advancement vice chief.

Clause III: Vigil Honor. The Vigil Chief chairs the Vigil Honor committee. He plans and executes the Vigil Honor Call-Out ceremony and Vigil Honor weekend. He acts as the chief in the induction ceremony and coordinates the ceremonies. He further coordinates all other Vigil Honor activities. This committee shall be considered ad hoc.

Clause IV: Ceremony. The Ceremony committee keeps records of all Ordeal Call-Out and Vigil Honor Call-Out ceremonies, while also conducting training sessions on ceremonies and lodge costuming. It is responsible for the check in, check out, and maintenance of lodge costuming and ceremonial properties. The Ordeal Master, Brotherhood Master, and the Vigil Chief head this committee.

Clause V: Camping Promotion. This committee updates the Where to Go Camping book, coordinating camping promotion efforts to the chapters so they promote to the units. They bring about the Camping Promotion Presentation. This committee reports to the Chief. This committee reports to the Chief.

Clause VI: Service and Activities. This committee is in charge of service related programs (Scoutreach, One Day). This committee organizes and prepares the Lodge’s activities such as Fellowships, Banquet, and Induction Weekends. The program vice chief leads this committee.

Clause VII: Honors. The Honors committee coordinates the selection of the Founder’s Award and the Fred A. Zimmann Distinguished Service Awards. The chairman administers the Honor Chapter award program and coordinates the lodge effort in obtaining honor lodge status in the National Order of the Arrow Committee’s Lodge Achievement Program. He reports to Chief. This committee shall be considered ad hoc.

Clause VIII: Finance. This committee takes care of making a yearly budget. Members help with registration for Lodge events. This committee is led by the administrative vice chief. This committee shall be considered ad hoc.

Clause IX: Elections and Membership. The Election and Membership committee receives unit election results and submits them to Council, also keeping track of dues paid. The advancement vice chief leads this committee.

Clause X: Communications. This committee collects, writes, and organizes “Smoke Signal” and other lodge publications, including the Lodge Handbook, seeing every member is able to receive a copy. The correspondence vice chief leads the committee.

Clause XI: Other Ad Hoc Committees. The lodge chief may establish other ad hoc committees to examine other particular issues as they arise. Once the committee’s issue(s) has / have been resolved, the committee will be dissolved.

Section IV: Lodge Executive Committee Meeting Dates. Meetings shall be called at the discrepancy of the lodge chief and the other lodge officers in coordination with the lodge adviser. The set meeting dates and time(s) should correlate with the council calendar; a lodge calendar should be established. Emergency meetings may occur if necessary by call of the Key Three; one week of notice must be given to all Lodge Executive Committee members.

Section V: Rules of Operation. Business in the Lodge Executive Committee shall be conducted following Robert’s Rules of Order in order to retain order and decorum.

Section VI: Approvals. The ratification of any issue presented before the Lodge Executive Committee

must require a simple majority of all voting members present; however, the approval for appointments

to offices / positions or amendments to any rule mandated by the operating rules must require a two-

Section VII: Lodge Filing of Member Information. All members of the LEC must have on file with

the correspondence vice chief his name, chapter or position, street address, telephone number, and E-

Section VIII: Encouragement by the Lodge Executive Committee. This lodge encourages any

Arrowman to attend meetings of the Lodge Executive Committee. Although only voting members are

allowed to vote, others in attendance will be allowed to participate in discussion of all matters before the

Article XI: Selection of Lodge and Chapter Advisers. The district camping chair shall select lodge and chapter advisers in the event of vacancies. All advisers must be members of the Order of the Arrow and must know policies and principles of the both the Order and the Boy Scouts of America. This knowledge is the essential qualification.

Article XII: Honors and Awards. This lodge has the option to bestow the following honors and awards; all nominations must be received in the Council office on a date established by the Lodge Executive Committee. The Honors committee and the administrative vice chief oversee the awards.

Section I: The Founder’s Award. The requirements for the Founder’s Award are the following:

Clause I. The Arrowman must be a member of the Nampa-Tsi Lodge in good standing.

Clause II. The Arrowman must have given long term, unselfish service in accordance with the Purposes and Obligation of the Order of the Arrow, to Scouting and the Nampa-Tsi Lodge.

Clause III. Guidelines for presentation will follow national policy as outlined in the latest edition of the Guide for Officers and Advisers.

Section II: The Fred A. Zimmann Award. The requirements for the Fred A. Zimmann Award are the following:

Clause III. He/she must have furthered the cause of Boy Scout camping in the Great Rivers Council through significant contributions.

Section III: The Kindling the Spirit (Silver Tipi) and Living the Spirit (Golden Tipi) Awards.

Clause I. These two awards recognize those youth Arrowmen who truly exemplify the goals and purposes of the Order. The recipients prove to go above and beyond the normal expectations in order to make Scouting and the Lodge more enhanced.

Clause II. Both awards are given to deserving youth; requirements (see application forms) must be completed as a youth – under the age of twenty-one. For the Kindling the Spirit Award, the requirements must be completed over a two-year period. Recipients of the Living the Spirit Award must first have earned the Kindling the Spirit Award.

Section IV: The Honor Service Chapter Award. The Honor Service Chapter Award will go to the chapter giving the most service, based on man-hours, to the council summer camps, to the Order of the Arrow, to the program of the Boy Scouts of America, or to the local community.

Section V: Honor Ceremony Chapter Award. The Honor Ceremony Chapter Award will go to the chapter performing the best of one of the three nationally recognized ceremonies at either the Fall or Spring Conclave [or both]. The ceremony team must be comprised of members from the same chapter who are playing the parts of the four principals.

