Brotherhood

All members in the Order of the Arrow (OA) are equal.  Each member is entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership in the Order.  Yet, the OA is strengthened by brotherhood within the membership.  To recognize those who have given service within the OA membership and are willing to reaffirm their belief in the Order by accepting the five challenges, each Ordeal member is encouraged to earn Brotherhood.

After being an active Ordeal member for 10 months and completing the five challenges listed below, you may take part in the Brotherhood ceremony.

The new OA webpage -  Jumpstart may may make it easier for you to gain the knowledge you need,  but your under no obligation to use it. 

The Five Challenges

1. Memorize the sign of Arrow membership. 
   Memorize the Obligation of the Order, which you received from Allowat Sakima; and the Order of the Arrow Official Song which  are presented below.  Also, memorize the  the Admonition, the sign of Ordeal membership and Arrow handclasp. (These will be demonstrated to you if needed.) 
   
2. Advance in your understanding of the Ordeal.  Gain a thorough understanding of the Ordeal through which you have passed.
   
3. Serve you unit and retain your registration in Scouting.  During a period of at least 10 months, strive to fulfill your Obligation by continuing and expanding your service to your troop or team.
   
4. Plan for service in your lodge.  Retain you 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.
   
5. Review your progress.  When you earnestly feel that you have met the challenges above, write a letter to your lodge membership secretary.  In this letter:
   
   • Explain what you think the Obligation means.
   • Describe how you have been fulfilling this Obligation in you troop or team and in you daily life, and how you have used you understanding of the Ordeal to aid in this service.
   • Describe you specific plans for giving service in the lodge program.

Order of the Arrow Obligation

I, (your name), do hereby promise, on my Honor as a Scout, to faithfully observe and preserve the traditions of the Order of the Arrow, Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui. 
I will always regard the ties of brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow as lasting, and will seek to preserve a cheerful spirit even in the midst of irksome tasks and weighty responsibilities, and will endeavor, so far as in my power lies, to be unselfish in service and devotion to the welfare of others.

Order of the Arrow Song   (and some trivia)

Sample Letters 

Dear Lodge Secretary,

In my efforts to become a Brotherhood member in the Order of the Arrow, I’d like to tell you what our Obligation means to me. I believe that [insert what the Obligation means to you].

Since I completed the Ordeal, I have worked to fulfill the Obligation by [insert what you’ve done to fulfill the Obligation].

I gained an understanding of [insert an ideal that the Ordeal helped you understand better] at the Ordeal that has helped me in my daily life by [insert how it has helped you]. In addition, I have been able to serve my troop by [insert how you have served your unit].

I look forward to sealing my membership in the Order of the Arrow by becoming a Brotherhood member. As a Brotherhood member of [insert lodge name] I plan to serve the OA program by [insert how you plan to serve].

Yours in Brotherhood,

[Insert your name here]

Here are some of the ways I plan to render service to my Lodge in fulfillment of the new pledge I expect to take:

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