Brotherhood Membership
The Order of the Arrow consists of three honor levels. Ordeal and Vigil Honors are bestowed upon individuals through election and nomination. Brotherhood Honor is an individual choice. After 10 months of membership an arrowman may elect to "seal" his/her membership in the Order by meeting the Challenges of the Brotherhood.
The Challenges of Brotherhood are merely an intensification of the knowledge one learned during the Ordeal and a commitment to further serve his/her unit. Arrowmen are encouraged, when they feel ready, to complete the Challenges. Brotherhood conversion, as it is called, is offered at many Lodge events. Contact the Lodge Ceremonies Chair or any Lodge Officer for specific dates.
The Five Challenges of Brotherhood
- Memorize the signs of Ordeal membership. Memorize the Obligation of the Order, which you received from Allowat Sakima. Also, memorize the Order of the Arrow Official Song, the Admonition, the sign of Ordeal membership, and the Order of the Arrow handclasp.
- Advance in your understanding of the Ordeal. Gain understanding of the Ordeal through which you have passed by being able to explain the four challenges of the Ordeal.
- Serve your unit. Retain your registration in Scouting. During a period of at least ten (10) months, strive to fulfill your Obligation by continuing and expanding your service to your unit.
- 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 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 to the Lodge program.
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| "Tenas Chakchak" by R. L. Sleight (1984) | ||
The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is:
- To recognize those campers — Scouts and Scouters — who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant recognition.
- To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.
- To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council.
- To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
