This page outlines the current Lodge Positions for Illini Lodge 55, including the elected Lodge Officers and the Committee Chairmen who support them.

Each officer role includes a summary of their responsibilities and their specific 2026 goals. You will also find detailed duties for the committees they oversee.

A separate section at the bottom explains the important role and duties of our adult Advisers, who provide guidance and support to all youth leaders.

Lodge Positions
Lodge Chief
  • Presides over Lodge Meetings and Executive Committee Meetings
  • Represents the Lodge at the Section Council of Chiefs meetings
  • Represents the Lodge at Council events
  • Oversees the work of the Lodge Officers and Committee Chairmen
  • Oversees the work of and reports for the committee chairman if he is absent, for the Vigil committee
2026 Goals
  • Grow from our past successes with Conclave and NOAC to improve communications, events, and adaptability.
  • Increase the lodge’s presence at Camp Robert Drake and in the Council
  • Improve follow-through to ensure tasks are complete and prepared in all facets
  • Fill committee positions by Winter Banquet
Committee Chairmen
Vigil Committee
  • Holds the Vigil Selection Committee Meeting (usually about 8 weeks before the Fall Pow Wow)
  • Insures that the Vigil induction process runs smoothly
Vice Chief of Administration
  • Serves as Lodge Chief when needed
  • Prepares updated Lodge Plan Book for the Winter Banquet
  • Oversees the work of and reports for the committee chairman if he is absent, for the following committees: Troop Representative, Cub Scout Relations, Lodge Structure, Troop Visitation
  • Other duties as specified by the Lodge
2026 Goals
  • Hold a unit election and/or camp promotion for each unit
  • Set up an organized system of communication to fully utilize troop representatives
  • Update and organize the current unit contact information file
  • Increase participation from new Ordeals after inductions
Committee Chairmen
Troop Representative Committee
  • Communicates with Troop Reps to keep them apprised of upcoming Lodge Events
  • Provides lodge/OA materials to Troop Reps for distribution to arrowmen in their units
  • Coordinates identification of Ordeal candidates to ceremonies team for callout ceremony
Cub Scout Relations Committee
  • Promote Boy Scouting through Cub Scouting
  • Assist the Troop Visitation committee with Cub Scout camp promotions
  • Planning O.A. Cub Scout activities including Smilin’ Pumpkin
Lodge Structure Committee
  • Shall oversee, evaluate, review and recommend changes to the Lodge’s organizational structure
  • Committee shall coordinate its efforts with and at the direction of the Executive Committee
Troop Visit Committee
  • Ensures that elections occur during each election season
  • Select and train sufficient election teams
  • Verify election results and report them to proper individuals
  • Promotes both Cub Scout and Boy Scout camping by working with the sub-committees
  • Prepares camp promotion for distribution by sub-committees and camping committee members
  • Makes a continuing effort to collect pictures, slides, and video footage of camp for future promotions
  • Attends the Council’s annual Summer Camp Kickoff meeting (usually held in December) to share new promotional materials
  • Updates and periodically publishes a new ‘Where to go Camping’ book (available online)
Vice Chief of Activities
  • With the help of the Activities Committee, plans the Winter Banquet
  • Works with the Camp Ranger to insure work projects are planned and that the locations are suitable for events
  • With the help of the Activities Committee, insures that activities are planned, cook crews are prepared, and publicity has been done
  • Oversees the work of and reports for the committee chairman if he is absent for the following committees: Activities, Lodge Leadership Development, Section/Region/National Events, Service, Trail
  • Other duties as assigned by the Lodge Chief
2026 Goals
  • Enhance member engagement at events by having more interactive activities
  • Improve event planning efficiency and execution of event themes
  • Improved communication with Chief and LEC
Committee Chairmen
Activities Committee
  • Plans and helps run all Lodge Activities (Spring Fellowship & Advancement Day, Fall Pow-Wow & Smilin’ Pumpkin, Winter Banquet)
  • Makes a budget and gets it approved by the Staff Adviser for each event
  • Arranges for food service, securing cooks and helpers
  • Organizes activities for the Lodge members at events (i.e. contests and demonstrations)
  • Sends a flier to the Secretary for each event at least six weeks in advance
Lodge Leadership Development
  • Plans, prepares, and coordinates training cells for lodge leadership development events
  • The committee will prepare multiple training cells to be taught throughout the year, designated by the chair, to increase the amount of Training in Illini Lodge 55
Section/Region/National Events
  • Attends all Council of Chiefs meetings
  • Acts as a liaison between the lodge and the section
  • Actively promotes section activities including the Section Conclave at lodge events
