Vigil Eligibility Lists and nomination forms

Because the lists of eligible members contains the full  name and address information, the list is password-protected. Contact us to get the password, or locate it in the Vigil Nominations email all OA members should have received.

Can't Find a Member?

  • Remember that youth are any members age 20 or under.
  • Members must be dues-paid for 2024-2025 and registered with Northern Star Scouting to appear and to be be nominated.
  • Use the Member Lookup page
  • Still can’t find them? Contact us!
Eligible Youth Members as of December 1st, 2024
Eligible Adult Members as of December 1st 2024
Online Vigil Nomination Form
Fillable PDF Vigil Nomination Form - Must be downloaded to use as Adobe fillable form

Vigil Honor and Selection

Alertness to the needs of others is the mark of the Vigil Honor. It calls for an individual with an unusual awareness of the possibilities within each situation.

The Vigil Honor is the highest honor that the Order of the Arrow can bestow upon its members for exceptional service to lodge, council, community and Scouting. Membership cannot be won by a person’s conscious endeavors.

The Vigil Honor is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made distinguished contributions beyond the immediate responsibilities of their position of office to one or more of the following:

  • Order of the Arrow
  • Scouting community
  • Scout Camp
  • Community

Under NO circumstances should tenure in Scouting or the Order of the Arrow be considered as reason enough for a Vigil Honor recommendation.

Any member of the Order of the Arrow registered in Scouting and in good standing in a regularly chartered lodge is eligible for recommendation to the National Order of the Arrow Committee for elevation to the Vigil Honor provided that, at the time of the recommendation, the individual has been a Brotherhood member for a minimum of two years.

A lodge may nominate a maximum of two percent of their registered Arrowmen once a year, through the Vigil Honor petition, found in the annual re-charter packet. At least 50 percent of all nominated must be under 21 at the time of nomination.

VIGIL NOMINATION

The Vigil Honor is one not to be taken lightly as it is the measure of an Arrowmans devotion to the ideals set by our Founders: E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson. Now is time to look around and see who has the “Can-Do” attitude and one who always lives by the Scout Oath and Law.

The minimum requirements for consideration for the Vigil Honor are being a Brotherhood Member for at least 2 years with their dues paid and current minimum of last 3 years. So look around your Troops, Chapters and Lodge and see who has 2 years as a Brotherhood Honor and deserves to be recognized for their involvement and dedication to Scouting. YES, dedication to Scouting, and not JUST to the Order of the Arrow.

In the Order of the Arrow, SERVICE is paramount to the attitude of a good Arrowman. Service to community, family, God and service to the Unit to which we belong are just a few areas that an Arrowman will devote himself.

Camping is another area where an Arrowman demonstrates their attitude. An Arrowman that is willing to help others enjoy the out of doors and experience the wonders of nature is an Arrowman worthy of the Vigil Honor

Please look around you and see if there is an Arrowman that meets these criteria, then nominate them for the Vigil Honor. 

Nominating a Member

When making a nomination, perform the following review:

  • Consider the statement above in the first paragraph to pre-qualify your nominee. Does he/she fit the description given?
  • Make sure your nominee is current for with dues.  If not, you will need to get your nominee up to date by paying dues. Dues can be paid using this Pay Dues link. You may want to inform your nominee that you are considering nominating him for an award, but that they need to be current with dues.
  • Make sure your nominee has been a Brotherhood member for at least 24 months as of the date nominations are due (see above). You can check the member’s eligibility using the buttons above. The list is updated periodically with new information as dues are paid.

Follow these instructions and fill out the petition carefully:

Type or clearly print all the information asked for onto the petition.

  • Suggest a Vigil Name. 
  • Describe in the Essay portions the nominee’s character and what positive impacts their work in the program provides to their peers, and to scouts.  How many youth have they worked with or assisted in their Unit / School / Home / District / Chapter / Lodge / Council / etc., and what has been their impact on them.  Be as specific about non-scouting activities as you are with scouting activities.
  • If desired, provide a summary of the training they have had, and training they have been involved with on staff.
  • If desired, list what leadership positions have they held in scouting, church, school, sports, work, etc.
  • It is important to include a statement as to why you believe the nominee is worthy to be a candidate. What are your expectations of the work and impact they will have on the program if selected.

If filling out a PDF form, send the Nomination Petition into the Lodge Staff adviser, listed on the instructions, by the selection deadline. This date is the absolute deadline.

Lodge Selection process

In early February, a committee of youth, plus one adult adviser, meet for Vigil selection. This committee is made up of one representative from each chapter. A chapter may decline to participate.

The committee reviews all applications, and discusses each candidates qualifications. A committee member may advocate for someone in their chapter. This is a great reason for every chapter to send a representative.

Once the committee has chosen the youth Vigil candidates, any remaining slots can be filled by adults, but only after all youth applications have been reviewed.

The committee does not need to fill all slots available if their do not find enough worthy candidates.

Once all candidates are chosen, the names are submitted to the National Order of the Arrow organization. The National OA verifies BSA membership and Lodge status before approving the candidate. 

Successful applications are communicated to chapters after national approval and the candidates are notified in June. 

A formal Vigil induction weekend is held in August, welcoming our new Vigil members to our lodge.