What Is the OA Troop/Team Representative?
The Troop/Team Representative program was begun in 1999, and is a program of the Order of the Arrow that has been officially adopted by the Boy Scouts of America. The OA Representative is now an official leadership position within the troop or team, and boys can earn time towards their leadership rank requirements, just as with Den Chief, Troop Scribe, or any of the other   leadership positions.

What Are the Responsibilities of the Troop/Team Representative?
There are numerous possibilities for the job description of the OA Representative. The beauty is that it is flexible enough to allow your unit to fine-tune the exact responsibilities. However, the most basic tasks of the Representative will be to coordinate service opportunities within the unit, to coordinate unit involvement with the Order of the Arrow, including Unit Elections, Camp Promotions, and Inductions, and request lodge and chapter resources to help meet unit needs.

Who Can Serve as a Troop/Team Representative?
Anyone in the unit who is under the age of 18 can serve as the OA Representative for the unit, provided he is a dues-paid member of the Order of the Arrow. He should be appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader or Varsity Team Captain, and will be a member of the Patrol Leaders' Council and attend lodge and chapter meetings.

Will There Be an Adviser for the Troop/Team Representative?
As with all positions in the Order, the OA Representative should have an adult as his Adviser. This adult needs to be 21 years of age or older, a dues-paid member of the Order of the Arrow, and be appointed by the Scoutmaster.

Does This Position Count for Rank Advancement?
Scouts may use the Order of the Arrow Troop/Team Representative position to meet the leadership position requirements for the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks. As BSA publications are revised and updated, they will include this new position.

How can 18 to 20 Year-olds be Involved?
Youth Arrowmen who are 18 or older can serve as a lodge or chapter chair or as a liaison for the Order of the Arrow Troop/Team Representative program. They can play a critical role in the Lodge Structure for the program.

How can I get the Badge of Office?
The OA Troop Representative and OA Team Representative badges of office are available from BSA National Supply. Interested Arrowmen can get them at their local Scout Shop. Ask for:
"OA Troop Representative badge", BSA item #00237
"OA Team Representative badge", BSA item #00236

Scouting:

• With the Troop/Team Representative as a liaison between the Order of the Arrow and the troop or team, the camp promotions  process will be smoother, leading to greater numbers of Scouts at summer camp
  
• Creates a vehicle to strengthen the ties between the OA and the individual BSA troop or team. This will help with the retention of the older Scouts.
  
• With the organization of service projects, Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts will be seen actively helping others in their communities
  

• With an easier camp promotions process, the lodge can increase the number of units visited, increasing the effectiveness of this program in the Council.
  
• Eases the unit election process by having a person in the troop or team whose job is to ensure that elections are held
  
• With positive OA leadership on the unit level, lodges will experience greater membership retention and higher Brotherhood conversion rates
  
• A Unit's OA members will have someone to organize transportation to OA events, increasing attendance at chapter/lodge functions
  

• The coordination of OA calendar with that of troop and team will prevent OA members from having to choose between OA functions and unit events
  
• With the organization of service projects, there will be greater opportunity for community service hours that are required for rank advancement
  
• Experienced Arrowmen from other units who may be able to share their knowledge can be sought out by the OA Representative to augment the troop program
  
• Creates more opportunities for leadership in the troop or team for both youth and adults, effectively increasing membership retention
  
• Communication link between the lodge/chapter and the troop/team. Not only does information need to flow from the lodge to the unit, but also information on the needs of the unit must flow to the lodge. The lodge or chapter must be responsive to the needs of the troop or team.
  
• The key to running this program successfully is simple: keep all Troop/Team Representatives informed and make them feel that they are needed and crucial aspects of lodge administration. As soon as your lodge has this program in place, you will immediately reap the benefits in the form of more capable leaders, and increased attendance at lodge events.