  • Actively promotes the National Order of the Arrow Conference and other national events
Service Committee
  • Helps Ordeal Committee by working with the Camp Ranger to set-up work projects for Ordeals and other members of the Lodge
  • Reviews requests from outside of the Lodge for service at other functions and follows up with appropriate action and finds necessary volunteers
Trail Committee
  • Promotes use of the Onaquispasippi Trail
  • Maintains all parts of the Onaquispasippi Trail
  • Helps plan Trail Tromp, and organize the Trail Race (if determined to be held)
Vice Chief of Inductions
  • Responsible for all membership induction functions
  • Responsible for the Call-Out, Ordeal, and Brotherhood conversion process
  • Oversees the work of and reports for the committee chairman if he is absent, for the following committees: Ordeal, Brotherhood, Ceremonies
  • Other duties as assigned by the Lodge Chief
2026 Goals
  • Determine new Bowl needs for upcoming changes to Inductions
  • Find and prepare 2 ceremonies teams. One for Ordeal and one for Brotherhood
  • Prepare and practice a callout ceremony before summer camp
  • Repeat success in execution and timing of previous year’s ceremonies
Committee Chairmen
Ordeal Committee
  • Oversees a candidate’s entire Ordeal experience, from the ceremony to the time that they leave for home
  • Ensures Ceremonial teams are ready for ceremonies
  • Recruits and trains task masters
  • Works with Ranger to see that all work projects are suitable and ready
  • Sends makeup notices for Spring and Fall events
  • Reports violations of Ordeal etiquette to the Lodge Chief
Brotherhood Committee
  • Notifies members about their eligibility to obtain Brotherhood at least 30 days in advance
  • Conducts the Brotherhood interviews and trains those conducting the interviews
  • Selects or becomes the leader (Nimat) for the Brotherhood hike, at the end of which the Brotherhood candidates are turned over to the ceremonial team
  • Is directly responsible for the 30% Brotherhood conversion ratio needed for National Quality Lodge recognition
Ceremonies Committee
  • Conducts a Call-Out ceremony during each session of the Council’s Boy Scout summer camp
  • Conducts ceremonies at Lodge functions
  • Maintains the ceremonial grounds at Camp Drake
  • Maintains ceremonial equipment and supplies
  • Has an ongoing plan to improve outfits, by upgrading and replacing
  • Has all supplies on hand to conduct ceremonies BEFORE the ceremony begins
  • Helps train members to become part of a ceremonial team
  • Maintains the inside and outside of the Awasagme with the help of the Camp Ranger
  • Maintains an inventory of items kept in the building
Secretary
  • Records the minutes of each Lodge Meeting and Executive Committee Meeting
  • Sends notices of Executive Committee meetings to members of committees
  • Signs Membership cards and distributes them after dues payment
  • Oversees the work of and reports for the committee chairman if he is absent, for the following committee: Communications
  • Other duties as assigned by the Lodge
2026 Goals
  • Increase our already stellar social media presence
  • Create more content centered around non-officer arrowmen
  • Keep better records of minutes at lodge/LEC meetings
  • Work on getting an email sent out monthly to keep arrowmen up to date
  • Increase use of OA Member App
Committee Chairmen
Communications Committee
  • Maintains and updates the Illini Lodge 55 website
  • Keeps the email list up-to-date and sends emails at the request of the Lodge Chief
  • Publishes quarterly issues of The Buck and sends it to all active members
  • Sends out special announcements upon request of the Lodge Chief
Treasurer
  • Prepares the Lodge’s annual budget for approval
  • Prepares and reports on the Lodge’s monthly financial standing
  • Handles the resale of Lodge items at Lodge events
  • Acts as the committee chairman for the Finance Committee
  • Other duties as assigned by the Lodge Chief
2026 Goals
  • Make sure everyone attending events have paid dues/fees
  • Ensure merchandise supply is maintained
  • Create extensive lodge flap design options for NOAC 2027
  • Research and create a new standard issue lodge flap and lodge logo
  • Explore the creation of a new lodge neckerchief, and determine its profitability
Committee Chairmen
Finance Committee
Assists with preparing the annual lodge budget, tracks financial records and reports, oversees dues collection, and proposes money-earning projects.
Merchandise Committee
Manages the design, acquisition, inventory, and sales of lodge merchandise such as patches and apparel.
Advisers
Advisers

Each committee shall have at least one adviser.

  • Maintains a working relationship with the Committee Chairman
  • Reports to the Lodge Adviser, Associate Lodge Adviser, and/or the Staff Adviser
  • Insures that the Committee Chairman understands their responsibilities and duties and that he is successful in carrying out their position
  • Drives youth to and from events as needed
  • Helps other leaders outside of the Lodge to gain an understanding of the Lodge and the Order of the Arrow