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Brotherhood

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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 Bortherhood ceremony.

The Five Challenges

  1. Memorize the signa of Arrow membership.  Memorize the Obligation of the Order, which you received from Allowat Sakima (printed on the back of your membership card and in your handbood).  Also, memorize the Order of the Arrow Official Song, the Admonition, the sign of Ordeal membership and Arrow handclasp.

  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. Pland 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.

    • Descripe you specific plans for giving service in the lodge program.

If you regularly attend Lodge meetings, you will be informed as to when the next Brotherhood Ceremony will be.

The National Order of the Arrow has created a web site that can help you with a jumpstart towards Brotherhood.  It is called Jump Start for New Arrowmen.

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

To fullfill the requirement of knowing the OA song, please refer to your official OA Handbook.