The Brotherhood honor is the next step of the journey in the Order of the Arrow after Ordeal. After Ordeal induction, new Arrowmen should remember the only commitment a new member has made, is to return in service to their unit. This duty should never be neglected. The Brotherhood honor is a step that each Arrowman should take when they have decided they are ready to seal their membership in the Order of the Arrow. Brotherhood membership is not a rank, but rather an intensification of an Arrowmen’s knowledge about the Order of the Arrow and a commitment to service. The process of becoming a Brotherhood member can begin right after becoming an Ordeal member, but an Arrowman can only obtain Brotherhood membership after giving continued service to their unit for at least 6 months following their Ordeal. Refer to the Brotherhood Membership section in the OA Handbook. Take a few moments to review the requirements of Brotherhood membership.

THE FIVE CHALLENGES OF BROTHERHOOD MEMBERSHIP

1. The first challenge of Brotherhood is to memorize the signs of Arrow membership. There are five things to remember, and with a little practice, it can be easily done. It is important that each new Arrowman reads the Obligation and thoroughly understand it before trying to memorize. After the meaning of the Obligation is understood, memorization will be much easier to accomplish. Arrowmen should also learn the Order of the Arrow Official Song. The Song is sung at the closing of every gathering of Arrowmen. It was sung at the conclusion of the Ordeal Ceremony. The song can be found in the OA Handbook. When each new Arrowman receives their OA sash in the Ordeal Ceremony, Allowat Sakima whispers the Admonition and its meaning in the new member’s ear. The Admonition is whispered into the ear and never spoken aloud. The next requirement is to learn the sign of Ordeal Membership, which was given by Allowat Sakima during the Ordeal Ceremony. Finally, it is important to learn the Order of the Arrow handclasp.

2. Advance in your understanding of the Ordeal. Every Arrowman must learn the principles and symbols of the Ordeal and their meaning. Refer back to the OA Handbook to review the information and progress towards Brotherhood membership.

3. Serve your unit and retain membership in Scouting. This requirement reinforces that service to the unit is an Arrowman’s primary responsibility. The new skills that are learned in the Ordeal induction will help each Arrowman be better leaders in their units back home. After 6 months of continued service to the unit, Ordeal members will be eligible for Brotherhood membership.

4. Plan for service in your lodge. Brotherhood membership comes with a pledge of service to the lodge. New members should talk with their lodge or chapter chief or another officer to learn how to get involved and be an active Arrowman. Adults should talk to their lodge or chapter adviser to learn how to serve the OA and support the youth. A simple plan for service to the lodge should be made before becoming a Brotherhood member.

5. Review your progress. This requirement is often viewed as one of the more difficult requirements, but it does not need to be. Arrowmen will need to write a brief letter to the lodge secretary that includes the following items: Explain what you think the Obligation means. Arrowmen simply need to read the obligation and ask themselves, ‘what am I promising to do?’ Once the Arrowman has a better understanding of the Obligation, it should be easier to write what it means to them. There is no right or wrong answers because each Arrowman will have their own personal meaning. Next, the Arrowman should describe how they have been fulfilling this Obligation in their unit and in their daily life, and how they have used their understanding of the Ordeal to aid in this service. Finally, the Arrowman should give a description of their specific plans for giving service in the lodge program. Brotherhood members make a commitment to the Order of the Arrow. The plan of service is not expected to be anything overwhelming.

Brotherhood Membership