As an Ordeal member, you are entitled to all the rights and privileges of full membership in the Order of the Arrow. Yet, so important is the Induction sequence that the Order strengthened it by creating the Brotherhood Membership. It is an opportunity for members to evaluate their past service to Scouting (camping 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 purpose of the Order. Before becoming a Brotherhood member, each Arrowman makes a special effort to serve his Troop or Team and to learn about the Order. Each Brotherhood member commits himself to even more service to Scouting through the Order. Brotherhood Membership marks the completion of the Full Induction into the Order of the Arrow.
Upon attaining Brotherhood, your membership in the Order of the Arrow is now sealed.
Five challenges must be met before an Arrowman can enter the Circle of the Brotherhood. The first challenge should be met soon after the Ordeal. The next three require steady effort over a period of months. The last challenge can be met after being satisfied that the first four challenges have been met. Help on achieveing these goals can be found at the National Jumpstart Page which will guide you through the steps to earn this honor.
1. Memorize the Signs of Arrow Membership. Learn the Obligation of the Order, which you received from Allowat Sakima, the Mighty Chief. Also learn the Order of the Arrow Official Song, the Admonition, the Sign of Ordeal Membership, and the Arrow Handclasp.
2. Advance in Your Understanding of the Ordeal. Gain a thorough understanding of the Ordeal through which you have passed. The Brotherhood Questionnaire (info password protected info) is a good path each Brotherhood Candidate should follow in his quest for this understanding and enlightenment. You may also decide to read the ceremony via the Ordeal Ceremony Handbook. Specifically, the questionnaire helps the candidate re-live and re-focus again on every important part of the entire Ordeal experience and induction ceremony. The goal is to enrich the deep meanings of the entire Ordeal process.
3.
Serve Your Unit. 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 own Troop, Team, or Post/Ship. Important:
Each candidate must obtain his local Chapter certification of having fulfilled
this requirement before arriving at
4. Plan for Service in the Lodge. Retain your registration in the Lodge and keep current in dues. 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 four challenges above, write a letter to the Lodge Secretary. [Important: This letter must be attached to your Brotherhood Checklist and both the Check Form and letter given to your Chapter Chief or Chapter Adviser, who will pass them on to the Lodge Secretary.] In this letter, you should:
a. Explain, in your own words, what you think the Obligation means.
b. Describe how you have been fulfilling this Obligation in your Troop, Team or Post/Ship, and in your daily life, and how you have used your understanding of the Ordeal experience to aid in this service.
c. Describe your specific plans for giving future service in the Lodge Program and your Chapter's Program.