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.

Want to know who’s currently filling these positions?

SEE WHO’S WHO RIGHT NOW
Youth 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