"From the beginning of the Order in 1915, all members have been
equal. There are no ranks. As an Ordeal member you are entitled
to all the rights and privileges of membership in the Order.
Yet, so important is the induction sequence that the Order
strengthened it by creating Brotherhood membership. It is an
opportunity for members to evaluate their past service to
Scouting (camping, service, and unit involvement) and to the
lodge since their Ordeal induction.
Brotherhood membership is sought by Arrowmen seeking to
reaffirm their belief in the high purposes of the Order. Before
becoming a Brotherhood member, each Arrowman makes a special
effort to serve the troop or team and to learn about the Order.
Each Brotherhood member commits to even more service to Scouting
through the Order." - OA Handbook page 47.
How Do I become a Brotherhood Member?
Learn the signs of Arrow membership - they may be found
in your handbook or on the
JumpStart website:
Learn the Obligation of the Order, which you
received from Allowat Sakima (printed on the back of
your membership card and in your OA handbook on page
10).
Learn the Order of the Arrow Official Song (p.13)
The Admonition
The sign of Ordeal membership
The Arrow handclasp.
Advance in your understanding of the Ordeal: Gain a
thorough understanding of the Ordeal through which you have
passed. (refer to pages 52-54 on your handbook for
reference).
Serve your unit. Retain your registration in Scouting:
During a period of at least 10 months after your Ordeal,
strive to fulfill your Obligation by continuing and
expanding your service to your own troop.
Plan for service in your lodge: Retain your registration
in your Order of the Arrow lodge and keep your dues paid. Be
aware that acceptance of Brotherhood membership involves a
pledge of service to the lodge. Develop a concrete idea of
how you plan to fulfill this pledge.
Review your progress: When you earnestly feel that you
have met the four challenges above, write a letter to your
Lodge Secretary. In this letter:
Explain what you think the Obligation means.
Describe how you have been fulfilling this
Obligation in your troop or team and in your daily life,
and how you have used your understanding of the Ordeal
to aid in this service.
Describe your specific plans for giving service in
the lodge program.
Bring this letter that you have written with you.
Have your letter typed or in neat, legible handwriting.
All letters must be turned in to the Lodge Secretary
when you check in Friday evening.
Register for the Lodge event you wish to attain
Brotherhood Membership and show up Friday evening.
When can I become a Brotherhood Member?
At almost every gathering of the Lodge we offer the ability
for Arrowmen to become Brotherhood members of the Lodge.
What
happens at the event / what is the process of
becoming a Brotherhood Member?
Friday at
check-in turn in your Brotherhood letter to the
Lodge Secretary and make sure that you have
registered to be a Brotherhood Candidate.
Friday night there will be a meeting with all
of the Brotherhood Candidates to make sure that
the letter was turned in and all fees are paid
up. At this meeting the candidates will be
informed of the weekend schedule.
On Saturday morning all Brotherhood
Candidates will be expected to help in a
Brotherhood work project - to help them remember
the cheerfulness found in arduous labor.
Saturday afternoon there will be a
Brotherhood study session where all of the
candidates can study together with other
Brotherhood members. During this time the
candidates can ask questions and get a better
understanding of those items they need to know
and the Lodge. After the study session there is
a one on one review of the candidate knowledge
of those items the candidate has been asked to
understand.
Once this is complete the candidate is ready
for the Brotherhood walk and ceremony Saturday
evening.
Why is the event registration fee more for
a Brotherhood Candidate?
You will notice that the event fees for those
wishing to become Brotherhood Members of the
lodge are more than the standard event fee.
This is to cover the cost of the Brotherhood
Sash.
How do I learn more about
becoming a Brotherhood Member
and the Order?
Jumpstart
is (www.jumpstart.oa-bsa.org)
is an excellent reference for
information on the OA and the
Ordeal. You can also use it to
help review for Brotherhood. The
website even has sample
Brotherhood questionnaire
questions.
Ini-To Lodge is composed of Order of the Arrow members
who are registered
