Purpose of the Section
The section is the recognized inter-lodge/inter-council organization structure of the Order of the Arrow and exists to provide direct inter-lodge contact among lodge and chapter leaders. A section consists of lodges within a geographic area of the region as determined by the Regional Order of the Arrow Chairman and Regional OA Director. A section annually elects a youth member as a Section Chief, who, along with the volunteer Section Adviser and professional Section Staff Adviser, form the Section Key Three. Together with two other important elected youth officers, a Vice Chief and a Secretary, they form the Section Key 5, or Section Executive Committee.
The principal purpose of the section lies in conducting an annual meeting for delegates of the lodges, bringing them together for mutual improvement through the exchange of ideas. This annual meeting, or Section Conclave, shall include training and inspirational experiences, which will assist lodges in creating and administering more effective programs that support the overall objectives of the Order of the Arrow. The section also has three secondary purposes: providing leadership opportunities for older Arrowmen (usually between 16-21 years of age), fostering understanding and adherence to national Order of the Arrow policies and procedures while providing opportunities for Arrowmen to bring forth their ideas into the national OA decision-making process, and coordinating OA activities of mutual benefit with all lodges in the section.