Lodge Operation Rules

ARTICLE I
NAME AND AFFILIATION

Section 1- The name of this lodge of the Order of the Arrow shall be Aracoma Lodge #481, W.W. W.

Section 2- This lodge shall be affiliated with the Black Warrior Council, 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 requirement for membership in this lodge shall be as required in the latest edition of the Order of the Arrow Handbook.

Section 2- The procedure for the Ordeal shall be as stated in the latest edition of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Ceremony of the Ordeal.

Section 3- All unit elections for membership must be cleared through the Lodge Unit Elections Committee.

Section 4- The Executive Committee of the lodge may select Unit, District, or Council Scouts for nomination for induction 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
Aracoma 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 edition of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Ceremony of the Brotherhood.

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 edition of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and the Ceremony of the Vigil.

ARTICLE V
OFFICERS

Section 1- The officers of this lodge shall be:

Lodge Chief
Lodge Vice-Chief of Administration
Lodge Vice-Chief of Records and Finance
Lodge Vice-Chief of Ceremony
Lodge Vice-Chief of Dance

These officers must be under 21 years of age during their entire term of office.

Section 2-The Executive Committee of this Lodge shall be composed of each elected Lodge Officers, the immediate past Lodge Chief, all Lodge Committee chairmen, the Lodge Lay Adviser, the Council Scout Executive and the Staff Adviser.

Section 3- Lodge officers shall be elected at the first Lodge meeting after September 1^st of each year.  The term of the officers shall be from January 1^st to December 31^st.  Officers may succeed themselves.

Section 4- The Lodge shall hold a training conference annually for the purpose of training the newly elected officers and operating committee chairman.

Section 5- Any elected officer may be removed from office as follows:

1. A petition signed by at least thirty (30) percent of the current lodge membership showing cause for the action must be presented to the Lodge Executive Committee.

2. A hearing shall be held before the Lodge Executive Committee, with the Officer being charged and the member(s) making the charge.

3. The petition is then brought before the membership and voted upon. A two-thirds vote is required to finalize the removal from office.

Section 6- If the office of Lodge Chief is vacated during the term of office, the First Vice-Chief (Administration) shall fill the office.  If any other office is vacated, the Lodge Chief shall appoint a successor with the approval of the Lodge Executive Committee.

Section 7- All officers must reside within the boundaries of the Black Warrior Council during the entire term of office.

ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES

Section 1- The Lodge Chief shall appoint such standing committees as may be required for the operation of the Lodge.  All appointments must be approved by the Lodge Executive Committee.

Section 2- All committee chairmen must be under 21 years of age during their entire term of office.

ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS

Section 1- The lodge shall hold at least six (6) meetings during their calendar year.

Section 2- The Lodge Executive Committee shall meet at least six (6) times during the calendar year.

ARTICLE VIII
DUES

Section 1- All funds of the Lodge shall be handled through the regular accounting procedures of the Black Warrior Council.

Section 2- Lodge dues shall be eight dollars ($10.00) per calendar year.  Nonpayment of dues by July 15^th or the First Ordeal Weekend 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.

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS

Section 1- These by-laws are subject to amendment at any time provided the amendment has been submitted to the Lodge Executive Committee at least one (1) month prior to a lodge meeting and that notice has been sent to all active members.

Section 2- A two-thirds (2/3) vote shall be required for passage of the amendment.