Section VI: Quality Chapter Award. The requirements for the Quality Chapter Awards are as follows:

Clause II. The chapter contacts 100% of the troops in district and holds elections and camp promotions for all troops requesting them.

Clause III. Four of the following optional requirements must also be met: ^1.Have an active ceremony team that performs at any induction weekend. ^2.Participate in at least two service days at either council camp (not including lodge functions). ^3.Display a chapter totem at two lodge induction weekends. ^4.35% of eligible Ordeal members in the chapter attain Brotherhood membership. ^5.The chapter visits at least 60% of troops in district for reasons other than unit elections. ^6.Other requirements can be substituted as approved by the Lodge Executive Committee.

Clause I. The Zeke Secora NOAC Scholarship will be awarded during each year of a NOAC. Arrowmen wanting this scholarship should write a letter to the Key Three.

Clause II. Considerations will include: age of Arrowmen (younger Arrowmen are preferred), financial need, leadership potential, and service to the lodge.

Clause III. Open nominations will be accepted with the Key Three deciding who will receive the scholarship after obtaining approval from the Arrowman’s chapter chief and adviser.

Section I. A definite schedule for Lodge Executive committee meetings should be established before the start of the lodge year. Meetings held monthly or every two months are the customary pattern. Each committee member should have a schedule of the meetings.

Section II. The lodge calendar must be completed and scheduled with the lodge staff adviser prior to publication of the Great River Council’s staff annual planning meeting.

Section I. These rules may be amended only by the approval of two-thirds of all present voting members of the Lodge Executive Committee.

Section II. The National Committee of the Order of the Arrow mandates certain portions of the rules. The lodge may not change these rules; however, if the mandated portions of this document alter by the National Committee, such changes are automatically considered as having been incorporated into the operating rules of the lodge.

Section III. These rules shall remain under constant review for amending / making necessary corrections.

Section IV. With each set of amendments made to these rules, the Lodge Executive Committee shall produce a new edition.

Section I: General Finances. All Order of the Arrow funds shall be handled through the Great Rivers Council Service Center and go through all normal council accounting procedures.

Section II: Annual Financial Statement. An annual lodge financial statement must be produced.

Section III: The Annual Operating Budget. The lodge must generate and approve an annual operating budget, overseen by the administrative vice chief.

Section IV: Dues. The Lodge Executive Committee shall establish membership dues; the Lodge Executive Committee is reserved the right to set entailing late fees for membership reactivation. Dues for the following year not promptly received by a date set by the Lodge Executive Committee shall be considered late.

Article XVI: The Lodge Handbook. This document will become an integrated part of the lodge handbook and will be freely available to all members. The handbook will further describe the duties, procedures, and history of the lodge. The lodge handbook will be updated annually.

Section I: The Lodge Totem. The totem of the lodge will be a white tepee with two red stripes and lodge poles equal to the number of chapters.

Section II: The Retaining of Past Symbols. All symbols of the Po-E-Mo and Metab lodges prior to their unification shall remain to be observed.

Section III: Lodge Song. The song of our lodge shall be recited or sung as printed:

Hold true the legends of our lodge, and keep our secrets in safeguard, for to the Order we shall stand in cheerful service unto man. Promote our brotherhood, indeed, for we are the great Nampa-Tsi.

Section IV: Lodge Legend. The lodge legend shall be as printed in the lodge handbook.

Clause I: Administration of the Coup Thong Award Program. The lodge’s advancement vice chief shall administer the lodge’s coup thong.

Clause II: Purpose. Worn around the neck, the coup thong displays an Arrowman’s tenure in the Order of the Arrow, as well as his achievements [in the Order, as well as in Scouting (i.e. the Eagle Scout Award)].

Clause III: The Coup Thong and Its Components. The coup thong and its components shall be further outlined in the lodge handbook.

Clause I: The Lodge Flap. The lodge flap, as of the November 2006 Lodge Executive Committee Meeting, contains two chiefs (one representing Metab; the other, Po-E-Mo) sitting by a fire creating flames sheathing the three W’s (Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui), the Great River, the Great Tepee lined with the traditional red stripes, a ghosted 216 on the side of the teepee, as well as the sun setting beyond magnificent mountains. The flap also contains a deer, symbolizing peace within our lodge, as well as eight evergreen trees to symbolize the eight chapters, a Scouting fleur-de-lis, and growing stalks of corn. Should the lodge flap come to change in time, this clause shall duly require a mandatory amendment to meet the description of the newly approved design.

Clause II: Conditions on Flaps and Patches. With the creation of all new lodge flaps, lodge / chapter event patches, etc., a copy of each patch shall be presented to both Camp Thunderbird and to Camp Hohn for safekeeping, display, and for the enjoyment of Arrowmen in the present and future.

Article XVIII: Initial Ratification of These Operating Rules. The approval of two-thirds of all voting members of Nampa-Tsi Lodge present at the 2007 Winter Banquet on January 6, 2007, shall be required to adopt these operating rules. Upon ratification these shall come into immediate effect as the First Edition.

Section I: Name. The lodge shall be known as: Nampa-Tsi Lodge, meaning Twin Lodges in the words of our native brothers.

Article III: Lodge Division. The lodge shall be further divided into nine chapters, each

chapter coordinating to the districts of the Great Rivers Council. Each chapter’s primary

goal is to promote camping promotion while executing unit elections and holding chapter

Article V: Brotherhood Membership.

Section I: Obtaining Brotherhood Membership in the Order. Completion of Brotherhood membership in the Nampa-Tsi Lodge shall be in accordance with the requirements in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisers.