MA-NU LODGE

Mission of the Lodge

The mission of the 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.


Purpose of the Order

  • To recognize those campers –– Scouts and Scouters –– who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant recognition.
  • To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.
  • To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit’s camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council.
  • To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

Where We Serve

Ma-Nu Lodge, in addition to serving the council program, is a proud supporter of the community and many nonprofits. If people need our help, we want to be there for them. Below is a list of service projects that the Order of the Arrow has organized and/or assisted in.

  • Feed the Children projects
  • Moore, OK, Tornado relief
  • West Texas relief
  • Hurricane Sandy relief
  • Philippines Tsunami relief
  • Oklahoma National Parks upkeep
  • Memorial Day Veteran’s Honor
  • Community flag retirements
  • Community Fourth of July Event Staff

These projects do not include other organizations that our members are a part of outside of the lodge. These include

  • Boy’s and Girls Club
  • Numana
  • Water is Life
  • Church Organizations

We also support organizations financially. Organizations include:

  • The Boy Scouts of America
  • American Red Cross

The Order of the Arrow as Scouting’s National Honor Society

The Order of the Arrow is a recognized official program activity of the Boy Scouts of America, intended to recognize those scouts who best exemplify the scout virtues of cheerful service, camping, and leadership.

Founded in 1915, just seven years after the acclaimed English war hero Robert Baden-Powell started scouting in Great Britain, the Order of the Arrow is the uniquely American “honor society of scouting”. The “OA’s” origin and development are tightly intertwined, like a well-made square knot, with scouting itself in the United States. Its history is a remarkable saga of a good-hearted visionary’s effect on many generations of youth.

The new scout movement was enjoying halcyon days in an America still at peace in 1915, while young men in Europe were dying by the thousands in a war more terrible than any before in history. Boys in the U.S. seemed to be donning scout uniforms everywhere as membership grew rapidly from coast to coast. Prominent businessmen, civic and religious groups, and politicians, including Congressmen and the President, vied to match the enthusiasm of boys surging into scout camps across the nation, eager to be part of the great wave of scouting which had reached American shores in the years before World War I.

As E. Urner Goodman, then a 25 year old scoutmaster, walked along Chestnut Street in downtown Philadelphia, PA, in May, 1915, he heard newsboys hawking the Philadelphia “Inquirer’s” headlines, blaring the sinking of the Cunard oceanliner “Lusitania” hit by a U-boat’s torpedoes within view of the Irish coast. Urner was busy with plans that would also have far reaching effects, for he had agreed to take the job of Camp Director at the Philadelphia scout council’s camp perched on idyllic Treasure Island in the Delaware River. What he had in mind was to leave a lasting imprint on thousands of American youth in the twentieth century.

Urner’s thoughts in 1915 were focused on development of methods to teach the scouts attending summer camp that skill proficiency in Scoutcraft was not enough; rather, the principles embodied in the Scout Oath and Law should become realities in the lives of Scouts. As a means of accomplishing this without preaching and within a boy’s interest and understanding, he decided to launch an innovative program that summer based on peer recognition and the appeal of Indian lore. Troops would choose, at the conclusion of camp, those boys from among their number best exemplifying these traits, who would be honored as members of an Indian “lodge”. Boys so acknowledged in the eyes of their fellow scouts would form a fraternal bond joined together in a richly symbolic brotherhood.

Assistant Camp Director Carroll A. Edson helped Urner research the lore and language of the Delaware Indians who had inhabited Treasure Island, which they combined with characters from James Fenimore Cooper’s “Last of the Mohicans”, to develop dramatic induction ceremonies for the “Order of the Arrow”, as the fledgling honor society was dubbed. Even today, these rites make a lasting impression on scouts who have been elected to the “Order of the Arrow”.

By 1921, the idea had spread to a score of scout councils in the northeast and the first national meeting of the Order of the Arrow was held. Although the OA was initially viewed with suspicion by some scouters as a secret society, if not an affront to the egalitarian ideals of scouting, legendary Chief Scout Executive James E. West permitted those councils desiring Order of the Arrow lodges to establish them as an “experimental”
program under a “National Lodge”. Not until 1948 was E. Urner Goodman’s innovation fully integrated into the Scouting program.

Having observed its Diamond Anniversary in 1990, membership in the Order had grown to 160,000 of the one million eligible Boy Scouts in the U. S., organized into almost 400 lodges nationwide. Rare indeed is the council today that does not have an Order of the Arrow lodge with its own Indian name and “totem”, or emblem.

It is evident that the Order of the Arrow has made a significant contribution to Scouting, as we know it today in the United States. The OA’s motto, “Brotherhood of Cheerful Service”, is more than just an empty slogan for many Arrowmen, who constitute a valuable council resource for camp promotion, improvement projects, and summer camp staff. The OA, at its best, continues to be a powerful teaching tool for Scouting ideals.

The OA helps in retaining older boys in Scouting, who otherwise often tend to lose interest upon reaching high school age. Notably, OA guidelines place great importance on preserving Lodge leadership in the hands of its youth members, headed by a Chief, Vice Chief(s), and an Executive Committee, all of whom must be under age 21, who plan and implement Lodge activities, service projects, ceremonies, publications, budgets, and conduct troop elections as arranged with Scoutmasters. In larger councils, lodges are often sub-divided into “chapters”, with youth chapter officers and committeemen running chapter events. At the Section, Regional, and National levels, Chiefs and Vice-Chiefs are typically young men of college age, since Arrowmen are considered youth members until age 21.

Adults are crucial to the OA’s success as advisers and resources, such as transportation, service project skills, and the like. Many adult scouters find participation in the OA to be rewarding, as they help kindle anew the spirit of brotherhood in scouting’s honor society.

To be inducted into the Order of the Arrow, a Scout must:

  • Be at least First Class rank;
  • Have at least 15 nights of camping, including a 6-day long-term camp;
  • Participate in the “Ordeal” and induction ceremony, after election by his Boy Scout troop or Varsity unit.

Each Scout troop may schedule an Order of the Arrow election once annually. In many Councils, these elections are held at summer camp, in line with the traditions of the OA’s founding. This is not mandatory, however. All registered active youth troop members have a vote, both current Arrowmen and non-Arrowmen. Membership selection is thus predominantly by non-members.

While Explorer posts cannot have OA elections, a boy in an Explorer post who has dual registration with a Scout troop (or Varsity unit) is, of course, eligible for election by his troop or Varsity unit.

Adult scouters may be proposed for membership in the Order of the Arrow by unit or district committees or the Lodge. Once selected, they, too, undergo the “Ordeal” and participate in the induction ceremonies.

To alleviate lingering concerns in some quarters regarding the ceremonial aspects of the Order of the Arrow, the BSA has officially stated:
“The induction is not a hazing or an initiation ceremony. The Order is not a secret Scout organization, and its ceremonies are open to any parent, Scout leader, or religious leader. There is an element of mystery in the ceremonies for the sake of its effect on the candidates. For this reason, ceremonies are not put on in public. The ceremonies…are not objectionable to any religious group.”

Following 10 months as an “Ordeal” member, the Arrowman may participate in the “Brotherhood” ceremony, which signifies the sealing of his membership and an additional emphasis on OA ideals and purposes.
After an additional 2 years have elapsed, exceptional OA leaders may be recognized by conferring of the “Vigil Honor”. Generally speaking, only two percent of the Lodge membership may be selected each year for this highest of Lodge honors. A special ceremony, devised by Dr. Goodman in 1915 and closely based on ancient Indian traditions, culminates this experience.

All Order of the Arrow members are reminded that their primary duty always remains to their own troop, which elected them in the first place as a result of their cheerful service to their fellow unit members. OA Lodge activities are intended to SUPPLEMENT, and not REPLACE, troop activities. Probably the single most often-heard complaint directed towards the OA program is that of Arrowmen who have forgotten this cardinal principle.

OA Lodges meet with other lodges in their sections each year and attend a nationwide gathering held on the campus of a major university every 2 or 3 years. These National Conferences, as they are called, feature individual and Lodge competitions in ceremonies, Indian dancing and costumes, and sports, along with seminars and gala arena shows. More than 6,000 Arrowmen attend, which for many is an exciting highlight of the scouting experience on a par with a National Jamboree.

For over a half century after founding the Order of the Arrow, E. Urner Goodman continued to be a towering figure in American scouting, attaining a doctorate in education and becoming National Program Director of the BSA for many years, all the while steadfastly devoted to the OA. He enjoyed meeting Arrowmen at his Order of the Arrow “lodge” home in Vermont and continued to attend events held by Unami Lodge #1 in Philadelphia for the rest of his life.

Dr. Goodman’s keynote speeches were a traditional and inspiring highlight of OA National Conferences, until his final appearance in 1979 at Colorado State University, just six months before his death at 89. He was hailed by the 4000 Arrowmen present with a thunderous standing ovation. He spoke movingly of his creation of the OA as a “Thing of the Spirit” in that place … so distant in time… on the misty shores of the Delaware River. He bade us farewell, there in the shadows of the snow-capped Rockies, with a memorable peroration to keep the OA’s flame of fellowship glowing brightly in our hearts. Though a frail, elderly man stood before us, stooped with age, yet the spirit borne within would truly live on in our hearts, firm bound eternally in youthful brotherhood, wherever men strive to love and serve one another.


History of the Lodge

MaNu Lodge No. 133 was originally chartered to the Central Oklahoma Area Council, Region 9 on August 20, 1938. One year later the Central Oklahoma Area Council rechartered as Last Frontier Council. This makes MaNu Lodge one year older than Last Frontier Council. Over the next few decades there would be several mergers and reorganizations within the structure of both the Lodge and the Council.

As the area of the lodge expanded, the lodge began to need another form of organization. In 1963, MaNu lodge set up Chapters with borders corresponding to the districts established by the Council. In 1950, Canadian Valley Council merged with Last Frontier Council and Shawnee Lodge 192 became part of MaNu Lodge 133. Again in 1996 Black Beaver Council merged with Last Frontier Council and two years later Sekettummaqua Lodge 281 completed its merger with MaNu bringing the number of members to near 1700 and the total number of Chapters to ten.

Today, the lodge has experienced a myriad of growth and development and continues to tweak its organizational structure to better meet the demands of today’s program. There are currently seven Lodge Officers: The Lodge Chief; The Lodge Vice Chief of Program and Activities; The Lodge Vice Chief of Chapters; The Lodge Vice Chief of Camping and Service; The Lodge Vice Cheif of Ceremonies, The Lodge Vice Chief of Finance,  The Lodge Vice Chief of Administration.  There are also numerous Associate Lodge Advisers.

Meaning of Name: White Buffalo (in the Osage Language)*
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Lodge Totem: The White Buffalo
Founding Date: August 20, 1938
Current Membership: 1,176
*Special Note: Although the literal translation of MaNu is White Buffalo, the Osage word for white also meant Spirit, so MaNu means Spirit Buffalo.


Ma-Nu Lodge “Home of the LAST Southern Region Chief”

At the end of 2021, the National Order of the Arrow Committee voted to reorganize the Order of the Arrow from 4 regions (Western, Southern, Central, and Northeast) to 2 regions divided by the Mississippi River.

The serving 2021 Southern Region Chief was past Ma-Nu Lodge Chief Nick Morey from Edmond, Oklahoma. The elimination of the Southern Region at the end of 2021 makes Nick Morey the LAST Southern Region Chief and Ma-Nu Lodge the “Home of the LAST Southern Region Chief”.


History of the Bow String Society

The Bowstring Society is designed to recognize the Arrowmen in MaNu lodge who have gone above and beyond in the study and performance of the ceremonies in the Order of the Arrow.  The Bowstring Society was a program that was thought up and designed by Mr. Richard E. Rea and Mr. Frank D Milledge on September 3rd 1986.  While they were advisers for Will Rogers Chapter, they saw a need to recognize the young men who performed ceremonies for the chapter and lodge.  Knowing that there was no program in the chapter, lodge, or National Order of the Arrow, they sat down and came up with some simple guidelines that could be used as a standard for obtaining this recognition.

Will Rogers District was partially included in the lands of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe, commonly referred to as Concho, which in the 1800s were served by the agency at Darlington and protected by troops from Fort Reno.  This connection to the Cheyenne led the search for a way to honor the ceremonial team members.

From the book Bear Men and Buffalo Women by Thomas E. Mails the advisers learned of a Cheyenne society known as the Bowstring.  This society was organized without a chief; each warrior independent of the others but all the warriors dressed alike and always prepared to unite as one in war.  The society members were required to be brave and strong, along with solemn and calm.  For regalia each warrior carried a bow-lance about 8 feet long fashioned from a sound, straight, well seasoned stick in the shape of a bow.  Originally a sharp 6 inch flint lance head was fitted to one end, later steel points were substituted.  They rejoiced in the beauty of nature as the prime work of the Great Medicine, who created the rivers, the hills, the mountains, the heavenly bodies, and the clouds.  They were the accepted philosophers among their people.

How more fitting than that a society of that name be associated with our Order?  As Meteu says to the candidates for the Ordeal: “Soon you will be bound as brothers in this great and honored Order, but only if you are determined to fulfill its obligation out of love for one another.  Till then, let silences, like a bowstring, bind you each to every other, closer when the bow is tested.”

Recalling the founding of the Order on Treasure Island Scout Camp in 1915, and the three tests of the Ordeal, plans were made to conduct the first induction into the Bowstring Society.  As the lodge had not authorized or adopted the society the first Bowstring Ceremony was held as a Will Rodger Chapter recognition ceremony.

Serious consideration was given to what should be the qualifications for membership into the society.  Finally it was decided that the recognition would be conferred only on youth members who, after sealing their ties in brotherhood, had: 1) Developed their own regalia appropriate to the ceremonies.  2) Could recite their lines and move appropriately around the ceremony ring as required by the character they assumed.  3) Participated with a speaking role (one of the four characters) in the three ceremonies (Pre-Ordeal, Ordeal, and Brotherhood).  The members with their ceremony diversity would be of great value to the chapter and the lodge being able to fill in as necessary on ceremony teams ensuring that teams could be made when required for events.

Invitations were sent to the initial group of honorees to become members of this new Society at the Fall Fellowship held in September 1986, at Slippery Falls Scout Ranch. They were notified to bring their personal regalia, be prepared
to recite their memorized parts, and be prepared to spend approximately one and a half hours on Saturday night for the induction ceremony.

That evening, with Mr. Richard Rea and Mr. Frank Milledge representing the roles of Goodman and Edson, three brotherhood members of Will Rogers became the first members of the Bowstring Society within MaNu Lodge.  These members were Clint Strong, Brandt Carter and Dayton Power.

Soon after the Bowstring Society was shared with the entire lodge with the assistance of Dr. Jim Reid of Norman when the ceremony team from Sooner Chapter was inducted.  One stipulation was placed on this gift of the Bowstring Society; it was that the responsibility of being the Bowstring Society Adviser was to remain with the Will Rogers Chapter Adviser.  Adult members of the Society, who had not been inducted as youth, were never anticipated as they would never have speaking roles within the ceremonies.

The chapter adviser position passed from Mr. Rea to Mr. Milledge and then onto others.  In doing so, the role of adviser to the society also passed from the chapter and, as with all things, change came to the society in the membership eligibility.


The Lodge Executive Committee

The Lodge Executive Committee is the steering committee of the Lodge. It is made up of elected officers of the Lodge, Lodge Committee Chairmen, Chapter Chiefs, past Lodge Chief, Lodge Adviser, Chapter Advisers, Staff Adviser, and the Council Scout Executive. The Lodge Chief is the Chairman of the Executive Committee. He prepares an agenda for the meeting in advance and presides over the meeting. The youth members that are listed above are the voting members of the Lodge Executive Committee.

The Executive Board evaluates problems and concerns, studies solutions, and then acts on the business of the Lodge through offices and standing committees. Major decisions are brought to the Lodge Membership for discussion and solution. The Executive Board meets at least 4 times per year and any interested Arrowman may attend as an observer. Outsiders may address the committee only if recognized by the Lodge Chief.

Job Descriptions

Lodge Chief

  • Is the principle officer of the lodge
  • Is responsible for the total lodge program; provides overall vision and direction for the lodge
  • Supervises the work of all officers and committees of the lodge
  • Supervises the work of the chapters
  • Presides at all lodge meetings
  • Serves as the Chairman of the Lodge Executive Committee
  • Serves as youth representative on the Council Executive Board
  • Prepares the agenda for the Lodge Executive Board meeting
  • Appoints all committee chairmen with the approval of the Lodge Adviser
  • Appoints all ad hoc (temporary) committees such as the Vigil and Nominating Committees
  • May call special meetings of the Lodge or Executive Committee with the approval of the Lodge Adviser or Council Executive

Lodge Vice Chief of Program

  • Is responsible for the execution of the duties assigned to program related committees.
  • Shall become the Lodge Chief in the event there is a vacancy
  • Reports the activities of the committees under his charge at each Lodge Executive Committee meeting
  • Assumes all duties assigned to him by the Lodge Chief

Lodge Vice Chief of Activities

  • Is responsible for the execution of the duties assigned to activity related committees.
  • Is responsible for the coordination of all service projects in the Lodge.
  • Is responsible for the promotion of lodge events
  • Reports the activities of the committees under his charge at each Lodge Executive Committee meeting
  • Assumes all duties assigned to him by the Lodge Chief

Lodge Vice Chief of Chapters

  • Is responsible for the execution of the duties assigned to Chapters.
  • Acts as a liaison between the chapter and lodge.
  • Promotes district participation in lodge events.
  • Assists Chapter Chief with Troop Representative program and training of the chapter officers.
  • Is responsible for the coordination of all Unit Election and Camp Promotion Teams.
  • Reports the activities of the committees under his charge at each Lodge Executive Committee meeting
  • Assumes all duties assigned to him by the Lodge Chief

Lodge Vice Chief of Inductions

  • Is responsible for the coordination of all ceremonies and inductions in the lodge.
  • Oversees all ceremonial and induction related committees of the lodge (Ordeal, Brotherhood, Vigil)
  • Reports the activities of the committees under his charge at each Lodge Executive Committee meeting
  • Assumes all duties assigned to him by the Lodge Chief

Lodge Vice Chief of Administration

  • Records the minutes of each Lodge Executive Committee meeting and lodge business meetings.
  • Prepares a typed copy for the Lodge Chief and the permanent records within ten days of the meeting
  • Oversees all committees responsible for communication within the lodge (website/listserver, mailing, etc)
  • Maintains the lodge calendar
  • Is responsible for getting future lodge event information to Chapter Chief’s and District Executives for presentation at District Round Tables
  • Keeps records of chapter activites and programs
  • Reviews Brotherhood candidate letters
  • Reports the activities of the committees under his charge at each Lodge Executive Committee meeting
  • Assumes all duties assigned to him by the Lodge Chief

Lodge Vice Chief of Finance

  • Oversees lodge finances
  • Is responsible for collecting and accounting for all dues and fees
  • Serves as chairman of the Finance Committee
  • Presents a written report of lodge finances at each Lodge Executive Committee meeting
  • Supervises check-in for all events
  • Assumes all duties assigned to him by the Lodge Chief

Lodge Rules & Regulations

MA-NU LODGE NO. 133, ORDER OF THE ARROW
LAST FRONTIER COUNCIL NO. 480, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
LAST UPDATE – JANUARY 4, 2014

RULES AND REGULATIONS

I. NAME AND AFFILIATION OF THE LODGE
The name of the Lodge shall be Ma-Nu Lodge No. 133. (Ma-Nu is translated from the Osage as “White Buffalo”.) The Lodge shall be affiliated with Last Frontier Council NO. 480, Boy Scouts of America, and shall be under the supervision of the Council Camping Committee and Boy Scouts Committee and the administrative authority of the Scout Executive.

II. MISSION OF THE LODGE
The mission of the 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.

III. PROGRAM AND OPERATIONS
All programs and operations shall be in keeping with the purposes of the Boys Scouts of America and Order of Arrow and the mission of the lodge shall be conducted in accordance with all policies and procedures set forth by the Order of the Arrow and Last Frontier Council. The lodge and chapter goals and programs shall give full support to the council goals and program.

IV. ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP
The requirements for membership in this Lodge are as stated in the current printing of the Order of the Arrow Handbook and Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisers. Procedure for the Ordeal shall be as stated in the Order of the Arrow Handbook and Order of the Arrow Guide to Inductions.

V. BROTHERHOOD MEMBERSHIP
Completion of Brotherhood membership 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.

VI. THE VIGIL HONOR
Attainment of the Vigil Honor 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.

VII. LODGE YEAR
The lodge program shall conform to a standard calendar year.

VIII. LODGE OFFICERS
The officers of this Lodge shall be Lodge Chief, Vice Chief of Program, Vice Chief of Activities, Vice Chief of Inductions, Vice Chief of Chapters, Vice Chief of Administration, and Vice Chief of Finance. All lodge officers must be youth members during their entire term of office.

Section A. Lodge Election Procedure  
The following election procedure shall be followed for any contested office:

1. Any active member of the lodge, under 21 years of age, may nominate or second another youth to serve in the office in question.

2. After the nominations are declared closed, each youth nominated will have the opportunity to speak and then his nominator will have the opportunity to speak on his behalf.

3. After each candidate and nominator have spoken, all members of the lodge under 21 years of age, may vote with the exception of youth conducting the election.

4. A simple majority of votes cast shall be required for any contested office. Where a majority is not achieved, the nominee[s] receiving the least number of votes is [are] dropped and another ballot is taken. This procedure continues until one nominee achieves a majority and is declared elected, or until two ballots in succession result in a tie and the balloting is declared deadlocked.

5. When balloting is declared deadlocked, the officer conducting the election will announce to the voting members that one more ballot will be taken to break the tie and, if another tie results, he shall cast a vote for the nominee of his choice to achieve a majority and declare him elected.

Section B. Vacant Lodge Office Appointments
In the event that there are no candidates for an office, the Lodge Chief shall fill that office by appointment. In the event that the Lodge Chief is incapacitated at any time during his term, the Lodge Vice Chief of Program shall fill any vacancies. Any appointments made shall be confirmed by the Lodge Executive Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

Section C. Removal of an Elected Lodge Officer
Any elected officer may be removed from office for neglect or misconduct in the course of his responsibilities. Removal proceedings may be originated at either a Lodge Executive Committee meeting or a Lodge Business meeting. Removal shall be invoked by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the voting members present of the accusing body. The accused officer must receive fourteen (14) days written notice before final action can be taken against him.

IX. LODGE COMMITTEES
Lodge committees shall be created as needed by the Lodge Chief. A list of recommended operating and ad-hoc committees can be found in the Guide for Officers and Advisers. All lodge committee chairman shall be appointed by the Lodge Chief and shall serve at his pleasure.

X. LODGE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Lodge Executive Committee (LEC) is the steering committee of the lodge. It is responsible for the routine operating decisions of the lodge and coordinating the work being done by lodge officers, operating committees and chapters.

Section A. Members of the LEC
The Lodge Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected lodge officers, immediate past Lodge Chief, lodge committee chairmen, Chapter Chiefs and Advisers, Lodge Adviser, Council Camping or Boy Scout Committee Chairman, Council Scout Executive and Lodge Staff Adviser.

Section B. LEC Meetings
A regular schedule for Lodge Executive Committee meetings should be established before the start of the lodge program year. It is recommended that meetings be held monthly or every two (2) months. The Lodge Chief, Council Scout Executive or any five (5) voting members may call a special meeting of the committee, if the need arises.

Section C. Presiding Member
The Lodge Chief is the chairman and presides over all meetings of the Lodge Executive Committee. He is responsible for preparing agendas in consultation with other Lodge leaders and sending them to Lodge Executive Committee members in advance of meetings.

Section D. Governing Rules
Lodge Executive Committee meetings must be conducted in accordance with the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisers. Robert’s Rules of Order should govern procedural and decorum matters, where not inconsistent with the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisers.

Section E. Quorum
All youth members of the Lodge Executive Committee shall have one (1) vote and a quorum for the transaction of business shall be a simple majority of voting members and the Lodge Adviser and Staff Advisers or their designated representatives.

X. LODGE GENERAL BUSINESS MEETINGS
Lodge business meetings shall be held at least two (2) times a year. Special lodge business meetings may be called by a majority vote of the Lodge Executive Committee or by the Lodge Key 3, provided that thirty (30) days written notice is given to all active members of the lodge prior to such a business meeting.

XI. VOTING.
Adult Scouters, age 21 or older, do not have a vote in matters of lodge business.

XII. FINANCES.
All Order of the Arrow funds shall be handled through the council service center and go through all normal council accounting procedures.

XIII. CHAPTERS.
Chapters shall be established in accordance with the Order of the Arrow Guide for Officers and Advisers and shall be operated under the authority of the council and lodge. The mission of the chapters shall be to carry out the program of the lodge. All chapter operations shall be governed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Guide for Offices and Advisers.

Section A. Chapter Officers
Each chapter shall elect a Chief, one or more Vice-Chiefs, Secretary, Treasurer or Secretary/Treasurer.

Section B.  Chapter Structure & Responsibilities
Chapters shall structure their goals, organization and calendar to give full support to the lodge mission and goals, deliver a complete and balanced program in the chapter and work to meet the requirements set forth in the Ma-Nu Lodge Quality Chapter Program approved by the Lodge Executive Committee.

Section C. Chapter Budget
Each year, each chapter shall submit an operating budget for the chapter to the lodge. The Lodge Executive Committee must approve the budget before the chapter may incur any expenses.

XIV. AMENDMENT PROCEDURE
The following procedure shall govern amendments to these rules.

Section A. Proposing Amendments
Any proposed amendment to these rules shall be presented to the Lodge Executive Committee at least one (1) month before consideration by the lodge. The Lodge Executive Committee shall make its recommendations concerning the amendment at the lodge business meeting at which the amendment is considered.

Section B. Lodge Notice
At least thirty (30) days before the consideration by the Lodge, a copy of the proposed amendment(s)

Section C. Voting
A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all active youth members present at the lodge business meeting shall be required for passage of an amendment to these rules.